Struts - Blueprint new feature #2

Blog posted by Ste Pickford on Tue, 31 Jan 2012
Subject: Magnetic Billiards: Blueprint

The new update to Magnetic Billiards: Blueprint (v2.0) is almost complete, so we thought we'd blog about some of the new features that we've added to the game.

Along with Pegs we've also added another new feature to the Classic Game - Struts. Struts are rigid connections that exist at the start of a table between pairs of balls of different colours. They're longer than the connections between balls in a Cluster, and the Strut keeps the two connected balls from touching each other.

Balls attached to Struts behave as if they're part of a Cluster, so there is no Shot Score, and the Tariff is protected, but you still get a Tariff increase the the ball you shoot connects to another ball of the same colour. Using a ball with a Strut attached as the cue-ball can be tricky, as the connected ball will alter the path of the ball you shoot.

Like Pegs, Struts are destroyed when either one of the connected balls is removed as part of a Cluster. The reward for destroying a Strut is current Tariff x current Lives.

It tends to be best to remove Struts early, where possible, as they reduce your available shooting options, but removing them late can give a big reward if you've built up your Lives as well as your Tariff.

Tags: game design, indie, demo, blueprint 2.0

Follow up post: UNDO - Blueprint new feature #3

Predecessor post: Pegs - Blueprint new feature #1

View the softography page for Magnetic Billiards: Blueprint »

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What's the "psi" score at the top of the screen (29 in the picture and 4 in the video)?

Comment by Guest bucksbiddle, added Tue, 31 Jan 2012 17:58:46 GMT

New feature, UNDOllars, which I'll blog about in a few days.

Comment by Ste Pickford, added Tue, 31 Jan 2012 18:04:48 GMT