next »

[quantumpotato]

I fixed a few bugs related to clone spawning in multiplayer modes after I took out the imprint recently.

Today I implement a slight modification to the clone spawning that will help the game be more mechanistic & learnable:

When a clone is created, its X position is set and saved. It will always respawn at the same X.

Each round, however, all clones are shifted by a random amount (the same amount) plus in X, and then wrapped if they go off screen.

The result is the relative distances between sucessive clones will often be the same, with variation by the wrap around. This makes the general bullet pattern easier to comprehend & predict while still leaving variety in gameplay.

[quantumpotato]

Steam assets uploaded - trailer & images.
When I go to preview the store page, the trailer isn't showing properly (still has the old Greenlight trailer). I'm in contact with Steam support about this.

In other news, posted to /r/games https://www.reddit.com/r/Games/comments/752qr2/im_bringing_my_shmup_where_you_kill_your_past/do5hzmf/ this weekend. Did not expect to get 1300 views and 900 video vies

[quantumpotato]

Windows playtesters: Does the current itch build work for you?
I'm getting a black screen, what I think is this bug: https://github.com/nwjs/nw.js/issues/6152

Please let me know so I can post accordingly. Thank you!

[quantumpotato]

I downloaded the Windows binary from itch with 2 play testers confirmed it working. I then copied my new game scripts over.

Could you download Itch-MakeNw-Test- 8abb11..aa4b8c.zip from the site and let me know if it runs?

If it doesn't run, then I know my gameplay fixes broke something on windows -- probably something related to handling screen resizing>

If it does run - then I have a release candidate and have to upload that to Steam.

http://QuantumPilot.me

[quantumpotato]

New builds up on Itch & uploaded to Steam.

http://QuantumPilot.me

[quantumpotato]

Quantum Pilot is approved for Steam release! I plan to release this Friday for Windows + Mac. (Linux soon)

Steam: http://store.steampowered.com/app/652000

[quantumpotato]

The 24 achievements in the game are for the 2 modes x 2 players x 6 weapons. For each combination: an achievement for winning that weapon's level without dying.

[quantumpotato]

It's out on Steam!
http://store.steampowered.com/app/652000

[RadicalBradical]

Congrats on the Steam release! 

[quantumpotato]

Congrats on the Steam release!  

Thank you!

2 positive reviews, 1 negative review.
From the negative review's feedback, I am working on these features next:

* Fix menu items going off screen on smaller resolutions
* Move Toggle Sound & Music to Options menu
* Add "Quick Restart" to Options, defaulting to On.
* Improve Pause menu so it's easier to quit. I'll change to a 2 row menu like most games have instead of "Hold ESC to Quit"
* Inform player they can pause with ESC at the game start
* Allow starting of game with P and Enter by default
* Rebind keyboard controls option

[io3 creations]

Tried the demo a while back and I like the premise.  However, if I saw the Steam trailer without knowing anything about the game, I'd assume the game is a bullet hell game ... that is more like random hell than quick reflexes and memorizing patterns.  The gameplays seem very chaotic in the trailer.

Just look at the trailers for a very similar gane: ECHO http://store.steampowered.com/agecheck/app/551770/    
"They do what you do"
"They copy your every move"
"Kill your past selves" is kind of vague and it'd be much better to show the game mechanic step-by-step.  Attack one enemy.  Then show how it copies you.  Then do it with more.

Also, it'd be nice to have a little "motivation": who you are and/or what are you doing and/or why are you doing it.  Are you defending from an alien race with advanced technology maybe from a different dimension.  On an advanced AI?  Doesn't have to be very explicit, but I think it'd add to it. Especially if the game can be completed, then there could be a final reveal at the end.


Regarding this Reddit post: https://www.reddit.com/r/Games/comments/752qr2/im_bringing_my_shmup_where_you_kill_your_past/
What does Removed: Rule 6.2 mean?  Is the post removed (probably not) or did you use something in the title that violated Rule 6.2?

[quantumpotato]

Thank you for the feedback!

Tried the demo a while back and I like the premise.  However, if I saw the Steam trailer without knowing anything about the game, I'd assume the game is a bullet hell game ... that is more like random hell than quick reflexes and memorizing patterns.  The gameplays seem very chaotic in the trailer.

Just look at the trailers for a very similar gane: ECHO http://store.steampowered.com/agecheck/app/551770/    
"They do what you do"
"They copy your every move"
"Kill your past selves" is kind of vague and it'd be much better to show the game mechanic step-by-step.  Attack one enemy.  Then show how it copies you.  Then do it with more.

Also, it'd be nice to have a little "motivation": who you are and/or what are you doing and/or why are you doing it.  Are you defending from an alien race with advanced technology maybe from a different dimension.  On an advanced AI?  Doesn't have to be very explicit, but I think it'd add to it. Especially if the game can be completed, then there could be a final reveal at the end.


Regarding this Reddit post: https://www.reddit.com/r/Games/comments/752qr2/im_bringing_my_shmup_where_you_kill_your_past/
What does Removed: Rule 6.2 mean?  Is the post removed (probably not) or did you use something in the title that violated Rule 6.2?

