Proximity

Don't forget about Proximity HD which was showcased at GDC this year for XNA!

http://www.xbox.com/en-US/community/events/gdc2008/xna/proximityhd.htm

Thanks, John. I believe that was the project that won 3rd place in Microsoft's Dream-Build-Play competition.

You can download the game here:
http://www.briancable.com/proximityhd/

So how do you play a game with *.ccgame file name?

From the author's website:

"Note: The Windows version requires .NET 2.0, DirectX 9.0c, and the XNA Runtime in order to run, while the XBox 360 version requires the XNA Runtime plus an XNA Creators Club subscription."

Man, I remember this game! Awesome.

I stumbled upon this game a few weeks ago. Quite nice and addictive ("c'mon, one more level, I'm going to kick his butt this time!"), but I can't seem to win :( Damn computer is too smart for me.

I don't think it's mentioned in the review that the number of same color tiles that are adjacent to the on you put down increases by one

I like it! Another math game, in a way. I especially like that the troops already in place are strengthened by the addition of new troops. That makes it just a bit more satisfying for me--especially when it looks like I'm losing, but I've upped the count on several spaces to 19 or 20 and I pull off a win at the last moment.

Do you ever see games reviewed here and wonder what you were thinking when you didn't suggest it, since you've been playing it for years...?

Anyway, good choice, I love this game! It has a lot of great and really easy customization for your game play. Of course now I have to try to stop playing so I can get to class, but I'll be back for more.

(Oh and as I'm posting here anyway, and I didn't know how else to ask this question... Is there any particular reason that the side bar with my favorites and your recommendations keeps moving below all the reviews? When the page loads it shows up in the correct spot, to the left of the reviews, for a few seconds and then moves down below the review. It started happening a week or two ago. Sorry if this is inappropriate to have this in the comment, feel free to delete it. Thanks)

[Edit: Are you using IE6 by chance? There is a known issue with the site where that will happen when I change things in the sidebar, and I have been adding some things of late. Trouble is, I no longer have an IE6 computer to test on, so I can't see when it happens. That browser has caused me more lost productivity than I care to even think about. Thanks for mentioning it, I'll look into it. In the meantime, please get a better browser! :) -Jay]

Haha, thanks for remembering to post this. For the longest time I was wondering if it was ever going to be posted, especially after you posted Formation :P.

I actually recreated one of your mockups and had a "Proximity Classic" mostly made using your design that I still need to sit down and finish yet.

As for the multiplayer, I got distracted by Proximity HD and was going to make a multiplayer version, finally, through that for Xbox LIVE Arcade, but I've been distracted a bit by my new job and I haven't submitted the concept to Microsoft formally yet.

The PC needs a version with multiplayer also, and hopefully I'll figure out a way to do that with my limited funds at some point, hopefully in a way where I can make some money off of it.

Anyway, thanks for posting Proximity. I hope everyone enjoys playing it :P.

A very good one. Exactly the kind of game where polished and shiny looks is not a requirement - I didn't miss it at all. I guess this game would be just as enjoyable in black and white on a Hercules screen :)

Thx, Jay, for showing us this one.

Strategy tip for those finding it difficult:

You'll notice that as the game progresses, the screen fills up with tiles that get "locked in" when they become surrounded by other tiles. These are the ones that will determine your score.

The idea is to only "capture" a tile if in doing so you completely block access to that tile. That way, the opponent cannot recapture it. You can use low-scoring tiles defensively, to lock in your own tiles to protect them from the opponent, or to raise 18 and 19 tiles to 20. On the Quickstart game I just played, this strategy gave me a +200 lead at the end of the game.

I have the XNA runtime installed, Direct X is up to date, and so is the .NET 2.0
Still says I don't have a viewer for this type of file.

It needs higher difficulties - using the right strategy, I just won first time against an expert opponent!

(Yeah boy!)

The randomness just kills it for me. If you are unlucky you lose, as your opponent locks in all of your numbers and you can't do anything about it. Even something as simple as a hand of three tiles where you draw a new one to replace the one you played would be a tremendous improvement from a strategy standpoint. The way it stands now you just play the odds and pray. Good game, perhaps. Amazing game, probably not.

The randomness hurts yes.

Have to say though, it's a nice game on a simple and solid concept.

Also the AI is very good. if you get bad draws, it will make you really feel it

Fun for the first two or three games, but even the expert level is too easy. Maybe I'm a geek who plays too many math and strategy games, but I'm sure there are plenty of others out there who haven't lost a round yet. The only time it presents a real challenge is if you change the settings to decrease your own adjacent tiles. Would be great fun if it were harder.

AH BLUE ALWAYS WINS!

[Edit: Then the strategy you're playing with is incorrect. -Jay]

Like many have said, it's a great idea, but the randomness kills it for me.

Every time I play, either my opponent keeps getting a parade of 15+ tiles all in a row, in which case it's frustrating because I literally can't win, or else I get a dozen 15+ tiles in a row instead, in which case it's no fun because it's too easy. Strategy barely makes any difference at all, it's ruled completely by luck.

Here's a suggestion that would make it better: How about a game board consisting of 40 spaces, and each player has 20 tiles, one of each number? On your turn you can place any one of these tiles anywhere on the board. I think that would make for more strategy and less luck.