itch.io

I updated the link, should work fine now.

Willl post it again for you though. https://www.upwork.com/jobs/~022089032337059149655

So I am getting to the end of the first round of playtesting for my game StarTalon.

I hired about a dozen testers on upwork, and I got some good feedback from some of them and decent estimates of playtimes per map however I got to thinking why not hire a couple of testers from itch to compare the quality. Now the way I have been doing it is paying per map beaten. $1.50 a map for the first 4 maps and $2 a map after that. The game has 12 maps in total and I have been doing it in 2 waves of 6 maps each. Most of my testers have been able to beat the first 6 maps in between 1 hour, 12 minutes to 3 hours. But most are about 1H15min-1H30 min for the first 6 maps. You would need to record videos of all attempts and split them up by map & upload to youtube.

I am paying via upwork so you would need to sign up for that, and I do need a sample video to make sure the game runs with no slowdown while you are recording video. Literally a 3-4 minute video of you playing the first map. I only need a couple of testers more for this round of testing but I will be shortlisting for the next round of testing as well, and I will want at least another 12 testers for that.

So if this sounds interesting check out this job post and send me a proposal on upwork.

https://www.upwork.com/jobs/~022089032337059149655

Like I said, I only need a couple of new testers this round but I will need a lot for the next round of testing.

Probably due to criticism, even if 80-90% of the feedback is positive, some people cant handle the 10-20% that is not. 

At first glance its just a re-skinned version of those flappy bird games.

However it is very well done. The music is good, the gameplay is good.

Its probably the most polished version of a very simple game concept I have seen.

The end animation where your asteroid gets captured by a planet is cute also, very satisfying.

Speaking of first games, would you mind taking a look at mine and giving me some feedback.

https://mercstudios.com/play/startalon332

I played it once. I got up to caveman. The little dotted line should change colour more noticeably when it is doing something, spent ages before I noticed it changed colour. 

If you give me feedback on my game I will go over yours  in more depth.

https://mercstudios.com/play/startalon332

So the default max resolution that has no cutoff for me is 1920 x 1080, my max resolution. even if I drop it down to 1680 x 1050 it cuts off. Same with next resolution down, 1600 x 900. I am running the Brave Browser on Zorin Linux. The grey still stays if I hit escape but what I have noticed is that if I click on the grey then it loads in fullscreen fine, even at lower resolution. I also tested it on ungoogled chromium and its the exact same.

Well ideally I would like feedback on my game carved in tablets of solid gold and encrusted with diamonds, hand delved by a beautiful nymphomaniac.

But if that is a little bit much just give me your feedback here. Whatever jumps out at you. After trying out the first map I would take a peek at map 4 and 12 if I were you. Those are the most visually impressive.

Quick changes. Very good.

Another issue I spotted is that the white info screen that you go into when you are selecting carriages (when you hit the question mark) needs a close button.

Also if you have some free time yourself would you mind checking out the prototype for my new game and giving me some feedback. You can find it here.

https://mercstudios.com/play/startalon332

It says I need a password?

Ok, so the general physics feels good and its a very solid base, the one issue that needs to be fixed is that the line that comes out of the yellow ball that tells you what direction it will go only appears sometimes, for some balls. This makes shots without that line super difficult. If you get that fixed I would be more than willing to play it some more if you give me feedback on my game.  https://mercstudios.com/play/startalon332

Most people will just want to post feedback here. The static like effect on the main screen before you go into the map with the train is annoying.

I tried your game and quite liked it. The handy little black orb thinking machine was a nice touch. At the start I thought it was a bit reductive but going forward it helped me keep track of everything and work everything out. I was a little confused after the first match and had to click around a bit to figure out what to do next, but that took under a minute. I liked it.

Anyway since I gave feedback on your game, any chance you could try out my pre alpha build and let me know what you think.

https://mercstudios.com/play/startalon332

Seems fine now.

Is it just me or is the default text coming up in arabic first as well.

I have translate built into the browser(brave) so its not much of an issue for me but it might be for other people.

I would have to open up my windows machine to try it out as I am on Linux at the moment, also its 2:20 AM here.

Perhaps tomorrow.

Well its red text on a black background, it sort of helps being able to read what the game s about.

Perhaps a CSS outline with a different colour to highlight the letters, there should be plenty of CSS effects to get the letters to stand out and have more contrast., should take about 1-2 line of CSS code at most.

So I just want to say that your game looks absolutely beautiful, its probably the nicest looking chess game I have ever seen, seriously, congratulations on that.

Now for a little bit of a visual hint. The grey boxes where you select difficulty level, they could do with something, the sort of ruin the visuals, perhaps make them slightly transparent.

Now for the bad news. Moving the pieces is tricky and they do not always go where I want, plus there is no undo move button.

That is a huge issue that essentially makes the game unplayable. Which is a pity because otherwise this would be my new default chess game.

For the record I am testing on Zorin Linux so perhaps the window build is better.

Anyway, you said you would swap feedback. This is my game. https://mercstudios.com/play/startalon332/

Love to know what you think. 

Well, the fact that there is literally no game to download and all you can do is wishlist on steam is probably why nobody is responding.

Actually looks interesting, I would have to switch from my main machine (LINUX) to my windows machine to test it though.

If you are willing to give me feedback on my game though I can do this no problem.

You can find mine here. https://mercstudios.com/play/startalon332/

Quick tip, perhaps put the demo link up the top of the webpage as well if you want to get feedback.

Otherwise it looks like a paid only game until you scroll down.

