Sunday, January 18, 2015

Finally...a release!

Life: Year One (LY1)

I am pleased to announce the initial release of LY1, a new game that combines AIF, RPGs, life sims, and dating sims into a single game. Similar games include Cursed by Anonymousman and more recently Newlife by Splendid Ostrich. The game is built in RAGS and uses text and images.

Download link is available on the LY1 page.

LY1 sees the player create customizable character that is starting their Senior year in High School while living with a foster family. Players can set or develop a wide range of abilities, skills, and interests for their characters, while building relationships with NPCs.

The initial release of LY1 is small, covering limited character creation and part of the game's first day. Future releases will expand on the customization options while pushing the game's content through an entire school year. Eventually, I would like the game to lead into a sequel covering the player character's first year in college, or whatever activity the pursue after school.

I'd love to have feedback on this initial release! Here is what I am looking for:

1. Fun - is the game enjoyable? What do you fund fun / not fun?
2. Writing - how is the writing? Do you like the current style?
3. Images - do you like the art style? Does it contribute to your enjoyment?
4. Bugs - are there any bugs or errors?
5. Quality of Life issues - is it easy to play? Are there any tedious or annoying aspects? What features would make it easier and more enjoyable to play? 
6. Future Content - what would you like to see most in future releases?

I'll have more information coming on future releases soon, but right now I am focused on your feedback so that I can refine the existing systems and content before I get too far into development.

Thanks, and I hope you enjoy!

17 comments:

  1. It's hard to form an opinion at the moment, since there seems to be a lot of unimplemented content, but here are some notes I took when playing for the first time:

    Lots of unnecessary capitalisation (eg. High School, College, Summer, Autumn, Suburbs, School Uniform)

    The RPG elements seem overly complex, although that could just be because the player doesn't get much of an explanation of them at this point (which is something that could be included in a readme file). It might be less intimidating if the mechanics were obfuscated from the player.

    The intro says "typical American High School" but the uniform says Catholic school.

    This is obviously subjective, but the main character does not look 18 to me.

    PC's name does not appear in the initial conversation with Jack and Amy (you get 'Test' instead)

    The initial school sequence felt too passive to me. You are asked for the occasional decision, but mostly things just happen around you, and you just click through the text.

    And then I tried to examine Amy and the game crashed.

    Overall, it seems like an interesting and very ambitious game, but it's quite slow to get going at the moment. Currently it runs reasonably well given the size of the game, which is a worry for me with RAGS (also, you may want to specify which version of RAGS it's for).

    BTW if you want more exposure, you might want to post on the AIFCentral subreddit (http://www.reddit.com/r/AIFCentral/)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Just noticed that put a link to the demo in a comment to your Reddit post. For a release like this, a new post would be fine.

      Delete
    2. Final comment...

      Just noticed that Hygiene, Energy and Hunger decrease every turn, no matter how innocuous the action you've taken (eg. examining your location, or checking your status). I'd file that under annoying. It discourages experimentation, which makes the game experience even more passive. It also makes the decision to work hard in class a bit meaningless, since you expend just as much energy crossing the hall. It would be bad enough with a single stat, but three?

      Delete
    3. Thanks for the great feedback!

      I appreciate the bug reports. I knew there would be plenty, and I will get those cleaned up first.

      For some of the capitalization, it is almost more of a placeholder at the moment because I am trying to decide between using generic names and proper names for the various locations. Probably going to stick with all proper names to give the locations more flavor than just 'School' or 'Mall.'

      For the complexity issue, I do want there to be a degree of complexity to provide depth between overlapping / linking systems. I do plan to add a short, optional tutorial before character creation to explain the systems.

      Agreed that RAGS has issues, but I am trying to mitigate those where possible. On the development side, I have yet to find a better solution for a non-programmer like myself. I actually rewrote the game in Twine at one point (been trying to get those game together for a long time!) but decided that it was too much work for limited payoff.

      For the loss of status points each 'turn', I can understand how that could be frustrating and unbalanced. I will relook that system so that the Player does lose points when engaged in significant activities, but not when executing very simply actions. It will take some balancing between the cost of actions, the impact of various skills, and other relevant factors. My goal is to balance it so that the player will be pressured to make choices about food, rest, and other requirements without it becoming a massive chore.

      Thanks again for checking the game out! Hope you enjoy the more complete versions as they are released!

      Delete
  2. Picked up on many of the same things with the text - an awful lot of capitalized words. If something is extremely important I think italicizing / bolding / coloring / etc. works well enough. I've never used RAGs at all, so I don't know if that possibly has any link to objects (so it shows the names in capital), but I doubt it due to the number of them and the fact they don't seem more than text.

