Hi again! So far no game-breaking bugs.
When you can't afford something from the store/research/upgrade, the reason of the message starts with cannot copy selection.
More of a suggestion: whenever adding sounds or music, always add a way to mute them. Not everyone can afford to play a game with audio (imagine at 4 am, everyone's sleeping).
Uh, oh: It's treating moving selection as a copy. When cancelled, the selection stayed on the grid, non-selectable and disabled. Did it at the start, soft locking me. It also allows me to build on it. When selected and stashed, only the new elements are affected.
Regarding the flipping, I mentioned it in addition to rotation. They complement each other. I forgot to mention the flipping also rotates the components 180 degrees if they are aligned with the coordinate they are flipping. Maybe that's what caused a misunderstanding (if any).
I can sort of understand the frustration with Factorio. The simplification you made is ok, even close to perfection. My posture about Factorio and similar games is that it's a logistics game, rather that a true "factory" game. The difference lies in logistics bothering mostly about connecting outputs to inputs and storing solutions. Factory games, on the other hand is about selecting and mounting the processes from input to output for any given product. Metallurgy is a perfect IRL example: There are multiple ways to process iron ore into steel. And also many ways to make pipes: molding, extruding, soldering, etc.
Uhm, regarding the copy function, after the first paste, it doesn't check again if you have the available nodes (will use whatever you have in stock, though), leading to a duplication glitch.
Belt mode can't be canceled with right click/ESC button, nor selection mode. Have to click on another module to exit the mode. Using the E key as toggle would also be a good idea.
On any query, the older info is shown first, then updated, when the order should be the other way around.
When clicking outside the building area, open space, resource nodes or a belt, the info window is briefly shown then closed. Belts and modules use different info windows, opening and closing in pairs.
The info window once opened is fixed to the screen and not on the module position, so when moving the camera, it doesn't update it's position.
What I meant with flipping, is like using the mirror image (is like a rotation, but using a different plane, in 3D). For example: on an horizontal flip, suppose the selection area is between x1 and x2, given a module on x, the flipped position is x2 - (x - x1). Use the analog with Y coords for the vertical flip (the actual names may be inverted).
As for the blueprints, just save the data of the copy function (module type, rotation, relative position to the start of the selection). Since you now store the last copy used, how about adding the paste function?
I recommend looking at Factorio for the blueprint and flipping (It's over engineered though).
Love the game!! Here's some feedback:
I noticed the modules won't output if the bell is not aligned. Was this intentional?
Would also love to have belt splitters, mergers and bridges, for the full experience.
Would it be possible to have blueprints? Also would like the copy function to be used multiple times in a row.
Regarding the area expand, could I have more control on the new rows and columns to insert? It gets bothersome to realign everything to a corner on each upgrade (using selection and moving, obviously).
Would be nice to use rotate and stash directly. Oh, and a flip horizontal/vertical for selections. As complexity grows, the buildings stop being symmetrical, so rotate stops helping.
Uhm, I seem to have managed to chop ALL the trees. Everyone stopped on their tracks, so I assume I finished the game? Nice game, btw.
A couple of suggestions:
In my opinion, the wizards should continue to summon wood, even after the end, since they aren't related to the choppers. And since druids buff wizards too...
I would like to have the numbers of units displayed somewhere. My ocd itches there.
Nice game!!
Got a QuotaExceededError while playing Chrono mode. I put 1k robots to build each facility, while trying to keep all resources at 1k positive :V.
Also, the dark matter recipe is apparently not consuming Temporal Dust as it should. 200 entropy stabilizers on producing dark matter, and it consumes just less than 1 Temporal Dust.
And the lag is terrible. Instead of simulating each producer individually, simulate the ticks. Use an array as big as the amount of ticks of the recipe. Then you operate in a round robin fashion. It's O(1), input independent and scalable!
Nice game!
Bug: The till and place water keys are swapped.
Suggestions:
A description of what the water does (and how many tiles it affects) would be nice.
Add a zoom out feature (just play with the viewport scale or the drawing function)
The ability to buy seeds (getting them from farming a lower tier is weird)
Nice game! While playing I came up with some suggestions:
1. I would like to know the dimensions of the modules. For example, 1x1 for the small hub, 1x2 for the normal tanks, 1x3 for large, etc. This helps on the planning phase.
2. I would also like to know what modules do I unlock on the technologies menu. This would help set a goal for the next run / planning the upgrades to take.
3. There isn't enough information about what consumes what. Especially about power, tools and safety. It makes planning ahead almost impossible.
4. A way to activate/deactivate modules. Some modules consume power, even if they have no inputs / full storage. I feel this type of micromanaging is necessary.
