In the second build, levels become much more difficult. But I love challenges. Shall we give each level a name? And I hope there can be a Zoom in and out feature in levels.
I guess so Ive been quiet for a while because we are busy updating the next version (and also because some good people here said they were too busy for a few days), but I feel we must speed things up a bit. So those of you who haven't posted any impressions yet, please start pouring some valuable info - we are craving for it! I updated the spreadsheet with the second round feedback that we did receive from some of you: https://spreadsheets.google.com/ccc?key=0AoPeTepU_M0ZdEp4emd6Zkd4bGs3eEVwLW5XdnhFSVE&authkey=CPqNqawE&hl=en#gid=3 even though it's still too thin to make any conclusions yet. I also want to continue with my ongoing survey, so today's questions is: Do we really need a tutorial explanation of the different attributes of blocks and game elements? - there was no clear consensus on this one. some think its necessary to add this, others said that they were fine with the current situation but worried that maybe less skilled players might find it confusing, and some thought that adding explanations might actually hurt the trial and error aspect of the game that they like so much. Id love to have a quick vote on this one, so all you have to do is say if you're for or against it. Tomorrow I have some pre-release plans I really want to share with you people, and listen to what you think, so please stay tuned. Thank you all again for the dedication and time you're putting into this game, we really enjoy this open beta project and we believe it's gonna be a great game because of it!
OK, I'm late out of the gate on this one (surgery does that to you) but before I can post a more complete synopsis, let me ask that you please don't throw a web link to instructions for the game! Many users are either on an iPod Touch (and therefore may not have web access) or be on an iPhone with a limited data plan (like I am. ) Best would be either be a one screen "cheatsheet" with examples of the block types (you could render them in 3D and rotate them slowly) and properties, or a swipe back and forth set of screens with more details for each type (again if you put a block there in 3D, you could have a ball thrown at it every 3 seconds or so, show the effects and then regenerating the block so you can show the demo again...) This page (or set of pages) should be viewable in-game for quick reference. Having already played Boom Blox to death, I felt right at home with the brick types, but some people might need the explanation. From what I've seen from user feedback on other games, it always helps to have a bit more information, even if it's a one-screen static help screen - and having to leave the game to access that from the menu is not so nice. Review, the short-short version: If Tiki Totems and Boom Blox had a Japanese idol daughter, that would be this game!
I was thinking just the same thing. Don't have an in game tutorial, but maybe have a help screen accessible from the main menu that would describe the different blocks, that way those that need it can get some help and those that don't won't be bothered by an in game tutorial. Also, I have been pretty busy, so I haven't had the time to play through all the levels and type out the answers to your questions, but I hope to do so in the next day or two at the most. I have a bunch of projects that are due and it's making life kinda stressful, but I will do the best I can. I love the levels I've played so far though
Again I'm sorry for my slow responses, but we are working very hard on improving the game according to the great feedback you're giving us. I hope all of you will submit your second report real soon so we can get a clear picture about how the new levels feel and what to do next. what kind of web reference? a walk-through? I'm sorry but we don't have enough udid licences left, but read this post to it's end and you shall find a solution to your problem my friend I hope you're feeling well man, welcome back! I was waiting for a die hard boom blox fan to review this (we never actually played boom blox in fear of being influenced by it's gameplay). Japanese idol daughter thing lol... but seriously, you have some really good points here. well done and looking forward to your full report. ----------------------------------- And now an important message to all team members: We really love how this open beta conversation is going, and more TA users are getting interested in joining this beta, but we have a slight problem: we only have have 100 udid licences, and once we use one of them it can take a whole year until we can reuse it on a different device. So while thinking about how we can expand this project without burning our last udid licences we discovered uservoice.com (which is a great tool for tracking and rating user suggestions) and a great idea, that I want to share with you, popped into our heads. The idea is to expend this project in the following steps: 1) Release a temporary free beta version of the game to the store, asking people who downloaded it to subscribe to the beta list. 2) We limit the number of new testers to the first 1000 who join the open beta list via the game. Once we get there we will remove this beta version from the store. 3) We ask these new testers to use a uservoice.com forum survey (very easy and friendly to use, doesn't even need a login) to post their 2 major concerns with 'Save Toshi' or rate other people's suggestions if their concerns are similar. 4) We use the feedback to enhance the one were getting from you guys. You will now be the most important link in the chain since you will test each version deeply before it is released to the big beta list. We intend to submit this version very soon. it will be similar to the second build you have, but with only 60 levels (in order to get faster initial feedback since 100 levels seem to take a long time to test). I also opened a uservoice forum survey here: http://openbeta.uservoice.com/forums/82311-open-beta-for-save-toshi- Please post your suggestions there before the big list does. It will definitely help them understand how to post their own feedback. We really believe in this project and how it can help this game become a success. Let me know what you think.
Yes, once for every version, but also post your full report here - I want this thread to keep on living, the other forum is mainly for the big list. What confused you about the system? I see you succeeded in posting your first concern there.
I think that in the tutorial or first level that it should just have something pointing to the block stating that different blocks have different characteristics .
