I dunno, why the dev would give out codes for a gem like this. I regret not purchasing it, but I'm thankful for the act of kindness. This game is amazing. Normally I get bored of mobile games pretty fast, but this one sticks. The controls have a learning curve, but the fights are simple and intense. Like all you can do is tail slap and dash, but each fight feels like a real victory.
promo - post if you grab it please Because we are finding that on this site - the high quality feedback and opining of forum members is extremely important for providing true visibility to a game that is operating on the high-quality, high-creativity, premium model. EKNY66PE96YE We rely on the word of mouth of not your average person - but articulate and intelligent players who can see a good game when its in front of them. Bold words - but I challenge anyone who doubts to PM me and I will send you a promo code. There is a reason we were covered in 2 National Geographic articles, the Washington Post, and had a very significant interview with aigamedev.com on the technical innovation. As you have probably noticed, Apple refuses to feature us (which one review site, not us, called a "crime"), and TA (the most significant iOS magazine in the world) refuses to review us. I don't think thats a coincidence. For small players, these are the only effective ways of getting any sort of minimum N to achieve critical mass. To have "missed" us is a bit improbable (you could argue there are just too many etc., but how many games get covered in the WA Post, and numerous other mainstream press articles ?). Seriously. We are just dealing with forces we have no control over but shed no tears over. Life isn't fair, and this won't stop us. We are confident the word of mouth from intelligent players will make this game climb to the top. We have more things in store, more games, more updates, and each one will push the boundaries. We are also confident that pure physics-based character animation is the future - for all types of characters, creatures, and experiences. In 10 years canned animations will be dead in games. Statistically, Shark Eaters: Rise of the Dolphins is growing completely on its own thank you for your post.
Well we are still waiting for the first one to go through which is minor bug fixes and auto-rotation. I've been mulling over how to do the second one - I've already added the new dolphins - but their abilities (speeds, special powers) have such an impact on the combat (in a good way) its very much a new game. Also taken away bolt limits and let you gradually buy the other dolphins. They each can have strategic powers - so you have to be intelligent about your selection. It just makes the experience deeper. Our software architect thinks it would be better to redo the battles to accommodate the subtlety, fix some other issues, and do a shark eaters 2 (quickly - before march) - as opposed to overhauling this one. All of you guys will get Promo's so don't worry but that aside, do you like that idea better ? I'm kind of in favor of it because Its starting to change the core experience - I do want people to play this one - as it is, before messing with it too much. I could just add cosmetic skins but that doesn't let you appreciate the new dynamics. The new spinner, for example, is blazing fast - and can outrun some of the enemies simon can't - but his bolt is limited. Endless game only should go out next week - oh Name suggestions for it ?
Good to seee more news from you, and all the positive response from the codes you've been giving out! 1) What do you mean by "Endless game only should go out next week" ? 2) I am in favor of you making it an entirely new game, this time hopefully with much broader audience and reception than the Shark Eaters. - But first, try to make the first game as known as possible, so you can actually attract customers for the second. Also, take out those pesky "background fish!" 3) Names... Dolphins vs Sharks / Battles of the Deep / Dolphin Defenders / Dolphin: Evolution or Shark Eaters 2 hope this helps a bit. Can't wait to see more from you guys!
So - it was suggested one of the levels be where fish appear one after another, increasing in difficulty, one at a time - fixed lives and you see how far you can get. I think its basically a small portable new game - so I'm going to release it as a stand alone. Names for this one -
ohhh nice! then make the dolphin evolve somehow, gain lives, boosts, bolts, super eating upgrades etc and name it Dolphin: Evolution or Dolphin: Endless ?
