[Feedback Request] Orbs

[ponyboy]

Hello all,

I am rather new to the whole indie development scene and I am nearing the end of my first game. I have been browsing though these forums quite often and have come across some more than helpful information. I'm looking for feedback and testing (if possible) from people with good ideas and the same goals as myself, so I figured this would be the best place for it.

My companies name is Alternate Reality Studios and the goal is to become a full time game developer (indie or otherwise). I currently work a full time job and do this in my spare time. However, I would like to create games for a living some day.

Anyway, I just wanted to introduce myself (sorry if this isn't the best place to do that) and thank everyone for the plethora of information on these forums. It seems this is a very supportive environment for indie game developers.

My first game is named Orbs. The download link is posted below, right before the screenshots. I am looking for feedback on how I can make some minor changes to make my game more sellable and also to work out some of the bugs. I have done some pretty intensive testing myself, so there are no bugs that I know of, but I realize having more people play and different system configurations will help find those bugs that I can't find.

Please let me know what you think, I know Match3 games aren't very popular around here but it is my first game and I am pretty proud of it.

System requirements are as follows: Windows (Any Version), DirectX 8.1 or Higher, 700mhz CPU, 64MB RAM, 11.9MB Free Hard Disk Space

Direct Download Link (http://www.arealitystudios.com/ardevel/phpfiletrace.php?file=orbssetup.exe)

Screenshot 1 (http://www.arealitystudios.com/ardevel/images/screens/screen.png)
Screenshot 2 (http://www.arealitystudios.com/ardevel/images/screens/screen1.png)
Screenshot 3 (http://www.arealitystudios.com/ardevel/images/screens/screen2.png)

[Greg Squire]

Your game looks interesting, but you might want to consider changing the name. It's very similar to another game called Orbz (http://www.garagegames.com/products/5) by 21-6 Productions (http://www.21-6.com/). They are an indie company that has done quite well. Not sure if they'd come after you with a lawsuit or not (probably not), but you might want to "play it safe". ;)

[Christian]

Ok,
my critiques are:

- first, i wanted to see the game in full-screen, that did not happen, it bothered me.
- There was no desktop icon, that bothered me, i had to browse to the location on my hard drive, that sucks.
- Too much text on the tutorial, thats not fun at all, get rid of it, there is a tutorial discussion on the game design section on this forum, read it.
- in the menu i use the mouse, and then you make me change to keyboard, why?, use all mouse instead, dont make me change constatly of controls, that bothers.
- When i was at the ending of the level, i had a very very boring time, i was throwing and throwing balls to oblivion waiting that the correct ball appeared, this was not fun at all, i feel that the game mechanichs and game design need some work.

Anyway, congratulation on getting this far on the making of your game, keep the hard work and good luck.

[ponyboy]

@GregSquire - Yeah I came across that same game after I had already named the game Orbs. I probably will have to change the name to be safe. Coming up with a more interesting name shouldn't be hard, since Orbs is kind of plain, but coming up with a great different name will take some thought. Thanks for the info.


@Christian - The setup file installed a Windowed and Fullscreen shortcut in your Program Files accessed by your start button. I'll take your advice and add an optional desktop icon to be added as well. But you shouldn't have to search to the location installed on the hard drive, as the game should be available from your start button. Thanks for the other critiques, some very good suggestions. I appreciate your help and checking out the game!

[Wiz]

I did all the visuals! :) I think the thing is pretty durn fun. We turned it out super quick too.

[RohoMech]

ponyboy, quite an interesting game you have there, I really dig the concept and the music was pretty cool as well. The visual style reminds me quite a bit of those old 8-bit nintendo games...ah memories.

I did find it quite odd that you had two shortcuts for your program, as most casual games have an option to toggle being fullscreen or not. Also, there was no option at the end of the install to run the game file, that's a bit of a downer.

I managed to clear some orbs, which caused these two green orbs to fall ontop of another green orb, I was totally expecting a combo, but to my suprise they didn't clear! Most games like this give you more points for getting a combo, so that might dissapoint some more experianced players.

For some reason the game crashed when I got the fire item, I shot it and it got about 1/2 down the screen and then things crashed. This appeared to have happened a few times, then I realized that I was clicking on the "exit game" button. I think you should hide + ignore the mouse while the game is going and let the user press escape to bring up a menu that has the exit and menu options.

Also, while the level is starting, I could fire orbs, they would just stay in front of the dragon, and that gave me an idea, instead of having the orb off the side, why not have the next orb right in front of the dragon? It'd let you preview the next two orbs and it'd be easier for the player to see what they are about to shoot.

The tutorial had a few bugs in it, like you can fire orbs before hitting enter on the text and it thinks you failed whatever task it was asking you to do. Also, I don't think too many players are going to try the tutorial, they'll hop right into the game, so it might be userul to describe things in-game instead of having another screen like that.

And one final note, most casual games have profiles in them, it might help if you look at a few of the top-selling games (look at the top games at popcap or bigfish) and see what kinds of things they have in common.

Good luck with the game.