Press Fire To Begin is an experimental one-button shmup (shoot 'em up).

 

Description:

Press Fire To Begin is an entry to the "Gamma 4 (ONE-BUTTON GAMES)" contest in Januray 2010. All games must have input restricted to a single button. I did not complete the game, and did not submit the game to the contest.

 

Screenshots:

Press Fire To Begin title screen.

Beginning gameplay.

More gameplay.

Maximum firepower.

Pause message, "Time Warp Activiated".

More gameplay.

Final score, one point per kill.

 

One-Button Mechanic:

Doing nothing leaves the fighter jet stationary and it autofires a red shot. Pressing a button -- the only input -- moves the fighter jet upwards. Pressing a button again moves it downwards. Holding the button continues to move the fighter jet in the direction it is heading in. Also, pressing a button fires a double yellow shot. Pressing a button rapidly will fire this yellow shot faster. Continuing to press the button rapidly will build up a power bar. When the power bar is filled up a blue spread shot will fire. This maximum firepower will remain as long as the button is continuously pressed fast.

 

Missing Game Mechanics:

The mechanics missing in this game is the need to move up and down to miss objects, perhaps environmental objects such as a ground. This would add strategy and avoid the ability to just rapid fire the single button.

Also bosses, enemy fire, and a general stage design is missing.

This game is no fun, and I do not see it becoming fun even with these mechanics.

 

Music:

The music was composed by Imphenzia, also known for composing the Decimation X soundtracks as well as Duality ZF!

 

Trivia:

The title, "Press Fire To Begin", was inspired by Parsec, in my opinion the greatest game on the TI-99/4A. Also, the message, "Time Warp Activated", is also from Parsec.

 

Winners:

The winners of the contest got to go to GDC 2010. Read about it here: In-Depth: Gamma IV Winners at GDC.

 

That is all!