Comments on: Retro Defense Level Design http://larvalabs.com/blog/android/retro-defense-level-design/ Blog Mon, 30 Aug 2010 14:24:29 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: GTC http://larvalabs.com/blog/android/retro-defense-level-design/#comment-601 GTC Wed, 28 Oct 2009 08:22:46 +0000 http://larvalabs.com/blog/?p=119#comment-601 OK I'm back - yes a couple of my new levels were WAY to easy - should have made shorter paths, but there's no going back, right? Anyway, I have set my highs since the latest release (Thanks Matt) and here they are.... Crescent - Level 87 Are We Lost? - Level 93 Ramparts - Level 95 Fish In A Barrel - Level 178 The Chute - Level 109 Cell - Level 91 Ambush - Level 84 Thanks! And Matt - I have a KILLER idea for a smart phone app - I guess you may be the one I could talk to about it? It is something I know people would buy - I would buy it. Anyway, email me if you are interested. OK I’m back – yes a couple of my new levels were WAY to easy – should have made shorter paths, but there’s no going back, right?

Anyway, I have set my highs since the latest release (Thanks Matt) and here they are….

Crescent – Level 87
Are We Lost? – Level 93
Ramparts – Level 95
Fish In A Barrel – Level 178
The Chute – Level 109
Cell – Level 91
Ambush – Level 84

Thanks! And Matt – I have a KILLER idea for a smart phone app – I guess you may be the one I could talk to about it? It is something I know people would buy – I would buy it.

Anyway, email me if you are interested.

]]> By: anakin78z http://larvalabs.com/blog/android/retro-defense-level-design/#comment-449 anakin78z Wed, 02 Sep 2009 19:00:49 +0000 http://larvalabs.com/blog/?p=119#comment-449 Saw the update on the market and and played through the new levels. They were a bit easy, but killed some time nicely :). I think with shorter paths, they could be very good, GTC. I've been trying to create a challenging and fun level. Here's what I've come up with. The paths are a bit longer than I had initially planned for, but for a lot of the level they are not adjacent to any tower squares, so it could still prove to be a good challenge. I call it 'The Tease' (but you can change that name): static final String[] MAP_LEVEL3 = { ”+++xx+++”, ”++++++++”, ”++++++++”, ”++++++++”, ”1+++++++”, ”++++++++”, ”2+++++++”, ”xxx++xxx”, ”xxxxxxxx”, ”xxxxxxxx”, ”xxxxxxxx”, ”xxxxxxxx”, }; // And this is the path each stream of invaders will take: // Use D = Down, L = Left, R = Right, U = Up public static final String MAP_LEVEL3_PATH1 = “RRRRDDDRUUURRRR”; public static final String MAP_LEVEL3_PATH2 = “RRRUUUURRRDDDDRRR”; Saw the update on the market and and played through the new levels. They were a bit easy, but killed some time nicely :) . I think with shorter paths, they could be very good, GTC.

I’ve been trying to create a challenging and fun level. Here’s what I’ve come up with. The paths are a bit longer than I had initially planned for, but for a lot of the level they are not adjacent to any tower squares, so it could still prove to be a good challenge.
I call it ‘The Tease’ (but you can change that name):

static final String[] MAP_LEVEL3 =

{

”+++xx+++”,
”++++++++”,
”++++++++”,
”++++++++”,
”1+++++++”,
”++++++++”,
”2+++++++”,
”xxx++xxx”,
”xxxxxxxx”,
”xxxxxxxx”,
”xxxxxxxx”,
”xxxxxxxx”,

};

// And this is the path each stream of invaders will take:
// Use D = Down, L = Left, R = Right, U = Up
public static final String MAP_LEVEL3_PATH1 = “RRRRDDDRUUURRRR”;
public static final String MAP_LEVEL3_PATH2 = “RRRUUUURRRDDDDRRR”;

]]> By: GTC http://larvalabs.com/blog/android/retro-defense-level-design/#comment-206 GTC Fri, 28 Aug 2009 18:17:31 +0000 http://larvalabs.com/blog/?p=119#comment-206 Thanks man Thanks man

]]> By: Matt Hall http://larvalabs.com/blog/android/retro-defense-level-design/#comment-205 Matt Hall Fri, 28 Aug 2009 17:50:56 +0000 http://larvalabs.com/blog/?p=119#comment-205 I just released RetroDefense v1.1.4 which has the first 3 of the levels you submitted here. The new invader paths were perfect, no changes necessary. I think these first ones are going to end up being easier than you think because the paths are so long, but give them a shot and see what you think. Thanks again for all the levels, it's great to see what other people come up with. I just released RetroDefense v1.1.4 which has the first 3 of the levels you submitted here. The new invader paths were perfect, no changes necessary.

