Ideas for TIMERUN and Escape to the Light

Hi,
So far I’ve written around 20 games for RISC OS and doing a few more.

I’m developing a title for:

This title is a vertical scroller where you to reach your target, a time-bomb before it goes off. It’s an old school formation alien shoot-em-up. I plan to add ramps/power-ups to help the player meet the time goal. Each level is planned to have a time-limit of around 3 minutes before the bomb goes off.

Here’s a mock-up:

And two tracks I’ve recorded for in-game music:
Track 1
Track 2

I’m wondering if there any good examples that I should look at for inspiration?

The BBC Micro has been fired up and I’m playing Galaforce 1 & 2. If there are any recommendations for me to check, I’d really appreciate it.

Power-ups are currently pretty standard – 2 bullet, smart bombs etc

Separately, I’m still working on
Escape to the Light

I’m planning to add mini games into as well as different modes of play. So sideways screen/scroll. First person for combat and 8 bit mini-games.
So I thought it would be fun to add in some mini games and drop the graphics down to more of an 8 bit style for e.g. object collection. I’ve sketched out some. But I’d welcome any ideas.

There is also a 3rd game which is in the Development kit that I’m writing. Based on a recent suggestion by Vince, I’m making the adversaries wasps and possible spiders?

Hello Anthony, if the game is about a time bomb that will explode, you could add vessels that are trying to escape the place and that you must avoid to destroy… Or also, you could develop the game with another ‘transporter’ flying automatically near you to collect ‘victims’, but that you also have to defend from having too much hits… Just ideas…

Hi Alain,
Thanks for the suggestions. I think those are great ideas! Having vessels that are escaping which you must avoid could easily be added and would create the opportunity for something I haven’t tried before: negative scores if you hit them.

I could add both ideas into different game levels. Having a follower transporter that is collecting escape pods would be very feasible.

That’s triggered a few other ideas too…

Err – I did mention at one of the shows years ago – what about a Jigsaw type prog :-)

Hi Colin,

Coincidentally, I was discussing this with my neighbour on Sunday who likes playing these sorts of games.

I’ve worked out several ways of engineering this and will look at this for late 2024.

Hi – there is a Jigsaw version at the moment – but no means of saving where you are.

I’ve just recorded the theme to TIMERUN.

Video & Music is here:
https://youtu.be/Nb015ikSg6M

Releasing in less than 1 month at MUG RISC OS XMAS Market (Dodderhill Parish Community Hall , WR9 7PU )
11-30am to 4:00pm on 09 Dec 2023

Entry is free.

I’ve added the escape pods and rescue ship into the intro screen.

Less than 4 weeks to go… Busy coding tonight and looking to beta test in 2 weeks… No pressure :-/