You can use 'x' for A button and 'c' for B button normally pressing 'f' should put the game in full screen but it might not work in all browsers. Pressing 'f3' with the game activated will switch between playdate and colored graphics. Progress is saved locally in an "indexed db" database from your browser.  You can also use an xbox controller to control the games if your browser (like chrome) supports this


Dynamate is a puzzle game invented by Björn Kalzen and Jonas Norberg, a couple of years ago i contacted them to make a port for the gp2x handheld. This version is port of my gp2x version made to work with the Playdate handheld.

History

In 1995 Jonas Norberg and his friend Björn Kalzen developed the game initially for the Amiga. Björn programmed and made levels, Jonas did the graphics, music and levels. The game was released as licenceware by F1 in U.K. but only eleven persons discovered the game (according to F1). Since then Jonas has ported it to a few platforms himself and some other guys have ported it to other platforms including me for the gp2x and this Playdate version.

Playdate Game Features:

  • 30 default levels with increasing difficulty
  • Adapted numbered pieces since playdate can't display colors to make it easier to recognize them.
  • Level Editor to create your own levels to share with others
  • Autosaves progress

Playing the Game:

The aim of the game, in any level, is to clear the level of the numbered pieces. Pieces can be removed in a predefined way by moving another piece into them. There are also pieces affecting the currently moving piece.

Level Editor

The game includes a level editor, to create your own levels which you can share with other people.

Basic usage

When you select the level editor menu, you can create a "new" level by choosing new or selecting an earlier created level by selecting "select level". Once inside level editing mode you can use the crank to cycle between level editor parts visible in the lower right part of the screen and place them inside the level by pressing the A button. The "empty" piece will erase blocks below the cursor.

Levels should follow these rules:

  • Minimum of 2 numbered pieces
  • Teleporters should have an even amount.

When you have finished creating your level you can press the (B) button to acces the menu again, choose save and choose a name for your level. Then you can exit out the leveleditor by choosing quit and in the main menu you can choose play and select user levels to select and play your levels.

Sharing levels

Levels are saved in the data folder of the game under the "levels" folder. You can copy your level(s) and share with other people. The other people will just need to extract your levels in the same folder on their own playdate and the levels will appear on their playdate as well. feel free to contact me if you created some good levels and want your level packs to be included in the download of the game

Play version with colored graphics

The windows, mac, (self build) linux and html (web assembly) versions can switch out the default playdate graphics with colored graphics if you press the F3 button on the keyboard or the X Button on your (xbox) gamepad. The game will restart with the next source folder and remember which source folder you are using the next time you start the game.

Controls

Playdate

ButtonAction
Dpad or Crank Select menu's, options or levels to play. Move the selector. During level editor mode, select a different level piece with the crank
A Confirm in menu and level selector, Holding (A) on a movable piece and pressing a direction with the Dpad will move that piece in said direction, place a level piece in level editor mode
B Back in menus, level selector and game
F3 Switch Source Folders (switch between playdate and colored graphics)
F4 Quit game
F5 Dock Crank
F6 Undock Crank
F7 Hold to move Crank backwards, select previous level piece in level editor
F8 Hold to move Crank forwards, select next level piece in level editor

Controls Windows / mac / Browser (keyboard)

KeyAction
Arrow keys Select menu's, options or levels to play. Move the selector.
X Confirm in menu and level selector, Holding (A) on a movable piece and pressing a direction with the Dpad will move that piece in said direction, place a level piece in level editor mode
C Back in menus, level selector and game
F Switch between full screen & windowed mode
F3 Switch Source Folders (switch between playdate and colored graphics)
F4 Quit game
F5 Dock Crank
F6 Undock Crank
F7 Hold to move Crank backwards, select previous level piece in level editor
F8 Hold to move Crank forwards, select next level piece in level editor

Controls Windows / mac / Browser (Gamepad)

ButtonAction
dpad & joystick Select menu's, options or levels to play. During gameplay move the player left or right.
A Button Confirm in menu and level selector, pickup or drop a block in game mode
B Button Back in menu, level selector and game
X Button Switch Source Folders (switch between playdate and colored graphics)
LT Dock Crank
RT Undock Crank
LB Hold to move Crank backwards, prev block in level editor
RB Hold to move Crank forwards, next block in level editor

Credits

  • Dynamate for playdate (and gp2x) is created by Willems Davy.
  • Dynamate Engine and game idea created by Björn Kalzen and Jonas Nordberg - https://www.audjoo.com/old/software/dynamate/
  • Graphics are a modified version of graphics made by Flavor for the gp32 version of the game.
  • Some Sounds also come from the gp32 version made by Flavor
  • Music was made by Don Skeeto for the gp2x version and is reused in this version of the game.

Download

Download
Dynamate playdate.zip 2.5 MB
Download
Dynamate i686.zip 14 MB
Download
Dynamate playdate Mac Os (x64).tar.gz 12 MB
Download
Dynamate x86_64.zip 15 MB

Install instructions

Use the sideload option on your playdate account to upload the downloaded "Dynamate playdate.zip" to it and then download the game to your device from settings -> games. More info in this YouTube video below

Development log

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