So iA (yes, direct speech hehe),
I’ve put together some ideas and small tweaks that I think would fit nicely into the game.
These are meant for v159 — I just had to post them after v158 so you (iA) have enough time to consider adding them.
(Maybe) bookmark this topic so it doesn’t get forgotten :P
There are several sections described briefly below:
Tweaks: Small changes to features already present in the game.
New Features: As the name suggests.
Waves: New waves (including some alternate versions).
And a few smaller sections:
Quests: Changes and improvements to quests.
Modding: Two small tweaks to help with modding/reskinning.
Tips: Please read the last feature listed under New Features.
Tweaks:
-
The Old iA Logo:
The classic animation of the iA logo that appears when the game starts. -
Change Darkening to Invisibility:
The option to darken other players in multiplayer could be changed to invisibility instead. This would reduce visual clutter while keeping gameplay fair. -
Minor League Adjustment:
A very high-ranked player should not be able (or after some time, no longer be able) to league a player who is significantly lower-ranked. This would help protect low-ranked players from being repeatedly matched with much stronger ones. -
Main Screen Color Theme:
Seasonal events already change the main screen’s color theme, but could this instead be set to the last color theme used by the player? -
Variety in Shady Dealers:
Shady Dealers could appear in different colors (e.g., coral, lime, indigo) instead of always using the same one.
(Credit: Pinanas) -
Variety in Slob Chickens:
The pink color fits well, but could Slob Chickens also appear in other colors, similar to the “Show ’Em Who’s Boss” wave? -
Chicken Appearance Variations:
Small visual variations in chickens, such as different comb colors or shapes, could add more variety. This may not be practical for small enemies, as they have around 100+ frames per head. Applying these variations only to certain chickens (like the default ones) would still be a great improvement.
(Credit: Pinanas)
Reference Images
New Features:
-
Hardpoints Visibility (Comparison Screen):
Hardpoints should be visible when comparing yourself with another player (they currently are not). However, the laser scope is quite large, so its size could be reduced or made fully invisible. This should be a toggleable option, turned off by default to avoid extra load for low-end systems. -
Waypoints:
This idea has already been suggested many times (probably 17+ by now), but I’m mentioning it again because it’s genuinely useful and would improve navigation and overall gameplay. -
Double Team Missions (CHL Trial):
A player without CHL could be given a one-time chance to play a Double Team mission. The difficulty and mission size can be decided by you (iA). When the player clicks Play, a popup should clearly inform them that this is their last chance to play a Double Team mission, and that they will not be able to play again without purchasing CHL. -
Badge of No Payment:
This badge would be granted to every player the first time they play the game. The badge would remain visible until the player makes any payment (such as buying keys or CHL), after which it would be removed. -
Special Notification (Contacts Only):
When a player changes a multiplayer mission to Contacts Only, a more noticeable or higher-priority notification could be sent to all their contacts (if this is not already implemented). -
Different Colored Retros:
Each wormhole could have a unique colored name (for example, pink on one wormhole). The tint of the starfield and mobs in that wormhole should match the wormhole’s color (so pink in this example). I know it’s meant to match the episodes (like in CI4), but wouldn’t it look cooler this way? -
Use of Coins:
Currently, coins only contribute to your score and medals. Could they be given an additional purpose, such as being spendable on special items or rewards in-game? -
Auto-Use Item for Satellites:
An item that, when activated, prevents your satellites from floating around and getting stuck with you. -
Loading Screen Tips:
Short tips could be shown while logging into CIU, similar to how tips appear when joining a Minecraft world or opening Discord.