    As for the RPG stuff, I don't know that it is necessarily complex, it is just that we haven't seen much of it yet. Since it seems to be heading the way of a very much more 'simulation' game than a story, it may not end up being a problem. It is always a bit rough in pure text games vs. something like flash or a regular game when you have so many numbers, but some people also love that kind of thing (I recall some post apoc aif game with tons of text as well).

    Really too early to tell for me. It may work, though keeping things concise and more narrow usually isn't a bad thing so long as it doesn't break your imagining and design.

    The PC name seems to work and not work in varying degrees. As mentioned, with Jack and Amy, they call you "Test". But when the principal gives his speech, he called me correctly by name. But when going into the cafeteria for lunch, Amy calls you nothing at all (a blank space). So whatever you did with the principal speech, mimic that throughout ;)

    I think it was pretty overwhelming at the start as well, but I also understand it is to get a lot of info out there and acceptable. I imagine some of the other mechanics will either be introduced in following days (in a somewhat tutorialish-sense) or in a readme / in game help.

    Most things examined yielded nothing, as well as room descriptions, but I am sure that is because of the early test release not any errors. Also I am sure that is why all the people are sitting in the auditorium - just an early version of the game to hold them but they will be moved later.

    Examining either Jack or Amy's Face gave me a description, but popped up a weird media-player-like thing over the image window (top right). It had a play button and all but couldn't use it. This covered any images up as well as text options that would pop up there, so I had to quit and load.

    Likewise, examining either of their bodies as a whole would just stop the game, forcing me to reload as nothing happened.

    Also probably just because of the early build. I went to the mall just to test, but of course nothing was there. I also found you could infinitely loop between the two final scenes (cafeteria -> math -> cafeteria -> math -> etc) by going back and forth. Again, assuming just what you have done so far.

    Phew. Gonna reply to myself to break it up a bit.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ok, I guess I should answer you initial questions here:

      1. Fun - is the game enjoyable?

      Bit early to tell. I have to imagine going through a full year, it will have to fall down to a somewhat 'regular' simulation game, much like the many flash games out there.

      That is, you have so much energy / time to spend each day, and many of the days won't have much going on besides pumping up this stat or that. Once you hit certain thresholds, then you can get the events with various characters and the like and scenes can unfold.

      Nothing wrong with that, it will just depend on the person if they like that style or not.


      2. Writing - how is the writing?

      Seems fine, though there isn't a lot of it past character and location introductions, so I can't say yet. As mentioned, watch your use of capital letters. I recall the sports girl introducing herself with what could be a typo or her style of speech, but it was hard to tell.

      3. Images - do you like the art style?

      I've said plenty of times images aren't a huge deal to me, but they certainly don't hurt if you have the time/talent. Most of it seemed fine. I think the initial image I made a custom character and the light in the room (bottom left) seemed a bit too bright? Could be my monitor but could be less harsh.

      Otherwise, they all look fine, but of course we didn't get to see much in the way of images. Having simple background images for locations (even if it is, say, just one for the mall vs each shop) and just general portraits is nice. I'm sure many would clamor for the more sexual ones as well. I'm always a bit iffy on them depending on their quality they can be awkward.

      4. Bugs - are there any bugs or errors?

      Just the ones mentioned, which are (besides the names and possibly examining of characters) likely due to early build release.

      5. Quality of Life issues - is it easy to play?

      It's a mixed bag. I think it is about as easy to play as you will manage in RAGs. All text games have a bit of an issue when dealing with tons of RPG-like numbers. Not sure on its customization, if any, so may just have to deal with it.



      Anyhow hopefully that doesn't sound too negative. It seems like a game with a lot of promise and some people really dig the simulation aspect. It just is far too early to tell much at this point for me. If you can somehow manage to keep going (and going and going) and get it out there, I'm sure many people would get a lot of enjoyment from it!

      Delete
    2. By a RAG Game and you use and old version it is better you make aso a link for it in the download section/game section. For me as player I must know which Version I have to use (for example 2.4.14.0 for Tales of the Drunken Cowboys and this 2.4.16.0). So I have 2 Version installed (the new is by 3.057.0) so you use an old Version which you can´t used with the new and nobody knows how long you can download it from the side.

      You have a lot of bugs. So I wunder if the people before me have played the Game really or not.

      I am a man so I like to play aso as Male in Adult/Sex Games (as Info).

      When you make your own Person all Stats don´t work (+ and -, it shows nothing in the text and sometime he maked it correct in the background).

      You play it as Person what was created aso the stats don´t work correct. For example you eat in the kitchen Packaged Meal (-2 health,-1 energy) he drop your health -3 (one to much) and -1 energy.

      Checked in Status

      Aso the Relationship for example Amy when I was with her Brad in the first class he say the stat is by 13. Normal must my stat by 24 now.

      No stat in the Groups for example Church.

      I lost for each action -1 energy when I only examine the things I am near Zero so I hope you change this. I think it is to fast.

