Free help offered

[jefferytitan]

If anybody needs any help bouncing around ideas for games, play-testing or dicussing algorithms, I'd like to help. I'd like to be involved in game development, but realistically I only have a few hours a week free, plus am somewhat coding burnt-out from my regular job. But I do have a lot of creativity to use up, and a BSc (Hons) in Computer Science.

Naturally I'd be most helpful if I'm actually interested in your game, and credits or money would be appreciated if I'm helpful, but it's essentially strings-free.

If I'm in the wrong place, feel free to beam me to the right place.

[Davaris]

What sort of games are you interested in?

[jefferytitan]

It's a little hard to nail down. I've played arcade and puzzle games that I've liked, fighting games, some FPSes, racing games that are more aimed at fun than realism. I haven't played RPGs much, but I don't have anything particularly against them. I'm pretty open. I think I could tell pretty quickly if I was into a game concept.


What sort of games are you interested in?

[stukas]

jefferytitan, i hope you are still watching this thread.

would you be interrested to work on this game:
http://www.crystallized-time.net ?

greetings,
stukas

[jefferytitan]

I would be interested in helping with testing, algorithms or other miscellaneous things. However I don't have the time for coding work. Hope I can help.


jefferytitan, i hope you are still watching this thread.

would you be interrested to work on this game:
http://www.crystallized-time.net ?

[stukas]

Okay, what I'm wondering is: Why doesn't the game propagate, why do people leave and never come back before they even played a bit, even though it's free.

You would have to test the gameplay und the GUI and tell me what it's lacking and what really bothers you/drives you off as a nes player.

That would be nice, you want to do this ?

- stukas

[jefferytitan]

I just had a look at it now. The first thing I'll say is that it's quite an achievement to do in a browser.

However, I can tell you the first few things straight away:

1. I found it not immediately intuitive, and the help copy isn't very helpful with the simple things. I think I partly found it this way because I clicked on "guide" before "manual". Both because I saw it first (on the left) and because a manual sounds long and boring.

I eventually figured out that you start by building a base. After I went build I got the four green squares for placing it, and no matter where I clicked it didn't seem to do anything. Once again, I eventually figured out that it needs to be nearby and on squares that aren't covered. Perhaps change the selector red if you can't build there?

Perhaps add some introductory screens (which you can skip past) which just state what your objective is and show them what resources are for and what they look like. For example, what's a "crystime heap"? How do I mine it? Also maybe in-game popups that tell them how to do various critical things the first time they need to do them.

2. Suspension of disbelief. When you're in the game, everything should be about the game world and expressed in those terms. I found the help links about browsers etc a little off-putting. Maybe it's necessary, or maybe it can be moved outside the main game window. Also the terms such as "spawned" when I created a building seem more of a programming term than a game term. Perhaps that's just me.

3. Placement/layout. When I click on the MRC I can't see the "build" menu, i.e. it's off the bottom of the frame and I need to scroll to see it. That's (I assume) the most critical thing it can do! Is there any way to compact things so it fits?

4. Too many choices. After I built my base, there's too many unit types to build, and I had no idea what I wanted/needed. Other RTS games tend to give you the basics at first and grey the others out because you need more money/resources/whatever.

5. Initial impression. The first screen you see is very simple and nothing much is going on. I suppose it is common amongst RTS games, but most have professional art budgets behind them. Also a problem if you're targeting casual gamers.

If you have prettier/more varied tiles, use some of them on the first screen. Also it might be nice to impart some sense of urgency to make up for the initial lack of action. One minute in tell them that a raiding party (or whatever) has been spotted heading for them and they need to get their act together. Make it a little attack, but let them know that the game's all action.

6. Spelling and grammar. It's not a big thing, but it can be distracting. Spell the unit types correctly and put spaces between words.

Hope that helps!


Okay, what I'm wondering is: Why doesn't the game propagate, why do people leave and never come back before they even played a bit, even though it's free.

You would have to test the gameplay und the GUI and tell me what it's lacking and what really bothers you/drives you off as a nes player.

That would be nice, you want to do this ?

[stukas]

Hey, thanks for all the valuable input! :)

I think you are right with all your points. I can tell I'm blind to most of these things.. that's why a new pair of eyes (like yous) is necessary to seem them and point them out.

At the moment, I'm busy with making the game multilingual. After that, I will work to find solutions to the problems you pointed out.

