[Feedback] PiddlePup Pirate Poker

[Cartman]

Hi,

I've almost finished the PC version of PiddlePup Pirate Poker.
Please check out the game and provide me with feedback.

PC Download: link has been removed since beta is over

Website: www.piddlepup.com

Game specific section: www.piddlepup.com/?q=node/51

Screenshots
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http://www.piddlepup.com/screenshots/poker_1_640x480.jpg
http://www.piddlepup.com/screenshots/poker_2_640x480.jpg
http://www.piddlepup.com/screenshots/poker_3_640x480.jpg
http://www.piddlepup.com/screenshots/poker_4_640x480.jpg

Known Bugs
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Please note that this game does not have the final music and sound, it only has placeholder music/sounds.

Requested Feedback
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Let me know what you think about game play, polish, fun. Should the shell game get harder every time you get a bonus? Should it be faster, or longer, or both? Any suggestions on missing features are encouraged. I would also like to know how you would protect the game for demo versions sold from my own site for the PC and Mac.

System Requirements
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PC
128mb Ram
Windows 2000 or later

Feature List
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Enjoy a fun game of video poker with a pirate theme. Six video poker variations with multiple hand configurations add up to many hours of fun.
• Unlimited Play
• Six Video Poker variations to choose from
• Play multiple hands at the same time
• Beautiful full color graphics
• Six card decks to choose from
• Spirited sounds and relaxing music
• Non-violent fun for all ages

Thanks for everyone's time.

[Cartman]

Can anyone provide me feedback on my game? Any assistance is appreciated.

[Uesugi]

Well, I don't know anything about poker (though I am a pirate expert), so I can only tell you my impressions of the presentation:

I guess we're stuck with the trend of pointers that generate sparkles for no reason... ;)

The window where you enter your name looks horrible. I would stick with wood or canvas for a pirate theme, not brushed metal.

The main thing I noticed is that the game seems to be dim or low on contrast. Brighter brights and darker darks would improve the overall look of many screens. The main menu should be brighter - instead of gray, the buttons should always look like they do when they're being moused over, and maybe the mouse over look could be a different color. (I would also put the "ordering" option near the end, just above "quit.")

Clicking deal doesn't seem to deal the cards, but just turn them over. It would be cool if the cards looked old and worn and weren't always perfectly aligned at 90 degrees.

I like the various pirate character drawings.

I found the game selection parchment font to be difficult to read.

The two times I was able to get a bonus and play the shell game for double or nothing, I had no trouble following the cup with the ball in it.

Overall, good job. Assuming the poker stuff is spot on, my feedback is: polish, polish, polish!

[Cartman]

Thanks Uesugi. Great feedback. All good suggestions that I'll look into this week.