Mining Boi _ Space Miner Sim

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I'm just starting out with game development for fun and this is my very first project. It's still in its early stages of development. I'm developing it as I learn new things.

Upgrade your ship as you mine for profits!

In the new build I've added a simple save system.

To save the game, simply press S at any time. The game will load the save file when you start the game.

Now if you press TAB that ship movement will change from "following the mouse" to WASD.

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masonhill 4 years ago

Game Graphics Controls
This is largely my own opinion...

If a game doesn't need mouse control, I think it should not have mouse control. The only point of the mouse is to turn the direction of the ship clockwise or counter-clockwise. Everything else in the game is done through buttons. Using the left and right arrow key to control the rotation of the vessel would seem better to me. Using the mouse, you have to continuously move it to keep the ship rotating which is quite annoying.

Accessing the shop is also a bit awkward. Use right control to dock and right shift to undock? Why not just use the same key? This is just preference, but I have never seen a game by default expect you to use right control or right shift. In general, enter or space bar would be more generally used. Enter/Space bar -> goes forward. Esc key goes backwards. So enter dock, enter key. Enter shop, enter key. Exit shop, esc key.

Obviously the game is in a very early stage as there is no saving/loading, enemies (From what I could tell), or really any meaningful purpose to the game besides getting a few upgrades. Perhaps this is just from lack of tutorial or understanding and I'm missing content.

The graphics are satisfactory, but I also find ASCII based game graphics satisfactory.
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Roxicaro 4 years ago

That's great feed back. Thanks for all the suggestions. I kinda like the mouse movement, though the programing could be improved. I'll work on adding keyboard movement.
It makes a lot of sense to have a single button for a variety of actions.
Finding and interesting purpose for mining has been a challenge to me. Any ideas?
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seungeob 4 years ago

Game Graphics Controls
It is unclear what purpose the game is for.

There is a lack of action in the game.

Simply raising the level is not a clear goal.
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Roxicaro 4 years ago

Thank you for the feedback! I agree with you. Finding an interesting end goal has been a challenge to me. Any ideas?
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Toolkitz 4 years ago

Game Graphics Controls

Not a bad concept. I assume it's a concept since you mentioned it's in its early stages. Here are my thoughts so far:

Some grips:
- I would prefer not to use the mouse. It feels very uncomfortable for me to use the mouse. I would like an option for keyboard or gamepad.
- Collision is kind of wonky. I tried grabbing the ores but I could not, but I managed to do it by mistake, unless that was something else.
- My laser keeps turning off by itself randomly. I have to constantly click the LMB to constantly mine.
- I had to quit the game after my thruster stopped working, as in W did not propel me anymore. In fact, every now and again, the thruster would not work.
- If I'm going to use the mouse, all buttons should be on the opposite side of the keyboard. This is a small gripe since you really only need to use the right sided keys when docking and buying, hence no mouse needed, but I got confused at first.
- Was I suppose to know how much supply and money I had? Because I couldn't tell when I went into the shop.

Some compliments:
- Music is pretty nice and atmospheric.
- Graphics are also very well made. A bit too pixely but they are consistent with the exception of the ores, which are just too pixelated and are out of place.
- I like the concept of the game, the idea of being a space miner and having to fight enemies (though not in this proto apparently). A campaign and story for this game would be exciting.

Overall: I like where this game is going and it clearly shows TLC. I look forward to seeing its progress.
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Roxicaro 4 years ago

I appreciate your feedback very much! By what you said, it seems the game resolution didn't ajust right to your computer's so you couldn't se the HUD.
The HUD shows your cargo capacity (it explains why you couldn't get more ore), your laser energy (why your laser turned off), your fuel (why your thruster shut off) and your money.
I'm getting a lot of feedback on the controls, so I'm definitelly going to add keyboard controls. I'll also work on adding clickable buttons to the shop.
Thank you again for your feedback!

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PirateGames 4 years ago

Physics Mechanics
This is a great little prototype so far, I really liked the ship controls, nice and simple but you can feel some weightlessness, nice!
Some nice effects like when the asteroid are destroyed.
The shop menu is abit awkward to navigate, and also in the menu's I tried clicking the button to start, but it doesnt do anything so I had to press a key, would be nice if both ways worked instead.
I think something is wrong with the resolution on my screen, as there is no indication of why my laser stops firing.
If you continue to add content to the game, I would suggest having enemies competing with you for resoures, space pirates and random missions at spacestations etc like the oldschool space games.
Best of luck, will be keeping an eye on the project!
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Roxicaro 4 years ago

Thank you. That's great feedback! I'll keep working on it and make sure to focus on the resolution issues and improving the menus.
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Ezyo99 4 years ago

Animation Tutorial/Learning Curve
Accessing the shop is also a bit awkward. Use right control to dock and right shift to undock? Why not just use the same key? This is just preference, but I have never seen a game by default expect you to use right control or right shift. In general, enter or space bar would be more generally used. Enter/Space bar -> goes forward. Esc key goes backwards. So enter dock, enter key. Enter shop, enter key. Exit shop, esc key.
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