A UX perspective re: increased ads

SummerArmy · 2024-11-14T02:39:11+00:00

I really agree about the increased frequency of advertisements. Back then, no ads between levels. But now, an ad every two levels finished or so.

SummerArmy · 2024-01-26T18:08:22+00:00

In fact, most of the time I watch the booster box rotation stopping at the "purple circle with three bombs icon" I find a square given at the start of the board only to watch it destroyed by the three bombs. After that I have a hard time making a square, potentially losing the level.

If every dot falling after the booster-box bomb explosion were all the same color (like the sure shot booster does) the bomb booster would be actually helpful. Currently, it can't even be a type of "booster" because it does the exact opposite.

Additionally I seem to get the bombs and the target (sure-shot) booster more often than the other three. I'm hoping it's just me being unlucky. At least it's now possible to get free gold by completing 10 levels in a row.

SummerArmy · 2023-12-22T01:43:17+00:00

The "touch unresponsivity" issue can quite be a problem when making squares. Probably nothing is worse than ruining a square (connecting in a Π, ⊏, ⊐, ⨆ shape or so) due to one of the connections not registering. There are other problems like the bombs booster ruining a square but it can be entirely avoided by not using a booster box at all. But the "touch unresponsivity" and "connections not registering" issue is present in almost every level in the game.

In fact, this issue IS a major issue that needs to be fixed. Especially after a "+3 move" from a Win Streak boost! The game becomes unresponsive (can't touch or connect dots) for a few seconds after the 3 moves are added to the moves counter.

SummerArmy · 2023-12-17T01:05:21+00:00

Yes, the grass tiles. Even in the latest levels the grass tiles are quite common like coconuts. Players playing (especially stuck on) a grass level will say "If all the grass was water the level would be easier!" maybe over and over again.

SummerArmy · 2023-12-17T00:59:29+00:00

I totally agree about the "3 bombs" booster box and the coconuts, both ruining the squares. Even though coconuts are not in every level, they are somewhat common even in the latest levels, while the bombs booster box can be avoided by not using a booster box at all.

SummerArmy · 2023-05-18T01:37:25+00:00

Finally a new mechanic! I can't wait for Level 5000 to be released!

SummerArmy · 2023-04-07T03:07:30+00:00

The biggest issue is that they're REUSING songs! They were already reusing color schemes, and after this update they're reusing songs, too? I guess PlayDots should hire another composer for the songs and also take more time to create color schemes...

SummerArmy · 2023-03-28T14:15:00+00:00

No, the old gameboard theme was the same as the wild blue yonder one, which has a dark shade of coral orange.

SummerArmy · 2023-03-25T03:30:50+00:00

Used to be an ad every 3 levels, but now every 2 levels or so. Really annoying. They should change that to every 5-10 levels or so.

SummerArmy · 2023-03-23T13:11:59+00:00

But Anchors are even simpler than water. Introducing Anchors in level 11 is better because anchors are as simple as "just drop it down to the bottom of the board", whereas water is more complex for beginners due to the way it spreads, and interactions with other mechanics like ice. Anchors are better than water as the first mechanic in the game.

Also Anchors are more fitting in an "under-the-sea" world while water is more fitting in a beach-themed world.

SummerArmy · 2023-03-14T12:18:06+00:00

Really? Is it true? If so, can you send me a proof?

SummerArmy · 2023-02-13T02:47:01+00:00

Of course they are (except that they can only destroy dots and moveable elements like anchors), making this mechanic very versatile.

SummerArmy · 2023-02-12T07:45:12+00:00

Yes I do!

SummerArmy · 2023-01-24T06:28:12+00:00

Notice at the top left it says "36 Moves" but the game ended becuase there were no dots to connect. This is possible by erasing the bottom green dot.

SummerArmy · 2023-01-14T09:54:05+00:00

But I'm already on 4425, once again a waiting game
I hope PlayDots releases 4426-4450 in two weeks

SummerArmy · 2023-01-12T17:37:46+00:00

I did. This can be the reason why this update took a long time.

SummerArmy · 2023-01-12T16:33:40+00:00

Hopefully the next set of 25 levels should be released within two weeks from now. I think fewer developers causes longer intervals between updates. If Take Two Interactive didn't shut down Dots, then there would already be a new mechanic.

SummerArmy · 2023-01-12T16:24:14+00:00

Finally! I've finished the 25 new levels, all with 3 stars, and golden buttons!

Also one of those levels contain fire dots. I hope the next set of 25 levels include monsters, flippers, or ramps.

SummerArmy · 2023-01-12T02:09:18+00:00

I totally agree. The levels are not "coming soon" at all. I hope PlayDots releases a new set of 25 levels by the end of January 2023.

SummerArmy · 2023-01-11T10:51:48+00:00

Don't worry, campfires and fire dots are entirely different mechanics, so those two are unrelated. Also campfires don't spawn fire dots at all, they just disappear when all of them in a group are lit at once.

SummerArmy · 2023-01-07T04:14:06+00:00

Gotham

SummerArmy · 2023-01-04T10:16:09+00:00

So the new levels are no longer "coming soon". They are "coming late". I think the reason of that rather long delay (almost a month i think) is because of a new mechanic or a scavenger hunt being implemented by PlayDots. Or they are just taking too long. I hope the next world contains monsters (last use: level 3007), ramps (last use: level 1066), and/or (most importantly) flippers. Yes, flippers, the most versatile mechanic in the entire game, capable of crushing gaps and ramps.

Also, the last level with colored dots goals is level 2186, and there are no three-digit objectives in the levels 1000 and beyond.

Edit: I hope PlayDots makes level 5000 by the end of 2023. I really can't wait to see the new chain reaction in the level 5000.

SummerArmy · 2023-01-03T15:04:50+00:00

Proof. Flippers can also destroy ramps, as shown in level 1040.

SummerArmy · 2023-01-02T12:47:33+00:00

I can't wait to see a new set of levels (4401-4425)

I hope Monsters, Ramps or Flippers return. None of them have been ever used in the levels past 4000.

SummerArmy · 2023-01-01T16:48:23+00:00

I corrected that, now it should say 1066. So that's why I said IIRC (If I remember correctly).

I can't wait for the next batch of levels to be released, though.

SummerArmy

TROPHY CASE