[center][size=150][url=http://i.imgur.com/7U8o1.jpg]NAVIGATOR - Starter's Guide (LARGE IMAGE WARNING!)[/url][/size] [The Starter's Guide is also included in the beta, in a non-JPG format.][/center] [i]NAVIGATOR[/i] is a [b]puzzle[/b] game being designed for the [b]PC[/b], with the [b]XBOX 360[/b], [b]Windows Phone 7[/b], and the [b]iPhone[/b] for later release. The gameplay can be compared to a cross between an upside-down [i]Bust-a-Move[/i] with elements from [i]Tetris Plus, Super Puzzle Fighter II Turbo,[/i] and [i]Puyo Pop/Dr. Robotnik's Mean Bean Machine.[/i] The goal of the game is to keep your player character on your playing field safe from harm. You do this by keeping your game field as low as possible so he doesn't get squished by the ceiling-- this is done by shooting colored blocks at the field of colored blocks under the player character and matching up colors. NAVIGATOR uses a dual-style control format, as you control both the player character and the “cannon” object that fires blocks down onto the screen. There are also cooperative and competitive options. There are 4 confirmed gameplay modes: [b]Endless Mode[/b] (a neverending wave of blocks as you see how long your player can survive), [b]Competitive Mode[/b] (2-4 players play against each other to make the other player's character die first), [b]Puzzle Mode[/b] (predetermined fields that must be solved by navigating your player character to a goal, as the roof slowly falls), and [b]Puzzle Challenge[/b] (a twist on Puzzle mode that adds additional rules to each puzzle for further difficulty). [i]Read the Starter's Guide for more detailed information![/i] [center][size=150][b][url=http://pixelxcore.net/index.php?action=games;sa=info;gid=1]GET THE BETA HERE![/url] [/b][/size][/center] [color=#FF0000][i]PLEASE REMEMBER TO READ THE README EXTENSIVELY BEFORE YOU ATTEMPT TO PLAY. OTHERWISE, IT IS LIKELY THAT YOU WILL ENCOUNTER GAME CRASHES.[/i][/color] -- MISCELLANEOUS SCREENSHOTS: [spoiler][img]http://i.imgur.com/3zsD4.png[/img] [img]http://i.imgur.com/s8OAa.png[/img][/spoiler] -- NAVIGATOR OST - Decision (Main Menu) [youtube]b95iz3A0gy4[/youtube] -- Gameplay footage of the v1.0 beta [youtube]TqfR9HTysMM[/youtube] The beta version of Navigator only includes Endless mode. It is an incomplete product and is missing features. The final product will release sometime in Q3 2011, and will cost $5.

interesting choice of gameplay to go with, and luckily easy to realize and pick up upon immediately playing got to say, though, i rarely even thought about the guy moving around until it was too late also kudos to the musician, very nice music put together!

Very attractive and polished-looking visuals. I'll give the demo a try.

[quote="DJ Yoshiman"]got to say, though, i rarely even thought about the guy moving around until it was too late[/quote] This beta is mostly just simple core mechanics. It's a way for us to get advice on the basics of the game, and what people would like to see in more advanced versions. I plan on giving Nav more abilities, it's all a matter of figuring out what balances well with the game and what makes it too easy. This game is meant to be "easy to get into, but tough to master," encouraging practice, score chasing, and competitive play. Thanks for the comments!

I found that trying to do anything with Nav is very inefficient, and instead focusing on the block cannon is the key to success, while just making sure that Nav is at the lowest possible spot. For me at least. I don't think it was intended to be like this, so good luck with the additional abilities for Nav.

Thanks! I'll be doing a lot of experimenting within the next week or two on new abilities and such to improve his efficiency. His block push is used mainly to get himself out of traps without going up a row, but if you use it in combos, you'll get a 1.5x point boost. On an unrelated note, the first post has been updated with a gameplay video.

I'm totally agreeing with what Guinea said here, but it's an appealing concept that I'd love to see expanded upon. You might want to release a version without the extra installers for people who have them, though.

i think i asked this before, but any possibility for an Android platform port?

