Played this via Steam... you should probably let people know the demo has a 20-minute time limit (which is barely enough time to do searches and keep detailed notes like a good detective). First playthrough attempt got me as far as 3 searches before it booted me out. Had to start keeping notes in my ACTUAL notepad just so I could track it across 4 demo playthroughs. I have a lead suspect, I just need to figure out how he did it and where she is.
People expect limited features in a demo. They don't expect to be kicked out of the game entirely in 20 minutes.
thanks for the comment! Yeah perhaps the timer wasn’t the right move, this is my first game so I am learning as I go! I hope you’ll try the full game when it is released. :)
Some games do have time-based demos, but it's usually based on in-game time (like running a cafe for three days for example) or objectives (such as solving one case out of a dozen). For a game like this, I think limiting features necessary for progression is all you really need, which you already have. Not enabling the email feature works fine to prevent players from reaching the end of the case, though a little note that says "Available in full game!" or "Not in demo" might be helpful to avoid confusion.
But, for your first game, it looks very promising! I'll definitely check out the full game when it comes out.
I've just got a black screen and nothing's happening? Even if I try this in the Itch app instead of on the website. Is there something wrong with start-up?
Okay, clearing the cache did the trick! I've been able to play the game to a point, but can't go any further. I can't find anything on Biscuit. I've got notes from the historical society, on Mason Industries, the TechFusion merger, and I've got the picture from the article about Victoria's disappearance. By the way, the original notes say that she disappeared in June, but the article is from March. I can't find anything about the 3 suspects on the search engine. I'm guessing that when the full game is released, we'll be able to find more information? Also, the formatting in the article might need tweaking, unless online newspaper articles looked like that in the 90s. (I wasn't looking up the newspaper online back then; we didn't even have a PC until 1999, lol.) Anyway, enjoying the game! It feels like playing 'The Roottrees Are Dead' all over again, but with a new mystery, and something where we're actually trying to find a missing person. It's great! Will it be on Steam?
thanks so much for the feedback, Grace! This is super helpful! I’d love to reach out to you when the game is further along for you to beta test it, if you’re interested!
You got as far as you can in the demo! If I can figure out how to put it on Steam, I will! This is my first game so I’m just figuring everything out as I go. 🥰
Happy to help with any testing! I've only ever done interactive fiction since Twine is as complicated as I can go with coding (child of the 90s, born 1989, so never learnt coding at school, le sigh). Well, I'm glad to know I investigated as far as I could. Hoping Biscuit survives! I think you do have to pay Steam to host your game, but you're bound to get Nancy Drew fans interested, plus 'The Roottrees Are Dead' fans, and those games are all on Steam. So it might be worth it in the long run. It's up to you. There are people on Youtube, like Thomas Brush and Jonas Tyroller, who post videos about how to make successful games on Steam, so they might have relevant videos on how to boost Steam sales and the like? Including how to post on Steam? Because I don't have my financial details on here, though I probably should so I can buy games which are only on here.
I totally feel you, I only learned very basic coding in college, but some of those principals are helping me make this game!
Great information about Steam - thank you for sharing! I started doing some preliminary research and I might be able to figure out how to get it added to Steam!
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Played this via Steam... you should probably let people know the demo has a 20-minute time limit (which is barely enough time to do searches and keep detailed notes like a good detective). First playthrough attempt got me as far as 3 searches before it booted me out. Had to start keeping notes in my ACTUAL notepad just so I could track it across 4 demo playthroughs. I have a lead suspect, I just need to figure out how he did it and where she is.
People expect limited features in a demo. They don't expect to be kicked out of the game entirely in 20 minutes.
thanks for the comment! Yeah perhaps the timer wasn’t the right move, this is my first game so I am learning as I go! I hope you’ll try the full game when it is released. :)
Some games do have time-based demos, but it's usually based on in-game time (like running a cafe for three days for example) or objectives (such as solving one case out of a dozen). For a game like this, I think limiting features necessary for progression is all you really need, which you already have. Not enabling the email feature works fine to prevent players from reaching the end of the case, though a little note that says "Available in full game!" or "Not in demo" might be helpful to avoid confusion.
But, for your first game, it looks very promising! I'll definitely check out the full game when it comes out.
Is the email button working? I want to contact the historical society
Not yet - maybe in the full game :)
I've just got a black screen and nothing's happening? Even if I try this in the Itch app instead of on the website. Is there something wrong with start-up?
that’s happened to me before too. Try clearing your cache! Lmk if that doesn’t work.
Okay, clearing the cache did the trick! I've been able to play the game to a point, but can't go any further. I can't find anything on Biscuit. I've got notes from the historical society, on Mason Industries, the TechFusion merger, and I've got the picture from the article about Victoria's disappearance. By the way, the original notes say that she disappeared in June, but the article is from March. I can't find anything about the 3 suspects on the search engine. I'm guessing that when the full game is released, we'll be able to find more information? Also, the formatting in the article might need tweaking, unless online newspaper articles looked like that in the 90s. (I wasn't looking up the newspaper online back then; we didn't even have a PC until 1999, lol.) Anyway, enjoying the game! It feels like playing 'The Roottrees Are Dead' all over again, but with a new mystery, and something where we're actually trying to find a missing person. It's great! Will it be on Steam?
thanks so much for the feedback, Grace! This is super helpful! I’d love to reach out to you when the game is further along for you to beta test it, if you’re interested!
You got as far as you can in the demo! If I can figure out how to put it on Steam, I will! This is my first game so I’m just figuring everything out as I go. 🥰
thanks again for playing and writing to me! 💕
Happy to help with any testing! I've only ever done interactive fiction since Twine is as complicated as I can go with coding (child of the 90s, born 1989, so never learnt coding at school, le sigh). Well, I'm glad to know I investigated as far as I could. Hoping Biscuit survives! I think you do have to pay Steam to host your game, but you're bound to get Nancy Drew fans interested, plus 'The Roottrees Are Dead' fans, and those games are all on Steam. So it might be worth it in the long run. It's up to you. There are people on Youtube, like Thomas Brush and Jonas Tyroller, who post videos about how to make successful games on Steam, so they might have relevant videos on how to boost Steam sales and the like? Including how to post on Steam? Because I don't have my financial details on here, though I probably should so I can buy games which are only on here.
I totally feel you, I only learned very basic coding in college, but some of those principals are helping me make this game!
Great information about Steam - thank you for sharing! I started doing some preliminary research and I might be able to figure out how to get it added to Steam!
support the game development and get early access! https://buymeacoffee.com/gumshoedetectiveagency