Do you like working with text? You could write the introduction texts and hints, if you like.
I also think the manual and guide should be split up and included in the game, so the newbies read it bit by bit, instead of a monoltihic, boring manual.
I will of course credit you for any work you do, thats the least i can do (since i earn no money with the game).

And finally, a question about point 5:
Did you get the impression that the game is realtime? Because it's not.
There is no enemy AI and the game is not all action, as in fast paced.
It can get very intensive nevertheless, but it is turn based.. in most battles you play only once a day to make your moves.

Thanks & Greetings,
stukas

[jefferytitan]

I think you are right with all your points. I can tell I'm blind to most of these things.. that's why a new pair of eyes (like yous) is necessary to seem them and point them out.

It's like coding - other people spot your mistakes more easily than you. You know how it's designed. They ask the tricky questions. ;)


Do you like working with text? You could write the introduction texts and hints, if you like.
I also think the manual and guide should be split up and included in the game, so the newbies read it bit by bit, instead of a monoltihic, boring manual.
I will of course credit you for any work you do, thats the least i can do (since i earn no money with the game).

I could have a stab at it and see how it works out.


And finally, a question about point 5:
Did you get the impression that the game is realtime? Because it's not.
There is no enemy AI and the game is not all action, as in fast paced.
It can get very intensive nevertheless, but it is turn based.. in most battles you play only once a day to make your moves.

You do get that impression when you're playing alone, especially because it looks similar to RTS games. Without AI you also can't simulate it for a single player demo. It may also be worthwhile to have a non-interactive demo so people get how it works. I'm not sure about that - it's a hard concept to demonstrate to new players.

You may want to have two different modes for different types of players: games where everybody MUST be online (and if they go offline they have a minute or so to reconnect) and regular games as you described.

[stukas]

I could have a stab at it and see how it works out.

So, how will we go about this? You could just play the game and write down the text wherever you think you want to see some story-bits or explanation.
And of course the exact situation/location/fashion the message should appear.
Or how would you like to work?


You may want to have two different modes for different types of players: games where everybody MUST be online (and if they go offline they have a minute or so to reconnect) and regular games as you described.

I made something like this.. but never got it to fully work. It would still be turn-based, but with new turns every 2 minutes or so. What do you think of that?
It's something that I could finish...

[jefferytitan]

Sorry I didn't get back to you - damn system didn't email me, and I've been too busy with work to check in here.


So, how will we go about this? You could just play the game and write down the text wherever you think you want to see some story-bits or explanation.
And of course the exact situation/location/fashion the message should appear.
Or how would you like to work?

Yeah, that could work for me. I'll give it a try when I get the chance.


I made something like this.. but never got it to fully work. It would still be turn-based, but with new turns every 2 minutes or so. What do you think of that?
It's something that I could finish...

Were there any technical problems with doing that, or did you just not have the time to work out the kinks in it? I don't want to send you on a giant oddessey because I thought it was a good idea. ;)

[stukas]

It was the kinks and the quirks... but i also thought it was a good idea when i worked on it.

Ok, so I'll be waiting for input from you :)

[dmikesell]

Hey Jeffery, if you're still looking for games to play-test, you can check out mine at http://medievalelks.com. Windows only for now. You can PM or email me at the address on that page if you want to take this discussion offline.

[Popcorn Boy]

I am going to have to check this game out. I didn't have an Atari growing up - my uncle worked for an electronics store that sold Magnavox products and so we got an Odyssey 2. I didn't mind though - loved it. Some good games, though most people don't recognize them. Always liked UFO, though Quest for the Rings was my favorite.

[jefferytitan]

Hey Jeffery, if you're still looking for games to play-test, you can check out mine at http://medievalelks.com. Windows only for now. You can PM or email me at the address on that page if you want to take this discussion offline.

One thing off the bat - to me your title looks like Franfic or Tranfic. Maybe you should make the letters look different. ;) Also some of the units in the screenshot are brown - brown on black can make things a little hard to notice. Apparently it's also a fashion no-no. ;)

I'll have a look in the next couple of days.

[dmikesell]

One thing off the bat - to me your title looks like Franfic or Tranfic. Maybe you should make the letters look different. ;) Also some of the units in the screenshot are brown - brown on black can make things a little hard to notice. Apparently it's also a fashion no-no. ;)

I'll have a look in the next couple of days.

Thanks. There's a pretty serious bug that I hope to have fixed later tonight. Basically, if you and the boss take each other out after a mission, the level/game never ends. It restarts with no enemies.

I think I know what the problem is, but I can't get to it until I get home. FYI.