Peggle Game Cover
Duration
2023 Spring (1 week)
Genre
Puzzle
Platform
PC
The Goal
Peggle is a classic puzzle game that was released in 2007. The game features a chain reaction of 'pegs' reacting with the ball that the player shot, and depending on the shot and combes, give a score to the player. The player must eliminate all orange pegs to move on to the next stage with a limited number of balls while scoring as much as they can.
In this game cover, I tried to focus on the Scoring and Combo system. The Presentation Below shows my breakdown of Peggle's scoring system
Score Breakdown
In Peggle, the scoring calculation is streamlined yet intricate, designed for both ease of understanding and depth of gameplay. The simplified formula for calculating the total score in a level is F + n × S where:
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F represents Fever Points, the bonus points acquired when special conditions are met.
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n signifies the number of balls shot during the level.
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S stands for Shot Points, the score accumulated from individual peg hits.
This elegant scoring formula seamlessly integrates various gameplay elements, offering players a multi-layered scoring system that rewards both skill and strategy.
While the overall scoring formula for Peggle appears straightforward, the individual components offer layers of complexity that enrich the gameplay. Specifically, the Shot Points (S) can be dissected further for a more nuanced understanding.
The comprehensive formula for Shot Points (S) is S = St + nP × P, where:
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St refers to Style Points, which are earned through special in-game actions or sequences.
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nP represents the number of pegs or bricks hit during a single shot.
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P stands for Peg Score, the base points acquired from hitting a single peg or brick.
Among the components of Peggle's scoring formula, Style Points (St) hold a unique position, adding an artistic flair to the game's strategic depth. Style Points are not merely calculated based on standard gameplay elements; rather, they are awarded for fulfilling specific conditions that require a blend of skill and creativity—what one could term as 'stylish' gameplay.
Various styles, such as Free Ball Skills and Long Shots, have predefined conditions that must be met for Style Points to be awarded. Each style carries its own point value, enriching the overall gameplay and adding a unique layer to the scoring system.
By incorporating Style Points into the scoring system, Peggle elevates the player experience, encouraging not just precision but also inventive ways of accumulating points, thereby making each game session uniquely rewarding
Below is the Chart of Style Conditions and Corresponding Points
While Style Points add a layer of complexity to Peggle's scoring system, Peg Score (P) is more straightforward yet elegantly adaptive to the game's dynamic landscape. The Peg Score serves as the fundamental unit in the overall scoring algorithm and is determined by several key factors.
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Color of the Pegs: The base score of each peg is contingent upon its color, assigning varying point values to different types of pegs.
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Remaining Orange Pegs: As the number of remaining orange pegs fluctuates, the base score undergoes corresponding adjustments, adding an element of strategy to the game.
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Score Multiplier: After determining the base Peg Score, it is then multiplied by a score multiplier, which is itself based on the player's current combo streak.
By combining these elements, Peggle's scoring system creates an environment where every shot could be a game-changer. It encourages players to think strategically about each move, factoring in the Peg Score as they aim for higher combos and plan their path through the board.
Completing the triad of elements that make up Peggle's comprehensive scoring formula is Fever Points (F). A unique bonus scoring mechanism, Fever Points are awarded to players who successfully clear all orange pegs on the board, triggering what is known as an "Extreme Fever."
The formula for calculating Fever Points is:
F = bF + aF + H + m × 10,000
Where:
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bF stands for the total points accumulated before and while hitting the last orange peg.
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aF represents points earned immediately after clearing the last orange peg.
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H is the Hole Points, which are the bonus points achieved by landing the ball in the bucket at the bottom of the screen.
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m indicates the number of balls that were not used during the level, each contributing an additional 10,000 points to the Fever Points.
https://peggle.fandom.com/wiki/Game_Mechanics
(a lot of the information was learned through this website)
Fever Points not only serve as a substantial bonus but also as a thrilling crescendo to each level, rewarding players for efficiency, accuracy, and skill.
Implementation
The scoring system of Peggle can be split into a couple of major parts. Below is the way that I implemented the multiplier system in my own code.
The multiplier increases depending on the number of pegs remaining, not by the number of pegs hit.
Below is how the Score is Calculated according to the number of pegs that the ball hit in one turn. It is a simplified implementation of the Shot Point of the Basic formula.
And Finally, how the Game interpreates the final Score according to the fever points, and remaining balls.
