This is a game jam submission.
The theme for Pirate Software's July 2024 game jam was Shadow Alchemy.

Currently, the HTML version has problems as gamemaker doesn't translate something well. Not sure if it's the constructor functions, the object methods or something else. Try at your own risk.

Story:

Before space travel, we had many ideas about what a black hole actually is. One day, someone found that black diamonds have special properties. In space, these gems are extremely common and therefore worthless. However, they can absorb energy that is put off by black holes. The charged gem can be used for various industry applications. 

Your job is to take gems and visit black holes. You have to get within the gravity well and maintain a good distance. You want to capture the energy but not get sucked in. The charge, known as crim, is only collected when you are subjected to the gravity. The closer you are, the quicker the charge. Crystals emit photons in different wavelengths. They can only hold a max in each of the 3 ranges. A crystal monitor is installed to where you are. It's a patchwork device and can't give you an exact reading. But it can detect which of the 3 channels are emitting. 

Keep in mind, that better quality crystals have higher capacities and extremely rare only hold one or two of the 3 frequencies. Red is most common. The pure blue are valued the most.

****DO NOTE***** - You can overcharge the crystal. There are rumors of the crystal merely shattering but every time it's happened, the ship explodes. You should get a warning before this happens. Don't press your luck.

Good luck.

Instructions:

While it does support gamepad, I do not recommend it as the sensitivity settings have not been optimized.

Get close to the black hole, don't get sucked in. Your ship only thrusts in the forward direction. 

When you have enough charge, leave the map by flying as far from the black hole as possible. A menu will ask you if you want to return to the market to sell the crystal. 

Controls:

Down arrow - thrust

Left arrow - rotate

right arrow - rotate

space - confirm options

Addendum

Thank you everyone for playing this. I really hope you enjoy it. As a solo dev, this was difficult to do while working full time. Appreciate any feedback, good/bad or indifferent. Thanks.

Project Design Document (required)