Help with Level Design

jbrown2177

I have my mechanics down finally on my accelerometer game. However, I want to create different shaped backgrounds for my main actor to roll on, but I want it to be able to fall off of the platform. How do I make the background in which the actor can fall off? Keep in mind I'm going to use odd sized and shaped backgrounds…think of this game kinda like Marble Madness in a way.

JGary321

To get the collision looking proper you will probably want a lot of smaller invisible actors. That's really the only way as of right now.

Eastbound

Just draw out the background how you want, and create invisible 'pit' actors. When the ball hits these just have it animate as if it is falling off, most likely by shrinking the size. Or if the pits are black you could have the ball shrink and fade to black.

rebump

This going to be a side-view game or a top-down view game and by top-down, I could mean iso or just plain top-down? Haven't seen too many GS top-down games (unless you count the scrolling space shooters which I guess could be interpreted as such).

I'm just asking as I loved Marble Madness and was thinking what would be the best way to implement something similar (although lacking real 3D) in GS. Don't worry, it was more of a mental exercise in my head than a "I will be making Marble Madness" thought...so we won't be competing. :-)

jbrown2177

It's going to be a top down game. @Eastbound what if the backgrounds are different shapes? Most invisible actors I have seen in GS games have been a square. I want to have different platforms to this game to be different sizes.

firemaplegames

Right now, you can only use rectangles and circles.

You can use a lot of little ones to create more complex shapes, and they can be rotated as well.

jbrown2177

Sounds like a plan. Thanks firemaple and others very helpful. I would like to contact you personally if I could firemaple so I won't clog up to forums for some 1 on 1 assistance if you didn't mind?