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PostPosted: Mon Mar 19, 2012 7:38 pm 
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Joined: Mon Mar 19, 2012 7:30 pm
Posts: 4
Hey guys. I've been working on creating an online CCG (collectible card game) for the past 5 months. It took a while because it was my first experience in programming. I'm finally releasing the Beta test to the public. I would love to have some feedback from forum members.

The game is called Sphere and you can download the Beta from http://www.sphereccg.com. If you're familiar with other CCGs (especially Magic) the game should be fairly easy to learn. The manual is available on the site, as well as being packaged with the Beta download.

Here is a sample, though somewhat dated, screen shot: Image


Last edited by Mugai on Tue Apr 17, 2012 5:20 am, edited 1 time in total.
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PostPosted: Mon Mar 19, 2012 7:59 pm 
Shake'n'Baker

Joined: Thu Dec 29, 2011 2:33 pm
Posts: 62
Congratulation to your beta :)
Probably a great feeling, huh?

Well, I just had a quick look to your Website and downloaded the game.
Problably will try in the next days.

But your website...you want people to play that game!
The first thing they see is you website. I don't feel somelike
fantasy, or in a let's play-mood while looking at it.
Some more colors(the logo is a good start imo), some more eyecatchers.
It lacks atmosphere imo.

"All beta testers will receive a free starting deck (simply select your Primary and Secondary race when creating a new account). Beta testers also receive 2500 Sphere points which can be used to purchase 10 booster packs."
After reading that, I felt a bit unsure.
Sure, it's a gift for beta testers and that is, of course, good.
But in my ears it sounds like you are going to reveal dlc's very soon, and that doesn't fit with the rest I've seen.

These are no thoughts from a developer, but from a costumer watching your site :)


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PostPosted: Mon Mar 19, 2012 8:13 pm 
Rookie

Joined: Mon Mar 19, 2012 7:30 pm
Posts: 4
Thank you for your feedback. I agree that the website is very basic looking. When I started this project I knew nothing about web site development or programming. I've focused on learning and spending my time on the programming aspects of the game. Hopefully now that I can take a short break from programming I can focus on learning web-development and also put more time into creating a more appealing site-atmosphere!

As for your second point. Sphere will always be free to play (and will include a free deck + basic cards for any new member). However in the release version players may elect to purchase additional booster packs for real money. I will consider rewording or making the intent more clear in the actual site. Thanks again for the input!


Last edited by Mugai on Tue Apr 17, 2012 5:20 am, edited 1 time in total.
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PostPosted: Mon Mar 19, 2012 8:56 pm 
Shake'n'Baker

Joined: Thu Dec 29, 2011 2:33 pm
Posts: 62
Tested on:
Win7 Ultimate with latest updates.
Screen resolution: 1680 * 1050

*required fields at creating account not determineable
*no horizontal scrolbar @ edit decks
*Edit Decks: Current Deck: when clicking an added card, the infos(card ID, Card name, quantity, max quantity) in the table is not visible.
*Edit Decks: Current Deck: missing horizontal scrolbar
Get Cards: "Connecting...", user should know if it's working or not. 3progressively blinking points ("." ".." "..." "." ".." ...) would be good.
After Clicking "Get Cards" and game is "connecting" I clicked on "Edit Decks" and there were no cards listed anymore.
After restarting, I was able to see my cards again.


Ideas:

Important:
1-2prebuild decks.
The possibility to build the decks oneself is very good and probably one of the most important for such a game.
For a beginner, like me, it's very much effort to read through all the cards and find out which fit together.

Less important:
Edit Decks: Cards: Shortcuts for moving cards to the deck / from the deck(for example <enter> for adding, <backspace> for removing,
<tab> for switching throug cards and deck. So one can still move through the cards, add them fast and can switch between cards and deck)

Very very lesses:
Graphics.
Not the once from the cards, some are very good, some are...provisional.
But the graphics of the interface. It's a much too common one. Doesn't add atmosphere.
But as said, imo the very most less thing to do, since this is early beta :)

I will keep an eye on your project, since I like such games(Magic <3).

Another idea: Video Tutorial of how to play, or a tutorial as Magic: TG has it on PS3(if you own one, or have a friend,
download the demo version, the tutorial is included).

Keep the work up :)


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PostPosted: Mon Mar 19, 2012 10:43 pm 
Rookie

Joined: Mon Mar 19, 2012 7:30 pm
Posts: 4
Thank you aestond, I'd like to reply to your points.

aestond wrote:
Tested on:
Win7 Ultimate with latest updates.
Screen resolution: 1680 * 1050

*required fields at creating account not determineable --- Fixed
*no horizontal scrolbar @ edit decks --- Fixed
*Edit Decks: Current Deck: when clicking an added card, the infos(card ID, Card name, quantity, max quantity) in the table is not visible. --- Fixed (oops for changing something at last minute)
*Edit Decks: Current Deck: missing horizontal scrolbar --- Fixed
Get Cards: "Connecting...", user should know if it's working or not. 3progressively blinking points ("." ".." "..." "." ".." ...) would be good. --- Will look to implement
After Clicking "Get Cards" and game is "connecting" I clicked on "Edit Decks" and there were no cards listed anymore.
After restarting, I was able to see my cards again. --- I'm not sure what caused this. I got the same error as well. It has never done this before. Restarting the server seems to have fixed it. ***Edit: Found the Issue; fixed it. Thanks!


