Archive: 15 posts

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So, I am finishing part one of my level, The Explorers. I haven't really started part 2, which will most likely take a month and a half like this did. Should I publish part 1 and continue to work, or wait till the whole thing is done. It has a very basic story to explain the gameplay, and part one ends on a cliff hanger, but could stand alone as its own level just fine, although it may feel a bit short. What do you guys think I should do?

2011-10-07 21:36:00 Author: CYMBOL Posts: 1230

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Hmm, an interesting conundrum and one I think comes down to how certain you are about when part 2 will be finished. Perhaps a month and a half is a bit much at this point, but a cliffhanger is usually a positive thing if it's a good one. See, if you simply release the level and say "Part 2 coming soon!" it leaves it pretty open, I'd say you have to commit to a launch window, as in specifying a time like, early November for example. It gives people that incentive to come back if like I say, it was good enough to have them intrigued. 'Coming Soon' wouldn't cut it in this case, 'Coming Soon' is a clever way of sugar coating what you really mean by "I have no idea when but it will be at some point". If really coming soon, then there's no reason not to specify how soon. The issue here is that you have to be sure that you CAN commit to the deadline, if it isn't ready by that time, assuming you have a lot of people play, they're more likely to forget about the level and not bother coming back. Personally, I'd wait about 1 or 2 weeks before you know you'll have part 2 finished, that way it's not too long so people forget, and you also benefit from the added interest a cliff hanger creates. Not only that, but I'd imagine having to juggle 2 levels at the same time is obviously more difficult than 1, so if bugs do arise (which they likely will! Unless you have extensive playtesting) you'll not be as bogged down fixing them all in the same time period. So yeah, after my rambling, I'd say wait for now, and release a couple of weeks before part 2 is ensured to be finished, and let people know the date of release!

2011-10-07 21:55:00 Author: Xaif Posts: 365

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Yeah, it was supposed to be 1 level, but the thermo decided we would be enemies early on. So, I'm hoping to just do 2. But I tend to go a bit crazy and add all sorts of this, and before I know it I'm creating a series! And this one is taking a while cause I'm trying to work on my level design, which I've never considered myself very good at. I still have at least a week (maybe more) til level one is done. I think more than anything once a level is done, its just nice to put it out. Also, its tempting to get feedback and see if people even are interested in a sequel. Hmmm, still not sure...

2011-10-07 23:54:00 Author: CYMBOL Posts: 1230

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I know that sitting and waiting on a finished level is akin to not being able to scratch an itch, heh. How does it feel when you hit the scoreboard? Satisfying or just getting going?

2011-10-08 01:25:00 Author: julesyjules Posts: 1156

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I made the first of a level series and deliberately said so, if briefly, in the description, knowing that it's very common for people to promise more levels and not deliver on them. So I made sure that I actually had the ideas for the sequels, and at least some progress toward each of them, before I published the first level. The second level ended up being really different because inspiration took me off on a tangent. The third level went even further off track and I didn't tag it as part of the series. In the end, though, the process was much more enjoyable and creatively inspiring than if I had held off and released them all together. In fact, if I'd waited, I'm almost certain I would have just stopped building all the levels and never published anything. My advice: go ahead and release! I forget who I'm talking to though, you've done some major stuff and know all about the work cycle of create, tweak, publish, tweak, republish, etc.! I suspect you feel it's perfectly okay to publish now, and that it's probably going to be a stronger incentive to push you forward on part two than if you hold off for nearly 50 days. If all you need is a few words of encouragement or permission to do what you already know is best, then again... go ahead and release!

2011-10-08 03:55:00 Author: Unknown User

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Start level 2, and when you have a good chunk done, release 1. If you have hiccups between level 1 and 2 and too much time between the releases, people might forget your project.

2011-10-08 09:48:00 Author: OmegaSlayer Posts: 5112

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I?m making a series and always publishing every single level I have finished. You will recieve more feedback (if you publish whole series you?ll probably get feedback only on last level) and you will see if people like your series and want next parts... But if you?ll have just 2 parts I would wait till both are done if I were you...

2011-10-08 11:33:00 Author: Unexpecter Posts: 137

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People are more like to remember your series the more they play in one go. It's easier to forget about a new project if at the moment there's only an introduction level.

