Dummy Defense is a spin-off of the popular physics and engineering game, SimplePhysics. In Dummy Defense, you must use your engineering prowess to protect Melvin, the dummy, from an array of dangers, such as boulders, explosions, death pits, meteors, and more.  Using the same blueprints editor from SimplePhysics, the player must build a structure that is simulated using a physics engine in real time. Players can view how their design reacts in slow motion, fast forward, and they can even rewind time to pinpoint any weaknesses in their design. It's an addictive game with a wide variety of levels, and players may even learn a few things about structural engineering along the way.

I submitted an update this weekend for a new level for SimplePhysics, named Bomb Shack. In this level, you must build a small shelter to protect a crash test dummy from an indirect explosion. If the dummy gets blasted, or if he is struck by a falling support, then you fail. The level simulates realistic explosions, so you will have more success trying to create a slim, angled shelter to deflect the explosion, rather than a beefy shelter that absorbs it.



This update comes with more goodies though. Since I was creating explosions, I thought "wouldn't it be cool if I could blow up all the old levels too?" So, I made it so. The finger test is now enhanced to let you create explosions on every level. Some are more fun than others, personally my favorite is the staircase level.

I also thought: "It would be awesome if the dummy supported ragdoll physics." Be sure to play with him, he is a lot of fun. Throw him around, blow him up, he is quite entertaining.



After I implemented those features, I thought to myself: "Man, it would be extremely cool if I could slow the simulation down so I could watch the explosions in slow motion." So, say hello to the slow motion feature. Watching explosions in slow motion is more fun than I anticipated, especially when it involves the new ragdoll physics.



This update has been so much fun to make and I think it opens up a whole new world to explore, so I am going to start working on a spin-off of SimplePhysics, tentatively titled SimplePhysics Bombs. Don't worry, it will be free, and will have 5 to 10 levels, all similar in nature to this Bomb Shack level.

I hope you enjoy the update!

I submitted an update for SimplePhysics last night that includes a new level, River Dam. In this level, you must create a dam that can withstand rushing water that slams into the dam, and some random debris that the water has picked up along the way. I hope you enjoy!

I submitted an update to Apple last night that includes universal support for the iPad. I must say the game looks quite nice on the larger iPad screen, and I think you will agree when you see it!



I want to mention that I could have released a separate app, solely for the iPad (i.e. - SimplePhysics HD) and jacked the price up, but I believe that my users deserve better than that. I have received so many great ideas that I felt compelled to give you all something extra at no cost. In fact, I feel more and more like SimplePhysics is becoming a community effort. Please, if you have any ideas for the game, visit my uservoice page. Let's build a game together ;)
http://simplephysics.uservoice.com

I just submitted an update to Apple last night with two new levels:

Two Story Tree House
So you can build a tree house, but can you build one with two floors?

    

Staircase
In itself not so exciting, until you throw in advanced robotics to smash your design to pieces! Also, I think you will rather enjoy the surprise I threw into the finger test for this level.

              

I wanted to share my experiences over the past week, as a beacon of hope to my fellow indie game devs, as I sit here watching an app that I created sitting comfortably in the App Store's Top 25 Overall.

Last night I submitted an update to the App Store for SimplePhysics. The update includes one new level, titled Truck Crane, where (you guessed it!) you design a crane. The level is fairly difficult, I'd say its slightly more difficult than the roof, but not quite as difficult as the ferris wheel. I hope you guys enjoy it!

SimplePhysics now has a Facebook fan page. If you want to chat about the game and share pictures of your designs, that is the place to do it.