Art'N Ball

The pitch

Art'N Ball is a mix between classic tennis and 3D platform game. The player will travel different locations within the Art’N Ball rolling-out world, skillfully returning his Earth-ball to have it pass walls, art exhibits, photo and puzzle challenges to finally set it free from its enclosed gallery pathway into infinite Space. He will experience different levels of complexity as the Earth-ball takes him from countryside or mountainous territories to the inner bowels of the underground, the depths of the seas, past frantic cityscapes towards arty lush landscapes and onto a surprise finish journey in orbit…

Controls & how it runs

Play Ball With Art! The player has to ceaselessly return the ball with his racket in a gallery hallway, which takes twists and turns and narrows or widens as the player changes ambiance, until he meets a Level boss at the end of 3 Acts in order to exit the gallery. He constantly needs to keep an eye on the Earth-ball trajectory to anticipate its return and take it with the most appropriate angle to overcome obstacles and artfully squeeze his way out. He can maximize his gameplay by catching bonuses, completing image puzzles, taking in-game world screenshots, or lighting exhibits to uncover their art contents, while getting a comfortable view of the outside scenery through large bay windows and enjoying a cosy or rhythmic music atmosphere. He may also refine his strategy by prioritizing moving the ball forward to finish a level versus finishing puzzles or taking screenshots to earn extra lives and better score and level ranking. He has to beware of maluses which will slow down his progression, but the good news is that these can actually turn to his advantage, e.g getting a chance to retrieve an extra life (in completing the missing blocks of a puzzle or hitting a final screenshot) or simply getting an easy way out with a downsized racket. Desktop controls: Menus: mouse + click left to access menus/icons In game: mouse move: racket control up-down-left-right click left: launch ball & move forward P: pause/unpause game Mobile controls: Menus: tap to access menus/icons In game: touch & move racket: racket control up-down-left-right touch move icon: launch ball & move forward Average time to complete a level using the "Save game" option is about 20 to 30min for beginners. "Save game" option allows the user to save the game at every Act end (3 Acts per level, 8 levels) and at every beginning of level ("Load game" to continue to play). The player will be able to replay all levels which were previously completed (and saved) thanks to the 'Choose game level" menu. A Training Room is accessible from the main menu. It explains the game principles/mechanics (but only partly to let the player discover by himself), shows an automatic demo and allows the player to test the game before entering Level 1.

Getting a run going takes exactly one press: Press start, up top, and the game boots inside this page — nothing downloads in the background and no form wants your details before the first jump. The cabinet is drawn for a flexible screen and listens to mouse, keyboard or touch, whichever the game prefers. It reshapes itself for tall and wide screens alike, so phone, tablet and desktop all get the full picture. Given a fullscreen button, use it — scores look better at full size, that's just science.

Art'N Ball — quick-fire questions

Does Art'N Ball cost anything to play?

Not a token. The cabinet is free from the first run to the five-hundredth — no wallet, no sign-up, no toll booth hiding three levels in. The adverts around the page are what keep the floor's lights on.

What sort of game is Art'N Ball?

It stands on our Ball Games row — that's the family it plays most like. The pitch above is the publisher's own rundown of what it throws at you and what it hands back.

Can I play Art'N Ball on my phone?

Happily, yes. It runs inside the browser on phones and tablets the same way it does on a computer. It reshapes itself for tall and wide screens alike, so phone, tablet and desktop all get the full picture.

Do I need to install anything first?

Nothing whatsoever. Art'N Ball is an HTML5 game: hit the start button and it boots on this page, and shutting the tab sweeps the cabinet clean behind you.

Before you wander off

Personal best banked, or still chasing it? Either way the full Ball Games row is powered on and waiting — Forty-six ball games: free kicks, trick shots, rolling races and golf played at deeply unserious angles. Round object, endless excuses to chase it.