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Booty Bay

Archive: 34 posts

My new level that I've now finished. I tried to create a open world styled level with more of a pirate theme, and in that sense it doesn't really show as I plan to make a series (not open world) Level objective is to find treasure hidden throughout the level. There are two sections of the level, kind of a town based area, and an island area. Hope you checkout my level I've put a good deal of time into it, and some feedback would be appreciated.
http://www.lbpcentral.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=531&pictureid=4646
http://www.lbpcentral.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=531&pictureid=4645
http://www.lbpcentral.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=531&pictureid=4644		2009-06-25 01:42:00

Author:
Shris
Posts: 126

Hi there I just finished your level booty bay. I love the idea of it and the stellar design. I think some people may finding boring and stupid with the lack of direction. I personally don't mind the lack of directions it refreshing. Overall I gave it 4 stars. The design and art is fantastic even though a few more directional signs might be nice. But I hope this is helpful. Be sure to check out my pirate level: The Legend of Fogarty's cove part one and two. each have their own thread here. Let me know what you think.2009-06-25 02:29:00

Author:
Unknown User

Very good!!! it was so much fun to explore your amazingly detailed world looking for treasure!! very cool idea to have it open world and let the player just run around and explore going anywhere they want instead of a straight path to the end I loved it and gave it 5 stars and a heart great job!!2009-06-25 03:50:00

Author:
Xeno_Destroyer
Posts: 72

Not exactly sure how I'd be able to incorperate(?) directional signs in this level as I kinda feel like I was just directing the player and leaving behind the intended feel of the level but I appreciate the feedback.2009-06-25 07:27:00

Author:
Shris
Posts: 126

I'll just say it outright I gave you :star::star::star::star::star:

I love that whole treasure hunt idea and you pulled it off spectacularly.
The presentation was phenomenal and I've never though to use laticed wood to make a decent balcony.

I'll just say maybe a little more hints and I'd love to see something close to a checklist of all the possible treasure :arg: I got the highest score so far so I think I got them all but I'm not so sure. and it may annoy you but a few more signs would be nice especially for the bank I almost went into the score board because I got lost at one point:arg:		2009-06-25 09:12:00

Author:
Waldo
Posts: 108

Not exactly sure how I'd be able to incorperate(?) directional signs in this level as I kinda feel like I was just directing the player and leaving behind the intended feel of the level but I appreciate the feedback.

Really I just mean I didn't find the bank until I had explored like everywhere else. I just couldn't find it. It was probably just me, cause I was tired when I played it. But I still really like it 		2009-06-25 10:52:00

Author:
Unknown User

I must say I got bored and left this level, but PLEASE don't take that as a bad sign. I really wasn't in the mood for it right now. I did explore a large proportion of it I think, and really enjoyed it, but I wasn't 100% sure where he bank was to finish the level (don't know if that was me not paying attention or if it wasn't that clear).

I like the free-roaming style of it but I think some people will dislike the lack of direction, but you can't please everyone. What is good is that it has some good platforming in the exploration, it's not just wandering around looking at the scenery.

A couple of points that stood out for me:
1. A couple of bits and pieces weren't glued down - an inverted v of grass when you get to the island, and a 2 way switch somewhere.
2. Some of the barriers seem out of place, there was a bigg wooden block somewhere that just stopped me droppping a level and made me go down the ramp instead, and random pieces of invisible dark matter (I'm not keen on that in general)

I gave the level 5*s because even though I got bored, I still really enjoyed it and would definately have enjoyed it more if I'd been more in the mood.		2009-06-25 23:57:00

Author:
rtm223
Posts: 6497

Really I just mean I didn't find the bank until I had explored like everywhere else. I just couldn't find it. It was probably just me, cause I was tired when I played it. But I still really like it

Oops, sorry I misunderstood you the first time. I didn't notice there were no signs leading to the bank. I didn't actually think the bank was that hard to find. And I now added a sign right by the the enterance, hopefully it helps.

