Fission:
Splitting the Atom

Fission: Splitting the Atom - Going Nuclear

Despite a broad and varied portfolio of experimental prototypes, Fission: Splitting the Atom remains my only commercially released title to date. The game was released on 13th October 2020 via the Google Play Store, and as such is only available to play on Android devices. The player takes control of a neutron inside a nuclear reactor, the goal being to generate energy by splitting all of the uranium atoms present. With various levels steadily increasing in difficulty, unlockable upgrades and cosmetics, and even the ability to create custom levels with a number of difficulty options, my intention for Fission was to create as much replayability as possible despite the incredibly basic gameplay loop. Although a great personal milestone for myself, the game is noticeably limited, and a lack of experience with marketing meant that it never achieved commercial success.

The main gameplay loop of Fission is simple. The player will gain a point for every uranium atom they split, and lose a point for colliding with other atoms. Completing a level with a perfect score will unlock the next level, while also rewarding the player with one atom. This in-game currency can be used to purchase upgrades, such as increased speed or slower neutron decay, or it can be spent on cosmetics, in the form of 12 decorative skins, including a football, disco ball and the planet Earth.

In addition to over 50 preset levels, the player is also able to create a custom game, choosing the reactor size, the number of uranium atoms present, and the speed and decay rate of their neutron. However, no atoms will be awarded for completing these custom levels. I also envisioned a competitive multiplayer mode, with options for 2, 5 and 10 player games, to be added at a later date. However, due to its mild reception, there have been no major updates to the game since release.

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