Devlog Four: Platforms

In order to ferry the player across large gaps or over obstacles, many games utilise moving, floating platforms to do so.

In order to achieve this I created a system wherein multiple points in the world are assigned to a platform.

Using these points the platforms will move smoothly back and forth between them. Additionally, using this system you can modify the speed of individual platforms, allowing for greater control over which platforms are fast and which are slow.

To activate the platforms, I implemented a button the player can press to start and stop them from moving. These buttons are easily modified to control a certain number of platforms or simply just all platforms in the level such as how I've done.

Many other games, such as Jak and Dexter or the Zelda series, use similar platforms to do similar tasks. Taking inspiration from these, I tried to replicate a similar effect and functionality.

My implementation did exactly as tasked to do and can even handle multiple points to move between, allowing for different patterns such as moving along a zig-zag or in a triangular motion. It can easily be expanded upon to add more depth and additional functionality due to the simplicity of the processes used.

These same techniques can be used for a variety of different similar systems from boats on water to a simple patrol route for an enemy AI.