New Bar Billiards phone/tablet game in development

[Alan Evans]

Hello All,

I am developing a Bar Billiards computer game for Android devices (phones and tablets).

I used to play Bar Billiards quite often in my youth in Hastings but I don't have any recent experience, so I'd really appreciate feedback from regular players.

Here is a link to a video of my progress so far so you can see I'm serious.



I think a decent computer game could do a lot for promoting the real game.

In return for any help I'd happily promote the board/association in the game if you'd like.

Alan

This has been done before, with "Blast Bar Billiards" and also a bespoke version by one of our Forum members (Martin).

The dynamics of your game are better than Blast Bar Billiards, but Martin's creation was far more realistic, though he ran into hosting problems (I think).

Shame about the finger appearing to start off each shot - only the cue is allowed to make contact, so would count as a foul ! ;D

[BB Warrior]

I like the idea behind this although the graphics probably still need a bit of work. :-/

To make it more "realistic" obviously the rules of the game would need to be adhered to.... for example in the opening break shot the white ball has to be on the spot on the D and the red ball has to be used for the other ball if it is still available, but those are pretty minor things that can easily be sorted out.

As Tommo has said, there have been other games designed around bar billiards before.... whether it would prove to be a success and help to promote the game is an interesting question but it could certainly raise some awareness which is never a bad thing.

Good luck with the project Alan and thank you for telling us about it. 8-)

[Alan Evans]

Thanks guys,

I did see the blast bar billiards while researching, "but Martin's creation was far more realistic" - I'm not sure I follow, I mean it's got bombs for pegs, they're not in the standard positions, the ball doesn't start in a D, and the pocket scores are not normal. Not knocking it, but it doesn't shout realism to me!

Thanks BB Warrior, I didn't know the red had to be used if available, what if it's just gone down, must the player wait for it to return?

[Alan Evans]

Sorry, I see now you are talking of blast bb + martins game, and they are not the same.

A link to Martin's game (available to all) is provided on the Tunbridge Wells website:

www.tunwellsbarbilliards.co.uk

[BB Warrior]

I see that Tommo has provided the link to Martin's game.... 8-)

May 20, 2013 16:54:47 GMT @Alan Evans said:

Thanks BB Warrior, I didn't know the red had to be used if available, what if it's just gone down, must the player wait for it to return?

The red ball only HAS TO BE USED on the break shot, which can only be played 3 times before the player has to leave one ball up on the table.... after that either the red or white ball can be used although the red ball is worth double the points of the white ball so many players do wait for it to come back before their next shot. :)

[The Chubbster™]

Hi Alan,

Firstly I just want to say what a wonderful idea of yours this is. To think we could get a Bar Billiards game on the Android App store (and I hope a port into the Apple App Store), with all the long term exposure that brings is a truly fantastic thing for our game. You’re correct in what you say; a decent computer game would bring a lot of exposure in the long run. As you and I probably both know the future of computers and technology is constantly changing and expanding and a frantic rate, and whether we like it or not…. 90% of it is going mobile….

With that in mind, I really can’t stress how delighted and excited I am to have read your post. I would herby like to offer my help in the games development. I’ve Beta and Alpha tested many computers games down the years (from big commercial titles to small indie games) and have been involved in the development of a couple of computer games (although I have very limited programming knowledge). But given that I’ve had that experience coupled with the fact I’m a Bar Billiards player (one who if you search the forum is very passionate about hauling our game into the 21st century) then I’m pretty sure I could help you out.

Having checked your video quickly, there are quite a few things that will need ironing out, but to start with I see it has huge potential. It would need to be played at a faster pace certainly, but that can be worked on. I am also a huge fan over “Career modes” in games as I feel it really does give them a huge deal more playability and replay value when it comes to single player games.

I could go on, and on, and on but I won’t for now. Please do get In touch with me via the forum, or speak to one of the Admin’s who will give you my contact details, and it would be great to chat from there.

[Alan Evans]

Hi Chubbster,

Thanks for that, glad you see the potential. And that's really fortunate that you've got that experience!

Will drop you a PM once my forum account is authorised.

Alan

[weston]

So it's been a couple of months but I have finally released a version.

It's by no means a polished article, for example I know the rules are not 100% correct, and the physics might feel a bit slow still but would love to hear feedback on it.

