Realmaze3D - the maze game to end all maze games

[Eric5h5]

Submitted to the app store, let's see how long it takes to get approved. Not just another 2D maze game dressed up in 3D graphics, this is an actual 3D maze (or, rather, a nearly unlimited number of them) where you have to climb up and down ladders too. Wow your friends with the unprecedented on the iPhone (as far as I know) dynamically created 3D lighting effects. Typically runs at 60fps on a 2G iPod touch, with controls that are just as smooth, and if you're sick of iPhone games that don't respect you as a player, this isn't one of them--interrupt the game anytime, anywhere and resume right where you left off, and play your iPod music if you want. You can use tilt or touch or a combo (personally I like tilt for looking up/down and touch for turning), and tilt auto-calibrates when you start or pause a game.

Also: can choose from 5 different maze sizes ranging from quick'n'easy to really freakin' hard, can display a compass to help keep your bearings, can leave a trail of breadcrumbs behind to show where you've been in case you get really really lost (seems you were transported into the maze carrying nothing but a stale sandwich), and challenge yourself with a timer to see how fast you can escape with a best times list for each maze size (or if you just want a relaxed game, feel free to ignore the timer).

Some screenshots:



Also, the icon:



Will be available for $.99, and there are some more features I thought of that I think would be nice to have in an update, so there's more to come.

--Eric

[Big Albie]

This looks pretty cool. Is there an overview map so you can plan where you want to go? Beyond finding your way out of the maze, are there accomplishments/trophies, and are there other obstacles besides walls that you need to watch out for?

[anduril_ukr]

Is it just blind guessing? Or is there some logic for where to go or other gameplay elements? game looks very good -- great potential.

[Eric5h5]

No overview map...I did think about it, but with a actual 3D maze with multiple levels, it's kind of tough to implement in a good way. That's where the trail of breadcrumbs idea came from, actually; it's sort of a map substitute so you can keep track of where you've been. I spent some time on the maze algorithm, so it's more about using your sense of direction and memory--it's not just the same walls everywhere, there are landmarks--although there is of course still an element of luck involved. I can say that I've solved hundreds of mazes in the course of testing, and you think I'd be sick of it by now, but I'm actually not. It's just fun and has a nice feel somehow. My favorite sizes are small and normal...the bigger ones are usually a bit much for me, but I think some people might want them and I have gotten through a few large ones.

As far as accomplishments, it's primarily about getting best times, but one feature of the update is that there will be some online competition.

--Eric

[anduril_ukr]

Originally Posted by Eric5h5

No overview map...I did think about it, but with a actual 3D maze with multiple levels, it's kind of tough to implement in a good way. That's where the trail of breadcrumbs idea came from, actually; it's sort of a map substitute so you can keep track of where you've been. I spent some time on the maze algorithm, so it's more about using your sense of direction and memory--it's not just the same walls everywhere, there are landmarks--although there is of course still an element of luck involved. I can say that I've solved hundreds of mazes in the course of testing, and you think I'd be sick of it by now, but I'm actually not. It's just fun and has a nice feel somehow. My favorite sizes are small and normal...the bigger ones are usually a bit much for me, but I think some people might want them and I have gotten through a few large ones.

As far as accomplishments, it's primarily about getting best times, but one feature of the update is that there will be some online competition.

--Eric

online? wow, seems like youve covered all the bases (auto-save, playing your own music, calibration, multiple control options, and now online)

[MojoArcanus]

Any guns to blow things up with...and things to blow up with guns????

[anduril_ukr]

Originally Posted by MojoArcanus

Any guns to blow things up with...and things to blow up with guns????

haha -- if i didn't know you were joking (you were, right?), i would probably think you were one of those shallow folks who can't enjoy a game without guns (i can't stand those people)

[Big Albie]

Originally Posted by Eric5h5

No overview map...I did think about it, but with a actual 3D maze with multiple levels, it's kind of tough to implement in a good way. That's where the trail of breadcrumbs idea came from, actually; it's sort of a map substitute so you can keep track of where you've been. I spent some time on the maze algorithm, so it's more about using your sense of direction and memory--it's not just the same walls everywhere, there are landmarks--although there is of course still an element of luck involved. I can say that I've solved hundreds of mazes in the course of testing, and you think I'd be sick of it by now, but I'm actually not. It's just fun and has a nice feel somehow. My favorite sizes are small and normal...the bigger ones are usually a bit much for me, but I think some people might want them and I have gotten through a few large ones.

As far as accomplishments, it's primarily about getting best times, but one feature of the update is that there will be some online competition.

--Eric

This sounds like a lot of fun so I'll be watching out for this one. The online competition seems like a natural for something like this. For sound effects, is there background music and the sound of footsteps as you walk around?

Any other ideas for the update? (I'm sure I'm getting ahead of myself with that question since 1.0 isn't even out yet). Btw, this all sounds great to me so far since I'm a puzzler at heart.

[Eric5h5]

No guns, sorry. My next game will have guns and stuff blowing up real good, though, so you could always wait for that one.

Originally Posted by anduril_ukr

online? wow, seems like youve covered all the bases (auto-save, playing your own music, calibration, multiple control options, and now online)

Yep, I don't do things in half measures. I could spend less time and put out an "OK" game, but I just can't make myself do that. A bit of a perfectionist I'm afraid.

Originally Posted by Big Albie

For sound effects, is there background music and the sound of footsteps as you walk around?

There's a short title music piece, and the sound in the game has footsteps (and ladder-climbing sounds as the case may be), plus some industrial ambient sound. Here is an mp3 of me playing the game for about 45 seconds (best experienced on the device when using headphones).

Any other ideas for the update?

One idea is different selectable visual themes for the mazes. I haven't got bored of the current one yet, but I did want to do some additional graphics, and to me this is the sort of "nice to have but not essential" thing that would be good in an update.

--Eric

[Big Albie]

Originally Posted by Eric5h5

No guns, sorry. My next game will have guns and stuff blowing up real good, though, so you could always wait for that one.

One idea is different selectable visual themes for the mazes. I haven't got bored of the current one yet, but I did want to do some additional graphics, and to me this is the sort of "nice to have but not essential" thing that would be good in an update.

--Eric

I think changing visual themes would add some variety. It may not even have to be selectable. It could be something that changes randomly with each maze. As you do add more in the updates, you could continue to add to the feel of the game with a variety of background music. Of course, these are just suggestions since I haven't even played with Realmaze yet.