SuperBall: A Block-Breaking Game for iPhone

1. iPhone Game:SuperBall 3 • Final Presentation • University of Anchorage Alaska • CS470

2. Game Overview • SuperBall is a “block breaking” game for the iPhone and iPod Touch. • Included features such as bonuses, multiple balls and physics emulation. • Released on the App Store on the store’s launch. • Has had success as an iPhone game. • Got up to #5 in top 100 apps • 1,000,000+ downloads.

3. Technical Goals • Re-write with better design that is easier to update. • Implement Model-View-Controller • Convert hard-coded levels to XML files • Improve Performance • Add New Effects • Add support for new features, including level creator

4. Project Requirements User Interface / Navigation • Design the navigation to be easily extensible and managed from a single controller - Completed. • Provide a scrollable list for displaying high scores - Completed. • High score to be submitted online inside of app - Completed. • Provide a help and how to section - Not Completed. • Provide user interface for creating and saving level sets made via the level builder - Completed.

5. Project Requirements Game Play • Improve game play rendering and performance with OpenGL - Completed. • Emulate impacts and collisions using a physics engine - Completed. • Add particle effects for impacts and special bonuses - Completed.

6. Project Requirements Data and Model Layer • Represent level information in standard XML format - Completed. • Be able to save and retrieve level information via XML - Completed. • Manage created level sets data - Completed.

7. Project Requirements New Features • Level builder capable of easily and quickly designing levels - Completed. • User submit-able level sets - Not Completed. • User downloadable level sets - Not Completed.

8. Version Progression Version 0.6 Version 1.0 Version 2.0 Version 3.0 • Very basicNo memory management • Good UIBad Design • Better UINo LeaksPoor Design • Good DesignGreat PhysicsGreat Features

9. Data Files • XML storing and retrieving of data files implemented, but slow. • From 5 to 10 seconds for a full level set. • No luck with various optimizations. • Instead, switched to Apple’s Property Lists. • Still stored as XML. • Much faster, 2 to 4 seconds. • But, larger files, by about 2x.

10. XML vs. pList Example (a level set with one level with one rectangular block that is in the center of the screen with 3 hit points) <key>LevelsArray</key> <array> <dict> <key>BlocksArray</key> <array> <dict> <key>Height</key> <real>80.0</real> <key>HitPoints</key> <integer>3</integer> <key>Shape</key> <integer>0</integer> <key>Type</key> <integer>0</integer> <key>Width</key> <real>40</real> <key>XPosition</key> <real>160.0</real> <key>YPosition</key> <real>240.0</real> </dict> </dict> </array> <levelset> <level> <block> <type>0</type> <hp>3</hp> <shape>0</shape> <bonus>2</bonus> <angle>0.79</angle> <width>80.00</width> <height>40.00</height> <x>160.00</x> <y>240.0</y> </block> </level> </levelset>

11. Beta Prototyping • Sent out multiple prototype “betas” to testers • Went through four revisions: • Beta 1: • No Gameplay UI, high scores, options etc • Just physics, main gameplay and basic level builder • Beta 2: • Added Gameplay UI, addressed some early bugs • Beta 3: • Addressed most bugs, updated graphics • Added level creator features, high scoring, options • Beta 4: • Complete, final version for testing

12. New Features Chipmunk Physics • Greatly Improved Collision Detection • Allowed for new shapes, like triangles, squares, etc. • Complete physics based world • Paddle rocks based on how it is hit • Balls collide against one another • Blocks oscillate • Force of explosions seen against blocks • Even falling bonuses bounce against objects

13. New Features OpenGL Rendering and Effects • Gameplay in OpenGL • Uses Cocos2D Game Template • New Effects • Spark Collisions • Particle Explosions • Ball Trails

14. New Features Improved Navigation and UI • Navigation through standard Navigation Controller • Consistent Look & Feel • High scores list • In-App online Score Submissions

15. New Features Level Set Creator • Create Complete Level Sets • Manage Multiple Sets • Rearrange & Delete Levels • Drag & Drop Blocks • Add bonuses • Test right away • Multi-touch rotate & scale • Even copy & paste

16. Requirements: 6 hours Design: 30 hours Implementation: 153 hours Testing: 90 hours Write-up: 12 hours Presentation: 9 hours Estimation... Estimated Total: 300 Hours

17. Requirements: 6 hours Design: 20 hours Implementation: 273 hours Testing: 80 hours Write-up: 12 hours Presentation: 9 hours Actual Total: 400 Hours

18. Positive Reviews “Already my favorite ‘brick breaker’ game, the update to 3.0 makes it even better!” “They took ‘one’ of the best breakout games in the app store, and made it into the ABSOLUTE BEST breakout game. Excellent graphics, physics, sound, and gameplay. Nice Update! Go Get it!” “You’ve done it! You’ve made the best ‘Brick’ game ever. All others are currently being deleted and I just wanted to say congratulations!”

19. Conclusion • Huge improvement in gameplay, performance, and overall fun. • Innovative new features, including physics based gameplay and level creator. • Great response so far. • Learned a lot about OpenGL, XML on iPhone and physics engines.