Pico Panic was inspired by boundary-pushing games like Dani Bunten's M.U.L.E. The game is meant to be inscrutable from the outside but full of strategy and fun for anyone in on the secret.
Staying under the 64k limit was a massive challenge. I had to rewrite the source code with a functional approach to make all the logic work without going over. Also, A lot of fancy graphics had to be tossed overboard because this game can max out at tracking 40 pieces on the board simultaneously.
Game has its own tutorial, but the controls are as follows:
Cursor mode:
UDLR - move your player cursor
X - enter placement mode
O - switch to the next cursor mode (Cycles between cursor - place defender, cursor - place attacker, and capture mode)
Placement mode:
LR- rotate piece
UD - switch which color piece you're playing (if you have a prisoner)
X - confirm placement
O - Return to cursor mode
Capture mode:
UDLR - move cursor
X - capture highlighted piece (if possible)
O - Go back to cursor mode.
Feedback welcome - I'm eventually planning a campy, 2-minute explainer filmed in the style of an 80s/90s video game guide VHS, but that'll have to wait until I publish to itch. The script looks like this:
[VHS Static Fade-In, Synth Music Swells]
Hey there, gamers! Are YOU ready to step up to the CHALLENGE of these Pico Pyramids? Think you’ve got what it takes to become a PYRAMID MASTER like us here at Arcades? Well, buckle up, pixel warriors! Welcome to Pico Panic!
[Fast zoom-in to Max Arcade, pixelated sunglasses on]
I’m your buddy, Max Arcade, and I’m here to transform you pyramid putzes into PYRAMID LEGENDS!
PICO PANIC is a thrilling showdown for 2 to 4 players, battling it out on the cosmic starfield! Your mission? Score mega points by skillfully deploying ATTACKERS and DEFENDERS.
But here’s the kicker: defend your defenders and cleverly redirect enemy lasers, or your pyramids will crumble like yesterday’s chips! Keep those wits sharp—each round lasts a lightning-fast 3 MINUTES!
Now grab your Pico-8 controller, future legend! Let’s get familiar:
CURSOR MODE:
-
Use your D-Pad (Up, Down, Left, Right) to zip that cursor around the field.
-
PRIMARY BUTTON: Enter Placement Mode.
- SECONDARY BUTTON: Switch between defenders, attackers, and capture mode.
PLACEMENT MODE:
-
LEFT/RIGHT: Rotate your pyramid.
-
UP/DOWN: Switch the pyramid from your stash.
-
PRIMARY BUTTON: Lock your piece in place.
- SECONDARY BUTTON: Cancel back to cursor mode.
CAPTURE MODE:
UDLR - move cursor
Primary button: capture piece under cursor
Secondary button: go to cursor mode
Yeah, it's a lot to get under your fingers at first, but that's why it's pico PANIC! your friends are gonna be panicking - but not you, future PYRAMID MASTER!
You have TWO epic pyramid types:
-
DEFENDERS: Place these bad boys anywhere on the starfield.
- ATTACKERS: These must aim their lasers at a defender—yours OR an opponent’s.
[Screen flashes with a buzzer sound]
Hear THAT? It means you’re breaking the rules—try again, hotshot!
Every player MUST keep at least ONE LIVE DEFENDER active. If ALL your defenders get hit by TWO or more lasers, they’re TOAST, and you’ll have to drop a new one. (Don’t sweat it—the game has your back and'll force you to do this!)
Defenders stay ALIVE with 0 or 1 lasers hitting them. BUT WATCH OUT! Two lasers hitting a defender mean it’s LIGHTS OUT for that pyramid!
But wait, here’s the twist: if MORE THAN TWO lasers target a defender, it gets OVERCHARGED! When that happens, slam your cursor into CAPTURE MODE to snag enemy pyramids and add them to your stash!
HOW DO YOU GET CAPTURES?
Talk it out! Pico Panic is all about wheeling, dealing, forming alliances, and BACKSTABBING your pals. Remember, it’s just three minutes—what happens in Pico Panic stays in Pico Panic…
[Extreme pixel close-up, dramatic synth chord]
RIGHT?
[VHS static fade-out, epic retro music outro]
NOW go forth, gamers, and DOMINATE the PYRAMIDS!
Hope you have fun!
oooh, this is really interesting (and good write up), I've not got my head around it yet, but I'll give it more of a shot.
Thanks! Yeah, the reason I don't play the original with my friends is that it is such a hassle to teach. The fun challenge with this game has been figuring out my onboarding strategy for players because it's so weird.
If it helps, Andy Looney has a game demo of "icehouse" on youtube. I based the game almost entirely on those rules, and seeing people play the game can help open up your mind to it.
...and just like that, you gave me a new onboarding idea. Thanks for giving it a shot!
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