{"id":197,"date":"2013-11-12T04:20:36","date_gmt":"2013-11-12T09:20:36","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.defectivestudios.com\/devblog\/?p=197"},"modified":"2013-11-12T04:38:21","modified_gmt":"2013-11-12T09:38:21","slug":"part-2-the-here-and-now","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.defectivestudios.com\/devblog\/part-2-the-here-and-now\/","title":{"rendered":"Part 2: The Here and Now"},"content":{"rendered":"<p dir=\"ltr\">Excellent news, continued! \u00a0I just wrote a <a href=\"http:\/\/www.defectivestudios.com\/devblog\/part-1-breaking-stealth-mode\/\">long history<\/a> of what Defective\u2019s been up to on Gimbal Cop for the last year or more since we last really made any public posts or announcements. \u00a0If you\u2019re curious to hear what\u2019s been going on in the project, feel free to catch up on that. \u00a0If you\u2019d rather just cut straight to the excellent news that is the Now, read on!<\/p>\n<div align=\"center\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" style=\"width: 575px; height: 380px;\" src=\"\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/6yOZgdo7a8A?showinfo=0&amp;controls=2 height=\" height=\"240\" width=\"643\" allowfullscreen=\"\" frameborder=\"0\"><\/iframe>\n<\/div>\n<p dir=\"ltr\"><!--more--><\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">We have the game in a pretty solid state, with two game modes, Tunnel and Snake. \u00a0Tunnel is the current incarnation of the long-term lofty goal of the project: an asymmetric multiplayer creation-racing game. \u00a0That mode\u2019s closest to the goal that it\u2019s been, but still is going through continued iterations.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Snake is a simplified, streamlined, scoped-down game mode which focuses entirely on a freeflying, track-laying experience: collect the goodies in the environment without crashing into your own tail. \u00a0This mode is working well as-is and looking very promising for further fleshing out.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.defectivestudios.com\/devblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/11\/GimbalCop-Alpha20131112-Screen1.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-220 aligncenter\" alt=\"GimbalCop Alpha20131112 Screen1\" src=\"http:\/\/www.defectivestudios.com\/devblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/11\/GimbalCop-Alpha20131112-Screen1-300x142.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"142\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.defectivestudios.com\/devblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/11\/GimbalCop-Alpha20131112-Screen1-300x142.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.defectivestudios.com\/devblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/11\/GimbalCop-Alpha20131112-Screen1-1024x484.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.defectivestudios.com\/devblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/11\/GimbalCop-Alpha20131112-Screen1.jpg 1918w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.defectivestudios.com\/devblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/11\/GimbalCop-Alpha20131112-Screen3.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-221 aligncenter\" alt=\"GimbalCop Alpha20131112 Screen3\" src=\"http:\/\/www.defectivestudios.com\/devblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/11\/GimbalCop-Alpha20131112-Screen3-300x142.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"142\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.defectivestudios.com\/devblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/11\/GimbalCop-Alpha20131112-Screen3-300x142.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.defectivestudios.com\/devblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/11\/GimbalCop-Alpha20131112-Screen3-1024x484.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.defectivestudios.com\/devblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/11\/GimbalCop-Alpha20131112-Screen3.jpg 1918w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">With that, we\u2019re happy to announce: we\u2019ve officially begun private alpha! \u00a0A handful of fellow developers, friends, and fans have the game and are receiving ~weekly updates. \u00a0We\u2019re working with feedback from those testers and our demos, fixing bugs, making the game more clear, and further playing with the mechanics.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">My next big objective on the gameplay front is expanding the single level environment we have right now, which works very well for single-serving play at demos, into a campaign of levels that someone can enjoy over long repeated plays. \u00a0My intention is to take a page from Starfox\u2019s book and have a branching campaign of about 15 levels to start, where you can complete a level with no special flare and continue onto the next \u201ceasy\u201d level, or you can complete challenges in the level to unlock other, harder paths.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.defectivestudios.com\/devblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/11\/GimbalCop-Alpha20131112-Screen21.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-219 aligncenter\" alt=\"GimbalCop Alpha20131112 Screen2\" src=\"http:\/\/www.defectivestudios.com\/devblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/11\/GimbalCop-Alpha20131112-Screen21-300x142.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"142\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.defectivestudios.com\/devblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/11\/GimbalCop-Alpha20131112-Screen21-300x142.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.defectivestudios.com\/devblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/11\/GimbalCop-Alpha20131112-Screen21-1024x484.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.defectivestudios.com\/devblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/11\/GimbalCop-Alpha20131112-Screen21.jpg 1918w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.defectivestudios.com\/devblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/11\/GimbalCop-Alpha20131112-Screen4.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-222 aligncenter\" alt=\"GimbalCop Alpha20131112 Screen4\" src=\"http:\/\/www.defectivestudios.com\/devblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/11\/GimbalCop-Alpha20131112-Screen4-300x142.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"142\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.defectivestudios.com\/devblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/11\/GimbalCop-Alpha20131112-Screen4-300x142.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.defectivestudios.com\/devblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/11\/GimbalCop-Alpha20131112-Screen4-1024x484.