I PLAYED YOUR GAMES! | Game Design Feedback

[@JonasTyroller]

SCHUBSCHCRIBE and play my game Will You Snail! Which advice do you have for the developers of these games? Hope you enjoy the video! :)

[@sanketvaria9734]

Jonas I want you to play my game as well. How do I submit to you?

[@JonasTyroller]

@@sanketvaria9734 I announce these videos beforehand on Twitter, Discord and KZbin with instructions on how to submit. Keep your eyes open for the next round. :)

[@catrop]

I am wondering if I had even stardet with Game Development without your videos... Anyways thank you for your great content I've learned so much! (Btw WYS is one of my fav games 😊)

[@thedraftingax5963]

@@catrop same here

[@1actose]

@@JonasTyroller When you go through the games, does it matter at what time in the window they were submitted? As in do you have a preference of later submissions over earlier submissions or vice versa?

[@SparkeyAvalon]

36:30 Wow! The transition actually hints at the level's new mechanic. The transition was all about moving slices. And that is the first tool you get. Really good game!

[@PenguinjitsuX]

Oh wow, I didn't even realize that it was a secret hint for the next mechanic. That's brilliant!

[@poorman-trending]

A tip to help make more believable “facilities” is to go to a public large building and look at all small details in the floor, walls, and ceilings. E.g, outlets, outlet placements, outlet spacing, etc. when you are walking through buildings, you do not consciously notice these things, but unconsciously you do. The uncanny sense is when these small details are missing. Also, Add some variation to floor and wall textures occasionally.

[@peileed]

I went to a police building for my FPS game and started walking around looking at details and taking notes, they were so nice to put me in one of the cells so I can have more material

[@weirdwontons]

@@peileed same, they even gave me an orange jumpsuit and kept me in there for a week!

[@SnowPeaGames]

The best part of these is always when he goes into Photoshop and I think "how much better can he possibly make it with the two simple tweaks he's mentioned" then it cuts to looking absolutely fantastic. If I was a Dev I'd love this kind of visual feedback

[@philRacoindie]

Congrats to everyone who made into the video! And to those who didn't: there's always a second try! And a third...

[@cscback]

but never forth...

[@JonasTyroller]

Yeah, I mean if I see sb seeing super persistent sending their game multiple times that definitely improves your chances. Haha. :D

[@Martin-fb9pb]

@@JonasTyroller Keep that a secret unless you want a thousand emails from the same guy haha

[@bimboi]

​@@JonasTyroller I swear it was an accident since I was overexcited and messed up the email format! :3

[@SmeddyTooBestChannel]

honestly i wasn't quitie ready to embarass myself in front of a channel with 100k+ subs

[@b2a1c3d4e5]

I think this is my favorite series on KZbin honestly.

[@JonasTyroller]

Happy you enjoy it. :)

[@capsey_]

Fun fact: The first key-code 0451 (4:55) in the second game "Unknown Escape" is easter egg to first key-code in System Shock that became reoccurring easter egg in a lot of games

[@RadPotato2]

You should definitely start reviewing games based on the amount of visible ventilation shafts/ports

[@ArielekGames]

Haha! Thank you for including my game in the video. It's in the last spot, so I've to be a good boy and watch all of the previous entries first! Cheers! Edit: I watched the clip and yeah - the included levels are the harder ones that will appear later ingame. At the time of submission I didn't create more content yet, these are the "proof of concept" levels that I was making the game on. I'm grinding making levels for a while now and I'm doing exactly what you described: slowly introducing different mechanics through way easier levels with low number of tools. Also I love the O-face at 34:58 :D Cheers!

[@prcr364]

The game looks excellent !

[@lotny5492]

Your game looks very polished. It's nice to see that it already has a page on Steam. Keep it up!

[@ronthehuman3618]

Dude!!! Your game looks amazing, I wishlisted it. Hope you'll manage to make a lot of levels because this really has potential.

[@ArielekGames]

@@ronthehuman3618 Thanks! I'll make 150-200 levels at launch (almost made 100 atm) and I will update the game with more content for free if it sells well for sure. Cheers!

