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Don't Starve (Klei Entertainment/Google Chrome Demo-Beta/PC)

F

Family Fry

Member
Just saw this wee game flash up on my twitter feed and was curious, so I went looking.

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Game is currently in early access beta, you can play free trial via Google Chrome from the site.
http://www.dontstarvegame.com

$6.99 gets you a copy of game/early access to beta and a giftable code for a friend also.

Don’t Starve is an upcoming survival / exploration game. You play as Wilson, an intrepid Gentleman Scientist who has been trapped by a demon and transported to a mysterious wilderness world. Wilson must learn to exploit his environment and its inhabitants if he ever hopes to escape and find his way back home.

The game is still early in development, but we are looking for player feedback to help us tune the experience.

1.The Early-Access Beta includes 2 copies!
2.Get the full game for free when it releases!
3.Regular updates with new content!
4.Talk to our devs & help evolve the game!
5.Get the game on Steam for free when it launches!

Early access is only $6.99!
Once the full game is released, it will cost approximately $15.00.

Major Changes in new version:
◾Don’t Starve is now available for purchase.
◾Map randomization improvements.
◾Buildable chests, by popular demand.
◾New marsh area with lots of new stuff in it (like reeds)!
◾New and improved Farm Plot art.
◾Trees have life cycles, and look less like each other.
◾New easier-to-use crafting / research interface.
◾New Science machine mechanics. You earn Research Points by grinding up objects in the science machine.
◾New, different ambient sounds play in different areas of the map
Click to expand...

It's quite late but I grabbed a copy and had 5 mins on it, like the art style, when it got dark I made a camp fire and was attacked by spiders, need to make some weapons and go hunting next time.
It seemed like wilderness survival the game, will play more and get into it tomorrow.
Take a look at the demo.
 
Well I had a little bit more time with this and managed to survive 2 days.

Went for a little exploration around the map and thought I would kinda document what I found so far, on here so some people could see how the game works.

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This is the start, Day 1. You wake up and have a run around, explore.

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As you can see from the surroundings there are quite a few things to do. Pick a sapling for some twigs, some stones and some grass should help Wilson make a fire for later.
Better grab some berries as you can see on the right side my stomach is starting is half empty, and from the timer on top it will be getting close to evening/night time.

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Night time catches up with you, you have to make sure you can make a fire or torch, if not the big bad creatures will get you and kill you and if you die you start from Day 1.
You can top the fire up with twigs, logs and other fuel sources you can create.

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Day 2.

Wilson's stomach is almost completely empty, need to find some food. Maybe I will try and create a trap later. For now I will eat some seeds and berries again.

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This is the randomly generated map believe me when I say IT'S MASSIVE.

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Getting dark again and didn't really do much on Day 2, will do better Day 3.

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Day 3.
Today I will make a trap and catch me some REAL food.
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I spot some real food, time to make the trap and grab some bait.
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The trap is ready, look at him go for it.
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RESULT! I will be dining like a king tonight.
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Tasty Rabbit goodness!
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After that save I decided to call it a night and will continue the game later.
Really is a little time sapper and well worth a look if you like the crafting and survival elements. Sure there is FAR more to explore and find around the map.
 
been playing this all day. REALLY addicting, but not without some gripes.

i realize it's one of those "figure out what to do yourself" games but sometimes it takes some trial and error, which unfortunately costs you a LOT of lost progress. i spent hours today getting camps setup and the log suit armor so i could try and get some silk (i assumed from the spider nest) and got overwhelmed by a big group. figured out the best way
is to just make a camp near a nest and wait for them to come out at night, and take them on one by one
.

i don't like the camera either, as sometimes no matter what angle i have it at, i still can't pick up an item that's hidden behind a tree. selecting/equipping/using items could use some work. and i don't like how when you don't have any room left in your inventory you have to click somewhere to drop the item. i'd prefer it just not pick up the item and drop it immediately when clicked on like most games.

the maps are supposed to be randomly generated but im on my 4th game now and the map is exactly the same each time. (can't find any beefalos too, which sucks)

hope they make some more improvements and add more items/tools/buildings before the final release. so far it's worth the $8 considering it's 2 copies.
 
I read about this on Indie Games the other. Love its look and sounds like a decent game but I'll probably wait until it's finished and play the final release.
 