@rtm223

I've figured this kind of level may get boring to some, and I don't take it in any wrong way, though I was inspired and I had some ideas so I went with it. Wasn't so sure about it in the end this will definately be my first and last try of such a level.		2009-06-26 03:35:00

Author:
Shris
Posts: 126

well i loved it2009-06-26 04:37:00

Author:
Xeno_Destroyer
Posts: 72

Gald to hear it2009-06-27 04:18:00

Author:
Shris
Posts: 126

Yup It helps and I love it.2009-06-27 21:17:00

Author:
Unknown User

Checked this out and it's a really nicely done level. Lots of areas to explore and all the details are great. The open ended nature of the level design is interesting to wander around it but I think some players will get lost.

The one major issue I had was you have blocked the scoreboard in such a way that it's impossible to respawn from it. So with multiple players you can't finish the level. Either unblock the spawn area from the scoreboard or put a checkpoint in right before the scoreboard so multiplayer parties can finish the level.

btw - I really liked the intro level too - nice pirate ship design. Wish it were longer though.		2009-06-28 01:39:00

Author:
Morgana25
Posts: 5983

Didn't think about that, guess I'll move that head then. The level wasn't exactly meant for multiplayer, but I can't really stop that from happening though so best to fix it. Thanks.2009-06-28 07:34:00

Author:
Shris
Posts: 126

I just finished this level, and I have to say, it is a big one. Just when you think people are running out of ingenuity and new ways to create levels, this comes along. I spent about 20 minutes exploring the land and working my way through the jungle section. It was all very fun, and I was genuinely excited every time I found a gem, and especially when I found the treasure chest (though I had to flip it upside down and grab the bottom before it actually disappeared). I only got ~29,000 points, so there must be a whole lot that I missed considering others on the scoreboard have much more than that. I don't have any issues with it, other than it could have better labeling of areas and maybe even a minimap at the beginning. And there was a sun or a wheel sticker on a piece of wood standing up, and it fell over when I ran into it. Not anything major, just thought you might want to glue it down, unless it does something that I missed. Fantastic job overall. Be sure to check out LittleBigMemory for your F4F.2009-06-28 17:06:00

Author:
BSprague
Posts: 2325

Just played through this again, and yes the bank is very easy to find :s don't think I paid enough attention the first time. I do really like BSprague's idea of a minimap, you could even set up prox switches to give markers for where you've been. It would mean that if someone misses an area they would know and it also gives an idea of what the level is about.

I wouldn't say "never again" on this concept too soon if I were you. It's a nice format and you've executed it very well. I'm pretty sure there will be a fair few more mature players that will enjoy it. It will probably never get accepted by the mainstream, but what do they know, eh?

A few notes from this time round.
The magic mouth that says "pull all three levers..." is ina position where you might find the levers before the instructions, so the levers will appear brokon.
In at least 2 areas, you have treasure which you are supposed to obtain by some method (a grab switch and a secret tunnel), but they are on the middle or back layer with a walkway above them, so you can just planeshift down to them. It's not a big deal here I don't think, but you really need to think about such things in "normal" levels, else players will find themselves shortcuts etc.
The treasure on the boat were the same, but I couldn't find a "correct" way to get to those so I guess this was intentional.
There is a section you can get to that I don't think you are supposed to be able to. To the left of the palm tree with the grabbable ine going of to the right, there is cliff you can climb into a little alcove. You might want to put some treasure up there, I felt a bit hard done by 		2009-06-28 19:31:00

Author:
rtm223
Posts: 6497

I agree, maybe I was putting the idea down a bit soon as I've had new ideas on an industrial version.

Can't think of a better place to put that magic mouth, but I did add noise to the 3 levers so they at least don't appear broken and you know they'e working.
I've looked for the the treasure you've mentioned and I have at least fixed one of them. And the treasure on the boat was intentionally made to be collected in that way.
The cliff I didn't try to block off in any way, but I may consider putting treasure there.