[@TheRealLimerock]

Your level transitions is on another level, mind blown! and just like Jonas said, you can't wait to see the next transition animation, its almost like it is the reward for beating the level, so you better keep those up for all the levels! It strikes me as the type of effect someone active in the Demo scene would make ;-)

[@PaulPlay]

The second game would be better with a notepad, so you can write down the clues, numbers etc

[@samhblackmore]

The point about the believability of the lab environment is so true. There's such a fine line between video gamey and real place. That's where Portal (and Half Life games with Black Mesa) really stand out. Just tiny little details like evidence of human life. A coffee cup left behind, papers on a desk, a trash can etc. Portal was at its greatest when you could find a secret area behind a ventilation shaft where someone had been camping out and they'd scrawled on the walls some message or etched marks for each day they'd spent there

[@blueboytube]

My Personal ideas for Biba & Boba & Ladder would be: An extendable ladder where you can choose between two lengths but while changing the length you can only walk in the direction of the ladder. You can’t walk around with a half-extended ladder. Another suggestion would be (maybe as a separate mode) short levels on a timer. Multiplayer Games on a timer are the recipe for chaos and I think that would be really funny. If you’d then make like a level select screen and explore some more game mechanics I would absolutely buy this game it seems really fun!

[@VaibhavShewale]

first Game "Biba & Boba" will be so much fun if he/she creates for Multiplayer it will be damn fun to play

[@heckensteiner4713]

I love the ladder game. My wife and I would have a blast playing something like that.

[@-Teague-]

I'm not a gamedev, but I do play a lot of games so here's my professional opinions lol: (and if you want to use these ideas they are 100% yours go ahead and take them idc) Feedback for the ladder game: 1. What does the name have to do with the game? Because it's not very memorable and I think it's because it feels disconnected from the game itself 2. The game is great it just needs like 736282727 levels lol, preferably with different themes and things ofc 3. To add to Jonas' ladder feedback, maybe instead of dropping ladders, whenever you find a new one you could choose to switch? 4. This is definitely something I'd play and I appreciate the coop focus bc a lot of games don't have that these days which is a bummer Feedback for Unknown Escape: 1. In the opening animation, maybe you could add footsteps to the side so it was clear something was dragging you? 2. Having to read the transceiver thingy is a little boring, no offense. Maybe replace it with some kind of npc like Phone Guy from FNAF or something? 3. At 6:56 when he's counting, I think it would be cool if there were an in-game notepad you held in your left hand and could type notes on. That way it would be more immersive and detective-y plus have an easier time remembering and theorizing stuff. 4. Maybe have more interesting/different styles of doors? 5. More interesting menues would be a big plus 6. It would be nice if the leaves didn't just cut off at the ground The taxi game 1. Just my opinion, I really like this. It reminds me of those slider puzzles at the doctor's office. This kinda thing is what I imagined them as as a kid haha 2. An angry birds style sorta paused screen (like how they show the stars after the levels and you can select menu or continue) for the "stellar" and stuff would be good 3. The unity text could be replaced with space signs or something 4. Maybe make it so there's a reason to go places when there aren't passengers? Like say you are delivering milk or something, lol. Just to add a bit of immersion. 5. The wormholes could look more interesting 6. The background could be more interesting Screw game! 1. I get having a simple plot but the intro isn't very engaging. More animation and less text would be wonderful. Maybe show Miguel snuggling the screws then the villian comes and steals them? 2. Having more dirt to play around in would be fun, I think this game would be really cool if you could build up a ton of momentum and hop between dirt more fluidly, that would be cool to me but I get that that might not be right for the game idea you have 3. Maybe add some enemies? 4. Some general animation/art improvement would be nice but ofc that'll come naturally Swing game! 1. No offense but this premise has been done before so this game needs something to differentiate it. 2. Having the playable character be something other than a ball would be more engaging. Maybe a cute character? 3. The art is the biggest strength of this game so if there was more art and more animation it would be a lot more engaging Please fix the road! 1. I really like the title. I don't know why it just seems very friendly 2. The art is gorgeous! I literally said "wow" out loud it looks really good! It would be nice if the background had more to it though, maybe some clouds moving past or something? Just so there's more detail 3. I don't really like the menu at the bottom. It makes it look more like software and less like a game. Maybe something a little funner looking 4. Same with the controller thingy that could look more engaging 5. I know it's not a full game but it would be nice if there were more road areas of one type before you moved to another. Like more of the lush green and blue of the first one before we transition to desert. Maybe all the levels could fit together into one big map you could look at in 3d and add more to the more levels you beat? Maybe people could even customize it so different people would have different road worlds! That would be so cool :D 6. Overall this game looks great I'd like to play it

[@Wapiozi]

Thank you very much for the valuable feedback for Biba&Boba Ladder game! We will definitely take it into consideration!

