Re: [Supertuxkart-devel] Getting Feet Wet - Some Ideas

[M G. <aur...@gm...>]

Hi,
> I've been pouring over the source for STK for a couple days now and test 
> driving it (haven't played it since the "Math Class" track was the only 
> track). I'm very pleased with the progress that has been made to the 
> content (tracks, models, textures, GUI, etc.) and engine itself (moving 
> to BT was a good choice).
>
> I would like to run a few ideas by everyone (the mailing list) to get 
> some feedback and determine if there is a need/want for them, and then I 
> could possibly implement them. So here it goes:
>
>   
all contributions are definitely welcome, so it's great you're 
considering it :)

> Power-ups/Pick-ups:
> The Bug or "Ghost in the Machine" (not sure what to really call it yet).
> - Would have the same physics as the bowling ball (ie, straight vector 
> when fired and bounce around)
> - If a kart is hit it would switch the left/right steering buttons and 
> possibly the nitro/skid buttons(?)
> - This would last for N seconds (would have to be tested to find a balance)
> - The AI would have to be aware of such a hit (I admit that I've never 
> gone into AI in depth... I can try)
>
>   
Not my favorite, but I'll let others vote =)
> The "Slingshot" or "Rubber-band"
> - Would have the same properties as the plunger (a vague aiming system 
> and a connection to a kart)
> - If a hit is successful you are pulled in an increasing speed (with a 
> max) towards the attached kart
> - If the line is broken (like the plunger) or the kart is overtaken then 
> the effect wears off and you slow down
> - Regardless of the line breaking, the effect only lasts N seconds (test 
> to balance)
> - Again, the AI would need to be aware of this for use
>
>   
Unfortunately, here I can't really tell the difference between what you 
are proposing and the
plunger :/ This description sounds to me like a description of what the 
plunger already does
> Speed:
> One thing that kind of bothers me is that there is not a feeling of 
> speed in the game. If you use your nitro, there are some particles 
> coming out the back or your kart and the speedometer increases but it 
> doesn't 'feel' like you're going faster. I think there should be some 
> sort of visual feedback for using nitro or hitting a zipper. There are a 
> number of ways to give the feeling of speed in a game and I would love 
> some feedback from everyone as to the best way to approach this.
> Here are some examples (could be a combination):
> - A motion blur effect on the outskirts of the screen (think peripheral 
> vision while driving)
> - Motion/Wind lines (think old-school cartoons)
> - The camera pulls back (ie kart is >2.5f) proportional to the increase 
> in speed over normal max.
> - An oscillation/vibration of the camera (think sudden acceleration 
> jarring) maybe +/-0.1 x/y
> - <insert your idea here>
>
>   
Totally agreed; while motion blur can be quite heavy to implement 
graphically, the camera
idea definitely needs to be implement; IIRC a few people tried playing 
with it, but nothing
final/usable was ever submitted. I do think someone was working on this, 
though hearing news
from this person to confirm it would be appreciated - otherwise Phil 
should feel free to try ;)
 The camera is currently definitely needs improvements, to be less glued 
to the kart; also, in curves,
some people wished the camera would turn to show where you are turning 
too; in slopes, it should
also move vertically to give a better sense of going up/down and a 
better view. So lots of work to
be done in this area =)
> Challenges:
> This one is in the to-do already, but I'd like to throw some ideas out 
> there.
> What I imagine the Challenges menu to be like is to have squares with 
> screen-shots of the challenge in them. If they are locked, they have a 
> little locked padlock in the corner and are grayed-out. If they are 
> completed, the screen-shot is full colour and where the padlock was is a 
> medal for the achievement (gold, silver, bronze.... the result should be 
> determined in the challenge file). A mouse-over of each Challenge should 
> display some text in a box (maybe at the bottom of the screen) detailing 
> what was achieved (medal wise) and unlocked, or what needs to be 
> achieved and what will be unlocked. As it stands now, you don't really 
> have much of an idea as to how many Challenges there are and/or what the 
> incentive for doing them are.
>
>   
Totally agreed, and good ideas. I added your idea to the new UI-plans 
document on our website;
since we're currently rewriting the GUI from scratch with the switch to 
irrLicht, things like that
can be done better this time. Though, as a long-term goal, I keep my 
idea that challenges should
be integrated into some "story" mode or "campaing" mode
> General Stuff:
> - When selecting tracks, it would be nice to show the 'fastest lap/race' 
> times
>   
Already planned for our new GUI :D
> - A main menu option for achievements with fastest laps/races (need 
> default values to beat) and trophies
>   
Could be a good idea. I added this to the GUI design document too so 
it's not fogotten :)
> - Perhaps a 'Player Profile' menu option (ie multiple users on one login)
>   
Already planned for 0.7, and even partially implemented :)
> - A traffic light model would be nice for the beginning of the race 
> (red->orange->green)
>   
Sounds good, though I'll leave Hiker answer to this since in-game GUI is 
currently his area
> Well that about sums up 2 days of tinkering and I would appreciate any 
> feedback as to the properties of the above as well as the desire/need to 
> have them implemented. I'm currently finishing my CS degree and I 
> wouldn't mind implementing things to take me away from the mundane.
>   
We're currently very busy with real life and the switch to irrLicht for 
0.7, but I will for sure
help you contribute as possible. If you lack ideas, we do need a lot of 
help with the port ;)

-- Auria