AR2 A 295 Pong (ends 10 Jan 2014 @ 20h00GMT)

[bythelee]

Welcome to the 295th AR2 A contest: Pong

Pong was the first video game I ever saw. Back in the late 1970's, I think. In a hotel lobby, of all places. And I was rubbish at it.
Digital tennis, might be another description.

Anyway, our hapless dillo is destined to bounce back and forth between the paddles (plates).

He must hit each plate in decending position. The starting plate that he is launched from does not count.

So, if the dillo hits the top right plate, (which he does by default), you'll get 1x money remaining.
He must then touch the plate on the left below the starting plate to achieve 2x money remaining. It does not matter if he hits other plates on his way there, they simply do not count until he hits the second plate.

He must go back and forth across the void (like the ball in Pong) to increase the multiplier achieved.
You will see that the initial push has him hit the 1x plate for free, but he next hits the 4x plate. This does NOT count as a 4x hit. He must next hit the 2x plate for the 2x score multplier, then the 3x plate, and only after that will a touch on the 4x plate count towards a 4x score. I hope that's clear enough.

Note that he can touch the multiplier plate anywhere - a glancing blow, on an anchor, or even on the reverse side outside of the play area. Not quite how Pong works, I know, but it seems unlikely anyone will actually go there, and deciding if an anchor touch on top (like the default 4x hit) is inside or outside the play area is just too difficult to resolve. So any and all touches on the plate will count, so long as it is the next multiplier plate that must be hit.

The POC nevertheless has one close call, where he touches the plate only very slightly before the next transfer apparatus. But the impact sound confirms he has touched the plate first. I hope no-one will experience a questionable impact, so please send in a partial solution for the "Umpire's overuling of Cyclops" if there is any doubt.


The score is determined by the last multiplier plate he hits in the sequence, times the $ remaining. And he has to end in the portal, obviously.

The start condition means you get the first hit for free, so you've already got 1x if you just guide the dillo to the portal from there.

A "scoring" level is included to illustrate the plate sequence and multiplier, but the money is reduced to zero to stop you building there. I didn't want the cloth numbers to interfere with solution building.

Good luck, and Have Fun.


AR2 Version 2.1.3 Beta is used, make sure you use the correct version.

If you download this level please submit your solution even if you think it's not good. You help us keep the forum alive and we might be able to help you become a better player.

Some Prices ARE changed.

Submissions by PM.

Naming convention [DollarsRemaining]-[YourForumName]-[SolutionName]

GMT Time link: http://wwp.greenwichmeantime.com/

[Arunion]

Ahh pong, the great start of gaming in many ways. Simple yet challenging. I was never any good at that either. Though technically I'm too "young" to have been there at its prime. I was raised on commodore and nes.

This seems to be just that, simple yet challenging to optimize. Nice one ^^ I can start it off with 444+, though that might be quite a low bid on a level like this ^^

[mark_man]

I remember pong very well but preferred other games on my Atari like Centipede,breakout,Circus and combat etc the good old days .
Nice level by the way .2000+

[KuzyaHG]

Hi guys!
Happy New Year and Marry X-Mas!!!
Nice level!
3000+

[mark_man]

3333+

[bythelee]

Subdued bidding, but this is already proving to be a very interesting contest from the solutions sent in so far.



And, while it might seem that a big score is a long way off, do remember that if you manage the 6x multplier, saving just one plate can raise your score by 120.

Also, don't forget the changed prices......



One submitted entry also failed to pass scrutineering (but was easily adjusted to make it fully compliant), so please do not wait until the last minute to send in an entry.
I would not like to disqualify a winner for a minor technical infringement.....

And, it is also now clear that the "audio" rule is not applicable. I have now seen quite a few confirmed touches that do not generate an impact sound effect. I am relying more on frame-by-frame stop motion to reveal the dillo's trajectory changes and "first touch" events.

[mark_man]

lol I have audio turned off and forgot it could help with touch detection I have been looking at it in slow motion to see and that was hard at times .I now have a definite touch on all the plates I hit

[KuzyaHG]

3456+

[mark_man]

3579+

[KuzyaHG]

3666+

[mark_man]

666 x6

[bythelee]

666 x6

= 3996.

One day to go....

[KuzyaHG]

Wow!!!
I have 3708 only...
I'm waiting for results.