Antares
Spell Reviewer
- Joined
- Dec 13, 2009
- Messages
- 983

"Operation Firefly: A joint project between gnomish and goblin engineers. The task was simple: Reduce the test subjects down to a subatomic size with the Ultra-Miniaturizer 3000, then fire them to the outpost on Outland, where our technicians would get them back to their original size. It was supposed to be a cost-efficient way to travel between the two planets. Well, compared to the Dark Portal, that is. Do you know how much energy it takes to keep that thing open all the time?
Anyway, the miniaturization worked perfectly. But, as it is always the case with goblin technology, the rocket malfunctioned, and now instead of arriving on Outland, the passengers are stranded somewhere in the cosmos, reduced to a subatomic size, being exposed to the interstellar medium and who knows what else.
I don't dare to imagine the lawsuit that's coming our way."
Description:
A minigame map in which you skateboard through space, create elementary particles to shoot them at your opponents, and generate force fields to deflect those coming your way.
Minigames include various goals such as "Push the monkey into the black hole" or "Evade the cosmic particle shower."
Features:
- Powerful N-body simulation algorithm* that is able to compute close to 100 particles interacting with each other and their force fields.
- "Trippy" atmosphere, accentuated by the graphics and music.
- Most well-known elementary particles: Protons, electrons, higgs bosons, mini black holes, as well as lightrays with reflection, color, and everything. However, no Ph.D. in physics required. Everything will be explained properly and gameplay is prioritized over scientific accuracy.
- Custom commands for an easy control of the player's flying discs.
- Particle Party can be played both Team vs. Team or Free for All.
Media:
"If you think you understand quantum mechanics, you don't understand quantum mechanics."
This is a video showcase of the first game mode: Cosmic Shower. The voidlord is unleashing a barrage of electrons (blue) and protons (red), which the players must attempt to dodge. Crystal generators create a high voltage field that repels the incoming electrons, allowing players to find shelter underneath.
Throughout the game, powerups spawn that heal, restore mana, or provide players ammunition for their own particle abilities. Players can use these abilities both to deflect incoming particles or to attack their opponents.
Cosmic Shower is the perfect game mode for testing controls, general mechanics, and the engine's limits. But only few game modes will revolve around evading massive numbers of particles to survive.
Status:
- The engine is working and mostly bug-free.
- The basic framework of the code has been written so that new objects, particles, game modes etc. can be easily implemented.
- Characters and spells require more work.
- The "terrain" could use some more eye-candy, although I want it to be more minimalistic so that it isn't too distracting from all the stuff that's already going on.
- There's no lobby or tutorial yet.
- Getting the controls right is essential to making such a map fun to play. Try out the map and tell me about your experience. Since there is no tutorial, make sure to watch the video above, so that you can some clue of what the hell is going on.
- Cosmic Shower performs well on my pc, but there are those who have less computing power. How well does it perform for you?
- I'm looking for co-contributors who would like to help with game modes, tutorials, heroes etc.
Attachments
Last edited: