Chronotron

Chronotron
Chronotron
Chronotron-game-main-menu.png
The main menu for Chronotron.
Developer(s) Scarybug Games[1]
Publisher(s) Scarybug Games[1]
Designer(s) Joe Rheaume[1]
Artist(s) Bogdan Ene[1]
Composer(s) Helge Krabye[2]
Version 1.03[3]
Platform(s) Adobe Flash[4]
Release date(s) May 2008[5]
Genre(s) Puzzle, Platformer
Mode(s) Single-player
Media/distribution web page
System requirements

Adobe Flash

Chronotron is a flash video game developed by Scarybug Games.[6] Chronotron launched on the Kongregate website in May 2008.[7] It is notable for having been selected as one of ten games in the PAX 10 2008 out of over eighty entries.[1] It has been described as innovative.[8] The protagonist is a robot named Chronotron which travels back in time to cooperate with himself.[4] The main character must fetch an item before moving to the next room.[1] Solving the puzzles requires sending the main character back in time to coordinate with previous selves.[1] The gameplay requires thinking ahead.[4] Chronotron records the control input, not the protagonist's position.[9] As a result, actions by later selves can interfere with earlier selves.[9] A number of web sites have licensed Chronotron, including Kongregate and MTV's AddictingGames.[9] It was featured on the front page of Kongregate.[5] The game appears on over 2,000 web sites[5] and has been played more than seven million times.[5] The developer splits advertising revenue evenly with Kongregate and has made more than $1,000.[7] The developer has made nearly $15,000 in profits from the game.[5]

Contents

Development

Chronotron was developed by Madison, Wisconsin based[4] Scarybug Games, which consists of a single person: Joe Rheaume.[4][6] Rheaume was the sole developer of Chronotron.[9] Development for Chronotron took seven months.[1] Chronotron's sponsorship support was handled through FlashGameLicense.com.[1] Interest in sponsoring Chronotron allowed Scarybug Games to hire Romanian artist Bogdan Ene to replace the graphics.[1][5] Royalty free music was purchased for the game.[6] The music's author is Helge Krabye.[2] Sound effects came from the Freesound Project.[2]

Chronotron's time travel elements was inspired by advertising for the Xbox game Blinx: The Time Sweeper[1] and an article on Braid.[1][9] Rheaume claims to not have played Blinx.[1] Chronotron was released before the release of Braid.[10] Rheaume claims to have "thought of the idea of recording input and going back looping on yourself."[9] Rheaume wanted there to be no limit on how many times you could travel back in time.[9] The game contains references to time travel stories including Back to the Future, Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure, and Doctor Who.[1] The puzzle platformer elements were inspired by The Lost Vikings.[1] Rheaume notes the similarity between cooperating with your self to the cooperation between the three Vikings in The Lost Vikings.[9] Puzzle pacing, with later puzzles building on what is learned earlier, was inspired by Portal.[1] Portal also inspired the use of humorous signs in game as hints.[1]

Rheaume is a Flash developer for his day job.[4] Chronotron was built as a hobby.[4] As a hobby, Rheaume can develop ideas which don't fit the ideas, time constraints, and budgets of his regular job's client projects.[4] Chronotron was developed because Rheaume thought it would be fun to play.[1] Rheaume developed it further because he "thought it really had legs."[9] Interest from other people kept Rheaume going.[9]

The name of the game and the protagonist comes from "chrono" for "time" and "tron" as a generic term for "robot."[4]

Reception

The game was selected as one of the ten games for the prestigious PAX 10 in 2008.[4] Joe Rheaume was an invited guest to show Chronotron to the Penny Arcade Expo in 2008 as part of the PAX 10.[1] Chronotron was selected as one of ten games from over eighty submitted.[1] Chronotron is the only browser-based Flash game in the PAX 10 2008.[4]

Chronotron has been described as "a very deep, complex game involving time travel and past selves."[6] Game designer Greg Costikyan described Chronotron as "a simple, satisfying, and enjoyable exploration of the effects of one novel mechanic on a well-established form."[11] A review on Jay Is Games described Chronotron as "a platform puzzler with a really innovative (and addictive) twist." [8] The same review said of the "rewind mechanic", "the concept is refined—and executed almost to perfection."[8] A reviewer on Rock, Paper, Shotgun said "Certainly I feel worn out after wrapping my head around a few levels, but also satisfied and pleased — you really should go play this."[10] Kotaku called it "a hell of a fun flash game."[12] Gawker.com rated Chronotron "Pretty pretty good" and said "If you loved Portal, you'll like this enough for two lunch breaks."[13] Jamie Fristrom of Torpex Games, a fellow honoree at the PAX 10, said, "Chronotron is actually my favorite of the PAX 10."[14] A GameCyte author "wholeheartedly recommend[ed] Chronotron to any and all puzzle fans." [15] Hecklerspray described Chronotron as "incredible" and "so impressively playable that it'll probably kill your productivity for the day stone dead."[16]

