SD4 Dev Blog - 2

Posted by Glen on Jan. 5, 2011, 2:32 p.m.

I'd like to make a survey of some sort. I need some feedback from potential players and testers of the next version of Savage Defense and so, here's a list of questions:

- How long do you like to play games for? With this question in mind, I'm wanting to know how long you expect to play the game for. What's too long? What's too short? Is there a certain amount of time that you like best? Some people like small mini games and can't deal with having to play for long periods of time. Others may like a game that takes at least an hour to play. What's your preference?

-What do you appreciate the most in a game? Lot's of options? High quality graphics? Realism? Simplicity? Music? You name it. What turns you on when it comes to games? Don't give a perverted answer to that. Be serious about the attractiveness of a game. What makes you want to keep playing it?

-Do you like scenes? For example, an introduction at the beginning of the game, maybe one before something important happens, and one at the end of the game? I always thought scenes brought more excitement. Of course, scenes that I make would always have the option to skip them. But I'm wondering if you as a gamer pay any attention to them, or possibly hate them?

Those are my questions for now. They're things I'd like to think about as i'm adding more content to the SD4 demo. Aside from that, I'm looking into video software for the trailer/demo that I plan on releasing soon. So far out of all the video screen recording software that I've come across, Fraps is the only software that doesn't destroy the video playback quality to have good fps. So I think i'm going to stick with Fraps. The movie files may be tremendous in size, but that's what big hard drives are meant for. Gotta put some use into this new computer.

As for video editing software, I need some opinions. Windows Movie Maker makes movies with basic slideshow transitions a breeze, but I'd like to put a lot more into this trailer. I recently tried out Sony Vegas, but honestly I don't like the interface on the software. I need something that I can pick up on quick that has plenty of quality video editing tools. I don't want to spend alot of time learning how to use something, I want this video out soon. Any preferences on video editing software? I'd appreciate it.

tl;dr What do you like in games, and what do you dislike? What's your favorite video editing software?

Comments

JID 13 years, 10 months ago

I like games that are at least 10 hours long at minimum. I also like for a game to have lots of variety to them, so it doesn't feel like the same levels over and over, where you just kill enemies to get from point A to point B. I also like a good story driven game, with well made cutscenes and likeable characters.

Moikle 13 years, 10 months ago

i second jid's opinion

also, graphics need to be good, and it needs to use several simple game mechanics working together to create something more complex in my opinion

edit:

a game will also keep me playing if it has interesting mechanics, which i like to try and work out how the creator may have done them. being a game dev community, im sure this applies to a lot of us.

Castypher 13 years, 10 months ago

Quote:
I like games that are at least 10 hours long at minimum
You'd play a GM game with that much content, or just commercial games? If the first, good to know that I can pull off an RPG and at least one person will like it.

Glen 13 years, 10 months ago

Well, as for game times, the demo of Savage Defense won't have 10 hours of gameplay, but the full version might after I expand the game to more than one area. Variety is something that I'm working on. I hate repetition as well.

Castypher 13 years, 10 months ago

Apologies that I haven't been following the game. But if it's an arcade genre or similar, you'd be surprised at the amount of playtime you can squeeze out. But you usually have to have some sort of gimmick outside of score. That's why I like Touhou, for example.

JID 13 years, 10 months ago

Well, even if it's not 10 hours long, I certainly would love something to keep me coming back to play more.

@ Kilin

Yea, I would play a GM game with that much content. As long as it has alot of replay value.

Castypher 13 years, 10 months ago

DID YOU HEAR THAT PURIANITE? TOUHOU CLONES ARE A SUCCESS.