Accessible Gameplay

Hawking Radiation is an easy puzzle game gradually introducing new mechanics to increase difficulty while maintaining a simple yet effective gameplay, accessible to all.

The player is tasked with annihilating two particles launched periodically from 2 different points on the level with a set trajectory.
To achieve this goal, the player needs to place different elements on the level to redirect the particles and put them on a collision course, once they are annihilated, the player moves on to the next level, gradually increasing in difficulty.

After a certain amount of levels in which the player will familiarize himself with the mechanic, he will progress to a new chapter introducing another mechanic.
Past a certain threshold, the levels will combine all the previously introduced mechanics, allowing for engaging and more difficult puzzles, culminating in the last chapter where the player’s reflection and analysis of the level will be put to the test.

This approach to puzzle solving mobile games has been effective in the past as it allows a huge audience to invest time in the game while procuring a sense of accomplishment when solving the more difficult levels.

Mechanics

I Bouncing Wall :
The first mechanic the player is introduced to is the bouncing wall.
On each level a set number of bouncing wall can be placed and oriented anywhere on the level, to change the trajectory of a particle and allowing the player to set it on a collision course with the other. To gradually increase difficulty, more than one bouncing wall can be placed.
After a few levels the player will have the power to destroy walls already placed on the level, each will have a set amount of destruction points.
The next levels will then combine destruction and placement of bouncing walls, the player will have a set amount of destruction point and will gain a bouncing wall to place back on the level after destroying it.

II Slowing Gate :
The second mechanic the player is introduced to is the slowing gate.
This mechanic will let the player place a gate that will slow down the particle passing through, its placement needs to be precise as the player will need to get the right timing for the particles to annihilate each other.
The next levels will then combine destruction and placement of slowing gates, the player will have a set amount of destruction point and will gain a slowing gate to place back on the level after destroying it.
It is then possible to combine this mechanic with the previous one offering more options of level design, with a set number of destruction points working on all elements giving even more level diversity as the player will need to carefully choose which one to destroy in order to complete the level.

III Accelerating Gate :
The third mechanic the player is introduced to is the accelerating gate.
This mechanic will let the player place a gate that will accelerate the particle passing through, its placement needs to be precise as the player will need to get the right timing for the particles to annihilate each other.
The next levels will then combine destruction and placement of accelerating gates, the player will have a set amount of destruction point and will gain a slowing gate to place back on the level after destroying it.
It is then possible to combine this mechanic with the previous ones offering more options of level design, with a set number of destruction points working on all elements giving even more level diversity as the player will need to carefully choose which one to destroy in order to complete the level.

IV Gravitational Well :
The fourth mechanic the player is introduced to is the gravitational well.
This mechanic will require precision on the player’s behalf. It will act as a mean to redirect the particle, and slingshotting it in another direction according the proximity of the gravitational well, however it if the particle passes the event horizon of the gravitational well it will be sucked in and destroyed.
The next levels will then combine destruction and placement of gravitational well, the player will have a set amount of destruction point and will gain a gravitational well to place back on the level after destroying it.
It is then possible to combine this mechanic with the previous ones offering more options of level design, with a set number of destruction points working on all elements giving even more level diversity as the player will need to carefully choose which one to destroy in order to complete the level.

V Second Pair of particles :
Combining all previous mechanics, these levels will add another pair of particles to annihilate, however this second pair of particles will be of a different color.
The player will need to make a particle of a pair avoid one from the other pair as each particle needs to be annihilated by its counter part, offering the ultimate challenge. It is in this last chapter of the game that it reaches its full potential in terms of gameplay, level design and puzzle solving.

Screenshots (Game in production, available soon)