# Fabulous online physics-based game **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Created:** [July 21, 2008, 5:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fabulous-online-physics-based-game/457233 "2008-07-21T05:32:14Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 14
**Author:** ![Green\_Eyed\_Stranger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/919ad9/32.png) [@Green\_Eyed\_Stranger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Green_Eyed_Stranger)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2008, 5:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fabulous-online-physics-based-game/457233/261 "2008-07-31T05:45:43Z")
[QUOTE=Santo Rugger] I didn’t have the best of designs, but my undergrad was in mechanical engineering and I’m just about finished with my grad degree in explosives. [/QUOTE] I want a graduate degree in explosives. ---
**Author:** ![sturmhauke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e47c2d/32.png) [@sturmhauke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sturmhauke)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2008, 5:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fabulous-online-physics-based-game/457233/262 "2008-07-31T05:52:48Z")
[QUOTE=Lok] Not nearly as good at this as the rest of you, but I decided to try something with [New05](http://FantasticContraption.com/?designId=151476). [/QUOTE] Here’s my simple solution: [scissor lift](http://FantasticContraption.com/?designId=152440) And my catapult-obsessed solution: [catapult ftw](http://FantasticContraption.com/?designId=152702) ---
**Author:** ![sturmhauke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e47c2d/32.png) [@sturmhauke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sturmhauke)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2008, 6:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fabulous-online-physics-based-game/457233/263 "2008-07-31T06:46:11Z")
And, just to see if I could do it, here’s a [ballista](http://FantasticContraption.com/?designId=153145) ---
**Author:** ![Caveat\_lector\_1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ea5d25/32.png) [@Caveat\_lector\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Caveat_lector_1)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2008, 8:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fabulous-online-physics-based-game/457233/264 "2008-07-31T08:47:11Z")
I didn’t make this but this design for four balls is so great I had to share it. > **[Fantastic Contraption: A fun online physics puzzle game](http://fantasticcontraption.com/?designId=143016)** > > An online flash puzzle game where you build whimsical machines to solve each level. Save your contraptions and share them with your friends. Free! ---
**Author:** ![Pushkin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ee59a6/32.png) [@Pushkin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pushkin)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2008, 8:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fabulous-online-physics-based-game/457233/265 "2008-08-01T08:42:15Z")
[QUOTE=Caveat lector] I didn’t make this but this design for four balls is so great I had to share it. > **[Fantastic Contraption - Launch Level](http://fantasticcontraption.com/?designId=143016)** > > The classic physics puzzle game from 2008. Build whimsical machines to solve puzzles. Now available on Steam with new updates coming soon! [/QUOTE] I thought it was a fail then that fourth ball dropped in from nowhere 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Gary\_Robson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gary_robson/32/3448_2.png) [@Gary\_Robson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gary_Robson)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2008, 2:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fabulous-online-physics-based-game/457233/266 "2008-08-01T14:35:42Z")
[QUOTE=Oslo Ostragoth] I’m curious. Would any of you be willing to share your occupation? I can’t imagine what would actually correlate well with creative success at this game. [/QUOTE] I used to be a chip designer and taught computer science. Now I have a bookstore and write kids’ books. ---
**Author:** ![Lok](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e8c25b/32.png) [@Lok](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lok)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2008, 3:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fabulous-online-physics-based-game/457233/267 "2008-08-01T15:38:37Z")
I used to drive a forklift. Now I look for work driving a forklift. Or just about anything else at this point. ---
**Author:** ![Lightnin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lightnin/32/180_2.png) [@Lightnin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lightnin)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2008, 4:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fabulous-online-physics-based-game/457233/268 "2008-08-01T16:12:22Z")
[QUOTE=Oslo Ostragoth] I’m curious. Would any of you be willing to share your occupation? I can’t imagine what would actually correlate well with creative success at this game. [/QUOTE] I do special effects for video games. There’s a lot of overlap between this game and what I do for a living- I do a lot of “tweak, check the results, tweak, check the results…” ---
