Art and Code Update - v0.2.0
Hey yalls,
Finally an update after busyness that was the last two weeks.
First let's talk about Ten Thousand Coins and progress I've made:
NPC Store Update
After the play-testing session at NZGDC, I realised how much the user experience needed improvement. For a trading simulation, the buying and selling UX design is of paramount importance, hence the system has been updated according to the feedback I received.
Changes:
Weapon and Armour System
Selecting weapon and armour from the main inventory itself during combat was not a good UX and removed some of the immersion and pace of the combat, therefore a separate weapon and armour inventory has been added, which up to 4 weapons equip-able, 1 body armour and 1 shield.
Next step: add hotkey buttons to the weapon selection, so no need to use the mouse to manually select each weapon during combat.
Tutorial System Update
The tutorial system was not apparent enough during play-testing, with many players not realising they needed to pay attention to the instructions explains. A screen dim and clear circle has been added to further enhance the tutorial to make it more apparent. Some of the dialog have also been rewritten for improvement.
Minor Changes / Fixes
My current status
Just a little about what's been going on in my life:
Regarding the Kiwi Game Starter scholarship I won, I plan to use it asap for the post-graduate course, currently in the enrolling process. Better to study now while I don't have any clashing commitments than to wait until there might be. When study begins I will have less time to work on Ten Thousand Coins unfortunately, but I hope can still fit at least half a weeks worth of work every week during study.
I currently plan to show Ten Thousand Coins at the IGDA Minicade showcase on Sunday 2nd of Oct. If anyone is reading this before that date and would like to attend, here is the event info:
https://www.facebook.com/events/1250008235058041/
Finally an update after busyness that was the last two weeks.
First let's talk about Ten Thousand Coins and progress I've made:
NPC Store Update
After the play-testing session at NZGDC, I realised how much the user experience needed improvement. For a trading simulation, the buying and selling UX design is of paramount importance, hence the system has been updated according to the feedback I received.
- Buy buttons added to each item for sale. "Buy 1" and "Buy 5 buttons available. "Buy 5" button added for bulk purchase to save time.
- Sell buttons added to each needed item, making it easier to sell profitable items. "Sell 1" and "Sell All" buttons available.
- Selling other items requires just drag and drop to the NPC shop. Removed confirmation box as it was quite annoying. Dragging an item over the NPC shop will display its sell value.
- Exit store button added, as players found it confusing on how to exit the store, not noticing the "x" corner button.
Weapon and Armour System
Selecting weapon and armour from the main inventory itself during combat was not a good UX and removed some of the immersion and pace of the combat, therefore a separate weapon and armour inventory has been added, which up to 4 weapons equip-able, 1 body armour and 1 shield.
Next step: add hotkey buttons to the weapon selection, so no need to use the mouse to manually select each weapon during combat.
Tutorial System Update
The tutorial system was not apparent enough during play-testing, with many players not realising they needed to pay attention to the instructions explains. A screen dim and clear circle has been added to further enhance the tutorial to make it more apparent. Some of the dialog have also been rewritten for improvement.
Minor Changes / Fixes
- Combat system - a longer set delay between attacks, so the player can no longer spam mouse click on the enemy and get bombarded with enemy attacks.
- Item stacking bug fixed, all items should now be separate and working as intended.
- NPC floating icons have better feedback when mouse is over them, and the click range extends to the building below it.
- Discarding loot now has a confirmation warning.
- Item descriptions at NPC stores have been shortened with the newly added buttons.
- Player stats names have been changed, and their description popup updated:
- Strength is now Toughness
- Smarts is now Wits
- Survival remains the same
- Game has been further optimised: fixed RAM issues, code tidied and optimised.
My current status
Just a little about what's been going on in my life:
Regarding the Kiwi Game Starter scholarship I won, I plan to use it asap for the post-graduate course, currently in the enrolling process. Better to study now while I don't have any clashing commitments than to wait until there might be. When study begins I will have less time to work on Ten Thousand Coins unfortunately, but I hope can still fit at least half a weeks worth of work every week during study.
I currently plan to show Ten Thousand Coins at the IGDA Minicade showcase on Sunday 2nd of Oct. If anyone is reading this before that date and would like to attend, here is the event info:
https://www.facebook.com/events/1250008235058041/
Until next time my fellow merchants (so cringe),
Cynthia
