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[dustin]

Just wanted to say this looks like just the type of game I'd like (except for running on an ipad :/) and returning to level 0 (or rage or whatever you decide to call it) wouldn't throw me off at all

[Chris Pavia]

Thanks for letting me know your thoughts dustin! I'm planning on releasing the game on Mac/PC as well after the iPad release (hopefully with updates/fixes/improvements based on player feedback from the iPad version), so you should get to play it at some point.

I should have a gameplay video up a week or 2 after GDC so you all can see it in motion, and I can demonstrate the puzzle mechanics. When typing out the rules it seems a lot more complex than it actually is, so hopefully watching me play will make it click easier.

[Chris Pavia]

Opinions needed!

I keep going back and forth on what I want to do with the game, especially after seeing all the great stuff people are doing at GDC. I've got 2 directions I'm toying with:
1. The original, rush-style gameplay where the player goes from battle to battle until they die or defeat the final boss (~24 battles).
2. Add an overworld map with sites the player unlocks as they play. Each site is a smaller rush (4-8 battles), winning unlocks more sites along the paths the player can explore. Maybe add some story via talking heads.

My main reasons in favor of the original rush-style:
-Much less time and resources needed, since this version is pretty much complete, just lacking polish and content. Getting it done quicker (months quicker) would prevent me from potentially getting burnt out on the game, and let me move on to one of the other projects I've got burning a hole in my brain.
-The game as-is has an elegant simplicity in that it encapsulates everything I enjoy about RPGs with a twist, which was the game's original intent.
-Each gameplay session is stand alone, so there isn't any knowledge (outside basic gameplay rules) that needs to be kept in the player's head between sessions (good for tablet/mobile games).
-Could have more replayability/sense of skill mastery in that over time the player will get farther and farther into the rush as they get more skilled, until eventually they beat the final boss (hopefully).
-It's already fun! Without the map people have been enjoying the game, including people just walking by while I'm playing between sessions at GDC.

My main reasons in favor of an overworld map with exploration:
-The map would be fun to design/make.
-Players could get a better feel for the world the characters inhabit (don't know if this adds enough value vs creation time tho)
-The single-session gameplay of rush-style that works well on mobile may not be as engaging on Mac/PC.

Currently I'm kind of leaning toward the first one. I feel like getting the game out there sooner might benefit me more with subsequent projects. Maybe meet people who enjoy the style of games I like that I can collaborate with to make bigger games in the future.

I'm interested in hearing other people's thoughts on this, but remember that the business side of things is just as important as the creative side (to me). Thanks for reading!

[Destral]

I would suggest going the first route. Since you are close to finishing, you can release the game on flash/iOS/PC or what have you. Once the game is out, people will see it and play it, and you can gauge what the reception is. If enough people like it to warrant it, you can then make a sequel with the world map and story etc, if you feel like it. If interest isn't high enough or you feel you're done with the game, you can move on to another project, and maybe revisit the second version later on when you're stuck for a project to work on.

That would be my 2c.

[Chris Pavia]

Thanks for the feedback, I agree with your point about getting it out there to gauge peoples reactions.

[Chris Pavia]

I got Terry Cavanaugh to play the game today

[dustin]

I'm also in favor of option 1 (although not because option 2 sounds unfun I'd just rather you put efforts into the unique aspect of the game rather then into something that most games have) as long as you can make each playthrough different enough.

[Chris Pavia]

I'd just rather you put efforts into the unique aspect of the game rather then into something that most games have

Great point, I think I'm going to use that line whenever someone asks me why there isn't an explicit story in the game.

In other news, I've been at GDC for the past week and I have some exciting news in regards to Dungeon Hearts, but I'm waiting on the green light to talk about it, so I'll just tease you all with that for now

I'm hoping to take some video of the game this weekend, but I'm sure I'll have a huge backlog of work at my day job since I've been gone a week, so we'll see how that impacts things.

[Destral]

I got to play it a bit during the Indie Art Jam, and it is 

[oyog]

...video of the game...

Huzzah!

[EdgeOfProphecy]

This was pretty rad when I played it at GDC.

If it were me, I'd stick with focusing on the Rush mode.  That's the real meat of the game to me, and while an overworld would be cool, it's really just icing on the cake.  Definitely try to keep the scope reasonable for your own sanity, and pour your efforts into polishing the core of the game.

You can always add in an overworld in a second version/DLC of the game if it sells enough to merit further development (or if you just feel like it).

[Chris Pavia]

Thanks for the compliments you guys! I was great having everyone playing it and getting so much valuable feedback.

Oh, and I've decided I'm definitely sticking with the rush-mode focus. I want to try my hand at a more story-centric game at some point, but I'd rather build a game around that premise and infuse it into the gameplay instead of tacking it on.

[Chris Pavia]

Okay, here's some

!

The quality isn't the best, I don't have much experience doing this. For this one I really wanted to show the touch interaction, but maybe for the next ones I'll just record straight off my Mac. Let me know what you think!

[Franklin's Ghost]

Game is looking really great, nice to see it in motion after seeing the images for so long. Animation is even better then I expected and I really like the gameplay, looks like it would take some getting used to but would be lots of fun to play 

[Chris Pavia]

People I've watched play it catch on quicker than I thought they would. You don't even need to worry about the more complex stuff (canceling attacks, chaining) for the first few battles. People seem to spend the first battle or two just making the strike tokens and immediately using them. Then by the third battle they're comfortable enough to start building up chains. Canceling enemy attacks used to be a bit more complex, but I streamlined it recently.

Thanks for checking it out!

[Chris Pavia]

Forgot to mention that I got PostPre from the forums working on one of the unlockable soundtracks for the game.

[Sam English]

Forgot to mention that I got PostPre from the forums working on one of the unlockable soundtracks for the game.

Yusss!

[Chris Pavia]

Progress update!

I'm working primarily on the enemies now, trying to get them all modeled, textured, and ready for animation. Here's a shot of a few characters in the works:



There are a few others in progress as well. In fact, there are only 2 enemies that haven't been started at all. When I tallied them up last night I thought it was going to be a lot more than that, so I was happily surprised.

On the music front, here's a rad boss track from Sam English - Troublesome Foe

I'm aiming to have all the remaining enemies modeled by the end of next week, then start on unwrapping and texturing.

[BomberTREE]

That music is perfect!
And has a hint of gentleman in it

[Chris Pavia]

That music is perfect!
And has a hint of gentleman in it

Haha yeah, there's a bit of harpsichord (or something similar) buried in there

In other music news, I've got some tracks in from the chip tune version and the hip-hop (more chip-hop really) version. I'm hoping to get the first metal track in this week or next.