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Aeon Quest - 20 Level Series!

Archive: 24 posts


AEON QUEST

or (http://lbp.me/v/8xxrgf)


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ugm2iCNeno0&feature=youtu.be

http://if.lbp.me/img/ft/9ef35b74c1557907cafd12f917a307a4bc83abf0.jpg
http://i7.lbp.me/img/ft/737258e2f4d44c86aa71296b839c24c84c2b71a6.jpg
http://if.lbp.me/img/ft/d3f1f3062dc6e38c4a74ad6d7806dd50daf17650.jpg
http://i9.lbp.me/img/ft/da9e5d292b8f697e56aae3aa4317b0ea9da3b670.jpg
http://if.lbp.me/img/ft/58f323b855ee8f2a46baca99da84b65bf7b8827d.jpg
http://i0.lbp.me/img/ft/db051a02284a627df81622c342cdbef0753a6a37.jpg
http://i9.lbp.me/img/ft/f09c16eff076268f4605499b120d329fb20656ef.jpg
http://i6.lbp.me/img/ft/4b6b01df00fa91bde12e5399acd57e5acddd1312.jpg

Do any of you out there remember about 2 years ago when there was a contest for designing educational levels using LBP as a platform? Well, if you don't recall or were never aware... HERE (http://hastac.org/tag/game-changers) is some info regarding it all.

AEON QUEST is a level series that is geared towards exercising children's brains. Yup... it's educational. The main focus is on learning and applying a mathematical technique known as the VEDIC SUTRA (http://www.hinduism.co.za/vedic.htm#Vedic%20Maths%20Tutorial). Okay not the ENTIRE Vedic Sutra, because it's SO extensive... but a basic introduction to it. Essentially it is a different perspective on looking at multiplication problems that should help children get a firmer understanding of the way numbers work.

Well, that's the boring stuff. Aside from mathematics, AEON QUEST also allows the player to flex their puzzle solving skills through the use of logic-based puzzles as well as an entire chapter dedicated to a trial-and-error type puzzle system. That's a fun one used to express simple methods of engineering mechanics. Think: FIRE+WATER=STEAM POWER.

The sole purpose in the design of AEON QUEST was to take a different approach with an educational video game than has been done before. Most learning games seem to be a little uninteresting (IMO) and don't really engage the player in a fun way. Think MATH BLASTER (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7F4_kzb_vzg). My approach was to pepper in education with an engaging story line, fun environments, and unique gameplay. I didn't want it to feel as though you were playing a math game... but more like you were playing a game that has math in it. If that makes any sense.

Well, if this whole thing goes over well, we may see LBP being used more as a platform for education. SONY is making a push for educational gaming in the classroom with connectEd (http://www.connectededucation.com/products-services/game-based-learning/). And Mm has explored ways of using LBP as a learning tool as well. Where's my Teacher's Pack!?

I hope you get a chance to play through and feel free to let me know what you think!

Go get your learn on!
-cdubb

Other things and what-nots:

My Game Changers Winners Circle Vid (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3NA_TYniNcQ)

Original Aeon Quest Contest Entry Video (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oKOmJ9vhRO8&feature=youtu.be)

HASTAC (http://hastac.org/)
http://lbp.me/v/75x61n
2011-12-31 20:35:00

Author:
cdubb024
Posts: 247


holy cow! this looks awesome! booting up the PS3 naow!

I've been playing this for awhile now and it is friggin' awesome. The design in amazing. I love the theme, the story, the puzzles and all the details you have in here. Parts of it are definitely challenging but it is soooo good. I'm very impressed by the structure and all the different contraptions and variety of gameplay. But I need help! I'm stuck on Alpha Corp right here.

http://i6.lbp.me/img/ft/4b62e521c93b5fb504b6bfa8021ce9e54518080b.jpg

I have no clue what to do here. I've been back and forth numerous times. Tried using my grav gloves on everything. I'm just stuck. I'm afraid mankind is doomed if I can't get past this area. I want to finish the mission.
2011-12-31 20:47:00

Author:
biorogue
Posts: 8424


Uh-oh... i had an issue with this part in the creating process. I thought I fixed all the bugs with it. you might just need to restart that level. First of all the robot guy is supposed to be moving back and forth, pushing a block around. I noticed one out of every 20 or so times during testing I would find that guy just standing there not doing anything... it looks like thats what happened. Let me know if thats whats going on so I can try to fix it soon.

thanks for the feedback

-cdubb
2012-01-01 01:04:00

Author:
cdubb024
Posts: 247


Hm, the Pics seem nice. i'll give it a go sometime.
*mew
2012-01-01 12:47:00

Author:
Lord-Dreamerz
Posts: 4261


Looks insane, queueing it up now2012-01-02 00:26:00

Author:
Tyranny68
Posts: 390


yes, that's exactly what's happening there. The robot is not moving and I see no block. I restarted it 3 times to no avail. Again, awesome series. Love it!2012-01-02 06:00:00

Author:
biorogue
Posts: 8424


Well, I do believe I've got that section fully dialed in. Republished it... you should be able to get beyond it no problem. It's so odd that you got that issue and nobody else has had it... unless they just didnt mention it. I guess LBP just likes to pick and choose who it wants to glitch. Thanks for reporting back on that Bio. Much appreciated.2012-01-02 08:06:00

Author:
cdubb024
Posts: 247


Bumped for new video2012-01-03 14:58:00

Author:
cdubb024
Posts: 247


I played the first few levels of this the other day..... wow, great graphics and special effects. Everything is, so far, top notch.

