Segmentation

Segmentation is a game mechanic that essentially allows players to save game states and load them at will. It allows players to retry the same challenge in a level without having to reset the level and start over. Usually this sort of power is granted to players by use of external tools, but sometimes it is a built-in game feature.

The usage and avoidance of segmentation is the core element of segmentated and segmentless paradigms.

In Supaplex

The original Supaplex did not have this mechanic. It was added by Herman and Elmer in version 6.0 of SpeedFix. However levels solved with segmentation would not be marked as solved. Level progression still required segmentless solutions. Segmentation was useful for learning and practicing the levels before attempting a segmentless solution.

In Supaplex Online

Supaplex Online accepts segmented demos as valid solutions, but keeps them separated from segmentless solutions, essentially creating two categories of play. Players are incentivised to first solve the level using segmentation, which reduces the frustration that comes with having to repeat already solved sections of the level to retry unsolved sections. After learning the level players can attempt a segmentless solution.

Currently segmented demo playback only shows the successful branch of the demo-tree that is created when segmentation is used. However all branches are saved and in the future it will be possible to view all branches and see how the player progressed with finding the solution.