I think these first ones are going to end up being easier than you think because the paths are so long, but give them a shot and see what you think. Thanks again for all the levels, it’s great to see what other people come up with.

]]> By: GTC http://larvalabs.com/blog/android/retro-defense-level-design/#comment-204 GTC Fri, 28 Aug 2009 11:33:43 +0000 http://larvalabs.com/blog/?p=119#comment-204 I have 2 more that I put a little more thought into... In "Checkers"'s I think the proximity and and scant real estate will make it difficult. Wish I could just plug them in.. :) "LOOP" public static final String[] MAP_LEVELX = { ”xxxxxxxx”, ”1++++++x”, ”x+xxxx+x”, ”x+++++++”, ”x++xx++x”, ”x++xx++x”, ”x++xx++x”, ”x++xx++x”, ”+++++++x”, ”x+xxxx+x”, ”x++++++2”, ”xxxxxxxx”, }; public static final String MAP_LEVELX_PATH1 = “RRRRRRRDDDDDDDDDLLLLLUUUUUUURRRRRRR”; public static final String MAP_LEVELX_PATH2 = “LLLLLLLUUUUUUUUURRRRRDDDDDDDLLLLLLL”; ------------------------------------------- "CHECKERS" public static final String[] MAP_LEVELX = { ”x+x+x+x+”, ”+x+x+x+x”, ”x+x+x+x+”, ”++++++++”, ”1+++++++”, ”++++++++”, ”++++++++”, ”+++++++2”, ”++++++++”, ”+x+x+x+x”, ”x+x+x+x+”, ”+x+x+x+x”, }; public static final String MAP_LEVELX_PATH1 = “RDDDRUUURRRDDDDRRRUUUUULLLLLDDDDDLLL”; public static final String MAP_LEVELX_PATH2 = “LUUULDDDLLLUUUULLLDDDDDRRRRRUUUUURRR”; ------------------------------------------- These are the last unless you really want more. It's fun to make them. I have 2 more that I put a little more thought into… In “Checkers”’s I think the proximity and and scant real estate will make it difficult. Wish I could just plug them in.. :)

“LOOP”

public static final String[] MAP_LEVELX =

{

”xxxxxxxx”,
”1++++++x”,
”x+xxxx+x”,
”x+++++++”,
”x++xx++x”,
”x++xx++x”,
”x++xx++x”,
”x++xx++x”,
”+++++++x”,
”x+xxxx+x”,
”x++++++2”,
”xxxxxxxx”,

};

public static final String MAP_LEVELX_PATH1 = “RRRRRRRDDDDDDDDDLLLLLUUUUUUURRRRRRR”;
public static final String MAP_LEVELX_PATH2 = “LLLLLLLUUUUUUUUURRRRRDDDDDDDLLLLLLL”;

——————————————-

“CHECKERS”

public static final String[] MAP_LEVELX =

{

”x+x+x+x+”,
”+x+x+x+x”,
”x+x+x+x+”,
”++++++++”,
”1+++++++”,
”++++++++”,
”++++++++”,
”+++++++2”,
”++++++++”,
”+x+x+x+x”,
”x+x+x+x+”,
”+x+x+x+x”,

};

public static final String MAP_LEVELX_PATH1 = “RDDDRUUURRRDDDDRRRUUUUULLLLLDDDDDLLL”;
public static final String MAP_LEVELX_PATH2 = “LUUULDDDLLLUUUULLLDDDDDRRRRRUUUUURRR”;

——————————————-

These are the last unless you really want more. It’s fun to make them.

