SQL Highscore Table Database
We have been receiving a couple of questions in regards to games involving scores over the last few weeks. Therefore I put together something I would have wanted to see when I first started out:
If you save the score for each game session you will end up with a database similar to the scores table below.
| player | game | score |
| 1 | A | 150 |
| 2 | A | 250 |
| 1 | B | 250 |
| 2 | B | 50 |
| 3 | B | 125 |
The example above has two game sessions. In the game called A there were two players and in the game called B three players. If we look at player 1, we can see that she lost the first game but won the second.
Usually we'd like to look at all the game data we've stored and say how many game sessions a particular player has won. But how do we do that automatically with a database SQL query? It seems simple enough since it's such a small table, but it can be a little more tricky than you would first expect.
Below is one way to do this. The idea is that we calculate the total number of games the player has participated in and subract the number of games she lost.
SELECT total.number - lost.number FROM (SELECT COUNT(DISTINCT scores.game) AS number FROM scores WHERE scores.player = '1') AS total, (SELECT COUNT(DISTINCT my_scores.game) AS number FROM scores AS my_scores INNER JOIN scores AS other_scores ON my_scores.game = other_scores.game WHERE my_scores.score < other_scores.score AND my_scores.player = '1') AS lost;
So if you're making a game that saves scores this code might come in handy for you.
Do you see what would happen if two players have the same score?
Do you know how you can improve the performance?
The spring finally hit Umeå, I'm off to enjoy it
Have a great weekend
Peter
As you may know, I am working on the upcoming multiplayer feature of Mad Skills Motocross. I really think this will take the game up to a whole new level of bone-shattering fun. And, it's fun to make.
There are a lot of design decisions to make as to how it should work. Different modes, options, buddy lists and so on. I'd like to share the prototyped game modes we are testing: Chase, Race and Trick as well as a tip that have kept my head straight and focused over the last couple of years as a developer.
Before that I'd like to thank Bloody Bill and Joel (who still struggles with "Sinks") - the last couple of days of harassment related to Bloody Bill's amazing race and Joel's big mouth has fueled the current dev phase. We're closing in, well on our way and maintaining great speed. Bloody Bill - keep practicing, you'll need it - Joel, shut up!
The three modes as follows:
Chase
Both players see the same view, as if playing on the same computer. This means that when one player gets a significant lead the other player will be left behind and even out of the view of the "camera". When that player's bike is not visible anymore, because it left the screen, it explodes and the leading player earns a point.
Then both bikes are reset at the same place and the chase starts again. Get a certain number of points to win.
Oh, and several tracks are chained together into one big track.
Race
Just a regular ol' race, first to the finish line wins. Exploding bikes might make an appearance, just for the sake of it.
Trick
Win the race by getting more stars than the opponent.
Oh yeah, the tip: Set a time for ending the day's work, at the end write down what you have done today and what you are supposed to do first thing tomorrow - doing this is the reason I am still sane. Very simple.
Take Care!
Tobias
Turborilla top five indiegames
Yo!
We all enjoyed a really long weekend here at Turborilla. I finally got my Braid adventure started, f'n ey that is an amazing game. As Braid our last newsletter got a fair bit of positive feedback. We share one of the articles, a short list of a few really cool games, below.
From the Turborilla newsletter:
"5 games you should check out:
Joel joined us a few weeks back. Among other things he will take care of spreading "Mad Skills Motocross" to the world. As he got to know us we ended up talking a fair bit about which games we were in to at the moment. The list was actually not as long as you would expect and surprisingly uniform. In case you`ve missed out on any of the games at the top five list we compiled below make sure you go check it out:
- Minecraft - Amazingly simple and fun concept. I'd describe it as massively multiplayer lego-building with survival mode.
- Spelunky - As an Indiana Jones like adventurer you will save the damsel on every level, which are randomly generated. Very interesting situations can arise from this game's simple rules. Windows only.
- Machinarium - Haven't played it yet? Go do it now. Gorgeous point-and-click adventure reviving the genre.
- Sumotori - The silliest man-made thing to date. Have a good laugh with it.
