Explanation:
There have been many good Breakout / Arkanoid clones for the PC, but, they almost always get boring when you have one or two blocks left on the screen. The following idea should improve any Breakout / Arkanoid clone.

Gameplay:
Most PC Arkanoid clones are pretty much the same. Players use the mouse to control the paddle at the bottom of the screen and try to keep the ball in play for as long as possible. When the ball hits certain blocks, bonus or penalty items fall, which are either caught or avoided.

The difference with this version is that you have a "Guidance Meter" (call it whatever you want, but for now I will just call it the "Guidance Meter" or "GM"). As the game is played, some bonus items that fall will have "GM" on them. Whenever one of these "GM" bonus items is caught, the Guidance Meter energy increases.

Normally, when you move the mouse left and right, only the paddle moves. Here's where the Guidance Meter makes the game more fun. The player can now hold down the left mouse button while moving the mouse (and paddle) to guide the horizontal movement of the ball (the vertical movement is unaffected). This ability comes at a price though. Holding down the left mouse button gives players a wonderful new ability, but it also decreases the power in the Guidance Meter for as long as they hold down the button.

Wise players will save Guidance Meter energy for the end of each level so they can hit that last hard to reach block that usually causes so much aggravation in other Arkanoid type games.

In a multi-ball situation, the last ball to hit the paddle would become the "active ball" or you could have the player control all of the balls if you want.

I hope you decide to use this idea in your next Arkanoid clone, because I can't wait to play it.

Duane Alan Hahn
the_fortress_of_infinitude@hotmail.com

I had almost forgotten about that game. Arkanoid used to be one of my absolute favourite games. I'll have to dig that one up from… wherever it's hiding. About your Guidance Meter, seems like a neat idea to me. But again, you'll never know before you but it in action.

Idea Reviewer:
-Vegard Aure-

Breakout and Arkanoid ideas - Guidance Meter for Breakout games and Arkanoid game Clones