[Free]BrickZ

[Jag]

BrickZ is a puzzle game, both like, and unlike all others :)

The goal of the game is to bounce a ball, and hit blocks. Wow, like that's never been done before. The twist is, instead of the ball simply destroying the block, it just changes the blocks color. Line up two blocks of the same color (vertical or horizantal) and they both get destroyed!

There are 20+ levels, and more then 9 different types of blocks.

Controls:
Press any key at the title to begin
Use the mouse to move the paddle
Use the left and right arrow keys to "nudge" the ball
Press "M" to turn the BGM off

Press F1 for a full list of scores, plus hints and tips ;)

Screenie:
http://www.4-jag.com/games/screen_lvl1.gif

And here's the download: Click here to download BrickZ! (http://www.4-jag.com/games/BrickZ.zip) (3.21mb)

This game is 100% free, I made it just for fun. ;)
Please leave feedback.

Enjoy! :cool:

[Jag]

It's that's bad, eh? :(

[Andy]

It's that's bad, eh? :(

No, Jag.
The idea was bright and addicting.

The realisation is awful. :( Yeah, I know, I will become your main enemy in these forums starting from now. But that's how it looks from outside.
"Free" - means "free". Unfortunately your "free" means "don't like to spend any additional efforts".

That's requires additional efforts in game design, visual appearence and programming to become as good as idea itself.

PS Don't accept this as personal attack.

[Jag]

No, Jag.
The idea was bright and addicting.


Well, that's good to hear.
I've personally found myself playing for an hour or more when I'm bored, or waiting for something.


The realisation is awful. :( Yeah, I know, I will become your main enemy in these forums starting from now. But that's how it looks from outside.


Don't worry, I am very acceptable of citicism, even when it's bad ;)


"Free" - means "free". Unfortunately your "free" means "don't like to spend any additional efforts". That's requires additional efforts in game design, visual appearence and programming to become as good as idea itself.


While I wouldn't go so far as to say I didn't put any work into the game, I can see how you would say that in-comparison it might fall a little short. However, please understand that I do all of my work, programming/design/graphics/etc. I'll admit I'm not very good at graphics/sound, but I try.


PS Don't accept this as personal attack.

No worries, I don't take game opinions personally. They are directed toward the game, not me ;)


If you have any suggestions for making the game better, I'd love to hear them. I may reopen it and try again, so any thoughts would be welcome :)

[Bluecat]

Well, that's good to hear.
However, please understand that I do all of my work, programming/design/graphics/etc. I'll admit I'm not very good at graphics/sound, but I try.


There is nothing to stop you from improving it. Now that you have a completed game, it may be easier to attract some artists and sound people to help you upgrade the graphics. Just a thought.

[Andy]

Jag,

Please correct me if I'm wrong but I suppose that I was reading exactly your description of this game design in old forums at Dexterity somewhen at spring... ???

To be honest I was jelows on such a way simple, clean and fun idea. :)
That's why I feel pretty disappointed by result. I'd say even offended. :D

What to do? I don't know what to do Jag. Take your idea and transform it into the game of the appropriate quality.
Imagine me as your potential customer - I don't care about your problems (job, family, luck of art experience), don't care if the game is free. I just want pretty fun small game.

PS In the first turn: To improve all in-game graphics, add bonuses, fun scoring system, create story line connected to the game.

Am I look frustrated? :D

Hope this helps...

[Jag]

Jag,

Please correct me if I'm wrong but I suppose that I was reading exactly your description of this game design in old forums at Dexterity somewhen at spring... ???

Yes, that was me. I've been working on this game for quite a while now.


To be honest I was jelows on such a way simple, clean and fun idea.
That's why I feel pretty disappointed by result. I'd say even offended.


