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Read May 31, 2008, 02:00:18 am #0
ThetaGames

Ceramic Shooter - Finished!!!

It's finished!

Ceramic Shooter
by Theta Games


Ceramic Shooter is an "Anti-SHMUP;" that is, the goal is to not shoot anything.  You are the pilot of a malfunctioning ship with a constantly shooting gun, who must make it through a civilian area while causing as little damage as possible. 

The game consists of seven bizarre, abstract levels, each filled with things for you to avoid shooting at.  Each level concludes with a boss "fight," in which you must use special tactics to keep your bullets from hitting the boss.  Each level is timed, and destroying things or crashing loses you time.  If you run out of time, you lose.


Controls:

Move with Arrow Keys
<SPACE> pauses the game


Screenshots and Videos:

Title Screen
Game Image I
Game Image II

Levels 1-3 Video
Levels 4-7 Video
Thanks to Tim W. for these videos!


Specifications:

Title: Ceramic Shooter
Download Size: 5.54 MB zipped
File Type: A '.zip' archive that contains the main executable, README.txt, a folder containing the game music, and two DLL's used to play the Ogg Vorbis music.
Resolution: 640 x 480
Version: 1.3
Written In: GM7 Registered


Download:

Mirror 1
Mirror 2

« Last Edit: August 18, 2008, 03:27:44 pm by ThetaGames »

"What is a circle but a square without corners?"
http://www.thetagames.co.nr
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Read May 31, 2008, 04:51:35 am #1
failrate

Re: A "Pacifist" SHMUP - Very Early Demo

That is a pretty awesome premise Smiley
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Read May 31, 2008, 07:14:34 pm #2
ThetaGames

Re: A "Pacifist" SHMUP - Very Early Demo

That is a pretty awesome premise Smiley
Thanks!  Do you know if it's been done before?


"What is a circle but a square without corners?"
http://www.thetagames.co.nr
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Read May 31, 2008, 08:26:09 pm #3
Edge

Re: A "Pacifist" SHMUP - Very Early Demo

Very Nice idea!  Smiley

I am not sure if your game qualifies, since you ARE shooting projectiles in it, but you could also join the current Prototype Session.

Though I personally had the impression that a 13 level game, around that one idea, "might" become a bit too repetitive. As I think it is pretty difficult to design motivating and challenging levels around this feature.

Anyway, I think your concept is a very original take on the pacifist theme and a fun mini game.  Grin
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Read June 01, 2008, 02:38:25 am #4
ThetaGames

Re: A "Pacifist" SHMUP - Very Early Demo

I think 13 levels will work.  A lot of the variation will come from the behavior of the objects, though some will also come from the absolute abstractness of the levels.  (people won't know what to expect).

I don't think that I would be able to finish this by the June 2nd deadline for these Rapid Prototype Sessions.  Besides, it would probably be bending the rules a bit.  (although, in Ceramic Shooter, you can shoot, you just aren't allowed to, and doing such results in a time penalty).


"What is a circle but a square without corners?"
http://www.thetagames.co.nr
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Read June 09, 2008, 02:17:41 am #5
ThetaGames

Re: A "Pacifist" SHMUP - Very Early Demo

Just to let everyone know, I've been working somewhat diligently on this.  I have completed the second level, and have begun work sequencing the third level.  I have also composed the music, which is in Ogg Vorbis format, converted from WAV, recorded from an analogue 4-track cassette tape mixer.  I think it will provide a nice break from the 'perfect' sequenced pieces that comprise much of video game music, and add a little more of the human element.

Here is a sample of the music: 
Title Piece
Game Piece


The first will be the title menu music, and the second will be played during the actual game levels.  The game music is my favorite; it features myself playing on the Hammond Organ, Theremin, clarinet, and my keyboard.  The title piece features the organ and the keyboard.

I have some screenshots of my progress:


^^The second level.  Lots of purple.  The blue men holding mirrors reflect your bullets.  Can anyone guess what that grey thing on the bottom is?


^^Near the beginning of the third level.


As one can probably guess, there are a lot of seemingly random things in this game, but most of the individual elements are symbolic.  If anyone has ideas for objects [things to avoid shooting at] to place in the game, feel free to post them; I will give credit.  Seriously, I am not limiting myself; the objects can be absolutely anything (short of lewd, obscene, violent, or fascist imagery).

For anyone who can't download attachments, the one-level demo download can be found here:
Ceramic Shooter Early Demo
« Last Edit: June 09, 2008, 02:40:20 am by ThetaGames »

"What is a circle but a square without corners?"
http://www.thetagames.co.nr
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Read June 09, 2008, 12:25:21 pm #6
Sar

Re: A "Pacifist" SHMUP - Very Early Demo

If anyone has ideas for objects [things to avoid shooting at] to place in the game, feel free to post them

Adorable Puppies!
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Read June 09, 2008, 01:32:11 pm #7
ThetaGames

Re: A "Pacifist" SHMUP - Very Early Demo

Adorable Puppies!
I can put some dogs in.  I don't know how to distinguish dogs from puppies in 20x20 pixels, but it is a good idea nonetheless.  Perhaps they can be some of the earlier "enemies" that actually chase you?


