Wanted: Beta Testers for GOTY 2011 - Wonton 51 out now!

[chopemon]

Update: Wonton 51 hit the app store yesterday!

Linky!

We've had a great start with some great support. Thank you very much to all of the testers that helped dramatically improve the game before launch.

I wrote a blog post about how I feel about the game and people's reaction to it here.

Hi guys,

In my spare time I have been making an iOS game and now it's nearing release I'm after a handful of beta testers to give me some feedback about it.

I need a few people that would like to play a few sessions of the game and fill in a feedback form. The game is nearly done and there are some known issues like unfinished menus and screens but the gameplay needs to get fine tuned which is where you come in.

If you would like to take part you must have an iPhone 3 or newer. PM me your email address and I'll hook you up. In return you will be thanked in the credits as a tester (let me know if you want to use your real name or forum name). We need you to be super honest with your feedback.

Thank you in advance to anyone who signs up, I can't wait to see your feedback.

Wonton 51

I would post a screenshot but the image functionality on the forum seems to be broken.

Let me paint you a Word Picture.

Wonton 51 is a pixel art based top down shooter. The player must shoot bad guys and move their character to avoid buildings as they chase through a city to rescue their girlfriend.

This is the blurb that will appear on the app store.

Yo, do you like ramen and bullets?YES?!?

Then strap in for ENDLESS BULLET DODGE PANIC!

World famous ramen chef JONNY POWERSLIDE?S girlfriend has been kidnapped by the nefarious Baron Wonton. Now Jonny's in a wicked rage and ready to SUPER DASH COMBO INTO FIERCE AND SAVE THE DAY.

Hurtle at LITERAL MEGA SPEED down the HIGHWAY OF BULLET HELL, icing bad guys, destroying CHAOS FORTRESSES and slurpin' on delicious noodles as you SAVE COOKIE!

This game probably has the best features of any game. We wouldn't lie to you.

• Mechs!
• Bullets!
• Number-based scores!
• Flashing hearts!
• A deeply emotional love story that made one player feel "emotionally distraught."
• A gun that fires three (3) bullets at once!

So, what are you waiting for?

Sucka MCs need not apply.

[Sketcz]

I don't have an iOS, but having read your various posts on game design theory, and the description (pixel art + shmups + ramen) of this, I'm rather interested to see/read more of it.

Well done juggling a real game design job with indie ambitions.

[chopemon]

Cheers dude!

Once the site is up I'll link to it with screenshots and trailers.

EA are actually really cool about this kind of thing. A lot of studios force you into a contract where they own everything you do in and out of work but being a contractor at EA gives you a fair bit of freedom.

[toythatkills]

What kind of stuff are you looking for feedback on, just bugs or general stuff about the gameplay and whether it works? Also, are you using TestFlight for this?

[Fader209]

I don't have an iOS either but would have helped if I did
Will be good to see how it turns out as I have always enjoyed Shmups.

[Silvergun X]

I'd certainly be up for testing an iOS shooter!

[chopemon]

What kind of stuff are you looking for feedback on, just bugs or general stuff about the gameplay and whether it works? Also, are you using TestFlight for this?

We're mainly looking for gameplay feedback about the difficulty and balancing. It is a Canabalt style score based infinite game which is really hard to balance.

Yep, we are using Test Flight for this

[Sketcz]

How difficult is it to bring these smaller style games to PSP Minis? I ask since I've often wondered why we some titles converted, but not others (since there are plenty of really awesome games I lack access to).

[chopemon]

I have absolutely no idea how hard it is to get something on PSP Mini.

I think people overlook the minis simply due to the numbers of people with phones. That and having to convert touch controls.

For us specifically we have made a slight error in judgement as we use an iOS only engine and it would be a big job for us to bring it over. I want to look at other platforms in the future as I like games controlled by pressing buttons though.

I assume it may actually be easier to get recognition on PSP Minis though as it isn't a flooded market.

[toythatkills]

In my head PSP Minis are no different to XBLIGs market-wise, but it takes a whole lot more to actually release your game on there. I keep up with gaming news and PSN and stuff, and can name the number of PSP Minis I've heard of on one hand. They can't possibly be selling in any great number with the zero press they get, aside from obvious ones like Angry Birds and Tetris.

[hudson]

Will this work on a iPod Touch? Could always sneak on the missus' iPad 2 also. I'm no shoot 'em up guru, but I'm willing to give it a test and provide some feedback if need.

[randombs]

What are the prerequisites? Had a poke around the Test Flight site and I'm not sure if all I'd need is an iPhone(mine is a vanilla 3GS) or if I need some dev stuff?

In terms of hardcorps gamerage testing, I wouldn't be the best but I could provide some possibly useful 'other side' data because I hardly game nowadays.

Also checking out the QCP site and loving it

[toythatkills]

You just sign up for Testflight and it records all your phone's IDs and stuff, and then developers can send you new builds via email, and you just download them through the Testflight website. They install on your phone like anything from the appstore would do. No need for any special equipment

[chopemon]

The game runs on 3G upwards. It doesn't need any extra dev stuff

As a note to everyone that has signed up so far, the build will be distributed in a day or so. We are currently collecting registrations as the build doesn't go out automatically and we have to push it to specific devices.

We are on a tight time frame so I am going to cut off beta tester applications tonight as it is a fair bit to juggle. We've had a fantastic response so far!!

I'll send you messages about testing Hoolak and billy. Cheers!

[chopemon]

Also, if anyone writes for a site that reviews iOS games or might review this one, let me know. We have a limited set of codes to send out so get in quick.

I have already promised Charles a review code for NTSC