Map
You are underwater. Each player is a fish. You’re trying to eat stuff smaller than you, and not get eaten by stuff bigger than you.
Objective
Become as large as possible. (Is there a maximum size when the game stops? That doesn’t feel great.)
Input/Action
A two-button game.
- Left button = shoot forward using your left tentacle ( = forward and rotate right)
- Right button = shoot forward using your right tentacle ( = forward and rotate left)
You generally float and rotate with the streams within the water. (These are gentle, except during special periods.)
Alternatively, a one-button game.
- While holding, you rotate (quickly)
- When you release, you shoot forward in your current direction
Why not the default system? Default movement controls are not ideal, because
- Takes 4 buttons on keyboard, more space on mobile
- No way to speed up, or be skillful with movement, and it feels restrictive
The new system requires fewer buttons/UI. It also allows more skillful movement, if you master it.
Design
You are a jellyfish.
- You can hit bigger fish with your underside, to stun them and allow taking a bit/weakening them
- But your topside is very vulnerable (to bigger fish)
There are sources in the water that change your movement (speed, turn radius, etc.) So picking those up can help vary movement and flee patterns.
Multiplayer
It’s cooperative. That’s the only way this works on mobile (where screen-space and finger-space is very limited).
Multiplayer: allow dropping in/out on a whim.
- Just add an extra fish
- And on mobile, an extra joystick