Cosmic Collector

Cosmic Collector is an ambient 2D arcade game that tests your mastery of orbital physics. Navigate through progressively complex star systems, using the pull of gravity to collect valuable stardust while avoiding hazardous debris.  

Entry to the GMTK Game Jam 2025! Theme: Loop

Note: The web version playable on this page is a demo and doesn't represent the full experience with all features. To save your score, use powerups, and play the secret level, please download the full version below.

Features

• Gravity Based Movement: Swing your ship into orbital loops, adjust your radius, and slingshot between planets. Mastering gravity is the key to survival.
  
• Eleven unique songs composed and played by me!
• Ten Challenging Levels: Progress from the simplicity of Earth's orbit to chaotic binary and triple-star systems, culminating towards being in the crossfires of a planetary war. Each of the ten levels presents it's own unique looping gravitational challenge. 
  
• Level Specific High Scores: Chase your own personal best on each level to prove your skill and unlock later stages.
  
• Classic Powerups! Collect 2x multipliers, bombs to clear debris, and shields to protect against hits. Watch out for other events along the way, such as friendly UFOs that give you extra lives, or shooting stars that give extra points.
• Minimalist Retro Aesthetic: Clean, vector-style graphics and a themed soundtrack create an immersive, focused arcade experience.
  
• Unlockable Codex: Discover lore about the different star systems and entities you encounter on your journey! 

Controls

• Arrow Keys: Control Movement / Rotation
• Spacebar: Switch Orbit (Levels 3 + 5)
• Escape: Pause Game
  
• Left Mouse Button To Click Menu Buttons
  

Story 

See the continuation of the Chrono-Wing story!

The year is 2949. It has been four years since Earth repelled the Xylosian Swarm, a bio-mechanical race of aliens from a distant star system. In the aftermath of the war, a new political faction has risen on the Xylosian homeworld. This new faction seeks a future beyond galactic conquest and offers to make a ceasefire with Earth. To honor this fragile turning point, the Solar Federation sends its most decorated pilot, the very one who destroyed the Xylosian mothership while caught in a time vortex, to represent humanity on a mission of diplomacy. 

Your journey begins in Earth’s orbit, tracing a path outward through gravitational corridors and alien systems. Can you broker peace between this fragile alliance, or will figures lurking in the shadows work to undo everything? 

Play Chrono-Wing here:

Credits

Programming, Music, Sound Effects, Writing, and Design by - Connor | InTheAtticDev

Special thanks to my parents for playtesting! Secret level idea by my dad :)

Story inspired by the writings of Neil Peart. All the love forever to The Professor <3

Social Media Links:

Youtube:  https://www.youtube.com/@InTheAtticDev

Bluesky:  https://bsky.app/profile/intheatticdev.bsky.social

Notes:

This game was developed in less than four days for the GMTK Game Jam 2025, the theme was "Loop." Previously made code was used, as Cosmic Collector used to be a work in progress game, with the only real feature being the orbital physics. This theme inspired me to iron out the concept and turn it into a full game, refactoring a vast majority of what was there into what is here now. I am thankful that this jam allowed me an opportunity to get this game out and put it in my catalog. 

⚠️ Note on Web vs Download Version:
This game was developed using Python, and while that makes browser support tricky, I still wanted to provide a web demo so you can preview the experience without downloading.

That said, the downloadable version is the full game experience as intended-- with smoother performance (60fps), better visuals, and important features like powerups and a progression system. The web version is just a lightweight demo. For the complete experience, with the secret level included, please download the full version. Thanks for checking it out-- I hope you enjoy!