Destruction in a Box

Quick start

Navigating the menus

• Use the number keys corresponding to the menu item number on screen

• Or use arrow keys to move up and down, Enter to select

• Or use a joystick to move up and down, any button to select

To play, you can plug in a joystick or use one of the pre-configured keyboard controls.

• Keyboard control 1 - WASD for movement, Space to fire

• Keyboard control 2 - Arrow keys for movement, Numpad Enter to fire

Keyboard controls can be changed in the Options menu. Up to 4 keyboard controls can be configured.

Version 1.1 Released

Just released a new version. Some of the updates:

• Added some post-processing effects (some blur, interlacing)

• Added Shadow mapping

• New Extra Destruction mod, a slightly harder version of the Normal Destruction mod (previously the default mod)

• New level in Ultimate Destruction mod (still a WIP)

About the game

Destruction in a Box is a 2D space shooter game, based largely upon a Commodore 64 game called Omicron. The game takes place in a box with a centre scoreboard. Destroy all the enemies before they destroy you. Single player and local co-op multiplayer are supported.

You control your space ship by using 8-way direction control through keyboard or joystick to accelerate. Fire in different directions by combining the fire button and movements. Learn how to create a wall of fire by combining movement and firing. One hit is all it takes to destroy your enemies, but it only takes one hit for you to be destroyed too.

Four different enemy types, each with their own behaviour. Drones may fire forwards or backwards. Bombers lay bombs. Fighters fire rapidly in all directions. Destroyers fire like fighters and lay bombs like bombers.

Six different bonus types, most of which can be combined or extended. Surely you'll love having an accelerator-triple-rapid-bouncing-fire-with-smasher. Collect enough triple fires and you could be firing in circles!

Avoid or destroy the seven different types of mines. Watch out for their explosions!

Co-op multiplayer - Everything increases when players are added. Two players? Double the enemies. Three players? Triple the enemies, etc. There is no specific limit on how many players can be in the game - just keep plugging in joysticks and / or use up to four sets of keyboard controls.

In building Destruction in a Box, I had the following in mind:

• Take inspiration from games and systems of old, particularly the C64, but don't be too limited by their restrictions, embrace and enhance the capabilities.

• Make multiplayer the way it used to be - get everyone around the same system. Extend it by allowing as many players as you can plug in joysticks (also allow for multiple sets of keyboard controls).

• The engine should be built for pixel-perfect collision detection.

• Make the gameplay parameters easily modifiable, even without special tools. Most gameplay parameters are defined in simple text files.

• Art should also be able to be easily replaced, and the animations should be able to be changed by configuration as well. When art is replaced, the collision detection adjusts as well.

• Most importantly, make it fun!
  #shooter