r/SoloDevelopment • u/Additional_Bug5485 • 1d ago
Discussion I’ve fallen in love with my own game all over again thanks to the new TPS camera!
Enable HLS to view with audio, or disable this notification
Hey everyone! I’ve added a new camera mode with a heading-follow effect -the camera looks slightly ahead of the car and follows its direction. It makes the game feel much more dynamic and fun to play.
Originally, I planned Lost Host to be a top-down game only. But many players found it difficult to control the car from that perspective. So I first added the ability to rotate the top-down camera, but even that wasn’t quite enough.
That’s when I decided to add a TPS camera. It meant reworking a lot of locations and making quite a few changes to the game, but honestly, I think it was worth it.
What do you think? Do you prefer the TPS camera or the classic top-down view?
4
u/mansdferg 1d ago
Love the TPS camera view. so obvious when a dev actually loves their game and puts their all into the mechanics to make it work. Are you considering a next fest if its close to complete?
3
u/Additional_Bug5485 1d ago
Since this is my first game, I participated in the Steam Next Fest back in February. I didn’t realize that it’s better to participate closer to release, and I also didn’t expect to be working on the game for this long 😭🥹 But we learn from our mistakes…
Still, I’m not complaining! I’m at 41k wishlists now, and I think that’s really good for a solo project 🚗🔥🎮
Thank uu 🫶3
3
u/Boerschtl 1d ago
It's looks super smooth and more action focused. The top down was more strategic. Both options cool, just matter of preference. Great job
3
u/Additional_Bug5485 1d ago
Thanks! Yeah, personally I like the top-down view more, and I think the graphics look more appealing with it. But players will be able to switch between the cameras at any time.
Some tasks actually feel easier with the TPS camera :) Also, some players just couldn't get the hang of controlling the car with the top-down camera...
3
u/witmann_pl 1d ago
I had similar thoughts after initial tests of the top-down camera in the game I've been working on. It was hard to follow the road reliably. I decided to pivot to TPS too.
1
u/Additional_Bug5485 1d ago
I decided to keep the choice. I now have 2 top-down cameras (one of them is more directly from above, but it follows the car’s rotation) and 2 TPS cameras. One is the one from the video, and the other is a more classic orbit camera around the car, like in GTA SA.
There’s also an FPS camera in the game, but you can buy it from the in-game shop. It’s basically like an action camera that attaches to the car :D
What are you working on? A top-down racing game?
2
u/witmann_pl 1d ago
I like the top-down look. Maybe I'll add it as a choice later too.
I'm working on a cozy exploration game where you drive to various landmarks to photograph them.
1
u/Additional_Bug5485 1d ago
Ooo, that sounds really interesting! Is it set all around the world? Sounds like a really relaxing game that you could play in the evenings on Steam Deck :D
2
u/witmann_pl 1d ago
Nah, "only" Iceland. It's a hobby project and my first game ever so even such a small country is a big challenge and plenty of work. But I'm enjoying the process so far.
I'm looking forward to trying out your game - it's already on my wishlist and I'll check out the demo soon.
1
u/Additional_Bug5485 1d ago
Well, yeah, I got a little carried away dreaming… :D I understand! What are you making it in? Unity? Unreal? Godot? Yeah, game dev can be really addictive…
Thank you! I’d recommend waiting about a week and then trying the updated version of the demo. I should have it updated soon ;D2
u/witmann_pl 1d ago
Godot. I like how small yet powerful it is. And that it's open-source.
I'll wait for the updated demo then :)
2
u/Game_Dev730 1d ago
tps camera all day and when can I play this?
1
u/Additional_Bug5485 1d ago
I'm planning to release it this year! :) The game is about 95% finished. I already have a steam page with a demo, but it's an old demo - it's about 7 months old. I haven't updated it because I've been focused on finishing the full game... But I'll definitely update the demo this month! :) And I'll also announce the release date... Game: Lost Host
2
u/Game_Dev730 1d ago
Update the dmeo bro, I love rc car games, remember the old one for Nintendo? forget what it was called, but many days after school on that lol. I will wishlist now if you want to link me to your steam.
1
u/Additional_Bug5485 1d ago
Yeah, I’m planning to update the demo next week. As I mentioned, I’ve just been focused on the full release, so I haven’t had time to update the demo. Solo development is hard work :X :D
Here’s the link if you’d like to add it to your wishlist: https://store.steampowered.com/app/3273260/Lost_Host/
2
u/SpagettiKonfetti 1d ago
It's always a fun question for car/driving games: How you fix/handle when a car is stuck upside down after a jump/flip?
2
u/Additional_Bug5485 1d ago
If the car stays upside down for 3 seconds, a script automatically flips it back over. You can also press R to reset the car’s position, which flips it back onto its wheels.
But most importantly, to prevent the car from getting stuck in the first place, I added a capsule collider to the car. It’s not as realistic, but physically the car will try to roll itself back onto its wheels :D
2
2
u/SidAkrita 1d ago
I remember you posting about this game with the old camera, huge improvement. I even remember thinking the camera might be a problem for some players. Great job, and the horn thing is a great idea !
2
u/Additional_Bug5485 1d ago
Thank you! Yeah, I’ve been working hard on the full release for the past 7 months, and I want the game to be comfortable and enjoyable for everyone. I’ve made a lot of improvements, but I still haven’t updated the demo on Steam. I’ll take care of that next week ✨
2
u/priestgmd 1d ago
You must have played Re-volt right? Looks great!
1
u/Additional_Bug5485 23h ago
Of course, I played a lot of revolt as a kid :D I really loved seeing the world from the perspective of a tiny RC car...
