• Warpspeed - redesign of the gaming industry

    7 Comments

    jan 30

    A statement that can be often heard when speaking of 2d shooters - "It cannot compare to 3D titles gameplay". For today, we like or not, it's a pretty much correct. However, can we assume that 2D multiplayer shooter games market is/have ever been at it's best? NO. A couple of good titles have came out (I say a couple but anything signifcant that I can really think of is soldat) have come out over the years. The titles, that people would play because they are fun to play over the internet with friends AND they do enable people to play at a competitive level.

    Since we have desired to fill this gap for a very long time now, we've finally found a way. It's called warp speed, it has no storyline, no tons of gore, and it's being created for only one reason - to become the greatest and the most playable 2D multiplayer shooter game to have ever been created.

    Enough talking, let's get straight to the point.

    Now, if after watching this piece You can FEEL what's coming, we're done. Whatever I write here about the process of getting to that concept, and how it's in very alpha stage and that the video only shows the movement idea, You are our fan already and You are waiting for more. If You don't, well, then it means that either You are not into 2D shooters/high paced games or... I don't really know... Perhaps you can share with your thoughts in the comments.

    The main goals in short:

    • fast paced game (no hiding, no sniper rifle, no lying in the bushes, no headshots made with every shitty weapon available)
    • easy to learn to anybody (you don't need 10 additional buttons for grenades, prone state, flying, throwing rope and whatever)
    • enabling competitive playing (the game basics are easy to learn but the gameplay depth will actually make it possible to master it endlessly)
    • gameplay gameplay gameplay that will make You addicted
    • visuals that will make You addicted, too

    Game features:

    • around 5-10 different weapons (so far we settled on 7)
    • elastic physics enabling the player to move around te level faster when he gets the idea of movement mechanics
    • no elevators, jumppads (at least the traditional ones), ladders and such
    • platform for the competitive playing

    Isn't it confusing to move around? No. Okay, it is, a little bit, in the begining. Once you get the idea, You can get to every corner of the map easily. What does it mean for a 2D game? It's not a 2D game anymore. As for the turning control You basically have two additional buttons to manage - bending forward/backward - their idea is really easy to grasp.

    It looks pretty ugly for now, I was supposed to write here something about the textures I've made so far but I don't really see the point in making this entry any longer by spamming some screens and writing description of them right now, so I'll leave it for now and make a separate post later.

    What's the problem behind this great idea? We're not developing it right now as we were forced to freeze the project in the end of january 2009 for the sake of a few other things. We are doing some webdesign stuff and generally trying to stay above the surface atm, so yeah, it's hard to develop warpspeed at the same time. On the other hand, it's a shame to put it away, too. Anyway, we hope to restart the works around june/juli so sit back, relax and be patient just for now.

    Any of Your feedback will be greatly appreciated so if You like/dislike anything about this idea, let us know, we'd like to hear from you.

    Author: leek Tags: warp-speed

Comments

  1. Sasha - 04.04.2009 - 20:11

    And how soon is that coming ?

    Volunteers for beta tests ?

    Sincerely.

  2. leek - 04.04.2009 - 23:13

    It's a little hard to judge at the moment. For now seems like a load of work to do, on the other hand, when we finally get back to it, we're planing on totally commiting to the project - currently we're sorting out all the stuff that could interfere so that we won't get distracted by anything later on.

    Surely we will be launching beta tests, it's hard to say anything more at the moment, just for now stay tuned and we'll keep you informed.

  3. Sasha - 05.04.2009 - 2:11

    I just read the part where you say working will be restored around June / July , thats pretty long time to remember and stay tuned that long with it =)

    I have a thought after leaving the first comment I would point out .. Top Down games were much more popular in comparison to those with side view. If you make find a genius way to make it top down it might advance the game to a new level.The idea is pretty interesting and I assume it was born after playing the Shift )
    http://upiq.ru/flash_game_shift.html
    and if you like itpart 2 and 3
    http://upiq.ru/flash_game_shift_2.htm
    lhttp://upiq.ru/flash_game_shift_3.html

    What language are you developing it on ? Maybe I could help with co-developing.

  4. Sasha - 05.04.2009 - 2:18

    Wow, the videos makes it look very complicated, but if you do it like the shift game, with switching only in 2 directions and enabling jumping, that would clarify the game and make it friendlier to beginners. It looks really hard to control everything without getting a headache rotating it 90 all the time.

    Actually if there will be some hard action taking place those rotatings will piss out any mind and cause headaches and dazzles for sure. Thats also a point to consider.

  5. leek - 05.04.2009 - 14:02

    Yup, that's quite a long time but I'm almost sure we'll be posting out some more information about the project before we actually restart it so... yeah, it's still a bit too long ;)

    It's being developed in c++, we're not considering any outside help right now.

    We're quite conscious that the rotation system may make it a little difficult for some to adapt, on the other hand it doesn't have to be that hard - after all all you need to fully control the player are 4 keys (let's say WASD) and a spacebar. Also, look at 3d quake-like shooters - changing view is so dynamic in there, still it does not get dizzy for majority of people so..

    These two are in general the reasons why we're not concerned about this possible problem atm.

    The general reason for 2d mp shooters not to be too popular is the fact that they are poorly designed and not so fun to play due to the lack of dimension and the rotation hax MAY fix it, we hope ;) I'm not much into topdowns mp shooters tbh, can You point out any titles worth checking out?

    Shift is a fun logic game we actually didn't know before and it features a little bit different idea that I personally wouldn't consider a succesful when adapted to shooter. The closest ones to our concept that we know of are "and yet it moves" and "jumpman" titles.

  6. np - 28.06.2009 - 17:56

    This looks great! :)

    It's a funny idea of switching the environment instead of the body. Maybe I can help you with testing?

    Cu on skype

  7. Guest - 27.10.2009 - 8:34

    Hell yeah!

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