RD/Gilda bullet hell fan game

[Firestorm 8]

I had been playing (and ragequitting) Ikaruga for a while now and even though that game was short, it was enjoyable. This gave me an idea for a fan game that I thought would suit RD and Gilda.

 

Ikaruga features a polarity mechanic. Only bullets of an opposite polarity can kill the player. Same color bullets are absorbed and converted into energy for the game's special weapon, a homing laser. Switching the ship's polarity also changes the color of the ship's bullets, and shooting an enemy using opposite-polarity bullets will cause double damage. It's quite a challenge to try and avoid one bullet color while absorbing the other.

 

Well, that's the idea of this game except there'll be more features such as the ability to level up, a skill tree, extra stages and artwork, cutscenes with voice acting, the ability to call in support attacks and much more.

 

Here's an idea on how the game looks like:

 

I thought it'd be nice to use the Unity 3D engine to create the game but if you have better suggestions, I'd love to hear it. If reception goes well here but still unable to create a small team to develop the game, I'll move on to places like Ponychan or EqD to gain more help. Hell, if it's a success, I'm gonna have it featured in the next BronyCon. I know I'll be playing (and ragequitting) this game like I did with Ikaruga. The most troublesome part in creating this game is getting the programmers and graphic artists so I would like to make those top priority positions. Trust me, if I had money, I'd give it to them.

 

I know I'm not much of a programmer or a graphic artist but I'll be contributing in writing and perhaps some concept art. I'll reveal more info on what I have in mind if response is good.

Edited January 27, 2012 by Firestorm

[Tom 891]

I would be happy to help (Programmer), but not in the next few months, I'll be very busy.

 

Come summer time I should have more free time.

 

I haven't done anything with 3D graphics so that may be a small hurdle, shouldn't be too much of a problem though. I could work on AI or something else if I need to.

From what I've learned with Unity we could use JavaScript, C# or Boo. Personally I've only used C# out of these. But I could learn the other two if needed.

I'll be giving this some though for now, may come up with some interesting ideas to implement into it.

 

For now I recommend that you produce some kind of design document, details as to how the game will look and features that it'll have. It would make it much easier when it comes to making it.

 

Best of luck in this endeavour.

[Firestorm 8]

A design document is a good idea. In fact, I've already made one a few days ago. It's something like this.

 

The game will have the usual main menu screen and four difficulty levels which are Easy, Medium, Hard, and Awesome! Finishing the game on easy will unlock the Extras feature in the main menu where players get to view artworks, enemy info and play three extra stages with some of the more powerful characters from MLP such as Princess Celestia, Princess Luna, Nightmare Moon and Discord as bosses at the end of each stage.

 

As for the gameplay itself, I already mentioned that it would be like Ikaruga where there will be two types of bullets and players would be surrounded by a shield. Players must switch shield colors to absorb the corresponding attacks or the shield will collapse and the player will lose a life if the shield is down. To make things more interesting, the game would feature a level up system in correspondence with the scoring system. Players who get high scores would be awarded extra EXP and that EXP can be used to level one of the three stats which are Attack, Defense and Speed. These stats could be leveled until Level 10 and every two level ups, players would gain a perk. For example, Level 8 Attack would grant players the "Pierce" perk where the player's shots would penetrate through multiple enemies.

 

Interface-wise, the HUD comprises of total number of lives, total number of support calls (a.k.a. bombs), special attack gauge and of course the mugshot of the characters (RD is player one while Gilda is player 2). Players can gain extra lives by earning a certain amount of points or picking up the Blessing pick up item. Players are given 1 extra support call everytime they complete a stage (2 if easy mode and none at all in Awesome! mode) or by picking up the S.O.S transmitter pick up item. Support calls vary for RD and Gilda. For example, RD's support call may involve calling in a Wonderbolts Air Attack or if players want, they could choose to have Pinkie Pie use her party cannon to blast enemies with confetti and fireworks (it's merely a change of how the attack looks but the function is still the same). Bombs can destroy most weak enemies in one hit and deal massive damage to medium enemies. It does little to harm heavily armored enemies and bosses. Special Attacks, on the other hand, do massive amounts of damage and are rechargable. Players may choose to release a special attack even when the gauge isn't full but the damage dealt would be lesser. The gauge can be replenished by absorbing enemy shots, picking up the Charge pickup item or attacking enemies.

 

That's all for now. I'll reveal more once I have some more ideas. Anypony here wanna add on or suggest extra features?

 

So anypony here wanna help or maybe help give a shoutout to others who might be interested in helping? If you have any questions, please feel free to ask away.

[Evilshy 5,090]

MLP Ikaruga? Words cannot describe how happy I would be if this actually happened.

 

Not sure if you mentioned it, but bombs should clear the screen of shots as well.

 

I've always liked bullet hell games that give you extra points for NOT shooting things, the idea being, if you can survive that many things coming at you without firing a shot, you deserve just as many points as if you had. I seem to remember Ikaruga had something kinda like this, in that bosses would go away after a certain amount of time, so people could do "no shooting" challenges.