- Dicewars - Risk, but simpler and more fun. I've wasted hours here. There's a multiplayer version out there when you feel ready.l "
I am off to an exciting meeting with 24MX
Take Care
Joel
It is weird how you sort of shut down just before it is vacation time ey? This Friday and next Monday are public holidays here in Sweden, so we all begun a four day weekend yesterday.
I need your help coming up with a great idea! All I could focus on yesterday was snowy picnics and drinking games involving Worms 3D. I love my job, but yesterday my office head was filled with jello and my irresponsible play head was filled with guarana - all n' all weird n' wonderful.
Anyways I need your help:
What kind of game would you pitch with the following constraints:
It has to involve a shipbroker, a psychologist and a company distributing plastic cards such as the credit card you used to pay for Mad Skills. The game is NOT supposed to involve pitching the companies and you should play for about an hour. It does not have to be playable in a browser.
Great ideas will be rewarded! Email me at joel@turborilla.com
Happy Holidays!
Joel
Testing a prototype
Besides Joels and Tobias shenanigans we actually do work here at Turborilla. Work is extraordinary fun though. One example is the recurring task of playtests:
The pic above is from the very early development stage of the sequel to Planet M.U.L.E. A few days ago we tested a prototype. We have forked off a few bastardized modifications of PM and reused all graphics, networking and crap, but changed the game mechanics. We wanted to compare the funniness between two of those versions. One was a Real Time Strategy thing with all players running around simultaneously doing whatever actions they like, and the other a Boardgame type game played in phases with more structure and the players having to wait for each other to take their turn. The boardgame type may sound like the original but it had some changes and new expanded, strategic fluff added.
During the test we were three guys crammed in one room at our office. Me, Joel and our conscientious intern Fredrik. We had another dude on loud speakers through Skype and a fifth guy playing from Germany. Three of the testers had never played MULE before and I had to quickly brief them on the rules as we played. That's why we were in the same room. The boardgame version gave us lots of laughs. After a while all players got the hang of it and they started to screw each other over by some self-sacrificing, mean tactics. There was especially much laughter during the auctions, which some earlier newbie testers have found to be the most boring part of the game. Interesting indeed.
After playing one full game of each version the conclusion was unanimous. All testers found the boardgame style more fun. The main problem with the real time version is that it feels like you're playing alone with a bunch of other unimportant guys running around in the perimeters. There was not enough interaction between players. Instead of trading with others, which is a core component of Planet MULE, players rather produce all goods they need themselves and sell it to the store. To make the RTS float we'll have to come up with something to make players more dependent on each other.
Even though we believe that an RTS version could be made fun, and we have some nifty ideas on how to improve it, we'll be exploring the turn based approach for now. Personally I think a turn based MULE will turn out the most fun in the end.
Happy Holidays!
And don't forget to hand in your leaderboard ideas to win a full version of Mad Skills Motocross.
Peter
No more acute accent`s ya`ll
T-Bone, has gone through a fair bit of trouble (including coming in on a Sunday) making a VERY important point. More critical than that - he delivers a bitch slap to the linguistic authority here at Turborilla - YEH! - it`s on - that`s right it`s ON!
Joel
We want to try something we have never done before. We would like to invite you to be an integral part of the further development of Mad Skills Motocross. Even though we have sold thousands of games already, we consider you Mad Skills gamers out there early adopters. The development of this game and the possibilities that comes with it are amazing. If our little group here at the office think it is amazing we are sure we can create something even more amazing utilizing the power contained in you guys. Each member of this group are an important part of the savvy crowd that know of Turborilla and Mad Skills, an early adopter. Your ideas and choices are important.
We will test asking you questions, utilizing you thoughts, in incremental steps and hopefully we can deliver value in exchange for your ideas and solutions. Value defined as an increasingly better game, but also in the form of individual rewards and more importantly, cred. If you come up with great code, graphics or ideas, you will be recognized for it.
