I'm going to need some beta testers... - Page 2 - Never Forgotten: a Foster's Home Community

Cheesecake_Recipe · 09-27-2006, 11:47 PM

I used to have Zork running on my old 386 compy back in the day. Damn that was a while ago.

HappyFoppy · 09-28-2006, 02:50 AM

I even still have Zork on this pc. Muahahah. It works.
But that's off-topic.
I'd be glad to see information about the game. It sounds to be pretty good. Will it be a long game?

Sparky · 09-28-2006, 01:20 PM

I'm not really sure if it's going to be "long", that's hard for me to judge. I know the solutions to all the puzzles, so I don't know how long it will take people who don't know to figure them out. That's part of the reason I would need beta testers - in fact those would be a sort of "phase two" beta testers, because they would need to be folks who don't know anything about the solutions before they start playing.

I'm almost done putting togather a super-short text game, a "trial-run" for me (I'm doing all the writing and programming on that one myself). Just to see how hard it is for player to figure out how to solve a single puzzle.

kageri · 09-28-2006, 02:32 PM

Eureka in Topeka! A game?! I could try and help with any dialogue you think is iffy, but it looks like you have a bunch of volunteer....ers.... already. But if you want some beta-readers or something, I'll be over here.

Sparky · 09-28-2006, 06:13 PM

Okay I've brought on Cassini, kageri, CG, and Foppy. My bro hasn't been working on the game recently, but I may try my hand at doing some individual puzzles on my own and handing him the code. I *have* been doing some writing for it, anyways, so its moving ahead.

Sparky · 10-20-2007, 08:59 PM

Okay I haven't been getting any responses from any of my beta testers (except GM) so I am starting over here. Again, I am looking for people willing to beta test and give suggestions for Foster's TEXT adventures. (If you were one of my testers before and want to be readded to the team let me know.) Reread this thread from the beginning for more info on what kind of games these are.

I need people who can not only try to "break" the game and find typos but who can also give suggestions of things for the characters to do/say etc. Basically how it will work is I will give you just the basic solvable game, and once we're sure its working we can brainstorm fun extras to add to it. People who contribute will get credit.

As for the game I was working on before: I do much better on short games so that's what I'm going to do instead, just write some short games. Currently in production is "Cheese, Go Home!" which involves the player as Frankie trying to get Cheese to go home before dinnertime or else Mr. H won't let her go out with Kathy.

Oh one more thing, it is possible to add illustrations (and even animations) to these games, so I wouldn't say no to people willing to do artwork.

At least some "cover art", anyways.

Ub3rD4n · 10-21-2007, 01:44 AM

Whoooo, count me in! I'll have some time on my hands soon, and I'd love to play! And I can find typos reasonably well, so I'd be honoured if you'd have me.

Cassini90125 · 10-21-2007, 07:26 AM

Sorry I didn't respond earlier. At this time it might be best if I bow out; I am uncertain as to how SecuROM would react to the game and at present I haven't been able to get rid of it. Sorry.

Sparky · 10-21-2007, 02:22 PM

These games can be played directly online, no downloading required (except Java if you don't already have it).

Thanks, D4n.

montitech · 10-21-2007, 08:43 PM

If it needs java, I guess you chose not to use TADS, Adrift or Inform.

I wrote several enviroments in TADS.

The biggest issue in creating IF(text adventures), is the quality of the parser. if the gramer of the parser is too limited or the commom synonyms are not implemented it drives people nuts..

if the grammer is too limited them it may be better to just have a couple of buttons as to your choices instead of a full Adventure.

As for adding images, be carefull, I found Images best in a "Magic Scroll" format, one image for each major location or situation. Since I cannot draw I usually stay away from images completely but if I am not playing a Graphical adventure then I prefer either no pictures of Limited pictures that show something (like an optional clue), but are not required. Zork zero had Excellent use of graphics.

Sound usually distracts since people read at different rates, and changing sound tracks between scenes may not flow smoothly.

I would like to help playtest,(if I am invited to- I did not see a link to the game yet) but I just started a new Job last friday so I do not know how much time I would have to contribute,

Monty

09-27-2006, 11:47 PM	#11
Cheesecake_Recipe Newly Abandoned Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Nirvana Posts: 29	I used to have Zork running on my old 386 compy back in the day. Damn that was a while ago. __________________

09-28-2006, 01:20 PM	#13
Sparky Undisputed Ruler of Terrencania Am not Slave-O-Matic! Am Johnny Five! Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Sacramento, CA Posts: 5,713	I'm not really sure if it's going to be "long", that's hard for me to judge. I know the solutions to all the puzzles, so I don't know how long it will take people who don't know to figure them out. That's part of the reason I would need beta testers - in fact those would be a sort of "phase two" beta testers, because they would need to be folks who don't know anything about the solutions before they start playing. I'm almost done putting togather a super-short text game, a "trial-run" for me (I'm doing all the writing and programming on that one myself). Just to see how hard it is for player to figure out how to solve a single puzzle. __________________ Custom Machine Embroidery & More Last edited by Sparky; 09-28-2006 at 02:39 PM.