[@-Teague-]

@@Wapiozi no problem! It looks great you're doing a good job :)

[@Wapiozi]

@@-Teague- thanks pal! One day you will see this game on Steam page!!!

[@-Teague-]

@@Wapiozi haha well, that's a promise, so keep it 😤 I think this game could work pretty well on mobile too, it would have a "pocket tanks" kinda appeal to it

[@HelperWesley]

Well shoot, I should have submitted my game. That timing would have been perfect. 😅 Also: That edit at the beginning, perfection. Good job Shelfman. 👀

[@_GhostMiner]

Why do you say "shoot"?

[@TheShelfman]

Thanks! Hahaha

[@HelperWesley]

@@_GhostMiner shoot, darn, dang, shucks, etc. 😅

[@Oxey405]

Helper Wesley you watch Jonas Troyller too !

[@HelperWesley]

@@Oxey405 Of course. 😅

[@godraysstudio6763]

Hi Jonas tyroller thank you for playing swing it and thank for giving feedback. I don't understand why music slider does not work maybe its a bug. I will try to make it batter as you suggested and as I can. Thank you

[@Rainder]

you're so awesome for giving other people feedback! especially the photoshop edits help me learn more about UI :3

[@daviddeedev]

Jonas you are a GOD at criticism my guy. I always appreciate watching these types of videos because you bring up great game dev concepts that are easy to miss. Things like distinct silhouettes, input feedback, etc. I'm happy that you can bring these to my attention so I can avoid these design shortcomings myself. I can't wait for your next video Yippie!

[@Baltzius]

I'm 1 minute into the game, and even if a game isn't going to be developed more, feedback isn't bad to get. You see what you can do better in the future, what's good, what's bad. What works even if it's good or bad. So pedagogically it'd still make sense to give feedback.

[@GameDesignThinking]

Please Fix the Road looks just amazing. If the developer fixes the tutorial and the difficulty curve this game can be massive.

[@MidnightSt]

22:10 Cuniculum ooo, nice, an antiplatformer, I applaud the idea =D

[@ViktorsJournal]

I was waiting for these, I hope you will have more time to make these "played your games" videos. :)

[@PossumMedic]

If that ladder game had remote play together and was under $10-$15 I'd get it for sure! :D

[@Wapiozi]

Happy to heart it!

[@bozinoski]

Last game was absolute master piece. Fair criticism about the difficulty curve. It needs to start super simple, literally just flipping one tile, that way tutorial won’t even be needed.

[@CalebSussy]

I didn't even realize I just watched this for 37 minutes. I was smiling the whole time, great video!

[@Hooorse]

I think you should make a list of points, you adress for every game, something like: - Is it fun? - Does it have a good hook? - Does it have a good new-player-experience? etc. That way you have a structure for yourself and ensure that you have feedback for every game.

[@Sandflowgames]

The unknown escape game gave me inspiration to add vents to my game Cus on of the chapters is a facility! Also cool vid

[@rockingdonkeygames5373]

Thanks so much for checking out our game and for all the feedback! If anyone reading this is interested you can wishlist now on steam! store.steampowered.com/app/1987590/Intergalactic_Taxi_Co/?beta=1

[@priestartor9065]

You really listened to his criticism

[@angelo.strand]

Taxi co

[@marcussimmons7003]

most definitely a cool transition

[@flapjacksmike]

