Shinobi Run Endless

Overview

Initially as a side project, I started to create an endless runner game over my spring break. As a mobile game, there is only one simple control to tap the screen. However, the timing of the tap is critical. A "ninja sensor" hovers over the next enemy and a ring traces over the sensor. Once the ring is over the critical zones of the sensor and the player taps to attack, then enemy is destroyed. Points are rewarded to the player for the critical zone the ring was over when they tapped the screen to attack. The critical zones are as follows:

• Perfect - 500 points

• Good - 200 points

• Okay -100 points

• Awful - 0 points

The ring behaves in several different ways. It can shrink linearly as the player gets closer to the enemy. It can shrink and expand overtime as a sinusoidal wave. It can behave as cubic Bezier curve that slowly expands and shrinks. The mathematical behaviors of the rings size over time are endless. Currently I have only 1 model (Ninja) fully animated with sprites rendered to save memory as this is a simple 2D game. I used methods described in the GDC talk by speaker James Benson, in which you take a 3D model and then create 2D sprites using 3ds Max. I intend to use the same method for the enemies. The Background, zombie enemy, and foreground are placeholders to simply showcase the gameplay elements. The vision is to utilize an art style similar to Limbo (Developer: Playdead), where the background is white, player and enemies are black, and the blood effects and weapons are red. This game is still a work in progress with no intended release date.

Update: November 2020

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After losing my job due to the COVID-19 pandemic, I decided to revisit this game and finally jump into actually publishing it on the App store and Google Play store. Modified the controls to add more abilities, such as jumping, sliding, sprinting, throwing smoke bombs, and unleashing critical attacks on a PERFECT. Added new enemy types, such as enemies that unleash fatal attacks that can only be dodged. Improved the sound effects, artwork, such as the environment and the effects, such as the PERFECT shatter. Included a new inventory system, where players earn coins based on their performance at the end of a run. They can use the coins to purchase items from the shop. Items consist of consumables that break upon impact, non-consumables that drastically change the game, and upgradable items that include items such as coin and score multipliers. Implemented an equipment system so the player can mix and match items to match their playstyle. Designed the menus (home, settings, shop, and results screens) and stylized UI. Implemented new difficulties to make the game more accessible to casual players. Utilized Unity IAPs (ad-removal item), game services (Game Center and Google Play Game Services) for leaderboards, Unity SDK for saving/loading, and Unity Ads.

The game is content complete and currently looking for a suitable publisher. However, it is still available on the App store and Google Play store via early access. I also ended up creating my own LLC, which is another beast entirely and learned so much about starting a video game development business. Below I'll dive deep into the mechanics of the game.

Description

Death does not come easy for a shinobi.

Fight your way on an endless blood-thirsty journey. Travel across the ancient alps to confront the Tsuchigumo clan and seek vengeance for the death of your family. Cursed with eternal life, you will die and resurrect till you achieve the highest score you can! Other shinobis are on the same path as you, but only one can hold the mantle of being the ultimate shinobi!

Features

• Easy to learn, difficult to master combat system

• Sprint, jump, slide, and throw smoke bombs to defeat your foes

• Collect time orbs to extend your life and continue your onslaught

• Resurrection is a common tool for the vengeful shinobi. Shadows never die!

• Utilize the ninja sensor to time your attacks for the most critical damage

• Equip various game-changing items from the Shop. Mix and match to fit your unique play style

• Challenge your friends with Game Center. Compete for the highest score, highest streak, and most perfect kills.

Shinobi Run Endless is a free game with minimal ads and a single in-app purchase for ad removal.

Controls

• Jump - Swipe UP on LEFT side of screen

• Slide - Swipe DOWN on LEFT side of screen

• Smoke Bomb - Swipe Left on LEFT side of screen

• Sprint - Tap and hold the SPRINT button. Can be performed in mid-air.

• Attack - Tap the RIGHT side of the screen

Advanced Controls

Sprinting​

While holding down the sprint button, you can attack/jump/slide as you normally would. Sprinting has an unlimited use and will cause you to zoom by enemies. You can initiate a sprint in midair to have enemies move under you and land safely. You can initiate a sprint at any time, except when attacking or throwing a smoke bomb. Sprinting has no affect on the timer.

Smoke Bombs​

Smoke bombs are versatile and can be used to strategically avoid oncoming enemy attacks, even fatal attacks. You have unlimited smoke bombs at your disposal but can only throw 1 smoke bomb at a time. Legendary equipment, such as the Heavenly Tanto of Gathering Clouds will allow you to throw up to 5 smoke bombs simultaneously to avoid enemies that have lingering attacks. You can only throw a smoke bomb when you are idle.

Jumping​

Again, you can jump while holding down the sprint button. Time your jumps carefully to avoid fatal attacks from charging enemies. A red kanji warning will notify you to jump to dodge this fatal attack

Sliding​

Again, you can slide while holding down the sprint button. As with jumping, timing is key to avoid fatal attacks from leaping enemies. A blue kanji warning will notify you to slide to dodge this fatal attack

Attacking​

You can attack up to twice simultaneously. You can attack mid-slide and while sprinting. Some enemies cannot be attacked. These enemies will not have a Target Sensor over them and display a fatal attack warning (either red or blue). Attacking them is pointless. Instead you should avoid their oncoming attack. Attacking an Innocent will have a negative effect on your score, and thus you should avoid attacking them.

