Heya!
Thanks for the extensive feedback this kind of response is exactly what I need at this point.
As you probably realised, at this point, the game is still somewhat experimental stage. There aren't many reference points for this type of game so partially I am just shooting in the dark, but I think I am generally moving in the right direction. In regards to all the things I would like to have included, the game is barely about 1/3 done.
Which is exactly why I need as many comments like this one as possible
Now about the issues you've listed, I think I need some more feedback on some of them or I will try to explain how things work because I know that tutorial-wise the game is still very weak.
Regarding the resolution - in the final version there will be some kind of setup menu for such things. Personally on my measly 15'' laptop I prefer seeing the central screen as big as possible so the vertical 2+1 layout isn't very useful. Eventually there will be options for vertical and horizontal 2+1 layouts, and also single screen layouts. At present, the layout toggles depending on the width/height of the game window. However you are correct the target platform is tablet (but also PC).
Some of the things you mentioned are also on the todo-list, such as an address book allowing you to filter people depending on their involvement with the cases, profession etc. Actully solving cases is still somewhat of a moot point at present, but you can print the newspaper, or better said, it prints itself at exactly 2 in the morning. However you can edit it yourself by clicking on the typewriter before that happens.
Also in regards to Dolores, reporters and the function of things - have you tried right clicking on objects? Right clicking on reporters PRESS card gives you a description of their abilities and similar, which also tells you about Dolores, but if you have any suggestions on how to better present that information to the player, I am welcome to suggestions (in either case the final version should have some kind of 'character sheets' for the journalists). This also goes for the blackboard, which (using right click) allows you to directly call the people from there, and pinning important topics to it which creates connections with other topics and cases. Pressing the ? icon repeatedly uncovers new connections.
I am not really sure what you mean by 'journal feature'... oh and a couple more things that might help:
- the game starts in sepia mode. Use pgup to cycle to the full color mode and the blackboard becomes more usefull because you can now see the real color of the clippings (they are color coded to match the events) which makes it easier to see separate cases and operate within that.
- Not allowing the player to make erroneous links. This is something that I'm really not sure about, if the player isn't allowed to make mistakes, is the game still actually a game? My final goal is to allow the player to either focus on a certain area or do everything. So sending reporters to investigate cases that suit them is important. Send the detectives to investigate crimes, the occultists to investigate monsters, ghosts and other supernatural phenomena. In many cases the player's involvement will not be needed because the reporters are capable of solving the more simple cases on their own.
However if the difficulty of solving cases does become an issue, there will be probably some kind of difficulty level setup in the start. Think something like System Shock that allowed you to select difficulty in separate 'regions' (puzzles, action, story, adventure) I can do similar in regards to cases solving, or how demanding your readers are (in the final game, cash will be important both for solving the cases, hiring the experts and upgrading your office).
Okay I think this is all for now. If anything more comes to your mind, please let me know! I am looking forward for more feedback, because this game is something I really want to finish (I am not generally very good in that department, as you can see looking at my previous posts XD).
EDIT: I just found a bug that messed with the cards color coding, no wonder it was confusing... Fixed it and the new version is uploaded to GameJolt...