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Devlogs

v0.08 Update Notes

BlockBall (Live)
A downloadable game for Windows

Been some time since the last update, but this one has a bunch of fancy new things that make the game significantly more playable!  Also I've found that controller support SUCKS when adding it, particularly in a multiplayer context.  On the one hand I can't really judge a studio too hard if they don't implement support for all these random things because of how tedious and not well-supported it is, but on the other hand I'm one person doing this as a hobby, you could spend the extra 4 hours to get it working.  Anyway:

1) Player input assignment is now in the game!  This can be activated from any screen by pressing the "K" button on the keyboard (K for keybinds).  Currently only supports 2 players, but as time goes on it will be easy enough to add more.  After pressing K, follow the on-screen instructions to assign which player is P1 and which is P2.  Pressing "Escape" will also stop the current assignment process, though active assignments will be reset when pressing K so that may not be the best idea.

2) Controller support has been added!  The game currently supports XInput controllers (Xbox) and the major DirectInput controllers (PS4, PS5, Switch Pro).  Other controllers should function to a greater or lesser degree, though in some cases there may be unintended inputs (such as an analog trigger acting as a joystick, forcing a paddle to move upwards at all times) or buttons in odd places (such as a bumper and a face button being up/down).  Unfortunately this is just an issue with controllers in general, and support for them has to be implemented on a case-by-case basis.  Please let me know if you have a controller that doesn't work right.  Also take a moment to appreciate Steam's controller input.  When assigning players, press the "A" button (or X on a PS controller, or the bottom face button) to assign a controller to the specified player.

3) Customizable keyboard bindings have been added as well!  During the assignment process, you will be prompted to press the "Down" key.  This can either be the down arrow key, or any other key on the keyboard you want to be down when you press on it.  You'll then be prompted to choose what button you want to be your "up" button.  Both players can use the keyboard in this instance, and the up/down keys are hard coded to also function for menu navigation so feel free to do whatever.  The only buttons that can't be used are Escape, K (as the binding button), and you can't have the same button bound to up/down for the same player.  You can, however, have the same buttons bound for up/down for both players.  You could also theoretically bind the same button for up but two different buttons for down for... some reason if you really wanted to.

4) A secret game mode called LLAB X BALL has been added.  This is primarily just an easter egg (just in time for Easter, didn't even come across my mind when I added it). You control both paddles simultaneously, with P1 bound to Up/Down and P2 bound to W/S.  See how long you can go without scoring a point!  It can be accessed from the main menu by pressing a button on the keyboard.

The process can be watched live on Twitch or on Youtube in vod form. 

Files

  • BlockBall v0.08 2.1 MB
    Apr 16, 2022
Download BlockBall (Live)
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