Could anybody help with some rules ideas for weapons or attacks that force characters to move in a certain direction against their will?  This is for X-Plorers.

I thought for the Personal Tractor Beam weapon it could be as simple as roll to hit, and in place of damage character is moved in 3d4 feet in any direction decided by the attacker.  Successful saving throw could halve the distance.  The idea in question is a duelling system where each character is armed with one in an area full of pits of acid and ledges.  

Another similar issue is a monster that uses air currents to pull the PC towards its digestive pit.  I was thinking that a successful hit would mean they lose control of their movement in a straight line towards the creature for 1d3 turns, I don't know how exciting this would be in play.

Any thoughts?  Will things get too focussed on "miniatures play" with protagonists shunted left and right?

I'd say no miniatures, and just let the "opponant" with the effect decide the direction and the distance (depending on to hit rolls.) Unless the players make a save--the save lets them reduce the distance, or direction but not both. (They grab onto things throw themselves more forward, or more left, or whatever.)

Good idea about the either/or harm reduction with successful save, cheers.