I've thought about the minimap and it is a good idea though I don't really have a clue how to do it. The prox switch idea may work nicely but I'm just near full thermo so I can't really add to the level as it is.
I don't exactly know where you found the piece of wood that you were able to knock over, maybe be a little more clear on that?
For some reason I actually made the treasure chests in two pieces so it may be a little tricky with some but all I've figured all you do is stand next to it in, any plane really, and grab.
I wish I could've added something to show just how much treasure you've found, though there isn't any space for it. I think there is actually about 21-24 treasures in the level, with some hidden and non hidden points, the highest score you can get is around 134,000 I think.		2009-06-28 22:54:00

Author:
Shris
Posts: 126

The bit of wood that you can knock over is the ships wheel (I think that's what it is supposed to be) down in the docks.

Edit. It occurs to me to mention this. Are you aware that Booty bay is a pirate town in Warcraft? I ask because it's pretty well known, so you may get people expecting a link there, like a WoW tribute level or something...		2009-06-29 09:42:00

Author:
rtm223
Posts: 6497

The bit of wood that you can knock over is the ships wheel (I think that's what it is supposed to be) down in the docks.
I probably should have mentioned that. Yes, it was down on the ship and had a sun sticker on it, most likely to mimic the shape of the wheel. I ran straight into it and it fell over. I was hoping I had made an "Indiana Jones-style" discovery, and that I was about to find a diamond or be chased by a giant boulder. Sadly, nothing happened.		2009-06-29 12:33:00

Author:
BSprague
Posts: 2325

Oh, that I actually found that during my testing and forgot to glue it down. Thanks for clearing that up. About the name, no I wasn't aware of that, someone else just asked me that a little while ago as well.2009-06-29 21:53:00

Author:
Shris
Posts: 126

Haven't played my normal amount of LBP levels recently, but I'm glad this is one of the ones I decided to play. It's simple, light-hearted and ruddy massive!

Pros:
+ Looks brilliant
+ You can stay in just this level all day looking for all the booty and the high score!
+ Good intro level
+ Lots to find
+ It's just really fun
+ You have a choice to be a hardcore gem-hunter or just casually stroll around the level

Cons:
- The bank is in a terrible position. I think it would work much better next to the scoreboard, as it's really annoying to have to go all the way back to the bank after getting everything in the docks
- It took me ages to find the docks, maybe a sign near to the beginning would help

I had to rate it :star::star::star::star::star: and heart just for the huge size and great visuals.		2009-06-30 09:27:00

Author:
Coxy224
Posts: 2645

Yeah, sorry about the banks position, guess it can out of the way sometimes. Didn't really any thought into the placing of it. There are some signs through out that will lead to the scoreboard though I guess I could put one by the enterance aswell.2009-06-30 17:37:00

Author:
Shris
Posts: 126

I can't wait to play this. I just finished Ratchet and Clank Quest for Booty, so I'm pretty much in the pirate-y mood

I'll edit this post with feedback when I get to play it. 		2009-07-01 03:59:00

Author:
gulliver49
Posts: 106

Played this earlier this morning, and it's depressing that people are giving it low ratings. It's not an action level, but that's the point! It was very relaxing to run around in search of treasure, and the bank idea was awesome. I didn't find everything, so I can see how people would complain about it being long, but I figure that if you are going to sit down and play a level, that means you want to be entertained for a period of time. Everything looks great - I put up a fun little picture of me hanging from the vine in front of the waterfall for you...

There was one spot where there was a ruby in the top portion of the little alcove, and a grab switch to the right that triggered it to fall. I noticed you blocked off the area above it, but you may want to block off the area just above-and-to-the-right of it as well (as I managed to jump down and sideways to get the treasure...). There was a ledge I dropped to way off to the right, and then I walked back to the left along this ledge. All in all, though, great use of invisible dark matter!

