[Game] Idolcraft

[flowerthief]

I appreciate the feedback, all.

Yeah, I was wondering what I could do to give more direction in the beginning. I prob'ly wouldn't use a "pick up jobs" line, as it might be misleading since part-time jobs are not really important early on. What's important is that the player be looking for idols. Since most of the clues about where idols are at first come from talking to NPC's, I suppose I could give a nudge to the effect that they should be asking around the city for information.

The project is essentially done, btw.

 

[Sabao]

As long as you're working on it, there's always room for improvement. You're not quite done til you actually drop work on it.

I'm gonna give this another play through to see what other goodies I'll find.

 

[Swordsaint892]

I kinda like how it's vague at the beginning like that.  It's probably smartest for the game maker.  It kinda makes you want to play through another time to see what else you can get and do.  And then another time.  And then another time.

If anything, nothing really needs be simplified.  I pretty much understood that you have to run around and find Idols and make them trust you, get them to join you, then train them. 

And enough people on the streets give you enough clues.  Sure they walk fast, but your character's pace is actually faster.  I found the best thing to do if you want to talk to a random NPC is to just run in front of their path, that way they stop for you.

 

[flowerthief]

Thanks for the feedback.

Right, I don't want to sacrifice multilinearity. The trick is to get the player hooked while staying true to the gameplay. The first 5 minutes of a game are critical; a lot of players are gonna stop playing if they're not into it by then. I think if they're still playing Idolcraft after a few days (days in game time I mean!) they will keep playing, but how to instill a sense of purpose without overwhelming the player with all the options you're giving them? It's a tricky problem for simulations. The first time I played "The Sims" I was pretty overwhelmed myself what with the zillions of things you can buy for your house, etc.

04-30-08 - New update with bug fixes and stuff.

 

[perch]

Hello, I actually just downloaded this a few days ago and am now thoroughly addicted.

I did notice a couple of weird things during my various playthrough:

Spoiler

After I used the cheat bush, btw clever one there, I ended up looking up Japanese cities to figure it out, I noticed the game started to drag/lag a bit. Even after I saved and quit completely out that save would still drag a little.

Every once in a blue moon the game will also spaz and crash (it's happened twice so far). It just reminds me to remember to save often, especially after big events.

One time it crashed when two of my girls were going to go to the cosplay event, the other time during Kazune's drunk attack scene, it locked up when she tried to kiss me. I did stop the guy on the street before he had a chance to get behind the house and it caused her to do her entire sequence while she was behind the building and I was in the middle of the street.

Also I have a question about getting one of the idols.

Spoiler

I'm having problems getting Fumi, the ex-idol. I've managed to find her in the street behind the studio and then walk in on her talking to Masuyo (sp?) and asking about her picture. After I got the lighter and retrieved her photo, I couldn't find her. Does she wander around or is she in a specific house or is it a fortune based event to see her again? I'm thoroughly confused!

My favorite idols go Nanaka <- Bunny <- Kazune. I also really like Sachie and the green haired one, Tomoki? Tomoko?

I think the only thing I would wish for in this game is specific endings for each of the girls, but that's the story freak in me talking. Otherwise I really like your game and am looking forward to your next release!

 

[flowerthief]

Thanks a lot for that.

I don't suppose you remember what the error message said when it crashed during the cosplay event? Any other information you can supply would be helpful.

Finding Fumika

Spoiler

There are three places where she might show up on any given day.
1. Walking around the northwest part of town
2. Walking around the west part of town.
3. Standing inside the diner
Some days she won't show up anywhere, so you might just have to wait. In addition, if you don't have the lighter yet, she may stop showing up at all for awhile (until you get the lighter).

 

[perch]

Thank you for the tips on Fumika. I never saw an error for when the game crashed, usually it would just lock up and I'd let it sit there for a few minutes (in case it's my computer, because it could always be my computer) and then occasionally try to click enter/space to see if I just needed to prod it, then it'd just shut down.

 

[flowerthief]

Okay, thank you. If you by chance ever capture a save prior to one of those errors, you could help me out a ton by sending me it. I did find the problem with the drunk man. v1.6 should fix a few errors.

 

[onimusuko]

Orz,this is kewl! OwO
i like this kind of game!i hope you continue updating it,so there will be always something new in the game

 

[flowerthief]

Heh, well, I don't intend to update it for anything other than bug fixes now. I hope it can entertain for a little while

 

[Nix]

I just downloaded this game, and let me say... wow. If anyone's reading this right now,  :straightthumb:

Play this game.

 

[perch]

I did find one bug that I hope I successfully caught in a save file.

Spoiler

When I walk down to talk to Kazume after dark even if I speak to her or miss her on the bottom right of the construction site, there will be another Kazume who will tell my character that she's going to go to bed. It's not much of a bug, but I figured I'd mention it. http://www.mediafire.com/?ny0tvjalced - The Save File.

 

[flowerthief]

Thanks for that!

Spoiler

perch: I think you must have saved after the fact because I can't produce the effect from your save, but I know exactly why it was happening.

 

[Kyla_Alexa]

were can i find the papers for bunny...

and what item has the most trust??

 

[Kyla_Alexa]

bump. what does yumi nanako bunny australian model like the most item s0o0o i could buy them.... and were does the (girl with the grandma who likes salmon) always go i can't teach her anything...

 

[seven]

Don't bump until it's been 3 day's time. Also, work on your english. It's a bit hard to make it out.

 

[Kyla_Alexa]

0o0o0oh sorry.... my keyboard is kinda crazy s0o0o im lacking letters....

 

[flowerthief]

For giving items

Spoiler

The jewelry store is expensive, but the jewelry you can buy there increases trust substantially.

Bunny

Spoiler

Have you searched her office? Have you ever stumbled upon her on the town when she was drunk?

Airi

Spoiler

She appears every three days at her house, and every saturday at the park.

 

[tru0001]

Well I have just finished my first game and it was soooo fun!! this is my results

http://img133.imageshack.us/img133/2467/idolsjx9.jpg[/img]

and lol to the references to the japanese singers such as "Mai Otsuka" (Ai Otsuka) lol I loved this game I had Bunny the three in the pic and also the school girls ^_^

 

[light123]

WHY ITS SOOOOOOOO FUN WHY IS IT ONLY 3 MONTHS NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO anyways
Erina got 4th in rankings and 469 points