I love gothicy style art/music, and any game with a sense of exploration. Bought into this deal earlier, and looking forward to watching it develop. It is a shame it can only be played through Chrome at the moment (come on with the standalone app).

For some reason it reminds me very much of the old Gameboy title Survival Kids...
 
Ok, I have an extra copy for anyone who can tell me WHY he/she wants to play it (don't want to give it away so easily this time ;)).

Winner will be chosen later today, and when there have been at least 5 replies.
 
deejay said:
Ok, I have an extra copy for anyone who can tell me WHY he/she wants to play it (don't want to give it away so easily this time ;)).

Winner will be chosen later today, and when there have been at least 5 replies.
Click to expand...

I love Surviorman.
 
deejay said:
Ok, I have an extra copy for anyone who can tell me WHY he/she wants to play it (don't want to give it away so easily this time ;)).

Winner will be chosen later today, and when there have been at least 5 replies.
Click to expand...

A friend and I have been interested in developing a game similar to this, and I'd like to see how survival mechanics are used here.
 
deejay said:
Ok, I have an extra copy for anyone who can tell me WHY he/she wants to play it (don't want to give it away so easily this time ;)).

Winner will be chosen later today, and when there have been at least 5 replies.
Click to expand...

It looks fun and I like fun things.
 
deejay said:
Ok, I have an extra copy for anyone who can tell me WHY he/she wants to play it (don't want to give it away so easily this time ;)).

Winner will be chosen later today, and when there have been at least 5 replies.
Click to expand...

Because my work PC can run little else.
 
Did anyone see the headstone that says "The downloadable console game"? Kinda funny, considering Klei Entertainment is just releasing Mark of the Ninja on Xbox Live these days. I'm guessing Shank didn't do to well.
 
This looks awesome. I might be interested in splitting the 6.99 deal with a GAFfer later after a few more impressions :D Edit: Oh wait, this thread doesn't get much in the way of impressions/activity. Hm, I'll consider this today though! Just spent a bunch of money yesterday so I'm a little reluctant.
 
If you check out their blog/forum they are still tweaking the game, adding new enemies/animals and new items to create.
Last time I played got to day 7, accidentally hit a bull and the entire heard charged and killed me.
They have recently added a sleeping bag so you can sleep through the night, rather than have to wait a few mins for sunrise.
2 keys get you a copy of the game on release which will retail $14.99. It's a good deal if you can split it.
 
Last few days to get 2 copies now and beta on Steam of course.

On Friday November 9th, The Don’t Starve Early-Access Beta will be coming to Steam! Players who want to purchase the stand alone PC Steam version of the beta will be able to get two Steam copies for $11.99 (20% off! – Reg. $14.99).

But why wait until Friday when you could be exploring the depths of science and magic right now, for less!

There’s still time left to get two copies of Don’t Starve for only $8.99! Plus, if you use our snazzy humble widget below, you’ll get two copies of the Chrome and Steam versions of the game.

Got questions? Have comments? Head over to the Don’t Starve forums and let us know!
Click to expand...

http://www.dontstarvegame.com/blog/dont-starve-beta-special-price-ends-soon/
 
Looks like there is a new build with new things.
http://www.dontstarvegame.com/blog/nov-13-build-enter-the-gobbler/

New features:
Character differences! Now it matters who you pick!
Pond fishing
Hammer time – use the hammer to break apart structures
Build and deploy preview interface to help you place things carefully
New lighting equation, for more nighttime fun
For steam: Chrome save/profile import

New stuff:
A new bird type, and regional bird variation
New hats: Feather and Miner
Some new cooking recipes to discover (5 of them!)
The Gobbler…

Tuning and Bug fixes:
Graves don’t reset when you load
Never-closing chest now closes
Crafting interface doesn’t close automatically when you build something
RMB drops deployables
Gold doesn’t always drop from rocks
Fire now hurts you if you stand too close!
Max stack size is a little smaller (sorry!)
Click to expand...

Have still been chipping away at this every now and then, have managed to last around 10-13 days and I always seem to mess up something. Accidently hit a massive Beefalo whilst looking for some steaming piles of Dung, so I could make some fertilizer for my patch.
Cool they have added some differences in characters, need to play more to unlock more it seems.
Wilson apparently can grow a magnificent beard, I have seen some slight stubble but haven't gotten full beard yet. Now I can take Steam screenshots I will get some more up of some exploits.
 
