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Version History
2.1 - Released 8/16/2023.
The following changes were made in this version:
- The way music works was changed; the changes now allow the game to run on Steam Deck, rather than crash on startup.
- Some embarrassing, long-standing gameplay bugs were fixed that had affected the minigames "The Counting Game" and "Shrinking Square" when using a controller to play. Mouse and touch gameplay was not changed. These bugs were not exploitable for score (they hurt rather than helped), so the leaderboards were left alone.
2.0.3 - Released 8/11/2022.
The following change was made in this version:
- X Mode added. Press the "X" key on the main menu 8 times to enable it. This silly mode, inspired by my daughter when she was 2, swaps the normal targets with "X" targets. So now you're SUPPOSED to shoot the "X" targets, and AVOID the normal ones. Have fun!
2.0.2 - Released 9/19/2020.
The following changes were made in this version:
- If you were playing on a screen that was very wide, or very tall (portrait mode), the game was not handling resolution properly, and targets could be rendered too large/small, affecting gameplay and scoring. This has been fixed.
- In touch mode, it was previously possible to touch the "doors" obscuring the outer edges of the play area; when doing so, you could hit targets located behind them. This has been fixed.
(The above bugs could have been exploited to obtain higher scores, but after looking at the current leaderboards, I've decided not to clear them.)
- Bursts that appear when shooting targets were rendered too large if using the "Med" graphic detail setting introduced in version 2.0.1. This has been fixed.
- "Controller 1: Enter your initials!" no longer appears when playing with a mouse or touchscreen; now, the game will simply say "Enter your initials!"
2.0.1 - Released 3/17/2020.
The following changes were made in this version:
- Added a detail setting in Graphic Options; lower the detail if you've got an older computer, integrated video, etc. and performance is less than optimal. The default setting is "auto," which uses lower-detail graphics if your display resolution is 800p or less, and medium-detail graphics if your resolution is above 800p but does not exceed 1080p. (The previous version lacked the medium-detail setting, and "auto" was the ONLY behavior.)
- Some of the lower-detail target graphics previously had a purple tint around them. This has been fixed.
- The game now handles pausing better when the Steam Overlay is invoked.
- Changed a few text strings.
2.0 - Initial release.
Controls
Controller:
Gameplay:
Begin/Join/Skip intros/Pause = Start (360/Steam) / Menu (XB1) / Options (DS4) / + (Switch)
Aim = Left analog stick (can be switched in Options)
Fire = A (XB1/360/Steam/Switch) / X (DS4), or the left or right trigger
Menus:
Choose menu option = aim at it and fire
Go back = B (XB1/360/Steam/Switch) / O (DS4)
Mouse:
Gameplay:
Begin = Left-click
Skip intros = Middle-click
Pause = Middle-click, or the P or Esc keys on your keyboard
Aim = Move mouse
Fire = Left-click
Menus:
Choose menu option = aim at it and fire
Go back = Right-click
Touchscreen:
Gameplay:
Begin = tap anywhere on the screen
Skip intros = tap 3 or more fingers on the screen simultaneously
Pause = the P or Esc keys on your keyboard
Fire = tap the screen (the only limit on the number of simultaneous shots is your hardware!)
Menus:
Highlight menu option = tap it once
Choose menu option = tap it a second time
Go back = the Esc key on your keyboard
Quick FAQ/Known Issues
Q: How do I adjust mouse sensitivity? I don't see an option for it.
A: Sharpshooter Plus uses whatever mouse sensitivity your system is using. To change it, go to your mouse settings and adjust it there.
Q: Isn't there a way to pause the game when playing on touchscreen, that is on the touchscreen itself? It's a pain to have to grab the keyboard!
