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[Taskmaster]

OK, I'll start by begging right up front, and save the sobbing and insane rambling for later. I'm looking for a few people - even 1 person - who would be willing to help beta test my text adventure.

My so called gamer friends are all "newbies" to game playing... by that I mean they were weaned on the fancy 3D graphics games of today and have no passion for the historic roots of gaming. I understand that text adventures can be boring to some, but I digress.

Anyway, if you feel you can spare time to honestly Beta test a game, let me know. That means I would need to you to e-mail me trace logs, play the game a few times, look for typos, bugs, etc.

The game is freeware so I cannot pay for the help. I can add your name to the "Thanks to" credit, but that's about it. Not much I know, but isn't the satisfaction of helping your fellow game playing brethen enough reward?? (Don't answer that! )

If you are interested I will provide you a download link and then mercilessly spam you with e-mail until you play it! :evil:

Oh, it requires Windows 95 or better. DirectX is not required).

Thanks in advance!

[Jesus]

Is it a game about me?

[Taskmaster]

:blink: Wow, is that a sign? Actually the game is not about Jesus, but there happens to be a "street preacher" in the game that adds a little flavor to it.

My next adventure game - which I do not have all the skills I need to make at this point - is designed to be a "Lucas Arts" style Bible based game.

The game I need help with is actually named "Search for the Sacred Stone"

[Jesus]

This game is not about me!!!??? You shall be smited!

Smite!Smite!Smite!Smite!Smite!Smite!Smite!

Oh and By the way could you please give me a download link?

You could advertise it as the only game that is religious but not religious!

[Sean]

I'd be happy to test.

Haven't got a huge amount of time, heck I have a GCSE exam tommorow but I should be able to get a few solid hours of play in over the next week or two.

Let me know.

Sean

{Formely Known As Magic}

[Sebatianos]

I'd give it a go (played tons of text based adventures in my time... wait a minute... I still do, when I'm reviewing them).

[Reup]

Count me in as well. I have some semi-spare time to fill as well!

[Taskmaster]

Thanks for the response. I know beggars cannot be chosers, but I'm looking for folks who will help, and be respectful of the fact that this is still beta. That is, I would appreciate it if this game stays only on your computer. The game will be free, but I don't want a game with my name on it getting out in a buggy state.

The game produces a "stone_trace.log" each time you play, overwritting the existing file, if any. I want the first stone_trace as this gives me your expectations before you adjust to what the game actually handles. I wan to improve the parser to what you would expect as opposed to you having to "dumb down" to the parser.

Finally, I am about to make changes to the drawing code to get rid of the shadowed text. If the text is "blurry" to you, I will have this changed soon.

Here is the link to the beta test page: Search for the Sacred Stone

Lastly, just to set expectation, this is a Windows port of an adventure I wrote in 1986 on a IBM Mainframe, so it is fairly old in terms of puzzles, etc.

Anyway, thanks again!

k:

[Sebatianos]

Don't worry, will keep all of the above in mind. *starts downloading*

[Sebatianos]

Sorry for double posting.

I like it.
I only played for a few minuter (first try), but it's very user friendly.

I like the idea of the text in the main window changing automatically (but I was a bit confused the first time - when the receipt fell out of the news paper). I was only looking at the white window and didn't know what to pick up from the ground.

Apart from that, it's really nice. You get enough tips to know what you shouldn't/should do - and if you don't get them soon, you get them in the end. Like: I didn't know I needed money for a cab (never checked the inventory), so I missed the plane. I'll know next time.

And I especially like the style of writing. It gives enough details, yet it's not to cramped with words.
Looking forward to finishing it (unfortunately I'm a little pressed for time now, but I'll try to manage).

Excelent work k:

PS: Here's the log file.