Inspiration
We love mini games, especially the likes of mini golf and puzzle games. However, they can get boring quick, so we wanted to add a twist. As soon as we saw the track for non-Euclidian geometry, we saw our chance. The name Antipolf comes from Antipode, the opposite point in spherical space which users need to take advantage of its properties to beat the level, and golf, the mini game.
What it does
Antipolf is a golf puzzle game set on a elliptic plane. This gives players the impression that they are playing on the inside of a ball. We also included different levels and worlds to introduce different game mechanics as an introduction for users into the world of non-Euclidian geometry, such as mirrors to reflect beams of light into a goal.
How we built it
We started by rendering an elliptic plane, by creating a coordinate system with 4 variables (x, y, z, w) mapping in 3D to create the otherworldly effect. We used a script to transform positions and shapes from regular 3D into the 4 variables: e.g. a cube 3m forward gets mapped 1/4 radians forward if our world radius is 12m. We then use a vertex shader to compare camera directions to coordinates to determine where the object appears in the players FOV. A color shader was also added to create depth for further objects. Finally, we created custom maps and composed some OSTs and SFX to match the mood.
Challenges we ran into
The biggest challenge we ran into was comprehending such a disorienting space, which took multiple hours. We had to watch multiple videos, read explanations, and consult chatbots to understand how Elliptic planes worked. We also spent a while making the physics and camera angles work since there would always be sneaky bugs. One particularly annoying bug was when the hole was on the antipode (opposite side), it would appear in different positions when looking at it from slightly different angles.
Accomplishments that we're proud of
We are most proud of stepping out of our comfort zone and learning a new concept we were (mostly) unfamiliar with. We are also proud of being able to make a complete game, with sound, physics, mechanics, menus, and cool features. In particular, we are very proud of team member ethan's composition for our soundtrack.
What's Next for Antipolf?
We plan on polishing the game after Stormhacks and transforming it either into a steam game for everyone to play or into a game similar to swervle.com, where we release a new challenge map everyday for players. We believe that the world behind Antipolf is highly customizable and has a lot of potential for more mini games and cool features.
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