The developer believes the "biggest" and "fairest criticism" are problems with synchronizing robots actions between time loops.[6]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t Shipley, Zac (2008-08-13). "Joe Rheaume's Excellent Adventure: Chronotron goes from Madison to Penny Arcade Expo". The Daily Page. Isthmus Publishing Company, Inc.. Archived from the original on 2008-08-29. http://www.webcitation.org/query?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.isthmus.com%2Fdaily%2Farticle.php%3Farticle%3D23478&date=2008-08-29. Retrieved 2008-08-29. 
  2. ^ a b c Chronotron credits screen. "Play Chronotron, a free online game on Kongregate". Kongregate. 2008-05-06. http://www.kongregate.com/games/Scarybug/chronotron. Retrieved 2008-08-31. 
  3. ^ Chronotron main menu screen. "Play Chronotron, a free online game on Kongregate". Kongregate. 2008-05-06. http://www.kongregate.com/games/Scarybug/chronotron. Retrieved 2008-08-31. 
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k (embedded Flash video) The PAX 10: Chronotron (Television production). G4 Media, Inc.. 2008-08-29. http://www.g4tv.com/xplay/videos/28215/The_PAX_10_Chronotron.html. Retrieved 2008-08-31.  (Excerpted from the television program X-Play.
  5. ^ a b c d e f Alesia, Tom (2008-10-26). "Madison man has hit with Internet game". Wisconsin State Journal (Madison, Wisconsin: Capital Newspapers): pp. A1. Archived from the original on 2008-10-26. http://www.webcitation.org/query?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.madison.com%2Fwsj%2Fhome%2Flocal%2F311310&date=2008-10-26.  Archived from here on 2008-10-26.
  6. ^ a b c d e Willis, Danny (2008-07-12). "PAX 10: Five Questions With Scarybug Games' Joe Rheaume". Gamester / Contra Costa Times. MediaNews Group. Archived from the original on 2008-08-29. http://www.webcitation.org/query?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ibabuzz.com%2Fvideogames%2F2008%2F07%2F12%2Fpax-10-five-questions-with-scarybug-games-joe-rheaume%2F&date=2008-08-29. Retrieved 2008-08-29. 
  7. ^ a b Lawton, Christopher (2008-10-02). "Notes From the Underground: Indie Videogames Come of Age". The Wall Street Journal. Dow Jones & Company, Inc.. Archived from the original on 2008-10-03. http://www.webcitation.org/query?url=http%3A%2F%2Fonline.wsj.com%2Farticle%2FSB122291033879496763.html&date=2008-10-03. Retrieved 2008-10-02. 
  8. ^ a b c Josh (2008-05-08). "Chronotron". CasualGameplay/Jay Is Games. Jay Is Games. Archived from the original on 2008-08-29. http://www.webcitation.org/query?url=http%3A%2F%2Fjayisgames.com%2Farchives%2F2008%2F05%2Fchronotron.php&date=2008-08-29. Retrieved 2008-08-31. 
  9. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Niese, Adam "pixelsocks" (2008-09-06). "Interview with Joe Rheaume of Chronotron". PixelSocks. Adam Niese. Archived from the original on 2008-09-08. http://www.webcitation.org/query?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pixelsocks.com%2F2008%2F09%2F06%2Finterview-with-joe-rheamue-of-chronotron%2F&date=2008-09-08. Retrieved 2008-09-08. 
  10. ^ a b Meer, Alec (2008-05-08). "Chronotron". Rock, Paper, Shotgun. Rock Paper Shotgun Ltd. Archived from the original on 2008-08-29. http://www.webcitation.org/query?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rockpapershotgun.com%2F2008%2F05%2F08%2Fchronotron%2F&date=2008-08-29. Retrieved 2008-08-31. 
  11. ^ Costikyan, Greg; costik (2008-07-18). "Chronotron: Platform Puzzler with Time Travel". Play This Thing!. Manifesto Games, Inc.. Archived from the original on 2008-08-28. http://www.webcitation.org/query?url=http%3A%2F%2Fplaythisthing.com%2Fchronotron&date=2008-08-29. Retrieved 2008-08-29. 
  12. ^ Good, Owen (2008-06-28). "Back to the Present with Chronotron". Kotaku. Gawker Media. Archived from the original on 2008-09-09. http://www.webcitation.org/query?url=http%3A%2F%2Fkotaku.com%2F5020536%2Fback-to-the-present-with-chronotron&date=2008-09-09. Retrieved 2008-09-08. 
  13. ^ Douglas, Nick (2008-05-12). "Lunchtime Flash Game: Chronotron". Gawker.com. Gawker Media. Archived from the original on 2008-09-09. http://www.webcitation.org/query?url=http%3A%2F%2Fgawker.com%2F389371%2Fchronotron&date=2008-09-09. Retrieved 2008-09-08. 
  14. ^ Fristrom, Jamie (2008-09-01). "Notes on PAX and the PAX 10". GameDevBlog. Jamie Fristrom. Archived from the original on 2008-09-09. http://www.webcitation.org/query?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.gamedevblog.com%2F2008%2F09%2Fnotes-on-pax.html&date=2008-09-09. Retrieved 2008-09-08. 
  15. ^ Hollister, Sean (2008-05-08). "Chronotron's Time-Traveling Puzzles are Made Of Win". GameCyte. GameCyte / Panteon Labs, LLC. Archived from the original on 2008-09-09. http://www.webcitation.org/query?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.gamecyte.com%2F2008%2F05%2F08%2Fchronotrons-time-traveling-puzzles-are-made-of-win%2F1200&date=2008-09-09. Retrieved 2008-09-08. 
  16. ^ Heritage, Stuart (2008-05-16). "SLACKERJACK - Chronotron". Hecklerspray. Hecklerspray. Archived from the original on 2008-09-09. http://www.webcitation.org/query?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.hecklerspray.com%2Fslackerjack-chronotron%2F200814186.php&date=2008-09-09. Retrieved 2008-09-08. 

