Vectrex Academy 2026

Prof. Dr. rer. nat. Peer Johannsen

Vectrex Academy 2026 Project

Game Title

Vector Blast is a fast-paced two-player action game for the Vectrex. The goal is to eliminate your opponent with strategically placed bombs. But be careful: bombs don't distinguish between friend and foe. Whoever places a bomb must find a safe escape route before it explodes.

The playfield consists of a large outer square containing nine evenly spaced inner squares. These obstacles do not provide cover; instead, they block movement paths and make escaping from an explosion more difficult. Players must carefully plan their retreat whenever they place a bomb.

Before the game starts, the number of lives per player can be set from 1 to 10.
The objective is simple: take away all of your opponent's lives and become the last player standing.

Both players move around the arena using their respective joysticks.
Pressing Button 4 places a bomb at the player's current position.
Each player may have only one active bomb on the field at a time.
A new bomb can only be placed after the previous one has exploded.
After a short delay, the bomb explodes.
Any player caught on one of the four blast lines (up, down, left, or right) immediately loses one life.
The inner squares restrict movement and force players to take detours, making a timely escape much more challenging.

To make movement around obstacles feel smoother, a collision-assist feature is planned. When a player runs slightly into a wall at an angle, the game will automatically guide them along the wall instead of letting them get stuck. This will allow for more precise movement and fairer gameplay during intense bomb-dodging situations.