Atypicals Prototypes

Hi Markus!

Lost in Creation

For time of creation :

I understand that, here the left mouse button icon stays red for quite a while to indicate that the click must be held down.

But I'll do what's necessary to make it more explicit if needed. Did you get past the black screen where the flame is alone? That's information I'm interested in.

I have already some players, who didn't understand how to interact in this screen, and others who figured it out on their own. It's interesting to see how players behave. (fix minor is planned for here)

The balance between cryptic and guided gameplay isn't easy :)

Cool that you liked the intention!

Path to Dusk's Soul

For the intro text :

Yes, I think I'll simply make the text accessible via keyboard to address that, very good point!

For the wind intro sequence:

Should I infer that you didn't get past the first screen? The wind phase only lasts about 5 seconds, you know. Anyway, I'll take your feedback and impressions into account! If you happen to come back here, I'd like to know if you feel you missed the heart of the 2 experiences ? (Especially for Lost in Creation)

In any case, thank you for your feedback, which will be helpful!

For others who are curious or interested, your constructive comments and sincere support are welcome, to improve the experiences.

Take care, See ya!

Hi Markus, great to read you again!

Did you get past the black screen where the flame is alone? That's information I'm interested in.

No, I held and clicked around, but didn't figure it out sadly.

Okay, so if you try again, just take your time creating. (It takes quite a while.) You're not the only one here who doesn't know what to do. Once again, some feedback is probably lacking here.

Let's see I walked off the cliff, down to the ruins where structures are falling. There was one that killed me multiple times. I bet this is just a skill issue =D

Yes, there are some tricky parts. Are you using the flame mechanics? It can help you progress by protecting you. And make other things too ;)

BUT, yes, moving was so slow my wrist started hurting. :S

Okay, I see what you mean. Yes, the movement is slow. Indeed, it's a deliberate choice, reinforcing Kaldalius's state (again, I'm keeping your comment in mind).

Indeed, I'm going against the grain of typical gamers' habits. The games are quite slow, you have to take your time, but they're also very short.

• Lost in Creation can be finished in 3 minutes once you know it.
• Path to Dusk's Souls, can be finished in about ten minutes.
• Both games have an ending, open to interpretation.

Hmm, I think I by the virtue of having had experience with this genre can see where the mood/idea is possibly going, but didn't quite get there in reality.

Yes, progressing, observing, understanding the gameplay, and finishing them helps to understand the lore and perhaps grasp the hidden metaphor. There's a rather profound message behind them, even when connecting them.

You are welcome! I hope this has been at least a little helpful.

Thanks and... absolutely, your feedback is very valuable! It's great too, to see that you're trying to understand the substance, not just the form :)

Thank you very much again, probably see you next time!

Here some things can help:

Hi again Markus :)

Now I managed to get a little further. Didn't manage to keep the oblivion at bay though (if that even is possible). So every round I learned a little something new about the lights, but it is still a bit of a guesswork and mystery how they interact between each other.

Cool, this feedback is really nice, and you are on the right track. It's this interest that I hoped to achieve, that's how I thought of Lost in Creation. I confirm to you that there is a way to escape oblivion.

I did note the dim spheres around the lights, but they were barely visible. I recommend increasing their visibility as I almost missed them.It seems like there is an area around a light where one cannot create a new one? Seemed like it. Not sure. Or maybe there is a cool down? Unsure. Maybe these issues are easily solved with feedback and reactions to player actions. Visual, or audio.

Yes, what you are talking about is indeed a zone where we cannot create, I had to limit the creation zones to balance the difficulty. Once again, I take note of your remark :)

Also, after 4 (or did I do 5?) tries, I again feel a strain in my wrist. I am using a Logitech MX Master 3S mouse which requires some effort before it clicks so I feel I am straining a little as I hold. I recommend you find an alternative input method. Maybe a brief click and hold to commit to a location and then a circling motion without the need to hold the mouse key? Holding a key for an extended period of time doesn't feel physically good, but a soft rotating motion might even release some strain if there was some before. Though you would have to consult a specialist on this one :D

That's the hardest thing to change. Your idea of ​​circular movement is not bad, really. But it's difficult to implement, unfortunately, for now I can't make such a profound gameplay change like that. But I'll think about it.

It is a fragile balance fighting against how we have been conditioned to instant gratification. If there is no feedback, I start questioning my action. If I see no reaction, I try something different, but maybe the first one was right after all and I just didn't wait long enough. Then there is the timer ticking. I need a solution or I am going to fail.

That's so true! You understood and summarized it well, and that's also my current difficulty in sharing it, in our habits of instant gratification, exactly. Of course, it's raw, it's a prototype, it lacks feedback, and it's feedback like yours that improves it. But the goal is also for the player to invest themselves, to question things, and to experiment.

Once more, Thanks for your very detailed feedback and your involvement :) I imagine there are probably still some mechanics you haven't seen. One thing that might help: the introduction gives clues to understanding the goal.

Here are some important clues that could help you:

Thanks again, take care!