Still not done... but really close now
by Very Interactive Person · 07/09/2006 (9:38 am) · 9 comments
I'm still working on "Magic Pearls" a little 2D puzzle game. After the testround I got tons of feedback, which made me realize, even though the game was almost finished, I needed to rewrite some parts of the game, and touch it up a bit.
Here's what's changed so far:
-I hired someone to make 10 background drawings. I found this guy on rentacoder.com, and I'm really pleased with the quality of the work he delivered. His name is Popa Cristian. If you like his work (see example below), and could use some artwork for your game, you can post a project for him on RAC here: www.rentacoder.com/RentACoder/SoftwareCoders/showBioInfo.asp?lngAuthorId=2091612(post exclusive project)
-Changed the graphics a bit to fit better with the new backgrounds
-made it so you can now either only the mouse, or only the keyboard, or mix them. Before not all commands had keyboard shortcuts, and the player couldn't be moved by the mouse. Now all of that is possible
-made some changes for better usability (auto focus on level list, auto selection of new level, ...)
-20 undo steps instead of 1 (makes the levels a lot easier, but this was requested by almost all of the testers,.... so i couldn't ignore this)
-fixed some bugs
-Changed some sound effects
-Removed the windows skin (I'm assuming its causing slowdown of craches on some machines)
-...
Anyway... Here are some pics:
In the next month I'm planning on setting up a site to sell this game (and some other games). I already bought an url (www.firstrategames.com), and I found a "business partner", so things will go a little faster then usual ;)
This doesn't mean i won't try and see if any publishers are interested too... anyone know any casual game publishers that might be interested in a puzzle game like this?
I still need to do a lot before its 100% finished (games are never "finished", but you have to stop sometime):
-create 35 more levels
-get the mac version going
-finish the level editor
-make a demo version, and make a serial activation system for the full version.
Here's what's changed so far:
-I hired someone to make 10 background drawings. I found this guy on rentacoder.com, and I'm really pleased with the quality of the work he delivered. His name is Popa Cristian. If you like his work (see example below), and could use some artwork for your game, you can post a project for him on RAC here: www.rentacoder.com/RentACoder/SoftwareCoders/showBioInfo.asp?lngAuthorId=2091612(post exclusive project)
-Changed the graphics a bit to fit better with the new backgrounds
-made it so you can now either only the mouse, or only the keyboard, or mix them. Before not all commands had keyboard shortcuts, and the player couldn't be moved by the mouse. Now all of that is possible
-made some changes for better usability (auto focus on level list, auto selection of new level, ...)
-20 undo steps instead of 1 (makes the levels a lot easier, but this was requested by almost all of the testers,.... so i couldn't ignore this)
-fixed some bugs
-Changed some sound effects
-Removed the windows skin (I'm assuming its causing slowdown of craches on some machines)
-...
Anyway... Here are some pics:
In the next month I'm planning on setting up a site to sell this game (and some other games). I already bought an url (www.firstrategames.com), and I found a "business partner", so things will go a little faster then usual ;)
This doesn't mean i won't try and see if any publishers are interested too... anyone know any casual game publishers that might be interested in a puzzle game like this?
I still need to do a lot before its 100% finished (games are never "finished", but you have to stop sometime):
-create 35 more levels
-get the mac version going
-finish the level editor
-make a demo version, and make a serial activation system for the full version.
About the author
Recent Blogs
• game video• Alchemist progress (TGB game)
• Time for another blog post...
• New game & some freebies
• TGB projects
#2
07/09/2006 (10:01 am)
Yeah, I liek the style. I'd replace the grey block tile you are using though, it looks out of place with the new artwork. 
#3
The one critique I have is that you have some really interesting style options that are being used sparcely, and I personally think you could take them further for greater effect. Specifially, Im talking about your backgrounds and the "game menu" and arrow buttons. The game menu text and arrows are in line with your backgrounds. The "hand drawn" look is quite exciting, but it makes the hard straight edges of some of the other elements (gray blocks, rounded edge frame) seem dull.
That said, this is still looking really sharp. Certainly strong enough to ship. :)
Also, add an email to your profile!
07/09/2006 (11:14 am)
Hey Ward, top rate as usual.The one critique I have is that you have some really interesting style options that are being used sparcely, and I personally think you could take them further for greater effect. Specifially, Im talking about your backgrounds and the "game menu" and arrow buttons. The game menu text and arrows are in line with your backgrounds. The "hand drawn" look is quite exciting, but it makes the hard straight edges of some of the other elements (gray blocks, rounded edge frame) seem dull.
That said, this is still looking really sharp. Certainly strong enough to ship. :)
Also, add an email to your profile!
#4
Good luck with the sales Ward De Langhe. :)
07/09/2006 (11:19 am)
Nice new backgrounds you added since i tryed it. Good luck with the sales Ward De Langhe. :)
#5
Will see what I can do about those dull blocks... but like I said, this is probably the third iteration now, and even though the game looks better each round, I will have to stop at some point (specially becuase I have tons of game ideas waiting for me to have some free time again ;) ) I'm thinking of finishing it up so its ready for a release, then if it has succes (I think it can, specially in the mac community), make a version 2.0 I'll try to touch up the graphics some more though, and keep your comments in mind :)
@Adam: Added an email ... just hope I don't get too much spam now.
07/09/2006 (11:47 am)
thanks for the feedback!Will see what I can do about those dull blocks... but like I said, this is probably the third iteration now, and even though the game looks better each round, I will have to stop at some point (specially becuase I have tons of game ideas waiting for me to have some free time again ;) ) I'm thinking of finishing it up so its ready for a release, then if it has succes (I think it can, specially in the mac community), make a version 2.0 I'll try to touch up the graphics some more though, and keep your comments in mind :)
@Adam: Added an email ... just hope I don't get too much spam now.
#6
07/09/2006 (12:12 pm)
Looking great Ward! Was this game inspired at all by the old DOS game Heartlight (the little gnome collecting hearts)?
#7
07/09/2006 (2:21 pm)
Cool stuff! Looks really pretty. :)
#8
This game plays exactly like Sokoban, only with lots of bells and whistles :)
07/09/2006 (11:19 pm)
@Oliver: No it wasn't... never heard of that game before. What's the gameplay like?This game plays exactly like Sokoban, only with lots of bells and whistles :)
#9
07/10/2006 (1:40 am)
Looks really look, very pretty! :-)
Torque 3D Owner Frank Bignone
Darkhand Studio