Dev Log #2 Simultaneous Combat Explained

A turn-by-turn breakdown of Sente’s simultaneous combat system.

Sente features a simultaneous turn system where you’ll not only have to plan your next move, but also anticipate your opponent’s.

Adapt on the fly and catch your opponent off guard using intricate circuits to deliver the final blow!

Evolution of Simultaneous Combat

Sente didn’t always function as the simultaneous battle of the minds you see today. In early development, Sente followed a more traditional sequential turn system where one player would make their move, then the next etc.

However, we wanted to test the waters of how rounds would play out if each player went simultaneously. This raised new challenges such as “if Player A moved to a position Player B was placing a core in, what would happen once the turn resolves?” The result: they both explode!

Chain reactions became a core aspect of the development of Sente and how different moves would shape not only the battle, but the board itself. The team added new abilities such as the ‘Push’ move, which allows a player to push an adjacent piece backwards.

Then came a new challenge, despite turns being planned simultaneously, how would that animate on the board? Take for example using ‘Push’ on an opponent’s piece, if the opponent had selected that same piece to move on this turn then it would dodge the ‘Push’, creating a priority system of how moves are executed.

Once the team cracked the animations and played out their first few turns, the switch to simultaneous turns over sequential was set in stone and Sente was born!

How to Make Your Move

The team have spent countless hours playtesting and gathering insider thoughts by watching players to see how true masterminds tackle Sente.

As a new player, there will be many things on the board that won't be obvious straight away. The more you delve into Sente, the more combinations and options you’ll discover at your fingertips. Understanding and developing your circuit bolster your presence and disrupt your opponent is key!

When expanding your own circuit, pay close attention to your opponent’s and be sure to prod them for weaknesses.

Not all turns will be the same length, be cautious of chain reactions that can completely change the tide of battle.

Sente has two main pieces at play:

1. The Core – The heart of your circuit, once this is destroyed and the circuit is cut off, it’s game over. Cores power the rest of your circuit meaning all pieces must be linked back in some way. A new core can be made by combining an emitter and receptor.

2. Tokens - This versatile piece is split into two sub-categories of emitters and receivers. Tokens are the players’ way of expanding their circuit, protecting their core, and attacking the enemy core.

   1. Emitter Token – An emitter token is created when a token is connected to the circuit via the shielded side. Emitters will fire a laser that can be used to extend the circuit or destroy enemy pieces.

   2. Receptor Token – Extend your circuits influence using receptors by placing them along the laser made by emitters. Remember, an emitter can rotate to other receptors, but a receiver cannot rotate.

The final key to the puzzle is the board itself. At the start of each game, the board is randomised into a symmetrical grid of obstacles and pit falls. You’ll need to keep your wits about you to avoid hazards such as large gaps that pieces can be pushed into or obstacles blocking your circuit from expanding.

Balancing 6 Player Battles

Having up to six players make their moves at the same time was certainly a technical challenge. In early development, the team tried numerous numbers of players to find which was the optimum amount that would maximise the chaos while still remaining a fun challenge.

To keep the board symmetrical, and to allow for the random board generation not to favour one player in particular, the team settled on six. After all, a Sente board has six sides!

Players entering a six person showdown will find the game quickly whittles down to two opponents so be sure to form alliances or be ruthless in the early stages.

Thank you, and we look forward to sharing more about Sente soon!

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