Reference Images:
Colored Retro Enimies
Waves:
Note: Please don’t blame me if some of these waves already exist — My brain has only 68 MB RAM
-
It Gets Cold in Space:
Instead of laying eggs, the boss could sneeze. A custom texture for the sneeze particles could be added, with a slight green tint for extra effect. -
Be Quick or Be Dead:
Wave 46 from CI2 remastered. -
Chicken Burger:
A new wave where many different chickens (Fire, Slob, Introvert, Among Us, etc.) line up horizontally to form a giant “burger”. Players will have to navigate through this layered formation, dodging attacks from multiple chicken types at once. -
Circled:
A new wave where a safe area slightly larger than the player is placed in the center of the screen. After 5 seconds (or a set time), many chickens (likely Young Chickens) gather to form a circle around the player. The circle will be moving around the screen so the player should also move along the circle. If any chicken is killed, another (possibly bigger) chicken takes its place. The number and type of chickens appearing can vary depending on difficulty, with higher-level chickens appearing in higher difficulties. -
Highway:
A new wave featuring 3 lanes separated by steel obstacles coming from the top of the screen. Chickens will appear within these lanes. Each lane has small gaps, allowing the player to move between lanes while dodging attacks and obstacles. -
Run Away:
A wave similar to opps, wrong exit, but instead of returning through the portal, they continue moving off-screen, creating a chaotic escape scenario for the player. -
Upside Down Version:
- Chicken Soup
- Nasty Surprise
- Overreaching Chickens
- Be Quick or Be Dead
- Circled
- Highway
-
Mirrored Version:
- Egg Storm
- Chicken Burger
Quests:
These are some changes I would like to suggest for quests.
-
Multiple Rewards:
Instead of only receiving keys, players could also earn rewards such as fuel, hardpoints, thrusters, heat sinks, reactors, or even a free ship. -
New Tasks:
Additional task types could be introduced, such as:- Buying fuel
- Buying specific items (thrusters, heat sinks, reactors, weapons, etc.)
- Selling a specific amount of food
- Buying a ship
- Using fuel
- Spending keys
Reference Images:
Modding:
These are a few things I’d like to suggest for modding (reskinning).
-
Gift Color Customization:
Could there be a way (via IAMT) to change the colors of gifts?
This would greatly help with reskinning weapons. For example, if a mod changes the Lightning Fryer’s color to green, the gift for the Lightning Fryer could also appear green, while keeping the same “LF” letters. -
Reskinning of the Absolver Beam:
Currently, only the patterns of the Absolver Beam can be changed, while its colors remain fixed. Would it be possible to add some way for the beam’s color to be changed as well? I understand this would also be difficult to implement on your side, but it would be worth it, as it would greatly expand reskinning possibilities. I know Absolver Beams are a bit unusual, but many players would genuinely love this option.
Imagine seeing this diva:
Tips:
Tips would appear while logging into CIU. These could include short hints, reminders, or fun facts.
Some Tips I made
- If a wave feels unfair… it probably is
- Some bosses change behavior as the fight progresses.
- Fuel can be bought at a lower price from the Gus’s Gas.
- Certain waves are inspired by older CI episodes.
- Standing still is rarely a good idea.
- Multiplayer missions can be limited to contacts only.
- Reskinning weapons is possible with modding tools.
- Chickens may look silly, but they hold grudges.
- Not all chickens attack the same way.
- Bigger ships don’t always mean easier wins.
- Selling food at Space Burger can earn you extra keys.
- Modding visuals does not affect gameplay balance.
- Remember: the chickens started it.
- CIU can be modded and reskinned using external tools.
- Never trust a calm-looking boss.
- Exploring unusual routes may lead to surprises.
- Higher difficulty missions can unlock better rewards.
- If it’s glowing, it’s probably dangerous.
- The chickens are watching. Always.
- Buying thrusters, reactors, and heat sinks improves your ship’s overall performance.
- Chickens travel in space better than logic does.
- Some waves have mirrored or upside-down versions.
At the end, I’d like to thank iA and everyone who took the time to read this.
If you didn’t read the whole thing… I pretend to hate you
If you have or want to make any changes, or would like to share your opinion, I’d genuinely love to hear it. Please ignore my editing skills. If anything in the New Waves section is unclear, I can also provide reference images for better explanation. like for nyan cat. Theres a secret text in one of the images
Special Thanks to:
Pinanas — for ideas and reference images
Thank you <3
