Game Development Reference
In-Depth Information
Introducing energy cells
AMU needs some special fuel that contains energy cells floating around in space.
Each cell gives some portion of power to move and to use guns. The more acceler-
ation the protagonist has, the more energy is consumed by the Unit. In some stages
of the game, when there are a minimum number of cells, it is important to be eco-
friendly, saving some extra fuel by moving more slowly.
It is worth mentioning that the energy cells are extremely explosive; thus, many of
them can be accidentally destroyed during a firefight. They can also be shot for the
reason that if the cell is near an enemy, the intentional explosion may eliminate him.
When the Unit is out of energy, it stops; it cannot move in the automatic mode any-
more. Now, the player has to use a manual starter to move the protagonist. On the
screen, there appears a special virtual button that looks like a wagon wheel; the play-
er may rotate it using his index finger. The rotation transforms into impulses of energy;
the system works like a dynamo. By rotating the wheel pretty intensively, the player
is capable of providing the Unit with a tolerable pace. Certainly, it is much harder to
control the main character in such a state, especially if the game situation, in addition,
requires the use of weapons. But that is an emergency mode; so, it should not be
very comfortable, being created only to help find a new energy cell. Just imagine how
dramatic it may look if the protagonist is stuck in a space quagmire and the Unit is out
of energy; the player should save him literally by lending a helping hand.
