I'm making a VR NBA Jam!

[Dr Ashworth]

So for the past year I've been developing a VR basketball game. Why? I'm not exactly sure. But I'm pretty sure it's become the best VR basketball game in existence right now... which isn't saying much.

But what I have right now is 2v2 VR NBA Jam mixed with Gangbeasts (funny ragdoll physics and multiplayer) and Barkley: Shut Up & Jam Gaiden which I'm pretty sure none of you have played but is a huge inspiration for its RPG elements and humor.

So in it you can do cool NBA Jam esque stuff like do a cross over to break your opponent's ankles and then dunk from the three point line. Here's the reddit post I made on it, which has a little promo clip:

https://www.reddit.com/r/ValveIndex/...sketball_game/


Full trailer coming. I've been surprised at the very positive support for it (except for the bloom effect, I know it needs to be turned down). A lot of people are saying they'd love to play it. And dude, as a solo indie developer working in front of my computer hours upon hours, that feels so good to hear.

I have a twitter and a patreon sort of set up, but I've only barely started marketing on them. Maybe I should start a kickstarter? Not sure.

[Dr Ashworth]

Modes I've added so far:
- 2v2 basketball with AI (with campaign mode, unlockable levels/characters)
- 1v1 basketball vs AI
- PIG mode with AI
- Timed hotspot mode (with high scores)
- Couch co-op multiplayer (you can play with the person in VR with a 3rd person view on PC)
- Couch VS multiplayer (similar, but playing against the person in VR)

Features:
- Motion controlled shooting (with adjustable aim assist, so you can make every shot from half court)
- Motion controlled passing
- Super dribbling (ball never leaves your hands but you have control to do dribble moves like crossovers and such without trying)
- Dunking from anywhere on the court
- Blocking a shot or an AI dunking (very fucking satisfying)
- AI teammate passes the ball when you wave for the ball
- AI teammate has RPG skill levels that change how well they shoot, how fast they move, how well they play defense, dunk, etc
- AI teammate talks trash to you while you're playing
- You can cross over AI teammate if their defense skill level is bad and they fall to the floor with ragdoll
- You can push over AI if their strength level is lower and they go flying

Support:
Vive, Oculus Rift, Index, maybe Quest, maybe PSVR

Pretty sure I'm missing something but that gives you an idea.

[Old Rivers]

haha i have indeed played barkley: shut up and jam gaiden!

this looks pretty dope. keep us posted!

[Dr Ashworth]

Dude... no way. I'm starting to wonder if I got the game from here? Anyway, I just remember that game blowing my mind with how it interweaved NBA lore with this post apocalyptic RPG, it was ridiculous and hilarious.

I want to do that here. Like have an NBA Jam type gameplay, but it's sort of a battle system for an RPG. And you can level up stuff like shooting, strength, defense, etc.

[Old Rivers]

Originally Posted by Dr Ashworth

Dude... no way. I'm starting to wonder if I got the game from here?

I was shown it by Phil Williamson who may very well have found it here, so it's possible.

[Dungeon Snake]

Originally Posted by Old Rivers

haha i have indeed played barkley: shut up and jam gaiden!

same... in fact what kind of chump has NOT played that wonderful game...

[Compcat]

Looks cool. Put it on Quest and I'll definitely give it a shot.

[Dr Ashworth]

Originally Posted by Compcat

Looks cool. Put it on Quest and I'll definitely give it a shot.

I'm going to try to get it on Quest. Apparently they're really hard to get through their filter though, but maybe this game will have enough support.

[Slime]

Wow!

[Dr Ashworth]

I also should say that you don't need VR to play this. I had a mode where you can play the game very much like NBA Jam, so 3rd person view.

I'll share the whole trailer in a bit since I know that little clip isn't a lot to go by. The game is very far along.

[Nick The Almighty]

Dude this is genius!

[Happyjuice]

Wow man, this has some SERIOUS potential. It looks great as it is, and I only imagine it getting better. I'm sure the dunking and blocking is really satisfying and will be a huge draw for many people who have never dunked on anybody or broken ankles or swatted a ball across court. I also really like the call for a pass, have you incorporated alley oops yet? That would be awesome to like call for a pass as you're jumping up or something. I'm not sure how you'd be able to get the AI to tell the difference between calling for a pass down in the paint or asking for a lob, but I can only imagine how badass it would feel to just slam in a lobbed pass from your AI team mate.


Also, I'm going out a limb and assuming licensing will prevent NBA teams/logos, but what kind of character/team/stage selection are you going to have? I feel like that this is something that would be easy to overlook but will make a big difference with how successful/popular the game is. I'm imagining something like NBA Street Vol 2 where you got kinda over the top/outlandish characters. Or like a gym level, a playground court, etc etc. That stuff is probably all secondary to the actual gameplay though, and hopefully this doesn't sound like I'm trying to give you a laundry list of features I want in the game.