]]> By: GTC http://larvalabs.com/blog/android/retro-defense-level-design/#comment-203 GTC Wed, 26 Aug 2009 18:10:21 +0000 http://larvalabs.com/blog/?p=119#comment-203 OK I know I really piled them on but I couldn't resist. Here's one more. TEMPLE RUINS public static final String[] MAP_LEVELX = { ”1+xxxx+2”, ”x++xx++x”, ”xx++++xx”, ”xx++++xx”, ”x++xx++x”, ”++xxxx++”, ”++xxxx++”, ”x++xx++x”, ”xx++++xx”, ”xx++++xx”, ”x++xx++x”, ”++xxxx++”, }; public static final String MAP_LEVELX_PATH1 = “RRDRDRRDRDRDRDLDLDLLDLDLDLL”; public static final String MAP_LEVELX_PATH2 = “LLDLDLLDLDLDLDRDRDRRDRDRDRR”; OK I know I really piled them on but I couldn’t resist. Here’s one more.

TEMPLE RUINS
public static final String[] MAP_LEVELX =

{

”1+xxxx+2”,
”x++xx++x”,
”xx++++xx”,
”xx++++xx”,
”x++xx++x”,
”++xxxx++”,
”++xxxx++”,
”x++xx++x”,
”xx++++xx”,
”xx++++xx”,
”x++xx++x”,
”++xxxx++”,

};

public static final String MAP_LEVELX_PATH1 = “RRDRDRRDRDRDRDLDLDLLDLDLDLL”;
public static final String MAP_LEVELX_PATH2 = “LLDLDLLDLDLDLDRDRDRRDRDRDRR”;

]]> By: GTC http://larvalabs.com/blog/android/retro-defense-level-design/#comment-202 GTC Wed, 26 Aug 2009 17:15:35 +0000 http://larvalabs.com/blog/?p=119#comment-202 OK then - here are the edited strings, condidering they start off the board. I already had a command for exiting the board. RAMPARTS public static final String MAP_LEVELX_PATH1 = “RRRRRRRRUUULULLLLLDDRRRUUUULLLLUUURRRRULURU”; public static final String MAP_LEVELX_PATH2 = “LLLLLLLLUUURURRRRRDDLLLUUUURRRRUUULLLLURULU”; FISH IN A BARREL public static final String MAP_LEVELX_PATH1 = “RRRRRDDDDDLUUUUURDLDRDLDRDLUUUUURDDDDDLURULURULURLRLLLLL”; public static final String MAP_LEVELX_PATH2 = “LLLLLUUUUURDDDDDLURULURULURDDDDDLUUUUURDLDRDLDRDLRLRRRRR”; THE CHUTE public static final String MAP_LEVELX_PATH1 = “DDDDDDDRULDRULDRDDDDDD”; public static final String MAP_LEVELX_PATH2 = “UUUUUUULDRULDRULUUUUUU”; CELL public static final String MAP_LEVELX_PATH1 = “UURUUULUUURURRRDRDDDLDLLLDRRRRUUUUUUUULLLLLLL”; public static final String MAP_LEVELX_PATH2 = “DDLDDDRDDDLDLLLULUUURURRRULLLLDDDDDDDDRRRRRRR”; DRIVE BY public static final String MAP_LEVELX_PATH1 = “URUURUULLRRRLLUURUULUURUU”; public static final String MAP_LEVELX_PATH2 = “ULUURUULUURRLLLRRUULUURUU”; OK then – here are the edited strings, condidering they start off the board. I already had a command for exiting the board.

RAMPARTS
public static final String MAP_LEVELX_PATH1 = “RRRRRRRRUUULULLLLLDDRRRUUUULLLLUUURRRRULURU”;
public static final String MAP_LEVELX_PATH2 = “LLLLLLLLUUURURRRRRDDLLLUUUURRRRUUULLLLURULU”;

FISH IN A BARREL
public static final String MAP_LEVELX_PATH1 = “RRRRRDDDDDLUUUUURDLDRDLDRDLUUUUURDDDDDLURULURULURLRLLLLL”;
public static final String MAP_LEVELX_PATH2 = “LLLLLUUUUURDDDDDLURULURULURDDDDDLUUUUURDLDRDLDRDLRLRRRRR”;

