Circuit ConductorCircuit ConductorJames KaletaJames Kaleta

CS 495CS 495

OverviewOverviewCircuit Conductor is a maze game based Circuit Conductor is a maze game based around the concept of electron flow traveling around the concept of electron flow traveling through a circuit. The player guides a “spark”, through a circuit. The player guides a “spark”, the visual representation onscreen of the head the visual representation onscreen of the head of the electron flow, through the circuit maze. of the electron flow, through the circuit maze. The goal is to get the flow from the negative The goal is to get the flow from the negative end of the power source through the wires to end of the power source through the wires to the positive end, thus completing the circuit. the positive end, thus completing the circuit.

Primary Game ObjectsPrimary Game Objects The playerThe player

Bad sparksBad sparks

Light bulbsLight bulbs

Power-upsPower-upsBy lighting up certain numbers of bulbs, the player can receive By lighting up certain numbers of bulbs, the player can receive additional abilities:additional abilities:

At least 3 bulbs – (At least 3 bulbs – (SS)peed-up gives the player temporarily )peed-up gives the player temporarily increased speed. Can be used simultaneously with any of the increased speed. Can be used simultaneously with any of the other abilities.other abilities.

4 or 5 bulbs – (4 or 5 bulbs – (DD)efense gives the player temporary )efense gives the player temporary invincibility but will not harm enemies in collisions. Defense invincibility but will not harm enemies in collisions. Defense and Force Field cannot be used at the same time. and Force Field cannot be used at the same time.

6 or more bulbs – (6 or more bulbs – (FF)orce Field gives the player a one-time )orce Field gives the player a one-time shield against being hit by a spark. Unlike Defense, this will shield against being hit by a spark. Unlike Defense, this will destroy the first spark that touches the player and has no destroy the first spark that touches the player and has no effective time limit. effective time limit.

Movement RestrictionMovement Restriction

Based on ideas where tilemap tiles can be Based on ideas where tilemap tiles can be “open” or “blocked”, came up with potential “open” or “blocked”, came up with potential ways to accomplish this:ways to accomplish this:

Surround “open” tiles with “blocked” tiles & Surround “open” tiles with “blocked” tiles & extend their area of effect.extend their area of effect.

Have tiny “blocked” tiles present in every Have tiny “blocked” tiles present in every “open” tile.“open” tile.

Movement Restriction contin’dMovement Restriction contin’d

Eventually decided to simply only allow game Eventually decided to simply only allow game Objects to move in certain directions once Objects to move in certain directions once placed on a tile since objects can only move in placed on a tile since objects can only move in a very limited number of directions on each a very limited number of directions on each tile. tile.

Game StatesGame States

Titlescreen

Game loop

Optionsscreen

Pause

Player reaches exit, levels remaining = 0

Player dies

Game over

Lives remaining > 0

Lives remaining = 0

Defenseless player runs into bad guy

Player reaches exit, levels remaining > 0

Player quits

Player starts game

Exit game

Player quits

Game States contin’dGame States contin’d

Top level game loop uses a game state Top level game loop uses a game state manager which contains a stack of game manager which contains a stack of game states. The GameState interface is states. The GameState interface is implemented by classes representing the title implemented by classes representing the title screen, options screen, each level of the game, screen, options screen, each level of the game, etc.etc.

GraphicsEnvironment & GraphicsEnvironment & GraphicsConfiguration GraphicsConfiguration

These classes can be used to return images in a These classes can be used to return images in a format compatible with your graphics format compatible with your graphics environment.environment.

Calamities, Disasters, & Other Calamities, Disasters, & Other ConspiraciesConspiracies

Chest pains, aches, and breathing difficultiesChest pains, aches, and breathing difficulties CPU fan failure, replacement part 1 monthCPU fan failure, replacement part 1 month Ergonomic chairsErgonomic chairs Trip to Emergency RoomTrip to Emergency Room

Positive outcome: Learnt better time Positive outcome: Learnt better time management skills due to limitations from management skills due to limitations from injury.injury.

Questions…?Questions…?