Features

Here I will list features that have been implemented already, are in progress, or coming some time in the near future.  I’ll update this list on a regular basis, and eventually the ‘Already Done’ bit can become a page of its own, with details of what the game can do.

Upcoming (soon – before beta release):

• Final Results Screen (The Zooming Winner announcement screen!)
• Bombs, Super Scooper, Shield etc.
• Options/Config screen.
• Extra Life – the option to come back into the game if you wish.
• Proper Kill Points – and ‘IT’ bonus (bounty hunter!)
• Pause mode
• Much better AI for snakes. It’s currently quite basic, but will come on in leaps soon!
• Full screen mode, and choice of screen resolutions for Desktop versions.

Upcoming New or Improved Features:

• High Score charts – various stats and high score leagues in-game and also posted to a web page for world league tables.
• Alternative input modes (mainly for iPhone, for touch directions, tilt control, left/right turns, any others!)
• On-screen Heads up display (HUD) showing info like money collected, bombs/reverses left, extra life, etc. Also buttons for Pause, Settings etc.
• More Special FX – Some subtle and not so subtle effects never seen in original.
• Network play (LAN/WiFi/Bluetooth) all planned once the game play is solid.
• Not exactly new but support for multiple human players in a ‘local’ game, via multiple USB controllers, and keyboard will be implemented.
• New arena objects, including possible: drive through portals, ramps and jumps, tunnels, and walls.
• Full Game Recording, for Playback and eventually sharing via on-line page, or download other peoples games straight from the game.
• Huge Arenas for HD or Projector output will be possible.

Features Delayed for near future

• Virus pick-up, psychedelic strawberry, other unusual and new pick-ups. These will all come later, don’t worry
• The Final Match Odds screen – I’d almost forgotten this (Bubbled!), but it will come once the scoring system is solid and established.
• Random Factor Arenas – will definitely make a come back.
• Team Play – not forgotten.

Already Done:

• Up to 10 Snakes per game (no hard limit, so may change)
• 12 different Snakes to pick from (Mr.Red, Mr.Chrome etc.) each with different AI characteristics.
• Flexible Arena size, can be adapted for iPhone or Desktop play.
• Various power-ups (grow, shring, speed-up, slow down)
• League based games, or various lengths.
• Learner Mode (‘L’ plate – where free assistance e.g. shield, and extra size is given)
• Demo Mode (play one game, no league tables, and AI snakes only if you wish)
• Basic Shop Screen (most shop items left to add)
• Opening Side Doors (open with key, as original)
• Blockers and other obstacles.
• Match Results – Speed/Size/Kill points and RANDOM FACTOR
• Basic CPU AI that attacks you, and avoids obvious traps (more to come)
• Most game sounds added
• Reverses (auto-reverse and shop-bought reverse)
• Basic Configurable League – Set-up number of games, snakes, etc.
• Slip Mats, Slow Mats, and Dangerous Ice! (similar to original)
• The Slopes & Ramps (as original)
• Sneech Exit Door (opens at the end of game, for safe exit)
• Screen Fades (fade to red, white explosions etc. as original)
• Smooth Camera panning, focuses on the action.
• Camera zooming In/Out (new feature!)

Pie in the Sky Ideas (when I get everything else done):

• Alternative Sneech Arenas: perhaps a Tron inspired Theme, a Dark theme (with headlights), an old-skool theme with exact original Sneech graphics.
• An alternative 3D renderer. The rendering system is totally separate to the game, so it’s possible that multiple renderers could be included so you can play the game (or watch action replay) in various styles of 3D (1st/3rd person, tv cameras, chase camera etc.)
• Persistent Online Sneech: Bigger user defined arenas that have no time limit, and you can join and leave, and the game just continues!
• A possible scripting system or API where you can create Snake AI, and battle against humans (online or offline), or other peoples Snake AI. (I think it would be the ultimate in geeky jokes if you could develop Snake bots in Python!)