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Tectonic Shift .hectate 01/30/2010 - 12:47 EST Tectonic Shift is a idea that developed when I remembered playing the great Continuity platformer (go try it, I'll still be here when you get back). In this 2D platformer game, the player is presented with a wide (say 4x1 ratio, like the original Flash version of Canabalt) playing field that scrolls left or right with the player. Each level consists of a cave where vertical sections of it are continually scrolling up or downward. The design, width, and scroll speed of these sections vary (but repeat vertically after a short time) and can either help or hinder the player's progress. Some sections are stationary and do not move to provide a "safe house" for the player. The player has the ability to walk left or right, jump and fall. Additionally, at some point throughout the series of levels, the player is also given a "Techno Bomb". When placed, the bomb has a short timer before exploding - which causes the various moving sections of the level to slow down, reverse direction, and work back up to "full" speed again (in the opposite direction). This benefits the player by giving them a few moments of "slow motion" as well as altering the playing field. The player is given the goal of colleting gems scattered throughout the cave. Level goals can vary from collecting a certain percentage of gems, reaching the other side of the cave (with bonus points for gems collected), or other objectives. Gems are "attached" to the section they are in, which limits the collection of gems on moving sections and increases the danger (and there-by the score of skilled players) of collection. There are a couple of ways for the player to "fail" the level. First, the level goals themselves as noted above. Secondly, the bottom of the screen consists of a magma pool, which causes player death should they ride a sinking section into it or otherwise fall into it. Third the top of the screen consists of the cave roof (despite sections rising "into" it), which will crush the player if they get stuck between it and a rising section. Fourth, the players are able to get crushed between two opposing sections (however the player should be able to "squeeze through" gaps when moving). Finally, a certain proximity to the Techno Bomb can cause player death (which makes placing one a much more dangerous affair). The plot is that the player is controlling a Subterranaut, a person who travels deep into the Earth's mantle to locate precious gems. The deeper the player goes, the greater the wealth to be acquired, but also the greater the dangers he faces. |