In that case, I'll start by posting about the first game that I (of One South Design) worked on. It's called Berserker and it is an action puzzle game that we released last year. The youtube trailer can be found here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xnB3LwS_DwQ
Those are some interesting ideas. We are indeed thinking about making a sequel soon with a lot of new elements that expand on this basic theme. I'll definitely keep those ideas in mind!
So no using GAF to sell stuff you make yourself. The GOG guys wanted to something akin to that at one point and EviLore also shot them down flat, no, not happening. I can see all the trouble that prevents, so it doesn't bother me, probably much better that way.
Generally, if your product is amazing enough a normal GAF member will make a thread and it will play its course.
The caveat seems to be if there are no strings attached, and it is free, you can test your luck?
Nice, Riese: Battle for Eleysia is free for today only. If you like card-based strategy - something I damn well love - you might dig this game. It's not particularly deep if you're into your CCGs, but it's got great production values and is quick and easy to play.
alerus, after having played it, I have to say the following things:
The graphics are very charming
The game is easy to understand
The tutorial is good, although maybe a bit text-heavy. Less text = more good
Some mechanics don't feel like they're necessary
The challenge mechanic sort of breaks the game
I'd prefer it if there was an emphasis on puzzling, the trivial sequences are too easy in my opinion, and the timer is really all that keeps me in the game
Overall, if it was a game for math enthusiasts that like sequences, I'd enjoy that
The gamey parts are unnecessary, I think; but I'm not sure
It doesn't hold my interest very long because it's so trivial. Basically, I run through the sequence until I am at a stopping point, then challenge, repeat. That until all challenges are gone, then I slash.
So no using GAF to sell stuff you make yourself. The GOG guys wanted to something akin to that at one point and EviLore also shot them down flat, no, not happening. I can see all the trouble that prevents, so it doesn't bother me, probably much better that way.
Generally, if your product is amazing enough a normal GAF member will make a thread and it will play its course.
The caveat seems to be if there are no strings attached, and it is free, you can test your luck?
Ok, this is getting ridiculous. First Infinity Blade, now this:
Those are not bullshots, this is how the game will look on the Retina Display in iPhone 4.
Also:
30 officially licensed cars
16 car grid against AI, and 16 player online racing an iOS first
Career mode with well over 10 hours gameplay and a range of event types
Earn in-game currency to buy and sell cars, and buy upgrades
5 game modes: Career Mode, Quick Race, Time Trial, Local Multiplayer (8 players), Online Multiplayer (16 players)
15 locations with 40 miles of highly detailed race track
Vehicle damage
Online Save Game
Game Center and Cloudcell integration, multiple profiles
Wide range of control options
HUD with minimap that can be turned on or off
5 camera angles including fully 3D cockpit view, and TV style replays
Powered by Firemints exclusive Mint3D engine
I think the visuals and games coming out for smartphones 2 years from now are going to be a real eye opener for a lot of people if we're still on the same 360/PS3 console generation, as we should start seeing games targeting multi-core CPUs and the next generation of integrated graphics/whatever chips these phones use.
alerus, after having played it, I have to say the following things:
The graphics are very charming
The game is easy to understand
The tutorial is good, although maybe a bit text-heavy. Less text = more good
Some mechanics don't feel like they're necessary
The challenge mechanic sort of breaks the game
I'd prefer it if there was an emphasis on puzzling, the trivial sequences are too easy in my opinion, and the timer is really all that keeps me in the game
Overall, if it was a game for math enthusiasts that like sequences, I'd enjoy that
The gamey parts are unnecessary, I think; but I'm not sure
It doesn't hold my interest very long because it's so trivial. Basically, I run through the sequence until I am at a stopping point, then challenge, repeat. That until all challenges are gone, then I slash.
Thanks for the feedback! The gamey parts you might find more important as you get further into trying for high scores, whereas merely beating the "Campaign" itself is easier (actually, some people we know took quite a while to be good enough to merely complete the campaign, let alone compete with higher scores). There is a lot of balance and trade off involved in using them. For instance, for many of the people to whom we've talked, there are lots of little strategies they weren't aware of that resulted in higher scoring on their part, once they started effectively using them. After a month or so past its initial release there were people who made my best scores look like a newbie played it. That made me both happy and sad. Happy because it means there is a decent skill curve; sad because it means I suck at my own game!
It is possible, however, that you are just a natural at these kinds of games and can crush people's scores from the get go! That said, I'll keep your comments in mind for any sequels and see if we can find a better balance.
I most certainly am not a natural. I just don't pay any attention to scores. I'm the kind of player that wants to progress through a game. Scores usually become relevant to me once I'm so invested into a game that I want to compare my skills to others, and that rarely happens.
So maybe I'm not your target audience. Which is also fine! Don't put too much weight on what I'm saying.
Don't suppose anyone has a list of apps that support Game Center online multiplayer? I know two of mine do, Fruit Ninja and FlightControl, but I'm wondering if there's anymore.
I most certainly am not a natural. I just don't pay any attention to scores. I'm the kind of player that wants to progress through a game. Scores usually become relevant to me once I'm so invested into a game that I want to compare my skills to others, and that rarely happens.
So maybe I'm not your target audience. Which is also fine! Don't put too much weight on what I'm saying.
