Fractile is the placeholder name for a tile-based puzzle game I’ve been working on. Reminiscent of (and partially inspired by) John Conway’s Game of Life, it involves a set of tiles that change turn-by-turn according to a set of rules. My intention is to create a game that demonstrates how, like a developing embryo, a complex whole can be developed out of a simpler starting position, and how changes made early in such a process ripple out to greatly affect the outcome.
The objective of each puzzle is to achieve a specific target pattern of tiles on the playing field. The challenge is that each level has a limited inventory of placements and alterations, so players can’t just manually match the target pattern. They must strategically place and alter tiles and grow them out turn-by-turn. Different tile types will grow out in different ways, and by taking advantage of each type, the player will make alterations at the right moments to achieve the target pattern.
Before and after results of a few of the tile types
My process in making games often starts with the basic mechanics such as what I’ve described so far. The problem is, at that point, I usually have no idea what the theme or “skin” of those mechanics would be. I often start developing the project with basic placeholder graphics in the hopes for some eventual miracle epiphany that decides what the game’s theme is. Sometimes the epiphany comes, sometimes not. Luckily it did for this game. As you can see in the images, I decided to theme it on cells dividing, just like with my embryo inspiration! It seemed kind of obvious after the fact, which hopefully means it’s an appropriate theme.
A simple puzzle's starting state and solution
So far I have the major gameplay in place and working: placing tiles, growing them out, and checking the target pattern. What’s left is the animation system, ui, menu , sound, and level designs. Uh, piece of cake…right?