The Runner Moves On! Plus UI Elements

This week we continued to explore more aspects of our Endless Runner assignment. In mine, I have created some additional obstacle paths which are narrow, and can appear in three locations on the game space. There was a really annoying issue that I was having where these narrow paths would spawn on the first tile when the game started. Using the logic from what we had learnt the previous week in the tutorials on managing corner sections and when they spawn, I thought I would try the same basic principals, however was unsuccessful. It is in these situations where the issue is something simple, and if I were to be programming the game in C#, it would be much easier. But this is all part of the learning process and is to be expected. The solution to this issue was to add the narrow pathways into the same array as the corners. The downfall is that now there are less corners/narrow paths than intended, however with some further tweaking I should be able to get something that I want.

The next step is to finalise the Runner assignment. After analysing games such as Temple Run, I have decided that the power ups I wish to use are a coin magnet, something that slows the character down and something that speeds the player up (Which acts more as a trap pick up). There is also the possibility that I will incorporate a temporary invincibility type item that will last something like 10 seconds that will aid the player. I also wish to implement some more floor sections such as obstacles the player must jump over. The character's gravity needs to be adjusted as he is too floaty and gravity means nothing to him.

After this, I need to implement menus, which after what we have learnt in class about how to handle health and stamina type variables, shouldn't be too troublesome. Thankfully there is this new fangled thing called Google which, almost like sorcery, can conjure up great research materials which will aid me in finding what I need. Next week will be good as we will be learning the final section that we require to finalise the assignment, which is namely recording score boards.

Time is however beginning to tick away and slip from beneath our feet. Next week marks the mid-way point in this trimester. I have just purchased a new gaming laptop. Yes it is an Alienware, and yes I may hear some people groan at this. But the machine is powerful, and finally I can run software without extreme lag. Things are on the up, and hopefully this means my Runner will be awesome!

User supplied images.

#GAM111