78 replies to this topic

[scottywic]

Hey all i had an idea for a mario kart table and was wondering if it was even worth me looking into making it or if it's just too much of a learning curve and time suck to even try?

 

thoughts?

 

Here were some of the play ideas

• I wanted to make it to where you chose a cup to start your game - the cups were varying in difficulty (3 to choose from, easy, med, hard)
• each ball was a track w/ a min time play that was different per track - after you finish the race you can continue to victory lap until you lose the ball - In this part of the game you can collect items to take forward to your next race.
• Items are collected (shells, stars etc.) you can hold three at any 1 time and they are used by hittin the launch button. You can switch between which one you're using by a secondary button.
• Multiballs are achieved in 2 ways 1 by collecting three red shells, three stars or 3 bananas. (each has it's own mode specifics where you hit specific ramps to use unlimited of the item till you lose the balls and then your items reset to empty) or by getting gifted them as a mystery.
• If you get first after the 3 balls/tracks you are given extra balls to attempt the special cup.
• Once in the special cup you must finish in the top 3 to continue to the next track.
• All high scores are just best times on tracks.
• In the center of the table is the "?" box which you have to hit twice to spin and get an item. Also different ramps can have bonus lit items throughout.
• Ramps have different "attacks" similar to epic quest on visual pinball fx2 where you're fighting the goblins and such.
• The launcher would we a pressure based skill shot where if you hit it too hard you spinout at the starting line, hit it just right and you boost, hit it soft and you start as normal.

Some other random special features I had thought about

• the computer racers could randomly "squid" you which would turn off all the games leds for 15 seconds so you could see what was happening - and cover up the DMD with "ink"
• if you are in last place a bullet bill ramp extension is opened (like the damsel on medieval madness) which obvi gives you a crazy big boost if you hit it.
• There would be a small upper playfield with an extra flipper (similar to epic quest) where you could hit a "shortcut" which would help you go faster of course.

 

That's all i've got for now. I've been drawing some ideas, but anyways i figured this might all be a lost cause. It's obviously way too ambitious but you know i love to dream so that's what i'm doing here.

 

What do you guys think?

 

[PainkillerAlice]

Sounds pretty good. I like the ink on the dmd thing. Definitely original.

[lodger]

Its a cool idea and sounds worth doing. If you've never tackled a table before, I'd encourage trying something a bit less ambitious at first and then building on what you've learned. I'm happy to help answer any questions/coach any way I can. A good idea might be to play though some racing themed games to see what people have done so far (gottleib victory is one offhand).

[scottywic]

Yeah I've played a bunch but not that one. I'll give it a look. Thanks for the offer to coach. I'm a graphic designer and web dev by trade, but this is a definitely a different ballgame (pun intended).

 

Its a cool idea and sounds worth doing. If you've never tackled a table before, I'd encourage trying something a bit less ambitious at first and then building on what you've learned. I'm happy to help answer any questions/coach any way I can. A good idea might be to play though some racing themed games to see what people have done so far (gottleib victory is one offhand).

[theGhost787]

Sounds like a nice theme. If you are good at Photoshop you should try starting off with a playfield. It sounds difficult to change levels, but you can incorporate into 1. Mario Circuit, Donut Plains, Ghost Valley , Bowser Castle.

 

You can also have Red Shells or Green Shells as Drop Targets. Its all up to your imagination.

 

 

 

Here are the levels. Maybe a green grass level with a lake would be interesting. If the ball falls in the lake you hear a splash sound.

 

 

If you have time look for Level Sprite rips. They are all over the net. Sounds like a fun game already.  

 

 

 

 

I can also supply you with 3d models if you want, (not my 3d models)

 

 

[scottywic]

Awesome stuff man. For funzies I used some of my PS and video skills to sample some DMD ideas.

[scottywic]

here's another one of a full lap - 

[scottywic]

Anyone know if there's a photoshop template that has many of these table elements already ready to use? I've started to craft this table in photoshop as a 4k table and I can clip everything but was wondering if there was a template for constructing the visual.