Score

Your score is your chance to prove to the world you’re the ultimate shinobi. You can compare your score against others by visiting the Game Center/Google Play in the menu screen. There are plenty of modifiers that can increase your score during a run, which we will look at here:

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• Style Streak – As you continue to maintain stylish kills, your streak meter at the top of the screen will fill up. Performing an Awful or Disgraceful kill will reset your streak. The streak levels are broken down by the number of kills:

  • • 1x – 0 kills

    • 2x – 3 kills

    • 3x – 8 kills

    • 4x – 13 kills

    • 5x – 19 kills

    • 6x – 19+ kills

Additionally, you can purchase the Enraged Tengu Mask from the Shop and equip it to decrease the number of kills required to reach the next level streak quicker.​

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• Timer – You are allotted a certain amount of time at the beginning of each run, depending on the difficulty selected. Once the timer reaches 0, your shadow has lost its will to live and will die. You can purchase Ryujin Charm from the Shop and equip it to increase the amount of time you start with at the beginning of each run. Performing Perfect kills on an enemy will increase your timer as well. In addition, you can pick up time orbs as they appear, which will increase your timer by 3 seconds. The amount of time gained from a time orb can also be increased by purchasing the Regalia Charm from the Shop and equipping it.

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• Difficulty – You can alter the difficulty from the Game options of the Menu screen. Each difficulty has a unique difficulty multiplier, which determines how much points you are awarded for each style kill. The harder the difficulty, the more points you will receive.

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• Resurrection – As a shinobi seeking vengeance, you have the ability to resurrect at least once per run. On rare occasions, you may obtain a divine gift to resurrect a second time during a run, by watching an Ad. Resurrecting allows you to continue your current run. Resurrecting is completely optional, and you may choose to die and end your run, if you so choose.

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• Charms – Certain charms that are purchased from the Shop can be equipped to have an affect on your run. You can only equip 1 charm at a time, so choose wisely. Charms can be upgraded to increase the benefit received from them. The purple lotus flower at the bottom of the screen will be lit if a charm is currently equipped. Charms can be used an infinite amount of times.

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• Coins – After the end of each run, your score will populate the Results screen. You will also receive coins, which can be used to buy items from the Shop. Some charms can increase the amount of coins received at the end of each run. You can also double up on the number of coins by tapping on the “Double Coins” button to watch a reward ad.

Equipment

Quick Items

• Dragon's Teardrop - You will not loose points for killing an innocent, but this is destroyed upon use. Can only be used once per run.

• Steel Plate - You are protected from any targetable enemy, but this breaks upon impact. Can only be used once per run.

• Lazulite Plate - You are protected from a fatal jump attack, but this breaks upon impact. Can only be used once per run.

• Realgarite Plate - You are protected from a fatal charge attack, but this breaks upon impact. Can only be used once per run.

Charms

Each can be upgraded up to a max level of 5:

• Maneki Neko Charm [Upgradable] - Coin multiplier.

• Komainu Charm [Upgradable] - Score multiplier.

• Ryujin Charm [Upgradable] - Increases amount of time provided at the beginning of every run.

• Regalia Charm [Upgradable] - Increases the amount of time acquired from time orbs.

Special Items

• Divine Flute - Removes innocents from the battlefield

• Mizuchi's Tail - Tail of the legendary river dragon. Removes double-attacking enemies from battle.

• Hou-ou's Feather - Feather of the mystical phoenix. Removes running enemies from the battlefield.

• Ominous Brass Knuckles - Removes spinning enemies from the battlefield.

• Ceremonial Fan - Removes walking enemies from the battlefield.

• Ring of Todomeki - Stolen from the theif with a hundred bird eyes. Positions yourself at an advantageous distance from oncoming enemies.

• Enraged Tengu Mask - Fills your streak meter quicker, requiring fewer kills per streak level.

Legendary Items

• Eight-Span Mirror of Infinity - Allows you to see more of the surrounding and in turn predict which enemies are about to appear more easily.

• Heavenly Tanto of Gathering Clouds - Allows you to throw up to 5 smoke bombs immediately in quick succession.

• Grand Jewel of Regalia - Allows you to sprint at blazing fast speeds, making it ideal for quick escapes.

• Undying Flame of Amaterasu - Allows you to sprint through enemies, killing them in the process. Killed enemies during this state are disregarded for score.

Stats & Leaderboards

Your stats can be seen from the Stats pane of the Menu screen. Some stats may not be updated if you choose to quit a run. The leaderboards can be accessed from the Game Center/Google Play pane of the Menu screen. If you have Game Center connected, you can view and compare your scores against the world. Each week, your ranks are reset. Each rank has its own unique badge for each of the leaderboards:

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• Best Score

• Best Score (No Resurrect)

• Best Streak

• Perfect Kills

• Best Time Survived