Awesome Soccer - new game inspired by Sensible Soccer & Kick Off 2

[Red27]

Hi guys,

You may remember me posting a while back about a game I've written called "Awesome Soccer" - a modern day homage to the legendary Sensible Soccer and Kick Off 2. Here's a few screen shots as a reminder:



My aim was to retain all of the things that made Kick Off 2 and Sensible Soccer great - ie fantastic gameplay, but to (hopefully) add some modern sheen and polish, and to incorporate the new features that we've been become accustomed to within the genre through games like ProEvo/Winning 11 and FIFA Soccer.

After a not-so-brief hiatus, development has picked up again, and I'm now able to offer the final beta version of the game for download by anyone who might be interested:

Windows:
http://www.red27studios.com/official_beta_download_win.php

Mac:
http://www.red27studios.com/official_beta_download_mac.php


So...what would I like from you and the forum? Feedback, feedback and more feedback basically! The good, the not so good, and the downright
ugly!

For those of you that are interested, you can find out more about the game at the website http://www.red27studios.com, or you can read the blog. You can also join the mailing list if you wish, and I'll send out an email once the game is released.

Thanks,

Pete (Red27).

You can read the game blog at http://www.red27studios.com/blog

 

[Keegan]

I'm downloading as I type this, and I haven't forgotten that I should send you Jamaica for inclusion in the final game! I had a good time with the first demo, and I look forward to playing this as well.

Cheers!

 

[Xifio]

played the beta version demo ... was some good, old-school fun ...

I liked the fact that it came with a team and formation editor, which I put to use immediately ...

I played a couple of matches with Inter against Barcelona ... this was my best result playing on 3 star difficulty ...

one glitch I seem to have is: as soon as I kick-off, the guy receiving the ball immediately puts the ball out of touch to the right of screen ... it is not that i am hold the spacebar ("action button") too long -- I tried holding it longer, and then just lightly tapping it, but it happens every time, without fail ...

and also, it recognizes that i have a controller (XBox 360 for PC) plugged in, but i am not able to use it ... i guess it is not compatible with the game? anyway, it is not a big deal because the controls are easy enough that i don't mind using the keyboard ...

other than that, it is, like I said, some good, old-fashioned fun ...

 

[Red27]

Xifio - thanks for playing and for the feedback.

You seem to have got the hang of it - and on 3 star - pretty impressive! It took a while to try and get the difficulty setting right really since some have struggled on Amateur (2 stars).

Did you manage to play any of the Tournaments by any chance, and if so, what did you make of them? (either the preset ones like the World Cup, Champions League etc or one that you created yourself).

I will look into the problems you mentioned - the Xbox 360 Controller should work TBH. I assume it was the standard USB model?

Re: the ball going out of bounds, if you reverse the direction of the controller from the one you are facing, that acts as the "crossing" feature, hence the large, high elevation kick. However, if it's a bit too sensitive, I could create a delay before it's activated.

...and Keegan - hi again! Yep, still waiting for the Jamaican team...haha

Thanks to all that have downloaded so far.

 

[Keegan]

I got an error starting up the game last night - "cannot create pitch". I made a screenshot of it, but I'm not at my PC at the moment. My PC runs Fifa 10 with no issues, so I have no idea why that is. I also tried creating Jamaica but the team editor wouldn't let me save.

 

[Red27]

I got an error starting up the game last night - "cannot create pitch". I made a screenshot of it, but I'm not at my PC at the moment. My PC runs Fifa 10 with no issues, so I have no idea why that is. I also tried creating Jamaica but the team editor wouldn't let me save.

Hi Keegan.

Oops - sorry - that's my fault. I have changed the default game resolution to be 1024 x 768 (from 1280 x 1024). I assume that you have selected 1280 x 1024 and it has given the error message re: out of memory - I will fix that asap and remove the 1280 x 1024 option!

So for reference, please do not use 1280x1024 - optimum resolution is 1024x768 - thanks!

Cheers,

Pete. (Red27)

 

[yoyo913]

You can do transfers? I notice you have Cassano.

 

[Red27]

You can do transfers? I notice you have Cassano.

Xifio used the Team Editor (accessed from the Windows Start Menu for Awesome Soccer) to add Cassano to Inter.....Sampdoria fans look away now!

The Team Editor lets you change all aspects of a Team, from Player Names (and skills like shooting, passing, dribbling ec), but also to redesign the Club Badge or even the club name!

 

[Xifio]

Did you manage to play any of the Tournaments by any chance, and if so, what did you make of them? (either the preset ones like the World Cup, Champions League etc or one that you created yourself).

yeah, played the preset Champions League tournament, and then made a tournament of my own ... Champions League groups and schedule were accurate ... but in the demo you can only play one match in any tournament, which is unfortunate because I like to see what happens after you win the final -- if there is any trophy presentation / celebration ... maybe you can answer that for me ...