My only initial thought in playing it was - in the math section, there's an electric bar chasing you, I was able to do the math pretty quickly, but working the moving cursor in order to set the numbers for the math problems was a bit awkward. Even though I knew the answers, by the time I managed to get the arrow where it belonged and (under duress! ) hit the right buttons to adjust the numbers.... I was dead.

But, still - excellent work on it.

The puzzles and geometry sections were FANTASTIC! Lots of fun, and my son worked through them with me - he really enjoyed it.

I still need to get through the rest of them.
2012-01-03 20:36:00

Author:
CCubbage
Posts: 4430


Wow that was actually pretty lengthy and very good! I really can't give any remarks that could be improved. All these levels (the level series) just rock and are just 'awesomeneses'. I really enjoyed playing your levels, they were very well designed, very cool platforming and they give me also the courage to create more levels. Really, nice job and I would like to see more in the future .

Btw: Please give a visit to my level that I've created (Castle Adventures: Save the Princess). I would like to have some feedback and I think you're really good when I see your levels (Aeon Quest). So please Give some feedback so I eventually can become a better level-designer. Thanks already!
2012-01-06 08:24:00

Author:
Cpt Yanni
Posts: 36


This looks Epic, consider it queued!



Davey Jones' Locker (http://lbp.me/v/81v8h2)
2012-01-06 13:21:00

Author:
Unknown User


Appears to be a great series. I'll look at it today.2012-01-06 16:45:00

Author:
piggabling
Posts: 2979


Into is fun and the design of the city and the ship are great. A minor nit pick would be to not have the menu options cycle, or add a pause in there. I pushed down to play and it rolled past it back to briefing.

Load times are a bit of a killer to be honest, but the actual content is fantastic! Although I should mention I suck at math and felt pretty stupid when I couldn't get past the first sum... *cries*
2012-01-06 21:42:00

Author:
Mr_Fusion
Posts: 1799


I'll take a look at revamping the menus. I can see the frustration it would cause. Appreciate the feedback everyone.2012-01-07 15:01:00

Author:
cdubb024
Posts: 247


Well, I decided to take the day and play through all of these. Awesome, awesome awesome! I took time out from playing, I think I'm on the last one actually. P.O.E.'s past self has arrived with one of the best lines I have ever heard. "Notice my stylish mustache and handsome monocle.... because I am from the past." ROFL! Great series guys, I absolutely love it. I think my favorite planet has got to be Alpha Corp. Anyway, back to the game.2012-01-08 23:46:00

Author:
biorogue
Posts: 8424


Wow. Looks impressive! Queued.2012-01-09 01:43:00

Author:
CYMBOL
Posts: 1230


Was a very impressive level deserving of many plays of which i am happy to have been one 2012-01-09 03:13:00

Author:
Tyranny68
Posts: 390


Thanks Tyranny. I've been giving hearts to those who finish the series... which isn't many. The drop-off is extremely high. So, I figure if you put the time in, you deserve a lil heart action. so far only about 6 people have actually made it to the end of the series. Kinda frustrating.2012-01-10 18:52:00

Author:
cdubb024
Posts: 247


Wow, that really is some series you've got there. The attention to detail and polish are just amazing. At the risk of repeating my Spotlight review, I have to say that you pulled off brilliantly the tricky task of making the game genuinely fun whilst still being educational. I really enjoyed the mix of puzzles, maths and platforming. The visuals were gorgeous - my personal favourite being the Cog Planet - and the story and voice acting were top notch.

I encountered one or two issues, though I suspect one may have been player error. In the second Cog Planet level one of the maths/code inputting puzzles froze. I put in the answer with R1 and got a correct answer but then nothing happened, the game was stuck on the screen and didn't revert to the main game and I had to re-start the level. Sorry but I can't remember which sum it was other than that it was the one where the addition sum on the right-hand side has a total of 60.

The other problem was with the MINA level. On the right-hand side in the middle there's a 25% box into which you need to slot an equivalent fraction cube. Impatient of waiting for a box with the correct fraction to appear from the right I nabbed a 2/8 one from the left-hand side. The cube triggered a green tick but did not slot in or activate the platform for the next stage up, so again I had to re-start. I may be wrong but I suspect this was because the cube came from the wrong side but it would be helpful to tell the player they need to use cubes from the correct side (if this is the case).