This is a really fun and addicting game and it's pretty polished for an Alpha. I don't think I have encountered a single bug in my 10-15 hours of gameplay. There are some areas in need of improvement and more variety and content would be welcome, but the game isn't due for full release until 2013 and there is already more than enough content to justify the price.

I would love for them to add multiplayer (co-op), but it would probably be difficult to balance.
 
Hey dudes.

I just heard about this game and I need it in my life.

It's $11.99 for two copies right now on Steam, anyone wanna go half with me?

PM me and we can work it out! :)
 
I'm enjoying this game a lot! Love the no hands holding of it. Just throws you into the game and it's up to you to figure it out. I refuse to go look at a guide as well!

Each time survive a little longer... Each time die to something completely new.

Was just minding my own business choppin' down a tree when
a giant tree golem thing jumps out of the nearby tree and wtfpwns me
.

Longest I've survived is 19 days, aww yeah Lol
 
I think it is a game I will enjoy, heck played the chrome demo and was getting into it, but the Steam version doesn't work for me. The graphics are all weird. ):
 
Would anyone with an extra steam version want to trade for a copy of Left 4 Dead 2 or Duke Nukem Forever?
 
Via the new update the game now runs at 60FPS, looks a lot nicer at 60 too.

Finally got myself a pig entourage when suddenly after a few fights, my pigman friend
turned into a warepig? and started killing me EEK I swiftly ran away.

Pretty scary.

Really nice how Klei have kept this updated and adding new character, new enemies and new craft items constantly evolving the game world. Every time I go back to play I end up spending about an hour on it just exploring new stuff. Managed to steal an egg from a nest and ran away with it, now I thought I could examine it with RMB but instead I ate it....damn!

Maybe next time.
 
I set a whole forest on fire at night, and ran ahead of the spreading flames. Then watched a tentacle continuously murder streams of spiders. Fun game.
 
Anybody interested in going halves with me on one of the two packs? Preferably somebody in the dollar-zone as I'm in europe and it would be a little more expensive otherwise - alternatively can buy on their website but not 100% we get steam keys immediately.
 
What were the survival games released this year? I Am Alive, and now Don't Starve, any more? Oh yeah, Miasmata of course. Day Z would count, but it's still just a mod right now.

I was hoping Tomb Raider to be that, but it doesn't seem so. Will The Last of Us have some survival gameplay?
 
This game is indeed amazing and I hope one day to be able to get it.

I have watched around 10-15 hours of Stream from people playing this and I'm loving everything.

The game got harder after the Patch, you can't be greedy and you need to take your own time with exploration. Save the items and explore the map step by step.

I saw that you can pick up some eggs and then you need to take care of them, warm them near the fire, they can get cold if your fire is not warm enough. After some time they will hatch. But I don't want to spoils things... :p Oh and watch for enemies when you do this since some will try to steal your items.

I saw someone going through a lot of days, the game feels very satisfying. Anyway this is my 2 cents. More people should try and buy this (myself included when times get better!)
 
Family Fry said:
Finally got myself a pig entourage when suddenly after a few fights, my pigman friend
turned into a warepig? and started killing me EEK I swiftly ran away.

Pretty scary.
Click to expand...

I survived around 30+ days and had an amazing setup going but this is pretty close to what killed me in the end. It was night time and I was out exploring when I nonchalantly passed through a pigman encampment.
Suddenly, I had two of the evil pigs chasing me.
I was carrying a torch and unable to retaliate. I ran for a really long time but they chased me across several areas and eventually my torch ran out. I couldn't make a new one fast enough and they abruptly put an end to me. It was so depressing that I haven't played since.

The new updates sound really great though. I'll have to check things out soon.
 
A friend gifted me a copy of this, and I loaded it up.. died in the first night. So I started watching a stream to learn how to play (because that's considered a feature of these games). I'm shocked it isn't more popular given the success of other crafting games and the coverage it has gotten.

It feels very unfinished, not from a presentation point of view just the lack of direction the player has. Sure you can go "don't starve you idiot" but I'm not sure that's enough. If they're just going to add more clone stamped items to craft into your world I think the appeal will be about as short lived as the Sims was for me.
 