Ideas:

Important:
1-2prebuild decks.
The possibility to build the decks oneself is very good and probably one of the most important for such a game.
For a beginner, like me, it's very much effort to read through all the cards and find out which fit together. --- Each new account gets a premade starting Deck based on their selection for Primary and Secondary Race in the Account Creation screen (when you filled out username, pass ...etc). You can click "Edit Decks" and select File (at the top) and "Open" to open your premade Deck to see it's contents or change them.

Less important:
Edit Decks: Cards: Shortcuts for moving cards to the deck / from the deck(for example <enter> for adding, <backspace> for removing,
<tab> for switching throug cards and deck. So one can still move through the cards, add them fast and can switch between cards and deck) --- Will look to implement. I also wish to add comprehensive card filters in the Deck editor to help players who have large collections.

Very very lesses:
Graphics.
Not the once from the cards, some are very good, some are...provisional. --- Yes, unfortunately most of the cards are illustrated by me (Robert Mann), but these are only proxy images until a suitable replacement is made. I have a small team of artists but their work is strictly voluntary right now (I has no monies).
But the graphics of the interface. It's a much too common one. Doesn't add atmosphere.
But as said, imo the very most less thing to do, since this is early beta :) Yes I'd like to make the interface more dynamic, however my personal artistic skills are limited, so this will have to until I get the resources.

I will keep an eye on your project, since I like such games(Magic <3).

Another idea: Video Tutorial of how to play, or a tutorial as Magic: TG has it on PS3(if you own one, or have a friend,
download the demo version, the tutorial is included). --- There actually is one. There are links on the main page (just under "Play Beta" and "Forum") to tutorials - one is Gameplay and another is Deck Building. I know the links are hidden at the moment. I plan on sprucing up the page in the coming week.

Keep the work up :)


I will be posting the new version as soon as I can package it up and upload it. Thanks!


Last edited by Mugai on Tue Apr 17, 2012 5:19 am, edited 1 time in total.
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PostPosted: Wed Mar 21, 2012 9:17 pm 
aestond wrote:
Congratulation to your beta :)
Probably a great feeling, huh?

Well, I just had a quick look to your Website and downloaded the game.
Problably will try in the next days.

But your website...you want people to play that game!
The first thing they see is you website. I don't feel somelike
fantasy, or in a let's play-mood while looking at it.
Some more colors(the logo is a good start imo), some more eyecatchers.
It lacks atmosphere imo.

"All beta testers will receive a free starting deck (simply select your Primary and Secondary race when creating a new account). Beta testers also receive 2500 Sphere points which can be used to purchase 10 booster packs."
After reading that, I felt a bit unsure.
Sure, it's a gift for beta testers and that is, of course, good.
But in my ears it sounds like you are going to reveal dlc's very soon, and that doesn't fit with the rest I've seen.

These are no thoughts from a developer, but from a costumer watching your site :)


I've made a number of changes to the website, as well as to the look and feel of the application (view the new screen shot). Let me know if these changes have been favorable - thanks!


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PostPosted: Wed Mar 21, 2012 9:50 pm 
Shake'n'Baker

Joined: Thu Dec 29, 2011 2:33 pm
Posts: 62
Didn't expect such a big change.
Very nice, really.
Much more fantasy feeling, I really like the banner background you made :)
The total background is nice too(well, very subjectiv because I like the color*G*)

Just one thing you could think about:
It looks like you are using a blog software("Archiv: March 2012", "Categories"),
if you want it like that and want people to see your improvements over months
that's a good way, if you want it to look like a webseite, just for the game, I
would consider taking off the blog-style.

In the next days, I'll download the latest version and try again.
Didn't had time yet, had my motor-bike driving test today, succeeded YEAH.(I know, doesn't match the topic, but I have to tell everyone xD)


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PostPosted: Tue Mar 27, 2012 12:04 am 
Rookie

Joined: Mon Mar 19, 2012 7:30 pm
Posts: 4
aestond wrote:
Didn't expect such a big change.
Very nice, really.
Much more fantasy feeling, I really like the banner background you made :)
The total background is nice too(well, very subjectiv because I like the color*G*)

Just one thing you could think about:
It looks like you are using a blog software("Archiv: March 2012", "Categories"),
if you want it like that and want people to see your improvements over months
that's a good way, if you want it to look like a webseite, just for the game, I
would consider taking off the blog-style.

In the next days, I'll download the latest version and try again.
Didn't had time yet, had my motor-bike driving test today, succeeded YEAH.(I know, doesn't match the topic, but I have to tell everyone xD)



Yea I did not want the website to look bloggy; it just took me a little while to find out how to turn it off =P (website noob).

If you guys are still interested in trying the game out, we would love to have you. The main issue right now is that it's hard for people to find a game since the community is so small right now. I try to stay signed in as much as possible to help anyone who logs in, and explain how to play. You guys are welcome to join the facebook group: http://www.facebook.com/groups/234404613324119/


Last edited by Mugai on Tue Apr 17, 2012 5:19 am, edited 1 time in total.
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PostPosted: Thu Mar 29, 2012 9:33 am 
Shake'n'Baker

Joined: Thu Dec 29, 2011 2:33 pm
Posts: 62
Didn't forget about you, I'm just out of time the last days(and the next -.-).
But I'm looking forward to test and eventually play a game with you :)


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PostPosted: Tue Apr 17, 2012 1:52 am 
New version of Sphere beta has a working AI so you can play vs computer.


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