Welcome again to another Blog post, I will detail the current state of Light the Lamp Hockey and some future updates along with a bit of story time, tips, and how I personally play the game!
The Current State of Light the Lamp Hockey
So far the game feels pretty good, gameplay wise I am quite happy with it. I do have some things that annoy me as imperfections but I'll work to eliminate those qualms before the eventual release to 1.0
During the month of April, I have worked to smooth out some controls with the players, worked on evening out pressure with the two onscreen teams, you can see some zone time go either way.
I was experimenting with passing and can't exactly maneuver myself to an upgraded + Fun mechanic then what we have here. But I am continuing to look into it and if I find a perfect balance, it'll certainly be in a future update.
I have also added some new music, worked on Franchise mode, and currently getting our first batch of achievements out.
Where are we going?
The future of Light the Lamp Hockey is not really so blurry as it once was. I am working on updating the Arcade mode. As I'm sure a few players have noticed, but there is no way you can play arcade mode in regular mode which sounds silly when you put it that way. But really the only measuring stick you would have currently with the Regular mode of play is simply in Franchise and while that might seem trivial to some, I do know that a whole lot of us have no time to do any of that and just want to see their favorite team go up against some other teams and have a battle of different line combinations and it actually mean something. So I will be working on getting that implemented so we can have two leaderboards with different modes. I'm also working on a "Live" Mode inside Arcade Mode that will actually have evolving scores as you progress through your games. The chase will feel very much ongoing as you go from game to game and wait to see how your rivals are playing. The real challenge I have with making this change is... well.. how would the playoff aspect work? So I'm thinking of going on to exchange 20 Rank Points to enter said playoffs. And a time limit for when the Rank Point Scoring Closes. So obviously, yes you take a hit of 20 points but get a chance at the Keg or stick it out and stay on top of the leaderboard and win the Pitcher, or heck do both because if you are really freakin good, I don't think a 20 point deficit would affect you long. As for franchise mode... I still need to make a bunch of systems for it since you are losing players, gaining players, getting subs, scouting open hockey, Playing teams that have ringers on their team. It will be awesome when I ever get it functioning at least and I'm close to getting the basic loop down!
Story Time
So I love playing retro hockey games and obviously making them too. One of the inspirations for Light the Lamp Hockey is "2 on 2 Open Ice Challenge" I don't care what anyone says, boot that game up today and tell me those are not the BEST DARN Puck physics you have ever done seen (especially when you block a shot) and those clutch goalie saves (chef's kiss). Anyway, I co-oped several seasons with several friends, one of which was with my brother and goodness the amount of high fives you give each other from the massive amounts of goals you score together or blocking a shot and getting the puck down the ice to your bro and he wiggles the player up and down and gets that game winner in OT, boy those are the memories... and then it hits you...that was 10- 15 years ago.. maybe more. Well I was out and about in public and wearing my LTL Hockey Shirt (not sold publicly maybe one day) and some people know me here in our small town and they know of the journey this game has made when it was just blocks passing a black dot on the screen and me going.. "YOU SEE DAT!?" Well Someone stops me and says " I have played your game, its awesome..me and my brother co-op it every chance we get." And how floored does one feel when you hear that your game is making those same memories that a game like Open Ice Challenge, arguably a god of hockey games made with me so many years ago. While LTL Hockey is not like the most successful thing on earth, that doesn't mean as much to me as the fact that someone also enjoys this style of play and heck plays this game with their brother or a friend and I'm sure... give those high fives at will like we did back in the day.
How I play Light the Lamp Hockey!
In case anyone was ever wondering, how do I play this game officially.
Display:
4:3 Monitor- That's right, if you have a 4:3 monitor, bust that thang out. The game was meant to be played this way, the screen stretches naturally in this fashion.
Sound: if yall haven't played this with a subwoofer... you should, I mastered the game to have bassy pops and also some of the music is pretty sweet too! It's kind of a mix of 90s hockey game presentation and the 8-bit era but cranking it up is recommended.
Controller: if you have an xinput controller, use that, I only play with dpad though. I developed the game to be best played with a dpad, so keyboards and dpads are the best. You can use the joystick but you will be active on that given the threshold only reads in absolutes.
Game Modes:
I pretty much only play Arcade Mode. And I mostly play it in a locked player position because at least to me, I love it when something sweet just happens organically and its really a thing of beauty.
Rules:
Definitely a preference but Period length at 6 is a great medium. I like all the rules on as well.
I play at normal everything..
*If y'all want closer to average shots, always do period length 9. It's Really fun in Regular Mode just to sim games.
Tips and Notes
Wondering why you can't get through the neutral zone, or out of your own zone?
-The game is built with the aspect of knowing when to dump the puck. Sometimes, the best thing to do is fire that puck and see what happens. When you are in your D zone and need to get out, players automatically fire the puck either off the boards or chip it in front, you need to mitigate these risks however.
Playing Goalie is hard!
- it is indeed but its also in the same area as mitigating risk, when you press the save button, you have a speed boost and also have greater coverage at a less chance of a save. so moving cross crease, it is imperative to at least use that save button to get across quickly to make that save. The save percentage is divided into 3 tiers
Save 1 = Standup, 100% chance of a save (normal)
Save 2 = Butterfly, 75% chance of a save, more coverage, small speed boost (press save once)
Save 3 = Desperation Drop 50% , Minimal speed boost (Press save twice)
Glove = works when the puck is in air.
Shootout rule = these rules are amplified in a shootout. You must use a glove for an airborne shot. all ground pucks can be stopped with a save button.
Why do my AI never pass to me?
-Depending on the mode, in Arcade Mode, the personas of each team kind of cycle around as the game goes on, so sometimes they might be selfish and sometimes they are like the ultimate playmaker, the key is finding out which and playing to that strength. If its a shooter, go to the net, if its a patient player, go to your position, if its a passer, set up a back door play. in Regular Mode putting guys in the right slot can really determine your overall success.
Center (Usually a playmaker or the first line of defense)
Forward ( first to the puck, always attacking the net)
Defense ( Needs to be solid physically, But needs to also know when to pass and when to dump)
We get absolutely pounded in co-op.
-Its best to start out with you and your buddy to play Center and Forward. But be keen on cycling out, once the defense pinches you will always be in a world of hurt if it fails. The game is based on mid 90's trap game style so watch your positioning at all times. If you are doing a full team co-op, communicate and watch positions and you will be doing good in no time! And watch out for the AI running interference on you to create space to a cherry picking Forward.
Why are the playoffs brutal?
- In hockey if the cup is on the line, the physicality is always the first thing to ramp up. In LTL Hockey when you make the playoffs, the hitting aspect is more prevalent while regular season is more skill based.
Do my fans leave when I suck?
They do. especially if you are trailing, they might just hit the exits. Fan levels are kept up with in Arcade Mode it ranges from 1-5 where 1 is d league game attendance and 5 is playoff c league type of attendance with maybe a special guest ex ahl player signing autographs somewhere.
Also finally, I change the Scalded Dog Games Logo in honor of our dear Louie, the sweetest dog ever.
Which shall be revealed officially on the next LTL Hockey Update! But I'm sure anyone can find it on the YouTube or Facebook page if ya can't wait haha. Till then, take care everyone!