Game Testing_Wk12

Link to feedback form. https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=VV3rFZEZvEaNp6slI03uCBobt6jx...

Some UI and Sprites:

Prior to our testing session, I added some UI menus to my game. I added Game Over and High Score scenes based on this semester's 'EndGameListener' script. To make the text feel more unique I created font based on my handwriting. I also added a main menu placeholder, to make it easy for players to start my game. Finally, I made my final platform sprite. I based it on a classic grass block style found in many games. I hand drew this, coloured it in with pencils, and then added it to Gimp. This is where I duplicated the sprite to make a long platform that I could add to Unity as one object (see Platform). In the end my width was a bit out, but by stretching the y value I was able to fit the screen. Usually stretching pictures creates awful results. But I was actually really happy with how it changed the platform (see Stretched Platform). 

Platform:

Stretched Platform:

Feedback:

I received lots of helpful feedback during this week's testing.  One major concern testers found with my game was the score. It continued to  collect even after Game Over. I completed overlooked this when creating my game, which I think is pretty funny. I'll need to fix this.

Controls: 

Some testers were not very comfortable with the controls. They found that it took a while to decelerate and overall felt like they were sliding. However, other players enjoyed the inertia of the controls. I'm not sure if I will update the controls. Perhaps with tweaks to the drop rate of objects the controls will feel more suitable. 

Score:

I had yet to finish a scene for a high score display. I think this will create motivation for the audience to continue playing my game. I would like to have an area that lets the player enter their name, like in Invaderoids earlier this semester.  

Enemies: 

It's pretty clear to see that the number of flies were a big hurdle. Following this feedback I have changed the drop rate percentage in my script. As I continue to develop my game and play around with player health, I might increase this again. Some players also suggested an animation curve to create a gradual increase. They found that too many flies at the beginning was overwhelming. I'll play around with this but mainly focus on percentage and health. 

Additionally, testers noticed that the flies and balls could overlap, making it hard to collect balls and avoid the fly damage. I have now made sure the flies render above the balls by changing their sprite layer.

Health:

On to player health! During testing, the amount of hearts was brought up multiple times. Many testers were wondering if there would be a way to gain health back during gameplay.  In my original design, I was going to add in falling pasta that could give players a shield. Now I'm going to try and add a script that adds back hearts.  I think this will encourage players to beat their high scores and make the flies less overwhelming. 

Overall:

I have received helpful feedback that will guide my game design for the coming week. I'm excited to work on health and implement a high score board. Also I want to add some sound effects to enhance gameplay. I think this game test was successful and extremely beneficial for my game.