 

LMK

thx

[lodger]

The approach that I take with vpx is to start off by designing my playfield layout and then using the export blueprint to do the graphic design part. I usually start off by duplicating the image of the blueprint, changing the top lineart layer to something that will contrast well with the table. The nice thing with this approach is that the graphic you design will be scale with your blueprint and will import perfectly. So, to answer your question, you will create your own template based on your layout. If you are looking for a base table template, I'd suggest downloading the vpx blank Williams table in the resources section.

[theGhost787]

looks cool Here is a site that could help. Or if you can use this as a filter. I need to see if I can script DMD internally instead of using the dmd addon. VPX is quite new to me as well.

 

 

 

http://docs.missionp...table/displays/

[scottywic]

gotcha well i'll need to figure that out. I got to this point in just working straight in photoshop but maybe i need to reevaluate.

 

Apron & bottom art of the playfield where the flippers and gutters will go over.

 

[theGhost787]

hey, very nice apron. I like the mario eating flower.  

[theGhost787]

Hey Scottywic, If you wait about 1 week, I will post this table and you can use the models from it. I am putting together a Toy table.

 

Lots of Low Polly 3d toys. mario trees, mario boxes, mario mushroom, star. i am still adding in more toys. You are free to use anything.

 

they can be re sized in the editor and the textures can be exported and cleaned up some. 

 

 

the dotted shroom would be cool to use as a bumper.

Edited by theGhost787, 19 November 2016 - 11:08 PM.

[scottywic]

wow dude that's awesome. I have somewhat realized I'm in a bit over my head though unfortunately. I'm still trying to work around designing a playfield in vp10 that I can then export and design around. I've got a VP cab and have played a ton but designing is new to me. Anyways so all the help is very appreciated. You are obviously quite skilled.

[theGhost787]

Don't give up. It all takes time. You will get it. I usually find resources first, then put them all in 1 folder. Finding resources can take you 1 week or so. Some things are hard to find. . I save my file and get back to it when i have free time. Try looking at a playfield that is already made. That way you can See a layout pattern, it also shows you that the bottom of the playfield is usually empty because thats the Apron, You can make little roads like on mario kart. Use some pixels or images.  I have uploaded the toys, but they havent updated here yet  but you can also get them from nirvana here is the link you dont need to be signed in or anything to download it. 

 

http://www.pinballni...do=file&id=5146

[lodger]

If you are new to design, 3 tips that could be helpful:

 

1) think about other tables with similar rule sets and think about how to borrow the elements of their table into your own.

2) a trick I try to use is to layout the table from back to front (after choosing how you want to do your flippers,etc). its MUCH easier to establish flow and consistency if your long shots are set up well and short shots then added to compliment those.

3) have a read through my tutorial on designing good shots. This should take you a good way toward your goal

 

wow dude that's awesome. I have somewhat realized I'm in a bit over my head though unfortunately. I'm still trying to work around designing a playfield in vp10 that I can then export and design around. I've got a VP cab and have played a ton but designing is new to me. Anyways so all the help is very appreciated. You are obviously quite skilled.

[scottywic]

is future pinball a better place to make original tables?

[scottywic]

so i really think a table layout I'd like to work from is the Indiana jones table. The center area w/ drop targets being where the mystery box is. I'm going to start working from that

[theGhost787]

is future pinball a better place to make original tables?

 

yeah scotty future pinball is a little more easy. as far as the program to use. but it really all depends on you.  Visual Pinball is much better in physics, but it feels harder to learn than Future Pinball. Well for me. But it really comes down the the individual. Some people like Windows and some like Apple OS. Try them both out. See what feels more easy for you. If you need help with scripts or anything these guys in the forums can help you out.

[scottywic]

So i've started to do some more of the art working with the Indiana Jones tables as a template. I exported the playfields and plastics layers and I'm working in photoshop to build to those layers. I'm mucho simplifying my visions in the process and will need to look at how to get your models incorporated but it's coming along a bit I think. 

 

http://imgur.com/a/StHmS

Also how hard is it to do a playfield video like i've shown in the comp. I like the one on IJ crystal skull figured it would be a cool addition to this one.