Summary

This week is about listening and refining. We’ve received valuable feedback from the client, our instructors, and the play testers. While we’re eager to tackle every suggestion right away, it’s important to acknowledge that not all of them can be implemented within a single week. As a result, we’ve focused on prioritizing the most crucial feedback, making the necessary updates, and preparing ourselves for the ETC playtests scheduled for Saturday. 

Narrative

We worked on refining the existing narrative lines, adding more choices, ensuring a more engaging and cohesive storyline. Simultaneously, we’ve made substantial progress in the development of episode 2, shaping the next chapters of the story.

Art

In an effort to enhance player immersion, we’ve introduced character-specific accessories, making it easier for players to distinguish between different characters. 

UI

To improve the overall user experience, we’ve introduced a navigation tutorial, making it easier for players to navigate the game world. Additionally, we’ve created interactive computer screen interfaces, making in-game interactions more dynamic. The Task and Takeaway panels have also been updated for a more user-friendly experience. Furthermore, we’ve added self-thought bubbles, making them different from the dialogue boxes.

Programming

In programming, we’ve introduced a playable interaction: the process of making coffee, adding a hands-on dimension to the gameplay. We’ve also fine-tuned the scale of checkpoints to better align with the player’s progress. The integration of new UI assets has been executed seamlessly. Character lighting has been improved, enhancing the visual quality of the game. We’ve diligently addressed and resolved various bugs to ensure a smoother and more enjoyable gameplay experience.

In addition to these improvements, we’ve implemented a robust logging system for comprehensive data collection. Moreover, players now have the option to personalize their in-game character by choosing a custom name. Furthermore, we included a ‘back’ button within the narrative box for enhanced convenience.

ETC Play Test Day

We delivered an enhanced experience before ETC playtest day. We also crafted a survey to gather valuable player feedback. Additionally, we recorded detailed in-game interaction data, which will undergo thorough analysis to inform our ongoing development efforts.