Mach-Arena
Menu Systems
The main
menu of Mach-Arena is themed and
immersive. It all takes place in the cockpit of one of the game’s combat
vehicles. Different menu sections are represented by monitors in the cockpit
that the camera orients itself to face.
In the
background of the cockpit (through the glass dome), AI controlled vehicles are
engaged in combat to create ambience. The monitors are inactive and “turned
off” until a menu option is selected, which is when the camera changes its view
to face a specific monitor. When it does, the monitor “turns on” with an
animated flash of white and an interface that takes position on the screen (in
relation to the camera view).
To make up for
potential screen resolution errors, a tiled background or black panel will be
used to cover up negative space.
Main Screen
On startup, players are initially
greeted with a “Press Spacebar” style screen. The text is in the center of the
screen. Text along the bottom of the screen reads “Mach-Arena is a student project developed at the Pennsylvania College
of Technology by Group Two in association with Yotes Games ™ for educational
purposes.”
Upon input confirmation, four
buttons, the game title logo, and developer credits become visible. All the
while, dynamic AI combat is taking place in the background.
Options
If the options button is clicked,
the camera turns to face a monitor that reveals this menu. Here is where various control options may be
changed. Because of the game’s forced resolution and system requirements,
controls are the only options to alter here. A button is located here to take
players back to the main menu.
Additionally, a button that
deletes a player’s accumulated points and rewards may be placed here. It would essentially
wipe the game clean and start a new profile.
There are two control options to
choose from but all inputs have control over the same actions. The options are
slightly different in terms of ergonomics and convenience. Players can switch
controls whenever they like. The actions are: slow down, speed up, dodge left,
dodge right, use item, shoot, move left (tunnel), move right (tunnel), aim
ship, and turn ship. There is a radio switch that determines how ships enter
alternate paths in tunnels via one of three input options. The only current
compatible input device for this game is the mouse & keyboard.
Tutorial
The tutorial is a simplified
instruction manual. It uses a series of images accompanied by, and decorated
with, very little text. It explains the basics of playing the game for new
players in a straightforward and visually appealing way.
The player can toggle through the
tutorial “pages” with buttons and exit to the main menu.
Deathmatch
Selecting the deathmatch option
takes the player to the customization menu. This is the menu that displays how much currency a player has. In the customization menu, players
can select a ship of their choosing, unlock new choices with accumulated
currency, and allocate skill points for the match.
If no skill points are allocated,
they are evenly distributed starting from the topmost number and downward.
Another possible solution is to not have the continue button display itself
until all points are distributed.
A 3D model of the player's customized ship is visible to give a visual representation of the selections. It automatically rotates slowly to be seen from all sides.
After the player’s ship is
customized, the camera turns toward the match launch menu. The player needs
only to press the big launch button for the game to begin. In this menu players
can alter the number of computer opponents to face and their initial difficulty
level.
When the launch button is pressed,
the camera faces the glass dome of the cockpit again. It then rushes toward it
while fading to either white or black. The game uses this time to load. When
the match is ready, the player ship is seen speeding down a tunnel for a few
seconds. Just as the vehicle leaves the tunnel, the player assumes control and
the game begins.
Gameplay
H.U.D.
The health and boost meters are in
the bottom corner (with health on top) leading into the power-up slot where the
current equipped power-up is displayed. A mini-map is present in the opposite
corner, leaving lots of space for gameplay.
When a shield item is used, a
shield meter overlaps the health bar. All bars deplete to the right. In the top
corner, an icon indicating the help button is displayed.
When the user toggles the help
screen, two information boxes appear, one with a list of the current controls
and another displaying everyone’s ranking in the current match and their kills,
deaths, and general score.
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