Particle Research and Progress

 I recently finished (for the most part!) my firefly particles, so I'm currently working on my dust clouds and a new particle just for fun: butterflies. Butterflies /could/ work in the biome parts of my level. I don't entirely plan on using them because the draw might ruin my framerate, but I would like to create them to test my subuv animation skills.

I got the inspiration for these particles from Rayman 2: The Great Escape for the psone. In the forest levels, they have occasional particles that flap their wings in subuv animation, and it's really cute.

(Pictured: The iOS version apparently?...)

Just for reference, I also looked up some firefly/dust tutorials and examples, to get a scope for what mine should look like:

Next Project: Particles

There are a few particles I want/need to do in order to make my racing game more ~immersive~ and believable.

First of all, I'd like to do a stereotypical "lightning bug" sort of particle, to give my level more depth. Something like this:

Real world example

Second of all, I'd like to make a universal "dust" particle. One that I can use for my goat 'splosion, and another I can use for rocks falling and stalagmites in my level. (Here's the original game example I referenced for my goats)

Dusty rock example (not too good about the landing, though)

Going for an effect like the first rock hitting the cliffside in the beginning.

DESTRUCTION!

So my stunt did not work /entirely/ the way I wanted to, but... Well. Just watch the video.
(Just for the record, the slowing down of the glass isn't because of the FPS, I did it for dramatic effect.)

Apex Destruction!

Building on a stunt in my level where the biome glass shatters.

Exploding Goat!

Poor guy just can't get a break.

(He has a helmet on, took it off temporarily for testing reasons)

I programmed the basics for him blowing up: When he hits the ground, a dust texture occurs, and after a while, he explodes. He has yet to get his radial damage working though. Still debating on whether or not I want this thing to cause damage.

Nothing personal....

Here's a short video of my progress.

Game Design: A Racing Level Intro I really Like

Bowser Castle #1 (Remake of the GBA version)

(Link to Specific Part of Video)

The most recent Mario Kart game, Mario Kart 7 (for the 3DS), has a plethora of good intros. So, I just chose one of my favorite levels as an example.

The different camera angles are broken up into three important views for the player: 

• an overall, wideshot of the entire level
• a close-up of an obstacle or mechanic the player will be facing frequently
• and finally, a view of the start line

Most of the Mario Kart 7 fly-throughs that I watched maintain this basic formula. A good thing to keep in mind for when I compose my matinees.

Explosive Idea

Explosive garden goat ...gnomes?

In my concept art I drew some goats on the side of the hill. Since I designed my level as an alien residency/care center, I thought it'd be funny to have something designed around the animals that live there.