itch.io

A youth, pulled off the street, and taken to the strange library on the hill, you somehow knew this was coming, so you remain silent.  You'd heard rumors your entire life about the odd library that seems useless in a digital age.   Once inside you can feel it..   eyes from the books.  Like every book here is watching you.  What happens next will change your life forever...   For you do not have a choice.  You never did.  You must become...  The Bookbinder.

Start The Journey To Discover The Truth Of Your Identity,  Here

-Rock Son Games

[INSTALLATION]*********************************************************

  - Installing "The Bookbinder" should be simple and painless, however life happens, so here are the best ways to play the game, and some solutions if you encounter any issues!

  - There are two methods to install the game that I myself have verified as working, so let's go over those!  First off, the very best way to get the game, and stay updated and organized, is to create an account on itch.io!  Plus come on, it's itch.io!  There are tons of cool things to play on here!  Also, I HIGHLY RECOMMEND the itch.io app, simply because it is the fastest, painless, and easiest way to get you in the game!  Also it is far less likely that you will run into problems, as the app handles pretty much everything for you.  So if you wish to create and account and go the app route then: 

[ITCH APP METHOD]

     -  First things first!   You need to download the itch.io app!  You can Download Here.   It really doesn't matter if you make an account before downloading the app, as you can make an account through the app as well, so just to save a step, probably best to just go ahead and download the app, and make an account.  There are tons of advantages to having an itch.io account, however in this context the most important benefit it ease of installation and ease of launching the game.  If you have other games from itch, that you wish to add to the app, I believe you can link them to your account by using the link you received in your email whenever you acquired that particular game.  Here is a link for more info on that!   Itch Documentation Concerning Games That Have Already Been Purchased.

  - Once the game is in your Library in the app, simply click on "Install", and the app will take it from there!  Please be patient as the game installs, as the installation size on disk is just over 6 Gigs.  So just hang out until it finishes.   ;)

[DIRECT DOWNLOAD METHOD]

  - If you have opted for this method, it's totally cool, because I am going to walk you through it step by step!  Ready?  Let's Go!

  -  First things first!  Just need to download the zip file from itch.io, so just click the download button, and hang out for a few minutes.  Or get a cup of coffee.  The download file size is just over 2 Gigs, so depending on your internet connection, this may take anywhere from a few moments, to a few minutes.  

  - Ok, once the zip is downloaded, and you got your cup of coffee, then just navigate to where ever you saved the file. Typically this is the "Downloads" folder.   Now, zip files are a compressed data type that make it easier to distribute larger files, however in order to get the goodies that are inside that file, you are gonna need to "Extract" the goodies out!  This can be done in many ways, but the easiest way is to use the built in "Zip" utility in Windows.  If you already know all about zip files, and want to use WinRar or 7Zip, then that's totally cool and you can skip this part and go to the next step.  

  Now, I did tech support for many years and I know the built in zip utility in windows can be a little confusing, but just follow these steps: 

  - Once you locate the zip file, double click it, and a new file explorer window will open, listing all the contents of the zip file.  

****IMPORTANT:  The explorer window that popped up, is only showing you the contents, and the data is STILL COMPRESSED.  So let's decompress it and get our goodies!

  - At the top of the explorer window that opened, you should see a button that says "Extract All".  Creatively enough, that is exactly what it does, so let's go ahead and click on it!  

  - It will now ask you where you would like it to put the contents once it extracts.  Simply choose a directory that works best for you, and remember the directory you chose, because we are going to need to know where it is in the next step!  

****NOTE:  When choosing a directory, I always recommend as close to the root directory (C:\) as you are comfortable with, or in your user folder should be just fine.  

  - Ok so now we got all the goodies out of the zip file.  You can now either delete the zip file, or store it somewhere if you wish.  I update the game on a regular schedule, so you are probably best off just going ahead and deleting the zip.  

  - ZIP DONE!!

  - Now...  navigate to where ever you told windows to put the contents of the zip.  Once there, just to make everyone's life a little easier, I recommend making a shortcut to the game executable, so you don't have to hunt it down every time you wanna become the bookbinder.  Easiest way to make a shortcut:   RIGHT click and HOLD DOWN the RIGHT mouse button on the game execcutable  (the .EXE file), and drag the game EXE file onto your desktop, and release the right mouse button.  This will spawn a context menu with a few options.  The one we want to pick is "Create Shortcuts Here".   Pick that one, and windows will make a shortcut directly to the game EXE, and then...

THAT'S IT!!!   DONE!!!   Now do a happy dance, or get another cup of coffee, because next up, we are gonna launch "The Bookbinder"!