 

In fact, I threw together a really simple bullet hell game in which your score is constantly increasing, but shooting and using shields and stuff slows the increase, or even causes it to decrease. If you use your shields and special attack enough, you can even go into the negatives.

Edited January 26, 2012 by Evilshy

[Firestorm 8]

Wooo...that's an interesting feature. Maybe awarding extra EXP for skilled dodging.

[I_wesley125 393]

I can help with programming if your using C++ or XNA/C#

[Killian Jones 2,655]

I liked Jamestown. It is also of the bullet hell type but features a gameplay based more on the dodge mechanic. You have to dodge all the bullets, and you gain coins in order to use on vaunt mode. When vaunting the player temporarily becomes invulnerable (through a shield) and damage is amplified. The player can choose to go out of vaunt mode with another temporary shield or wait until the coin bar runs out.

 

Each character has two modes of shooting. Depending on the character. Characters also have very small hitboxes.

[Evilshy 5,090]

I liked Jamestown. It is also of the bullet hell type but features a gameplay based more on the dodge mechanic. You have to dodge all the bullets, and you gain coins in order to use on vaunt mode. When vaunting the player temporarily becomes invulnerable (through a shield) and damage is amplified. The player can choose to go out of vaunt mode with another temporary shield or wait until the coin bar runs out.

 

Each character has two modes of shooting. Depending on the character. Characters also have very small hitboxes.

 

 

Sounds a lot like Touhou.

[Firestorm 8]

I can help with programming if your using C++ or XNA/C#

 

Well, the Unity engine seems to allow C# so yes, your help would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

[I_wesley125 393]

Well, the Unity engine seems to allow C# so yes, your help would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

 

I dont know much about unity but ill see what i can do.

[tornado bolt 36]

i think open gl is easy to use (i dont know computers that well, and i can do basic stuff on it like pong) it will have horrible graphics, but runescape has a setting that is based off of it, and the graphics on there arent horrible

[Firestorm 8]

I've made another new poll question on how to create the game so take your pick. Also, in the mean time, I hope we can get started as soon as possible. I'm planning to call for more help on EqD so we need something to back our project.

 

May I suggest some concept art to show EqD or maybe a short cutscene? Need voice actors for RD and Gilda

[Lunatic 1,186]

it would be fast if you would program it with C++ but i cant help you with that, flash is a downer in the first place since its verry slow and all. and with unity you can get some nice 3d art in it

[Tom 891]

i think open gl is easy to use (i dont know computers that well, and i can do basic stuff on it like pong) it will have horrible graphics, but runescape has a setting that is based off of it, and the graphics on there arent horrible

 

I vote for using OpenGL, but it isn't quite as easy as you make it sound. OpenGL can be complicated at times, particularly if you want good looking 3D graphics. Not to say it is an impossibility, here's a few examples of what can be achieved I found on google:

 

 

Also for anyone interested here is a tutorial on C++ and OpenGL.

 

But from what I know about what you're trying to achieve I'd recommend looking into using 2D graphics instead.

It is generally easier to make 2D look pretty.

[Firestorm 8]

Well, that's one vote for OpenGL and one for Unity 3D. Personally, I think Unity 3D is nice though I'm open to exploring OpenGL. What say the rest of you who are interested?

[Tom 891]

If you plan on going with 3D graphics I think Unity would be a better choice overall.

But I prefer 2D myself, so that's why I chose OpenGL.

[Electrobolt 2,069]

Sounds a lot like Touhou.

 

You could say that It certainly has that Touhou feel, though it has mouse and gamepad controls... And although you can go through each stage individually, there's a Gauntlet mode where you have to go through with what lives you have, and no continues. BUT ANYWAYS, back to the topic at hand...

 

I'd be interested in the idea, and like someone mentioned earlier, reminded me of Ikaruga! If you'd like someone to beta test, maybe I could help?

[Firestorm 8]

You could say that It certainly has that Touhou feel, though it has mouse and gamepad controls... And although you can go through each stage individually, there's a Gauntlet mode where you have to go through with what lives you have, and no continues. BUT ANYWAYS, back to the topic at hand...

 

I'd be interested in the idea, and like someone mentioned earlier, reminded me of Ikaruga! If you'd like someone to beta test, maybe I could help?

 

You're welcome to beta test and yes, this fan game is inspired by Ikaruga! Short game but hell, it was fun.

 

Ok, so after some consideration, I've decided to go with OpenGL. Everyone okay with that?

 

So, should we get started? Shall I make the first move?

 

This is just in. Here are some music samples for the game composed by Knight _Pony. He's working with limited music equipments so it may sound simple. Also, the game project is good to go with concept arts coming in later. C'mon guys, we're gonna make this game a success and we need your help.

 

http://soundcloud.com/knight_pony/the-flowers-bloom