Shootem-Up Enemy Attack Waves..

Game Play & Game Design
#1

I am looking for some links/algorithms to program some enemy attack waves (80s style shootem up)… For example, enemies coming down in zig-zag patterns, or entering the screen on the left, doing a circular loop and leaving the screen on the right (1942, or Galaxians style)…

Suprisingly, considering the amount of shootemups out there, I can’t find a single thing on google. Am considering using Bezier Curves, or Sine Waves unless anyone can provide me with a better tip/method… :wink: (ps. For 4K, so looking for a few simple algorithms only).
Thnx Edit: Happy New Year Everyone!!

#2

random walk is very cheap (algorithmically) to implemented. You could also use the same mechanism to loop in circles while moving down by using a bias instead of randomness.

#3

If you do go for sine waves then remind yourself about (or read up on) simple harmonic motion. No calls to Math.sin required…

#4

Gosh, its 20+ years since I did SHM A-Level physics. Had a quick revisit but enough to put me off…
Have finally, gone for a combination of Bezier Curves and Random walking… And gradually realizing why have never written a shootem up before… Getting decent gameplay/waves is proving to be a real git and a half!