Looks interesting, I would be willing to playtest it if you are willing to give me some feedback on my game.

StarTalon, you can find it here. https://mercstudios.com/play/startalon332/

At first glance though I had to push my screen resolution up to the maximum to stop the right hand side of the game screen getting cut off.

Also if I tried to go full-screen at a smaller resolution I got a grey screen.

Nice that you have a linux verion as well.

I would be willing to test that and give you some feedback if you will test my game as well.

https://mercstudios.com/play/startalon332/ (Runs in browser)

You do know that the text on the game page is very hard to read, 

I tried running your project slime demo. 

I could shoot but not move around, tried arrow keys and WSAD, even clicking on the on screen arrows, nothing worked.

I am running Brave Browser on Zorin Linux.

Hope this helps.

Any chance I could get some feedback on my game in return?

https://mercstudios.com/play/startalon332/

Actually looks quite good. 

Pretty decent foundation.

I like.

One of your thumbnails seems to suggest that you can shove the baguette up her ass but I have not been able to do that.

Is there a special trick required. -- Asking for a friend. ;)

I believe its pronounced blunt.

Ok, perhaps put a mute button or a volume adjust/settings button in there.

Its good practice in any game, especially if you give the option to go fullscreen.

Ideally split it between music and sound effects so that the volume of both can be adjusted independantly.

I think its supposed to be music, midi music, an attempt at a tune, but its just annoying,

So I had a very good chat with Seba and he gave me some good feedback and tips.

He is worth reaching out to for a chat for sure.

Man, that initial noise when the corridor loads was an instant close game for me, annoying.

Yes, I did a pretty good job on map 4 and 12 with regard the background I think.

Do you have that test link for an English version of yours?

A pre alpha version of my game STARTALON can be found here. https://mercstudios.com/play/startalon331/

3 Hero ships with multiple stealth/health/armour options each.

Multiple superweapon options per ship. A DOZEN maps.

A thousand enemy units across 12 maps with dozens of different enemy variants.

Would love to get some feedback and let me know what you think.

https://mercstudios.com/play/startalon331/

or https://mercstudios.itch.io/startalon?secret=m8ATWJJ9ZRNzxJTPUtq6Dy9ncs

I have put over a thousand hours  of development into this over nearly 5 months.

Really simple to play, really hard to beat.

Most proud of the visuals on maps 4 & 12.

All maps unlocked for play testing.

Should run in any web browser, works perfectly in chrome 

(mobile/desktop/xbox controller/steam deck, ipad, etc)

(98MB size, fast loading)

looks like it

A quick glance at the game page and I think it looks interesting.

I would be willing to do some playtesting on that if you will test my game in return.

You can find mine here. https://mercstudios.com/play/startalon331

(runs in browser)

Let me know if you are interested.

Just looking at the game page, I would not mind play testing that.

If you are willing to do some testing on my game I would be willing to do the same for yours.

Let me know if you are interested..

You can find mine here. https://mercstudios.com/play/startalon331

(Runs in browser, ideally chrome but should work in almost anything)

Looks interesting.

I would be willing to playtest your game if you do the same for mine. https://mercstudios.com/play/startalon331

let me know if you are interested.

That sounds interesting.

I am going to be a little cheeky, I am working on my own game at the moment, I would be willing to test your game and give you feedback if you would be willing to do the same for me. Let me know if you are interested. :)

Mine is here. https://mercstudios.com/play/startalon331

I am developing a game at the moment and I am planning on launching it on steam.

Might also do the play store and apple app store as the game runs fine on mobile as well.

How much do you guys spend on marketing and what sort of results do you get, also what tactics, channels, etc do you use.

mercstudios

https://discord.gg/tBxGST5Ep

Its 1:20am here though at the moment (Ireland)

So it might be better if we talk tomorrow.

Actually looks good, are you going to release an English version?

So I just want to say thank you very much for your feedback.

I have some bad news, I downloaded your game and launched it, the screen with the guy in the spacesuit by the door launched , then when I went to launch mission I just got a black screen with beeping. I exited the game with task manager 3 times and it was only on the 3rd load when I hit escape that another menu came up and I was able to get in to the game. (The Continue, main menu)

First impression, nice graphics but very dark in places.I found the beeping computer with the cryo logs, ate an apple. Found the hover flash light, turned on the radio.(Nice touch) Not sure what the E on the robot is for besides turning suck on and off, 

Went into the dark room directly oposite the apple room, found an E switch there and clicked it, now I am stuck in the wall and cant move besides turning around. I have a hammer I can swing but I am stuck.

Reloaded, I got in again it just took a wait with the black screen and beeping.

Got the hammer the second time without getting jammed, just got gassed.

Woke up, found the door code, its not working, second time stuck, think I am going to call it quits.

Stubborn, tried again, same code finally worked, not sure why it didnt work before, possibly because I hit a few random digits first before I found the keypad. Keypad should auto reset when you exit out of it.

You need a save option so someone can save the game and come back to it.

So with regard the slow loading, that could be my windows laptop, its an old windows 10 laptop, Core i5, 7th gen with about 40 waterfox tabs open. I think you game has huge potential, it just needs more testing. It looks good, nice map ambience, get a save function added and I can test it some more. I am sort of invested now but it also feels like a bit of a grind. 

Will do one more run until I get stuck again.

I did the drone pilot thing and saw the ghost figure.

Got to the find the hidden word part, tried cloud, nebula, ocean, ((the sirens got really annoying)).

Calling it quits. Really needs a save function.