THE CHUTE
public static final String MAP_LEVELX_PATH1 = “DDDDDDDRULDRULDRDDDDDD”;
public static final String MAP_LEVELX_PATH2 = “UUUUUUULDRULDRULUUUUUU”;

CELL
public static final String MAP_LEVELX_PATH1 = “UURUUULUUURURRRDRDDDLDLLLDRRRRUUUUUUUULLLLLLL”;
public static final String MAP_LEVELX_PATH2 = “DDLDDDRDDDLDLLLULUUURURRRULLLLDDDDDDDDRRRRRRR”;

DRIVE BY
public static final String MAP_LEVELX_PATH1 = “URUURUULLRRRLLUURUULUURUU”;
public static final String MAP_LEVELX_PATH2 = “ULUURUULUURRLLLRRUULUURUU”;

]]> By: Matt Hall http://larvalabs.com/blog/android/retro-defense-level-design/#comment-201 Matt Hall Wed, 26 Aug 2009 14:27:54 +0000 http://larvalabs.com/blog/?p=119#comment-201 Wow, lots of stuff to check out here. As for your question about the paths, the first step in the path is to go from off screen to on screen. You need one step to go off screen at the end too. It's not a big deal though since I can just add in steps as necessary, so I didn't want to trouble people with it. I'll try these levels out this week and see if I can get a release out. Thanks again for sending these in, I'm excited to try them out! Wow, lots of stuff to check out here. As for your question about the paths, the first step in the path is to go from off screen to on screen. You need one step to go off screen at the end too. It’s not a big deal though since I can just add in steps as necessary, so I didn’t want to trouble people with it.

I’ll try these levels out this week and see if I can get a release out. Thanks again for sending these in, I’m excited to try them out!