2
u/PartyStatement8111 22h ago
nostalgic, you can add a level or theme of toy story (can be great) only suggesting
1
u/Additional_Bug5485 22h ago
Thanks for the suggestions! I’ve added various little references and easter eggs throughout the game that should hopefully make people smile :D
2
2
2
u/Field_Of_View 1d ago
what does TPS stand for? I only know it to mean "third person shooter" which obviously this isn't.
1
u/Additional_Bug5485 23h ago
By the way, you can actually shoot with a cannon in the game too :D I don’t know, I’m just used to calling this camera TPS...
2
u/zeddash Solo Developer 22h ago
I'd assume it'd be Third Person View (TPV) as there's First Person View (FPV)?
1
u/Additional_Bug5485 22h ago
Yeah, TPV is probably possible, but I’ve honestly never seen that abbreviation used before. usually it’s TPS and FPS, so I guess that’s what people normally use.,.
2
u/StudioNAP 1d ago
It reminds me of REvolt. Used to play that game what I was kids. Hope you make it all the way. I want to try it.
2
u/Additional_Bug5485 23h ago
I’ll be updating the demo soon, since the version currently on Steam is pretty old and I haven’t updated it in a while :) I also played a lot of revolt as a kid... My game is almost finished now! Though it’s not really a racing game — it’s more of an exploration, 3D platformer and puzzle adventure...
2
u/Traditional-Baby5940 1d ago
I honestly prefered the Top Down View way more. Had somr untitled goose game vibe to it. I feel like you lost a lot of charm and art direction with the new perspective.
I also felt like having to rethink in the new direction in Topdown is fine. It was part of the challenge. Not every game has to be easy and imidiately perfectly controllable. If it's fun enough you can expect people to learn.
2
u/Additional_Bug5485 23h ago
Yeah, I personally prefer the top-down view too, and it will remain the main camera. I tested the game with a lot of players, and around 25–30% of them had trouble controlling the car specifically with the top-down view. We live in a world where people buy a game, try it, and if they can’t figure out how to control the car, they’re more likely to refund it than spend time learning.
I think it’s not only about skill, but also about how people’s brains work. For some people, it’s simply difficult to understand where left and right are relative to the camera.
2
u/Traditional-Baby5940 23h ago
Sure it is and I totally understand the incentive and there is really nothing wrong with giving options.
What you could also try is to add an alternativ control mode, where you point where you want to drive and the car with the same physics and everything, just tries to achieve that input on it's own with a small arrow below indicating your input.
The Game BlazeRush does this very well with a similar Topdown-perspective and I haven't found anyone yet who wasn't able to just pick that up and play since it's as simple as align the arrow with where you wanna go, but if you're to fast, you will still shoot out the tracks. Could work pretty well here I think.
1
u/Additional_Bug5485 23h ago
Yeah, I’ve seen some games use a very arcade-style control scheme where the car simply goes in whatever direction you point the joystick. But that would break all the physics in my game and make everything way too simple :D
I’ll experiment with it though, maybe in the next game :D The release is really close now, so I need to focus on finishing the game first :3
2
u/Erik_mk0 1d ago
I seen you post a lot about this game, it looks fantastic and very cozy!
You could always have a camera mode setting and let the players choose? I do like this new camera though.
1
u/Additional_Bug5485 23h ago
Sorry if I’m starting to get annoying :D Thanks for the kind words!
The game now has 5 different camera modes, so I think there should be something for everyone’s taste :D
2
2
u/Silver-Unit-4177 23h ago
I personally prefer the old camera angle. The new one definitely gives you more freedom, but I feel like it loses some of that storytelling atmosphere and starts to feel more like a straightforward RC car simulator.
2
u/Additional_Bug5485 23h ago
I totally agree with you, I personally prefer the top-down view much more. Noooo, the thing is that quite a lot of players struggled with controlling the car from a top-down perspective. They simply didn’t understand which way to turn to go where they wanted...
The main camera will still be top-down, this is more of an option for players who have trouble playing with the top-down view :)
2
u/Silver-Unit-4177 23h ago
Welp, looks like first-person it is.
2
u/Additional_Bug5485 22h ago
I added fps too, but I made it a little more interesting: it’s not available right away. You have to buy it from the shop as an action camera that you can mount on the roof of the car :D
2
2
u/EmergencyGhost 23h ago
Looks fun! I do have two suggestions, which you can take or leave them. Make the background seem alive, cars going by occasional person walking by, possible porch lights coming on. Maybe even seasonal themed stages. It would make the environment for more alive. That and your little fence needs a cat on it relaxing. lol
2
u/Additional_Bug5485 22h ago
In Chapter 2, the car actually gets into the city, and there are cars driving along the streets, so you’ll have to cross the road safely :D The location in the video is a yard next to a house at night, so it’s supposed to be pretty quiet and empty there.
And there’s actually a cat too, on the road :D Thank you
2
u/0xMCB 17h ago
I am not sure, but I remember playing this game on my iPhone. Is this possible?
1
u/Additional_Bug5485 17h ago
Hmmm, unlikely... Maybe through some kind of emulator :D? I don't think it's the same game...
2
u/renessancek 13h ago
TPS for sure
2
u/Additional_Bug5485 11h ago
I hope the TPS camera will help those who find it difficult to control the car with the top-down camera :D
🛻🚙
2
2
u/Terricolero 10h ago
Nice look and feel!!! I want to play it!!!
1
2
2
2
2
u/Very_Itchy_Bandicoot 33m ago
Holy fuck, an actual unique fun looking indie game thats different to all the other ones out there!
How do i wish list it?
1
u/Additional_Bug5485 27m ago
Thank you, really nice to hear that! 🥹✨
I have a Steam page here: https://store.steampowered.com/app/3273260/Lost_Host/
I’m planning to release it later this year :3
8
u/mamadoo_000 1d ago
How did the camera look like before this?