Marskilla wrote on 16.02.08 at 11:11:32:

It wasn't failed ! I used the term nonogram all over the website, and we tried to implement small eyecandies (animated transition screens, various backgrounds) to get the game visually entertaining. But we focused more on the gameplay of the title as it's a puzzle game and we didn't want to distract the player who will have to think about what he's doing.

Spot on! Getting the gameplay right is the most critical bit in a game! Even companies like Thalion with their mighty techincal skills didn't have exactly a good score in their games, gameplay-wise.

Lately I've been reading a blog by a guy that makes and releases freeware games in one week: http://www.kloonigames.com/blog/. Some of the games there are highly addictive, playable and fun! He even does a post-analysis of the game, what went right, what went wrong. I definitely recommend reading the posts.


Marskilla wrote on 16.02.08 at 11:11:32:

a1exh wrote on 16.02.08 at 10:04:07: If he was writing a new game concept from scratch I would agree, but this appears to be a standard nonogram game. The gameplay is already defined. (Unless they think up something new). Here I don't agree. There will be several mode (keeped secret for now). We HAD TO think about the gameplay, and his ST adaptation : size of the grids, 1 or 2 players, cooperating or competitive, timing counter, penalties, games modes, controls... For example a grid editor will be also released players will be able to design their grids and play them ;) There will be also extra grids pack released... We start to think to publish players grids... Also to enhance de living length of the title we implemented... something (keep your secret secret they say). Anyway, reaching grid number 100 will unlock special modes ;). Further more picrossSt is a team project, it has been discussed a lot. Please, don't use "he" but "them". Thx.

I must say you're being sour, Alex. How many truly original games have you played lately? Game companies are too scared to invest in any original concepts, so they re-re-re-re-recycle all the games that sold in the past. Secondly, are there LOTS of games being written for Atari 16/32 lately? And while I'm at it, are there LOTS of piccross games for the ST? I think there are none, so yeah, for the platform, PiccrossST is an original game for the platform that was truly missing.

And Marskilla answered for me regarding originallity: they took the game and they tweaked it (not graphics-wise, but gameplay-wise). So personally I eagerly await to see what's in store!


a1exh wrote on 16.02.08 at 10:04:07:

They werent rude. I just was hopeful that the authors would make the game unique in someway to the Atari ST.

Read my thoughts above regarding originality. If you have a good and original idea, either write the specs down and offer it freely for someone that might develop it, or do it yourself.  Also note that they don't use ripped gfx or zak, so the version will be unique for the Atari ST.


Marskilla wrote on 16.02.08 at 11:11:32:

The urls you suggested did great. Marcer and Starbuck will maybe create tunes for us ! It's a good piece of news because we start to foresee a release date (something about end of march begining of april, more or less few weeks). It would be a shame to release a mute game or to use a tune without permission. Some german translation are to do, few bugs here and there to correct, but the game is yet fully playable. Another version, a championship edition for a french atari convention, is also on tracks. There will be a picrossST championship with prizes for the best players at the end of the event :D The website has evolved too. there is now a rss feed for those who want to have real time news. For the test, evry help is welcome ! I'll send you a mail when the first stable version will be compiled. And, why not, if we didn't manage to produce a flacon/TT/MegaSTE compatible version, maybe, can we hope to count on d-bug expertise ?

Good! Just contact me if you're interested in testing...