ANN: Bonnie's Bookstore

[Phil Steinmeyer]

My new word puzzle game is finally in full release :). Developed by New Crayon Games (i.e. me and a couple of excellent contractors - Von Caberte and Barry Leitch), and published by PopCap Games, I'm very happy with the game. Out now on PopCap's site, and most/all the other portals shortly.

==The Game==

Link letters to form words in this exciting new word puzzle game! Bonnie has been running her bookstore for a while – now she wants to write her own books...

Help her write updated, best-selling versions of classic children’s tales by spelling words on the 50 unique levels. Pick up Wildcards and special bonus letters to spell extra-long words – but watch out for Writer’s Blocks – they’ll put your puzzle solving skills to the test!

Features:
* 50 challenging puzzles, 3 difficulty levels
* Classic mode for easy-going fun, or Action mode for a speed challenge
* Wildcards, Writer's Blocks, Locked tiles, and six other special tiles and letters

Screenshots:
Title Screen (http://www.newcrayon.com/images/bb/bb_screenshot_01.jpg)
Gameplay 1 (http://www.newcrayon.com/images/bb/bb_screenshot_02.jpg)
Gameplay 2 (http://www.newcrayon.com/images/bb/bb_screenshot_03.jpg)

Links:
New Crayon's Bonnie page (http://www.bonniesbookstore.com)
PopCap's Bonnie page (http://www.popcap.com/launchpage.php?theGame=bonniesbookstore&src=big8)

Finally, a note of thanks to all on this board who've helped and advised me as I've developed this game and brought it to market (through PopCap). I've gotten a lot of great advice and information, both from the public forum itself, and private e-mail correspondences with various members here. Thank you.

[Sirrus]

Didn't I select that name as my favorite? ;)
Congrats on the release!

[James C. Smith]

Although the game is very similar to Big Kahuna Words (BKW) in many ways, it is different enough that I find it hard to play. I am so used to playing BKW that I find myself always wanting to swap a pair of letter to make a word. I never see the words I can make because I become so preoccupied by the words I wish I could make if you would only let me swap. In general, I am bad at word games. So it is no surprise that I struggled to get past level 1 and used the scrabble button many time.

I am not trying to say Bonnie's Bookstore is too hard or should allow swapping. I am sure it will be perfect for many types of players. I am just emphasizing how different it is from BKW and how it will appeal to different players in different ways.

For those of you who may have missed it, I developed Big Kahuna Words which uses a similar play mechanic (make words to turn off the boxes on the levels) and was released very recently.

[James C. Smith]

Phil, you didn't "Write what kind of feedback you are interested in." if any.

[Phil Steinmeyer]

Phil, you didn't "Write what kind of feedback you are interested in." if any.

Well, the game's already out now and unlikely to be changed much, if any going forward.

That said, like all developers, I'm interested in any and all feedback. If I don't apply it directly to Bonnie's 1.01, then at least it'll be useful for my next game.

Phil

[Phil Steinmeyer]

Some folks here might be interested to see the different concepts and concept art that led to the final game.

http://www.philsteinmeyer.com/30/from-concept-to-completion/

Note: Early on, I explored, and had concept art done, for radically different themes including a monkey theme and a cooking theme.

[Savant]

That's cool, Phil, thanks! I love seeing behind the scenes stuff like that.

[jankoM]

Very interesting. That also shows the difference between how "very serious developers" work and someone like me :o .

[terin]

Let it be known that my wife is obssessed with your game.

And for anyone else who can get my wife obssessed with games... the following offer applies :)

I'll do a press release for you (written by you) in exchange for a copy.

Saves me the 20 bucks and gives you a 100 dollar press release service.

e-mail me at Webmaster@vgsmart.com

(Talk about devotion to your loved one! What a guy I am!)

-Joe

[Stu]

Fascinating indeed. I'm glad you didn't end up releasing a game called monkey trouble. It sounds like a viagra ad.

I feel better about all the art and themes we have spent time and money on in the past few months, only to file them away. We feel a bit amateurish at times running off in a particular direction only to find later that we prefer another direction. Maybe it will always be that way. If a developer settles on their first concept they are either brilliant or too quick to settle. We aren't brilliant.

[Phil Steinmeyer]

The different art concepts took about 2 weeks (after I had spent the previous two weeks roughing in the gameplay with programmer art). After we settled on the final direction for Bonnie's, there wasn't much art wastage for the remainder of the project. But nothing from the two weeks of concepting made it into the final game.

[kzar]

Thanks for making that webpage about the concept art, it was interesting. I'm curious, how much would that kind of concept art cost? It looks like a really good way of getting ideas and feedback. Thanks

[jankoM]

Ok, another probably stupid question from me. You probabbly dont have menus in those test themes allready made too, do you? If you have them... I would be interested if you would sell the graphics of one theme to me? so they don't go to waste... I would make a noncompetive game out of it (word game just for kids or maybe a math game a memmory game ...)

[Phil Steinmeyer]

Kzar - The concept art took about 100 hours. That's 6 screens, plus some variants. I won't reveal what the artists hourly rate is, but plug-in a suitable number for yourself to arrive at an estimate.

For the production art, using the final artist (Von Caberte), each background took about 12 billable hours.

Janko - There were a few variant interface mock-ups, but for the concepts, we didn't do menus or anything much beyond what you see. I'm not averse to your copying the style of any of the concepts if you like it, but I don't want to actually sell the rights to any of it, mainly because it just wouldn't be worth the hassle for you or me. If you see something you really like, a good artist could knock off the style, and tailor it more closely to your needs, in very little time. If you need an artist, check the appropriate forum here - there are many talented artists who do short-term gigs at hourly rates.

[jankoM]

no problem ;) . I am running on close to zero cash right now so "many talented artists who do short-term gigs at hourly rates" are not an option right now.

best regards,
Janko M.

[Phil Steinmeyer]

The web version of Bonnie's Bookstore is now available. (http://www.popcap.com/launchpage.php?theGame=bonniesbookstore&src=big8)

Click on the above link, then 'Click to Play'. It works in Internet Explorer or Firefox (sorry - Windows only, Mac version of the downloadable will be coming soon)