and some more thoughts on the multiplayer:

you could add a ‘key’ item, which unlocks a specific prisoner. Once a prisoner reaches the exit, you could have a wall close off a couple of squares behind him (to prevent him from being caught).

how about using switches, which change the level by adding/getting rid of blocks (colour-coded) when activated? (similar to the door switch).

you could use wasd and the arrow keys alternately if you only want to put in two prisoners, but for more than two, tab would probably be best: that way, you don’t need a mouse to complete the level quickly. You could also number your prisoners so that they know which one they’re moving.

For really tough levels, you could technically have two controlled at once, and then use the shift key to swap over the second ‘controller’.

it’s definitely looking promising to being the best game yet

The guard problem is more complicated than it appears. It’s not the light that triggers the switch, but that at least one of the enemy’s pixels is in contact with it. It’s the same bug that prevents you from pushing a box in the direction of an enemy, and a side-effect of the smooth animation that I hacked into the game in the last few hours of the competition. But you’re right, it needs to be fixed!

I did have some thoughts similar to your multiplayer idea — I was contemplating putting multiple prisoners on a single level, and having them co-operate to reach the exit. I figured that you could click on a prisoner to change which one you were controlling, or something like that.

I think this is definitely one of my better (best?) games, so I’ll probably keep working on it for a while. Level select/a tutorial/congratulations page/score are all great ideas. Keep them coming!

No problems with the frame rate this time, and I’m liking the new ‘door’ mechanic- it makes it much more structured.

A couple of niggly bits I noticed: the footprints, when you restart, remain on the squares for a short time. One guard came across them, and sped up- obviously, the footprints wouldn’t technically be there.

Niggly bit number 2, is that a guard doesn’t need to be ‘on’ the door switch to open the exit, the square that the guard searches also triggers the door. I appreciate that that one would require a new object extension though, so it’s a lot of hassle for such a small thing.

So yep- the game itself working well! Could I recommend having a ‘congratulations’ page, rather than making it loop? A larger level size (possibly with scrolling) would give you more flexibility for more diverse levels aswell. Rather than having instructions, could you not just use a simple tutorial? (Walking along a corridor). You could even use a 2-player mode, with two escapees working together using the arrow keys for some added complication. (and a level select never goes amiss)

*Notes that he is now rambling, but you could make a fantastic game out of it, and then release it somewhere and make some revenue. (I’d recommend kongregate.com)*

In summary: much improved!

Trapping the enemy is something that is definitely possible with the current game mechanics; I’ve just completely failed at implementing a level that uses it! The AI doesn’t follow the right wall — it actually keeps track of the squares that it has visited, and tries to visit new squares. Again, the only reason it looks like the AI is simpler than that is bad level design (you can probably spot a recurring theme…).

The frame rate is an issue? Damn. It’s the bloody footprints; I’ll try and fix that.

Rather than having a ‘manic chase’, is there not the mechanic of trapping your pursuer? and if you had 2 or 3 pursuers, on strategic patrols, that’d work wonders. Playing with the AI so that it doesnt follow the right wall all the time would make it a whole lot more flexible. For a simple scoring system, how long does it take a person to complete all the levels?

One thing I noticed is that the frame rate’s not even sometimes. For the third level, this pretty much spells death.

OH- and for more inspiration, the rock pushing games in pokemon!