Anyone still here? Thread - Olvand

First, I'd like to apologize for personally going absent for a while. Things got busy for quite some time.

Odd to see that the game's forums are almost not posted in anymore, and that the alpha group has stopped sending messages over the Desura network.

I'll be trying to set a server up soon and get back into testing.

johnmatthais wrote: First, I'd like to apologize for personally going absent for a while

Not at all a problem .

johnmatthais wrote: Odd to see that the game's forums are almost not posted in anymore

It's not that odd, I think, for two reasons. (1) I didn't attract new players in the last weeks, because the next update is somewhat bigger and thus takes some more times (and I only invite new people when there's new content). (2) For the people already in, the game doesn't seem to have real staying power. From what I can see, players play the game quite intensively the first two-three days, but then forget about it. I hope to fix this in the next updates, for example by making the achievements more visible in game. I expect this place to be full of activity once I start inviting new players again - my list of players wanting an invite is HUGE .

Edited by: Woseseltops

Well, I've got my server up now. I'm going to try and play a bit, get a few friends to play, see where it might be lacking in staying power and give some real feedback about it. Hopefully it'll be of use.

Looking forward to the new waves of testers, as well.

johnmatthais wrote: Hopefully it'll be of use.

I'm sure it will be, I can't describe how much the playtesters' comments have improved the game so far!

Okay, initial list of concerns after sitting down and playing with someone for a while:

- Menus a bit slow.
- Name that hovers above head is glitchy - can walk through and destroy it.
- Need more clothes options.
- Need to be able to customize character a bit. Male/female option, at least.
- Adventuring is necessary but there's no way of telling where you are.
- Didn't see a way to remove stumps.
- Firing gun crashes the game on Win8.
- Initially, it doesn't seem like there's a whole lot to do with other players.

Edited by: johnmatthais

I think this would fit better in the forum Suggestions, but as this place is rarely used, it's okay for now . I have something to say for each of the points, but first of all: thanks a lot! I really appreciate it, and I hope you and your friend had fun.

Johnmatthais wrote: Menus a bit slow.

You're probably talking about the 'Server info' menus. They're slow because they ask for updates from olvand.com, so they never show outdated info. I hope to find some way to make them quicker somewhere in future , but it's not high-priority right now.

Johnmatthais wrote: Name that hovers above head is glitchy - can walk through and destroy it.

I know, I know . This will be fixed when I switch to OpenGL.

Johnmatthais wrote: Need more clothes options.

All people have other clothing blueprints, so you can share, so maybe you haven't seen everything. I think there are eight pieces of clothing right now, and there will be another one in the next update. Also, dying cloths will be added in the not so distant future.

Johnmatthais wrote: Need to be able to customize character a bit. Male/female option, at least.

Right. And maybe hair color. I want to do something special with that, though. *makes mental note to think about this*

Johnmatthais wrote: Adventuring is necessary but there's no way of telling where you are.

More people have complained about this. I'm afraid maps won't help at the moment, as the environment looks pretty similar everywhere. Maybe this will improve once things like town halls and roads are in.

Johnmatthais wrote: Didn't see a way to remove stumps.

There isn't one. It's coming .

Johnmatthais wrote: Firing gun crashes the game on Win8.

Really? That shouldn't happen. Can you send me the crash log? It's found in desurafolder/Common/Olvand

Johnmatthais wrote: Initially, it doesn't seem like there's a whole lot to do with other players.

Very very true. Basically every update from now on will be attempts to remedy that .

Updated the post here ( Indiedb.com ) with the crash log.

Edited by: johnmatthais