Game Update
Started the task of scrubbing all the spreadsheets that run the objects tied to all the characters. In doing so I discovered some issues with the combat system. Namely, the way that we are handling hit vs agility attacks wasn’t quite right, the numbers weren’t scaling correctly. After fixing that I discovered that damage was being duplicated as the character stat was being over written with the combat ability damage. Both stats get added together before damage is assessed. I’m still going over the spreadsheets to normalize stats for a the troops. It was helpful to plot them all out around the Aspect circle to have some idea where each class would exist in relation to each other. This gave me an idea of what stats should be higher while others are
I found that the critical system also needed a second look. I noticed that two sets of my six skills are linked. I decided to tie critical attacks to hit points. The idea is that as a troop looses health they will become easier to get a critical attacks on. I think this makes a fair amount of sense, and it makes me consider other ideas like reducing the stats with HP, however I feel that might make battles drag out. The current idea with ramping up critical attacks feeds into our design pillar of short stages.
I’m still having issues getting my new Steam Account up and running and have resorted to looking at three other digital platforms. I’ve resolved myself to get this game released in some form or another. I want to have it finalized soon for its 1.0 version. I’ve even considered burning disks or using cheap USB drives for physical distribution. It would seem that putting software on an optical disk isn’t going to work for my needs. I might look into what it will take to create a log in server with digital products that can be downloaded. I expect people will pirate the game but I want to have the ability to take care of legit customers too.
I finalized my artwork last Friday and will get final images on Monday. I’m very happy with the way that it turned out and can’t wait to have it up on a digital store. I’m also planning to see what it will take to create a store in which fans can purchase tee shirts and other items with the artwork on them. I thought it would be cool to get the 6 aspect wheel on a licence plate for the front of my vehicles and possibly create some other advertising materials.
Personal Update
I’ve only made it to chapter 3 in Tony Robbins book “Awaken the Giant Within” and it’s given me a lot of resolve to get the game out on Feb 22. It’s probably why I’ve started to look at so many other ways to get that task accomplished. I am happy that I haven’t become to impetuous to get it done yet however. I might have wasted a lot of money making disks that won’t be useful for people that will want the software. I’m considering going the USB route as that might be better overall. It looks like I shouldn’t need more than 1GB thumb drives if I decide to do that.
I have managed to incorporate my morning work outs with my treadmill and it’s having a good effect on me overall. It’s made things a lot easier to have built up my own gym at the house. There’s a lot less excuses to get the work done. I also like the fact that my treadmill keeps it fresh with the way that it does content. I wish that I could develop software for it, but it’s a closed platform.
I had a small emergency this week as my house keeper was in a car accident with my vehicle and my youngest child. My son and the car are OK but my house keeper is a little worse for wear. I’m hoping that she will be feeling better this week. I’m so lucky to have finally found someone that does a good job with the kids, is reliable, and really goes above and beyond.
It feels like once I resolved to release and really focus on making that happen I have all kinds of distractions that are trying to take me off my path. One of my sons is having more issues at school now and so I’ve had to do a couple of phone calls with his teachers. At one point he had to re accomplish a large school assignment which I had to hold his hand through to get it done.
I started listening to the book “Cashflow Quadrant” which was written by the author of “Rich Dad Poor Dad.” It’s been interesting to gain more understanding about the different ways people can make money. The break down has been enlightening and I can see how the actions I’m taking with my finances. Reading these books has really made me look at money differently. I’m interested in his board game “Cash Flow” but I’ve resolved myself to reduce and eliminate as much frivolous spending as possible.
Overall there is a lot going on but I need to focus to get this product to market. It’s very true what industry people have said to me, “making the game is the easy part, everything else is the hard part.”