What Is The Best Way To Create An Endless Runner?

FallingBoxStudios

Hi,
I'm working on my latest project which is an endless runner, but I'm wondering what is the best way to create an endless runner in GameSalad?

Some people say that the best way to create an endless runner, is by placing your character in one position on the screen, and accelerate random enemies towards him, so it looks like he's running.

others say that you can create a long scene and make your character accelerate forward, and have the camera follow him, and place all the enemies yourself one-by-one.

But I don't know which one really is the best, and looks the best, and is the most fun to play, so if anybody has any suggestions on how to create an endless runner, or which one of these 2 that I just mentioned would be the right one, then that would be really helpful Thanks.

- Hunter

KevinCross

Don't create a really long scene, that's messy and not endless.

FallingBoxStudios

@KevinCross Yeah it seemed like the worse option for me, as I tried it before and had no luck Thanks.

jamie_c

I prefer the first method you mention. But really the 'best' option for anything is what fits your needs the best, I don't subscribe to the idea that there is always only one best way to accomplish something.

FallingBoxStudios

@jamie_c Thanks, I will definitely take that advice

Loaded

I have started an endless runner @FallingBoxStudios

It can be a really rewarding challenge, i've gone with the first method you mentioned with actors moving towards my hero then recycling when they go off the scene.

FallingBoxStudios

@Loaded Thanks

chaley

I'm working on an endless runner where the hero stands still & the objects move towards him. It's working pretty well, but I'm getting stuttering with the bg / parallax images. It seems fine the first few times through on my iPhone, but after playing the game for a while, the stuttering gets worse. Seems like a possible memory leak.

jamie_c

Are you destroying the actors as they move off screen? If not, definitely do that.

FallingBoxStudios

Thanks, I just started work on it, and I've got to say I love your tutorials! your "Double jump" tutorial really helped Thanks.

jamie_c

Great, you're welcome!

8bitninja

This template uses the first method you mention.



Marketplace link: http://marketplace.gamesalad.com/#category=13&product=23313

JamieOneil

A long scene is very bad for many reasons. It will never really be endless, it will take a while to make and will be hard to work with.

Have your player appear to be in the same spot and have the platforms/enemies go towards the player.

You can either spawn the platforms/enemies or recycle them.
Have the platforms come in from right right of the scene, make it so when they are out of view on the left the move back to the right side.

Endless runners are very easy to create once you have done it once, but to answer your question, don't go with a long scene, have the enemies/platforms move towards the player. If you need any help just post here.

FallingBoxStudios

@JamieOneil @8bitninja @chaley Thanks, I really appreciate it