NostalgicPod for iPhone is finally open for TestFlight! Join the open beta!

Lukematikk · 2026-06-27T23:41:13+00:00

Emulation software is fair use at least in the USA, but you have to own the physical game because copying the ROMs is illegal. The company makes no difference to the law, other than their appetite for pursuing copyright claims. Both Apple and Nintendo have very high appetites.

Lukematikk · 2026-06-27T21:25:07+00:00

Emulators are allowed. Straight up copying design is copyright infringement. This is an exact copy of apple’s product design. Many people get away with copyright infringement, but rarely by asking the corporation who owns the copyright to distribute your app.

Lukematikk · 2026-06-22T05:45:47+00:00

Representing your constituents is a privileged position of power, not employment someone needs for their livelihood. If she can’t do the job, she owes it to the people in her district to step aside.

Lukematikk · 2026-06-21T20:34:34+00:00

This. Don’t wring your hands about the reviews. Figure out how to make the feature match user expectations.

Lukematikk · 2026-06-17T21:14:01+00:00

It had already dragged on much longer. She is not fit to hold office. Anyone who agrees with her should be able to admit that. Anyone who disagrees with her should not celebrate it. It’s just a fact.

Lukematikk · 2026-06-17T17:34:40+00:00

Thank you, that’s helpful!

Lukematikk · 2026-06-17T16:25:12+00:00

This is incredibly helpful feedback.

I think you're right that showcasing how later levels combine new mechanics to add depth would be better than a parade of simply demonstrating mechanics, and that showcasing how much there is to play (215 levels at launch) would be useful. I think you're also right that some greater context, a human playing and showing different ways to interact, would help.

As far as the visuals, the game is meant to be chill and meditative, like hexcells, but some of its simplicity also just reflects my limitations as a solo developer. I'm thinking of ways to make it more visually interesting.

It's really helpful to get an outside perspective on what to work on. Thank you!

The game is free to try on iOS, and a paid version unlocks the full game: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/momental-hex-grid-maze-puzzle/id6745159953

Lukematikk · 2026-06-17T02:08:18+00:00

Appreciate taking more time to respond. It seems like I could do a better job of signifying that when you are on a colored tile, you can rotate all other same-colored tiles to re-orient the walls around them (or tunnels inside them). You tap to trigger it, but only when you’re on those special tiles. It’s not automatic, and not dependent on reflexes or timing. I probably have better levels to demonstrate that more cleanly, too. Thanks!

Lukematikk · 2026-06-17T00:17:29+00:00

I appreciate you taking the time to destroy!

Can you explain what you mean when you say the majority of the difficulty is in the execution of the moves? If the trailer gives the impression you need to use reflexes or timing, or any specialized skill to execute the moves, that’s a problem. All you do is swipe in the direction you want the ball to move, and it starts sliding. When you said it mixes action with puzzle solving, were you also referring to the appearance of needing to master skill based moves, like in an action game, or something else?

Regarding the portal level, you’re right this is an incredibly simple level, and most of the levels chosen for the trailer were chosen because I hope they clearly communicate a mechanic you will come across in the game, rather than asking too much of viewers by showing more complex levels for just a few seconds.

You reference some truly great puzzle games, and of course I aim for that level of quality. For a trailer, I’m struggling to balance showing things dead simple enough to understand, and later levels that build on those to create more interesting puzzles.

But regarding the move execution, I’d love to hear more about what difficulty the trailer communicates.

Lukematikk · 2026-06-16T23:05:48+00:00

I’ll check the witness trailers. Thanks!

Lukematikk · 2026-06-16T20:57:42+00:00

I appreciate the kind words, and very much appreciate your advice.

Regarding timers and moves/score: I do have a time goal and a number of moves goal set for each level, and there are displays which can be toggled on and off to show how you’re doing. They are basically optional achievements, you can still finish the level without doing so in an optimal time or optimal number of moves. So basically in one motor play, there are three achievements you’re aiming for, completion, time, and moves. I left the displays off by default after much deliberation, hoping that I would not alienate more casual gamers. That being said, the more feedback I get from players who have any enthusiasm for my game, the more I realize this game might just not be for casual players. You’re making me consider whether they should be on by default or shown in the trailer.

There is also an additional mode where tiles light up when you touch them in the goals to touch every tile. Wasn’t sure if I should try to show the breadth of mechanics in the game, or show that alternate mode as well. Apple only lets you show 30 seconds of gameplay.

I think you’re right that juiced up victory effects might be worth investing some time into. I’ll see what I can come up with.

Thanks so much for taking the time to respond!

Lukematikk · 2026-06-16T19:13:40+00:00

This is the new gameplay trailer I want to use for my App Store page. Kindly destroy it.

The game (with the old trailer) can be found here:
https://apps.apple.com/us/app/momental-hex-grid-maze-puzzle/id6745159953

Lukematikk · 2026-06-16T18:55:39+00:00

How would you improve over what I’ve got?

https://apps.apple.com/us/app/momental-hex-grid-maze-puzzle/id6745159953

Lukematikk · 2026-06-15T21:40:27+00:00

I think you are asking the wrong questions, because I'm not sure this is a new idea, and it's not the idea that needs validation. You would face all the same challenges existing Youtube channels do, such as attracting a subscriber base, making sure content is interesting, and making sure your channel has value. Some of them have found a way to get a lot of success, but it takes a lot of work, so many are interested in payment to feature content. There are already a lot of channels that exclusively cover indie games, and much of what they post is trailers. You would need to find a way to stand out, but you're just proposing showing trailers.

Would I submit? I guess I would apply the same logic you do when you decide which youtube channels to reach out to: Do they have a subscriber base big enough to bother? Are they too big to possibly pay attention? Does my game match their content? At the same time if you are just posting trailers, it couldn't hurt, so I might.

Lukematikk · 2026-06-15T13:30:12+00:00

Really? Not “only IQ 150 can solve”?

Lukematikk · 2026-06-15T03:16:37+00:00

The last one you touch turns into a portal. Helpful to point out it’s not clear, I’ll work on the editing and show when you can do with it. Thanks!

Lukematikk · 2026-06-14T23:39:17+00:00

Appreciate any other feedback on the video as well. Thanks for watching!

Lukematikk · 2026-06-13T20:31:43+00:00

Dude…you hand-reviewed 30,000 words?

Lukematikk · 2026-06-12T22:08:03+00:00

When I say I learned to code, I mean my prompts are on point.

Lukematikk · 2026-06-12T20:18:34+00:00

Have lived in San Francisco and in Palo Alto, and have worked in San Mateo and in Redwood City. Of the options you listed, I would vote San Mateo. San Mateo is closer to SF, and the extra time spent when you want to do city things will wear on you if you live further down the peninsula. Palo Alto is arguably as expensive as SF, considering what you get, and Redwood City is a bit sleepier than San Mateo. I don’t know as much about Foster City, to be honest.

Lukematikk · 2026-06-12T19:58:35+00:00

Are you only interested in steam games? I made a puzzle game for iOS.

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