This is my entry for the Ludum Dare 47 (LD47) Compo challenge. The theme for the event was *Stuck in a Loop*. The game I created is called Loop Runners which takes inspiration from the game of Roller Derby.
In Loop Runners there are two teams which consist of both *Jammers* and *Blockers*. Each team has a single *Jammer* player who is the only team member who can score points. Teams also consist of four *Blockers* which try to prevent the other team's *Jammers* from scoring points. You play as the *Jammer* on the purple team.
In the game of Roller Derby, they play in periods of 30 minutes. However since the theme of LD47 is *Stuck in a Loop*, I decided to have there be only a single period and it will never end. I denoted this by adding an infinity symbol in the middle of the scoreboard.
During the game all players move counter-clockwise around a looping track. Everytime a *Jammer* passes an *Blocker* from the opposing team, they score a single point.
Jammers
In Roller Derby the *Jammers* wear a gold star on their helmets to differentiate themselves from *Blockers*. For Loop Runners I decided to pay homage to his by adding a large star to the *Jammer* sprites.
Blockers
The blockers will try to stay in front of an approaching *Jammer* of the other team and shove them backwards when they get too close.
Items
To add some spice to the gameplay, I added in item spawning at random-ish locations on the track. A randomly selected item will spawn every 13-ish seconds. Here is a list of the items that are included in Loop Runners:
* Speed Boost - Gives the *Jammer* a quick boost of speed. * Freeze - Freezes all other players for a brief period of time. * Invisibility - Makes you invisible to the other team's *Blockers* for a short period of time. * Shuffle - Randomly shuffles around the locations of all players. * Teleportation - Randomly teleports you to a different location on the track. * Bomb - Pushes nearby players away from you. * Trap - Ensnares the player for a short amount of time.
Development
Here is a list of development libraries that I used for this project:
While I was developing Loop Runners, I recorded a screenshot every 6 seconds. I then combined the screenshots to make a time-lapse video of me making the game. You can watch it on YouTube here:
Not sure if it's just me, but the controls seem off. For some reason when I get to the bottom of the track (especially bottom right), it forces me to go right and it feels like I'm fighting to go left and up again, which slows the character down considerably. Should probably mention I'm playing the web version of the game, and haven't tried the windows one.
Other than that, this is a pretty good game, I like the art style and music :)
The opponent kicks my butt but that's okay because this game's music, sounds, and graphics are just so pleasant. The power ups and general bumpy-racing were a lot of fun and this game makes me wonder how so many kinds of other abilities and tracks could be done for it. Great job!
@jmoocow2003 Thanks for the feedback. Yeah, that bottom right of the track was a pain point, I have a bug somewhere with the collision. I am forcing the directions allowed to move to keep everyone going counter-clockwise, not sure if it was really the best choice.
@kirbloid Thanks, yeah the opponent Jammer came out harder than I expected, but I decided to keep them tuned pretty hard. I felt after enough plays it still keeps it exciting.
Quite Cheerful! I enjoyed the visuals! It became a bit too repetitive and was not clear what gives me scores, or what is the goal (until I read the instructions)
I love it! The many powerups were pretty cool, and there was a surprising amount of content packed into this tiny loop of a game! Congrats on your first Ludum Dare! Nice work.
Fun to play, it was sometimes hard to follow your own guy especially after you passed a lot of other characters. I like the style of the game and it fits the theme very well
This does feel like an old NES game! I also agree that a win condition would be nice (I'm very goal-oriented..). I won thrashed the opponent with a self-imposed 100 point goal:
I didn't quite like that the field doesn't fit completely on the screen, and moves to the left and to the right slightly when you go from one end to another - or did you perhaps do that on purpose to create an effect of motion or something?
Thanks @eldar. Yes, I was considering an end, but decided to make that part go along with the Stuck in a Loop theme. If I were to add something I would definitely put in a high score system or sorts as well. I too generally just play to 100. And nice job on that point gap!
With regard to the map size not fitting on the screen, it was more of a time thing. I got caught up in trying to add new items and AI code. I was originally planning on making multiple maps as well. Maybe for another day. :smile:
@schraf Honestly, multiple maps, finite rounds, and achievements/skins/something that carries over between levels might just make this into a title people would get hooked on for hours ;)
Positives - Musics was fantastic and emmersive - Concept was simple - Graphics were nice
I really like it..I had to stop playing when I realised I was getting very tense. I can't believe this is your first LD. Great work, looking forward to see more of your work.
Thanks @justcamh for the review on your stream and feedback. You missed the scoring rule at the beginning, your jammer scores a point every time is passes an opponent's blocker, not once every loop. But in the end, it boils down to going as fast as possible around the loop. I agree about it needing an end or goal of some kind.
Had fun playing the game! The opponent had a much higher score but I was eventually able to get better and get a better score. There was a good variety of powerups that kept things varied. Could be interesting with multiplayer. Nice job!
Comments29
weldone
Other than that, this is a pretty good game, I like the art style and music :)
It became a bit too repetitive and was not clear what gives me scores, or what is the goal (until I read the instructions)
I didn't quite like that the field doesn't fit completely on the screen, and moves to the left and to the right slightly when you go from one end to another - or did you perhaps do that on purpose to create an effect of motion or something?
With regard to the map size not fitting on the screen, it was more of a time thing. I got caught up in trying to add new items and AI code. I was originally planning on making multiple maps as well. Maybe for another day. :smile:
- Musics was fantastic and emmersive
- Concept was simple
- Graphics were nice
I really like it..I had to stop playing when I realised I was getting very tense. I can't believe this is your first LD. Great work, looking forward to see more of your work.
Thanks for submitting your game!