![]() ![]() Each coordinate on the grid can therefore be considered a unique memory address. The amount of memory in SpaceChem’s “cache” is governed by the area of the grid (8 x 10). Data must be written from the cache to a register in order to be manipulated directly by the CPU. The cache is a larger, cheaper form of memory, but it is slower to read and write. If grabbed molecules are like data in registers, then molecules left on the grid are cached. ![]() Just as a waldo can only grab one molecule at a time, computers have very few registers and must therefore rely on caching. Conceptually this is analogous to storing data in registers, a form of computer memory that is accessed very quickly and that the CPU manipulates directly. In other words, a grabbed element is more readily and rapidly available than one lying elsewhere on the grid. When a waldo grabs a molecule, it gains the ability to perform instructions directly on it. Like processors, waldoes are the engines that drive the control flow of a SpaceChem factory. The waldo’s analogue in computing is the processor, a hardware component that sequentially executes basic operations defined by machine code. They can grab, drop, rotate, sync, bond, fuse, request input or dispatch output. The waldoes follow the path and sequentially execute any instruction they come across. The player commands two circular “waldoes” by laying out paths and instructions for them. I’d like to elaborate on these manifold similarities, as well as explore how games like SpaceChem could be used to promote procedural literacy. The methods used to tackle challenges in SpaceChem are akin to real techniques used by computer programmers. While chemistry is the theme, on a mechanical level it has more in common with programming. The game challenges you to build a factory in order to transmute the given input molecules into the given output molecules. Summertime is the perfect time to attack the pile of shame.SpaceChem is a remarkable puzzle game about fake chemistry. ![]() Major releases aren't as frequent this time of year, as everyone prepares for the fourth quarter push. So, it's time to finish off those games that were buried throughout the last few months. Garnett Lee: I’m going to get back on the finishing games track I hope with Dungeon Siege III, which I hear isn’t too long all things considered.Follow Shacknews on Twitter for regular updates and giveaways.) (Click any editor's name to visit their Twitter page. I’ll also be continuing my return to Final Fantasy XIII. Xav de Matos: Pouring one out to the fine Shackers hitting the town at ShackCon! I also took a vote on Twitter to decide which title in my pile of shame I'd tackle, Dead Space 2 won hands down.And I’m sure I’ll be building on to my skyscraper more in Tiny Tower on the iPad. Steve Watts: Trying to knock out a few games from my backlog, in whatever time I can spare between watching the BioShock Infinite demo over and over again.Jeff Mattas: I’ll continue to crawl through Witcher 2 at a snail’s pace, and enjoy every minute.Īlice O'Connor: Wishing I was at ShackCon!.Andrew Yoon: Infamous 2 is on sale at GameStop.I'm also playing Resident Evil: The Mercenaries 3D and Alice: Madness Returns. Ozzie Mejia: Weekends like this are made for clearing out the XBLA backlog.Lots of comments on my gaming splurge here: The Steam summer sale "camp activities" thing poked me to explore my backlog. Obviously I could have played any of these games at any time, but it's nice to also have other folks chatting about them, and to get suggestions (the ticket achievements) about interesting things to do with them. ![]()
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