A: Because of the nature of this game--you will be wildly mashing the touchscreen with all of your fingers, at times!--I decided against an onscreen pause button, or a roundabout method like "touch four fingers around the borders," etc. I felt that it would be even more of an inconvenience for a typical user if they accidentally paused the game, especially if it happened repeatedly. This also makes it easier for small children to play without risk of accidentally pausing or quitting the game. I'm sorry if this bothers you, but it's a deliberate design decision that was carefully calculated as the best way for the most people.
I will also point out that there is no time limit on the minigame selection screen that appears between rounds, so you can leave it there for as long as you like without actually having to Pause.
Q: Why do you need 2 gamepads for 2-player mode? Why can't you play with 2 mice, or share a touchscreen, or have players use different input methods?
A: There is no way for your computer to differentiate between two mice; the OS only allows one mouse pointer. There is also no way for any game to differentiate between whose fingers are touching a screen at any given moment. So those aren't possible.
Sharpshooter Plus plays very differently when you use a mouse or touchscreen as opposed to a gamepad. Some minigames become easier; others, more difficult; and others just play differently. So, I have tuned the difficulty of each minigame based on what input method you're using. Because of this, if two players were to be using different input methods, they would not be on level ground, so to speak. This makes fair competition impossible, so I chose not to include it in the game.
If this means you are not able to enjoy the 2-player mode, please accept my apologies.
Q: Wait, is there really a massage app included?
A: Yes. You can find it in Extras, off of the main menu. I originally included it with the XBLIG version as a joke, under the name "The Best of Xbox Live Indie Games, Vol. 1." If you paid attention to XBLIG back in 2009-2010, you'll remember that massage apps were a really big deal for a hot minute, so I threw "Super Awesome Massage" together and tossed it in there. Obviously, it's not available if you're using a mouse or touchscreen, and if your controller doesn't support vibration, you won't get much out of it.
Q: Is the (no longer available) Mac version of Sharpshooter Plus notarized for Catalina?
A: No, it isn't. This means that, in the future, it may or may not run on macOS 10.15 or later, depending on whether or not Apple blocks Steam from running apps that aren't notarized. What I can tell you is that, as of the release date, it did work 100% on 10.15; I can tell you that it will continue to work indefinitely under macOS 10.14; and I can tell you that, at this time, it does not make financial sense for me to pay for the service that would allow me to notarize my games. If this bothers you, then I would advise you not to buy the game, and I humbly apologize. (The Mac version is no longer available for sale.)
Q: My Switch Pro controller isn't working on my Mac! What do I do?
A: Launch Big Picture mode. You may be prompted to install a gamepad driver update. Follow the instructions, then restart Steam and/or your Mac when prompted. It should then work.
Q: My Xbox One/360 controller isn't working on my Mac! What do I do?
A: Download and install the 360Controller driver, located here: https://github.com/360Controller/360Controller/releases
Follow the instructions to install it, then restart your Mac. After restarting, it should work. (If it does not, try also installing the Steam gamepad driver update as described above.)
Q: Why can't I play with a touchscreen on Mac?
A: macOS has no touchscreen support. I can't do anything about that...sorry!
Q: Where does the save file live?
A: On Windows, it's in a SharpshooterPlus directory, within the current user's AppDataRoaming directory. On Mac, it's in a SharpshooterPlus folder, within the current user's Library/Preferences folder.
Q: Are any further updates planned?
A: I feel that this game is complete as is, so further updates will only happen if I become aware of one or more issues (in other words, updates will fix these).
Q: I found a bug. What do I do?
A: Post here in the Community Hub, use the contact form on yyrGames.com, or e-mail me at [email protected], and let me know about it. Thanks!
What is this?
Sharpshooter Plus is the enhanced version of yyrGames' XBLIG classic Sharpshooter, which was released in 2010. It packs a bunch of new features, but retains the fast-paced action!
Here are the biggest changes made in Sharpshooter Plus, compared to the original XBLIG version:
- Now on PC: Enjoy, from the comfort of your computer!
- Gamepad, Mouse and Touchscreen play: Now, you can enjoy this game 3 different ways!