For Biba & Boba & Ladder (retr0grape): Great job so far. 🙂 Here are a few suggestions or comments I have. * Make the characters' feet feel more realistic in movement. Right now it feels like they are sort of hovering in place instead of walking their own path if that's possible. * Maybe provide an option for the characters feet to have a subtle walking breadcrumb step so you can get a better sense of the direction from each characters perspective. * Allow for a small arm length buffer between the characters' arms for extending their arms potentially to get around tight edges. It feels like the arms are slightly too rigid. * Add additional balloon types as hazards or bonuses. Like an explosive balloon (reset back to checkpoint or instant restart), poisonous balloon (causes the characters to be slightly more unstable in some way for a short time), lift balloon (allows you to temporarily float with slow control to get to a certain map position). * Maybe orient the stopwatch to a different position more in the corner. Maybe add a best or goal marker underneath for time trials. * Add a gradual fade out of tutorial or supporting text when you overlap with an object or figure out a way to be more in the foreground. It feels odd that the ladder can just go over top of the text and you can't read it. If it's covered, I feel like it shouldn't be visible at all as it becomes distracting. * To me it feels like some of the platforms need more shading to indicate they are on the same height space as I felt a little disoriented watching the character and wanting them to need to jump up to get to a certain area since it felt a little off. * Maybe add some subtle animation to the clouds to make the platforms feel like they are floating. Swooshing clouds , expanding, contracting, etc. * Like Jonas said sound effects are still needed, I would definitely think wind sounds should be in there to make you feel like you are high up in the air. A simple "woah" sound effect when they get the exclamation notifier for being close to an edge would go a long way too. * Weather effects on the level would be a cool dynamic too. Puddles, ice, etc. Have a great day. 🙂

[@Wapiozi]

Thank you very much for the feedback! We enjoyed reading your ideas! So far, we ve already started discussing the possibilities of enhancing the movement system of the game, and some repolishing tor the main tiles also has been made! We are looking forward to see more of your ideas in our twitter: @dush_no keep tuned!

[@WilliumBobCole]

For the ladder game at the start, i think it would be really interesting if the controls were character relative rather than camera relative, so up/down will push/pull the ladder to/from your partner, whilst left/right will rotate your end around your partner as a pivot point. You could obviously make this optional if you or playtesters insist on having this standard control, but I just think the unique controls would really give it its own identity in terms of gamefeel edit: also I agree with jonas, being able to drop the ladder would be cool, you could have a main ladder you need to transport, with other ladders in the level you could use to make your own bridges. that combined with more physical obstacles, so instead of simply avoiding falling, you are having to coordinate to get around obstacles and corners and winding paths, make it more of a maze/puzzle game than one of dexterity. Also verticality, like making ramps, going over/under obstacles, etc. would be cool, though I think this would require quite a different artstyle, not necessarily fully 3D, just cleaner so that depth can be more easily communicated through crisp shadowing and the like.

[@Wapiozi]

Thank you! We are still thinking about the main game mechanics, we really don't want to overcomplicate the game though. The different movement controls could work for puzzle mechanics better than current one, however, it also totally destroys co-op.

[@DownDance]

The last one was such a great game! Mainly because these animations feel so good to look at

[@Koen1702]

25:51 It really reminds me of a mobile game called ‘Stickman Hook’

[@mrrex1415]

Please fix the road looks absolutely awesome!

[@GamedevLlama]

"Saul Goodman" 35:08 Thanks for the nice summary of new indie games Jonas! 🙂

[@adnibhaal]

3:27, I think if the ladder was one of those retractable ladders it would add a lot to the game!

[@amp4105]

was thinking the same, have both players press a key and the ladder retracts or something would be really cool and add a new checkpoint that sets the ladder back to default size so if you retract at the wrong place you cant solve the puzzle

[@asilegames6987]

That last game is better than most AAA titles lmao

[@agent-33]

I love this series. Please make more of this.

[@amoliski]

I think game 2 would be vastly improved by adding a bit of wear on the floors to help differentiate it from the walls/ceilings and make it look like people walk around. Even if they keep the place spotless, there would still be some subtle smudges on a white floor.

