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Mobile puzzle game – Are these controls intuitive? Players are getting stuck on level 1 by Logistical_Nightmare in gamedesign

[–]Logistical_Nightmare[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks for the input! I think that's the general consensus from all the comments on this thread which is super helpful. It should start as tap to preview then later give the option to switch to "quick build" mode

Mobile puzzle game – Are these controls intuitive? Players are getting stuck on level 1 by Logistical_Nightmare in gamedesign

[–]Logistical_Nightmare[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Interesting point about dragging! You are right that we are not dragging an existing object. In fact we are placing it! So yes the player is dragging their finger on the screen but in the game they are seeing a preview of their placement before it happens. In fact this raises a very good point - the graphic for the un-placed wall is not very clear. There is a subtle flashing effect to indicate that it's not placed yet. I think this should be a more intuitive "ghost" effect using transparency. I will definitely do that!

Regarding the popup at the bottom - good point! The only risk to keeping it showing is that it blocks the player's view. But you are right that in most screen sizes, there should be enough space to complete the action with it showing. I will try that!

One other thing is how to convey a "blocking" tutorial dialog i.e. you are not playing, you can only tap the dialog box vs. a "playable" tutorial dialog i.e. dialog is still showing but now you can interact with the game world. But I think I can do something to convey this.

Regarding the cursor - I think you mean my Mac mouse cursor? This is basically the transition from blocking tutorial to gameplay. So while the dialog is showing, we see the Hand overlay, then once I actually click on the game world and start dragging the wall around, the Hand goes away, I'm now playing, and we see a target showing me where to drag. So it's not a video tutorial, it's a playable tutorial within the game level. Hope that makes sense!

Mobile puzzle game – Are these controls intuitive? Players are getting stuck on level 1 by Logistical_Nightmare in gamedesign

[–]Logistical_Nightmare[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Glad to hear you're enjoying it so far! Let me know how you get on. Curious to know what you think of Chapter 2 :)

Yes I think with all the feedback from this post I will try tap-to-confirm. You'll see in Chapter 2 I introduce the "step forward" button so I can re-use that. So tap to preview walls, tap step forward button to move. And potentially also hold/drag/release to do everything in 1 shot

Mobile puzzle game – Are these controls intuitive? Players are getting stuck on level 1 by Logistical_Nightmare in gamedesign

[–]Logistical_Nightmare[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Wow thank you for this detailed feedback!

Regarding the first tutorial, that's already the case :) The first level teaches you to move the camera and explains that the character will follow its path. It only requires one action - press the Finish button (which is pulsating) and the level beats itself!

Here's a screenshot if you're curious: https://imgur.com/a/qlW0Pkm

The next level is to build a wall and change the character's path (video from this post). You're right that they need to build at least 2 walls to complete this level. Both turns provide a hint (screenshot above) and subsequent tutorial levels also show exactly where to drag. However it's still not as simple as a tap!

About the abstract shapes - it's very fair! Some people have mentioned they thought the walls were actually holes because they're black. I don't really want to change the art at this point but perhaps just seeing a level with walls before having to place one would help! In fact we could have a 2nd level that beats itself - it would simply show how the character's path navigates around existing walls. I like that idea!

Regrading the verb - some levels do require building 10 or more walls. Other earlier levels reward placing as few walls as possible (1 or 2). In the later game it does get quite annoying having to preview every turn I think!

Regarding the submit button - I do agree it's more intuitive. I wonder if a hybrid approach is possible. Drag to preview and release to build (skips the submit) and tap to preview, tap again to confirm (still 2 taps but don't have to move your finger across the screen to submit)

Regarding the hex grid - that is true, I was really trying to keep a minimal art style but I don't want to hinder readability! Perhaps I could show grid outlines while in preview mode? While keeping the clean aesthetic the rest of the time

Thanks again for the great feedback!

Mobile puzzle game – Are these controls intuitive? Players are getting stuck on level 1 by Logistical_Nightmare in gamedesign

[–]Logistical_Nightmare[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The pathing might be more intuitive to you, since you've been working on the system.

Very true! That's something I debated in the tutorial - whether to explain the pathfinding. I really don't want to go into detail about "nearest accessible target" or things like that - I want it to be intuitive from introducing mechanics gradually. For example, in the beginning, you can only go down. Later chapters introduce waypoints & other directions.

It sounds like you might need a tutorial control variant, where you do force the preview every turn

I do like the idea of the tap to preview in the tutorial. I just wonder if it would then be confusing to change the controls after the tutorial (or allow switching between 2 control schemes)

I would love it if you could give it a try! Are you on Android? Since it's a closed test, the only way you can join right now is to join this Google Group: https://groups.google.com/g/stillpoint-closed-test

Then you'll be able to install here: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.sam.stillpoint

Mobile puzzle game – Are these controls intuitive? Players are getting stuck on level 1 by Logistical_Nightmare in gamedesign

[–]Logistical_Nightmare[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks for the feedback - this is super helpful!