Finally (and this is perhaps just a personal view) I found the Power Up level really hard, to the point of being frustrating. I could find and collect the fraction power cells without problem but trying to get them into the docking stations was really fiddly. I actually broke two of the docking stations in my ham-fisted attempts, so it's a tribute to the robustness of your logic that even when missing side-arms and having been completely dislodged from the base, they still registered a correct answer in the end. I also thought that not having the two thruster controls on opposing buttons felt strange. It would have been much more intuitive when changing direction to have had one on the square button and the other on the circle button or even to have used triangle and X instead of square and X.

All these are just minor issues though and I can only applaud the efforts of your team in producing this great series. I hope this gets the plays it deserves!
2012-01-11 20:18:00

Author:
shropshirelass
Posts: 1455


I went through the entire series and that's what I called an educational experience. The logics of math-related puzzles are well-used, and the physics puzzles in Cogs planet are very tricky. The visuals are greatly polished, and the cinematics are very entertaining thanks to great voice acting, some hilarious dialogue and brilliant story. I found a couple of bugs, though. In the last physics puzzle part of Cogs planet, the scale with the green light broke when solving the puzzles (SUGGESTION: Add the material tweaker with indestructible "on" to the scale). In the training of using the power up vessel, the grappling chain broke, making it unable to move the fraction objects. Also, I saw a censored word somewhere in the first playable level of Cogs planet. Despite these bugs, the series is exhilarated with really high fun factor that everyone should check it out.
VISUALS: 5/5
SOUND: 5/5
GAMEPLAY: 5/5
OVERALL: A yay on all of them, a heart on some of the levels, and a positive review on both the first and last level of the series.
2012-01-12 01:49:00

Author:
JustinArt
Posts: 1314


Wow. . . Really was a great series. Didn't get through it all, but it was indeed great. Good work!2012-01-12 23:26:00

Author:
piggabling
Posts: 2979


First and foremost I must take my hat off to you at conquereing such a daunting task!

What I saw was very proffesional and striking. I do have an issue though which will keep me from continuing play.

Early, early-on, where your solving math equations, and being chased by the deadly energy bar... that's not fun... it's just insane.

I'm 46 years old. A gamer my entire life. I've played every type game imaginable... I'm nimble. I also am college educated and no dolt. That chasing energy bar moves way too quick to resemble anything close to fun! This is a learning device right? What good is it if I know the answer yet don't have the time to input it? What lesson are you teaching a child there? Oh sure, I could write down the equations... solve them (which I did) but one input error on a sensitive interface under duress and I'm dead.

Would it not have been better to have the energy bar move one step closer at every turn of the numerals dial the player moves? Or have wrong answers impact the difficulty of the platforming in that section... with each incorrect answer a part of the platform gives way? Consequences for actions is teaching... not instantaneous Death.

What adds up is the startling amount of retries. I want to love this. I wanted my seven year old to experience these levels with me. But we were both pretty frustrated at the level of difficulty right up front.

I have no doubt it is an AMAZING saga! It looks and feels like it. And I no doubt will return (mostly because I don't want this to be a lesson in quitting). But I was certainly surprised at the expectations of this level considering it is to be a teaching experience. I'm afraid, I'm of two minds on this experience; my hopes for it divided by reality.

If I am able to finish I will gladly take you up on your offer of a heart.

If I may ask, while in pre-production, what age demographic were you designing for?
2012-01-19 05:00:00

Author:
Gravel
Posts: 1308


Hey, Gravel... Sorry that the plasma beam is a bit fast fer ya. I set the speed at either .1 or .2 so it really can't go much slower than it does already. I can get past the math section without the beam even coming into the screen... but I made the level, so I guess that doesn't really hold any weight on the matter.

The only thing I can think of that might be an issue with that particular section is that maybe you are releasing L1 every time you are setting a new number in it's place which would reset your cursor every time. That'd slow ya down considerably. My buddy who helped play-test that section kept doing the same thing. But he never played LBP before. Other than that, maybe it glitched and the beam is coming at you at a ridiculous speed... i dunno.

Well, I hope you have a chance to check out the rest of the series. Sorry for any frustration. I will go in and check out the speed settings just for you to make sure it's not set in some funky way that wasn't intended.

There have been a lot of bugs that people are experiencing that I am unable to reproduce somehow. I've fixed a few... but some are just game breaks that I seem to not have any control over. Sorry.

-cdubb
2012-01-19 22:30:00

Author:
cdubb024
Posts: 247


I apologise, I haven't even read your response to my above comments... The thing is I just got through watching "Money Ball".

I walked away with one message and one message only.


"He hit a Home Run-- and he didn't even know it..."

It applies to my life in so many ways, yet it was your level series that brought me racing to the keyboard. The BIG PICTURE is... you hit a home run, and I didn't even notice.

Sorry. Despite my issues I just wanted to make sure you were clear on my thoughts.

Thanks!
2012-01-20 05:09:00

Author:
Gravel
Posts: 1308


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