Loop Runners
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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.
* 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.
Here is a list of development libraries that I used for this project:
* Haxe - programming language
* Heaps.io - game engine
* Deepnight's GameBase - framework
* LEd Haxe API - LEd integration
Here is a list of software tools that I used during the development of Loop Runners:
* Visual Studio Code - integrated development environment (IDE)
* Aseprite - pixel art editor
* LEd - 2d map editor
* GDX Texture Packer - texture packer
* rFXGen - sound effects generator
* Wavebots Editor - music and sound effects generator
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:
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:
* Haxe - programming language
* Heaps.io - game engine
* Deepnight's GameBase - framework
* LEd Haxe API - LEd integration
Here is a list of software tools that I used during the development of Loop Runners:
* Visual Studio Code - integrated development environment (IDE)
* Aseprite - pixel art editor
* LEd - 2d map editor
* GDX Texture Packer - texture packer
* rFXGen - sound effects generator
* Wavebots Editor - music and sound effects generator
Time-lapse Video
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:
