Game Project | Space Maintenance Man
Space Maintenance Man is a simple and fun puzzle game in which you will play as an astronaut moving through a complex space station, setting up wires and connecting circuits in order to fix the station's poor electrical system. During the game you'll also encounter a variety of mechanisms and terrains, which will sometimes help you in your work and sometimes hinder your progress.
Game Background
This game was inspired by imagining the work of a space station, because without the air-generated drag and gravity, astronauts could fly around the universe to do their jobs. This creates a unique type of movement - the character will keep flying in one direction until stopped by an obstacle.
The game features a simple yet fun characterisation of Astronaut Dude from the SolarBalls. In the game the player will control him as he rampages through the space station, skirting the complex terrain, setting up sections of wire and eventually delivering power to the finish line.
Game Mechanics
Electrified Wires and Nodes
The player will by default be holding a Hand-held Wires, and this wire maintains a connection between the player and the last Node.
Players cannot stand on Conductor while carrying Electrified Wires.
Electrified Nodes electrify nearby Conductors.
Endpoint
Players need to carry Electrified Wires to the Endpoint to pass the level. When there are multiple Endpoints, all Endpoints need to be electrified to pass the level.
Conductors
There are multiple sets of Conductor in the level, and electrifying one Conductor will make the other Conductors connected to it electrify as well.
Conductors change colour when electrified.
Generator
An electric tower that has been glowing with blue electricity. Can provide power to nearby Unelectrified Nodes, thereby electrifying all Wires.
Switch
Lights or gates in an area can be switched on when Electrified Nodes exist nearby.
Main Operation
The game mainly uses the mouse to control the character. The character will fly towards the mouse-clicked position until it encounters an obstacle when the player clicks the mouse.
After the character stops moving, the player can press E to place Nodes or R to connect/disconnect Hand-held Wires.
The following conditions need to be observed when operating:
- Carrying Electrified Wires cannot touch Conductors.
- Hand-held Wires cannot touch obstacles.
- The character cannot pass through any Wires.
- The character cannot stand on Electrified Conductors.
- When the player needs to reconnect a Hand-held Wire, there can't be an obstacle between the player and the last Node.
Level Design
In order to balance the game's accessibility and challenge at the same time, we designed different level sets based on the basic game mechanics and gradually introduced them into different levels according to their difficulty.
As shown in the level design table, players can gradually learn about the 3 operations and 6 sets of routines in the 7 completed levels and practice them in the subsequent levels.
Level 2: Obstacles are introduced and the player needs to place Nodes to pass the level.
Level 3: Based on level 2, Conductors are introduced and the player needs to avoid them to choose a suitable route.
Level 4: Introduces a Confined Area design where the player needs to use the ability to disconnect and reconnect Hand-held Wires to get through the level.
Level 5: Introduces a Generator and Junction design, where the player needs to consider subsequent routes to set up Nodes and prevent trapping themselves.
Level 6: No new content has been introduced.
Level 7: Introducing Dead-end road design and Switches, players need to plan their routes in advance without backtracking.
