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113: Balloon Bonanza - NoelYoshi

Complete

Claimed by: NoelYoshi

World: 6
Exits: 2
Theme: Carnival
Music Options: 1, 2, 3, or compose your own.

Briefing: A fun fair styled level. Consider various ideas that might work in a carnival - a fun house, adventuring through game stands, a big top, a roller coaster, etc. It is highly advised that you communicate with the other carnival designers to share ideas and to make sure we don't end up with duplicates.
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Hello, thought this time would be appropriate to update the thread.

So, the level's theme will be balloons. The level will most likely be titled Balloon Bonanza, but this is subject to opinion or ideas.

Currently, I'm trying to decide if the included SMWCP2 carnival set will work or not. If anyone has any ideas of a set that's been approved for use, go ahead and let me know about it.

As of the level itself, the first area will most likely be horizontal. Hopping from balloon to balloon, Mario will have to make some thought-out jumps. There will be a vertical part as well, leading up to the secret exit, but that will be hidden well...<More to come when new information is ready.>


Level Progress
As of 4/4/2011...

~Theme set in stone




First off, I really like the level title. In my opinion you should keep it.
The balloon idea sounds great as well. Just make sure there is some variety between jumping from balloon to balloon, but I think it won't be a problem for you. #w{:>} There also could be some funny drawings on the balloons, it would be a nice touch in my opinion.
I'm already using the carnival graphics i drew in the base rom, you can still use them but i think they'll get a bit repetative.
The name reminds me of Swanky's Bonus Bonanza, which incidentally is also carnival-esque...so you're hitting the right notes there.

Pay attention to how quickly the balloons move once you step on them, especially for vertical areas. The beginning of a certain Yoshi's Island level felt rather tedious to me because the balloons moved at a snail's pace once jumped on...

Will you use a generator of some kind?

I like the idea, but you have to be careful about players using the balloons to dodge obstacles by camping around the top of the screen and jumping temporarily off-screen, if you know what I mean. Maybe the balloons can pop once they reach a certain height? Or if you're using vertical camera scrolling in the horizontal section, maybe some well-placed solid tiles (that look natural, not forced, in placement) and a ceiling generator would work? Try to think about what method would work best.
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Remember that LunarDrake drew a fantastic carnival set for C3 which might fit in this hack really, really well. Perhaps you could use that?
I'm pretty sure I've heard the level name "Balloon Bonanza" used several times before, including SMW2+2 among others (searches-- wow, there's even a balloon company called that)...

If you don't mind that your level title is not unique, then OK, but I just felt like pointing that out.

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Advynia: a Yoshi's Island editor - Alyssa's Unlikely Trap demo 3
Were the YI upwards balloon sprites dynamic? They could make for interesting situations, though you would have to redraw them to not have the YI graphics. If Baron von Zeppelin is easy to get inserted too that would be another good balloon sprite to include.

Extras



I should have something witty to put here (even if it's just to update dated info), shouldn't I?

Advertising Space

Originally posted by S.N.N.
Remember that LunarDrake drew a fantastic carnival set for C3 which might fit in this hack really, really well. Perhaps you could use that?


Relevant:
http://i358.photobucket.com/albums/oo28/LunarDrake/bigtop.png
http://bin.smwcentral.net/32645/LunarDrakeBigTop.zip

Originally posted by S.N.N.
Remember that LunarDrake drew a fantastic carnival set for C3 which might fit in this hack really, really well. Perhaps you could use that?


I was actually about to ask that to be approved. Heh.

Originally posted by FirePhoenix
Were the YI upwards balloon sprites dynamic? They could make for interesting situations, though you would have to redraw them to not have the YI graphics. If Baron von Zeppelin is easy to get inserted too that would be another good balloon sprite to include.


Last time I checked, I thought the version SMKDan created was not dynamic. I'm not sure about Baron Von Zeppelin, but if it is fairly easy to get ahold of, I'll probably request space for it too.