It is intentionally mechanic first. Players have mixed feeling about this. I think the mechanics speak for themselves and most players who are into SHMUP don't care about story.

However, there is a reveal when you beat the game and move past the deadline
It's a poem. Hope you enjoy.

6.2

6.2 Don't use editorialized, sensationalized, or inflammatory titles - Please use the original source's title when appropriate. Don't add things like "This deserves attention" or "why isn't this being talked about". Do not use language that is clearly inflammatory - keep posts and discussions civil. If an article or video's title is unclear, convoluted, sensationalized, or inflammatory, changes are allowed to further clarify or remove editorialized or sensationalized language. If you are unsure whether or not changing a title will be appropriate please feel free to message the mods.

because the subject "I'm bringing my SHMUP where you Kill your Past Lives to Steam - here's trailer" is sensationalized according to the mod.


I used to have a trailer that showed 1-3 enemies copying you. You're right that is missing from that now.
The current trailer is there to fit under 30 seconds and showcase the combat. You're right that it doesn't explain it well. I like keeping it short, what do you think?

Because of the simple graphics I like to show the combat fast and quickly instead of spending time building up.. I don't think showing the recording + playback is as exciting. Maybe it's worth 5 seconds in the beginning though. Maybe this can be fixed with different text like you suggested, instead of "Kill your past lives".

I could fit more text in the intermissions and keep the same footage, even.

Like:

"They do what you do"
"Kill your clones"

?

If I change the text, will the footage be good?

[quantumpotato]

I hope my reply made sense.. was late after my first night of Killer Queen 

I'm updating the title screen instructions:

Run game and you see:

QUANTUM
PILOT

Keyboard: Press Enter
Controller: Press X Now

When you press either of them, the game displays the list of modes.

The bottom text, "Controller: Press X Now" stays.

The top text changes to "Select Mode with Arrow Keys + Enter"

press anything on the controller and the bottom text changes to:

"Controller: Select Mode with Start/Options". I'm assuming people know how to scroll with Dpad or controlstick and both are supported.

[quantumpotato]

Settings Update:

* Keyboard can now shoot with Space, Z or Shift
* Fixed keyboard rapid scroll when controller was plugged in
* Settings menu for disabling instruction prompt
* Faster title load
* Improved UI on Pause Menu

Live on http://QuantumPilot.me and http://store.steampowered.com/app/652000

[quantumpotato]

Found a bug with the pausescreen + gamepad after unpausing. Fixed in latest builds Steam + http://QuantumPilot.me

[quantumpotato]

New trailer:

[SchriefFighter]

I like that line, "Kill your past selves"

[quantumpotato]

I like that line, "Kill your past selves"

Cool!

Updated trailer:



This is the one on Steam.

Should I put the name + reference Steam or platforms at the end? On the Steam page it just scrolls to the first screenshot which I like, but for Youtube maybe there needs more information?

[io3 creations]

The new trailers are looking better.  Ultimately, it doesn't matter how long it is, but does it convey what you intend to.  In my opinion, the game is more than just a SHMUP where you have to observe patterns and avoid them since you also have to consider your own actions.  That mechanic needs to be shown in the trailer.
While I agree that people most SHMUP fans don't care about, my and many other people's games had a few "no story" type comments.  Probably not a big issue, but some may miss out on a new experience.  By story, I also meant at least a basic setup of who you are and/or what are you trying to do.  Your new trailer gives a glimpse of that.

In terms of the enemies copying you, I'd like to see a longer sequence where your ship starts firing, then changes direction and then an enemy ship mirrors that.  It'd be better one-on-one and after your ship finished, the scene could cut straight to the enemy mirroring the shooting pattern.

Destroy your past selves might be better than just Destroy your past for the trailer viewer to make the connection that when multiple ships are on screen, those are all based on your past actions.

Given the low res text based like style, instead of the oval text fade-in, scrolling text would seem to be a better fit.  Much like the in game www.QuantomPilot.me at the bottom.  On the other hand, that url is probably not necessary during mid-trailer.

As for the YouTube trailer, yes, add Steam and other platform references at the end.  You might be able to add those with like those "Recommended" thumbnail image links.

[quantumpotato]

Thank you!

The URL at the bottom is in there from the game by default - I want onlookers to always be able to see what game is being played at a glance, and I'm hoping it reinforces the name of the game. It sounds like it's not a big distractor though?

I'll check iMovie to see options. I saw a scrolling option but it was vertical style scrolling. I agree the fade in/out is a bit unfitting.

Cloning: :14 and :30 show the clone mimic you. It sounds like you're saying this could be exaggerated, showing more? I thought it looked fine here but I don't want to miss out if it needs further polish. I'm also happy with how the timing of the music (~30 second tracks) fit with the gameplay intro + trailer content.

I like the Destroy Your Past Selves, thank you.

I'll add "Quantum Pilot" out now on Steam and Itch - with both of those being hotlinks, then?
Should I also say <- Click ->? or "Links below" too?