5. A 1x3 solar panel. This adds some variety in the same way large tubes do.
6. Save the sound settings and tone down the failure sound. It kills me every time.
And this are more of a game changer:
1. Allow to move structures around. At the ISS they do it all the time. Just ask the player to have clearance on both the current airlock and the target one. Can even make it a 2 day process (and reuse the code for launched modules).
2. Separate the structural part from the functional part. With this, you allow the player more flexibility at the time of building the station. It also allows for cheaper construction costs / planning expansion. Think of the tubes as Bungalow modules (the inflatable ones).
3. As for the cost of the modules, use a generic resource, like supplies. And use it in favor of tools and safety for maintenance cost (makes it more intuitive). Can make assembly/dismantling a 1 day process.
4. In order to not make supplies from the vacuum, how about adding something like taking shipments of raw materials from some mining station.
5. Separate launches by type and/or allow multiple launches per day. Nowadays, it's not rare for multiples launches to happen across the globe.
Well, that will be all for now. Hopping to see the next version!
Nice game! I have a LOT to give feedback for:
For the UI:
The tool-tip being transparent is a nice touch, BUT they get hard to read with the filling bar behind, since they have similar intensity levels (the bar and the text). Up the alpha a bit or add more separation (so they don't overlap).
Onto the filling bars, I would like to separate the buy button. When lit (affordable), they are almost indistinguishable from the filling bar.
Move the gain on buy onto the buy button, so there's only the current production number on the bar. As it is now, it gets confusing as to what is what. The plus sign should be used for the gain on buy, not the other way around.
The color of the filling bar is too intense. You may want to add an epilepsy warning, or tone it down.
Add a buy all button. On games of this style, they are a must. More so since it's fast paced.
The windows. They should hide/close the others. As of now, the settings window is on top of the upgrade menu, on top of the expanse menu. You can't access the window bellow without closing the one on top. Add also a close window button. Moving the pointer back and forth is not the user experience you want to give the players.
At some point the bulk buy stopped working. You may want to check on that. I tend to switch windows/tabs a lot on my PC.
Onto the actual game:
I don't know were you live, but food business should be up or above the mineral one.
There's a serious unbalance between the first businesses and the last ones, starting in the order of 10^12. This means they quickly get irrelevant in the play-through. Try to add more upgrades for the first businesses.
The upgrades. Move the temporal ones to the main area, you have the space. The limiter for early credits is too low, makes getting levels 2 and 3 irrelevant after a couple of prestiges. You may want to remove the limiter completely.
That will be all for this time. Don't feel pressured nor down. It's a good game overall!
1. That's a tricky question (but a good one). The problem you are stating here is more of a design question. My recommendation is to make small changes, test it, then either scrap it or rebalance, repeat. If it's a game changer, like new mechanics, try it on paper first. With this I mean, try it with different play styles. Often than not, they don't fit with the theme of the game, or change it's core principles. For every mayor change, always ask yourself: with this, is it still your game or a completely different one?
2. About the RTS vs Incremental question, we have to first review what those 2 terms mean (my own based opinion).
RTS stands for Real Time Strategy. Note the key word is strategy, not tactics, so you are compelled to have some form of resource management and giving orders to your troops (either by setting objectives or giving direct orders).
On the the other hand, incremental is a more lenient theme, but it's fundamentally based around resource management, with a focus on progression and the limitless accumulation (game saving is a must in this case). Almost all games with some form of sustainable resource management can be played incrementally. Examples of this are:
The Settlers II. In there, except for minerals, stone and fish, and their derivatives, everything else can be accumulated in your headquarters and storage houses ad infinitum.
Age of Empires, where you can get infinite ore with relics and trading, and buy any other resource with it.
Empire Earth, with the market trait. Set up multiple farms and sell the food. Then you can buy everything else.
Command & Conquer. The tiberium regenerates around those "hollow trunks". It's predecessor, Dune is the same with the spice.
Tzar. This classic has a trade form that allows passive accumulation of any resource with the trade technology. Fields, once setup and manned, never run out. You can also trade resources in the tavern (at a 10 to 1 ratio).
Note all the above are RTS games. The list is endless, buy I thing you got the idea.
Love the game!
I would like to ask for the following (Yes, it's a long list, but don't feel pressured):
The ability to deconstruct/destroy buildings (due to misplacement, for my ocd). I also noted that construction tends to be obstructed by units, but the units don't do collision with buildings. Choose one.
Add hotkeys. For example, assigning numbers for buildings, etc. And make clear the current selection. For example, make a ghost of the building follow the cursor, or make a frame around the selected option (any noticeable effect will do). Keep the selection ongoing till the user deselects. It's cumbersome on the mid game and late game, where the only thing left to do is spam buildings.
Make the pyramid 6x6 instead of the current 5x5. All the other buildings are 2x2, the oddness here doesn't make sense (And I hate that storage bin misaligned).
