🎮 ASCII Platform Game - PowerShell Edition

A fully-featured platform game with physics, collision detection, colors, and smooth gameplay

     @                    o
    ═══               ═══════
              o                     X
         ═════════            ══════════
                        
══════════════════════════════════════════

📋 Table of Contents

• Features
• Requirements
• Installation
• How to Play
• Controls
• Game Mechanics
• Levels
• Technical Details
• Troubleshooting
• Version History
• License

🤖 Features

• 3 Challenging Levels - Progressive difficulty from beginner to expert
• Smooth 60 FPS Gameplay - Optimized rendering for flicker-free experience
• Full Color Support - Vibrant colors for all game elements
• Physics Engine - Realistic gravity, jumping, and momentum
• Enemy AI - Patrolling enemies with defeat mechanics
• Score System - Points for coins and defeating enemies
• Lives System - 3 lives with invulnerability period after damage
• Pause Functionality - Pause mid-game to take a break
• Speedrun Mode - Timer tracking with score multipliers (up to 3x!)
• Real-time Timer - Track your completion time with target goals

💻 Requirements

• PowerShell 5.1 or higher
• Windows Terminal (recommended) or PowerShell Console
• Console window size: minimum 80x30 characters
• Administrator privileges NOT required

📥 Installation

1. Download the game:

   # Clone or download game.ps1 to your local directory

2. Enable script execution (if needed):

   Set-ExecutionPolicy -ExecutionPolicy RemoteSigned -Scope $env:USERNAME
   
   # What is $env:USERNAME?
   $env:USERNAME = ( the current user name ) -> # Explanation, do not copy.

3. Run the game:

   .\game.ps1

🎯 How to Play

Objective

• Collect all coins (o) in each level to advance
• Avoid or defeat enemies (X) by jumping on them
• Complete all 3 levels to achieve victory!

Game Elements

Symbol	Element	Description
@	Player	You! Jump and move to victory
o	Coin	Collect all to complete level (+10 points)
X	Enemy	Avoid or jump on them (+50 points)
═	Platform	Stand and jump from these
█	Ground	Solid ground (green blocks)

Status Bar

• Level - Current level (1-3)
• Score - Your current points
• Lives - Remaining lives (green when healthy, red when low)
• Time - Elapsed time in seconds (cyan when under target, red when over)

🎮 Controls

Key	Action
← / →	Move left/right
SPACE / ↑	Jump
P	Pause/Unpause game
R	Restart current level
ESC	Exit game

🏃 Game Mechanics

Movement

• Smooth horizontal movement with momentum
• Variable jump height - hold jump for higher jumps
• Air control - change direction mid-jump

Combat

• Jump on enemies to defeat them and gain 50 points
• Touching enemies from the side costs you a life
• 2-second invulnerability after taking damage (flashing effect)

Physics

• Gravity system - realistic falling acceleration
• Collision detection - precise platform and enemy interactions
• Momentum preservation - slide slightly when stopping

Speedrun Scoring

• Target Time - 60 seconds total (20 seconds per level)
• Speed Multiplier - Complete faster for up to 3x score multiplier
• Base Score - Points from coins, enemies, and level completion
• Final Score - Base score × speed multiplier
• Multiplier Calculation:
  • Under target time: Up to 3x multiplier (faster = higher)
  • Over target time: Down to 0.5x multiplier (slower = lower)

🗺️ Levels

Level 1 - Introduction

• Basic platform layout
• 2 enemies to practice combat
• 5 coins to collect
• Perfect for learning the controls

Level 2 - Intermediate Challenge

• Gap jumps required
• More enemies (3)
• Random coin placement (8 coins)
• Moving platforms layout

Level 3 - Expert Platforming

• Precise jumps required
• 4 fast-moving enemies
• Vertical climbing sections
• 7 strategically placed coins

🔧 Technical Details

Architecture

• Object-Oriented Design - Full class hierarchy with inheritance
• Game Engine - 60 FPS frame-limited main loop
• Render Pipeline - Double-buffered color rendering
• Physics System - Vector-based movement with delta time

Performance Optimizations

• Pre-allocated render buffers
• Batch color rendering
• Efficient collision detection
• Minimal garbage collection

Code Structure

Vector2D          - 2D vector math
GameObject        - Base class for all entities
├── Player        - Player character with lives/score
├── Platform      - Static platforms
├── Coin          - Collectible items
└── Enemy         - AI-controlled enemies
GameEngine        - Main game loop and systems
              └── Timer system for speedrun tracking

🐛 Troubleshooting

Game won't start

• Ensure you have PowerShell 5.1+: $PSVersionTable.PSVersion
• Check execution policy: Get-ExecutionPolicy
• Run PowerShell as your normal user (not as admin)

Graphics issues

• Use Windows Terminal for best color support
• Ensure console is at least 80x30 characters
• Try maximizing the console window

Performance problems

• Close other PowerShell tabs/windows
• Disable antivirus real-time scanning for the game folder
• Use Windows Terminal instead of legacy console

📝 Version History

• v4.0.0 - Added speedrun mode with timer and score multipliers
• v3.25.5 - Final optimized edition with flicker-free rendering
• v3.0.0 - Added colors, pause, and invulnerability system
• v2.0.0 - Improved physics and collision detection
• v1.0.0 - Initial release

👤 Author

GuestAUser

📄 License

This game is provided as-is for educational and entertainment purposes. Feel free to modify and share!

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🎉 Enjoy the game!