]]> By: GTC http://larvalabs.com/blog/android/retro-defense-level-design/#comment-200 GTC Wed, 26 Aug 2009 11:55:50 +0000 http://larvalabs.com/blog/?p=119#comment-200 Does the first move command dictate map entry direction, or direction from first to second position? I assumed that the first one is from space 1 to space 2, not the direction they enter the map - if the first command is from the outside of the board then I'm missing all the entry commands. I do see though that the corners are the only situation where there would be an option, and I haven't started in any corners. Oh and I didn't really study the existing maps - if any of these are too similar to any of them, it was unintentional. I hope there are no typos though. About my own screenshots, the Photobucket album should be public now. I also sent you the action I wrote (RetroSHOTS - cheesy I know) and instructions for you to share with everyone if you choose. THANKS - GTC ------------------- "RAMPARTS" public static final String[] MAP_LEVELX = { ”xxx++xxx”, ”x+x++x+x”, ”++++++++”, ”+x+xx+x+”, ”+xxxxxx+”, ”++++++++”, ”xxx++xxx”, ”x++++++x”, ”++++++++”, ”++++++++”, ”++xxxx++”, ”1++++++2”, }; public static final String MAP_LEVELX_PATH1 = “RRRRRRRUUULULLLLLDDRRRUUUULLLLUUURRRRULURU”; public static final String MAP_LEVELX_PATH2 = “LLLLLLLUUURURRRRRDDLLLUUUURRRRUUULLLLURULU”; ------------------- "FISH IN A BARREL" (not sure if you would make this one - it's super easy and I think I could break 200 - let me try!!) public static final String[] MAP_LEVELX = { ”xxxxxxxx”, ”xxxxxxxx”, ”xxxxxxxx”, ”1++++xxx”, ”xxx++xxx”, ”xxx++xxx”, ”xxx++xxx”, ”xxx++xxx”, ”xxx++++2”, ”xxxxxxxx”, ”xxxxxxxx”, ”xxxxxxxx”, }; public static final String MAP_LEVELX_PATH1 = “RRRRDDDDDLUUUUURDLDRDLDRDLUUUUURDDDDDLURULURULURLRLLLLL”; public static final String MAP_LEVELX_PATH2 = “LLLLUUUUURDDDDDLURULURULURDDDDDLUUUUURDLDRDLDRDLRLRRRRR”; ---------------- "THE CHUTE" (just to make up for a super easy one...) public static final String[] MAP_LEVELX = { ”xxx1xxxx”, ”xxx+xxxx”, ”xxx+xxxx”, ”xxx+xxxx”, ”xxx+xxxx”, ”xxx++xxx”, ”xxx++xxx”, ”xxxx+xxx”, ”xxxx+xxx”, ”xxxx+xxx”, ”xxxx+xxx”, ”xxxx2xxx”, }; public static final String MAP_LEVELX_PATH1 = “DDDDDDRULDRULDRDDDDDD”; public static final String MAP_LEVELX_PATH2 = “UUUUUULDRULDRULUUUUUU”; ---------------- "CELL" public static final String[] MAP_LEVELX = { ”x++++x2x”, ”++++++++”, ”x+++++++”, ”++++++++”, ”+++xx+++”, ”++xxxx++”, ”++xxxx++”, ”+++xx+++”, ”++++++++”, ”+++++++x”, ”++++++++”, ”x1x++++x”, }; public static final String MAP_LEVELX_PATH1 = “URUUULUUURURRRDRDDDLDLLLDRRRRUUUUUUUULLLLLLL”; public static final String MAP_LEVELX_PATH2 = “DLDDDRDDDLDLLLULUUURURRRULLLLDDDDDDDDRRRRRRR”; ------------------ "AMBUSH" public static final String[] MAP_LEVELX = { ”xxx++xxx”, ”xxx++xxx”, ”++++++++”, ”++++++++”, ”xxx++xxx”, ”++x++x++”, ”++x++x++”, ”++x++x++”, ”++++++++”, ”xxx++xxx”, ”++++++++”, ”2++++++1”, }; public static final String MAP_LEVELX_PATH1 = “LLLLLLLURRRRUURRRUUULDDDLLLUUUUURUUUU”; public static final String MAP_LEVELX_PATH2 = “RRRRRRRULLLLUULLLUUURDDDRRRUUUUULUUUU”; ----------------- "DRIVE BY" (This one should be a bit difficult, not as bad as the chute) public static final String[] MAP_LEVELX = { ”xxx++xxx”, ”xx++++xx”, ”xxx+xxxx”, ”xx++++xx”, ”xxxx+xxx”, ”xx++++xx”, ”xxx+xxxx”, ”xx++++xx”, ”xxxx+xxx”, ”xx++++xx”, ”xxx+xxxx”, ”xx1+2xxx”, }; public static final String MAP_LEVELX_PATH1 = “URUURUULLRRRLLUURUULUURUU”; public static final String MAP_LEVELX_PATH2 = “ULUURUULUURRLLLRRUULUURUU”; ------------------ Does the first move command dictate map entry direction, or direction from first to second position? I assumed that the first one is from space 1 to space 2, not the direction they enter the map – if the first command is from the outside of the board then I’m missing all the entry commands. I do see though that the corners are the only situation where there would be an option, and I haven’t started in any corners.

Oh and I didn’t really study the existing maps – if any of these are too similar to any of them, it was unintentional. I hope there are no typos though.

About my own screenshots, the Photobucket album should be public now. I also sent you the action I wrote (RetroSHOTS – cheesy I know) and instructions for you to share with everyone if you choose.

THANKS – GTC

——————-

“RAMPARTS”

public static final String[] MAP_LEVELX =

{

”xxx++xxx”,
”x+x++x+x”,
”++++++++”,
”+x+xx+x+”,
”+xxxxxx+”,
”++++++++”,
”xxx++xxx”,
”x++++++x”,
”++++++++”,
”++++++++”,
”++xxxx++”,
”1++++++2”,

};

public static final String MAP_LEVELX_PATH1 = “RRRRRRRUUULULLLLLDDRRRUUUULLLLUUURRRRULURU”;
public static final String MAP_LEVELX_PATH2 = “LLLLLLLUUURURRRRRDDLLLUUUURRRRUUULLLLURULU”;

——————-

“FISH IN A BARREL”
(not sure if you would make this one – it’s super easy and I think I could break 200 – let me try!!)

public static final String[] MAP_LEVELX =

{

”xxxxxxxx”,
”xxxxxxxx”,
”xxxxxxxx”,
”1++++xxx”,
”xxx++xxx”,
”xxx++xxx”,
”xxx++xxx”,
”xxx++xxx”,
”xxx++++2”,
”xxxxxxxx”,
”xxxxxxxx”,
”xxxxxxxx”,

