Zoom Be

🧪 Zoom Be: Asymmetrical Cooperative Problem Solving

Zoom Be stands apart in the puzzle-platformer genre by utilizing asymmetrical gameplay mechanics. Set in a labyrinthine laboratory, the game tasks players with controlling two zombie protagonists, simply named "Big" and "Small." Unlike games where avatars are identical, these two characters have fundamentally different physics properties, forcing players to adopt a collaborative mindset to solve environmental logic puzzles.

Whether played in local co-op or solo (switching between characters), the core loop involves identifying which character's unique attribute is the "key" to a specific lock in the level design. It is an excellent digital representation of teamwork dynamics and resource allocation.

🧠 Educational & Cognitive Benefits

This title actively engages social and logical brain centers:

• Role Differentiation: Players learn that different problems require different tools. Small problems need speed; large problems need force. This reinforces the concept of specialized roles in a team.
• Sequential Logic: Puzzles are often multi-stage (e.g., Big must hold a button so Small can cross, then Small must drop a crate so Big can follow). This requires planning several moves ahead (look-ahead capability).
• Communication (Co-op): When played with a partner, it necessitates clear verbal communication to synchronize timing, enhancing social cooperation skills.

🎮 Mechanics & Character Physics

The puzzle engine is built around the contrasting physical attributes of the protagonists:

• Small (The Scout): High agility, low mass.
  • Physics: capable of higher vertical jumps and fits into 1x1 grid spaces.
  • Weakness: Cannot push heavy crates and has lower knockback resistance.
• Big (The Tank): Low agility, high mass.
  • Physics: High friction coefficient (harder to push), capable of breaking wooden barriers and pushing 2x2 heavy blocks.
  • Weakness: Low jump height and slower acceleration.
• The Connection: The camera zooms out to keep both players in frame. If one player moves too far off-screen, the game restricts movement, forcing the team to stay physically close.

🏆 Solutions & Strategies

1. The "Stack" Maneuver

A core mechanic often overlooked by beginners is vertical stacking. Small can jump onto Big's head. This allows Big to act as a mobile platform, carrying Small across hazardous fluids or giving Small the extra height needed to reach high ledges.

2. Bait and Switch

Enemy guards usually target the nearest entity. Use Big to tank damage or distract an enemy patrol while Small slips behind them to activate the elevator switch. Big has a higher health pool (or stun resistance) in many scenarios.

🛡️ Technical Info

Optimized for shared-screen experiences:

• Input Channels: Separate input mapping allows Player 1 (WASD) and Player 2 (Arrow Keys) to act simultaneously without "ghosting" on standard keyboards.
• Platform: HTML5 Canvas, ensuring no plugin requirements.

❓ FAQ