Project SummaryProject Type: Independent Game Modes: Multiplayer Genre: Sports Simulation Released: 2007 |
Requirements-Windows XP or above -OpenGL Compliant Graphics Card -2 USB Mouse Peripherals |
Air Hockey X-treme Overview
Air Hockey X-treme is a small standalone game based on the popular sports game, air hockey.
The rules follow the same format as traditional air hockey, where each player controls a small hockey mallet
with which to strike the puck. Depending on how hard the puck has been hit will determine the resulting speed of the puck
as well as the direction it will move in.
The ultimate goal is to subsequently hit the puck into the opposing player's goal, whereby the player
will score a point. The ultimate goal of the game being the player with the most points wins the game.
Air Hockey X-treme is also a somewhat unique game in the fact that it requires 2 PC mice to play,
with each player controlling one of the mallets on the screen with each mouse, simultaneously. This is a feature rarely seen
in computer games, and it is hoped that Air Hockey X-treme will help raise awareness to its potential possibilities.
Air Hockey X-treme was showcased in the Nullarbor demo party competition of 2007, in Perth, Western Australia, where it came in 7th place.
I originally created Air Hockey X-treme as a project for one of my university course units in introductory games programming.
The core requirement of the assignment was that the end result was a playable game, rendered with OpenGL that featured a discernable
start, attainable goals, and then the subsequent ability to fulfill those goals.
My approach to this concept was to try and take a simple game concept, and then try and build upon it,
therby fulfilling the game requirements as quickly as possible, thereby allowing more time to develop the rest of the game components.
The result, Air Hockey X-treme was essentially a game with a Pong-like style of gameplay, but improved upon the concept with enhanced physics and
controls to ultimately make it more challenging as well as visually pleasing.
-TiM
Features
Fast Paced Multiplayer Gameplay
Depending on how hard the player hits the puck determines how fast it'll go!
Players must rely on the amount of force they put upon the puck as well as the angle they hit it,
sometimes making this a very fast-paced, unpredictable game. The players must learn to defend the own goal
at all times, as it's just as likely for their aim to backfire on them!
Dual Mouse Input
Making use of some very low level functions of the Windows operating system, Air Hockey X-treme makes use
of two input mice at the same time, allowing fully functional multiplayer on the same screen!
Easy to Use Scoring
Upon starting the game, the player is able to choose the number of points required to win.
Whilst playing, the number of points each player has is easily viewable as a line of lights
along the top of the screen!
External Links
- Edith Cowan University - Student Games Showcase
- RPG-X Forum: Air Hockey X-treme Announcement
- Nullarbor Demo Party
- Wikipedia: Air Hockey
Requirements
-Windows XP, SP2 or higher
-64MB OpenGL Compliant Video Card
-10MB hard drive space
-2 Standard USB Mice
Credits
| Author | |
| Timothy 'TiM' Oliver | Research, Design, Programming, Modeling, Skinning, Audio Mixing |
| Special Thanks | |
| Helen & Ron Oliver | Logic and Concepting |
| Martin Masek | Games Development Course Tutor |
| Aidan Makepeace | Additional Testing |