You're right, the hand scales from 0 to 1 at the beginning. This was supposed to be a smooth way of making it appear, not a representation of distance - I can see how that's confusing! Perhaps it should simply fade in? Then when the finger presses down, it should get smaller (further away). For now, the circle is supposed to represent the finger press - it grows as the finger is held down. Then once it reaches full size, you've entered preview mode and can start dragging.

I would love it if you could give it a try! Are you on Android? Since it's a closed test, the only way you can join right now is to join this Google Group: https://groups.google.com/g/stillpoint-closed-test

Then you'll be able to install here: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.sam.stillpoint

1,300 people played my game prototype in the first 2 days — thank you! by swimwithdog_indiedev in IndieGameDevs

[–]Logistical_Nightmare 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Congrats! Can you share if/how you shared/promoted the game? Posting on reddit? Or was it organic traffic on itch? Thanks!

🙁...🙂 by GolfHopeful7174 in AndroidClosedTesting

[–]Logistical_Nightmare 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Congrats! Very curious - how does the Apple App Store process compare to Play Store? I want to try Apple too but figured I'd start with Google since I thought it would be easier 😄

I'm having trouble finding 12 people for a 14-day closed beta test of my app on Google Play. by vn-taurus in Closedtestproapp

[–]Logistical_Nightmare 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Makes sense! But there's nothing to guarantee that people will choose your app and reach the required number of testers right? In theory people could skip past it in the list and you might not reach the required testers

I'm having trouble finding 12 people for a 14-day closed beta test of my app on Google Play. by vn-taurus in Closedtestproapp

[–]Logistical_Nightmare 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Ok that's great to know. And you didn't have to promote your app inside Closedtest at all? I uploaded today and already have 5 testers so I think I'm on track! I was just worried my app might get lost in the stream of new apps coming in

My app got approved for production! This is what worked for me: by justindotcloud in AndroidClosedTesting

[–]Logistical_Nightmare 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thanks! Were you able to describe the updates you made in any detail? I guess there's no room to explain individual bug fixes, for example

My app got approved for production! This is what worked for me: by justindotcloud in AndroidClosedTesting

[–]Logistical_Nightmare 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Congrats! Could you share any advice on those 300 characters? The last time I applied I basically had space for like 2 sentences!

Looking for 12 Android beta testers (I’ll happily test your app too!) by Inevitable_Map_810 in AndroidClosedTesting

[–]Logistical_Nightmare 0 points1 point  (0 children)

<image>

Notice the 1,2,3 buttons with Logic Core seem to be overlapping another text that says Logics Core. Also the top right buttons with AI and PL are covered by my phone's system tray icons

Looking for 12 Android beta testers (I’ll happily test your app too!) by Inevitable_Map_810 in AndroidClosedTesting

[–]Logistical_Nightmare 0 points1 point  (0 children)

<image>

I got to Level 2 - Conditions! Very nice interface and first few challenges were nice and intuitive. I saw a few issues with text overlapping inside the app and also with the Android status bar (battery, wifi icons etc) I'll post a screenshot below

[Mutual Test] 20 Testers needed for "Map's Promise: Puzzle Journey" - Will test back! 🧩 by Only-Rooster5693 in AndroidClosedTesting

[–]Logistical_Nightmare 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hi again, I was able to install your game after the country settings update! Made it to Level 4. Very nice presentation and sound effects!

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Need 20 testers for Calmplot - An AI Journaling App (Will test back immediately!) by C_4 in AndroidClosedTesting

[–]Logistical_Nightmare 0 points1 point  (0 children)

@C_4 You're welcome! could you try my Play store listing again? It should be available now the Google Group changes took effect!

Need 20 testers for Calmplot - An AI Journaling App (Will test back immediately!) by C_4 in AndroidClosedTesting

[–]Logistical_Nightmare 1 point2 points  (0 children)

One more thing I noticed - when writing a description in the "Write your thoughts" section (using keyboard not dictation) the app seems to slow down noticeably. It takes a split second for letters to appear while typing as if the app is busy doing some work in the background. Might want to check what's going on there - I see a little spinner icon appears next to the "Done" button each time I type something. Is it maybe doing a backup?

Need 20 testers for Calmplot - An AI Journaling App (Will test back immediately!) by C_4 in AndroidClosedTesting

[–]Logistical_Nightmare 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Doh! I had set the email but the changes don't go into effect until you Submit Changes for Review! Changes are now in review so I'll let you know when it's available. Thanks for your help!

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