Show HN: Colorbars – A challenging new take on the match three game genre • Hacker News Board

Show HN: Colorbars – A challenging new take on the match three game genre

#1

Post by Sproutworx » Fri, Jul 25, 2014, 2:18 PM UTC

Show HN: Colorbars – A challenging new take on the match three game genre
itunes.apple.com

Re: Show HN: Colorbars – A challenging new take on the match three game genre

#2

Post by Sproutworx » Fri, Jul 25, 2014, 2:21 PM UTC

This is my first game published in the App Store and was made with the help of a developer friend, Chris. It's a simple interface but an incredibly challenging game.

Would love to hear feedback. We'll also be doing a post-mortem on our first few weeks in the App Store for those who enjoy that type of thing.

Here are a few promo codes. First come, first serve.

JEPKNLPEEAAT N4MFN39HX6P9 999NP9KTAEKA X6AF9YM46FPF NYEFN34AM7EF 7RTPFNR97TFY M4RR3NA77R6F EPFMMANAMPHA

Re: Show HN: Colorbars – A challenging new take on the match three game genre

#3

Post by scottmcf » Fri, Jul 25, 2014, 5:51 PM UTC

I enjoyed the game, but had a couple of suggestions:

Add a small colour wheel to the main playing area (maybe only for the first few challenges per game?). It's on the pause screen already, but I know when things got hectic I'd have liked it to be there in front of me.

The single colour challenges were pretty punishing, in that there really weren't enough bars coming of that colour to push through to the next challenge. Perhaps give a small amount of time for non-challenge related matches?

Re: Show HN: Colorbars – A challenging new take on the match three game genre

#4

Post by dangowango » Fri, Jul 25, 2014, 6:05 PM UTC

why is this here? Its neither interesting, nor did I learn anything.

Re: Show HN: Colorbars – A challenging new take on the match three game genre

#5

Post by Sproutworx » Fri, Jul 25, 2014, 6:05 PM UTC

scottmcf wrote: post #3

I enjoyed the game, but had a couple of suggestions: Add a small colour wheel to the main playing area (maybe only for the first few challenges per game?). It's on the pause screen already, but I know when things got hectic I'd have liked it to be there in front of me. The single colour challenges were pretty punishing, in that there really weren't enough bars coming of that colour to push through to the next challen…

Thanks, Scott.

Both points are great feedback on elements that I think we've struggled with during development by being so close to it.

I think we've overestimated peoples knowledge of the color wheel. The data is certainly showing it to. Scores from our beta rounds were much better than the first couple days. My assumption there is the beta users got used to the color wheel over time. Your idea of a hint during the first view rounds is a great one.

Also, for the challenges, were you only trying to complete the challenge? This is another point that I think users are struggling with. Completing the challenge is a bonus, but it's certainly not the only goal. If the challenge says "Clear 10 sets of 5", you can still clear out sets or runs of 3 until you are blue in the face. Challenges aren't required.

Re: Show HN: Colorbars – A challenging new take on the match three game genre

#6

Post by jcoder » Fri, Jul 25, 2014, 6:10 PM UTC

dangowango wrote: post #4

why is this here? Its neither interesting, nor did I learn anything.

Then don't upvote it. Asking that people prescreen their submissions to not offend your subjective definition of "interesting" or "informative", is introducing a chilling effect.