- Sharper graphics: Everything looks sharp, even in 4K!
- Leaderboards and Achievements: Enjoy these additional competition features!
- Bug fixes: Some of the original game's bugs were fixed, for a more satisfying experience!
- Gameplay balance: Tweaks were made to allow for more satisfying score competition!
- Bonus modes added: Test your skills under tough conditions!
- Scores now save: Your personal records will now save automatically, without you having to enter them into a Web site!
How do I play?
Goal: Achieve the highest grade possible by quickly and accurately shooting targets across 20 unique minigames!
Begin by choosing "Play Game" from the main menu, then "Start Game." Choose a mode from the selection menu:
SHARPSHOOTER: The main game mode. 1 or 2 players. (2 gamepads required for 2 players.)
VS. MODE: Play as many best-of-5 matches against an opponent as you like! (2 gamepads required.)
TRAINING: A training course. Use this to get the hang of the controls, or if you want something a bit easier. (Gameplay begins immediately.)
PRACTICE: The Practice mode allows you to freely play any of the 20 minigames, and freely customize their difficulty levels.
After choosing the main game mode, you'll be asked to select one of the 5 difficulties:
EASIEST: Meant for children, and those who just want the easiest difficulty possible. (If you do really well on the first few rounds, you'll be asked if you want to restart on a harder difficulty.)
CASUAL: Meant for those players who like action games, but don't like a big challenge.
SERIOUS: Choose this if you're a bit more serious about your action games.
EXPERT*: Pick this if you've mastered the easier difficulties and are ready for a challenge.
MASTER*: The highest level of difficulty! It'll be tough, but it'll feel really rewarding when you master it!
* You will need to unlock these before they can be selected. Highlight them to reveal the requirements.
Choosing a difficulty will bring up the minigame selection screen for Round 1. You'll be presented with a choice of 3 minigames. Minigames will appear in different orders each time you play. Shoot a minigame to select it.
The minigame introduction screen will appear and explain the rules of this particular minigame. Here are some things you'll want to pay attention to:
QUOTA: You'll need to shoot a certain number of targets--or more--to win (clear) the game.
Occasionally, you'll have to hit ALL of the targets in order to win.
TIME: The time limit is displayed at the bottom of the screen. All minigames have a time limit, so try to complete the quota before time expires! You'll get a time bonus for working quickly.
AMMO: Most minigames feature unlimited ammo, but some limit your number of shots. Sometimes, you only get a single shot!
PENALTY: Some minigames feature targets marked with an X. If these are present, the intro screen will mention them. Shooting these will incur a scoring penalty, so try not to hit them!
OTHER: A few minigames have special rules, like "If you miss, the round ends." or "Score exactly x points." Watch out for these!
The minigame will begin automatically after a few moments, but you can also skip the intro screen if desired to get to the action faster. Once the action begins, shoot quickly and accurately to achieve the quota before your time or ammo run out.
After the minigame ends, you'll see a result screen. If you complete the quota ("Cleared!") you will score a 10,000-point bonus. If you don't ("Failed!"), you will not receive any bonus, and you don't get to try again, so do your best! You'll also receive points for each target hit, and small bonuses for speed and accuracy. Finally, you'll once again see the minigame selection screen, unless there's just one more round left, in which case the final minigame will appear.
The game lasts between 12 and 20 rounds, depending on what difficulty you selected. At the end, you'll receive a grade from AAA (highest) to F (lowest) based on your difficulty level and score. Try to achieve the highest grade possible! Your score will also be added to Steam Leaderboards, so go for it!
Specifically, what has changed between Sharpshooter and Sharpshooter Plus?
Oh, you want nitty-gritty gameplay changes? Well, you know I enjoy rambling, so if you were familiar with the original XBLIG version, here are most of those:
- In the original, on each frame, the game would advance targets first, then process input. This would effectively create a one-frame lag, because your shots would not be processed until after the targets moved from their current position. Sharpshooter Plus processes input before advancing targets, making gameplay feel more snappy and responsive!