[@CatDribble]

That last game looks cool, i just think they need to use a smaller amount of mechanics earlier on and then as they slowly introduce you to newer stuff maybe lower the amount of levels with the more basic stuff, but still sprinkle a few with basic and more advanced so the player doesn't forget about it, that way if there is a really good idea for a level that uses a mechanic from the beginning the play hasn't forgotten how it works

[@Амин-т4х]

35:12 He said "Saul Goodman" omg

[@roberti1290]

Jonas: 9/10 - "Not enough ventilation"

[@robertwallace5498]

the transitions on the last game are bananas

[@OKayD3N]

The sussy imposter needs more vents

[@lacucarachagommo1672]

jonas belike: IT NEEDS SOME AIRRRRRR IN NEED TO FEEL LIKE I HAVE TO BREATH EVEN IF I DON'T HAVE TO BECAUSE ITS A GAME

[@ffffffadsgasdgad]

Love watching these! I got the idea to play indie games on stream by you, so thank you 😆

[@JonasTyroller]

Awesome. We need more people doing this. Happy to have you on board.

[@k4shito]

Biba & boba, просто гении названий

[@vamp40]

ага))) сразу видно наших гениев

[@thewoodpeckers655]

Yes shelfman that was very cool That was actually super cool good job

[@memile]

To be honest, I think this is my favorite youtube series ever.

[@imperatorteo8885]

Oh lol like 5 - 6 years ago I watched your german channel, and now I find you again and you have 140k subs pretty sick bro keep it up. And the gamemaker tutorials from 5 years ago were nice :D

[@halfsine]

someone: *explaining how their game works* me: i like your funny words, magic man.

[@nanardeurlambda]

actually, I think having diferent pixel sizes between foreground and background allows for more visual separation, and can provide some new esthetic effects.

[@daniteichert2356]

Intergalactic taxi Co is so cool, played it!

[@nischalthapa2460]

0:36 Damn that was really cool transition. Your editor is cool

[@jozimastar95]

22:47 that was an idea for game jam that we supposeted to make games with gliches and the player was lagging into the ground

[@Mix_009]

34:55 XD I give that game "that face"/10

[@daniteichert2356]

Intergalactic taxi Co is my favourite!

[@alexandrebecker9290]

These videos inspire me positively. I start thinking "I need to go back to work on my game".

[@Killerkiki313]

I’d love for Intergalactic Taxi to be a mobile game. I would totally solve those puzzles while listening to podcasts.

[@MrCrompz]

Unknown Escape looks really good.

[@Kuhtlass]

That last game was sick. The transitions alone would want me to complete the level.

[@Glados44]

THE VENTILATION SHAFT HAS TO BE ALL THE WAY ON THE FACILITY BECAUSE I LOVE THE VENTILATIONS ! XD loving your videos Jonas !

[@davidmunizwessels8520]

Please make another one, it really helps seeing this in my own games :)

[@hectorwashere]

The last game's transitions are crazy. Woaw.

[@Gurem]

Holy shit that last game was interesting. That style of game is one I normally wouldn't glance at since I'm mainly an arpg dude but those transition captivated me and the puzzles were actually well thought out to make you think which completely rids me of any complaints I had about the type of game it is. (Usually the puzzles are meh and it's UI hell)

[@the_clown]

Yeah that last game made me subscribe

[@K_J_Coleman_Composer]

Unknown escape looks good, I would like a more convoluted and mysterious story surrounding all the elements, like why that document book exists

[@danyalmalik4245]

Custom level designer would be cool for the first game ngl

[@Lugmillord]

34:57 and 35:59 and 37:00 That was incredible!

[@Wapiozi]

Argh, couldn't believe we have made it into the video!! Thank you, Jonas, that means a lot to us. Since the Biba&Boba&Ladder just has started its' production we didn't expect to be chosen at all. By sending the submission we just wanted to figure out if the concept of the game could be attractive for players! And thank you to everyone in the comments who have left some valuable feedback for us! We are charged very positively and aim at finishing the game as soon as possible! Join our freshly created community and keep tuned! Twitter: @dush_no

[@mr_h831]

Jonas: "The gameplay needs more variety" Also jonas: *makes a game where the main complaint is lack of variety* Lol

[@tristunalekzander5608]

Cool transition there

[@dragoran149]

I need moooooooooore. I like this series, can't get enough of it.

