So now that you've tried out Super Crate Box, is this similar at a basic level? I may be anathema to the community for this, but I was not a huge fan of Super Crate Box. My main complaint on that one was difficulty. Maybe it's better with physical controls, but I almost hated playing it on my iPhone. I did enjoy it's clone cousin Muffin Knight, though.
About Cratebox: Well, I first played it on my iPhone 5s last night- the game hasn't been updated yet to fill the bigger screen, so I found it pretty hard to control. On the 4s I have, it plays a lot, lot, better and it's very fun! While there are similarities, there's also big differences with SOS. I hope people will see SOS as its own game, despite being influenced firstly by Jetpac, and looking a bit like Crate Box to those familiar with that. One major difference in SOS is the Air Supply mechanic which I think makes things kinder than a one-hit kill. Though people seem to like that these days (e.g. Flappy Bird!) Also, there's only one button for shoot/thrust. I wasn't sure if that would work, but everyone that's tried it so far picks it up pretty much straight away. I like to think that it simplifies the controls, and I hope people will like it Difficulty wise - well that's a difficult thing to get right, but know that it is something I think about ALL the time. Once everything's in place (i.e. all the enemies and unlocks an stuff) then tuning the difficulty and pacing is paramount. Too easy and people will get bored. Too hard, and people won't progress. Only you guys will be able to judge if I do a good enough job of it! Cheers! QS =D
Hello! Another week, another #screenshotsaturday This time it's an update on the perk selection. Please note I am *still* hiding stuff from you all - in a fun way, honest! Here it is: I'm hoping the perks will be fast to unlock for everyone, will be useful, but will also add a bit of strategy to the game. Do I grab the extra air perk, for example, which will keep me alive longer (and make the game easier for those struggling a bit). Or do I go for something else that gives me a different advantage? Hope you're all having a wonderful weekend. It's my friend's 40th tomorrow so will be offline most of the day, but I think it'll be good to see everyone. My soul needs a recharge now and again Speak soon! QS =D
A slightly more interesting screenshot today! Here's a new UFO attacking: I put the UFOs in a while ago, but they really weren't working properly. They'd appear for 1 second, maybe shoot, then disappear. It's been on my 'to do' list for ages to fix them, so I tried last night First attempt, nothing happened. The UFO didn't appear at all. A little tweaking later, it appeared! And spat out lots of bullets at me! And killed me pretty much straight away! Then it flew off! BRILLIANT So I've been playing with them pretty much all day and I have to say... I absolutely love them. Mainly because they WILL kick your ass the first time they appear But pretty soon you'll build up strategies to avoid/destroy them. It's really awesome. When they first went in, I thought 'Maybe I should make them easier'. But then, playing a few times more, I found ways to down them while avoiding taking damage. Still a challenge, but strategies will form in your head to get around them, and I think that's pretty cool Working hard here. Had the day 'off' on Sunday seeing friends. It really helped I think. Good for the soul I'll see if I can get another 'vine' vid done for this Saturday to show the UFOs off a bit. They really are quite fearsome. But then they always have been in AS games Speak soon, hope you're well! QS =D
This is starting to sound like a magnum opus! Of all the colors, I always find that blue in your last two screenshots the hardest to see while play, unless I'm in a totally dark room. This and other statements brought to you by Captain Obvious in association with DUH. Still looking good. Still excited for it. Keep it up!
Really? I often find white the most difficult to see. From, Commander Sarcasm But wow! All these features! This really sounds even more incredible with every line I read. I love that big UFO!