09-28-2006, 02:32 PM	#14
kageri Polkameister FORTY-SEVEN, YES. I MEAN TWO. Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Arizona Posts: 1,873	Eureka in Topeka! A game?! I could try and help with any dialogue you think is iffy, but it looks like you have a bunch of volunteer....ers.... already. But if you want some beta-readers or something, I'll be over here. __________________ "(NOTE: these companies are from the country that makes the best video games: JAPAN!)"

09-28-2006, 06:13 PM	#15
Sparky Undisputed Ruler of Terrencania Am not Slave-O-Matic! Am Johnny Five! Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Sacramento, CA Posts: 5,713	Okay I've brought on Cassini, kageri, CG, and Foppy. My bro hasn't been working on the game recently, but I may try my hand at doing some individual puzzles on my own and handing him the code. I have been doing some writing for it, anyways, so its moving ahead. __________________ Custom Machine Embroidery & More

10-20-2007, 08:59 PM	#16
Sparky Undisputed Ruler of Terrencania Am not Slave-O-Matic! Am Johnny Five! Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Sacramento, CA Posts: 5,713	Okay I haven't been getting any responses from any of my beta testers (except GM) so I am starting over here. Again, I am looking for people willing to beta test and give suggestions for Foster's TEXT adventures. (If you were one of my testers before and want to be readded to the team let me know.) Reread this thread from the beginning for more info on what kind of games these are. I need people who can not only try to "break" the game and find typos but who can also give suggestions of things for the characters to do/say etc. Basically how it will work is I will give you just the basic solvable game, and once we're sure its working we can brainstorm fun extras to add to it. People who contribute will get credit. As for the game I was working on before: I do much better on short games so that's what I'm going to do instead, just write some short games. Currently in production is "Cheese, Go Home!" which involves the player as Frankie trying to get Cheese to go home before dinnertime or else Mr. H won't let her go out with Kathy. Oh one more thing, it is possible to add illustrations (and even animations) to these games, so I wouldn't say no to people willing to do artwork. At least some "cover art", anyways. __________________ Custom Machine Embroidery & More

09-28-2006, 02:50 AM	#12
HappyFoppy This rank is six words long STFU AND DANCE Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Hotel Hotel Posts: 597	I even still have Zork on this pc. Muahahah. It works. But that's off-topic. I'd be glad to see information about the game. It sounds to be pretty good. Will it be a long game?

10-21-2007, 01:44 AM	#17
Ub3rD4n Foster's Legend 40% pretention, 60% insecurity, 0% brains Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: The only place more isolated than Iceland. New Zealand Posts: 547	Whoooo, count me in! I'll have some time on my hands soon, and I'd love to play! And I can find typos reasonably well, so I'd be honoured if you'd have me. __________________ Unconscious like a fox!

10-21-2007, 07:26 AM	#18
Cassini90125 The Postmaster Love gives you courage that's stronger than anything! Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Saturn Posts: 6,651	Sorry I didn't respond earlier. At this time it might be best if I bow out; I am uncertain as to how SecuROM would react to the game and at present I haven't been able to get rid of it. Sorry. __________________ "Frankie! That weird kid is using a flower pot for a cup!" Sailor Moon. Best Anime EVER.

10-21-2007, 02:22 PM	#19
Sparky Undisputed Ruler of Terrencania Am not Slave-O-Matic! Am Johnny Five! Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Sacramento, CA Posts: 5,713	These games can be played directly online, no downloading required (except Java if you don't already have it). Thanks, D4n. __________________ Custom Machine Embroidery & More

10-21-2007, 08:43 PM	#20
montitech Foster's Legend Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: ny Posts: 752	If it needs java, I guess you chose not to use TADS, Adrift or Inform. I wrote several enviroments in TADS. The biggest issue in creating IF(text adventures), is the quality of the parser. if the gramer of the parser is too limited or the commom synonyms are not implemented it drives people nuts.. if the grammer is too limited them it may be better to just have a couple of buttons as to your choices instead of a full Adventure. As for adding images, be carefull, I found Images best in a "Magic Scroll" format, one image for each major location or situation. Since I cannot draw I usually stay away from images completely but if I am not playing a Graphical adventure then I prefer either no pictures of Limited pictures that show something (like an optional clue), but are not required. Zork zero had Excellent use of graphics. Sound usually distracts since people read at different rates, and changing sound tracks between scenes may not flow smoothly. I would like to help playtest,(if I am invited to- I did not see a link to the game yet) but I just started a new Job last friday so I do not know how much time I would have to contribute, Monty Last edited by montitech; 10-21-2007 at 08:45 PM.