"What is a circle but a square without corners?"
http://www.thetagames.co.nr
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Read July 17, 2008, 03:13:19 am #8
ThetaGames

Re: "Ceramic Shooter" - A 'Pacifist' SHMUP - Very Early Demo

I have made much progress in this.  I decided to cut the number of levels down to seven, instead of thirteen.  I don't think that many levels is necessary for this type of game.  I have six levels completed.

I may use a different piece for the title music.

I will likely be finished within the next couple of weeks.  In addition to the final level, I still have to program all of the menus, as well as a practice mode, a bonus level, and possibly cutscenes.


"What is a circle but a square without corners?"
http://www.thetagames.co.nr
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Read July 21, 2008, 08:44:43 pm #9
ThetaGames

Re: Ceramic Shooter - Finished!!!

Sorry to triple-post, but I just wanted to let everyone know that this game is finally finished!  I am personally quite pleased with it (besides, it was fun to program!).  Please try it out and comment.


"What is a circle but a square without corners?"
http://www.thetagames.co.nr
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Read July 22, 2008, 12:41:22 am #10
Avist Torch

Re: Ceramic Shooter - Finished!!!

Heh, trippiest game I've played in a while.  I thoroughly enjoyed it.  Great job! 
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Read July 22, 2008, 01:07:47 am #11
ThetaGames

Re: Ceramic Shooter - Finished!!!

Yeah, other testers have said that it was trippy as well.  Smiley  Did you finish?  Later levels get quite bizarre, as far as the random assortment of objects (not randomly generated levels).


"What is a circle but a square without corners?"
http://www.thetagames.co.nr
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Read July 31, 2008, 03:51:28 am #12
Tim

Re: Ceramic Shooter - Finished!!!

Levels 1 - 3
Levels 4 - 7
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Read July 31, 2008, 01:14:18 pm #13
ThetaGames

Re: Ceramic Shooter - Finished!!!

Thanks a lot for the videos, Tim!  I currently do not have the capabilities to make gameplay videos, so that was really a big help.  I guess Vimeo is allowing game videos now?


"What is a circle but a square without corners?"
http://www.thetagames.co.nr
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Read July 31, 2008, 04:34:58 pm #14
Tim

Re: Ceramic Shooter - Finished!!!

Nope. You'd best download the videos before they take it off. wink2
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Read July 31, 2008, 05:09:51 pm #15
ThetaGames

Re: Ceramic Shooter - Finished!!!

That's ridiculous that Vimeo is not allowing game videos of this type.  I could understand them banning things like "Look how good I am at Halo 2," but I don't see why videos of independent games are a problem, especially since Vimeo emphasizes "artistic expression" on their main page.

I noticed the Levels 1-3 video on Youtube, thanks for that.  I'll post a link to the Youtube one; hopefully it won't be going anywhere.


"What is a circle but a square without corners?"
http://www.thetagames.co.nr
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Read July 31, 2008, 07:00:33 pm #16
Tim

Re: Ceramic Shooter - Finished!!!

I was planning on uploading all videos to YouTube actually, but my dial-up connection won't allow this to happen without randomly timing out the upload at the most inconvenient times. (like... 98%)
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Read August 01, 2008, 03:34:19 am #17
Avist Torch

Re: Ceramic Shooter - Finished!!!

Yeah, other testers have said that it was trippy as well.  Smiley  Did you finish?  Later levels get quite bizarre, as far as the random assortment of objects (not randomly generated levels).
Yep, got to the end.  Some of the bosses were pretty interesting. 
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Read August 01, 2008, 02:36:22 pm #18
ThetaGames

Re: Ceramic Shooter - Finished!!!

Quote
Some of the bosses were pretty interesting.
Thanks!  My favorites are the sawtooth wave and the snake (the snake was especially fun to program).


"What is a circle but a square without corners?"
http://www.thetagames.co.nr
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Read August 18, 2008, 03:27:20 pm #19
ThetaGames

Re: Ceramic Shooter - Finished!!!

I've uploaded a new version that fixes a very rare bug with the Snake boss.  The error message can be ignored (and the game progresses normally afterwards), so it isn't absolutely necessary to download the new version.

Thanks!

~ Theta Games


"What is a circle but a square without corners?"
http://www.thetagames.co.nr
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Read November 30, 2008, 12:22:05 am #20
ThetaGames

Re: Ceramic Shooter - Finished!!!

Okay, I think the bugfixes are finally finished - only recently had I noticed that there was a bug with the level unlocking.  I have fixed it, and uploaded a new version.

Thanks!


"What is a circle but a square without corners?"
http://www.thetagames.co.nr
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Read November 30, 2008, 01:01:40 am #21
Owen Butler

Re: Ceramic Shooter - Finished!!!

Neat game.  I couldn't get past the first boss, but I had fun to get there.
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Read November 30, 2008, 02:12:48 am #22
ThetaGames

Re: Ceramic Shooter - Finished!!!

Thanks!  The gameplay takes a little getting used to - it is so instinctive to want to shoot at stuff, since most games are like that.


"What is a circle but a square without corners?"
http://www.thetagames.co.nr
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