Perhaps, but I appreciate the feedback none the less! If we do start a sequel anytime soon, making a more interesting campaign (beyond the high score challenge), is definitely one of the things we'd like to do and has been on our mind ever since we started the first game. However, as a small part-time dev, we must take small steps and this was the first
I think the visuals and games coming out for smartphones 2 years from now are going to be a real eye opener for a lot of people if we're still on the same 360/PS3 console generation, as we should start seeing games targeting multi-core CPUs and the next generation of integrated graphics/whatever chips these phones use.
I think they're becoming a real eye opener for console gamers now already. If you're not a total graphics geek, Infinity Blade and Real Racing 2 totally look very current-gen console-ish on such a small screen. Hell, they ARE very current-gen, not up there with the most technically envelope-pushing ones but still, I even read in an interview that they modeled/textured the Infinity Blade enemies with the same resolution, shader complexity and poly counts as Epic/Chair has done on some recent console/pc games.
I was given a code for it and gave the training a go. Pretty fun stuff, I'm kind of surprised I haven't heard of it before since it seems like the type of game that would have a following on GAF.
Lead Wars is a fun two-player turn-based war game where skill is just as important as strategy.
So grab a friend and have a battle on the same device, or sign in to Game Center to play online head-to-head against people from around the World!
Lead Wars simulates a game you can actually play with a real pencil and paper, where you have a hand-drawn battlefield and each player has a fleet of tanks, planes and artillery units at their disposal.
The aim of the game is to simply wipe out all your opponent's units using your skill as well as your wits. Each player takes it in turns to move their choice of units around and fire shots at their opponent.
Lead Wars is a Universal App and on iPad it makes a great tabletop two-player war game, but it plays just as well pass-n-play on iPhone and iPod touch, and makes full use of the Retina Display where available.
I was given a code for it and gave the training a go. Pretty fun stuff, I'm kind of surprised I haven't heard of it before since it seems like the type of game that would have a following on GAF.
According to the feature list you can have up to 25 local two-player games on the go at once all with auto-save.
I haven't actually played online yet. I tried game center to find a match but didn't find one. In all fairness, I only gave it a minute or so. Still the game looks like it'd be a blast with some friends.
Fans of the Sentinel TD games: Sentinel 3 is discounted at the moment, as it's going universal soon. I held off in the hopes of an ipad version, and it's coming.
When the uni comes out, price goes back up, so grab now if you want it.
Saying that, 1 & 2 look pretty decent x2 on the ipad, but a native version will be cool.
I am a HUGE sucker for TD games, but for some reason I can't get into the Sentinel series. I've tried 1 and 2... something just feels cheap or 'off' about them.
WHOA at Lead Wars... I remember playing that with an actual pencil and paper back in the day. Might have to pick it up.
I need to get into this game at christmas time - I have never tried it before and don't know the rules but I'll eventually learn those, there's a thread in the Online Forum correct?
Can I play multiplayer locally on the same iPad as well?
Just to be sure, an installation won't fuck up current games in progress, right?
Anastacio said:
I need to get into this game at christmas time - I have never tried it before and don't know the rules but I'll eventually learn those, there's a thread in the Online Forum correct?
I loved Broken Sword on my PC when it got released years ago. I'd dive into it again now, is it playable on the iphone (3GS) ? How are the controls/UI ? Sound ?
Funny, the Store offers the local version (French) at 2,99 but also the English one for 3,99 .
Just checked the appvent callender site. Quantum Squid Triple Pack http://appventcalendar.com/quantumsquid-triple-pack/
Includes Veggi Samurai, a game that seems to be a rip off of fruit ninja but with veg. I really dislike when devs blatantly rip off successful games/apps and just change minor things. It's as bad as copying someones assignment and just grabbing a thesaurus and changing the words. It's just so lazy.
Just checked the appvent callender site. Quantum Squid Triple Pack http://appventcalendar.com/quantumsquid-triple-pack/
Includes Veggi Samurai, a game that seems to be a rip off of fruit ninja but with veg. I really dislike when devs blatantly rip off successful games/apps and just change minor things. It's as bad as copying someones assignment and just grabbing a thesaurus and changing the words. It's just so lazy.
I keep thinking to myself one of these days I'm going to go through this thread and make a list of everyone's lists of games... I'm half tempted to take all the easy way out and make a new thread for everyone to list their top 10 or 20 games and then just tally up that.
I got used to them very quickly, I've got no problem with them other than my thumbs being in the way. It badly needs a retina update though, plus for some reason it won't connect to leaderboards for me unless I'm on wifi... no 3G connection. I'm not holding my breath for any kind of update though.
Fuck it - fun now, bargains later! There will always be cheap games coming later on. Sometimes you'll kick yourself, other times you'll pick up a bargain.
Fans of the Sentinel TD games: Sentinel 3 is discounted at the moment, as it's going universal soon. I held off in the hopes of an ipad version, and it's coming.
When the uni comes out, price goes back up, so grab now if you want it.
Saying that, 1 & 2 look pretty decent x2 on the ipad, but a native version will be cool.
pirates v ninjas v zombies v pandas is out, looks like a sort of physics game from what I can tell, I found the trailer funny and for 59p, why not i'll get some fun out of it.
Fuck it - fun now, bargains later! There will always be cheap games coming later on. Sometimes you'll kick yourself, other times you'll pick up a bargain.
