Did This Mistake RUIN My Factory Game??

[@TheShelfman]

Which monster design do you like best so far?

[@Floky]

Obviously the ball looking one!

[@TheShelfman]

@@Floky shocker🙃

[@HoodedOlive]

Obviously the second placeholder. I mean it’s just beautiful

[@TheShelfman]

@@HoodedOlive it's every artist's dream design, I know

[@CodeMonkeyUnity]

Iteration on the game design is indeed one of the most important parts of game development, very few things will go perfectly the first time, learning to analyze what is wrong and how to fix it is an extremely useful skillset. Great job!

[@TheShelfman]

Definitely. I'm glad I stuck with it to figure it out. Thanks for watching 😁

[@TheIndieAccord]

I made a factory game (Fruit Factory) and went through all the exact same stages as you! Here are some things that we did: 1. Limit the size and shape of the play area, so they cant just build every machine they want right where they want it. Long and skinny area? Area that has a choke point? If there are two customers on the other side of a wall and only one space to build a conveyor through that wall, they will have to combine and then resort them later. 2. Put some stuff in the level that they have to use, like predefined spawning locations. Like say in one level you cant build the eyeball generator, but there is already one in the zone that you have to work with/around. 3. My game was a little more cozy, so instead of making money a limited resource, I made it so you get more stars the less money you spend. 4. I also got rid of the strike system, and instead made it an average system. If you deliver the right thing on average 80+% of the time you satisfy the customer. The other 20% is like when you receive a curly fry in your regular french fries ;). Our game was more random though, so idk if this will work. Would love to talk more design, factory games are so cool!

[@TheShelfman]

Thanks for all the tips! They're incredibly useful 😄 1. The play area grows with time depending on the positions of the delivery point, so that available space can still be a problem later on. 2. I like this idea. Levels in monster shopper won't be like puzzles you have to solve, but rather try and survive as long as possible. So this one would be a little harder in that context, but I'd love to try some stuff out. 3. Same thing as with point 2. Because it's basically infinite, I think limited resources are a great solution. But for your game, that's a solid design choice! 4. The strike system was definitely flawed. It took the fun out of it for me, so that one was gone the second I realised it was the main problem. I'm not sure if I want to make it more difficult somehow, but I'll figure that out. Currently the delivery points accept everything, they just don't count it as a correct delivery if it's not what they want. And if they don't get the correct one too long, you're game over! I appreciate the help, factory games are the best😁

[@AIAdev]

i love the story-telling in this and change of feel.

[@TheShelfman]

Thank you! I'm really happy to hear that, cause I spent a lot of time on figuring out the story for this one haha

[@icoso]

Really cool vid, Shelf!! Love the cinematic moments, definitely adds a lot to the style of your projects :D Love how you shared the very real struggles that indie devs come across with their games, and it was inspiring to see you overcome the self-doubts! Can't wait to see future updates!! ^^

[@TheShelfman]

Thanks! I appreciate that a lot😁 Yeah I failed so hard that I figured I'd make a whole video about it haha

[@tateallen9972]

I find myself checking your channel hoping for a new video more often than I’d like to admit. Your games and video content are seriously great. Hope you’ve been well!

[@TheShelfman]

That is very kind of you, thank you 😁 I am working on a new video! It's gonna take a little while because it's quite big, but it'll be worth it, I promise!

[@GamesBySaul]

Great video! Always love devlogs that talk about the struggles of game dev and I think you went through a struggle and came out on the other side of it even more powerful! :P But yeah the issue you faced was an annoying one, battling between making the game too complex or too simple, so I think you found a great middleground!

[@TheShelfman]

Thanks Saul! It definitely was quite the struggle, but I'm happy with the end result😁

[@HoodedOlive]

Awesome video! I’m glad you actually talked about some issues with game development. Much to often do we skip over that stuff so that the video stays entertaining. You managed to talk about it and make it fun to watch. Nice video!

[@TheShelfman]

Thank you! I'm glad you liked it. It's important to share the struggles as well😄

[@HoodedOlive]

@@TheShelfman Absolutely. I try to mention them in my videos as well. Make it feel more real and human

[@zawdan606]

Great devlog, I admire that you didn't give up. I will definitely buy the game. Just one question, what about your survival card When Summer Falls? Will you continue this project?

[@TheShelfman]

Thanks so much! When Summer Falls is currently not being worked on. But it's not to say I never will again. I've struggled a bunch with finding a good artstyle and a few things game-design wise I didn't quite like. But it might happen again! Thanks for still showing interest 😁

[@zawdan606]

@@TheShelfman I just think it's a really good idea to combine a survival game and a card game, especially since in the last devlog you took inspiration from Inscryption, which I really like. If you have a problem with the art style, why not ask your viewers to send you some suggestions?