[PLAYING THE GAME]**********************************************************

  Alright!!  We got the game installed and now it's GO TIME!   Now if you are familiar with VR headsets and familiar with PCVR, then this section might not be of much help, as this is for folks who are either not familiar with running a game outside of Steam, or those who are having connection or loading problems due to the fickle nature of XR runtimes.  So if you know what you are doing, then scroll down to the bottom and get some cool info about recent additions I made to the game, that I have not expanded for in the tutorial yet, and some tips to make it through!  If you are not familiar with running VR apps outside of Steam, or are just having an issue getting it to load up, Check all the points below!!  There is a good chance that one of the points below will solve your problem, and get you running!

  - Ok, first things first!!   "The Bookbinder" is being developed on OpenXR.  The game is made with Unity, so this is Unity's variation of OpenXR.  The OpenXR standard is being widely adapted as the universal runtime for all things VR, AR, MR, etc.  However back years ago, before OpenXR, everybody kinda had their own take on VR development.  IE:  Steam has OpenVR.  OpenVR and OpenXR are two completely different runtimes!! The extremely cool thing is!!  EVERYBODY who supports the VR app and/or hardware industry (like Steam), have all agreed to a commitment to maintain and support OpenXR!!   In fact, eventually everything will be made with OpenXR, and all other runtimes will be depreciated(retired).   So obviously this can get a little confusing, and a little nerve racking when trying to play a game or do anything else for that matter in VR, because while everyone has made the commitment to it, not everyone has completely made the move to it.  And that's where this guide comes in!!

  -  To get your brand new demo of The Bookbinder running, you need to ensure you have the correct XR runtime set to default.  And they are as follows:

                                 ************ ALWAYS LAUNCH GAME FROM INSIDE YOUR HEADSET  ********************

          - Quest headsets (2, 3)  -  The Meta Link app has it's own OpenXR runtime, so all you need to do is make sure it's set to default!  Simply go to the Settings in the Meta Link App, then click on the General tab.  Now you will see "OpenXR Runtime" on the left and on the right it will tell you if Meta's runtime is set as default or not.  If not, just click the button that says "Set Meta Quest Link As Active XR Runtime"  That 's It!!  You are good to go!  Just remember, to launch the game from inside your headset!

          - Pico, HTC, Magic Leap, Pimax, Microsoft HoloLens  - All these manufacturers have adopted the OpenXR runtime, and are compatible.  I have done my very best to include/implement their respective SDKs, if applicable.  However I unfortunately do not own any of those awesome headsets, so I have not been able to test with them.  If you are reading this and you have one of these headsets, I have a request!!  If you own one of these headsets, or any headset that I don't list here, and you are willing to do some BETA testing, please get a hold of me and let me know!  I feel horrible about the fact that I simply just don't know how well the game works with those headsets, but alas, I am only one man, and I'm on fixed income because of my disabilities, therefore I can not afford to buy them.   But I'll make ya a deal!!   If you are willing to BETA test with one of these headsets, and you contribute by giving me feedback on how the game does, then I will add you to the "Credits" section in the full release of The Bookbinder, under Testers, and under a very special thank you!

         - Valve Index -  While Valve has their own XR runtime, called OpenVR, they have made a commitment to support OpenXR just like everyone else, and have added a really cool compatibility feature to the SteamVR settings menu!  I went over how to set it on the main game page, but just in case ya missed it:  Easiest Way--  Simply launch SteamVR from your desktop, NOT in headset.  Then click the hamburger  menu in the upper left corner of the SteamVR window.  Select Settings, and then on the left panel, select OpenXR.   Here you can set the currently active OpenXR runtime, and below that, you will see where it says "Meta OpenXR Compatibility".  Set that to "On" or "Auto".  Once that is set, simply launch the game from inside your Index, inside SteamVR!

          -  I have tried to include every headset on the market, so that everyone can enjoy the game, regadless of the headset they own, however I am human, and I make mistakes.  So please if you encounter any problems, and nothing here got ya fixed up, just contact me either on here on the discussion board, or by email at   nubgamedev@rocksongames.com.    And I will do everything in my power to get things working for ya, and issue hotfixes if needed as soon as humanly possible.  

  My dream of increasing awareness for more accessibility options, and making games playable by all, is extremely important to me, and if I am to give my everything to this goal, and truly devote my life to it, then I must stay on top of player concerns and handle them quickly and in an orderly fashion.  But I can't fix it, if no one ever tells me.  lol    So please please please give me feedback, good or bad, and be as detailed as possible.  I do not offend easily, so do not worry,  and tell me how you feel about the game.

  -  Lastly, Here are some TIPS and HELP for some cool stuff in the game!!