I will look into the problems you mentioned - the Xbox 360 Controller should work TBH. I assume it was the standard USB model?

yup, standard model that connects through the USB port ...

Re: the ball going out of bounds, if you reverse the direction of the controller from the one you are facing, that acts as the "crossing" feature, hence the large, high elevation kick. However, if it's a bit too sensitive, I could create a delay before it's activated.

ok, that makes sense ... yeah, i guess it is a little sensitive for the way i play ...

You can do transfers? I notice you have Cassano.

Xifio used the Team Editor (accessed from the Windows Start Menu for Awesome Soccer) to add Cassano to Inter.....Sampdoria fans look away now!

hah, yeah, I edited the stock Inter team to what it looks like right now, plus the addition of Cassano (who I think Mourinho should have gotten anyway) ... I also edited Barcelona as well to match the current team, plus Luis Suárez ...

i like the fact that the game comes with a team editor, because for me the appeal of a game is as much about the details, as it is about the gameplay ...

I have one question about the number of players in each squad: right now it is limited to sixteen players per team ... is there any reason for the limitation, and can it be increased?

 

[Keegan]

Scored some cracking goals in the demo with Scotland against Italy!

 

[Red27]

Xifio:

Glad you like the preset Tournaments! Yep, there is a trophy and a celebration scene at the end when you win a final....the get the whole works

Re: your Xbox 360 controller. Did you just use quick game (which currently always defaults to Keyboard #1 controls), or did you try and move it across on the Kits & Controllers screen of a Friendly or a Tournament game?

Re: Kicking the ball out of bounds. I've already made a change for this at your suggestion! A delay is introduced so this will be prevented straight from kickoff.

Re: 16 player limitation. To be honest, there's no real reason, other than the amount of data that needs to be created / entered (and it's just me!).

One thing I didn't mention is that I am developing a Tournament Creator - which will allow you to create your own Tournaments up to 128 teams (this in addition to the Team Editor and Badge Designer).

Also, I will be creating a PESFans style website, where you can download the REAL teams (including badges) and Tournaments. Each Tournament Screen (Fixtures, Results, Menu etc) is customisable, so the Champions League '08 screen is a flying header from Ronaldo, Champions League '09 is Messi etc.

I have already done this work for Real Teams, Badges & Tournaments and I actually create the "fake" ones from these originals. They are effectively all ready to be downloaded. They're easy to install also, simply unzip into the game directory...

Oh, and Keegan - nice work!

 

[Xifio]

Yep, there is a trophy and a celebration scene at the end when you win a final

excellent! any chance you can post some screenshots?

Re: your Xbox 360 controller. Did you just use quick game (which currently always defaults to Keyboard #1 controls), or did you try and move it across on the Kits & Controllers screen of a Friendly or a Tournament game?

haven't tried the quick game mode ... i tried it in friendly mode, and i could not select a side (or do anything else) with the controller on the Kits & Controllers screen ...

Re: Kicking the ball out of bounds. I've already made a change for this at your suggestion! A delay is introduced so this will be prevented straight from kickoff.

nicee!

Re: 16 player limitation. To be honest, there's no real reason, other than the amount of data that needs to be created / entered (and it's just me!).

hah, fair enough ... was curious, so i asked ...



and I've got a few more comments / questions after playing a little again today:

1) Penalties

played a penalty shootout with Italy against Brazil ... scored my fifth penalty -- the ball went slightly to the left of centre, and you can see that in the screenshot below because ball lays where exactly where i placed the penalty ... but, for some reason, it was not recognized as being successfully converted ... what happened?

2) Rounding the Keeper to Score

I've gotten used to playing on 3 stars skill level, and can play my favoured possession-style ...

so, I decided to mess around a little and tried to dribble the keeper -- which I found I could do it without too much difficulty ... I tried it again, and managed to score in similar fashion again ... I guess what I'm trying to say is that 1-on-1s with the keeper may be something you can look at again ...

 

[Red27]

excellent! any chance you can post some screenshots?

Well, suffice to say there's fireworks and paparrazi.... but forgive me if I don't post a screen shot....I don't want to spoil the surprise for anyone that wins a Trophy....

haven't tried the quick game mode ... i tried it in friendly mode, and i could not select a side (or do anything else) with the controller on the Kits & Controllers screen ...

Ahh, ok. I will have to get my hands on a wired 360 controller.....my 360 controllers are wireless... but I will resolve it though!

1) Penalties

played a penalty shootout with Italy against Brazil ... scored my fifth penalty -- the ball went slightly to the left of centre, and you can see that in the screenshot below because ball lays where exactly where i placed the penalty ... but, for some reason, it was not recognized as being successfully converted ... what happened?

Penalties do need a little bit of work. It's on my final "todo" list. Another valid point - thanks for the feedback.

