BLASTEROIDS

GAME OVERVIEW

Blasteroids is a modern reimagining of the classic Asteroids arcade game, featuring enhanced graphics, multiple enemy types, powerups, and dynamic gameplay mechanics. Navigate through waves of increasingly difficult enemies while collecting powerups and avoiding destruction.

YOUR SHIP

Player Ship - A sleek triangular vessel with the following capabilities:

Movement: Arrow keys or gamepad for thrust, rotation, and strafing
Weapons: Space bar or gamepad button to fire projectiles
Shield: Temporary invincibility when spawning
Lives: Start with 3 lives, gain extra life at 1000 points
Screen Wrapping: Ship can travel through screen edges

ENEMY SHIPS

Flying Saucer

"A classic UFO that patrols the screen edges"

Appearance: Green circular ship with distinctive saucer shape
Behavior: Flies horizontally across screen edges
Weapons: None - purely evasive enemy
Score: 200 points when destroyed
Sound: Distinctive electronic whine while active
Strategy: Easy target - destroy for points while avoiding other threats

Graviton Ship

"A tractor beam-equipped vessel that weaponizes asteroids"

Appearance: Orange triangular ship with tractor beam effects
Behavior: Uses tractor beam to capture and weaponize asteroids
Weapons: Tractor beam + weaponized asteroids that fire at player
Score: 500 points when destroyed
Sound: Low-frequency tractor beam hum (quieter in attract mode)
Strategy: Destroy before it weaponizes asteroids, or destroy weaponized asteroids

Novabomb

"A deadly explosive that creates powerful shockwave explosions"

Appearance: Bright orange/yellow flashing orb with cross pattern
Behavior: Bounces around screen, explodes with massive shockwave
Weapons: Shockwave explosion that pushes everything away with great force
Score: 1000 points when destroyed
Sound: Warning beeps increasing in frequency before explosion
Strategy: Destroy quickly before it explodes, or use its shockwave to push enemies away

Cygnus Ship

"A boss-level enemy with advanced weaponry and AI"

Appearance: Large white ship with rotating sections
Behavior: Advanced AI with multiple attack patterns
Weapons: Red projectiles, laser beams, and orbital attacks
Score: 500 points (normal), 2000 points (when hit while escaping)
Sound: Distinctive electronic melody while active
Strategy: Most dangerous enemy - prioritize destruction, use cover

ASTEROIDS

Large Asteroids: Break into 2 medium asteroids (10 points)
Medium Asteroids: Break into 2 small asteroids (20 points)
Small Asteroids: Destroy completely (50 points)
Behavior: Rotate and drift across screen
Weaponization: Can be captured by Graviton ships and made to fire

POWERUPS

Triple Shot - Temporarily fires three projectiles at once

Symbol: "T" in yellow circle
Duration: 8 seconds
Effect: Significantly increases firepower
Attract Force: Powerups are pulled toward ship when within 30 pixels

GAMEPLAY MECHANICS

Wave Progression

Each wave increases in difficulty
More asteroids spawn per wave
Enemy ships unlock progressively
Speed and spawn rates increase
New enemy types introduced at specific waves

Scoring System

Asteroids: 10-50 points based on size
Flying Saucer: 200 points
Graviton Ship: 500 points
Novabomb: 1000 points
Cygnus Ship: 500 points (normal), 2000 points (when hit while escaping)
Extra Life: At 1000 points

Special Features

Screen Wrapping: All objects can travel through screen edges
Particle Effects: Explosions, debris, and visual feedback
Dynamic Sound: Procedural audio for all game events
Attract Mode: Demo mode with enemy spawning and Pac-Man
High Score System: Persistent score tracking
Gamepad Support: Full controller compatibility

CONTROLS

Keyboard

Arrow Keys: Ship movement and rotation
Space: Fire projectiles
S: Start game
P: Pause (with gamepad)

Gamepad

Left Stick/D-Pad: Ship movement
A Button: Fire
Y Button: Thrust
Start Button: Start game or pause

TECHNICAL FEATURES

HTML5 Canvas: Smooth 60fps rendering
Web Audio API: Real-time procedural sound generation
XML Configuration: Easily modifiable game parameters
Responsive Design: Adapts to different screen sizes
Debug Mode: Extensive testing and development tools
Cross-Platform: Runs in any modern web browser

TIPS FOR SUCCESS

            Stay Mobile: Constant movement makes you harder to hit
Use Screen Wrapping: Escape danger by going through edges
Prioritize Threats: Destroy weaponized asteroids and dangerous enemies first
Collect Powerups: Triple shot significantly increases your firepower
Watch for Patterns: Different enemies have predictable behaviors
Manage Resources: Don't waste shots on distant targets

        

DEVELOPMENT

Blasteroids is a modern JavaScript implementation featuring:

Modular code architecture
Extensive debug and testing tools
Configurable game parameters
Real-time performance monitoring
Comprehensive error handling
Cross-browser compatibility

VERSION

Blasteroids - Current Version
A modern reimagining of the classic arcade experience.

"In space, no one can hear you blast... but everyone can see the explosions!"