Billiards Simulator

The three ball Billiard game played on a pocketless table, BILLARD SIMULATOR was released on three platforms Atari ST, DOS, and Amigo in 1988. The architects of this simulator game are Laurent-Olivier and Pierre Gilliard Vayssettes. Frederick Autechaud developed the graphics and interface. Philippe Rulleau was responsible for coding and display. The game was created on an algorithm developed from years of research. It is a third person board game with 3D as well as 2D viewing. The game is played with only three balls (cue ball included) on a pocketless Billiards table. The player has the option to choose anyone from the three cues.
BILLARD SIMULATOR was a game developed after years of research and does justice to the dynamics involved in the board game. The 2D and 3D view modes are at par with the board games of the day. The animation is the biggest drawback as the screen keeps flickering and one can move the cursor across the table even after a shot has been executed with the balls moving. Dragging the cursor over any ball and clicking on it, is enough to break the shot midway. The overall layout is simple with easy, accessible controls. The view of the table can be changed from 2D to 3D and vise versa. It enables the player to adjust the position and determine the spin. The power and the spin of the shot can be adjusted from the buttons on the panel. The points system requires some deliberation to figure out how the points are scored.
The gameplay can be divided into two stages. In the first phase, the cue is aimed at the ball by use of 2D, 3D or over the top view. The second involves choosing the spin by placing aligning the diagram and the selecting the power of the shot by sliding. The shot is taken and points are assigned.

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