LudumData

Lightspeed Explorer by PolGM

[raw]
made by PolGM for Ludum Dare 59 (JAM)

PITCH:

Travel among the star at Lightspeed to find the origin of an unknown signal.

Feel the effects of lightspeed travel: length contraction, color shift from Doppler effect, relative time...!

CONTROLS:

  • Hold W or S to accelerate / slow down (warning : at high speed, slowing down takes time!)
  • Hold A or D to turn left and right ("yaw") around Z axis
  • Hold Q or E to bend up and down ("pitch")

OBJECTIVE:

Move into space to find the signal source location.

Find the correct direction by looking at the signal strength on the left!

SCREENSHOTS:

  • Starry space: MoteurRelativiste_0.gif

  • Length contraction when accelerating: MoteurRelativiste_1-ezgif.com-optimize.gif

  • Doppler shift (color change): MoteurRelativiste_2-ezgif.com-optimize.gif

MUSIC:

"Comfortable Mystery" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License ( http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ )

Original URL https://ldjam.com/events/ludum-dare/59/lightspeed-explorer

Ratings

Given 3🗳️ 5🗨️

Feedback

kr4ft3r
Apr 20th · 16:49 UTC
Looking forward to try this when it's ready, good luck
pres2300
Apr 21st · 00:17 UTC
Very well done on the visuals and the ambience of the game! It took me a bit to realize what I was doing, but I got the hang of it after a bit. I did have to restart the game once because I didn't realize you maintained your speed and didn't have to hold W or S. I think I ended up at a very high speed that seemed impossible to get slowed down again. My second try was a lot more successful. Nice work!
LDJam user 409682
Apr 21st · 00:57 UTC
Wow, I really liked the idea. I love space themes, and everything here feels very scientific. Definitely respect for that!
on_ne
Apr 21st · 01:09 UTC
This is a great concept. Exploring deep space — the atmosphere of the universe is fantastic. When I first saw it, I was genuinely impressed. But the gameplay feels a bit repetitive. Also, the waveform doesn't change much, which makes it even harder to figure out your position.

And finally, there's the control scheme — it's a bit hard to get used to. I think 'W' and 'S' for up and down, and the spacebar for forward, would work better. As for reverse — I don't think a spaceship should even have that function.
Destr
Apr 21st · 15:48 UTC
Great job. Nice atmosphere. Solid visual technique. I found the signal source. The only thing I'd wish for is a more generous reward at the end; it would be great to find something unusual at the signal source.
ieee333
Apr 29th · 03:31 UTC
Stunning visuals and concepts. I'm a huge fan of this premise and atmosphere.