Dust Transmission by nothingjustaworld

made by nothingjustaworld for Ludum Dare 59 (JAM)

Link the Mars base to the endpoint using a chain of signal beacons to successfully transmit data to orbit.

Monitor your signal strength and beacon inventory carefully to avoid losing your way. Navigate using an outdated satellite map (Tab) — you can only place a single custom waypoint (Left Click) to guide your path. Push through a severe dust storm that severs any connection not in the direct line-of-sight of your beacons. If you lose your bearings completely, press Escape to open the main menu and start over. Controls

W, A, S, D: Drive rover

Space / E: Deploy signal beacon

Tab: Open satellite map

Left Mouse Button (on map): Place navigation waypoint

Escape: Main Menu / Restart

Credits

Butterfly by Kate Kody is licensed under a Attribution 4.0 International License. https://freemusicarchive.org/music/kate-kody/prosecco-cafe-1/butterfly-1/

Harfenzwischenspiel by Serat is licensed under a Attribution 4.0 International License. https://freemusicarchive.org/music/serat/flow-sessions/harfenzwischenspiel/

Link	https://nothingjustaworld.itch.io/dust-transmission
Link	https://nothingjustaworld.itch.io/dust-transmission
Original URL	https://ldjam.com/events/ludum-dare/59/dust-transmission

Ratings

Overall	785^th	2.848⭐	25🧑‍⚖️
Fun	798^th	2.522⭐	25🧑‍⚖️
Innovation	709^th	2.848⭐	25🧑‍⚖️
Theme	624^th	3.283⭐	25🧑‍⚖️
Graphics	640^th	3.217⭐	25🧑‍⚖️
Audio	543^th	2.636⭐	24🧑‍⚖️
Humor	632^th	2.05⭐	22🧑‍⚖️
Mood	656^th	3.196⭐	25🧑‍⚖️
Given		22🗳️	19🗨️

Feedback

LDJam user 426074

Apr 21st · 13:27 UTC

Really strong take on the “Signal” theme — turning it into a physical chain of beacons is a great mechanic, not just a concept. Planning your route and managing limited beacons creates real tension, especially with the line-of-sight restriction during the storm.

Really liked next

Line-of-sight as a constraint — very solid and meaningful.
Resource management (beacons) adds pressure and decision-making.
Limited navigation (single waypoint) forces you to think ahead.

baknik

Apr 22nd · 13:39 UTC

I'm always impressed when someone manages 3d graphics

LDJam user 427605

Apr 22nd · 13:44 UTC

I couldn't fully understand the game.
I was driving around Mars, breathing in dust, trying to maintain my signal.
I could roughly figure out where to go from the map.
Overall, it was well done; the only thing missing was a clear end goal.

Thank you for your game!

🎤 nothingjustaworld

Apr 22nd · 21:05 UTC

@yarcha Thanks for the feedback! Sadly, I ran out of time for a lot of things. Completely forgot to point out that you have to drive onto the marked platform on the map and wait for the data transfer.

Zwi Zausch

Apr 23rd · 01:46 UTC

So moody and dusty, nicely done! I didn't understand some objectives that well but I kinda liked it. I think the Objectives could be explained a bit better. The map didn't really help to understand where you need to go (or at least I didnt get it). Would be cool to be able to rotate the camera to be able to navigate the surroundings a bit better.
Driving games are fun though, reminded me a bit of the rover sections in Mass Effect.

someone

Apr 26th · 00:11 UTC

Cool idea. I like the pixelated effect with low signal.
I didn't realise there was a line-of-sight requirement at first and thought the linux build was just broken when the screen went blank.
It would have been useful to pan the camera around to check the visibility.
The map was somewhat misleading as placing a marker didn't seem to do anything at all, but I eventually found the target after looking closer at the topology.

apt_prose7

Apr 26th · 08:26 UTC

Simple but fun, worth trying.

Itero Proto

Apr 26th · 09:25 UTC

I was bored. 😢

AXLplosion

Apr 27th · 09:56 UTC

First run I ran out of beacons, second run I got stuck in the terrain, so I had to just give up, BUT I actually really liked it. The idea is simple but novel, and I think there's a lot of potential here. I think you really captured the essence of being a rover on a distant planet! Really nice work.

LDJam user 407703

Apr 27th · 13:24 UTC

Good driving physics, the vehicle really feels like it has weight to it. I would also love to be able to move the camera freely a bit more, just to admire the vehicle itself.

I ran into an issue a few times on the way to the first beacon where the screen suddenly turned completely black, and only the UI remained visible, like the speed display.

Still, its a good concept and a nice interpretation of the theme!

Ben Morledge-Hampton

Apr 27th · 19:09 UTC

I really like the tone of this entry. Driving around in a Martian dust storm with while some chill techno music sets a really nice mood. That being said, I wish the gameplay had a bit more going for it. The basic idea has potential, but it needs more mechanics to help the player navigate. I was never able to see the waypoints I set on the map in-game, and the terrain just wasn't distinct enough to navigate by topography alone... Adding more landmarks or other methods of navigation would make this experience a lot more interesting.

VenomousMouse

Apr 28th · 07:14 UTC

A bit dusty, but in general, solid idea for exploration game.

Gecko64

Apr 29th · 12:27 UTC

I enjoyed the atmosphere of being on the planet! The camera following the car could be improved a little and maybe the direction of what I'm actually meant to be doing. Other than that good job!

Allax

May 04th · 09:10 UTC

I love the Mako missions from Me - similar vibe

Shram

May 07th · 21:26 UTC

The concept isn't bad, but the execution fell a little short.