SketchFighter 4000 Alpha
Encyclopedia
SketchFighter 4000 Alpha is a scrolling shooter with a focus on exploration for Mac OS X
. The game was created by Lost Minds together with Ambrosia Software
. SketchFighter uses OpenGL
and a custom game engine
to create visuals for all elements of the game reminiscent of hand drawn sketches.
SketchFighter is distributed as shareware
; specifically, crippleware
as only a subset of the game is playable prior to registration.
The ship can navigate forward and backward and rotate. Strafing is not supported; the ship fires the direction it is facing (within a random margin of error).
SketchFighter offers two player cooperative and competitive modes, and it includes an Internet-based high score board.
Mac OS X
Mac OS X is a series of Unix-based operating systems and graphical user interfaces developed, marketed, and sold by Apple Inc. Since 2002, has been included with all new Macintosh computer systems...
. The game was created by Lost Minds together with Ambrosia Software
Ambrosia Software
Ambrosia Software is a predominantly Macintosh software company located in Rochester, New York. Ambrosia produces utilities and games. Its products are distributed as shareware; demo versions can be downloaded and used for up to 30 days....
. SketchFighter uses OpenGL
OpenGL
OpenGL is a standard specification defining a cross-language, cross-platform API for writing applications that produce 2D and 3D computer graphics. The interface consists of over 250 different function calls which can be used to draw complex three-dimensional scenes from simple primitives. OpenGL...
and a custom game engine
Game engine
A game engine is a system designed for the creation and development of video games. There are many game engines that are designed to work on video game consoles and personal computers...
to create visuals for all elements of the game reminiscent of hand drawn sketches.
SketchFighter is distributed as shareware
Shareware
The term shareware is a proprietary software that is provided to users without payment on a trial basis and is often limited by any combination of functionality, availability, or convenience. Shareware is often offered as a download from an Internet website or as a compact disc included with a...
; specifically, crippleware
Crippleware
In economics, a damaged good is a good that has been deliberately limited in performance, quality or utility, typically for marketing reasons as part of a strategy of product differentiation.-Computer software:Deliberately limited programs are usually freeware versions of computer programs that...
as only a subset of the game is playable prior to registration.
Game play
SketchFighter's game play consists of using the ship to explore different zones in the game. As the player explores, he or she must fight a variety of enemies. The player acquires different power up items in the game, such as different weapon types, different colors of weapons, improved shields and faster and stronger engines. Some of these power ups require defeating a boss; others are offered for exploring new areas of the map, including areas that can be unlocked by the player through the use of a newly acquired power up.The ship can navigate forward and backward and rotate. Strafing is not supported; the ship fires the direction it is facing (within a random margin of error).
SketchFighter offers two player cooperative and competitive modes, and it includes an Internet-based high score board.