Thanks for the feedback, Guert!
And belated thanks for adding the Jugglin' screenshot to my earlier post.
Much appreciated and truly beyond the call of duty.
While I hate to admit it, I completely agree with almost everything you've said.
Jugglin' is too difficult and their is little motivation to conquer the learning curve.
I don't plan to make the game easier.
I have 2 plans to address the learning curve:
1. Make it FUN & FUNNY to fail.
Jugglin' is supposed to be funny, although that has yet to be implemented.
If you stink, but still find the game fun, you'll hopefully keep going.
2. Automatically slow down the balls based on how bad the player is doing (but don't inform the player).
This way, things will get subtly easier for the people that need it, without rubbing it in their face.
I will definitely be adding progression (clear goals, little bite sized piecees to conquer). In the final version, tricks will be doled out a few at a time (rather than all at once). I'm not sure if will be offering much beyond "pure" juggling (bombs, special balls, etc.), because I want the player to focus on learning how to do tricks. I believe the true fun of Jugglin' comes from learning how to do the tricks (much like Tony Hawk). I want the players to stay focussed on that. Once you can do some tricks (3 balls, 1 ball each direction, 1 ball each hand), they'll begin to realize the infinite amount of gameplay possibilities.
The other aspect that is currently missing is the web back-end. While you will still play Jugglin' alone, the tricks you create will be uploaded to the Internet so you can share with other people. Not only can people view your trick, but they can attempt it. Ideally, there will be a new trick waiting for you every time you play Jugglin'.
Kind of like an elaborate Internet wide game of Horse. There will be ~20 Jugglers x 20 hand patterns x 20 different types of balls leading to all sorts of tricks that I never anticipated. You'll be able to invent, upload and tag tricks far beyond what I've planned for. Jugglin' - now with Emergent Web 2.0 gameplay! If it weren't for my full time job (creating massive database driven corporate websites), I'd already have this completed.
In the meantime, be sure to try juggling with Singluar Destiny.