This month's release adds some small quality improvements all around. Although none are really worth mentioning outside of the code commits, it is worth mentioning that the LAN matchmaking now allows you to play with twin-stick controls versus co-op players, and vice versa. But this still only allows 1 computer versus 1 computer.

The previous month I had hoped I would get an updated version of the CPU players finished by now, but that is not the case. Really, everything other than the CPUs has become higher priority at this point. Since the CPUs are at least making you think and move when you play the game there is not an immediate need for an update, so we will probably move on to the next project before updating CPUs. Striker Ball is nearing an end state and we're eager to use the foundation we've made out of it for a new project as soon as possible.

The Remaining Steps

The final major features we're hoping to release for Striker Ball is a more advanced LAN matchmaker and a settings menu. Updates to the matchmaker would allow any possible combination of players and computers to connect and play with each other. The settings menu would only have basic volume settings but it deals with a massively common system in games that we want make sure we've implemented in this complete demo of ours. I'm hoping by February both of these will be implemented, but if not, we just keep moving forward till they are. I think our method of development will have us progressing faster and faster over time and into every new project. So I believe our time on Striker Ball will all be well spent.

If you're interested in the details of the changes made this month you can check out the release notes for this month or the git commits on github.

Written by, Latency: Lead Game Programmer at K-tech Studio