DustbinGames MarbleGP

[Brainsaw]

I've been working for years in my free time on this project, and I have created a new trailer today as I have implemented huge modifications to the in-game graphics over the last months: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gzF6sv0f8wM&t=5s . This game is going to be the next big thing (and it has been the next big thing for years ).

It comes with four simple rules:

• Rule 1: The fastest player wins
• Rule 2: Stay on the road
• Rule 3: Expect no mercy
• Rule 4: Show no mercy

Imho this game is reduced to the max. It doesn't come with any special functions like shooting or turbo boost, just with a few controls:

• Forward
• Backwad
• Left
• Right
• Brake
• Manual Respawn
• Rearview

If you are interested you can get your free copy from https://www.dustbin-online.de or install the Android version (also free) on your phone: https://play.google.com/store/apps/deta ... s.marblegp.

I hope you enjoy playing the game as much as I did developing it.

[Noiecity]

amazing! it's like mario kart

[Brainsaw]

Yes and no - it does not come with special features like shooting at you opponents, but it's still similar (although I am not a designer and the tracks are simple )

[Brainsaw]

I wanted to share an interesting feature I have included in MarbleGP: remote setup via web browser. This way it was not necessary to implement loading and saving stuff from the program itself but rather create, import, export and delete profiles and AI profiles using a browser, and you can see the results of the last tournament you have played (and download the JSON file with the data, maybe for later processing). In the "Settings" dialog you have a button "Remote Management" which starts a web server inside the game (first screenshot), and once the button was clicked the server is running and a dialog with a log is shown (second screenshot). The first line in the log shows the address of the remote setup (computer's name on Windows, IP Address on Android). The third screenshot shows the main menu which is hosted by the app. If you want to see a demo of the HTML of this feature check out [url]file:///C:/xampp/htdocs/homepage/dustbin/marblegp_remote/index.html[/url]. Note that in the demo you can store profiles and AI profiles in the browser's local storage. It is also possible to export these profiles on one system and import them on another one. What do you think of this feature?

[thenewkgb]

You have no reviews on the Play Store as of yet. I'll download your game on my phone... How many times do you want me to play it before leaving a review?

I think the set up feature shows you know what you're doing. It reminds me of Unreal mods on servers that alter the game. I see images in the screenshot - does that mean you could customise the game with your own graphics? Maybe load a custom map?

You've also made me realise getting an Irrlicht game on mobile is possible and I do like mobile.

[thenewkgb]

I did install the app after nearly a week. First impressions were a well made game. My very best impression was with the instrument panel in the centre of the screen. I think the word is "responsive" like a plane. I felt very important directing my marble about, and the AI was fun (although 7th place with high AI control and 8th place with low AI control means I need to practice.) Lots of customisation too. I struggle to play games at home (PS4 comes to mind, Worms 4 too) but will try and play MarbleGP some more. Thinking how you are the developer and worked on this game makes me feel good by seeing we share a little bit in common. Hope the job offers pour in!

[thenewkgb]

I downloaded on Android 12. My phone is a Motorola G50 if that helps.

I couldn't save a profile using the remote tool. Neither does the saved profile appear in game. Also connecting means taking a screenshot of the IP, minimising MarbleGP, then typing the image info into my phone browser. Then I can connect (if it's on the same device). It's a little fiddly. I tried connecting my desktop to my phone but the browser timed out.

It's a great game still. (I'm beating average AI players with low AI control.)

Although the brake button is hard to find when the stress levels are high. I ramp off the track when I slam my thumb down in the wrong place.

(url removed 'cus I'm completely RUBBISH at game dev)

[chronologicaldot]

This actually reminds me of a game called Atmosphere:
https://games.digipen.edu/games/atmosphere

[Brainsaw]

Sorry, I have been completely off gamedev for some months now, I also didn't check this forum (obviously ). Nice to see that some comments have appeared in the meantime.

@thenewkgb: the remote feature is mainly ment to get profiles and such from one computer to another, I have never tried to connect to the app on my phone using the browser. I am not sure if Android allows the App to run in the background, so it might be that this causes some problems.

Nice to read that you enjoy playing my game

@chronolgicaldot: I haven't tried Atmosphere, it seems similar yet different. In MarbleGP it's all about racing, no need to configure your marble (apart from the texture), it's all about the player's skill

[thenewkgb]

I hope this video can survive the months you're away, but I made this very blurry video using my phone. I log into Chrome by minimising the game and set a new colour profile that can be used next time I load the app. The first time I tried the save would get lost, so I thought I'd show you it's possible to minimise the game and even the music will carry on playing. [url removed]

Edit.
Alright. Bad day for me.

[Brainsaw]

Nice to see others play my game. The remote settings feature using the browser is more to be used from another computer, not the phone you are playing with. I use it to copy my profiles and AI from my "Big" computer to the phone. I recommend using the in-game profile editor for editing profiles.

[Brainsaw]

I have now managed to get my game on Steam: https://store.steampowered.com/app/3035300/MarbleGP/ . It's also free to download from there, and I hope that I get some downloads

[thenewkgb]

Here's another video I made.
https://youtu.be/XNVZ3o99Byo?si=kkRm1b221p4qJWs1

A bug in choose track means if the 2nd track is selected and I press my thumb on the track to the left, the track to the right is selected and will load the wrong track.

Sometimes the AI brake approaching a corner will hold itself down to a halt for a few seconds and I need to steer the ball to get it moving again. I also noticed a similar AI brake (just once) today but when approaching a corner it didn't slow me down and I launched off the corner full speed. [ I'll need to record these as they don't happen all the time.]

Also I noticed that at the end of the race, once or twice, two of the racers' positions didn't show up. There was a gap where 13th and 14th place should have been. [Again I'll try and recreate this somehow as it's a little easier to figure out.]

All of this on Android.

If a developer puts his work into a game just for someone to find bugs I don't want to come across as rude or that the game is bad. It's not.

[thenewkgb]

Ruthless debug bug. Test.

I did find a demonstration of the AI brake. I know your Android build is fiddly, so it's hard, hard work, but unfortunately the track is unplayable.

I am only controlling the steering, and this track shows a great example.
https://youtu.be/Np3cWlQnMfk?si=1axisG70WHuREX-I

[Brainsaw]

The AI is far from perfect (especially the AI help), so I need to dig into it again. I'll put your videos on my backlog so that I don't forget about it.

For the best performance I recommend using a gamepad and no AI help, but when I play on my phone with touch control I use the "Low" level of the AI help which just adjusts the speed when it comes to a jump. I know this game is "oldschool" as it's not easy in the beginning, but I hope you enjoy (at least most of) it nevertheless