**Author:** ![Frylock](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/ce7236/32.png) [@Frylock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frylock)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2008, 4:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fabulous-online-physics-based-game/457233/269 "2008-08-01T16:39:13Z")
Seeing the occupations of some of the people participating makes me feel a _little_ less like a complete dunce. 🙂 -FrL- ---
**Author:** ![Don\_t\_Call\_Me\_Shirley](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/f4b2a3/32.png) [@Don\_t\_Call\_Me\_Shirley](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Don_t_Call_Me_Shirley)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2008, 4:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fabulous-online-physics-based-game/457233/270 "2008-08-01T16:45:05Z")
I’m a probation officer. ---
**Author:** ![Santo\_Rugger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e95f7d/32.png) [@Santo\_Rugger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Santo_Rugger)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2008, 5:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fabulous-online-physics-based-game/457233/271 "2008-08-01T17:38:23Z")
[QUOTE=Green Eyed Stranger] I want a graduate degree in explosives. [/QUOTE] [http://infohost.nmt.edu/~mecheng/explosiveProgram.pdf](http://infohost.nmt.edu/~mecheng/explosiveProgram.pdf) [http://infohost.nmt.edu/~grad/](http://infohost.nmt.edu/~grad/) [http://infohost.nmt.edu/~mecheng/webpage.htm](http://infohost.nmt.edu/~mecheng/webpage.htm) The courses are mostly organic chemistry combined with wave propagation. The only exciting one was a pyrotechnics course where we went to Sandia National Labs (SNL) on the last day of class and set off a lot of the materials we had been studying. The rest is just a whole bunch of partial differential equations (PDE). However, once I’m done and can get back into weapons design, let’s just say that test day is a blast! So, **Half Man,** find any new levels yet??? ETA: Wow, **Green Eyed Stranger** , you used .6% of all your posts, or 17 days worth of posts to respond to me. I feel honored. ---
**Author:** ![Tenebras](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/977dab/32.png) [@Tenebras](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tenebras)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2008, 6:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fabulous-online-physics-based-game/457233/272 "2008-08-01T18:25:33Z")
[QUOTE=sturmhauke] Here’s my simple solution: [scissor lift](http://FantasticContraption.com/?designId=152440) [/QUOTE] [Similar idea.](http://FantasticContraption.com/?designId=177291) I put in the triangle brake to be more environmentally friendly. Balls stay in the red, and no pollution. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Tenebras](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/977dab/32.png) [@Tenebras](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tenebras)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2008, 6:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fabulous-online-physics-based-game/457233/273 "2008-08-01T18:33:25Z")
[QUOTE=Tenebras] [Similar idea.](http://FantasticContraption.com/?designId=177291) I put in the triangle brake to be more environmentally friendly. Balls stay in the red, and no pollution. 🙂 [/QUOTE] Missed the edit window… Just because I like “green” solutions. In this case with no wheels and no pollution. All in one tidy package. I think this might be minimal: 4 sticks, no wheels. I’d love to see a solution with only 3 sticks, though. [Gravitree](http://FantasticContraption.com/?designId=177443) ---
**Author:** ![Tenebras](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/977dab/32.png) [@Tenebras](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tenebras)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2008, 7:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fabulous-online-physics-based-game/457233/274 "2008-08-01T19:25:25Z")
Nevermind. That level can be done in 3. Right now I’m 2 pixels away from actually accomplishing that, but I’m sure it can be done. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Tenebras](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/977dab/32.png) [@Tenebras](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tenebras)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2008, 7:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fabulous-online-physics-based-game/457233/275 "2008-08-01T19:42:39Z")
Only 3 sticks this time. It’s a bit slow, but it gets the job done. [Gravitree](http://FantasticContraption.com/?designId=178423) ---
