Introduction

- Main Menu
- User Interface
- Controls
- Matching
- Special Gems
- Launching Comets
- Winning
- Losing

Main Menu
Mission Mode
See the Mission Mode section for more information
Score Mode
See the Score Mode section for more information
Online
See the Multiplayer section for more information
Tutorial
If you're new to Protogem, check out the tutorial mode to get a tour of the basics.
Options
See the Options section for more information
Stats
The statistics panel keeps track of all sorts of information throughout the life of the program. Stats include:

- Gems Played
- Gems Destroyed
- Best Combo
- Total Score
- Comets Launched
- Score Mode Games
- Mission Mode Complete
- Online Wins
- Online Losses
- Total Play Time

Exit
Quit Protogem
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User Interface
1. Next Piece
This is where the next three pieces in the gem queue are displayed. You can use this area to your advantage by planning chain combos in advance.
2. Comet Bank
Once the power bar has been filled by matching gems of the same color, a comet will be placed in the bank. Up to nine comets can be stored here at one time. Comets are used for chain combos. The more comets you save in the bank, the bigger a combo can become. The comet button can be clicked to enter aiming mode.
3. Score
This is where the current score total is displayed. The score changes position in multiplayer mode to above the playing field.
4. Power Bar
Every time gems of the same color are matched together the power bar will become filled. Once it becomes full, it will reset to empty and a comet will be placed in the bank. The power bar rises automatically during endurance rounds.
5. Planet
Here you can view a miniature version of the planet you are currently attacking. The health total of the planet can be found below the depiction. In all rounds aside from the speed run, your goal is to assault the planet until its health has reached zero.
6. Playing Field
This is the area where gems are placed and combos are made.
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Controls
Place Gems
Left mouse button
Rotate Gems
Right mouse button
Initiate Aiming Mode
Third mouse button (press the scroll wheel), space bar, or click the comet button when there is at least one comet in the bank
Launch a Comet
Left mouse button, only when in aiming mode
Take a Screenshot
F12 (PNGs are exported to the snaps/ directory)
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Matching
Gems will glow when matched together.
Normal Gems
Normal gems are defined as the colors green, purple, blue, and orange. When matching normal gems together, all directions are taken into account. In the example pictured above, the green gem in the current piece would be matched with the three surrounding green gems for a total of three match points. It takes roughly six match points to fill the power bar completely.
Wild Gems
Wild gems are the gray gems that you will find randomly in the playing field and current playing piece. Wild gems can be matched with any normal gem color, as well as special gems, but they cannot be matched with other wild gems. If a wild gem is in the current playing piece, it will only be worth one match point regardless of how many non wild gems surround it.
Special Gems
The four kinds of special gems can only be matched with other special gems of the same type and wild gems.
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Special Gems
Special gems become available for use in multiplayer matches once they have been discovered in mission mode. To make use of a special gem, target it directly.
Laser Gems
Location: Moon
Behavior: When laser gems are aligned vertically and horizontally, then destroyed, a beam will pass between them, linking the laser gems and destroying all normal gems between them.
Fire Gems
Location: Jupiter
Behavior: Fire gems will explode and destroy up to eight gems that are surrounding it in a cross pattern. If another fire gem is hit with the explosion, it will also ignite, creating a chain of destruction.
Rainbow Gems
Location: Cygnus
Behavior: Much about the rainbow gem is a mystery. The only thing known for sure is that their ability can be linked together.
Stone Gems
Location: Nibiru
Behavior: Stone gems are mainly a hindrance, but when grouped together their power can become extraordinary.
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Launching Comets
Once there is at least one comet in the bank, and aiming mode has been initiated by using the controls described above, a comet can then be launched.
By directing the aiming cross hair and left clicking, a comet can be sent to destroy a group of gems of any size. If the group contains at least five gems, a chain combo can be created. Any other group of five or more gems that are affected by the last comet will be automatically destroyed if there is another comet in the bank.
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Winning
Mission mode
Each planet consists of ten missions. Mission five is called the speed run, and mission ten is known as the endurance round. In all rounds except the speed run, your objective is to complete chain combos until you reduce the planet's health meter to zero. In the speed run, you must rack up a certain amount of damage before time runs out.
Score Mode
There is no way to win, you simply try to survive and achieve the highest score possible.
Multiplayer Mode
You send comets to your opponents planet by completing chain combos. You will win the match when your opponent's planetary health reaches zero.
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Losing
Mission and Score Mode
There are two ways to lose in Protogem. The first way is by allowing the gems to reach the top of the playing field, this is known as gem overflow. Your comet power bar will begin to change from green to yellow to warn you when you're close to an overflow. The second way is to fill up the playing field completely without having a comet in the bank, therefore running out of turns.
Multiplayer Mode
You will lose the match when your planet's health reaches zero.
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