You guys! YOU GUYS! *sheepyhugs* It's really feeling like one this end! I'm sorry it's taking so long, but I'm getting more and more excited as it's starting to really come together now I know what you mean - there are some colours I'm not a huge fan of (yellow, for example) but I know there are others out there that do like it, so it'd be selfish not to include it. The blue I actually like - you're right, in certain light in can be hard to see, but the game (and the other AS games) do look their best in the dark I think. They can really 'glow' then Thank you - I just noticed that you included SOS in your sig as something you're looking forward to. I'm really honoured by that, thank you! I am doing my best not to let anyone down You jokester, you! The big UFO loves you too! In little pieces, apparently Honestly, they're something fierce! If you've played the first Air Supply, you'll know the base mechanic of the game isn't particularly hard, but most people tend to panic when the UFO turns up. It's pretty much the same feeling in SOS right now, which is why I'm so happy with them! I especially love the way the enemy bullets move - a little dink down (or up in this case) to your position, then shooting across the screen - just like in the first one. It ties the two games together nicely I think! Again, I'd just like to sincerely thank you guys for the support and kind words. It really is awesome, especially after all the delays I've hit. Thank you! QS =D
Hello all! Quick update - I posted a vine video (6 seconds long for the uninitiated!) showing a UFO attack! Here it is: https://vine.co/v/MwrV3mpXUgj Hope you enjoy it. Other new stuff are the 'eye' aliens and a quick look at the Gravonaut bullets and Gerty's spaceship. I am working really hard on this now, trying to finish it. Honest! Even though I got a PS Vita yesterday. *hides* Hope you have a great long weekend, speak soon! QS =D
Yep - fantastic stuff. Enjoy the Vita - I just picked up Lego Marvel Super Heroes for a tenner. Just need to find some time now. Cannot wait (still) for SOS.
w00t! Glad you liked it! The Vita has been a nice distraction - not played it a huge amount you'll be glad to know, but TxK is my fave, along with Ridge Racer at the moment But thank you for your patience! That goes for all of you. I'm really trying to get this done 'soon' so you can all play it! That you still poke your heads in now and again to say 'hi' really motivates me! There are so many wonderful (and not so wonderful!) games out/coming out, that sometimes I feel incredibly irrelevant. People taking an interest in what I do reminds me who this is for, and helps me get back on the horse and get on with things! Thank you! QS =D
And just to show my appreciation, here's an exclusive screenshot just for you guys - not on twitter, or Facebook, or anywhere else. Just here! I won't tell you what it is yet, but honestly, the more I put into the game the more I can reveal without worrying you won't be surprised by anything! It's a good thing, I'm sure! QS =D
I see no UFOs nearby. Believe me, you'd know it if they were More progress through the night on small things. Mainly I put in a subtle screen shake. Amazing the difference it makes, really makes taking a UFO down 'feel' good Additionally, I felt like I needed some kind of indicator for when you deposit a sheep into the rocket. There's already an audio cue (the sheep will 'baaaa') but nothing visual. So I put in some hearts: It looks really nice in-game, and is a nice way of showing the sheep love you for rescuing them. After all, as the great Captain Reynolds once said: "You know what the first rule of flying is? Love. You can learn all the math in the 'Verse, but you take a boat in the air that you don't love, she'll shake you off just as sure as the turning of the worlds. Love keeps her in the air when she oughta fall down, tells you she's hurtin' 'fore she keens. Makes her a home." There be truth in that I think Have a great day off! QS =D
Hey all, hope you're well! Things are certainly moving quickly here at Sheep Towers. Lots of progress made, and I've been rushing to finish the game. But I've had to take a long, hard look at the game and where I am, and I've realised that 'rushing to finish' is not the best way to go. Sorry! So, having done that, I'm provisionally setting release for Wednesay, June 18th. This will give me time to: a) Finish the game! b) Fine-tune the gameplay/pacing c) Polish stuff that needs polishing d) Send to testers and allow for feedback to be put back into the game e) Write all the 'flavour' text. f) Put GameCenter in and make sure it works g) 7 days (min) Apple review process h) Make a video! Publicise the game pre-launch! I am really sorry this has taken so very, very long. If anything, it's taught me to not announce a game when I think it'll take 3 weeks to finish. It NEVER takes 3 weeks to finish I've been putting in the in-game help (it appears on level 1 currently) - here's a pic: I'm hoping people will find it fun Right now I'm working on making the asteroids appear and reverse your controls! Fun! Also, I've added some teleporters. I still need to get more laser mines in, other mines, turrets and moving turrets. There are also 45 alien types now. They change every two levels. Then there's the bosses too... All these features are 'sort of' in, but it's a huge task to get them all working together. I'm close to finishing, but it feels like the whole game could fall apart at any moment. Having said that, it currently runs well on an original iPad, so I'm hoping I'll still be able to include those older devices at launch. Thank you for your patience. I know this must be frustrating (it is for me!) but I'm close. Seriously. Stay with me a little longer! I'll keep you all updated as usual! Cheers, QS =D
Woo hoo! Honestly, we know that it is worth waiting for quality, especially when it's a one man studio. We all appreciate you continuing to post things and not just going dark. It sounds like you'll have your hands full a couple more weeks, so let us know of we can lighten the load. Keep it up! We're still excited!
