GRAVIGATION

GRAVIGATION is a basic 2D puzzler set in outer space.

To successfully traverse space with only limited thruster fuel, the Pilot caste of the ancient Charlaud race of aliens use planetary gravitation fields to their advantage. The Charlauds have mastered the art of Gravity-Navigation, also known as Gravigation, to undertake their terra-forming "Mission". By selecting the optimal launch angle and making fine mid-course adjustments with the rocket's thrusters, the Pilots skilfully negotiate their terra-forming rockets way through each planetary system.

GRAVIGATION was made by Nick Thiele @ DBT Games - a hobbyist game developer from Newcastle Australia. GRAVIGATION started its life as a sandbox for learning but grew into something that was worth finalising as a rudimentary game. "Pick a project and see it through to completion!!!"

Bugs:
1. Gravigation was tested on a Samsung GT-I9305 with 720 x 1280 res. On smaller phones, menus are not resizing well & text is not being displayed
2. On larger phones, the "aiming line" used for take-off angle displays as black and not light-blue as intended


The Gravigation Story

The Charlauds are an alien race that have existed for billions of years. Highly dedicated & religious - they go about their one true calling in life, universal terra-forming, with zeal.

They seek to ensure that all planets within the universe that are capable of sustaining life are maintained in "The Perfect State". "The Perfect State" is typified by the state of the Earth prior to the existence of Homo-sapien.........

As these planets become too ill and corrupted to self-heal, largely due to the ill-informed actions of its "more advanced" inhabitants, the Charlauds step in to restore it to "The Perfect State". They capture an appropriately sized asteroid and send it hurtling towards the already doomed planet; all life is sacrificed as a consequence of the greed and ignorance of the ill-informed. The Charlauds send their gigantic inter-stellar rockets to the "cleansed" planet and commence their terra-forming activities, returning the planet to a beautiful, glorious, perfect state.

To achieve this, the Charlauds have mastered the art of Gravity Navigation (GRAVIGATION). From their secret location behind the solar-heart of the system they are targeting, Charlaudian "Gravigation Pilots" skillfully fly the massive terra-forming rockets from each reclaimed planet to the next using the gravity fields of the system's planets to minimise the need to consume scarce bio-friendly thruster fuel.

The best "Gravigation Pilots" are treated likes Gods by the Charlauds...

...perhaps they are the Gods of others!!??


Gravigation Gameplay & Controls

The objective is to fly the Charlaud rocket from its starting planet to a destination planet. In between, the gravity fields of neighbouring planets will affect the rocket's trajectory. The "gravitational force" exerted depends on the planet's mass...not the planet's size. Planets of the same colour have the same mass. The planet colours align with the visible spectrum of colours from Red (smallest mass) through to Violet and Pure White (greatest mass).

The Grey planets...they're peculiar! Must have something to do with the materials used in the construction of the rockets!

Before launch the rocket's take-off angle can be adjusted by swiping left or right anywhere on the screen. After launch swiping left or right fires the rocket's side thrusters enabling you to steer the rocket left or right as well. You only have limited thruster fuel - collide with fuel canisters to refuel. Asteroids present a threat! If they are in range and you have a clear shot - touch their Red cross-hair to shoot them down with your Lazer. You Lazer will take time to recharge.

The rocket may fly off the radar screen - you have limited time to fly back into radar coverage. A Red warning arrow lets you know where your rocket is & gives guidance on what steerage commands to issue.