This is more or less the finalized game mechanics. I'm operating under the assumption that Mad Science will win. If it does not, all of this will stay the same but the circuits stuff may have to be re-"skinned" into something more theme appropriate. I think I might get on a webcam and whiteboard and explain this visually a bit at a time when most people are available.

Tiles, cells, and platforms

- the universe is a 3-dimensional grid of cells

- a tile is a cell that is occupied

- a moving platform is a floor tile that moves according to a repeating sequence of moves

This is what a tile will look like, roughly:

The top surface is 32x16 pixels. It has 8 pixels of thickness. 

This tile is called a 1x1x1. Sorry if it's confusing because it looks like it has half thickness.

There are ramps that you can walk up. This ramp takes up a cubic space and so it has a thickness of 2

The character has a height of 4 and requires a clearance of 4 to pass under. 

A "block" is a thing you can push around and has a thickness of (at least) 2.  Exactly 2

Blocks occupy discrete cells. You cannot push a block partially on one tile. When you push it, it "scoots" completely to the next tile. 

Moving platforms occupy discrete cells as well. Its motion will be a little jerky. Sorry. It will make my life easier. 

Block and platform motion is a rendering concept. So even though it occupies a specific coordinate, it will be rendered moving to that coordinate. This is purely a visual thing and in the game model it actually occupies a specific coordinate. 

Blocks can be wide (greater than 1x1) NOT ANYMORE! They will always be 1x1

Blocks can be walked upon. I see this being useful if there are holes in the floor that you need to fill with blocks so you can walk past. Blocks can be pushed over other blocks. 

- If you push a block out from underneath another block, the block above will squish you. 

- Blocks can be pushed on moving platforms

- Blocks can be pushed off ledges. 

There can be abyss holes in the ground. If you push a block off a ledge into a hole, it is gone!

You can restart the level from the menu. 

If a moving platform moves somewhere without enough clearance for the block on it, then the block will get pushed off the platform and fall down

Moving platforms move in a sequence of coordinates

Moving platforms that are blocked will stop moving. Blocks "win" when their position interferes with a moving platform. The platform will wait until the block is no longer there to resume its movement sequence. 

A moving platform cannot push a block by colliding with it, but you can push a block onto the platform.

The map editor will allow you to type in a series of directions

Blocks cannot be pushed up ramps

Large blocks will only fall in a hole if the hole is big enough. There are no large blocks.

Large blocks cannot go on moving platforms.

Moving platforms are always 1x1.

Transporter and receiver tiles

- when you step on a transporter tile you will appear on its corresponding receiver tile

-- you will be able to pair them in the map editor

Circuits

- in the map editor, you can place a circuit tile. Circuit tiles will link to their neighbors, visually. Like roads in Sim City. 

- a circuit can either be unpowered or powered

- there are power output tiles that can link to circuits

-- if the circuit is powered and you put an uncharged battery on it, the battery will then be powered

-- if the circuit is powered and you put a charged battery on it or if the circuit is unpowered, nothing will happen

- there are power input tiles that you can link to circuits

-- if the circuit is unpowered and you put a charged battery on it, it will be powered. If you move the battery away, the battery will become uncharged.

-- if the circuit is powered and you put a charged battery on it, the battery will still deplete when you push the battery away. 

- there are circuit gap tiles. the circuit will visually link to these, but they are gaps and will not carry a charge unless you push a circuit link block on it.

-- These circuit link blocks are like the pipes in pipe dreams and will have a | - + or L symbol on them indicating which directions they link. 

- exposed circuit - like a normal circuit tile but will electrocute you if you step on it when there's a charge

Color blocks and tiles

- a color block works like an infinitely charged battery and a color tile will work just like a power input tile but only when the colors match. Otherwise they do nothing.

Monsters

- generic monster that paces left to right or up and down until obstruction is hit (Will not walk off ledges)

- tesla coils - zap you dead if they are powered, otherwise they're safe

Contaminated tile

- cannot step on

- you collect spray bottles of decontaminant in the level. You can spray on the tile in front of you.

- contamination touching a circuit will burn away if there's a charge