The first inquire - a Facebook leaderboard?:
We need to create a leaderboard solution, we are considering using facebook and dividing it in to regions but we have not written any code yet. Do you have ideas, applications, examples of games that currently use a great solutions or example code for a facebook application that would work well for Turborilla and Mad Skills? Write to tobias@turborilla.com or joel@turborilla.com. Post your questions as a comment below
The three best suggestions gets rewarded, even if we like a suggestion but decide not use it you'll get your full version.
all the best
Tobias
NES, Excitebike and the right path
Mr 100% - Kieren from Queensland, Bloody Bill, lent us a few minutes of his time, we were eager to talk to him since he is the first person ever to finish "Mad Skills Motocross". In addition to this he has conducted one of the most impressive gaming sessions we have seen in many months. Check the vid below, the man is a SUPERSTAR!
Tell us Kieren - how did you, as the first person ever, manage to finish Mad Skills Motocross?
I grew up playing quite a few motorbike games such as Excitebike which I still own on 8bit NES.I am not one to give up on something once I start it. If I am ever unable to do something I have set out to do, I sleep on it and I will generally succeed within a short time of starting it back up afterwards.
How long did it take you?
I have been playing Mad Skills Motocross on and off since I got it in September 2009. I tried the Demo first and I loved it so I bought the full version.
Recently I have been playing most afternoons after I get home from work.
Did you have problems with any particular track, which one was toughest to beat?
The hardest track I believe is based on what you aim to achieve, whether it be the best possible time or just beating the computer player in career mode. I didn’t have that much trouble with career mode at all as I find games like this come natural to me.
Alright, so who are you,where do you live and what do you do?
I am 22 next month.I am from Queensland, Australia. I am a desktop support officer, I enjoy my job and the people I work with.
What improvements or new features would you like to see in Mad Skills over the next few months?
Many people have made excellent suggestions to the game on the forums. I believe many of these are great ideas but everyone wants the multiplayer and leaderboards!
Finally, how can I bump my Mad Skills to your level?
Three tips that I would like to share with other players are; Learn the best path in a track, become adept at controlling the bike from all landing approaches and last, persistence. If you think you make a good time on a track, try and beat it, chances are someone else will.
Alright, any thing we haven`t covered or something else you`d like to share?
For those of you who still need the 30 stars in one race to reach 100% Career, Turbo Nitro 2 is where I got it. Get the wheelie and stoppie down straight up, then get your double backflips in where ever you can. (Think outside the box here) the front flips are easily done in the few bigger jumps in the middle of the track, remaining double backflips come at the end and the big air jump, use your nitro and jump over the finish.
From what I`ve understood Kieren will beat Tobias once he get a chance - I can not wait for the Mad Skills multiplayer to be done
jippikajej Kieren and a happy, Swedish, afternoon to you all!
If you have yet to try "Mad Skills Motocross" you can download the demo here
Joel
joel@turborilla.com
Developers diary and acute accents
Finally we're going to revive the dev diary. I do love writing, but it takes a lot of time. Now Joel is here to help us with the planning and writing of diary entries. Or rather, blog entries, since it seems this space is now called a 'blog'. Whatever that is. Remember 'The Blob'? I do, fondly.
Speaking of Joel, he is the latest star of Turborilla. We hired him three weeks ago and he still hasn't learned to use the apostrophe correctly.
Look at all the posts made by Joel, he is writing gangsta like ya'll but instead of an apostrophe he uses the acute accent as in ya´ll. I find that infinitely annoying. Don´t you?
He is also practicing to be a cheerleader, but more on that later. I am off to work on a solution for choosing tracks in Mad Skills multiplayer
Tobias
Mad Skills in Queensland
100% - 30 stars
again:
100% - 30 stars
We here at Turborilla are extraordinarily impressed. Well, everyone but Tobias are impressed - Tobias is out of this world impressed n` also ein bischen crazy. The reason being the way our Australian mate Kieren, a.k.a Bloody Bill, finished our talk the other day - "Will I beat Tobias in multiplayer? Of course"
As Tobias is now fine tuning his Mad Skills, leaving work to the rest of us - I think the multiplayer feature might be somewhat delayed :D
If you want to know more about Kieren just check back here in a couple of days, he`s got a few useful tips for ya`ll trying to finish the darn game
I`m off to discuss addictive flash games - have you got any good examples I might not know about,email me
- tjimmi
Joel (still not passed f`n Sinks) (still without a tagline)