Visualante2 said:
It feels very unfinished, not from a presentation point of view just the lack of direction the player has. Sure you can go "don't starve you idiot" but I'm not sure that's enough. If they're just going to add more clone stamped items to craft into your world I think the appeal will be about as short lived as the Sims was for me.
Click to expand...

I think that was the idea, no hand holding. You just have to figure everything out by yourself.

I bought it from Steam and been enjoying it a lot. Haven't gotten very far yet as my 8 day old scientist couldn't get a torch ready before the darkness came.
 
Game is pretty good. Exploring the world is fun and interesting, the different biomes and the different creatures.

It needs more content, and now only more recipes/creatures/biomes; but also more dynamic events.

Still, right now is a nice experience.

Visualante2 said:
died in the first night. So I started watching a stream to learn how to play (because that's considered a feature of these games).
Click to expand...

I think is pretty easy to understand the game. Watching a video of a dude playing it is a perfect way of spoiling all the fun.

I mean, yeah, you might die the first night, but come on, the next time you will make a fire.
 
Giant Bomb Quick Look for all that are interested: http://www.giantbomb.com/quick-look-dont-starve/17-6864/

Watching this then playing the demo have really made me want this game, I might get it on Steam soon. Watching someone else play it really helped me as I have no patience with minimal tutorial games.

The art style is lovely and really helps with the atmosphere.

The exploring is fun and it really took me by surprise how big the maps are. The animals are neat too. I was casually mining a tree when a massive turkey jumped out of it. It terrified me.

Can't wait to play some more.
 
I wish the game didn't have such a deliberately unappealing art style just like Binding of Isaac. I don't think it's "cool" and "unique", it just looks drab and boring.
 
dirtywhirlwind said:
That's the best feature this game got..
Click to expand...
It's arguably the only feature the game has got.
R1CHO said:
I think is pretty easy to understand the game. Watching a video of a dude playing it is a perfect way of spoiling all the fun.

I mean, yeah, you might die the first night, but come on, the next time you will make a fire.
Click to expand...
I didn't know how to do anything, same as Minecraft I had to look up the recipes to know what to do. First impressions count for a lot imo.
 
sammyCYBORG said:
Giant Bomb Quick Look for all that are interested: http://www.giantbomb.com/quick-look-dont-starve/17-6864/

Watching this then playing the demo have really made me want this game, I might get it on Steam soon. Watching someone else play it really helped me as I have no patience with minimal tutorial games.

The art style is lovely and really helps with the atmosphere.

The exploring is fun and it really took me by surprise how big the maps are. The animals are neat too. I was casually mining a tree when a massive turkey jumped out of it. It terrified me.

Can't wait to play some more.
Click to expand...

The last time I played a constructed a little camp for myself before one of my OWN trees came to life and smashed my face in.
 
Munin said:
I wish the game didn't have such a deliberately unappealing art style just like Binding of Isaac. I don't think it's "cool" and "unique", it just looks drab and boring.
Click to expand...

Deliberately unappealing art style? I don't believe you know what you're talking about. Why would someone make their game look unappealing on purpose? That's not likely to happen in a game that someone is trying to sell.

By the way, the art in this game was inspired by Edward Gorey and Tim Burton.
 
It's a solid game so far since the last patch, but my biggest gripe with it is that the progression feels a little stifled. There's not enough recipes and the biomes are too limiting.
 
The demo was awesome, I even had my girlfriend sitting playing it. Would rather it was less for one rather than the two game deal thingy on steam, but I'll probs pick this up at some point. Love the aesthetic/atmosphere of it haha
 
taoofjord said:
Deliberately unappealing art style? I don't believe you know what you're talking about. Why would someone make their game look unappealing on purpose? That's not likely to happen in a game that someone is trying to sell.

By the way, the art in this game was inspired by Edward Gorey and Tim Burton.
Click to expand...

I know what the art is very obviously "inspired by", so no need to be a condescending ass. I just don't like it. OK?
 
I'm so glad I bought it back when it was 7 bucks with an extra copy to a friend.

Game is amazing and fills the "I'm listening to this podcast and I need something else to do" void left by Minecraft.
 
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