The name of the game mechanic in which the player “slides” towards obstacles

terminology

What is the name of the common and oft-reimplemented game mechanics in which the level is a 2D grid consisting of obstancles, and the player can move from their current position in any direction (up, down, left, right) but will then move all the way until an obstancle stops him?

One example of this game mechanic is the Slippery Ice Tile in the Pokémon games.

Best Answer

You are looking for Frictionless Ice

Ice is not merely slippery; it's a physics-defying miracle lubricant that renders characters unable to make the slightest change in direction until the inevitable collision with an obstacle or wall, or in more malevolent circumstances, until the character is sent hurtling down a bottomless pit. So much as a single step of forward momentum is enough to send the character, puzzle block, or otherwise significant object sliding three screens in that direction. Of course, there is no diagonal.

This is actually developed from an old physics problem that goes with the study of Newton's law of motion (for each action there is an equal but opposite reaction).

The idea is that you would throw an object, which would cause you to receive the opposite and equal force to the throw, and move in a direction exactly opposite to my throw with just as much force as whatever was tossed.