Aerial Antics Updates
by Jeremy Alessi · 09/25/2006 (4:44 pm) · 8 comments
Aerial Antics is a lot of fun for me and there's so much that I want to do with the concept that I still haven't done (somethings are actually planned for a whole other series of games). Anyway, there's plenty of life left in this title and I'm going to keep it coming.
First off, I've added gamepad support back in the form of Xbox 360 gamepad support. I really like the 360 pad and I'm pushing for it to become the standard PC controller for games. Sometimes standards are nice and I personally feel this is one of those times. Along with that I've removed some of the clunkiness of the opening level by allowing the player to touch any button on the gamepad, mouse, or keyboard which then triggers the correct tutor to come up and actually instruct you on how to play. This is much better than having to decipher the buttons behind the level description as it was before (a horrid way if I do say so myself). I've tweaked quite a few other things as well in the main game.
Now what actually might happen is that the original game's codebase might be scrapped for that re-write I started last year (although I've gotten so much better that I want to re-write it again). Anyway, long story short I've now got Aerial Antics Reboost (Aerial Antics multiplayer) working with more components from the original game such as the ball. It would be possible for instance to now have a game of jet pack soccer ;)
It's still early but it's quite fun and using the Xbox 360 controller I can see that I'm much more in tune with what a console game should be than a traditional PC game. I have people telling me this is fun when before they just couldn't wrap their hands around the keyboard and mouse.
Anyway, here's a visual of me and 3 of my friends (sigh ... only computers though) kicking the ball around:
In other news Oust is sooo close to having the first of its custom characters and animations in that I can taste it. I'll surely have some more Oust news soon but I'm going to be keeping fairly quiet about that one .. just because. Other than Oust I still have that secret title which needs a bit more work but I think it'll make the perfect candidate for the affiliate program. It's the type of game that's just fun ... even without a game molded around it and additionally it can be played on just about any platform in existance. Is it as cool as I'm making it sound ... only the future knows ;)
First off, I've added gamepad support back in the form of Xbox 360 gamepad support. I really like the 360 pad and I'm pushing for it to become the standard PC controller for games. Sometimes standards are nice and I personally feel this is one of those times. Along with that I've removed some of the clunkiness of the opening level by allowing the player to touch any button on the gamepad, mouse, or keyboard which then triggers the correct tutor to come up and actually instruct you on how to play. This is much better than having to decipher the buttons behind the level description as it was before (a horrid way if I do say so myself). I've tweaked quite a few other things as well in the main game.
Now what actually might happen is that the original game's codebase might be scrapped for that re-write I started last year (although I've gotten so much better that I want to re-write it again). Anyway, long story short I've now got Aerial Antics Reboost (Aerial Antics multiplayer) working with more components from the original game such as the ball. It would be possible for instance to now have a game of jet pack soccer ;)
It's still early but it's quite fun and using the Xbox 360 controller I can see that I'm much more in tune with what a console game should be than a traditional PC game. I have people telling me this is fun when before they just couldn't wrap their hands around the keyboard and mouse.
Anyway, here's a visual of me and 3 of my friends (sigh ... only computers though) kicking the ball around:
In other news Oust is sooo close to having the first of its custom characters and animations in that I can taste it. I'll surely have some more Oust news soon but I'm going to be keeping fairly quiet about that one .. just because. Other than Oust I still have that secret title which needs a bit more work but I think it'll make the perfect candidate for the affiliate program. It's the type of game that's just fun ... even without a game molded around it and additionally it can be played on just about any platform in existance. Is it as cool as I'm making it sound ... only the future knows ;)
About the author
#2
09/25/2006 (6:32 pm)
Well the style of of little consequence now. We established that 3 years ago when the game was first developed and published here at GG. This is merely an update to an older game. In the future though I do plan on a series of games as I said using the mechanics of Aerial Antics with new aesthetics as well as story.
#3
09/25/2006 (7:07 pm)
What do you use to connect your XBOX360 controller to your PC? Any resources you would reccomend for doind XBOX360 controller support?
#4
09/25/2006 (8:11 pm)
The wired controllers work automagically. There's a resource already up for Torque.
#5
Antics is one of the few games that Torque would almost be THE perfect engine for. Especially multiplayer.
09/26/2006 (3:33 am)
Hmm, must get a 360 sometime so I can use the controller. Do the wireless controllers work on PC as well?Antics is one of the few games that Torque would almost be THE perfect engine for. Especially multiplayer.
#6
09/26/2006 (10:46 am)
The wireless ones don't work yet ... although there's a rumor that there's a device coming out this fall which will allow you to use it. As for Torque well you can bet that I've tinkered with the idea. At this point I'm doing what I'm doing though because the content is already done and I do feel obligated to make that as good as it can be. Going to Torque would mean all new content ... which of course will happen one day just not quite yet.
#7
09/26/2006 (12:24 pm)
Nice... I just bought a 360 controller yesterday just for Torque! I mean, if Im going to develop games might as well get ahead and get ready for XNA and the 360 right???
#8
09/26/2006 (11:44 pm)
Hehe, tonight I hosted the first playtest and it was a blast! AA soccer is by far the most fun I think I've ever had playing my own game. We had 4 people all in the same room which could be a big part but the gameplay was genuinely fun and solid. I'm o'so excited about this one ;) 
Torque Owner Plague
style you're going for. Good work.