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.defectivestudios.com\/devblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/11\/GimbalCop-Alpha20131112-Screen4.jpg 1918w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<h2 dir=\"ltr\">Web &amp; Replay<\/h2>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">One of the big features \/ systems I didn\u2019t mention in my last post is a Gimbal Cop web suite Schoen\u2019s been developing for a while now, which handles all of our analytics reporting (what did players do, how long did they play, what device did they play on, what was their framerate, etc), and high score tracking, and also enables another major feature \/ system: Replay. \u00a0Danger mainly has been working on replay functionality for a while, and we\u2019ve had a lot of different ideas of how to use a replay system in the game. \u00a0The most immediate application of replay we have in mind is a web viewer, where you can load up past games in a spectator mode, and potentially even spectate games in real-time.<\/p>\n<h2 dir=\"ltr\">Wrangling Control<\/h2>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">The other big thing Schoen\u2019s working on right now is a control framework, which has been a looong time coming. \u00a0The core issue we have with Tunnel mode, and part of the reason we\u2019re not iterating on its gameplay right now, is that the game has changed dramatically since we started, and the control system hasn\u2019t really changed much. \u00a0In other words, controls are a big issue, and when you have a control issue, the experience really suffers. \u00a0The control framework design is very cool, essentially allowing us, or even the player, to plug any device input (joystick, button, orientation, touchscreen, etc) into any controlled object. \u00a0It\u2019s still in progress right now, but I\u2019m sure you\u2019ll hear a full-detail report from Schoen as the system solidifies.<\/p>\n<h2 dir=\"ltr\">A light at the end of the tunnel<\/h2>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">As much as I hate to name dates, we\u2019re aiming to have an early access alpha on sale by the end of the year. \u00a0That would be for the Windows \/ Mac OS X \/ Linux versions of the game, while we\u2019ll probably take a little longer with the Android \/ iOS \/ WinPhone alphas. \u00a0Like I mentioned in the beginning of this post, we\u2019re currently in our private alpha phase; aside from generating focused feedback, that private alpha is also letting us figure out distribution, communication, and bugtracking \/ feature request solutions which we\u2019ll carry over to the public alpha\/beta.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">And with that, I do believe you, our lovely Defective fans and well-wishers, are caught up to speed with what we\u2019ve been doing, where we are, and what our next steps are. \u00a0Keep an eye on this space, as well as our\u00a0<a title=\"Defective Studios Facebook\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/defectivestudios\" target=\"_blank\">Facebook<\/a> and\u00a0<a title=\"Defective Studios Twitter\" href=\"twitter.com\/defectivegames\" target=\"_blank\">Twitter<\/a>, for incremental updates as we continue to take the wraps off of Gimbal Cop and march towards the day we can finally get this puppy out of the lab and into your hands (\/ screens \/ face!)!<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.defectivestudios.com\/devblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/11\/GimbalCop-Alpha20131112-Screen5.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-223 aligncenter\" alt=\"GimbalCop Alpha20131112 Screen5\" src=\"http:\/\/www.defectivestudios.com\/devblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/11\/GimbalCop-Alpha20131112-Screen5-300x142.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"142\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.defectivestudios.com\/devblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/11\/GimbalCop-Alpha20131112-Screen5-300x142.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.defectivestudios.com\/devblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/11\/GimbalCop-Alpha20131112-Screen5-1024x484.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.defectivestudios.com\/devblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/11\/GimbalCop-Alpha20131112-Screen5.jpg 1918w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<h2 dir=\"ltr\">The Future<\/h2>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">You\u2019ll be seeing two polished game modes in public alpha before the end of the year. \u00a0By no means does this constitute the scope of our plans and aspirations for this game. \u00a0For one thing, we\u2019re toying with the idea of injecting a bit more \u201coomf\u201d into the game\u2019s universe and backstory, which may even involve a name change! \u00a0For another, we\u2019re constantly dreaming up new game modes. \u00a0We have gone down a path or two that won\u2019t see the light of day, but there are some ideas that we\u2019re just so excited about that we have to share. \u00a0One or two involve turning the runner game sideways and taking a 2D approach to gameplay. \u00a0You might see an upcoming mode alla Tiny Wings (\/ Time Surfer \/ Dragon Fly) involving jumps and airtime. \u00a0Another big draw is to infuse music with gameplay, either in a reactive or generative sense. \u00a0Schoen is enamored with the idea of creating something like an infinite Bit Trip Runner experience, and I definitely want to explore some music-based modes as well. \u00a0We truly hope you enjoy what\u2019s coming in both the near and not-so-near future.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Excellent news, continued! \u00a0I just wrote a long history of what Defective\u2019s been up to on Gimbal Cop for the last year or more since we last really made any public posts or announcements. \u00a0If you\u2019re curious to hear what\u2019s been going on in the project, feel free to catch up on that. \u00a0If you\u2019d [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3,19],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.defectivestudios.com\/devblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/197"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.defectivestudios.com\/devblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.defectivestudios.com\/devblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.defectivestudios.com\/devblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/6"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.defectivestudios.com\/devblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=197"}],"version-history":[{"count":10,"href":"https:\/\/www.defectivestudios.com\/devblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/197\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":237,"href":"https:\/\/www.defectivestudios.com\/devblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/197\/revisions\/237"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.defectivestudios.com\/devblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=197"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.defectivestudios.com\/devblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=197"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.defectivestudios.com\/devblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=197"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}