[Island Forge] Single-dev MMORPG * Now Free-to-Play!

WIP games, tools & toy projects
#41

I’ve recently added a MacOS application bundle - Can folks here help me test if it actually works? Here is the DMG file:

http://islandforge.com/launch/IslandForge.dmg

You should get a splash screen, which updates the game content, then launches the main login screen. To play, you need to register, but it would be helpful just to know if the Mac app starts up.

I built the DMG using the JarBundler Ant Task. Any tips/tricks/suggestions most welcome. Thanks!

(Should this be posted/cross-referenced in the Debugging forum?)

#42

I downloaded the client, but it doesn’t seem have content. How big exactly the game content in worst (bigger) number?

#43

The linked MacOS DMG file is only 506k. When you run it, it will download the rest of its content. The game is now fully self-updating (unless the boot loader itself needs to be updated).

If you’re registered, here is the page that provides the various platform client downloads: http://islandforge.com/play/

#44

Hi, just played around a bit.
Some points I noticed:

You might want to make a small tutorial / guide at the beginning.

Can be as simple as “How to move, how to equipt, how to get a quest and venture to it” kind of splash-screens.
Maybe with some “old wise guy” introducing the player to the game.

The GUI is quite small (Very small Buttons), and very unusually structured. I would clean that up.
Also the chat should not be in such a small space. Try to make it like 8 lines high.
Make a big “start game” or “enter world” button. Tha small sword was a bit hard to find.

Well…, Dont try to invent a “new and better” Gui than the standard MMOs, they had much more time to figure out and develop a working formula.

I would say: better just copy their GUI structure… and rather concentrate on making a unique gameplay / content.

Good luck with your game.

#45

Thanks a lot for trying it out, Damocles. I appreciate your feedback.

When you enter the world for the first time, you get some splash slides on the basic components of town, to get you started. I’ll improve these with your suggestions (more about how to walk around, talk to folks, and such).

I agree that a larger chat area is in order. Regarding the GUI controls, I felt they were simple enough (slots for items), but clearly they’re not as intuitive as I thought – that’s exactly why I need more player feedback – thanks for taking the time to offer your thoughts!

#46

Ok about the GUI:

what you mainly want to present are

-actions (spells)
-Items (inventory)
-chat
-the map
-character info
-quickoptions

Try to keep all actions/items/options slot (the selectible components) in a consistant style.
WOW did that by making everything same-sized squares, on wich the player can shift round items/actions.

most of the time only actions/chat/quickoptions/ and map are needed,
the inventory can be turned on and off.

I would (during development) use a placeholder artwork for the GUI on purpose.
Just use grey slots with very simplyfies black/white icons. So you can quickly adapt your GUI when you feeld like changing it.
People should see that it is NOT the final style yet. So they can keep imagining how it would look like and give suggestions.

Make the GUI components big enough though, without making every element in a totally different design.
And blend out all elements wich are not used repetatively. (just put them on a panel, that can be turned on and off, so you dont
cramp too much on the screen at once.)
-> the icons arranged in a circle for example are very hard to guess what they are actually, and use quite a lot of space for
beeing so small.
If you want a “selector” just make 3 Buttons, wich clap out the selection then.

#47

Thanks for the details - that is very helpful advice. But I didn’t understand the following suggestion:

#48

The circles with the marker, I think they are for switching though stuff, did not really get that part of the gui.

I like the update/Loader though wich makes it more pleasant to install than comparable indy MMOs

#49

I see - yes, the toggle’s main purpose is to switch between ranged (bow) vs. attack weapon. You can also carry a secondary weapon. I like to show everything you have equipped, rather than hide them in some kind of pull-out, but I understand now what you are suggesting.

I’m glad you like the boot loader. My philosophy is that, whenever possible (maybe always), software should just be a single, small, self-contained executable file. Any other resources can be downloaded and stored locally (or kept server-side). Maybe I should get into the portable apps business…

#50

That’s what I want to know, how big it download will.

#51

The software download is under 2MB. The content download (graphics and other resources) is almost 40MB. At this time, any change to the content payload requires the full download. Later, I may split that up into smaller pieces, but this is simplest for now.

#52

That’s! thanks I want to know because I use limited broadband.

#53

… when it works. I found a flaw in my build process that effectively required users to always download the latest version, even when the boot loader should have handled the update. Whoops. It should be fixed with beta v0.9.7.8. In addition, I’ve enhanced a number of the interfaces and information. My thanks to those who have been providing feedback!

#54

I’ve updated the Island Forge site, with the goal of more clearly describing the game. Any comments on the site would be welcome. In particular, do you feel you get the point of the game right away, and does it make you want to play?

Also, there’s a new Atlas feature on the site, showing some of the player-created islands (with ratings and visitation count). Thanks for having a look!

#55

Can you please change this part of TOS?

[quote]To establish an Account, you must be a resident of the United States and at least 18 years old.
[/quote]
Not that it’s going to stop me from playing of course :wink: , but you may lose some other players because of this.

#56

Not that it’s going to stop me from playing of course :wink: , but you may lose some other players because of this.
[/quote]
I do understand your position on that point, but the lawyer who drafted the ToS was very adamant that this was important for us. I can try to elaborate (but I am not a lawyer). Since we’re a small operation (me) and just starting out, we do not have the resources to ensure that we are not in violation of any law in any country of the world. In the United States, there are specific laws about age (13-17 is allowed if the account holder is an adult).

Thank you for your input. I’m willing to be open about these legal matters, especially because it’s an important (and very cryptic) part of the game industry. Even potential indie developers (such as myself) should learn as much as they can.

#57

::slight_smile: This restrictive clause in the ToS is still the case? Your lawyer’s job is to provide advice, not run your business. Ultimately the executive decision of where you establish your market is yours alone to make.

#58

You read ToS?!?! :o

#59

Just a quick note: Today’s update (v0.9.8.4) includes several usability enhancements (better friend and chat controls, click other players to show their detail panel, re-clicking a shop brings it back up), bug fixes, and one gameplay/rule change (related to the infamous negative HP). More details in the player forum.

Feedback is, as always, most welcome.

#60

[quote=“Nyhm,post:59,topic:37487”]
Can you either open this game up for everybody, or stop posting in this thread? The majority is not allowed to play your game, so why bother us with status updates…