4 ms·
Yes, it requires probably a bit of training: The trick is not to fight gravity, but rather use it (think Jiu Jitsu in orbit). It is meant to closely replicate t
by masswerk 6y ago
Yes, it requires probably a bit of training: The trick is not to fight gravity, but rather use it (think Jiu Jitsu in orbit). It is meant to closely replicate the classical mechanics of Spacewar.
Compare J.M. Graetz's description:
> The first result of this new attention to strategy was the opening move in Figure 3, which was quickly dubbed the "CBS opening" because of its eye-like shape. It took a while to learn this maneuver but it soon became the standard opening among experienced players, as it generally produced the most exciting games.
(See https://www.masswerk.at/spacewar/spacewar_origins/spacewar-fig3.jpeg https://www.masswerk.at/spacewar/spacewar_origins/spacewar-f... for figure 3.)
This is accomplished by aligning your spaceship perpendicularly to the central star and firing your thruster for two or three seconds. There are various variations to this and it works both ways (cw and ccw). Like in Spacewar, the power of the rocket is just barely enough to escape towards the edge by keeping thrusting in a diagonal direction, but this will take a while. So the better option might be a slingshot around the "sun" in order to establish an orbit.
- pimlottc 6y agoHmm, I'll have to try that. I did attempt to orbit it but I just ended up getting killed by a UFO shot before I could get much speed going. I have played Spacewar - or, at least, the old IBM PC port [0]. That one gives you enough thrust to overcome gravity, no problem, though it still effects your trajectory (and missiles) enough to make it interesting. 0: https://archive.org/details/msdos_Spacewar_1985 https://archive.org/details/msdos_Spacewar_1985
- masswerk 6y agoA fast escape route is heading somewhat parallel, but with a bit of offset to the direct line towards the central star. This way, you combine the power of the rocket thruster and the gravitational pull. However, the bit of multitasking (maneuvering into orbit and taking care of saucers) at the beginning is definitely the tricky part, esp. in higher levels. (But it's still better as in Computer Space, where the saucers may pound you mercilessly while you're still a sitting duck.) Mind that you'll have to do just a bit better than the saucers over the course of an entire level, so the loss of a single ship shouldn't be that bad.
- TeMPOraL 6y agoInteresting. I remember playing some Linux clone of Spacewar as a kid, but back then I never understood how to work with gravity. Right now, I've spent few minutes trying to play it as if I was playing Kerbal Space Program. Boost a bit to not fall directly into the star, then burn prograde at the highest point and retrograde at the lowest point to circularize a somewhat tight orbit, and then keep shooting at things.
- mwest 6y agoIf you enjoy this mechanic, I have very fond memories of Star Control II (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Star_Control_II https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Star_Control_II) which did something similar. I highly recommend checking out the open-source port "The Ur-Quan Masters" - http://sc2.sourceforge.net/ http://sc2.sourceforge.net/ Might just re-install it to spend some time slingshotting around planets for Boxing Day... :-)
- kordlessagain 6y agoExcept for the fact that the asteroids don't have any gravitational effects on them, which makes the entire thing pointless.
- masswerk 6y agoThis is actually, where I started [1]. However, I was looking for a more concise gameplay that would have a closer resemblance to Spacewar's mechanics. And the most important game mechanic is establishing and managing orbits while coping with any opponents. [1] https://www.masswerk.at/gravioroids/ https://www.masswerk.at/gravioroids/ (unfinished, but playable, sound is still missing)