External links


Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Поможем решить контрольную работу

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Chronotron — laikmačio vamzdis statusas T sritis radioelektronika atitikmenys: angl. chronotron streak tube vok. chronographische Röhre, f; Chronotron, n rus. хронографическая трубка, f; хронотрон, m pranc. chronotron, m …   Radioelektronikos terminų žodynas

  • chronotron — laikmačio vamzdis statusas T sritis radioelektronika atitikmenys: angl. chronotron streak tube vok. chronographische Röhre, f; Chronotron, n rus. хронографическая трубка, f; хронотрон, m pranc. chronotron, m …   Radioelektronikos terminų žodynas

  • Chronotron — chronotronas statusas T sritis Standartizacija ir metrologija apibrėžtis Laiko tarpų tarp perdavimo linija sklindančių impulsų matuoklis. atitikmenys: angl. chronotron vok. Chronotron, n rus. хронотрон, m pranc. chronotron, m …   Penkiakalbis aiškinamasis metrologijos terminų žodynas

  • chronotron — chronotronas statusas T sritis Standartizacija ir metrologija apibrėžtis Laiko tarpų tarp perdavimo linija sklindančių impulsų matuoklis. atitikmenys: angl. chronotron vok. Chronotron, n rus. хронотрон, m pranc. chronotron, m …   Penkiakalbis aiškinamasis metrologijos terminų žodynas

  • Chronotron — chronotronas statusas T sritis fizika atitikmenys: angl. chronotron vok. Chronotron, n rus. хронотрон, m pranc. chronotron, m …   Fizikos terminų žodynas

  • chronotron — chronotronas statusas T sritis fizika atitikmenys: angl. chronotron vok. Chronotron, n rus. хронотрон, m pranc. chronotron, m …   Fizikos terminų žodynas

  • Chronotron — Chro|no|tron auch: Chro|not|ron 〈[kro: ] n.; s, tro|nen〉 sehr genaues Messgerät zur Ermittlung des Zeitunterschiedes zw. zwei Impulsen im Nanosekundenbereich [<Chrono... + ...tron] * * * Chronotron   [k ] das, s/... tronen, Gerät zur Messung… …   Universal-Lexikon

  • chronotron streak tube — laikmačio vamzdis statusas T sritis radioelektronika atitikmenys: angl. chronotron streak tube vok. chronographische Röhre, f; Chronotron, n rus. хронографическая трубка, f; хронотрон, m pranc. chronotron, m …   Radioelektronikos terminų žodynas

  • Chronotron — /kron euh tron , kroh neuh /, Trademark. a brand name for a device for measuring extremely brief time intervals by comparing electric pulses. * * * …   Universalium

  • Chronotron — Chro|no|tron auch: Chro|not|ron 〈[kro: ] n.; Gen.: s, Pl.: tro|nen; Physik〉 sehr genaues Messgerät zur Ermittlung des Zeitunterschiedes zwischen zwei Impulsen im Nanosekundenbereich …   Lexikalische Deutsches Wörterbuch

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
… Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”