This was an easy :star::star::star::star::star: and heart for me, and I tagged it 'relaxing'		2009-07-01 15:17:00

Author:
comphermc
Posts: 5338

This is the best style of scavenger hunt levels I've played... it's HUGE, works in tons of platforming and secrets for people who love to search hard for rewards, especially in a game where prize bubbles are completely useless 99% of the time. I was enjoyed RangerZero's sack's in the city, and loved clarkdef's treasure hunt level - but I think this took it all up a notch, by making it so epic and scaled out with so many multiple routes and connective paths, with a super polished MM style look the whole way, tons of in-and-out layering for books and crannies, and a great design choice in using the rubies and emeralds as currency... although, you could spice it up even more by incorporating the sackboy penny as some pieces of 8, I think that might make it feel like players are collecting something and being active, even if they haven't found the big one's yet.

That would take alot of reworking on your counter systems though, and obviously therm to do it with... I think this is your best level yet though. 5 stars, and superior in every way to something like that Smurfs level from a few weeks ago lol		2009-07-01 17:00:00

Author:
Unknown User

you could spice it up even more by incorporating the sackboy penny as some pieces of 8,

I believe there are Sackboy Pennies in the level, I'm almost certain I collected a few, unless I'm not remembering incorrectly.		2009-07-01 17:49:00

Author:
BSprague
Posts: 2325

I believe there are Sackboy Pennies in the level, I'm almost certain I collected a few, unless I'm not remembering incorrectly.

Yes, there are some sackboy pennies in the town but I think it was meant to mean on the island.


super polished MM style look

This is my first level I actually used the corner editer so that helped a lot.

I would maybe place a few treasure pieces along some paths, but I feel that the addition to the overall possible score would be unfair to anyone who has already played. Even if they don't play it again

I'm pretty sad that people have left it with 3 stars aswell. I figure most people just go with the rating others have set before them.

I thought I blocked all possible ways to that gem, will have to fix that later.

Thanks for the feedback, I'm also glad people seam to be pleased with the layout of the level. I actually didn't think it was all to big but I guess thats just because I made it 		2009-07-01 19:40:00

Author:
Shris
Posts: 126

Don't sweat it, Shris... some people are so maliciously ignorant and proud of their own opinion that they're bound and determined to go out of their way to knock a level's rating down lower than it already is. You could have 300 people give it 5 stars, and one person give it 1 to 3 just to go against the grain. ESPECIALLY if you have 5 stars, they'll get it in their head that it's not worth 4 or 5 before they even play it,go in specifically looking for reasons to rate it lower. If they find even 1 thing that they can scrutinize or compare to some of their own work as a different style or "not how they would do it", you're guaranteed to inadvertently trigger the snooty, NY restaurant critic part of their brain.

In a level so open, where players are bound to get lost, stumped, and easily confused it's an even greater risk of inadvertently offending part of the player/creator base.

Been there done that... the level's sweet regardless, so keep your own opinion positive.		2009-07-01 19:46:00

Author:
Unknown User

When can we see a second one?2009-07-01 19:49:00

Author:
ViDi--ViCi
Posts: 123

When can we see a second one?

Well as you've somewhat seen I've already started work on a another level so I'm not sure. I'm also not so sure I should continue the series, I have ideas outside of just an open level. But I may just make a city version of this.

I'm happy with what I've done and don't agree with the current rating and like you've said Ninja, there seems to always be that person who won't agree to a better rating based just off their own opinion		2009-07-01 20:10:00

Author:
Shris
Posts: 126

Well as you've somewhat seen I've already started work on a another level so I'm not sure. I'm also not so sure I should continue the series, I have ideas outside of just an open level. But I may just make a city version of this.

I'm happy with what I've done and don't agree with the current rating and like you've said Ninja, there seems to always be that person who won't agree to a better rating based just off their own opinion
I wouldn't worry too much about what others rate it, because frankly, we are the only ones whose opinions matter.

