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A jam submission

METAView game page

A Game Where The Puzzle Is Beyond The Boundary
Submitted by IAmToolbox (@toolboxftt) — 10 hours, 31 minutes before the deadline
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META's itch.io page

Theme inspiration
I started by looking at what "Passage" meant, and I had an idea about solving puzzles to move through rooms. I wanted to be unique about it, and thanks to the optional Extra Media challenge, I had the inspiration to make an ARG-like experience.

Sensory info
N/A

Content info
N/A

Extra Credit Challenges

Extra Media
Extra CGA
Extra Zoey

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Comments

Submitted (1 edit) (+1)

I like the feels of this game, the color, the music, atmosphere.   I got the first puzzle so I feel good now

Developer

Thanks for trying the game! Glad you liked it :D

Submitted(+1)

So, I don't like these types of games, and I while I don't think you should necessarily follow my opinion if you make something like this again (better to listen to the opinions of those who like the genre), I think you've made a very good example what bugs me about these types of "puzzles."

I got to the second room, did the first steps and came across this result, which I am specifically writing this way to avoid spoilers but still give some indication of what's gone wrong:

D - 7 = 6
6 - E = F8
5 - 0 = 5
2 - D = F5

I imagine the clamping methods usually used with the context in question could help, but only if an order were provided, as merely assuming a consistent order would still leave 2 solutions. There's also the option of interpreting casually, which I did. It didn't work. Even if it had, I still would've had to assume a hex order, which still would leave 4 solutions. Neither normal reading order, nor an arbitrary meaning for "one" worked, regardless of casual assumption for starting with 1 or the more sensible order within the context (starting with 0). With that many possibilities, trying to guess what you were thinking is rather tiring.

Also, having to use arrows to enter in the codes doesn't help in the slightest.

Developer

Honestly, I agree with you. Room 2's solution is clearly broken. I'll update it tonight to make it clearer.

Also the arrow thing is basically me scrambling around to find a way to input the passwords. Sorry if it made the experience less fun :/

Submitted (1 edit) (+1)

I took another shot at it, since you mentioned changes. Room 2 seems better, but when I beat Room 4, I got this error:

___________________________________________
############################################################################################
FATAL ERROR in Vertex Shader compilation
ShaderName: shd_distortion

D3DXCompile failed - result

at gml_Object_obj_trippy_background_Draw_0
############################################################################################
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
stack frame is
gml_Object_obj_trippy_background_Draw_0 (line -1)

Edit:

Oh, I guess I should also mention the other issues I had: Room 4's key is really hard to read, and for Room 3 I couldn't figure out what meaning of "overflow" would apply, since the normal programming meaning would just result in dropping digits. I also had to use this autohotkey script to figure out the morse code since I have no training.

Developer (1 edit)

Well that error solidifies the fact that I shouldn't be allowed to touch shaders.

I'm sorry for all the issues. I can't update the game now, but I'll make sure to keep all of this in mind for a post-jam revision of sorts

EDIT: I looked around and apparently this fixes the shader issue? https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=35&44F86079-8679-400C-BFF2-9CA5F2BCBDFC=1

Let me know if it works out

Submitted(+1)

Well, it worked at making me hate Microsoft just a little more. The installer tries to sneak in an extra app that definitely shouldn't be in there.

That does fix the 5th room.

Developer

Phew that's great to know. I'll add that link to the description of the game. Thanks for letting me know!