2011-10-08 13:39:00 Author: SnipySev Posts: 2452

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People are more like to remember your series the more they play in one go. It's easier to forget about a new project if at the moment there's only an introduction level. The first level is a fully realized level with a goal and eventual completion of that goal. So, its not a trailer or anything. But I do worry it may not feel fulfilling without being able to continue. But that may just be me since I know how much didn't make it in due to thermo. I feel it doesn't feel finished and is boring (everything in the second part is much more exciting). My friends tell me that isn't the case, but then again, they are friends. Start level 2, and when you have a good chunk done, release 1. If you have hiccups between level 1 and 2 and too much time between the releases, people might forget your project. I'm not worried about people forgetting my project between one and two, I assume they will. No way around that. The big worry I have is that it will leave part 1 filling incomplete and leave them simply shrugging their shoulders and moving on. Then again, I'd hate to spend 2 months on the next part if everyone finds the premise boring. Haha. Everytime I think I've made a decision I start talking myself in the other direction. Bah! Haha!

2011-10-08 15:52:00 Author: CYMBOL Posts: 1230

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My friends tell me that isn't the case, but then again, they are friends. I'd say maybe get a few friends of friends, or just some people off of Central to run through it. A few more opinions never hurt.....

2011-10-08 21:32:00 Author: smasher Posts: 641

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I would wait until Part 2 has finished. I've often played Part 1 levels and forgot all about them, so the second part never gets played.

2011-10-09 11:06:00 Author: kirbyman62 Posts: 1893

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I know that sitting and waiting on a finished level is akin to not being able to scratch an itch, heh. How does it feel when you hit the scoreboard? Satisfying or just getting going? I think it should be satisfying, if played the level like you are supposed to. Your supposed to search the level for energy cells. We went through and basically, he found no power cells. But I think he still enjoyed the basic platforming and most people who play seem to be very enthusiastic about the level design. I keep trying to work the ending within my bar and a half of the to have a decent ending. Also, I have yet to incorporate the intro. Haha, yeah, I'm really struggling with the thermo on this one. That really is my challenge on this one. How to make a level that had tons of content removed due to thermo, feel satisfying. If I get to a point where I feel like I've addressed that issue, then I will probably release it first while I work on the second one. And before any one asks, no, I'm not level linking. Unfortunately, I've found level linking to be more of a hassle and offer almost no benefits for it. So, its two separate levels for me.

2011-10-09 17:14:00 Author: CYMBOL Posts: 1230

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Alright, well, thanks for all the replies guys. I think I'll do what one person suggested and have a few people I don't really know from LBPC to come try it out and leave feedback - maybe ask in the happy gadders section later on. See if some folks I don't know really well have any suggestions. I have decided to go ahead and release part 1 first. I know one person said that I could run the risk of people forgetting about part 2 if it's released too far apart - but realistically - people will forget that there is a part 2 coming whether it is 1 week or 1 month. In fact, as soon as they finish playing, they'll forget the level exists and move on. So, that is not really a concern. My biggest issue will be trying to make sure part 1 fills like a full level and is fulfulling. Not sure if people will like a level that is about exploring another planet for energy cells no matter what I do to it. So thanks everyone. Helped me kind of work it out in my head how I wanted to proceed. I'm hoping to finish this within a few weeks. So - keep an eye out for The Explorers! (Here's a couple of pics for anyone who was curious) http://inlinethumb43.webshots.com/49386/2135928840104171976S425x425Q85.jpg (http://entertainment.webshots.com/photo/2135928840104171976rGYole) http://inlinethumb39.webshots.com/46694/2947931120104171976S425x425Q85.jpg (http://entertainment.webshots.com/photo/2947931120104171976YjYBXH) Take care all.

2011-10-10 16:35:00 Author: CYMBOL Posts: 1230

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As long as you make great level that will been noticed you will have guaranty that people will revisit it next levels, look on Skunk Factory, BobTox is slower creator and publish one level per few mouths yet it got plays, i help him make plays with my "play with people of first ours after publish" method on first one the 2nd went up without any help (or else he made other people help him)

2011-10-10 19:08:00 Author: Shadowriver Posts: 3991

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Looks amazing, CYMBOL. Wish I could log into the PSN using the wifi we have here.

2011-10-10 19:11:00 Author: SnipySev Posts: 2452

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