What is Chromacell?

Chromacell is an addictive puzzle-like game with one single aim - total domination of the game board. It's easy to learn, but so hard to put down!

Features

• Multiple Game Modes
• One by One
• Frantic
• Gamble
• Frantic Gamble
• Training Levels
• Special FX Cells

The rules of the game are very simple:a selected cell changes its colour to match that of the majority of the cells touching it on each of its four sides. Each game board consists of a simple grid of 10 by 10 cells. Depending on the level, the board may contain several blocking cells that cannot be changed. The number of computer-controlled opponents for a board varies between one and three.

Game Modes

One by One

For each level of the game, four boards with varying chances of victory are offered. The player and then each of the computer opponents take it in turn to make a single move, in a very civilised manner. Whichever player controls the majority of the board at the end of the game wins. You must win the board to advance to the next level. Losing a game causes a life to be lost; when all lives are lost the game is over. Additional lives are awarded at certain point breaks.

Frantic

Unlike One by One, this time the computer opponents don't wait for the player to make their moves.

Gamble

The player starts with 1000 credits. Four different game boards are offered; each board has different odds of winning. Place your stake and play your chosen level. Win the level to increase your credits. Further levels are made available as your bank of credits increases. The game ends when your credits run out.

Frantic Gamble

Frantic meets Gamble - need we say more?

Special FX Cells

Scattered throughout the game boards are various Special FX's. These are triggered when a cell containing the Special FX is taken over.

They are as follows:

• Time Freeze (Frantic mode only) - stops the computer opponents making any moves for a limited time.
• Change Cells - all the neighbouring cells are changed to the colour of the player that triggers the Special FX.
• Clear Cells - all the neighbouring cells are cleared.
• Lock Cell - the cell cannot be taken over by an opponent.
• CellSwitch - switches the colours of existing cells, i.e. red become green, green become blue and blue become red.
• Bonus Move (Non Frantic modes only) - lets the player make an additional move in a turn.
• Place Anywhere - allows any cell to be changed to the player's colour, even if no neighbours are already controlled.
• Bonus Life (Non Gamble modes only) - player is awarded an additional life.

>Not only are the Special FX's scattered throughout the boards, but it is possible to purchase Special FX's prior to a level with either credits in Gamble games or with points in non Gamble games.

What does it run on?

This version of the Chromacell is for Mac OS X.

How much is it?

The current beta version is free, however the final game will have a charge.

Where can I get it?

A beta version of Chromacell can be downloaded here.

Please post feedback to either the following thread on the CreateMacGames website or send an email to the address in the readme.txt file.

What is the story behind it?

Chromacell started out on the Palm PDA as a test for a game battle system. The battle system turned into the game itself and the first version was released.

The game evolved and made its way to a Pocket PC release.

The Mac OS X version has been developed on and off over the last couple of years.

There is also a private development version of Chromacell for Windows.

The latest twist in the life of Chromacell is that it has now been turned into a board game.

The Making of Chromacell

I am writing a Developer Diary on the iDevGames website for the Mac OS X version of Chromacell. Take a look to see just how much longer you have to wait to get your hands on this latest incarnation of Chromacell.

Note: The diary is currently unavailable due to technical problems at iDevGames.

Copyright © 2005 Andrew Sage