Platforming game doesn't feel right

[Frog]

I've been trying to make a platforming game using Chipmunk, but I just can't seem to make it feel right. Currently I only have three objects: two static bodies that make up the ground, and one body that represents the player. All bodies have rectangular shapes attached to them and the inertia of these bodies is calculated using the helper functions.

I've tried all kinds of values for the mass, gravity and forces (ranging from realistic values to crazy ones) and I've also tried applying forces and impulses, and setting the forces manually. But whatever I do, the movement (left, right and jumping) keeps feeling sluggish and not fun.

So my question basically is: how should I implement movement for a platforming game in Chipmunk? My goal is to have the movement feel similar to for example League of Evil, how can I do that?

Thanks on forehand!

[slembcke]

https://github.com/maximile/Your-Story
http://udevgames.com/entries/your-story

This was a contest game I collaborated on. I implemented the platforming physics, and it's all built on top of Chipmunk. That might be a good place to start.

[Frog]

Thanks for the quick respone!

I had actually already taken a quick look at that project, but couldn't really figure out how it worked. But since you also say it's a good example of a platforming game made with Chipmunk, I'll take a detailed look at the code. Let's hope it helps!

[jcmeyer5]

For what it's worth, I have a platformer control setup I like. For everything (at the moment) I am using friction of 0.5 and elasticity of 0.5. Those values work very well for me.

[Frog]

Thanks jcmeyer5, that's really usefull information! But how do you move the object? Similar to the Your Story game, or in a different way?

[jcmeyer5]

I apply an impulse (when input is received) in the direction I want to move (left,right,jump). I then cap max velocity at a given value. Using impulses let's you not worry about syncing velocity, position, etc. and also gives you a nice ease into your movement. I think I was using impulses of 600... that is a bit high for my tastes... I will probably back it down.