I'm not a big fan of using a sequel as a revision that largely invalidates the original game unless we are talking about a larger time gap and a genre that explicitly calls for it. For example, annually released entries in sports game franchises. That this is often considered a viable option for games on the iOS market doesn't, in my mind, make it a good idea in general and I think it mixes virtues poorly. A console game may get expansions, but it has to be 95% of the true vision when it's released to, well, GET released. You can't just put out a "whoops" edition a few months later or even worse call it a sequel. You can put a work-in-progress out on iOS, but the consumer tolerance for that practice is fueled by the premise of significant updates. Thus, there's an even less solid premise for just putting out a new game. That said, I understand it might make more sense financially start over with a new app that can make a bigger splash and I'll certainly buy it. My problem is that this route tarnishes the franchise legacy because even though IaD is a very good game, being invalidated by it's "sequel" devalues it and it could also irritate a lot of people--not the people in this thread, per se--who bought this, waited for what the sequel winds up being, and then have to buy the sequel to get what they thought they were going to get in the first game.
So this is a very insightful post and I will try to answer a bit of it here. The debate I am having internally is that the additions, although seemingly minor, make for an altogether different gameplay experience. Whether its superior or inferior is for debate - but the added content expands the experience. I can keep evolving the original title, but I'm not sure that would be wise as it would destroy the original experience. Update (that fixed minor bugs) is out by the way. Auto rotate should be fixed. New batch of promos N76XWTYT4YPM
Wait for my post I have some good suggestions and improvement for the game. I'm loving it, it is well made.
I read the review. I don't think its a call for congrats. It is presumptuous to disagree with a review - and I hesitate to do this - but in this case, the intent of TA (to me) is very obvious. First they don't touch us - then give us 2.5 stars - one of their lowest reviews possible. But the real problem I have is the score is inconsistent with his own review of the positives. I am not delusional with the user feedback - and I DO appreciate his frustration with the controls and overall comments. Infact, I think he will much better like the top down control of the sharks which will be out in a few months. As you've know from this thread - it takes a small amount of time to "click" but then, overwhelmingly, people feel "connected" to it. I have to judge the merit of the product by what people are saying - not my own impression - professional reviews and users. The problem is that this particular review is so far off the mark from 1) other reviews 2) user reviews - and this group includes the harshest critics. Again, I completely appreciate his personal opinion but its just way too far off the mark with everything combined. It is nice they finally touched it but I can't help but think there is some bad atmosphere. Did the controls piss them off that much But these things are hard to prove and its best to keep producing - maybe they will like the top down. Given the feedback, the organic feedback, from all other sources combined (all other reviews, organic, user reviews etc) I feel that there were some politics behind this with the extreme low score. The review itself is good - and I DO, again, appreciate his comments - 100%. I think he will like the other games and I am glad he could see the beauty of the animations. This is the lowest review this game has gotten - in the world. And by a huge deviation. So - take it how you like, read the comments on this thread - and I'd appreciate if you could comment on the review itself.
hm, i think this is a point that has been raised time and time again, and as far as i can see, Eli sais: it's the reviewer's personal opinion. And he is right, that's what a review should be ater all, even though on these forums i raised the issue of reviewers mentioning scores they gave to previous games, so that we know the "framework" behind each reviewer a bit better. That said, in this review he does give a low score, because of the camera and the controls. However, he does mention the game is quite beautiful, with amazing animation and challenging AI. Plus, he does urge everyone to look at the forum for different opinions. I'm not trying to defend anyone, but i think the review was good : mentioning the points he liked, he didn't like, ultimately giving it a low score because it wasn't fun for him, but urging everyone to come here for more opinions. I don't think reviewers can do much better than this. Edit: also, that the controls can be quite frustrating, both to newcomers until they get the "feel" and to experienced players in the heat of battle with a multitude of enemeis, has been mentioned even by me, for this 3rd dimension AI control. It's not easy to incorporate 3d movevement with a 2d control shceme, and the update was a HUGE step forward for the controls, but it doesn't mean that they are working 100% without frustration yet. Finally, i beleieve ANY score in this site, high or low, can give you more exposure, and people can judge by themselves after they play it or read more comments here.
I think so too Ramz - I think the review itself is good - and he makes good points. But I think the score is just a wee bit too low to be sincere. But like you said, it is his opinion - and should be taken at that.
FREE for a short time in light of our TA Review, I'm making Shark Eaters FREE for a short time. The only fair way to really see if the stars is off the mark would be a very large N - with very organic reviews. So the only way to do that is to let it go for free. Enjoy -
