My level set - "Countdown" (6 levels + 1 extra)

[PeterT]

I just finished my first level set, Countdown. If you want to skip the lengthy description, the download link is at the bottom of the post

General Information:
The set consists of the following 6 levels:
Countdown 1 - Five
Countdown 2 - Four
Countdown 3 - Three
Countdown 4 - Two
Countdown 5 - One
Countdown 6 - Zero

Additionally, there is one extra level that gets activated once you reach $5000 total in the above:
Countdown Extra 1 - Crash

There is also an ending "movie", and a background image is included as well. All of the levels are tested numerous times and solvable.

Gameplay style:
The levels should all be solvable using lots of different methods. All materials are activated in all the levels, and the $ limit chosen should be ample. None of the (non-extra) levels countain any placed parts - in that sense they are quite similar to the "Void" levels included in the original game.

Concerning difficulty: As the $ limit, I have chosen about twice of what my initial attempt at the level did cost. The difficulty is designed to be gradually increasing, but I don't know how well I managed to meet that goal.

Download:
Download version 1.0 of "Countdown":armadillo:

[PeterT]

I also posted the level set at the official site, but it will take a while to get approved - forum visitors get it first

[BiG D]

Excellent, downloading now. I'll let you know what I think

[peterstock]

Excellent work! You've got me thinking hard and I'm only on the second one

[PeterT]

Excellent work! You've got me thinking hard and I'm only on the second one

Thanks! Now that I look at it again, I believe the second one may be a bit too hard compared to the third and fourth ones if you are not as used to building [spoiler]rubber cannons[/spoiler] as I am. However, my first attempt left me with nearly $400 so it should certainly be managable

[BiG D]

I made it to zero, and I'm scratching my head.

Quick edit: Got it That has got to be the slowest solution I've ever made...

[Armadillo Man]

Yay! A new level set! I'm going to download this as soon as I get off work today. Only seven hours to go now.

Edit: Some enjoyable levels here. Stuck at 1, though, maybe someone have a hint for me?

[boon]

i made it to one! but now i'm stuck sum1 have a hint?

[_l0ser]

You must balance your mind.

[FEL]

Trying it now ...

Edit: Just finished it! I like it! Good work

[squint]

Am I missing a trick with "zero" ? I'm just sat tweaking a metal bar 1 pixel to the left, then zooming in and going a little bit to the right, and then on and on and on . . .

[PeterT]

There are a few possibilities that don't require much tweaking. I know of at least 2 that are quite easy to build. One of those (the nicer one) was pointed out to me by someone else in fact. Be creative! Of course, tweaking also works

[JackR]

I have to say level 2 is an excellent level, lots of scope to build completely unorthodox structures. (catapults and rubber cannons are for sissys!) I do believe I have created the worlds worst solution!

And here it is:

http://files.upl.silentwhisper.net/uplo ... tastic.JPG



I'm quite proud.

[FFT]

I managed $2646 on zero.

I've been working on it for about three hours, trying to tune it.

[BFC]

A solution that I used for zero that resulted in high 3000's remaining is....(secret text.. highlight below and copy to a text file for the answer)

Use 1 rocket and a device of your choosing to hold the 'dillo. Attach the holder to the rocket. To keep the rocket from swaying left/right attach a very very long rope to the tail of the rocket and put weight on the end of that rope. This creates a large mass a long distance from the pivot point and thus keeps the rocket from moving left/right. Adjust the mass at the end of the rope accordingly to get the ball to lower ever so slowly into the blue circle.
And that's all there is to it

-BFC