Make a limit to the amount of units, based on buildings. For example, each gatherer can employ up to 3 workers (arbitrary), and something similar with the military. You could even have the houses work for a population limit (you need the manna anyways to build the other buildings). In that case, how about adding temples to gather the manna/favor instead? Yes, manna is written with double 'n'. Funny, isn't it? Also, add statistics on population.
Make workers and towers be targets too (you can make so with everything, but let's start simple). Currently, you can spam towers and be done for it, since they can't be destroyed.
Try optimizing the game. The assumed workflow per tick should be: Iterate and update logic, iterate and update graphics, skipping drawing over whatever not on the screen (you can add a margin for a smoother camera movement).
As I don't know how you update the map, I can't make better suggestions on how to improve upon it. How about making resources semi permanent, and you have to destroy them manually, using manna/favor? Or use the next day screen to update the map (pausing the logic update loop).
Found it: It was by doing prestige when a bonus popup appears. Seems like it gets triggered and boosts the next run by 20 or something.
At first I tried spacing the max buy all, and going to the nelson scene before prestiging. But then I noticed the bonus on one prestige and then got confirmation. I then prestiged with no bonus on sight, back to normal. Another prestige with the bonus on sight and the boost happened again.
On another note, glad to hear the max issue was fixed!
After posting my comment, I came up with a little suggestion for the clothes and accessories menu: to change it to a drop down list (or a list box or similar). The issue happens after unlocking a lot of girls, since their clothes and accessories get added, making navigation with the left/right buttons a hassle.
Hello, there are some things that are "bugging" me:
1. Could there be an error on the buy max formula? If you click fast enough, you increment your mps (money per second) faster and beyond than by clicking sparsely. I noticed this on earlier versions too, comparing the max to multipliers and in between. Always buying with the x1 turn out to be cheaper (ie: buying 10 times x1 is cheaper in total cost than buying 1 of x10 and so on for the same interval of levels).
2. Switching to another girl resets the settings of futanari, pubic hair, clothes and accesories (wich could be understandable). But switching back does not recover the settings for that girl. If I'm going to pay with prestige currency, I would like the customization on each girl to be persistent. And instead of paying each time, could you, perhaps, make it more like unlockables? (ie: after buying the futa "package" for some girl, I can change between the modes for free).
3. Apparently the names of short slave dress and long slave dress are switched.
Nice game! Finished in 16mins 5 secs (biggest size), but with almost no clicking. I started clicking the left side of the pile of bricks, to bring them closer, but then realized there are more bricks than neccessary. I would like to request an even bigger size!
As suggestion, since it's linear, the ramp could elevate the moment all workers required to finish the current floor have already went up the ramp. This would shorten the waiting time.
Fun fact: Pyramid construction and public works where used as a mean to keep the populace (mostly farmers) occupied from the idle months of the Nile River flood. They had almost no slaves.
Very simple, but loved it! As I always advice: if you add sounds and/or music, always give at least a mute button.
I noticed some sounds are from AoE. How about implementing the basics of that game? Houses for population cap, and farms as passive generators (either implicit or explicit by generating a coin). Then you could move the cost increment from the units onto the buildings. Additionally, since there's terrain acquisition, apply some of The Settlers' mechanics, where expansion is due to military buildings and/or pioneers. There's so much things you can do to the game...
Hmmm, nice game. Progression is too linear, when there's too many factories, the game starts lagging. At about a quarter or less of all the building area filled with factories, the game becomes unplayable. You might wanna check on that (there are optimizations to this very problem on most engines)
Suggestions:
As many stated, the progression it's too linear. Try decreasing the profit per cost on each tier. That way, you can create an efficiency vs space constraint problem.
As for information, building count and slime rate is appreciated. Also, mentioning you get refunded 50% of building on demolition button is nice. Btw, the button is missing the last letter. If it's due to clipping you can either add more space or decrease the font.
Since there's no use for the slime rather than selling them, you can either make the factory produce the coins directly, and leave the slime to the lore; or you can effectively make the factories more functional, ie: the slime generator producing slime balls, which then gets compacted/refined/processed into more profitable tiers/items.
Nice game!
Found a bug:
With at least 2 type of seeds, while holding one of them, if you click on quick plant, the seeds you are holding will disappear, and plant the other one. I found it, thinking I could select the seed to plant, like the produce selling in the market.
As a suggestion, how about adding fertilizer and irrigation? They could help reduce the growing time of crops.
An autoplanter and autoharvest (and even an autoseller) would be good. Could be a repetitive update, each one reducing the interval.
Since there's no actual use for the produce except selling it, how about adding a factory component for turning them into others, more profitable items, like potato into flour, or turnips and carrots into livestock feed?
