Diminution by hexbit-jack

made by hexbit-jack for LD 43 (JAM)

This is a small prototype done over Ludum Dare 43 weekend.

You are trying to get data through a computer. You must conserve your resources while you try to get to the portal on each level. Try to get as much data through as possible.

Passing over a colored tile will deplete that corresponding resource. If you pass over a purple tile, both resources will be depleted. Data is consumed with each movement as well.

The game ends when you lose all of one resource (blue and red bars), or all of your data (green bar), or reach the final data portal.

Careful though, the board updates with each move! The logic for the board updates follows Conway's Game of Life. You can interact with the Game of Life simulation by either left or right clicking to place a blue or red tile on the board respectively. One tile placement can have a huge impact on the board.

There is no end screen so hitting Esc closes the game.

Controls:

WASD or Arrow Keys to move

Left Click: Place a Blue Tile Right Click: Place a Red Tile Esc to close

Windows	https://hexbit-studios.itch.io/diminution
Original URL	https://ldjam.com/events/ludum-dare/43/diminution

Ratings

Overall	681^th	3.237⭐	21🧑‍⚖️
Fun	836^th	2.789⭐	21🧑‍⚖️
Innovation	67^th	3.947⭐	21🧑‍⚖️
Theme	889^th	2.816⭐	21🧑‍⚖️
Graphics	897^th	2.556⭐	20🧑‍⚖️
Audio	235^th	3.559⭐	19🧑‍⚖️
Mood	724^th	3.056⭐	20🧑‍⚖️
Given		27🗳️	4🗨️

Feedback

burnedkirby

04. Dec 2018 · 02:41 UTC

Interesting concept of traversing a grid that has game-of-life tiles updating every move. Kind of a shame that there's only 3 levels but being able to manipulate the grid by adding tiles is very cool.

Pawciu

04. Dec 2018 · 02:42 UTC

First thoughts:
- I didn't know which where on the map am I
- I didn't get at first why I should place red or blue
- And the little green things that recharges the movement(green stuff), I didn't know what is it for and should i go for it (or maybe its to late for my brain)

Anyway very interesting idea, take care!

kleinzach

04. Dec 2018 · 02:43 UTC

Cool concept, and I love the idea of working conway's game of life into game mechanics. Everything works like it says on the tin, but it was hard to engage me without much going on in the way of game play, At times it just felt like I could run right through without really needing to worry. I liked the music a lot, it really put me in the right mood for the game.

XCVZXC

04. Dec 2018 · 12:03 UTC

Quite fun game with interesting mechanics. It took me a while to understand them actually. Too bad graphic is so simple (in bad meaning of simplicity).

🎤 hexbit-jack

05. Dec 2018 · 02:05 UTC

Thanks for the feedback! There's definitely a lot to do to polish this up! We are thinking of dedicating some time to make more levels and give more explanation of the overall goals of the game (in a way that isn't too "hand holdy").

skettyNmeebs

05. Dec 2018 · 02:24 UTC

This is a very interesting idea. I love the game of life, its really cool that you've managed to implement it into a game. I would love to see what becomes of this. Are you planning on continuing the idea?

Edit: the post right above me is you lmao I'm sorry. Cool idea, I'm looking forward to seeing what you come up with.

Suchista

05. Dec 2018 · 22:08 UTC

Funny concept, but it's too easy. You don't even have to place any tiles to win. Anyway, good job!

mrthee

10. Dec 2018 · 04:12 UTC

This was pretty short, but also pretty neat!

owl and jackalope

29. Dec 2018 · 02:04 UTC

Really cool idea and executed well. Life simulations are always cool to watch, but are often difficult to follow and predict down the line (at least for me). It might be cool to shift focus to making the levels a little harder, but I get to restart on that level after quickly failing (like Super Meat Boy). I can get more familiar with the starting pattern, and can plan more accordingly for subsequent attempts. Overall great game! Keep it up!

rjhelms

29. Dec 2018 · 19:42 UTC

Really cool idea, but needs to be more challenging to really be "a game" if you know what I mean - messing around with the Game of Life is fun, and this is an interesting context for it, but you can pretty much entirely ignore it and still beat all three levels without running out of resources.

Maybe that mostly has to do with the length of the game as it stands, as there's not enough time to really run down any of the meters!