Question java game

[TdC]

guys and dolls, I have a question!

for my java course I have to come up with a game that is due in a couple of weeks. now, this is relatively easy (note: I use the term relatively rather...err...relatively), as I could do something that's been done a thousand times before, like a pacman clone or whatevers, but me being me I have had thoughts!

I want the whole thing to look simple, perhaps even 8-bit stylee, but I want it to actually be enjoyable as a game. Perhaps even addictive! That means the elusive playability thing. how the heck to I manage that?

So, here is the question: do you have a (simple) flash or java game that you just can't leave alone? if so...why can't you? tell me about it, or even better, show it to me, if you're so inclined. What is it about the game that hooks you?

Example (Me):
I have been playing this game for ages. I just keep coming back to it. Flash Game: Curveball (3D pong)
it's a relatively simple pong style game, with little in the way of graphics and audio. still, I can't leave it alone. I think this is because of two things: 1) I like the balance; the AI is just good enough to keep you on your toes. 2) there is subtlety in the game; eg you can put spin on the ball, you can employ a tactic, etc.

I also play this on my phone. I like (easy) puzzles and brain teasers generally. Download Super Sudoku for your Android phone on AppBrain
again, it has little in the way of gfx and no sound at all iirc, but my ocd compels me to solve the puzzles and I just have to fill all the blanks. I really get pissed off when I can't solve one.

so, here are my criteria for the game I will have to make in order for me to actually enjoy it:
- must have subtlety; stuff you can actually apply against the game to win, etc
- prolly should have something like a scoreboard
- (NTH) playable against random other people (that means bluetooth or internets or something. not too sure I can hack that yet tbh)

Your thoughts will be greatly appreciated!

 

[Chilly]

good luck on solving world peace too

Seriously, you've got two weeks. You're suffering from classic "I've had a great idea lads"-itis. Do a pacman clone and if you happen to come up with a sweet idea later then rock the shit out of it.

 

[old.Tohtori]

Instant gratification; in my opinion the cornerstone of good flash games. Score is a given, you need a score, even if no highscore list.

Other then that, you're asking the billion dollar question with "Waht makes an addictive game", when you get the answer, mail me and i can retire as a designer

Fastest way is to take two elements like curve ball and sudoku and combine them ala Doctor Frankenstein.

Per example, freebie from brain; You get power by solving sudoku lines, then can apply that power to curveball.

 

[Scouse]

A game where you swaffle Waz' AIDS?

Edit: Actually, sounds like a great idea. Lots of little AIDS monsters running around Waz' veins. You swaffle them to stop Waz dying but can never actually cure it. Game gets progressively harder, a-la 80's arcade games.

Sooner or later some AIDS gets ya, or some horrid white blood cell monster.

Job done IMO.

 

[kirennia]

I did a simple 5 level java platformer when i was given this as a project but incorporated some funky mini games into it as well....think I finished 3 out of 5 of them.

I was just seriously pissed off that I didn't learn about double buffering until the very end of the module thus, I had a very flashy screen...Cliff Richard was also the end of game boss in mine which I'm still to this day not sure whether they liked or not.

Don't try and invent the wheel though, it's always the things you don't expect which will take the time...

 

[Scouse]

What's wrong with WazAIDS?



Edit: Buried in the shite was a serious point tho teedles. Something that gets harder. Too many games are fucking piss easy nowadays. Remember Defender by Williams?

I'm sure you do

 

[Gwadien]

Teeds, I hate you, - I used to play that game all the time at School, because it was for some reason the only game NOT blocked, you just got me re-addicted, I need rehab ;'(

 

[caLLous]

Flash Game: Curveball (3D pong)

I have not played that for years.

Reflections was a game I played to death a good few times. Level-based, establishing principles and introducing new methods and reflective devices as you go (for the first few levels), getting steadily harder and harder.

Also Jezzball, which I believe was in the old Windows entertainment pack (or whatever it was called). You had to trap an ever-increasing number of balls in the smallest area possible by splitting the area in which they bounced with a magic wall-building-device-type-thing. There was a naughty version where you gradually uncovered porn as you beat each level. Note: the latter was definitely not in the Windows entertainment pack (or whatever it was called).

They simply threw an extra ball at you each time to make that harder though, and it worked.

 

[ford prefect]

For me, I happily loose hours playing tower defense games - so I would be tempted to go down that road as it is easy to come up with a concept for a new one.

 

[TdC]

some ideas there fellows, thanks! and Chilly, yeah you're prolly right

 

[Wazzerphuk]

Scouse's idea ftw. I can pose for all kinds of amusing AIDS pictures for you