It's totally free, and works on most Android devices: play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.coltsoftware.barbilliards

[NigelS]

Hi Weston, I have had a go, understand it is still in development but i will make some comments...

i think the table looks good and the graphics are nice for a tablet game. I like the touches with sidespin and the scores popping out of the holes, the ticking clock and sound. Yes the game does feel a little slow, this maybe my 'crap' phone but you said it may be a little slow in your post. The break shot is very difficult, well I found it impossible to pot two 50 holes of the break, I don't know if this intentional, to make the game a little more interesting for casual gamers. I found it difficult to control the power of my shots, I assume it depends how far back the cue is when you touch the white controls the power, I couldn't hit balls hard enough I found. I also found I played a few shots accidently as I was trying to move my aim but touched the white by accident and hit a duff shot. I found that the balls 'bounced' around a bit, again this may be intentional, but balls seemed a bit light in weight than they would be in real life. Will you be adding a timer to show how much time left in the game? Will you be able to move the white on the D in the final version?

I think it great if we could get a good bar billiards game for android/iphone. I had fun trying out the game, and think it has lots of potential. How you take my comments really depends on how realistic you are trying make the game. A realistic game would mean you could make 10,000 breaks by easily replaying the break shot over and over. On this version I could only make a 450 break, not being able to make a break shot, but I still had fun playing it and that may appeal to a wider non bar billiard playing audience, which may be what you are aiming for.

[Garry Speller]

I installed this on my Galaxy S2 and played well - but could not exit the game - had to switch phone off and on again !! any thoughts ?

[weston]

Jul 30, 2013 17:36:40 GMT Garry Speller said:

I installed this on my Galaxy S2 and played well - but could not exit the game - had to switch phone off and on again !! any thoughts ?

Did nothing happen when you pressed the main hardware button? I don't have that phone, but wouldn't that normally take you to the home screen?

[Garry Speller]

It does nothing bud - I tried all sorts to exit the game to no avail :(

[weston]

Jul 30, 2013 13:20:51 GMT NigelS said:

The break shot is very difficult, well I found it impossible to pot two 50 holes of the break, I don't know if this intentional, to make the game a little more interesting for casual gamers.

No it's not intentional, it's just really hard to make it easier but it's something I'd like to improve on. It may be that the pockets and red spot are not correctly positioned for it. However I notice that later on you say you haven't been able to move the white, that helps a lot! Press the "D" button in the bottom left below the English button, then drag the ball around. Once done, press "D" again.

Jul 30, 2013 13:20:51 GMT NigelS said:

I found it difficult to control the power of my shots, I assume it depends how far back the cue is when you touch the white controls the power, I couldn't hit balls hard enough I found. I also found I played a few shots accidently as I was trying to move my aim but touched the white by accident and hit a duff shot.

Yes exactly right, pressing the white when the cue is right back gives the hardest shot, I can increase that power, but then the balls bounce around a lot more. I think what I may need to do is to increase the clock speed of the game, effectively putting it on fast-forward, so that balls move faster without any difference in the behaviour like bouncing more.

Jul 30, 2013 13:20:51 GMT NigelS said:

Will you be adding a timer to show how much time left in the game?

Yes I do intend to and to let the player pick different durations.

Jul 30, 2013 13:20:51 GMT NigelS said:

On this version I could only make a 450 break, not being able to make a break shot, but I still had fun playing it and that may appeal to a wider non bar billiard playing audience, which may be what you are aiming for.

I still want to make it more realistic, but there are so many physics factors involved, friction, weights, gravity, and more that it's been hard to achieve. So I believe I will get there, but for the moment I feel it's playable, so this release is to get some feedback and iron out bugs.

I want to improve control so that you can make fine adjustments to the angle of the shot, I think at the moment it is too hard to be accurate at long range. That and the D control I've told you about should help you beat that 450 break!

Thanks loads for your comments!

[weston]

Jul 30, 2013 18:43:07 GMT Garry Speller said:

It does nothing bud - I tried all sorts to exit the game to no avail :(

When this happens, is the game locked up, or is it still working?

[NigelS]

Thanks Weston, I would say with the break shot you shouldnt be able to move the white off the spot, on the break shot you must play the White off the spot. The issue is probably that the spot is too far up the table. I keep hitting the red to the right of the left 50 pocket and the white goes behind the 50 hole, if I cut the red any finer the white will go further behind the 50 hole. This suggests the spots are too far apart, you should be able to pot both 50 pockets off the break, it seems impossible to me on the game, but not sure what others have found?

[Garry Speller]

Jul 30, 2013 18:51:35 GMT weston said:

Jul 30, 2013 18:43:07 GMT Garry Speller said:

It does nothing bud - I tried all sorts to exit the game to no avail :(

When this happens, is the game locked up, or is it still working?

I can get out of the game by pressing the main menu button, but when I re enter the game it is still where I left it