ALL IN THE BUCKET
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All In the Bucket is a fast-paced arcade skill game focused on precision throws, physics-based bounces, and high-risk combo scoring. Master the arc of each throw, adapt to a constantly changing arena, and survive as obstacles, enemies, and difficulty scale over time.

GAMEPLAY OVERVIEW
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Move your player freely around the arena.
Pick up the ball and throw it toward the moving bucket.
Score more points by landing clean center shots and chaining combos.
Use physics, wall bounces, and obstacle ricochets to your advantage.
Avoid enemies; they can steal the ball and break your combo.
Miss too many shots or lose all lives, and the game ends.
Every throw matters. One bad bounce can cost everything.

CORE FEATURES
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Physics-based ball movement with gravity and reflection
Combo-driven scoring system with decay timers

Multiple ball types that change gameplay:
Normal Ball - Balanced and reliable
Heavy Ball - Strong impact and higher gravity
Bouncy Ball - Extra rebounds and speed
Timed Ball - High-risk, high-reward with a countdown

Dynamic power-ups unlocked through combos:
Slow Motion
Magnet Bucket
Triple Score
Auto-Aim Assist

Moving bucket with changing patterns
Breakable and unbreakable obstacles
Hostile enemies that interfere with play
Difficulty increases the longer you survive

SCORING AND COMBOS
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Landing the ball in the center of the bucket increases your combo.
Combos increase score multipliers and unlock power-ups.
Combos decay over time if you do not score again.
Extra bounces before scoring add bonus points.
Mistakes will reset your combo.
High scores require precision, timing, and controlled risk.

CONTROLS
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Keyboard:
Arrow Keys - Move player
Space - Throw straight
P - Pause or resume
R - Restart game
Q or Esc - Quit game

Mouse:
Left Click - Aim and throw toward the cursor

LIVES AND FAILURE
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You start with a limited number of lives.
You lose a life if:
The ball leaves the screen
A timed ball expires
An enemy interferes during active play
The game ends when all lives are lost.

TECHNICAL NOTES
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Built with VB.NET using Windows Forms
Fixed timestep game loop for consistent physics
Deterministic physics-based collisions
Keyboard and mouse supported
Runs as a single executable with no external dependencies

DIFFICULTY SCALING
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Obstacles move faster over time
The bucket gradually shrinks as your score increases
More enemies and obstacles appear as you progress
Success requires adaptation, not just fast reactions

GOAL
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There is no final level.
Score as high as possible.
Master the physics.
Beat your best run.

TIPS
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Controlled throws are more reliable than powerful ones.
Bounces can help or hurt depending on timing.
Do not chase risky combos in a crowded arena.
Timed balls offer high rewards but high risk.
Where every bounce counts.

CREDITS
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Design & Development:
    PeatSoft & AI
    https://hwiegman.home.xs4all.nl/perfectcenterbucket.html
    hwiegman@xs4all.nl
