Basket And Ball

🏀 Restitution Dynamics as a Movement Mechanic

Basket And Ball reinterprets basketball not as a sport, but as a mode of traversal. It is a puzzle-platformer where the protagonist is a ball with a high Coefficient of Restitution (bounciness). The player must use the ball's inherent elasticity to navigate levels filled with spikes, police (defenders), and mechanical traps. The "Jump" button is actually a "Dribble" button—it adds downward force to generate an upward reaction.

The game requires understanding conservation of momentum. To clear a long gap, you cannot just jump; you must build up rolling speed (angular velocity) before converting it into vertical velocity.

🧠 Spatial Puzzle Solving

Challenges involve:

• Timing Loops: Avoiding the police requires observing their patrol patterns. They are not enemies to be fought, but hazards to be timed.
• Surface Properties: Different floor materials affect the bounce height. Metal springs launch you high; sand or grass dampens the bounce. The player must adapt input timing to the material physics.

🎮 Mechanics: The Power-Ups

The puzzle layer is deepened by modifiers:

• Air Pump: Inflates the ball, making it float. This inverts the gravity mechanics, requiring the player to navigate ceilings.
• Time Stop: Freezes enemies. Essential for passing through high-density defense grids.
• The Basket: The goal is not just to touch the basket, but to enter it from above. Hitting the side of the basket counts as a collision, not a win.

🏆 Platforming Tips

1. Spacebar Dribbling

Rapidly tapping Spacebar (Dribble) builds potential energy. You can bounce higher by timing your press exactly when the ball hits the ground (constructive interference).

2. Star Collection

Collecting all 3 stars is often a trap. First, focus on the path to the basket. Only go for the stars if you have identified the safe return vector.

🛡️ Physics Engine

System specs:

• Box2D: Uses a standard rigid body simulation. The ball is a circle collider with high friction and high bounce settings.

❓ FAQ