- "Hardcore Mode" is a newly-added optional mode. (See below for explanation.)
- Collision detection in the original game was based on a rectangular area. Since all of the targets in this game are circular, that was...not ideal. Collision detection is now circular!
- Added optional "classic" aiming method when using a gamepad. It allows you to freely move the cursor using the thumbstick, rather than the cursor's position being tied to the thumbstick's position. You can toggle the aiming method in Options, if desired. The game was not designed to be played this way, and the higher difficulties have not been tested using this aiming method, so it is not recommended. However, it was implemented anyway for players who may prefer it.
- If you're using a gamepad, and choose to fire using the triggers: you no longer have to let go of BOTH triggers before EITHER will fire again.
- Sound effects now pan appropriately. For example, if you're shooting a target on the left edge of the screen, the sound will mostly come from the left speaker. In the original, all of the sound effects played in the center.
- The score requirement for the "AA" grade was lowered slightly. (The requirement for the "AAA" grade has remained the same.)
- The two hardest difficulty levels are now locked by default.
- The names of the three easiest difficulty levels ("Easiest," "Casual," and "Serious") were changed (originally "Easy," "Medium," and "Difficult").
- In the original, neither Insane Mode nor the "Invert Y" setting worked properly when playing Double Mode. Now, it all works as expected.
- Changed unlock conditions for Insane Mode (see below).
- The awful vocal track was removed from Insane Mode. There is still a small chance of hearing alternate music when playing this mode, but your ears won't bleed anymore.
- Targets now explode into particles that are smaller and more numerous than before.
- Added a setting to disable the screen flash effect when firing.
- Several tweaks were made to the difficulty of individual minigames.
- A lot of menu-related bugs were fixed.
What are the alternate gameplay modes?
Hardcore Mode and Insane Mode are optional gameplay modifiers that you can turn on or off before beginning a game. You can use neither, one, or both of them at once! (Insane Mode will need to be unlocked before it can be activated.)
When Hardcore Mode is OFF, targets are worth the same number of points, whether you hit the outer edge or the bullseye. In other words, accuracy doesn't matter as much; you either hit the target, or you don't.
When Hardcore Mode is ON, you will score the maximum number of points only when hitting the bullseye. You will score less if you're not as accurate. When you shoot a target, a percentage will appear, showing you how accurate you were.
At 100% accuracy, you will score 50% more than you would have if Hardcore Mode was OFF.
At 0% accuracy, you will score 50% less than you would have if Hardcore Mode was OFF. (This means that bullseye shots are worth approximately 3x more than outer edge shots.)
When Insane Mode is ON, any miss ends the current minigame immediately! (You will still keep whatever points you had earned before missing; if you already met the quota, the round will still be cleared.) How well can you do under these tough conditions?
There are separate Steam Leaderboards for each combination of input method and optional mode, so do your best!
Any tips?
- The names of the minigames sometimes contain clues.
- On any difficulty level below Master: if you do well on a minigame, the next one will be a bit more difficult. Doing poorly, on the other hand, will make the next minigame easier. And, the base score value of each target shot increases along with higher difficulty. Generally, this means that minigames played later are more difficult, and are worth more points. Keep that in mind when you're making your selections! (On Master difficulty, all minigames are always played at their maximum possible difficulty.)
- On any difficulty level below Master: sometimes, minigames you don't choose are replaced by others. This happens more frequently on easier difficulties. Sorry, but on Master difficulty, you'll be forced to play all 20 unique minigames!
- The time bonus is awarded based on the moment you cleared the stage (reached the quota).
- Grading is not absolute based on total score; it is determined by "par" scores for the specific minigames you played, and the difficulty you played them on. So the score required for a particular grade can vary, based on how you played the game.