Stomp - Animator - version 0.2
Introduction
The Stomp Animator comprises a simple maze, Stomp and some control buttons.
It allows the user to experience the handling characterists of the Stomp
robot!
System Requirements
The Stomp Animator has been written in Java using JDK 1.2 but should work
with JVM 1.1.4 and upwards. It has been tested with the following
browsers:
| Netscape Navigator 4.61 |
NT 4.0 |
| Internet Explorer 5 |
NT 4.0 |
| Internet Explorer 4 |
Windows 95 |
| Internet Explorer 3 |
Windows 95 |
Running The Animator
At the bottom of the screen is a set of buttons and a scroll bar which
allows Stomp to be controlled. The following table summarizes the
controls:
| Restart |
Restarts the Stomp game |
| Stop |
Stops Stomp |
| Left |
Turns Stomp left |
| Right |
Turns Stomp right |
| Forward |
Makes Stomp go forward |
| Reverse |
Makes Stomp go backward |
| "scroll bar" |
Controls speed |
The idea of the animator is simply to navigate Stomp around the maze.
If Stomp hits the side of the maze then Stomp will stop. Stomp should
also stop automatically if the Stomp page is replaced with another.
Remember that turning left or right is relative to the direction in which
Stomp is facing. There are, however, no visual cues to indicate which
direction Stomp is facing. By increasing the speed Stomp can be made
to move at different speeds - where slow (and stop) can be thought of as
realistic and fast is in the realms of fantasy!
Having read the above have a go!
Bugs and "Features"
-
Turning left or right only works when Stomp is moving.
-
Turning, in general, is a "bit sudden".
Possible Future Improvements
The following are subject to time, motivation and inclination:
-
Add a "cost" feature whereby Stomp expends energy when doing something.
After expending too much energy stomp would stop.
-
Introduce a timer which would allow trips around the maze to be timed.
-
Introduce textured background and maze elements.
-
Introduce hazards (possibly animated) that effect Stomp in some way.
For example, the fire pit.
-
Replace buttons with control box look-alike graphics.
Change History
Between 0.1 and 0.2
-
Restart button added to restart the game.
-
Start button removed.
-
Forward button will additionally start Stomp.
-
Reverse button will additionally start Stomp.
-
Background colour changed to dark gray.
-
Stomp colour changed to light gray.
-
Left and Right buttons will now turn Stomp when stopped.
-
Turning behaves better.
-
Minor changes made to maze.