Anyways, this looks really cool.

[Dr Ashworth]

Originally Posted by Happyjuice

Wow man, this has some SERIOUS potential. It looks great as it is, and I only imagine it getting better. I'm sure the dunking and blocking is really satisfying and will be a huge draw for many people who have never dunked on anybody or broken ankles or swatted a ball across court.

Thanks dude (and everyone else). Yeah, all of it actually incites some hidden urge any of us who have played basketball have to be able to do those things. I have a feature where you can make a shot from anywhere on the court and it feels so fucking good. I might make that turn on when you're on fire and then it goes back to normal after you make a few shots. I had to do some tricky physics for that.

I also really like the call for a pass, have you incorporated alley oops yet?

Yup, so far you can catch alley-oops from a CPU player and dunk and I have pieces in place to be able to pass to AI or for AI to pass to other AI. It actually will be pretty easy because I already have logic for players jumping to block shots when on defense, so I just need to make them instead catch the ball on offense and switch to dunk it (which I have already too).

That would be awesome to like call for a pass as you're jumping up or something. I'm not sure how you'd be able to get the AI to tell the difference between calling for a pass down in the paint or asking for a lob, but I can only imagine how badass it would feel to just slam in a lobbed pass from your AI team mate.

To simplify it partially, I made it so you can pretty much steal your AI's shot if you see they are shooting, grab it in the air and dunk it. But I'm also making it so you can point to the hoop to trigger them to throw it up there, which would differentiate from just calling for the ball. I also am making it so you can direct your AI to go to a certain spot.

Also, I'm going out a limb and assuming licensing will prevent NBA teams/logos, but what kind of character/team/stage selection are you going to have? I feel like that this is something that would be easy to overlook but will make a big difference with how successful/popular the game is. I'm imagining something like NBA Street Vol 2 where you got kinda over the top/outlandish characters. Or like a gym level, a playground court, etc etc. That stuff is probably all secondary to the actual gameplay though, and hopefully this doesn't sound like I'm trying to give you a laundry list of features I want in the game.

Right. That's why I went with JAM GODS to resonate the NBA Jam name while not treading over any licensing issues. What I'm thinking I'm going to do is have the game set in a futuristic dystopia like Barkley: Shut Up & Jam Gaiden and characters will be roughly based on NBA players and celebrities. Right now I have the Curry Bros, nicknamed Red Curry and Green Curry and they exclusively shoot and make threes. The story will have characters like King James (Lebron) who will be a totalitarian ruler, maybe end boss. I want to get Trump and Bernie in there somehow.

The court will be really easy actually. Depends on how much work I want to do. Right now it's an outdoor playground, but I could do a gym or some NBA thing. Thinking of doing an alien one to play off some Monstars homage. A lot of possibilities. Keep ideas coming!

[Mr Mong]

Yeah i remeber that game too. Slam with the best or jam with the rest.
Anyway looks pretty cool.
As long as its better than that sega cd fmv basketball game.

[Gorosaurus]

Friggin awesome!


NBA Jam was so good that I still load up the SNES once in a while just for it. All of my knowledge about basketball comes directly from that game, so it's a weird mix of player names and outdated teams that I know about.

Anyhow, I can't believe that this is achievable with just home equipment-- well done!

[Dr Ashworth]

Did I mention this game will be totally playable on PC/Mac in an NBA 2K control scheme sort of way? You don't need VR to play it (although that's the more technically impressive form)

[Dungeon Snake]

it would be cool if all the players corresponded to a feudal hierarchy, like you're got Sir Ewing. the Good Doctor (Doctor J). The Falconer (Larry bird). His Airness, you must progress up the ranks defeating these various famous ballers before facing King James in his Royal Court

[Dr Ashworth]

You're right on my wavelength. I may steal some of those. The feudal hierarchy fits perfectly because the campaign mode will be inspired by King of the Court, if you've played that type of basketball. Basically you progress through opponents, leveling up the NBA Jam esque attributes. The RPG system I have done already. The part I'm working is the story, which I have tons of ideas over.

Like here's one.

Early in the game you're losing, you have no skill. You get knocked out and wake to a vision. Everything is black and white and hazy. An 1800's figure walks towards you.

He says, "Hello, my friend. Do you know who I am?" You may think you don't, but you do.

He takes a step forward.



"My name is James Naismith. I am the inventor of basketball. And I'm going to teach you how to become a god. A JAM GOD.

*cue music and training mode*

[Dungeon Snake]

please do steal those, if i come up with more ideas ill post em

[Gorosaurus]

LOL that snippet makes it all so much better. Awesome