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Wave Chaser

·209 words·1 min

Taking a break from adding network multiplayer to Sneaky Elementals by tackling an idea that’s been f l o a t i n g around in my head for ages.

It’s a surfski (kayak) racing game where you need to catch waves to win.

Right now I’ve just got basic player movement and stamina drain. And a finish line.

In determining the constants for the game, I’m going to want to know some things:

  • How long to finish the race at normal speed? At max effort speed?
  • How far can the player go at normal stamina drain? At max effort stamina drain?

I guess, what’s the desired experience?

  • Player has enough stamina to finish the full race at normal speed.
  • Player should run out of stamina at max effort very quickly. Should probably only use this for up to eight seconds?
  • It might take some extra stamina and distance to catch a wave but then player can maintain speed and recover stamina.

Should the player be able to hop from a wave’s peak to its next peak? Or too far?

  • With the given force magnitude and friction what’s the effective max speed?

Alternating between high effort and rest should be less stamina efficient than just paddling at normal effort.