RailRL ALPHA (ARRP)

[ondras]

Introducing RailRL, my contribution to the 2012 ARRP.

This is a game prototype written using rot.js, featuring:

• infinite procedurally generated terrain
• hexagonal topology
• interact with environment, build rail, operate trains

Features coming soon:

• saving/loading
• train logic
• critters
• goals, cities, industries

[getter77]

Hmm, novel concept----congrats on making the release party best of luck on knocking out those features coming soon.   

[Alex E]

I'll be sure to check it out once I have some time 

[7h30n]

Hmm, looks interesting. Love the train representation

I think you should change the way you perform interaction, because "alt/cmd + direction" interferes with my browser's shortcuts.

[george]

A train runs over you.

I love it .

The hexes are cool too. Good work and a nice looking engine as well.

[Vaughn]

Played it for a bit. Interesting concept and implementation. Can't wait for the new features.

I am craving mouse-driven control, just because it seems like there is too many repeated commands and mis-steps.

Move to proper spot,
Hold ALT, move in that direction again,
Click 1, repeat.

Perhaps if there is only one option or choice of interaction, it could automatically do it? Or what about cancelling out of the menu by moving, skipping needing to press 0 every time. Having this as hex-based movement also exacerbates the movement issues for me, but that's just because i'm not used to playing that control style most likely.

[ondras]

I think you should change the way you perform interaction, because "alt/cmd + direction" interferes with my browser's shortcuts.

Would adding of ctrl/shift to the list of interaction modifiers improve your experience? The main goal regarding UX is to keep stuff as simple as possible (by reducing the amount of memorized keystrokes to a minimum, for instance)...

[ondras]

Or what about cancelling out of the menu by moving, skipping needing to press 0 every time.

This makes some sense - but keep in mind that the menus are controlled by the same keys (if you have/use numpad) you use for movement; this might create some confusion when pressing "1" twice results in different actions (picking item #1 in menu vs. moving bottom-left).

Perhaps the menus could be flattened so there is no need for "multiple-0" operation to get back... will try to make up something.

Having this as hex-based movement also exacerbates the movement issues for me, but that's just because i'm not used to playing that control style most likely.

I guess this is just a matter of time. Also, the numpad-based keys are much more natural than the "qwaszx" section...

[7h30n]

I think you should change the way you perform interaction, because "alt/cmd + direction" interferes with my browser's shortcuts.

Would adding of ctrl/shift to the list of interaction modifiers improve your experience? The main goal regarding UX is to keep stuff as simple as possible (by reducing the amount of memorized keystrokes to a minimum, for instance)...

Yeah, I think shift would work

[george]

For a harvesting/building game like this it'd be convenient to have quick keys, where you could say "I'm harvesting wood", and then just run around hitting 'g' or whatever and harvest wood. Similarly for building, you could say, "now I'm building tracks", and run around doing the same (if you have the resources of course).

[Hi]

I am in safari, and for some reason it isn't starting the game, even though it says click the screen to start the game.