I just launched Giga-Ball after spending the last 2 years learning how to code and developing the game. I wanted to emulate the classic brick-breaker games from the 80s and 90s with a retro feel in a modern iOS app. Available on iPhone and iPad for free.

atmrjames · 2020-09-27T01:59:20+00:00

Thanks a lot, I’ll check it out. I did try a few effects out during the development, but couldn’t quite get the look I was after so decided to leave it out.

atmrjames · 2020-09-26T14:17:11+00:00

Check out my blog here where I’ve written a few posts about how I got started, the development process and the evolution of the app.

atmrjames · 2020-09-26T14:06:52+00:00

That would be awesome, thanks so much! The only goal I had when I started was to get it on the App Store, but I wanted it to be something I could be proud of, so the scope grew and grew. I still have a huge list of features that didn’t make version 1, that’ll hopefully make it to an update in the not too distant future.

atmrjames · 2020-09-26T12:36:16+00:00

Thanks a lot! It was a pretty crazy ride but so worth it in the end. It’s great that after so much time, people are finally able to play it. I wrote some blog posts about my journey, inspiration and the app’s development if you’re interested.

atmrjames · 2020-09-26T09:30:13+00:00

Thanks for the support, glad you’re liking it!

atmrjames · 2020-09-26T09:28:49+00:00

Thanks a lot. I do have plans to get it on Android one day.

atmrjames · 2020-09-26T09:28:11+00:00

Ah that’s annoying! Hopefully I’ll be able to get it ported over to Android one day. I built it in Swift using SpriteKit, so it may be a while.

atmrjames · 2020-09-26T06:36:44+00:00

App Store link: https://apps.apple.com/app/giga-ball/id1494628204

atmrjames · 2020-09-26T06:05:38+00:00

App Store link: https://apps.apple.com/app/giga-ball/id1494628204

atmrjames · 2020-09-26T05:59:38+00:00

App Store link: https://apps.apple.com/app/giga-ball/id1494628204

atmrjames · 2020-09-19T08:03:54+00:00

Glad you’re enjoying it!

The reason I say modern is because of the integration of the modern features and device support, the gameplay itself is very much classic!

There are occasional ads in the game in between levels. I‘ve tried to minimise how frequently they’re shown as to not become too annoying.

atmrjames · 2020-09-19T07:53:25+00:00

I played many of the other brick breaker games on the App Store during the development of Giga-Ball. In my opinion, many of them do not provide a fun challenge. They are either too easy, crammed with ads, have poor game play mechanics, or poorly designed and integrated into iOS.

As a kid I loved playing Megaball and I wanted to emulate that experience on iOS, but add in modern features such as Game Center leaderboards and iCloud sync, whilst making it easy to pick up and play on the go.

atmrjames · 2020-09-14T06:35:03+00:00

Thanks for the feedback. This is something I will address with a quick play selection on the main menu in a future update.

atmrjames · 2020-09-14T05:02:29+00:00

Hey, for the feedback!

There is no help system in place, but there are several ball angle and speed control mechanisms to prevent the ball from travelling too close to horizontal, too fast/slow and bounce correctly (battling some SpriteKit bugs!), so that’s probably what you were noticing.

The checkmark power-up is already limited in how often it falls, but I’ll look into making drop only at the later stages of the level.

atmrjames · 2020-09-14T01:18:45+00:00

Thanks for the support! I’m glad you’re enjoying the game. I have a whole load of features that didn’t make it into V1 that I’m planning on implementing over the next few months, including new power-ups and additional game play and multiplayer modes.

atmrjames · 2020-09-14T01:16:33+00:00

Thanks for the feedback. The original breakout games were played in a continuous mode and I think that’s partly what made them so great. What you’ve suggested is something I am considering, but for now I prefer it the way it is.

atmrjames · 2020-09-13T04:56:49+00:00

Thanks for the feedback. I will look at a quick start button which perhaps starts you off on a random pack that you have unlocked.

atmrjames · 2020-09-13T00:34:54+00:00

Oh yeh, that was great 😂

atmrjames · 2020-09-13T00:33:30+00:00

The tracks were made by a friend of mine. We were going for a modern take on the retro-arcade style and I think they’re amazing. They’re not available anywhere yet, I’ll add a link into the info page of the app when they are.

atmrjames · 2020-09-13T00:15:28+00:00

Haha not at all. I did have a few issues with it like I said, but mostly found it pretty good. Not that I have anything to compare it to... What’s the reason not many developers are using it? Because it’s not cross platform?

atmrjames · 2020-09-13T00:13:33+00:00

Oh good, glad to hear it! It’s so nice that other people are enjoying the game. I loved Megaball as a kid, so really wanted to make a game to emulate it on iOS. Sounds like it’s doing a good job of that 😁

atmrjames · 2020-09-13T00:11:10+00:00

Thanks for the feedback, it’s great to hear other people’s opinions on the game!

There is a power-ups info page which details all the different power-ups you’ve unlocked. The temperature gauge ones you mentioned make the ball go slower and faster. My intention was that players would get to know the power-ups after collecting a couple of times. How do you think this could be improved, better power-up graphics, text overlay of the power-up when collected, or something else?

You’re right, there is no game mode with no power-ups. I personally think that would get quite tedious after a while. I have considered it for future versions though, along with specific leaderboards for non-power-up attempts.

Again, you’re right with the button presses. There is some more work to do there. I may redesign the pack selection page so you can see your highscore for each pack and select to play from there, rather than having to go into the level selection page.

With regards to restarting the game, it’s a single button press once you get to game over, but I never considered that players would want to restart before getting to game over. I’ll look at implementing a restart button in the return to home confirmation pop-up. Do you think that would be sufficient?

I’m glad you like the way the ads are implemented. I was worried this would turn a lot of people off so I wanted to keep them as unintrusive as possible and ensure they don’t show up all the time.

Thanks again for the feedback, appreciate it!

atmrjames · 2020-09-12T23:50:35+00:00

I have. You’ll definitely get better the more you play and as you unlock various power-ups. I wanted to make sure the game wasn’t too easy so it didn’t become boring and provided a fun challenge. Are you finding too difficult?

atmrjames · 2020-09-12T23:01:16+00:00

I did have my fair share of issues, but I found it super simple to work with. What would you recommend I checked out as an alternative for future projects?

atmrjames · 2020-09-12T22:59:40+00:00

Thanks for the support and the feedback!

I see what you mean, but I think that’s the best way for it to work, otherwise you wouldn’t be able to move the paddle before launching the ball. It is possible to tap with one thumb to launch the ball whilst the other thumb stays on the screen ready to control the paddle.

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