[@Gnomable]

The core idea is fantastic and I'm glad you were able to solve the problems to stick with it. I hope the goals aren't too specific so you can get a little creative with the monster designs.

[@TheShelfman]

Thanks! What do you mean? It's completely randomised with a bunch more options, and it'll get harder with time probably. But the combined designs could look really fun and silly for sure!

[@Gnomable]

@@TheShelfman I was just thinking about goals that aren't asking for specific items or colors so the player could customize with whatever colors or parts they have on hand. For example, a monster needs eyes but you can use any eyes to complete the goal.

[@TheShelfman]

@@Gnomable hmm I'll be sure to think about it. Thanks!

[@Skeffles]

It's great to see how you enjoy playing your game! Especially after all these mistakes, that's a great sign.

[@TheShelfman]

I'm glad I still enjoy it, yeah. Quite the learning curve😂 Thanks for watching!

[@conaticus]

great editing!

[@TheShelfman]

Thanks man!😁

[@NeatGames]

Awesome job saving it :D More chill gameplay is a great idea fo sho~

[@TheShelfman]

Thank you!😁

[@valentineDev]

dude, the editing and storytelling in this video are insane! The game also kinda reminds me of shapez

[@TheShelfman]

Thanks, Valentine 😁 Yeah it's definitely a great inspiration as well

[@RobLang]

A devlog with actual game design in it! Amazing! Very entertaining and I liked your solution. Have you had many playtesters that aren't you?

[@TheShelfman]

I'm glad you liked it😁 I haven't yet. There's still a lot to figure out before I can do that, but I think it might be in maybe 2 devlogs from now?👀

[@copsol]

The irl cutscenes are such a highlight of your vids, they make me audibly laugh

[@TheShelfman]

Thanks so much! I'm glad you like those😁

[@DangerDurians]

It would be neat to hook up a system like this to a tower defense style game Idea : For the splitter, if you make it a single tile wide and make it check for additional splitters next to it, it might add a layer to the gameplay letting you make really long splitters

[@TheShelfman]

A game like that already exists actually (funny enough it's called Mob Factory, which was what I originally wanted to name the game) Not a bad idea, but I'm not sure it's something I'd want to do, but I'll definitely consider it!😁 Thanks!

[@Dom_R_222]

You could change the spawners to crafters that need somekind of input to make things, and then have somekind of raw resource provider randomly spawn in similar to the delivery points. That way there'd be more randomness that they'd have to adapt to, resulting in less generally applicable designs, meaning the player would have to do more improvising. It'd be comparable to how mini-motorways provides random sources of vehicles (the houses) and forces you to bring them to random delivery points of vehicles (the malls and stuff). Except in this case, rather than just routing the resources being the challenge, there's an extra step of crafting. Idk, it's just an idea. You seem pleased with the current design of your game, I don't wanna change your mind or anything.

[@TheShelfman]

That's an interesting idea. Thanks! I'll definitely consider it😁

[@makra42069]

Can already see "Lets Game It Out" play it

[@TheShelfman]

He'd destroy it in ways I didn't know would be possible 😭

[@theempireofstud]

Ohh god that must have been soooo annoying damn nice video its very underrated!

[@TheShelfman]

It was quite the struggle yeah haha Thanks for watching 😁

[@FriedMonkey362]

Make a bad piggies like game, where you build all sorts of vehicles

[@TheShelfman]

Hmm maybe! Not something I'd be working on right away, but could be something fun for the future

[@ErickTG]

You should make a card based, so you have cards for belts or machines, similar to train games that gives you tracks

[@TheShelfman]

I won't be doing that with this game, but I have definitely been thinking about making a card based factory game!

[@Cybarxz]

Wishlisted !!

[@TheShelfman]

Thanks!

[@ZDashGD]

the only one video that I was waiting for, really cool ! a beautiful game, well done! :D

[@TheShelfman]

Thanks so much! I'm glad you liked it😁

[@gameboyatron1405]

I love how you sound most tired defeated at the end when youre showing off your fix for the issue hahaha. Seems like you found a great solution though!

[@TheShelfman]

I was definitely exhausted at that point😂 Thanks for watching!

[@Unpaid_Worker]

I had a idea so the delivery point can only change colours after time and then there is going to be a new painting machine that can paint every colour.

[@TheShelfman]

As in paint every colour at once, rather than the selected one?🤔

[@Floky]

Add glowing p... nvm... this is getting old XD

[@TheShelfman]

😂

[@ellano5_]

Booky going out for milk again smh

[@TheShelfman]

Typical 😭

[@NexusBaum]

test your game off pc, if you can! just cut out a few pieces on paper.

[@TheShelfman]

That's definitely a great idea. I should try that more in the future!