Originally posted by Zeldara109
I'm pretty sure I've heard the level name "Balloon Bonanza" used several times before, including SMW2+2 among others (searches-- wow, there's even a balloon company called that)...

If you don't mind that your level title is not unique, then OK, but I just felt like pointing that out.


Honestly, I had no idea. Thank you for pointing that out. I'll probably keep the name, though.

Originally posted by Axemjinx
The name reminds me of Swanky's Bonus Bonanza, which incidentally is also carnival-esque...so you're hitting the right notes there.

Pay attention to how quickly the balloons move once you step on them, especially for vertical areas. The beginning of a certain Yoshi's Island level felt rather tedious to me because the balloons moved at a snail's pace once jumped on...

Will you use a generator of some kind?



After testing out the balloons myself, I agree they move a little slow. What I might do is edit their Y-Speed and increase it. As for the ceiling, I'll think about using the Ceiling Generator.

---
Level Progress Update
As of 4/4/11
~Theme set in stone




First of all, I'd like to apoligize for not updating enough. I've been pretty busy lately, and frankly today I'm not feeling good.

Level Progress:
~Still searching for a background
~May or may not need to redraw the balloons
~Got six more screens of gameplay done.

Screenshots:
Only three. Again, I'm sorry I don't have more.



Near the spawn point, on one of the strudy logs.


A little after the first, first balloon occurance.

Around the sixth screen, will lead into a harder balloon sequence than the last.

I've also worked on the secret exit path a little, but it's not ready for viewing yet. I'll upload a screenshot of that area soon.




That actually looks quite nice. I like the dusky feel the level is giving off and those green and yellow balloons seem to blend quite nicely with the graphics and palettes you're using. I like your style of design.

SMWCP2 really is looking pretty awesome.
Just letting everyone know that I'm not dead. I've been busy with school, and now I've got strep throat. I will have screenshots up by tomorrow.




Why not giving us an IPS so we can test it out?
Your layout has been removed.
The first area is, level design wise, done.








The balloons will, in the future, pop when hitting a solid object.

For the next area, here are future plans:

*Vertical
*A balloon sprite that mario remains stationary on, cannot control vertical movement, but can control its horizontal movement.




Hey, looks like a lot of fun so far, and the vertical segment sounds interesting, too. Perhaps you could accentuate the balloon theme of the level by adding some strung-up balloon decorations on the FG? Besides that, I like this so far!
The screenshots make it look rather easy. I suppose I'll wait for something playable, but what enemies are you using besides koopas and spinies?

For the vertical section, can Mario jump, or is he glued to the balloon? The concept sounds nice, but I'm hoping it doesn't end up too similar to what Atma is doing.
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I verrrrrry much apoligize for now updating the thread. I guess procrastination is getting the best of me.

Also, I really need help getting a certain sprite for my level made: http://www.smwcentral.net/?p=viewthread&pid=779035 is the post I made in the request.

As for the level's design, I've done some major remodeling. I hope you guys like it as much as the previous comments can show. And, hey, if you don't, why not leave a comment to help me make it better?

Screenshots:


The start of the new area.


This is the first rex you will see. Squish him for maximum points!


Mario decided to take a break and chill on a tent.


The munchers really want you to lose a life here, but lucky for the players, the jump is easier than it looks.


Well, there was coins here, but... (HINT: You probably don't want to collect those if you like finding secrets.)


The midway point...


...and what comes after.


What could lie ahead? What do those coins possibly mean? Hopefully, you'll find out soon.

Also, I'm taking a short vacation starting July 5th. I'm bound to have a great stockpile of ideas afterwards, so expect a big update soon after I get back.




Again, the screenshots make it look easy, and now I don't see any balloons in these either. Why not post a video or IPS (or even just a full screenshot) so we can have a more in-depth look? I feel like I don't have a ton to go on here...
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Complete