[APK] Polo

[marchansenj]

Thrilled to be a finalist! Congrats to all that made it and my sympathy to those fantastic entries that didn't.

New Game Modes, Level Dynamics, Improved Multi-player, and Maps are in the works. New Maps being added include: The Gutter, The Grotto, The Attic, and The Manor.

Screenshot of The Gutter:
TheGutter.jpg

LOLLIPOP USERS:
If you want to try Polo and have lollipop you are going to need to un-mount your SD card physically or virtually under storage Settings. I have a build ready that doesn't require this step but waiting on access to the Global Signing Tool.

Please play my game and let me know what you think! (Gamepad required)
Drop me a comment or vote on my project page here: http://challengepost.com/software/polo-v663c

I suggest doing the mouse training before starting a game only takes 1 minute but will teach you the rules of the game.

EVERY TIME YOU HEAR A MEOW; SQUEAK OR YOUR POSITION WILL BE GIVEN AWAY AND MARCO WILL PROBABLY GET YOU! IF YOU DO MISS THE SQUEAK TIMER FIND YOUR NEAREST TUNNEL. GOOD LUCK!

Its a game of caution, Post your best Score with the Round Number.

If you have a friend with a tablet or phone running Jelly bean 4.2,4.3 or Kitkat have them download Polo: Cat Edition and give the Multi-player a whirl.

Trailer for Polo:



Milestone 3 Video:



Hi all, I am thrilled to be able to participate in this JAM. My entry in 2013 was RogueCraft and since then I have been fascinated with the idea of allowing bystanders the ability to interact with the VR player. With my entry Polo I have finally been able to scratch that itch.

Polo
Polo is an exciting asymmetrical game of cat and mouse developed for the GearVR.

PoloDesignImages_20150419.png
TheCellar.png

Polo APK can be downloaded here:
https://vrjam-submissions.s3.amazonaws.com/signed/4354cf11bc9b/plaSzMkwQhqS3ITdxsKS_Polo_1.0.0.apk

Polo: Cat Edition APK can be downloaded here:
http://bananafat.com/Polo_CatEdition_1.0.0.apk

Get ready to experience the timeless clash between mouse and cat with a friend or solo across three incredibly unique Maps. Maps include The Bastille, The Lodge, and The Chantry. One player uses the GearVR to enter the reality of a mouse named Polo while another player controls Marco the Cat from an Android phone or tablet. Polo can also be played as a single player experience in which case Marco is controlled by the devious AI.

Polo the Mouse
Polo’s objective is to eat 6 pieces of cheese hidden throughout the map. Each piece eaten will increment his Cheese Wheel by 1 until reaching 6 at which point Polo will have won the round. Polo is controlled in first person using the GearVR HMD in combination with an Android Bluetooth Gamepad. Polo has two main actions he must perform. Eat and Squeak. Eat by gazing at a tasty piece of Cheese or smelly Onion. Squeak by pressing the 1\A button on the gamepad. If an Onion is found it can be used by pressing the 2\B button on the gamepad. Mouse Training is included in game to cover all the basics you need to know.

Marco the Cat
Marco’s objective is to catch Polo. Marco’s view of the game is from an overhead perspective; Polo is only visible when within Marco’s limited FOV. Marco is controlled by tapping on the device’s touchscreen. Marco can also perform the following actions by tapping them: Meow, Close Gate, Light Tunnel Stove, and Pounce.

Meow - Squeak mechanic (Marco Polo)
Every time Marco Meows Polo has a fixed amount of time to respond with a Squeak before his instincts will take over and he will do a Giant Squeak. A Squeak can be heard and seen by Marco only if he is close by. A Giant Squeak will alert Marco to his position regardless of distance. When Polo is in a Tunnel he does not need to respond to a Meow.

Mouse Gates
Mouse Gates slow Polo down and help Marco track Polo’s whereabouts.

Tunnel Stove
The Tunnel Stove can catch Polo in a fiery death and prevents Polo from stalling in a Tunnel. It acts as the "fish out of water" mechanic from the source inspiration.

Tunnel Teeth
Tunnel Teeth make navigating from room to room undetected a bit more dangerous.

Onions
Marco hates the smell of Onions. Two Onions are hidden on each map and when used can cancel a Squeak Timer and will make Polo invisible to Marco for a brief period of time.

Cheese Wheel
The Cheese Wheel is Polo's UI and tracks how many pieces of cheese he has eaten. It also serves as a visual indicator of Eat time, Squeak time, and Heat Time. The Cheese Wheel UI was specially designed with the VR player in mind to provide a comfortable and non-intrusive UI experience.

Asymmetrical LAN Play
Connecting and playing a game of Polo with friends is made seamless by utilizing LAN-Broadcasting and the Bolt Networking Engine. All that is needed to play Multiplayer is to run Polo: Cat Edition on an Android device running Jellybean 4.2, 4.3 or KitKat 4.4 on the same Wi-Fi network.

Goals and Inspiration for Polo:

Create a fun real-time game of hide and seek/Marco-Polo that could be played with two people but with only one GearVR. My kids were a huge inspiration for this as they are not old enough to experience VR but still want to engage.

Create an optimized game that could be played for long stretches without overheating the device but still pack as much atmosphere and detail as possible into each map thru the use of clever culling while avoiding pop-in and hallways.

Create an engaging single player that begs for one more round to be played.

Create an experience that could only be possible using Virtual Reality by using the scale of the mouse player versus the set pieces that surround him.

Create a comfortable VR experience by creating a smart and comfortable non-intrusive UI.

For more details visit: http://bananafat.com Polo is being developed for the Mobile VR JAM 2015 by: Marc Hansen

[Jaycee900]

Interesting concept, nice graphics on the objects, look forward to seeing more on this,

[spinaljack]

Asymmetrical multiplayer for the win 🙂

[marchansenj]

Screenshots for milestone 2:
SqueakTimer.png
EatTimer.png
hereKittyKitty.png

[marchansenj]

Some more:
HeatTimer.png
CollectingCheese.png
Title.png

[marchansenj]

Some screens from my LAN session with my kids - played for over an hour last night.
These were taken playing on a cheap 100 dollar LG phone running recordable so that's why they are so pixelated.
Will be borrowing wife's S4 next time.
catgameplay5.jpg
PoloInsight.png
catgameplay1.png

[marchansenj]

Menu-less LAN Play with Auto-Connect:
LanGate.png
The Map used for the above screen shots. I have two very different maps ATM with different layouts, props and lighting schemes but I really like the low light of this one however it doesn't make for very good screenshots.
Oh well on to Milestone 3. I am really enjoying the game can't wait to share it!
TheMap.png

[marchansenj]

More Screens:
MarcoOntheProwl.png
TimeToMove.jpg
AboutToGetSwiped.png

[marchansenj]

MousePerspective.png
MousePerspective2.png
MousePerspective3.png

[marchansenj]

SqueakingWhileEating.png
MenuSinglePlayer.png
Exit.png