Balancing a puzzle game

[Xeeko]

Hi

I have a game in which you have to click on different marbles in sequences. The game is displayed as a grid, like so:

* * * *
* * * *
* * * *

Those are all instances of the same object, but with four different directions, randomized. Upon clicking on one of the objects, it is destroyed. When all of them are destroyed, new ones are spawned, with one of four directions set. Now, what I would like is to minimize the randomization a bit, so that at least two of each direction is spawned. Any thoughts on how to program that?

[mojofltr]

You might try using a "grab bag" of sorts. Create one object of each direction, place objects randomly, and repeat until the grid is filled.

Here is an example of a grab bag for tetrominos... perhaps you could use a similar technique when generating the active objects in your game: http://games4noah.sitesled.com/knp/knpblogger/grabbag_knp.zip

[Xeeko]

Thanks, I'll take a look at it.

[mojofltr]

http://mfa.aquadasoft.com/upload/1315753572-randomize.mfa

Here is a quick .mfa that creates a 6x6 grid of 36 objects. It should randomize the colors so that there 6 of each color. I'm not sure if it will help you or not.

[Xeeko]

Thanks, for the assistance, but I ran into another problem now. How the devil ydo you get obejts to fall realistically when they are stacked in columns?, SImilar to the way they do in for instance Bejeweled? I tried using the platform movement, but then it's impossible to have the obejt in another direction than down, and when using a simple code always setting the y position to y+1 I canät get it to stop in a smooth manner (like when one object lands on another).