Awesome Soccer - New Java Game

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#1

Hi All,

Just a quick posting to let everyone know about a Java game I’ve been writing over the last couple of years - “Awesome Soccer”. EDIT - The game is now complete and has been released.

It’s a modern day homage to the legendary Sensible Soccer and Kick Off 2. Here are a few screen shots to give you a flavour of it:


http://www.red27studios.com/slideshow/pre_game_slide.jpg
http://www.red27studios.com/slideshow/goal1_slide.jpg
http://www.red27studios.com/images/goldenballs_thumb.jpg


http://www.red27studios.com/slideshow/booking_slide.jpg
http://www.red27studios.com/slideshow/offside_slide.jpg
http://www.red27studios.com/images/tournaments_thumb.jpg

My aim was to retain all of the things that made Sensible Soccer and Kick Off 2 great - ie fantastic gameplay, but to (hopefully) add some modern sheen and polish, and to incorporate the new features that we’ve been become accustomed to within the genre through games like ProEvo/Winning 11 and FIFA Soccer.

Windows Demo: http://www.red27studios.com/download_windows.php

Mac Demo: http://www.red27studios.com/download_apple.php

Linux Demo: http://www.red27studios.com/download_linux.php

You can also watch a Teaser Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xE_22faSyKg&hl=en&fs=1&rel=0

I hope you enjoy!

Thanks,

Pete (Red27).

You can read the game blog at http://www.red27studios.com/blog

#2

Looks pretty cool! What technologies did you use to make this? LWJGL? JOGL? etc.

#3

That looks … awesome! SWOS is one of the greatest games of all time.
I hesitate to test it though… what sort of reds are you?! (<- true blue!)

#4

I haven’t used LWJGL or JOGL - it’s all pure Java2D! ;D

I do use JInput for the controllers though.

#5

No linux demo, can’t try it :’(

#6

I am working on that…trying to package it up with IzPack at the minute. No reason why it shouldn’t work. :slight_smile:

#7

Try it and I’ll tell you… :slight_smile:

#8

Many thanks for all the downloads thus far; and I’d be grateful for any feedback you can provide.

#9

Hi All.

Despite having 50+ downloads of the game, no-one has yet provided any feedback, so I’m trying to identify why that might be from some of the regular forumites. Is it “normal” to get lots of downloads, but no comments?

Thanks in advance.

#10

Yes, it’s normal. The large majority of any forum will be lurkers who won’t post. I’ll give you my impressions though (tested on Mac OS X 10.5.7 using Java 5):

  • I played the Mac version, which was actually an Application Bundle for once. Well done on the distribution!
  • the keyboard and mouse click detection in the menu are really jerky, several times I had to click twice because the game didn’t ‘accept’ my click the first time.
  • even though I selected Juventus as my team the shirts looked like Brazil vs. Argentina. I assume this is because the game’s in alpha.
  • when the player in possession changes the camera has some problems.
  • it’s too difficult to pass, so you’ll end up dribbling all the time. I know that was the style of Sensible Soccer too, but it would be nice if it’s at least possible to pass.
  • penalty kicks are implemented in an original way, which might actually be the best I’ve seen in any football game.
  • long shots depend greatly on the ability of the player, so that should eliminate 30 yard shots from players like Gatusso etc.
  • the AI needs some serious work. I was able to slalom around all CPU players (including the goalkeeper) and just walk the ball in without actually having to shoot.
  • it’s a bit weird that the tutorial/help menu contains speech. That said, there’s no better voice than a women with a British accent :slight_smile:
#11

Thanks for the feedback Mr Gol.

  • Distribution - thanks - glad you like. Windows version is also a “proper” installer with an .exe and an embedded JRE
  • Re: keyboard clicks being unresponsive - was this the in game menu? If so, I have recently amended this, so the next version should be much better
  • Yes, the kits are currently always Brazil vs Argentina within the Alpha.
  • Camera does actually follow the ball always - but I will take a look at how it could be improved
  • It is definitely possible to pass (by tapping the space bar or controller action button) - it will automatically pass to the nearest player in the general direction you are facing - had you tried that?
  • Thanks for the feedback on penalties - hoped it would be a little different
  • Long shots - do you mean the amount of bend you can apply should be reduced for lower skilled shooting players?
  • The default skill level is 2 (out of 5), and the AI is much improved at higher settings - it’s a difficult balance between making it
    accessible to a new player but still a challenge to a regular gamer.
  • Glad you like the voice actress! ;D As an aside, I think I will offer the opportunity to view the tutorial rather than defaulting it on first play.

Finally, a couple of questions if I may - how was the overall peformance of the game on your Mac, and what spec is the machine?

Thanks!

#12

Hi,

  • I tested on a MacBook with a Core 2 Duo (2.1 ghz) and 2 GB of memory. I didn’t notice any performance problems, but maybe it’s useful to have the option of a FPS counter.
  • Correct, the controls are unresponsive in the menu, in-game I didn’t have any problems.
  • I’m not exactly sure what I noticed with long shots, just it ‘feels’ like the shooting ability is dependent on the ability of the player, which is good.
  • About the passing, I know it’s technically possible to pass the ball, but it’s just so much more efficient to just dribble and shoot.
#13

Thanks again for the feedback. By the way, pressing F9 in game will show the (internal) current and average FPS counts.

#14

Where is the Linux version? I don’t find it :-\

#15

In his blog it says he’ll create a Linux version if enough people ask for it. I guess this is +1 vote :slight_smile:

#16

For info: I have a Linux distrib (IzPack installer) and I’m be looking for volunteer testers…post here if you’re interested. 8)

Thanks!

#17

That’s pretty cool. I didn’t try out much gameplay, but for Java2D it looks good. I thought Java2D was too slow for graphics like that, maybe I’m wrong.

What did you use to make the windows installer? Is that IzPack?

#18

Thanks JavaMan2 - Java2D is red hot! ;D And the new Java 6u10 release brings so much to the table - wow - the guys at Sun have worked wonders!

No, the Windows version uses NSIS as opposed to IzPack.

#19

If it’s all pure Java2D (cool) how about a WebStart version so everyone with Java can try it? I’m on OpenSolaris, but I doubt there are enough of us to justify the effort for a Solaris-specific download.

#20

Sorry to dissapoint, but game shall be installer based for Windows, Mac and Linux only.

As an aside, I’m still interested in any Linux based users out there to test the game for me,

Thanks.