Test 2 Released!

Changes

Test releases will now be posted to this project and announced in a devlog!

I took the hint, I get it, my prototyping plan is not working. I'll take a break from promoting it and come back with an improved distribution and surveying flow.

Previously test releases where provided to users through a Google Drive link in various Discord servers, simply asking people to give it a try and fill out the provided survey.

Although I was able to feedback, it was only from close friends who already enjoyed my games and trusted my executables. Their feedback is invaluable, whoever only having feedback from friends has a few disadvantages:

• Very limited sample size: Important bugs might get missed if only a few people encounter them.
• Biases: Distributing the tests through Discord adds an unnecessary bias. Everyone who answers will know how to use chat apps (Discord) and Google Drive.
• More biases: I won't get feedback from people with personalities and opinions that conflict with my own.

Releasing to itch.io directly eliminates all of these biases. To increase the sample size, each test will include a devlog, which will double as a progress update.

Future Changes

• A better survey format (in-game, if possible).
• Optional tracking (reduce the amount of questions I'll need to ask).
• Exclusive in-game rewards.

Test 2

This test builds on feedback from the previous test, which was based around movement and sight (you do not need to have participated in the previous test to participate in this test). Movement and sight is by far the most important set of mechanics in the game.

• You move around to complete objectives. If moving is tedious, the entire game will be tedious.
• Same goes for sight. If the game looks bad, no one will want to look at it.

I need to get this right!

For this I created a simple boxed in map. This map has several key features:

1. It includes all major types of platforms and obstacles (not including moving platforms).
2. Everything is very close together with a lot of opportunity for the character to be obscured.
3. There is also a lot of open space for those who just want to jump and run around.

Several improvements have been made since the first test, here are the key changes:

• New settings menu:
  
  • Includes sensitivity sliders for those who have more sensitive hardware.
  • Automatic panning can now be disabled or adjusted if you do not like having the camera rotate automatically.
  • You can now go fullscreen and disable the window border.
• More forgiving jumps (if you press space just as you leave a platform).
• Added a drop shadow to make landing jumps easier.
• Wall jumping no longer occurs if space is held down.
• New sprint feature allows for a temporary boost in speed.
• Adjusted the effectiveness of walking, jumping and wall jumps.
• Slightly adjusted shading to make platforms easier to see.
• Auto-panning is now based on speed and won't occur if the player is panning manually.
• Several edge cases, tweaks and performance improvements.

If any of this sounds interesting or fun to you, please give it a try! Test 2 is available for download NOW!