2) Rounding the Keeper to Score

I've gotten used to playing on 3 stars skill level, and can play my favoured possession-style ...

so, I decided to mess around a little and tried to dribble the keeper -- which I found I could do it without too much difficulty ... I tried it again, and managed to score in similar fashion again ... I guess what I'm trying to say is that 1-on-1s with the keeper may be something you can look at again ...

Umm....yes, again I think you're right, it does need tweaking. It's related to the speed of the attacker being significantly faster than the Goalkeeper. I think I will introduce a "panic" zone next to the goal and the keeper gets some kind of temporary turbo boost to dive on the ball...


And thanks again for this feedback - it's really appreciated!

Red27.

 

[Keegan]

I was unable to create an International team using the team editor (no points for guessing which one) mainly due, I think, to the fact that international teams use the same image as team logo and flag... but the editor will not accept browsing to where the flag logo is. It also didn't give me the opportunity to create kits, and to save the team. I ended up copying Trinidad's xml file and editing it in notepad to create Jamaica, then using the team editor to fine tune. Russell Latapy gave me a devil of a time, but thanks to Xifio's feedback, I was able to take advantage of the 1 on 1 with the goalie to get in a couple victories there. The editor doesn't say what position the players play in, and so I ended up with my RW at CB and my CF at RW. While editing the XML file, I came across the boot colour field, but my changes there were not recognized. Great game though, I have to say - but a bit fast until I changed the speed.

--Edit-- My Jamaica.xml is on my filefront page, see the link below my sig!

 

[Red27]

I was unable to create an International team using the team editor (no points for guessing which one) mainly due, I think, to the fact that international teams use the same image as team logo and flag... but the editor will not accept browsing to where the flag logo is. It also didn't give me the opportunity to create kits, and to save the team. I ended up copying Trinidad's xml file and editing it in notepad to create Jamaica, then using the team editor to fine tune. Russell Latapy gave me a devil of a time, but thanks to Xifio's feedback, I was able to take advantage of the 1 on 1 with the goalie to get in a couple victories there. The editor doesn't say what position the players play in, and so I ended up with my RW at CB and my CF at RW. While editing the XML file, I came across the boot colour field, but my changes there were not recognized. Great game though, I have to say - but a bit fast until I changed the speed.

--Edit-- My Jamaica.xml is on my filefront page, see the link below my sig!

I will look into the Team Editor problems for International Teams. Good work finding a workaround though...

Oh, and I've downloaded it - and it will be in the next beta! Thanks...

And re: the game speed, I've adapted it slightly - the default will be slightly slower to ease newer players in....again, that's in the next beta.

Cheers!

 

[Red27]

Update - Beta #2 Now Available



Improvements:

• Significant Graphics Improvements - better use of Smoothing and Anti-Aliasing
• Faster Match Loading Time (~50% faster)
• Reduced Download Size (~10MB smaller)
• Improved Goalkeeper AI - prevents dribbling around him to score too easily
• Modified Gameplay Speed (slightly slower to allow more time for novice players)
• Menu Navigation Enhancements
• Added 2 extra Golden Balls available to win in the Demo Version
• Display Goal Position During Free Kicks (improves shot accuracy)

Windows:
http://www.red27studios.com/official_beta_download_win.php

Mac:
http://www.red27studios.com/official_beta_download_mac.php


Once again, your feedback is greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

 

[Keegan]

Downloading!

 

[Red27]

Downloading!

Excellent.....you can check out your Jamaican team......but I bet you won't be able to round the keeper....

Thanks!

 

[vandersarfan1]

Hi guys,

You may remember me posting a while back about a game I've written called "Awesome Soccer" - a modern day homage to the legendary Sensible Soccer and Kick Off 2. Here's a few screen shots as a reminder:



My aim was to retain all of the things that made Kick Off 2 and Sensible Soccer great - ie fantastic gameplay, but to (hopefully) add some modern sheen and polish, and to incorporate the new features that we've been become accustomed to within the genre through games like ProEvo/Winning 11 and FIFA Soccer.

After a not-so-brief hiatus, development has picked up again, and I'm now able to offer the final beta version of the game for download by anyone who might be interested:

Windows:
http://www.red27studios.com/official_beta_download_win.php

Mac:
http://www.red27studios.com/official_beta_download_mac.php


So...what would I like from you and the forum? Feedback, feedback and more feedback basically! The good, the not so good, and the downright
ugly!

For those of you that are interested, you can find out more about the game at the website http://www.red27studios.com, or you can read the blog. You can also join the mailing list if you wish, and I'll send out an email once the game is released.

Thanks,

Pete (Red27).

You can read the game blog at http://www.red27studios.com/blog

does it have manual/loose ball control(like kick off 2)

 

[night]

does it have manual/loose ball control(like kick off 2)

Congrats on your first post 4 years after joining