But in all seriousness, you have made an absolutely fantastic level here. It is unique, fun, exploration-based, and takes a while to fully complete, a trait not found in the large majority of levels.		2009-07-01 20:12:00

Author:
BSprague
Posts: 2325

Hey TC I finished you level and loved it!

First of all, it's gorgeous! I can't imagine building something like what you have made.

The length was also very nice. Lots of levels are too short or too long, but yours seemed to be just right.

I'm a sucker for hidden things, so your level was just what I would love. There are lots of secrets to keep me coming back, and I still haven't found everything you put in your level.

Now for what I didn't like.

Some pieces of grass (green sponge) are not properly glued to the stone. I would grab them and be able to to pull them away from the stone and I don't know whether this was intentional or not, but I found to instances when this occurred.

I didn't much like the wheel puzzle where you have to turn them and you get a chest. I managed to get the chest but just because I was lucky. I couldn't find any pattern (or maybe I just wasn't trying hard enough :blush, but given the lack of difficulty for the rest of your level, this puzzle was a kick in the face. Just to clarify, did you give any sort of hint in your level for this puzzle?

I liked your town area, but I felt it was empty. Where are the people!? Did they just die, or are they sleeping, or what? I don't think you need to go through the effort of making custom characters, but just use a simple sackboy/girl sticker and make some people. It's a small nitpick, I know, but still.

Another thing I disliked is how you use one song for the entire level. Yes yes, this is really nitpicking, but I have to say it. There should be more songs so that the player doesn't get completely disgusted from hearing the same tune again and again. And come on, it's not too hard to put more sound boxes around

BTW, I couldn't find the third switch you have to pull to open that door. The first two were easy, but I cannot find this one. Also I can't believe that you can really make such a high score. I swear I searched up and down your level and only made 60,000-ish

Overall I gave it 4 stars and a heart. Good job!		2009-07-02 03:29:00

Author:
gulliver49
Posts: 106

Some pieces of grass (green sponge) are not properly glued to the stone. I would grab them and be able to to pull them away from the stone and I don't know whether this was intentional or not, but I found to instances when this occurred.

No not intentional, they were quite a few pieces not glued down before aswell. Seems I had been moving to quickly and forgot. I'll see if I can find them and glue them down.

There was a clue for what code you had to put into the number wheels, I've stickered things red that you'll have to count. It's a dark shade of red, I wanted people to have to look, the standard red is to bright.

The town I had planned to try and make some characters but I but I decided to leave it as it was, I didn't really feel it was important or really noticable is this level.

The song I think is fine as is, but I maybe could have changed some of the settings throughout.


BTW, I couldn't find the third switch you have to pull to open that door. The first two were easy, but I cannot find this one. Also I can't believe that you can really make such a high score. I swear I searched up and down your level and only made 60,000-ish

The third switch that you didn't find is hidden a lot better than the other two, guess I kinda had to make one out of sight. The score I mentioned is possible, though you have to find all the treasure and collect all the points at once.		2009-07-02 20:10:00

Author:
Shris
Posts: 126

I personally thought this level was beautiful and loved the free roaming aspect of it. Some of the visuals are stunning. The lakes to jump across look beautiful and the contrast of colours and textures when you arrive on the beach were fabulous. In fact all the colours and textures were gorgeous. I loved the trees. I didn't have a problem finding my way around because the landmarks were clearly recognisable.

The only slight hiccup I had was when I got back into the lift from the beach and the switch didn't seem to respond so I spent quite a while looking for another way out! I did go back to the lift and, hey presto,the switch worked.

I thoroughly enjoyed playing this level, 5 and a heart from me.

Icey		2009-07-02 21:55:00

Author:
IceMaiden
Posts: 1057

Thanks for the feedback

Didn't think it was possible for the switch to not work, I wouldn't know how to fix that.
But at least it worked in the end I guess.		2009-07-06 07:57:00

Author:
Shris
Posts: 126


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