- Navigator (video game)
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Navigator 
2011 promotional art for NavigatorDeveloper(s) PixelxCore Independent Gaming Producer(s) Tyvon "Alpha Six" Thomas Designer(s) Tyvon "Alpha Six" Thomas
Maarten de MeyerComposer(s) Chris "Søda Meløn" King Version v1.1b, June 8, 2011 Platform(s) PC, Windows Phone 7 Release date(s) October 22, 2011 Genre(s) Puzzle game Mode(s) Single-player
2-4 playersNavigator is an upcoming 1-4 player action puzzle game being developed by PixelxCore Independent Gaming, slated for release in mid 2011. It is being developed for the PC, Xbox 360, and Windows Phone 7 platforms.[1] It mixes platformer elements with classic block puzzle games, such as Bust-a-Move and Tetris Plus.[2]
It is also notably the first PixelxCore project to avoid becoming vaporware, as it has been frequently discussed and updated publicly since its announcement.Contents
Gameplay
Navigator is played on a 10x15 field of gameplay. The player controls Nav and his block cannon, dropping colored blocks and navigating around the playing field. Putting together at least 4 blocks of the same color together will result in a "cluster." Clusters are crucial to the gameplay, as they are used to clear the field and give Nav more movement area.
A 4-block cluster is the basic cluster, and the simplest way of clearing the field. A 4-block cluster is worth 100 points. If you create a cluster of larger than 4, it is considered a "large cluster", and every block after the 4th block is 30 extra points in the total cluster. When you create a cluster and any blocks that are dropped as a result of that cluster create a second cluster, a "chain cluster" is created, and the point gain is multiplied. There are deep gray blocks that signify the top of the gameplay field, and when Nav reaches the top of the playing field, the game is over.[3]
Release
An offline beta for the PC version was released on the PixelxWorld Forums, The Spriters Resource Forums, and the TIGSource forums on April 24, 2011.[4] This beta included the Endless Mode and a single level, and Nav's only ability was the Block Push.
On June 8th, 2011, a second public beta was released.[5] This beta included improved gameplay, the Power Climb and Nav Leap abilities, and a new level, Field of Cogs. This beta also introduced the predetermined level system.
A closed beta was announced on June 15th, with an undetermined date of release. It is stated that the closed beta will include online play and a competitive gameplay mode.[6] The closed beta was postponed indefinitely on August 14, 2011, stating that there was not enough time to develop online portions for the game. However, it has also been stated that the game will get online play developed after its initial release.[7]
Navigator's release date was officially announced on September 10, 2011. The release date is October 22, 2011. [8] A Windows Phone 7 release has yet to be confirmed.
References
- ^ "Navigator officially announced on PixelxWorld Forums". World.pixelxcore.net. http://world.pixelxcore.net/index.php?topic=332.msg3903#msg3903. Retrieved 2011-09-15.
- ^ "Maarten De Meyer's game development portfolio". Maartendemeyer.com. http://www.maartendemeyer.com/. Retrieved 2011-09-15.
- ^ "Navigator Official Player Guide". Pixelxcore.net. http://i.imgur.com/7U8o1.jpg. Retrieved 2011-09-15.
- ^ "First public beta released for Navigator". World.pixelxcore.net. http://world.pixelxcore.net/index.php?topic=332.msg3903#msg3903. Retrieved 2011-09-15.
- ^ "Second public beta released for Navigator". World.pixelxcore.net. 2011-06-05. http://world.pixelxcore.net/index.php?topic=332.msg4306#msg4306. Retrieved 2011-09-15.
- ^ "PixelxWorld - [6/15/2011] NAVIGATOR Closed Beta Approaching!". World.pixelxcore.net. http://world.pixelxcore.net/index.php?topic=369.0. Retrieved 2011-09-15.
- ^ "Information on postponing of public beta". World.pixelxcore.net. http://world.pixelxcore.net/index.php?topic=332.msg4660#msg4660. Retrieved 2011-09-15.
- ^ "Navigator official release date announcement". http://www.indiedb.com/games/navigator/news/navigator-official-release-date-announcement. Retrieved 2011-09-15.
External links
Categories:- Indie video games
- Puzzle video games
- PC games
- Xbox 360 games
- Windows Mobile games
- Upcoming video games
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