Wow, that's very encouraging :)
(Note, I'm NOT being sarcastic, it really is encouraging to hear that someone else liked my idea enough to be jealous of it)


What to do? I don't know what to do Jag. Take your idea and transform it into the game of the appropriate quality.
Imagine me as your potential customer - I don't care about your problems (job, family, luck of art experience), don't care if the game is free. I just want pretty fun small game.


True, and I am actually redoing the game right now. I'm quite sure you'll be MUCH more pleased with the next release, as I am making some HUGE improvments to not only the graphics/sounds, but the gameplay as well :)


PS In the first turn: To improve all in-game graphics, add bonuses, fun scoring system, create story line connected to the game.


The game does actually already have some bonuses, and a "fun scoring system" (I think it's fun anyway). Allow me to explain:

Bonuses:
-After level 10, when you destroy a set of blocks, you'll have a 1-in-20 chance of the block giving you a paddle upgrade object. The paddle upgrade will increase the size of your paddle, until you die, or move to the next level.

-You can also recive score bonuses based on how many "singles" you leave behind. (a single is when one single block is left, with no blocks around it. This block is automatically removed, and a score is deducted). Leave no singles, and you get a +50pt bonus. Leave less then 5 singles, and you'll get a +25pt bonus.

Scoring System:
Each colored block is worth a different number of points. Yellow-Pink are worth 1 point each, but as you advance and get to Purple & white, they are worth 5 points each.

Whatever a block is worth, it can either add, or subtract, that number from your score.

If you destroy 2 pink blocks, you'll get 2 points (1pt+1pt=2pt), but if you destroy two pink blocks, but then cause a single white to be destroyed, you'll actually lose 3 points (1pt+1pt-5pt=-3pt)!

So there is a bit of strategy in the game as well.



Like I said above though, after your comments, and some comments from other people, I am redoing a lot of the game, and it's coming along VERY nicely :)

[Andy]

I am redoing a lot of the game, and it's coming along VERY nicely :)

Nice to hear!

Great when peoples understand advices as it should be - like attempt of one to help them in their success.

Oh! ...and don't make it free after all!!! :D

PS "jealous" - to not forget! ;)

[Valkilos]

Neat little game! Figured I'd throw my $0.02 in while you're thinking of how to improve it, though ;)

I was a bit surprised that making chains of three colored blocks only results in two of them disappearing.
Making rows of blocks touching each other, and allowing for vertical matches, would probably add another layer of strategy to the game - although it may make things unnecessarily complicated, as well.
Of course, brighter, more exciting graphics, and more powerups (both in type and frequency) would make things much more interesting :p

Definitely a nice effort though! It'll be fun to see what the next version brings!

[Jag]

I was a bit surprised that making chains of three colored blocks only results in two of them disappearing.

I had originally made it so rows of three would give you bonus points, but it made the game VERY easy, and made level design VERY hard. So I went back to just rows of two.

allowing for vertical matches, would probably add another layer of strategy to the game.

This is already possible in the game. You have get a couple levels into it before it's possible though.


Of course, brighter, more exciting graphics, and more powerups (both in type and frequency) would make things much more interesting :p


Yep, that's all being added to the next release.


Here's a couple screenshots of what the next release will look like. As you can see, it's a HUGE graphical improvment over the first release!

http://www.4-jag.com/games/screen_title.gif

http://www.4-jag.com/games/screen_lvl1.gif


I will be making a new graphic for the paddle, but the brickz will remain the same.

[Jag]

Ok, I've updated the game quite a bit now. New graphics, new levels, new blocks, etc. :)

Use the same link above to download the newest release.

Note, this is not a final release, just an update to show what I'm working on. I've got a LOT of new ideas to put in the game, the final will be very cool :)

[wazoo]

Just curious man why your sig goes to an indiegamer forum thread??

Why not have it go to your game? :confused:

[Jag]

Just curious man why your sig goes to an indiegamer forum thread??

Why not have it go to your game? :confused:

I haven't had time to build a game-related website yet, so it's easier just to link people here :)

I will get a site up sometime soon though ;)