Playtesting and the Camera
As I mentioned many times before, Metroid wasn't a popular franchise here, at least not as popular as Mario or Zelda. Because of that, playtesters with Metroid background are kinda hard to find. Luckily, a couple of months ago, two musicians that happen to be fans of Super Metroid started doing some playtesting for AM2R.
This helped a lot with the Metroid fights. The latest playtest session showed that I overtamed the Alphas (health and ammo drops were too generous), and that Gammas are still cheap as hell. I re-balanced every Metroid up to the 3rd Area, but there's plenty of testing left to do.
Turns out that playtesting is a very time-consuming part of development. Preparing the section of the game, documenting the results, comparing the performance of different testers, all that organization takes quite some work. But the data gathered is invaluable.
One thing that received a nice overhaul these days was the camera system. There were situations in big caves where 2 camera controllers (the objects that limit the scrolling to keep the camera fixed in one axis) overlapped, and caused very jerky camera movements. I had to rewrite some of the code, without breaking the existing system.
So, a new demo is on the way, and now the question is not "When is it released?", but how much more of the game will it include. For feature requests, speculations about the later areas, and general discussion, I invite you to the Forums.
Have a good month!
Comments
Sigue así Doc,espero con ansias el final de tu trabajo y la publicación de la versión final de AM2R!!!
The project is moving along rather nicely, and really, nothing can stop its descent into becoming a reality.
Another demo? That is exactly what we desire: Another take on one of the most ambitious, non-official remakes. And even better, to see what you have been up to for the last few months. In the end, it's going to be novel experience, without a doubt.
hablo español pero veo que hablas mucho mas el Ingles, esperemos ver la Demo que prometes muy pronto. y quien sabe quizas mas pronto de lo Que se espera la Version Final del Juego..
Segui Asi Doc.. jaja
nice progress, this will be great when it comes out!
You rock! And let the new demo come haha
You are great :)
Thank you again for doing this project.
keep at it, Doc!
thank you for sharing this epic remake with us thanks again.........
a friend a fan of a classic game being made better..........
Jugue al Metroid 2 en emulador.
En todo caso, bien hecho Milton, n_n
playtesting is a big part of making a game too. lots of variables and opinions to work with to keep things balanced.
Here's to hope that dream becomes a fantastic one, Jer.
If skipping demos would get the game out faster, I vote for that. Getting cut off from playing before you're done (demos) sucks.
and Kraid was suppose to be in Metroid Prime would have been awesome seeing a 3d fight with him
Progress report at the end of these. Sometimes, I know things get in the way, and it is hard to get any progress. and the screw attack blocks to the left of our landing site? are those going to change to Metroid Blocks? as the baby Metroid what allows you past it. Otherwise, a person might be able to go back and just screw attack them... not that he will get far to begin with.
Anyways. glad to see what we have. Just played though the original one. and since we only have overworld, and level 1 so far. if we get to lvl3 which there are 10 of them it wouldn't be that revealing. Anyways. here's hoping to a good update.