};

public static final String MAP_LEVELX_PATH1 = “RRRRDDDDDLUUUUURDLDRDLDRDLUUUUURDDDDDLURULURULURLRLLLLL”;
public static final String MAP_LEVELX_PATH2 = “LLLLUUUUURDDDDDLURULURULURDDDDDLUUUUURDLDRDLDRDLRLRRRRR”;

—————-

“THE CHUTE”
(just to make up for a super easy one…)

public static final String[] MAP_LEVELX =

{

”xxx1xxxx”,
”xxx+xxxx”,
”xxx+xxxx”,
”xxx+xxxx”,
”xxx+xxxx”,
”xxx++xxx”,
”xxx++xxx”,
”xxxx+xxx”,
”xxxx+xxx”,
”xxxx+xxx”,
”xxxx+xxx”,
”xxxx2xxx”,

};

public static final String MAP_LEVELX_PATH1 = “DDDDDDRULDRULDRDDDDDD”;
public static final String MAP_LEVELX_PATH2 = “UUUUUULDRULDRULUUUUUU”;

—————-

“CELL”

public static final String[] MAP_LEVELX =

{

”x++++x2x”,
”++++++++”,
”x+++++++”,
”++++++++”,
”+++xx+++”,
”++xxxx++”,
”++xxxx++”,
”+++xx+++”,
”++++++++”,
”+++++++x”,
”++++++++”,
”x1x++++x”,

};

public static final String MAP_LEVELX_PATH1 = “URUUULUUURURRRDRDDDLDLLLDRRRRUUUUUUUULLLLLLL”;
public static final String MAP_LEVELX_PATH2 = “DLDDDRDDDLDLLLULUUURURRRULLLLDDDDDDDDRRRRRRR”;

——————

“AMBUSH”

public static final String[] MAP_LEVELX =

{

”xxx++xxx”,
”xxx++xxx”,
”++++++++”,
”++++++++”,
”xxx++xxx”,
”++x++x++”,
”++x++x++”,
”++x++x++”,
”++++++++”,
”xxx++xxx”,
”++++++++”,
”2++++++1”,

};

public static final String MAP_LEVELX_PATH1 = “LLLLLLLURRRRUURRRUUULDDDLLLUUUUURUUUU”;
public static final String MAP_LEVELX_PATH2 = “RRRRRRRULLLLUULLLUUURDDDRRRUUUUULUUUU”;

—————–

“DRIVE BY”
(This one should be a bit difficult, not as bad as the chute)

public static final String[] MAP_LEVELX =

{

”xxx++xxx”,
”xx++++xx”,
”xxx+xxxx”,
”xx++++xx”,
”xxxx+xxx”,
”xx++++xx”,
”xxx+xxxx”,
”xx++++xx”,
”xxxx+xxx”,
”xx++++xx”,
”xxx+xxxx”,
”xx1+2xxx”,

};

public static final String MAP_LEVELX_PATH1 = “URUURUULLRRRLLUURUULUURUU”;
public static final String MAP_LEVELX_PATH2 = “ULUURUULUURRLLLRRUULUURUU”;

——————

]]> By: Matt Hall http://larvalabs.com/blog/android/retro-defense-level-design/#comment-199 Matt Hall Tue, 25 Aug 2009 14:54:30 +0000 http://larvalabs.com/blog/?p=119#comment-199 Glad you like the game! Level 64 on Long Distance is insane, I tried to make that thing as hard as I could without making it impossible, my estimate was that people would be able to get to around level 20 max. Glad to be proven wrong. I was going to check out your screenshots, but it's asking me to log in at photobucket, is that a private album by any chance? Looking forward to seeing what levels you come up with too. Glad you like the game! Level 64 on Long Distance is insane, I tried to make that thing as hard as I could without making it impossible, my estimate was that people would be able to get to around level 20 max. Glad to be proven wrong.

I was going to check out your screenshots, but it’s asking me to log in at photobucket, is that a private album by any chance?

Looking forward to seeing what levels you come up with too.

]]>