[@thedraftingax5963]

This looks a lot of fun, already! In fact, I’m working on a game, right now that I’m helping my friend and his friends, out with! Once we’re done with it, we’ll submit it for you to play it! But, it’s actually going to be a really long game, though, since it’s like a couple of hours long, anyways, so I don’t think you’ll finish it in just one video.

[@nxtboyIII]

"not sure why it has 3 colors but I guess why not" lollol

[@gamerninjask6746]

4:24 "I think i saw this somewhere" *Karlson flashback intesifies*

[@alexeinuville2555]

0451 is an easter egg for the Deus Ex series, in the first game there was a door in the Unatco Headquarters that had that code, and later in DX:HR is the code for the first security door in the first mission post surgery (now I'm starting to doubt the locations but the code being present in both games is solid bc I've used it in multiple paythroughs)

[@FilletDev]

1:11 i think it mightve been the other dude falling

[@JonasTyroller]

Oh, true. Shame on Shelfman for the misleading edit. Hope you can forgive us. Haha. :D

[@mr_h831]

You know what you should've added to will you snail? Collectables. Personally, I find when I play platformers, collectables motivate me to finish the game, because I have something to do other than follow the story, which is not always the most compelling. Of course I haven't played your game yet, so I can't say wether or not your story isnt compelling enough, however given you spent a decent amount of time on it in the dev logs, I would assume your story is at least somewhat compelling. In any case, to me, platformers just arent the same without the collectables. :P

[@janetmarie85]

"hey this is jonas" and puts a picture of him on him

[@kyuuketsukikun420]

As someone who has worked in maintenance it makes sense that the only lightbulbs they have are incompatible because otherwise they’d have been used

[@JonasTyroller]

Hehe. True. :D

[@Im_Justice.]

The last game have heck of a potential... I really liked it...

[@Betruet]

You really did make that taxi game "pop". Well done :)

[@flapjacksmike]

For Unknown Escape (AlonellyFox): Love the portal feel to this game definitely want to follow development on this one. 🙂 Here are a few suggestions or comments I had. * Instead of prompting the player with the controls right at the beginning try introduce them to each as they need to use them. Exploration is a tool for the tutorial parts of these types of maps that makes it more immersive. You could still leave the controls in like the pause menu or something for those that don't want to learn gradually. * It feels weird to have a message receiver at the beginninf. Maybe make it like a business phone someone left. * The building feels a little too prestine for the ceiling, wall, and floor. Do the janitors work all the time there? I feel like some occassional stain textures or cracked tiles might make it more immersive. * I did see I think some z-fighting @11:07 between the tiled wall and the leaves. Have a great day. 🙂

[@BaDbOy-wj1ii]

Desperate guy

[@jakerbaker3386]

This was really cool to watch such beautiful games! It motivates me to finish my own game!

[@IsaacCode95]

funny i was just looking for a video like this in your channel! love those, working on one myself hoping to finish it sometime and send it too !

[@michaelhannappel1999]

wait, that last game is actually insane!!!

[@rupa6354]

Me: How is the game? Tryoller: It has ventilation shafts.

[@gamemakersgear1611]

lol

[@HaxzploiD]

The title I love seeing the most!

[@DATECStudio]

Last Game ... WOW!

[@kairon156]

I really like the ideas for Please fix the road and Intergalactic taxi. I don't get to see fun simple games very often, Other than those mobile shovel ware games.

[@crazzykai]

that transition was cool

[@kthelemon]

10:32 because you're not gonna go to the floor you're already at

[@OrangePizzaGames]

But which floor are you already at? Is four above or below you? Are you on the first floor and the 1 is beneath?

[@parsa1702]

last one is a proper mobile game. with good marketing it can be a success

[@lavallion7471]

Oh btw.. I mentioned wys in my English abi because Squid is just very similiar to Frankensteins monster (Just as an A.I., dont know if you noticed that)

[@Ravuy]

habe noch nie so ein gutes denglisch gehört aber for real geile videos

[@777omen]

If there are a lot of high quality games, do you think you could make a part 2 of that video ?

[@CudesniVuk]

Your my favourite youtuber! Keep up playing games and (I hope youl make another one someday) being awesome.

[@Reddhero12]

at 1:14, the character on the right is why you took damage, not the left