      High School Administration I can go to the East Hallway (enter from the North Hallway). From the East Hallway I can´t go to the High School Administration. Why?

      You use the Test Modus you can´t leave it.


      For me it have too much bugs for a Demo. Normal make sure if all things you want in the Game works correct and then makes it bigger. So I have to search what works correct.

      Delete
    3. Thanks for the detailed feedback!

      Lots of bugs to fix, so thanks for pointing out a few. Some are there because I forgot to disable a few actions that aren't implemented yet. Sloppy - sorry about that.

      The number of images will be increased as the game develops. Every location and NPC will have images, and specific scenes will also have images.

      Tom - I appreciate the feedback, but as I stated with the release notes / posts, I know there are lots of bugs. I just wanted to get the initial version out for some basic feedback on the overall direction and style of the game, before I waste too much effort on things that people don't like. For example, the constant loss of status points seems unpopular, and I understand the reasons presented. Thus, it will be changed. I wanted to get that kind of feedback early before I spend too much time balancing the systems.

      I appreciate the detailed notes and feedback and will work on implementing the various suggestions and fixes!

      Thanks!

      Delete
  3. Hello

    good first prototype release, things can only move on from here. I gave it a 20 minute whiz through and really liked the concept. One thing i did pick up on was if you were inherently a shy person, you would not be able to reply to some one confidently, like wise unless you were pretending, it would be hard to be shy when you oozed confidence. Only a minor thing really,

    Like i said, good start, lots to do from here, best advice i can give is to fix all the bugs now while the code is fresh in your head, then develop more, then fix.. etc so you always have a good build. If you find its all a bit unstable, dont be afraid to start again but with a better design, its better to be at the start of a ladder you want to climb, than half way up one you dont

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks for the support!

      For the personalities / response types, I am playing with a few systems. However, I am concerned about limiting the player's agency in how they respond / act. I don't want to limit the player too much. For example, if I limit 'Shy' responses to a 'Shy' personality, then I have forced the player to respond in a certain way, instead of selecting the circumstances when they feel Shy.

      Still looking into a few ways to improve this aspect of the game, so it will likely undergo further development.

      As far as future development, I've been tinkering with this in one form or another for a few years now (sadly, not much to show for it in terms of quantity!), with a couple of restarts.

      Thanks!

      Delete
    2. "For example, if I limit 'Shy' responses to a 'Shy' personality, then I have forced the player to respond in a certain way, instead of selecting the circumstances when they feel Shy."

      I think this is a problem inherent with having such a heavily customisable PC. Either the content is written to apply to a range of different PC types, which can make it seem bland and generic, or it's written for PCs with specific features, which limits the amount of content the player sees on any playthrough and makes the game seem shorter.

      For that reason, I'd personally be happier with a less customisable PC. I'd especially be against allowing the player to choose the sex of the PC since that would not only double the number of pictures that have to be created, but would also mean that you'd have to write a lot of alternative sex (virtually a second game).

      Delete
    3. The difficulties are acknowledged, but having a customizable PC is one of the core aspects of the game design. I personally have a really hard time getting into a game, AIF or otherwise, unless the game allows for a customized PC that isn't heavily railroaded in their responses to the world. I hope to overcome that issues by allowing for a variety of different responses to different situations and conversations.

      For gender, I plan to develop the male PC based on the amount of interest. If people don't want it, I won't waste time on it even if I would like to develop it. For now, I want to get the female PC developed through a week or more of gameplay and then assess.

      Delete
  4. Hi, I went to download this just a moment ago, but the mediafire link on the Life: Year One page wasn't working for me.
    It says "The file you requested has been blocked for a violation of our Terms of Service."

    ReplyDelete
  5. Hm, strange...I don't have any messages about that. I reverified my mediafire account, and then tried it and it worked for me.

    Please let me know if this is still an issue!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's a bit weird, because I tried it again and got the same error, then I opened it a second time because I was thinking I might take a screenshot and this time it worked. Then I tried it a third time to confirm and got the error again.

      Now I just refreshed it 4 times in a row and it worked every time. Well, maybe I'm just looking at exactly the time they're fixing the issue. Anyway, looks like the download worked so I'll be able to give it a try soon :)

      Delete
  6. So, I've just given it a quick try. It looks like there's a lot of stuff there and it'll be good to take some time to explore it properly.
    For now, I'll mention that Amy and Jack are calling me "Test". I did by complete coincidence choose the name Amy for myself, so I'm not sure if they do that to everyone or if it's because of that.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The name issue is a bug. It has been corrected for the next update, which I hope to release in February.


      The first day or so doesn't allow for a high degree of freedom, but future days and weeks in the game will allow the player more freedom of choice in where to go and what to do.

      Thanks for trying the game!

      Delete