**Author:** ![Don\_t\_fight\_the\_hypothetical](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/59ef9b/32.png) [@Don\_t\_fight\_the\_hypothetical](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Don_t_fight_the_hypothetical)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2008, 11:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fabulous-online-physics-based-game/457233/276 "2008-08-01T23:13:05Z")
[QUOTE=Tenebras] Only 3 sticks this time. It’s a bit slow, but it gets the job done. [Gravitree](http://FantasticContraption.com/?designId=178423) [/QUOTE] Niiiiice. ---
**Author:** ![Green\_Eyed\_Stranger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/919ad9/32.png) [@Green\_Eyed\_Stranger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Green_Eyed_Stranger)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2008, 5:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fabulous-online-physics-based-game/457233/277 "2008-08-02T05:38:39Z")
[QUOTE=Santo Rugger] [http://infohost.nmt.edu/~mecheng/explosiveProgram.pdf](http://infohost.nmt.edu/~mecheng/explosiveProgram.pdf) [http://infohost.nmt.edu/~grad/](http://infohost.nmt.edu/~grad/) [http://infohost.nmt.edu/~mecheng/webpage.htm](http://infohost.nmt.edu/~mecheng/webpage.htm) The courses are mostly organic chemistry combined with wave propagation. The only exciting one was a pyrotechnics course where we went to Sandia National Labs (SNL) on the last day of class and set off a lot of the materials we had been studying. The rest is just a whole bunch of partial differential equations (PDE). However, once I’m done and can get back into weapons design, let’s just say that test day is a blast! So, **Half Man,** find any new levels yet??? ETA: Wow, **Green Eyed Stranger** , you used .6% of all your posts, or 17 days worth of posts to respond to me. I feel honored. [/QUOTE] Hey no problem 😃 It does look like an interesting course, although I do get my fill of explosives during the 4th. This year and last year I’ve been helping shoot the Topeka, KS display. $25,000 worth of pyro, up to 8" shells (we had 10" shells last year, but the site was moved, and there wasn’t enough clearance). ---
**Author:** ![Half\_Man\_Half\_Wit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/half_man_half_wit/32/21766_2.png) [@Half\_Man\_Half\_Wit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Half_Man_Half_Wit)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2008, 9:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fabulous-online-physics-based-game/457233/278 "2008-08-02T09:19:38Z")
[QUOTE=Santo Rugger] So, **Half Man,** find any new levels yet??? [/QUOTE] Need a fix, do ya? They always come back. I’ve only managed to find another [one](http://fantasticcontraption.com/?designId=39350), and while it looks nicely challenging, it doesn’t have a ‘winning condition’ – i.e. there’s no pink thingy in it, so we’d have to make do with pretending that blue ball was pink… ---
**Author:** ![Apophenia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a3d4f5/32.png) [@Apophenia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Apophenia)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2008, 10:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fabulous-online-physics-based-game/457233/279 "2008-08-02T22:24:59Z")
Are there any green solutions for Tube? I mean, I saw earlier that there were, but for the life of me I can’t find any sufficiently well-labeled ones in the list. Also, this game, at least for me, is eighty thousand times more fun to watch other people’s results than to actually play myself. Kept thinking too simple and it got frustrating fast. ---
**Author:** ![Tenebras](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/977dab/32.png) [@Tenebras](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tenebras)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2008, 10:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fabulous-online-physics-based-game/457233/280 "2008-08-02T22:41:24Z")
There are some that are gravity powered and use wheels. For instance, here: > **[Fantastic Contraption: A fun online physics puzzle game](http://fantasticcontraption.com/?designId=3697)** > > An online flash puzzle game where you build whimsical machines to solve each level. Save your contraptions and share them with your friends. Free! It doesn’t work anymore, but it did at one point. You can see the idea, anyway, and it would be easy enough to fix. This type of thing I consider to be a total cop-out on the “no-wheel” idea… Basically the same as the previous, but with a much more clever lifting mechanism: > **[Fantastic Contraption: A fun online physics puzzle game](http://fantasticcontraption.com/?designId=92866)** > > An online flash puzzle game where you build whimsical machines to solve each level. Save your contraptions and share them with your friends. Free! I found these on the forums on the site, didn’t make them myself. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fabulous-online-physics-based-game/457233.md?page=13) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fabulous-online-physics-based-game/457233.md?page=15)