Week 9: Research (Lovers in a Dangerous Spacetime))

Lovers in a Dangerous Spacetime by  Matt Hamil

Description

Lovers in a Dangerous Spacetime is a 2D space shooter game developed by Asteriod Base. The game is available for Microsoft Windows, OS X, Linux, Xbox One (2015), Play Station 4 (2016 )and Nintendo Switch (2017). The game is designed to be played by one player, with the single player mode where ther player would have an AI pet as a companion, or by multiple players from 2 to 4 players, with players switching between each battle stations. In the game, the players are in charge of piloting the spaceship through space, battling evil galactic entities in the process. The game includes regular levels, where the players' goal is to rescue captured creatures, as well as a boss fight.

Design: Gameplay

The game requires different players (or one player and the AI) to operate the different parts of the spaceship: weapons, shields, and engines. Since the players are not specifically assigned to one station, they have the freedom to pick their own positions and switching between other players in order to attack the enemies, as well as protect the ship and keep the engine running. This requires a lot of communication between players, as well as the ability to quickly solve problems. In addition, there are space-gems that can be found during thr level which can be used to upgrade the spaceship. The level layouts are also randomly generated to give the players a fresh and non-repetitive feeling everytime they play.

Design: Aesthetic

The players' characters design are cartoonish; they are based off various animals and are all wearing brightly-colored space suits. The spaceship is circular, will numbers of ladders for the players to maneuver between different stations. The game steps away from the usual sci-fi design and color palette, and uses bright colors like fuschia as its main aesthetic instead.