You can do with even less: 5 batteries, 4 engines, the 3 crewmen, full decked drone bay, and around 15 solar panels, ensuring 4 times the consumption (since it gets reduced to 25% on destination). The consumption of matter is 3x10 + 5 + 4 + 10 = 49. For 240 days of travel, it amounts to 12 tons. Assume 20 tons above the required for travel, which is around 30 tons, so a total of ~50 tons of matter.
Ok... On my second attempt, I almost reached the belt. Nailed on the third. Looked at the code a bit for clues and it's noted:
The matter required is only the one consumed by the thrusters, it doesn't take into account the normal consumption (and remember your drones aren't working during the travel).
Your energy signature will change from the sinusoidal form to peak flat. It also decreases to 25%, which, according to the traveled distance, of 1.2 AU, obeys the inverted square law.
Some suggestions:
A plan flight to the asteroid belt will usually involve an orbit transfer to lunar orbit and then using the gravitational assistance from Earth. This reduces the required costs (and time). Transfer orbit is very cost efficient.
You can then break the travel into 2:
1. Travel to the moon. The drones efficiency will drop (or be disabled). You can counter it with the drones mining the lunar surface or reducing matter launching costs (since Moon's gravity is lesser). Assume a polar orbit, and we'll have sun 100% of the time. It's still possible to save the crew, in case of a mishap.
2. Travel to the asteroid belt. The usual, but the cost is greatly reduced. This allows for a bigger station.
---
I would like a display of the drone matter harvesting and power consumption on the build info. This information IS necessary. Same with the power and matter consumption of the crew, including the credits they generate. Would also love to see the credit generation rate. There is space above the credit display.
---
I don't have a direct account of my matter consumption. Try to mimic the power UI box. Something like first row for production, consumption on the second and the third row for available. This also has the advantage for when implementing a cargo bay in the future (if the game moves into that direction).
If the concern is the screen space, you can try reducing the font on the boxes one or two sizes. This kind of games are played on computers, and assuming a 1024 x 768 monitor display is perfectly acceptable, so you have more space to play with. Since itch.io right side buttons are invasive, we usually play on full screen anyways.
---
What killed my third round was that module building does not take into account the available matter. +93 net positive matter production, still reached bellow zero while constructing a solar panel. Try to implement a fail safe, like pausing construction when matter is extremely low (.1 tons or something), or dynamically adjust the consumption.
So far, that's it.
Loved the game. I would like to make the travel requirements to the asteroid belt adjustable. I mean, when I noticed the travel button, I was over 7000 tons in mass, making the 20 days travel virtually impossible.
How about making the travel time dynamic. In real world, you accelerate for up to half the distance, then turn the ship 180 degrees and decelerate for the same period to a stop.
For that, you use the quadratic equation:
X = accel*(time**2)/2
where X is half the distance from Earth to the asteroid belt
extracting time (replacing X for D/2):
time = sqrt(D / accel)
where D is distance to asteroid belt.
The accel will be in function of the amount of ionic engines by the thrust they give:
accel = amountThrusters * thrustPerEngine
then your requirement for the travel is the amount of energy and mass per second for the thrust.
EnergyRequiredPerSecond = amountThrusters * energyPerEnginePerSecond
MassRequiredPerSecond = amountThrusters * massPerEnginePerSecond
Then, we won't require to have ALL the energy and mass at the beginning of the travel. If I have to travel for 10 years in-game, so be it.
You can suggest the total amount required for the travel, however. Hope this helps.
On another note, I can't progress if i don't travel to the belt (stopped playing here). How about using the data center to do some research, like improving the efficiency of the components, or providing better tech (like nuclear and antimatter). They could provide with bits per second, as a currency. Make the cost non-linear. Additionally, since we can now improve the components, add a way to recycle them.
Oh, and add a way to create a building queue or something similar (allowing, for example, to build 1000 battery stacks). Clicking in the thousands is hella exhausting. Since humans assemble the components, make the time to build dependant on their numbers (within reason, maybe add a cap). A 3 man station would build slower than a crew of 50. And it would be reasonable for a large station to build in batches (using the queue, for example).
Nice game! So far the only bugs I found where 2:
1- It's possible to pick up a little more than the maximum by using scoop 3x3 over more than 1 trash in it's action radius, near the storage limit. This is due to gathering everything without checking space (it's ok, not an exploitable bug, therefore not game-breaking)
2- Clicking very fast near end-game. Since each collecting trash action triggers a noise event, clicking very fast overloads the max amount of simultaneous sounds, and makes the music disappear for a short moment. Try using a separate channel and/or impose a limit to the sounds effects.
Some recommendations: The garbage depot (or bin, however you call it), that shows the score, looks like a button in itself; transfer the shop button functionality to it. This is more of a personal taste though.
