Dyadin is an action game that explores the potential of cooperative play mechanics in a 2-player puzzle environment. The game requires two players on two PCs that are networked together.

Two characters occupy two parallel worlds. The roles of each player change depending on the level. They can only affect objects in their own world but they depend on each other to complete each level. For exemple, one level has one player attempting to navigate a maze to reach the level’s exit portal, while the other player has to fight off enemies.

In many ways this mechanic is the puzzle equivalent of a three-legged race, in that players must worry about events in their world while accommodating the goals of their counterpart. Direct competition will get both players nowhere, as both must reach the exit to complete the level.

By Mike Brinker, Jenova Chen, Vincent Diamante, Todd Furmanski, Erik Nelson, Glenn Song from USC Interactive Media.