I would absolutely love to make an Android port, but that's more something to look into for the future. The main platforms right now are PC, 360 XBLIG, and Windows Phone 7. After that, we'll be working on an iPhone port; but if we can find a Droid programmer during the development cycle, there'll be a marginally higher chance for a Droid version. Anyway, there'll be a new beta coming out soon!

UPDATE! The high score system is now [u]fully operational[/u]. Right now it's limited to 5 ranks per difficulty. Rank is determined by score, time, and size of combo. You can even input a personal name for your high score. One of Nav's new abilities is the Power Climb. It has been implemented into the game and it handles great. The formerly-unused W key is used to climb on top of blocks. The second ability, the Nav Leap will be added in a couple days, it needs graphics right now which I'll be doing on Monday. The crosshair now changes color based on the color that's loaded into the cannon. The new beta will bring upon [b]one new level[/b] for Endless Mode-- complete with its own theme and field structure. The new beta will be releasing by next week or the week after.

[b]Here's what to expect from the next public build of Navigator.[/b] [list] [*]Fully playable Nav, with all of his confirmed abilities: Block Push, Power Climb, and Nav Leap. Power Climb allows Nav to climb on top of a block stacked his height (1 block), and Nav Leap allows Nav to jump across 1-block gaps, in contrast to forcing the player to drop blocks to climb, potentially ruining combos and slowing down the player's activity. [*]Nav is getting a point buff; performing a Push Cluster (creating a cluster by pushing a block into place) will net the player a 1.5x point multiplier for the cluster-- perfect for you strategic score chasers. [*]3 levels to experience: Energy Cells, Field of Cogs, and Energy Cells Type-B(temp), each one with their own predetermined field setup. Sick of starting with a blank field? Play Field of Cogs or Energy Cells Type-B, and start the match with a small field area already set up for you. [*]Field of Cogs and Energy Cells contain their own backgrounds, playing fields, and themes-- both of them presenting a totally unique flavor, and slightly different gameplay experiences. [*]The ability to switch between playing as Nav and playing as "Alter-Nav," an alternate version of Nav in a red vest, in contrast to his current navy blue vest. (Alter-Nav is the default skin for player 2's Nav in the Competitive Modes.) [*]Functional Options menu, allowing you to configure the controls to your liking. [*]Enhances to gameplay and aesthetic.[/list] The new beta is dropping next week. Look forward to it, it's gonna be sweet.

Sounds interesting. I'll definitely give it a try when it's available.

Hey guys, [url=http://pixelxcore.net/index.php?action=games;sa=info;gid=1]The Navigator v1.1 beta is now available for download![/url] Be sure to read the readme packaged in the game-- it contains some very important change notes, and if you haven't played the game yet, details on making sure you get it to run properly!

So, which one of you played the beta? Got any comments to leave? Let us know! The more we hear from the players, the better we can make the game before it releases.

Oh rats! I totally forgot about your latest update, because on June 5 I was busy finishing up my MGC entry. I'm downloading it as we speak, and I'll tell you what I think later.

Again, looking pretty nice. I'm glad you've added a high scores feature. Still, the action moves awfully fast, giving you little chance to actually use Nav and his abilities.

I don't necessarily think the action is too fast-- it depends on both the difficulty level and the aptitude of the player. It takes a little bit of practice to use Nav's abilities effectively, but once you do you'll notice a much greater sense of control over the field and the ability to greatly increase your overall score. The push and Power Climb abilities are really your greatest tools on the field, especially when you start performing Push Clusters (pushing a block that forms a cluster) and scoring bonus points for it, then turning those Push Clusters into combos, etc. I feel that Navigator is the type of game that you don't have to play a specific way, but learning the high-level play is ultimately rewarding.

Hey guys, here's an update-- this time it's about music! [youtube]HbMfHemqpeA[/youtube] [youtube]CIL8uGjDATI[/youtube] Tuned In is a brand new song that's for a level that isn't in the beta. ;) You can download the songs straight from Mediafire in the video's description if you like them!