‘Colour Cubes’ is the result of the ‘Games Design Theory’ module at The University of Bolton.  The task was to create a puzzle game with Valve’s Source™ engine.  The final deliverable was to consist of two levels which complemented each other in flow and stlye.  The game must also be devoid of any combat.

‘Colour Cubes’ is a single-player, physics-influenced puzzle game.  The aim is to navigate a linear level by using differently coloured cubes to open doors, move platforms, or unveil staircases.  The user may be required to mix colours together to get the correctly-coloured cube.

Watch on YouTube: Level 1 | Level 2

Making The Mechanics Work

Due to the colour mixing nature of the gameplay, I had to devise a way of making each colour unique in properties as well as appearance.  This resulted in a table where each colour was assigned a different numerical value:

For example, the only way to add up to 35 (purple) from two numbers is 20 (red) and 15 (blue).

Each colour mixer has a series of trigger_multiples that are assigned to look for different colours.  Once a colour is detected, its value is added to a math_counter, which in turn is forwarded to a logic_case.  The logic case tells different colours to spawn from a dispenser whenever a specific value is reached.  The math_counter value is reset after two cubes have been mixed, so that its functionality can continue.

Early Sketchup Layout