          -  There are now pockets on the inside of your wrists!!  This is a new feature and I have not yet added it to the tutorial dialogue, so I wanted to mention it!   For the demo, they are best used for any grenades or health potions you find.  Just hold the item to the pocket, and if the item is compatible then the ring graphic will change color to green. otherwise it will turn red.   Once it turns green, just let go of the item, and it will be automatically stored in the wrist pocket!  This is a fantastic way to get a item quickly if you suddenly find yourself surrounded by enemies!

          - Quick Reload has been added to the pistol!!   Again, I haven't got the dialogue for the tutorial ready yet, so wanted to let everyone know!  I understand that not everyone wants to fool with loading a clip every time in a weapon in a video game, especially in VR!  So I took a cue from the Arizona Sunshine series, and I created a quick reload feature.  It actually works pretty much exactly like Arizona Sunshine.   lol   All ya got to do is, once you run out of shots in the pistol, press the top button on your right hand controller  (B if Oculus),  and that will quickly toss out the empty ammo mag.  Then just touch the pistol to your chest!  If you have magazines that you have stored in your chest ammo inventory, then the gun will automatically load a clip, release the slide, and you will hear a loading mechanism sound!  That's it, gun is reloaded and ready to fire!   Please note, that as of time of writ, you can only eject the mag and reload this way, if the gun is completely out of shots.  I'll be releasing an update soon that will fix this limitation.

Quick Tip s:  

-- STAY OFF THE DIRT AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE!  If you see really creepy green ghouls flying towards you, run run run!  They don't take damage from normal projectiles, so no use in trying to harm them, and they will disappear once you make it back on the stone level area.

-- If you  need a place to take a breather, or just get away from something attacking you, look to the rooftops!  A correctly timed jump will get you out of danger fast!

-- Keep an ear out for growling...   This can be a good indictor that something wicked may be close.

-- D.O.T.I.  is a great companion isn't she!!  Well, I know sometimes she can get a little annoying, so remember you can dismiss her and recall her back from the left hand menu!!

******     a hint to the riddle....        " A wavelength of ~700–635 nm "

*********  Alright!!   This turned out to be a much longer post then I intended!!!   LOL    I hope everyone is doing amazingly well, and I hope you all are having tons of fun playing the demo of "The Bookbinder"!!

Hello There!!  I'm the creator of The Bookbinder!   I am legally blind and disabled, however have developed certain methods for interaction with many common programs and have devoted my life to raising awareness for the needs and quality of life for the disabled.  The ultimate goal is to have a community and/or environment that is all inclusive and provide a way for everyone to have fun together!  While The Bookbinder is a single player experience and game, this goal will be given a great push forward with the game that follows and has been developed alongside The Bookbinder, which will be multiplayer!   The Bookbinder started as a comic book idea, and then later became the game it is today.  I did this in part of necessity, to help fund the multiplayer game I have also been working on to reach my goal of all inclusivity.   I have put various options in the demo to aid someone if they suffer from motion sickness, via vignettes, which can be turned on or off on the fly, and also have four modes.  It can be set to Constant, Turning Dynamic, Motion Dynamic, or both Turning and Motion.   Constant is constant.  Turning Dynamic activates the vignette only when you turn left or right.  This is the most requested and most effective method according to research, so it is the default setting when Comfort is first activated.  Motion Dynamic only activates the vignette when you move with the left analog stick.  IE:  walk forward, backward, or strafe.   Turning and Motion activate the vignette whenever you move in any way.  This includes jumping.  

  In an effort to make the demo a bit more fun, I have dialed up the stats of the character to allow for higher jumps, stronger attacks, and higher health then the base character of the full game.  In other words, in the full version, you will start will lower stats and have to level up to get teh stats you have in the demo.  However!   I am working on a possible way to allow the stats you have in the demo and the resources you gathered to transfer into the full version, but it is still a work in progress.  If it is something you really want, please let me know and I will make it a higher priority!

  I will be checking this discussion board often as I can, but please be patient with me.  Also, any bugs you may find, I will fix ASAP.  But please allow me a little time to get them done.  As you might imagine, certain things regarding development of this game are rather difficult for me, and may take me a little longer to complete.  I will keep you updated on the status of bug fixes and added features as much as possible!  Also, if there is something that is urgent, please email me at nubgamedev@rocksongames.com.  So that I can address it.

  While this is for recommendations and comments on the game, it is also for support.  If  you have trouble running the game, or it crashes, or oculus link won't work right,  etc..   I am happy to help!   And also, please if you see someone needs some help, please try and help them!  I think we can all have a lot of fun shaping this game into something amazing, by helping each other out, talking about ways to improve it, sharing ideas about features, and overall just hanging out and having fun together!

****   NOTE:    If anyone suggests an idea for the game that gets put into the final version, they will be included in the Credits of the final game, in whichever method they prefer, Either by online handle, or real name.

All my best to everyone!!!

-  David Michael Grosso