So far we've looked at some of the core game mechanics (and we'll return to them when it's time to peel back another layer of the tactical onion in future DevLogs), but it's time to pivot to some other fun Hardcourt Balls features. Over the next couple of DevLogs, I'll explain more about player skills and progression, coaches, prize money, and AI players! Today, we'll start off with showing you what options are currently available to create your own player avatar.
But first! Do not forget to WISHLIST to stay on top of future updates!
When you launch Hardcourt Balls for the first time, you will have to first create a player before you're able to play exhibition or tournament games. The game offers three player slots that you can switch between, allowing you to e.g. have a rookie, advanced and top player at the same time. You can also delete players and replace them with different ones at any time. The only thing to note is that switching mid-game or mid-tournament will delete progress in those.
Once you select a slot (all three will be empty obviously at first), you can choose a name, decide if you want to be right or left-handed, and select a portrait (about 40 or so are currently available to choose from in the pre-beta version; if there is enough interest, this can be expanded on greatly to include dynamic faces, uploading your own picture etc.!)
Once you have these basics out of the way, the next step is to select a starting perk. You can choose from one of the following:
An Attribute Bonus +1 for your Forehand, Backhand, Serve, Ace% or Return skills
Start with a Coach
Start with $50,000 in cash (instead of the default $1000)
Let's take a look at each of these options, what they do, and why you may want to choose one or the other.
If you would like to start your career with an above average skill, you can select from one of the five attributes tracked for each player to get a +1 bonus. This may be a good time to talk a little more about player attributes.
Forehand, Backhand and Serve work just like you would expect it. They add a +1 to your dice roll when you are attempting the corresponding stroke. (So if you need a 7 to place the ball on your selected target without scatter, you only need to roll a 6). Skills range from 0 (rookie pro player) to +4 (tour leader in the category, or at least in the top 3 of all players worldwide).
Return scales from 0-4 as well but is a passive skill. Essentially, it counteracts the opposing player's Serve skill. (So if the serving player has a Serve skill of +2 and the returning player a Return skill of +2, they negate each other, and the server receives no bonus).
Ace% is different from the other skills. It is a modifier to your chance of actually hitting an ace on a natural 9 roll result during a serve. The skill can be 25%, 50%, 75% or 100%, and what that means is basically your chance that a natural 9 will result in an ace. (If you run the numbers, you'll notice that this means your player will on average hit aces on 2.5%, 5%, 7.5% or 10% of their serves; in reality though the numbers can vary a great deal from match to match, because, you know, it's dice!)
Why would you choose a strong starting attribute? it should be obvious that this will give you an edge in starting to win games early, making more money quickly, and being able to progress faster.
So why would you NOT choose an attribute and instead a coach? Well, coaches can be very expensive, especially the really good ones. We'll dive more into how coaches and skill progression works in the next DevLog, so for now let's just say that if you are able to get a good coach "for free" at the beginning of the game, it may far outweigh the benefit of just one raised starting attribute. You can select from three coaches that are randomly generated, so what you get depends on luck.
The last option is $50,000 in cash. Honestly, while $50,000 is much more than the measly $1,000 you otherwise start with, it is by no means a major boon. You might be able to find a decent coach for this money, but most coaches will be much more expensive than that. This option is intended more for players who intentionally want to start their career without a skill bonus, from the ground up so to speak as a freshly minted rookie pro. That's honestly a fun way to play! But you may end up losing your first couple of games or so.
And don't forget to Wishlist for more news and updates!