[hoopz]

Check it out here: http://www.tqworld.com/cgi-bin/tqworld?partner~tq .

Have fun!

[Jsnuff1]

got bored 5 min after playing that game(if you want to call it a game) hehe does a good job of tranquilizing you, i fell asleep!

[dws]

Jsnuff1,

It's funny how different two people's opinions can be! I'm assuming that your opinion is entirely due to the scant five minutes that you devoted to finding out about a seemingly simple, but actually complicated game. If you'd spent ten minutes, perhaps you'd think differently!

Here's a reprint of a response I wrote for MacObserver's piece about the new and improved Tranquility OS X version of their game::

Subject: OS X Tranquility is truly worth the download & $24
Poster: dws (5/8/2001, 05:13 pm EDT)

I've been playing this game for a couple of months and the unique concept only gets better with the Cocoa version (OS X). The sounds generated by the game, already spectacular, are raised to a whole new level of enjoyment. The colors are incredible.

The only downside to the OS X version is that tranquility really needs accelerated graphics - a known issue with OS X (that will be improved quickly, I'm sure!). The game has a fairly low frame rate in OS X, though it really doesn't detract from gameplay.

If you haven't played it yet, the download is relatively small and they have a free demo level (new each day!) for those who aren't sure the experience is worth $24 a year (best $24 I ever spent!).

They call it 'tranquility' and their site is filled with the joys of floating freely in space, bouncing off of platforms... In my experience, the game is hardly tranquil. I've spent hours, rigid with excitement and determination, hunched over my keyboard, eyes glued to the screen - ever hunting for the elusive spinners! Unending fun, but not exactly a restful experience!! If you do this just before bed, don't be surprised if you find yourself crawling out from underneath the covers and dragging yourself back to the computer - for just one more level!!!

[godzappa]

I was hoping for a really relaxing gentle game to relax myself after a stressful day of work and this game didnt really deliver.. the gfx are very far out (strobe lights et all) which incures the opposite of relaxation.. but Im sure its just a case of love it or dont love it.

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--
James
http://monsters.z-team.com/

[Archangel]

So. . .I went to the website, and I couldn't figure out what this game is about. What's the goal? How do you play? It looks like a screen saver to me. Explain.

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I got a yellow slinky from Outpost.com

[hoopz]

Hi Archangel.
I admit, if you're used to Doom, Quake, et al, you may be underwhelmed by Tranquility. The basic object is to dock with the Spinner (you'll know it when you see it) in each level. (Dock with = run into). Sometimes the Spinner is hidden. Other times it's easy to see but moves too fast, requiring a lie-in-wait-and-pounce strategy.
There are seven levels in what's called a Realm. There are many Each level has one Spinner to find. The scoring is the idiosyncratic part. You are often downgraded for excessive mouse movement or otherwise violating the 'tranquil' mood one presumably aspires to while playing.

From the horse's mouth:

"Your tranquility experience is customized by our TQworld net-servers creating hundreds of thousands of game elements. No two games are the same, and all games are designed to fit your playing style.

When you enter a Realm, the shapes you see are what we call "Platforms". Depending on where and how you approach them, the Platforms move you about the Realm on your quest for a Spinner. Once you have docked with 7 Spinners you have accomplished the level and receive a new game in your Realm. Once you have mastered a particular Realm you are rewarded with a tranquility Card. Each tranquility Card you collect will help you improve your playing style as you proceed.

Our TQworld net-servers not only create your custom Realm, they also score you as you play. Perhaps the most intelligent scoring engine ever created resides inside tranquility. The race is not always to the swiftest in tranquility...and, most certainly, not always to the slowest. tranquility, by its very name, suggests the path that will reward you the most.

But the path to tranquility is not obvious. As you play, you will begin to learn how to explore a Realm and how to dock with Spinners. And, as you do, your customized challenges will be developed for you. You will be able to compare notes with others and see how different personalities are challenged differently in each Realm."

The "new-agey" aspect of the game is belied by the names of the higher Realms; lower Realms have highfalutin names like Understanding and Path To Wisdom, while the higher Realms include Everything, Inspired Hack, and the highest of all, Programmer.

Try the training levels included in the free download.

Hoopz