Physics Launching the Player

Author: Ethan Ortega

Problem: In level 2 the teddy bear puzzle has a bow that the player must collect. In order to get the bow within the player's reach you must hack a device, complete the puzzle and blow the bow off the ledge. Since the bow needs to simulate physics to interact and fall off the ledge when the player collides with the bow at certain angles, it can propel the player to various positions in the level. Some of these positions you cannot get out of. Also, sometimes the interactions with the bow would send it flying making it hard for the player to find.

Solution:

To solve this problem I first started by changing the positioning and placement of the bow. I had come to realize there were fewer interactions with it causing fewer physics-related errors when it was facing the new direction. Next, I tested multiple times to see how long it takes for the bow to fall and completely stop. Once I figured that out I stopped physics on the bow so the player wouldn't collide and push it around. Turning off collision wouldn't work in this situation since the bow is a collectible and needs collision to be collected. 

Below shows after the hack device is completed the fan turns on to move the bow. After 5 seconds physics is turned off on the bow meaning it has reached the floor and came to a full stop.