Post by Sparky-D in Serpland (C64) comments

Viewing post in Serpland (C64) comments

Nice new Nibbler variant. The game plays really fresh and good. Only thing i wondered a little bit was, that the speed-increase from Level 2 to Level 3 is really dramatic. In Level 3, the snake suddenly is more than double as fast, as it was in Level 2, which makes this Level not so easy to solve, because of control-problems, not because of the difficulty of this level. Maybe a slightly slower increase in the snake speed from level to level would be better playable here?

And then, I was surprised that the player can stop at certain corners of the game, so that he then has enough time, to think about the next step. This stopping-time, that the player can take here, could (and should) be limited, for example in a way, that the snake continues moving after around 2 or 3 seconds, because otherwise the player can make good use of this thing by constantly stopping in corners and then thinking longer, where to go now and this actually shouldn't be possible in a Nibbler game, i think (at least his is not possible in the original Arcade version). So I would change a few little things, then it's a really good new Nibbler variant for the C64.

By the way, i think the game should not only be tagged as "Game for Windows" (over an emulator) here in itch.io, but additionally also as a C64 game (what it actually is). Otherwise C64-fans could easily overlook it and C64-fans are not so few in the meantime, since this retro-computer is experiencing something like a second spring, with all its new software-releases, that are constantly coming out for it.

manolober1 year ago

I'm very glad you liked it!

The game for some things needs to be reviewed. You're right: in the third level the snake goes too fast. But it's just a trick that, as you say, I should have put later... In fact, in the fourth level the speed returns to normal!

Could you record gameplay up to the ending? I give you the codes for infinite lives and we post it on the game page.

The snake always stops when the player has the choice to go to its right or left. To prevent the player from using these pauses too much, there is "TEMPO" which you can see at the bottom left.

I put "game for windows" because this is my first time using the Itch platform to publish a game and I don't know how to use it well. I'll follow your advice: it's better to put "game for the Commodore 64". I'll edit it as soon as I can.

The C64 scene is reborn and it's really very beautiful, interesting and challenging.

Are you a programmer?

Thanks again for your attention.

Sparky-D1 year ago

Hello :-)

Aaah, i hadn't recognized, that this tempo indicator belongs to this stop-time. Then it is already limited and the player can not stop as long and as often as he wants. That's good, then this point is already done.

Sadly i have no tool installed here, to record gameplay and in next three weeks i also have not much time to play, because of my job.

Yes, the C64 scene is really amazing. On the CSDB internet-side, nearly every day, new demos, games, pics, songs or tools, were released for the C64. Crazy, it's almost like this retro-machine is back in the mainstream again. :-)

No, i am not a programmer. I was involved in some productions on the C64, but mostly for graphics, tester or as an idea-giver. On the CSDB it's very easy to get in contact with alot of specialists for various fields, so it's possible to realize own ideas, together with other people (musicians, programmers and so on) there on this internet-side.

Hope you will go on, programming games for the C64. Best regards.

manolober1 year ago

I'm sorry that you don't have much time available either: if you find any, let me know and I'll give you the codes for infinite lives.

Do you know the CSDB site well? I saw that they cracked my game the other day... I just had to laugh. Why do they do this with many of the games that come out?

Do you think these people can help me improve the game? They seem to be very familiar with the machine...

Anyway, could you advise where to post my announcement on CSDB? I saw that the site is very large ...

Thank you so much for your attention. I send you my best regards.

Thank you.

Sparky-D1 year ago (9 edits)

I know the CSDB site since some years. Don't wonder, nearly all new C64 games were cracked there sometime, it's like back in the 80`s *lol*. Why they do this? I don't know, maybe they want to maintain the classic cracking-culture, which the C64 has, since the 80's?

Because of your question, if some people there could improve your game. There are alot of C64-specialists there, for example graphicians, musicians, programmers, crackers etc. Specialists for nearly everything regarding the C64, so i am sure, that somebody there could improve your game or help you with the game, if you would need help? This announcement, you should make in the forum there then. When you look at the entry of the Serpland-crack there, then you see the point called "Discuss this release". When you are a CSDB-member and you click this point, you can make a new forum-entry and there you can make your announcement. Other members then can read this and answer. Best regards.

manolober1 year ago

I have followed your advice. I'm waiting for an answer.

Thanks so much!