ok so finally i'm releasing my game on the bbs. it was previously on itch.io (pay what you want) so if should you want to pay for it, or just want to check out the page, go here: https://catnip.itch.io/pod3x3
pod3x3 is a somewhat unusual take on the RTS genre, with the constraints of the 2 player 8 bit pico-8 console in mind. the result is something more in likeness to a fighting or dogfighting game. a game of zoning and feinting to get the upper hand of your opponent. easy to learn, hard to master. the game can be played 1 vs 1, vs AI or AI vs AI.
but first things first:
how to play pod3x3
in pod3x3, each player give orders to 3 pods each. these pods are somewhat like tanks. you cycle between your pods with button 1. with the up and down buttons, you set the active pod's throttle. with the left and right buttons, you can change the pod's direction. the pod will try to match its rotation and velocity to the selected direction and throttle, even if you cycle to another pod later.
every pod is equipped with a turret that will automatically target and shoot at the nearest enemy. when a pod is selected, you can see the turret's current range as the circle around the pod. the range is bigger the faster you go, but it is also offset so that the turret have a harder time shooting backwards. this is the key to winning the a game of pod3x3.
if you're in a bind, you can hold button 2 to activate a shield. you can only use the shield on the active pod, and the pod cannot shoot while using its shield. however, the pod only takes 1/10 of the usual damage when the shield is up. the shield uses a shared meter that regenerates when not in use.
oh and one last trick — if you press button 1 and 2 at the same time, you e-brake. e-braking resets all your pods throttle to 0.
the arena is the big white circle. if a pod moves outside the circle, the autopilot is engaged and the pod is steered back into the arena. after one minute, the arena will start shrinking, watch out!
controls
title screen
ready player — button 1
activate AI — button 2
in-game
throttle up/down — up/down
change direction — left/right
switch pod — button 1
shield — button 2
e-brake — button 1+2
keyboard
up/down/left/right — p1: arrow buttons p2: e/d/s/f
button 1 — p1: z or n p2: tab
button 2 — p1: x or m p2: q
This is GREAT! Really fun game, love the idea of having control over different units at different times, it's strategical. Is there a way to play this online, like 2-PCs multiplayer?
unfortunately not until there is official support from zep, sorry :P
i'm happy that you enjoy it!
Great concept. I haven't seen anything quite like this on Pico8 yet. I imagine this is similar to the simulators in the Ender's Game books.
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