Would just like to say that I believe Bytten Indie Game reviews is doing a great job.

Recently got Dope Farmer reviewed (http://www.cornutopia.charitydays.co.uk/bytten/game029a.html If any interested) and I think they were very fair in their review.

I would suggest any of you to submit your games to get honest feedback.
It was quite insightful!

Thanks guys.

Alex

Congratulations!

Are you noticing any impact in downloads/sales as a result?

Not yet as it was just released yesterday but lets hope so.

Most important thing is to hear a detailed review of someone else's experiences with your game. Its good to know what the general consensus could be.

Alex

Sirrus, how about some more sale numbers?

July was a very generous month for us and our best selling.

So far, we are near the 450 orders mark, so lets see where we go from here.

Alex

umm... in what time period? :)
(I remember you made a thread about the DF sales ratings, but can't find it now ;))

Oh, and I'd like to make some suggestions about Dope Farmer:
mouse & keyboard control is kind of "too complex" in such a relaxing game. Would it be possible to have the easiest tasks in keboard as well? (watering, picking up) or - would it be possible to have mouse movement (point & click -> guy walks there)?

also - I would like to see "GO TO SLEEP" button (which doesn't confirm anything) - that would help a lot :)

and now as I get into the mood... I'd like to have explanation how the cops will arrive? (will the odds be smaller if you don't cut all the grass? or if you plant behind a tree?) and why grass isn't groving at all?

plus: it would be cool to have more choices for bg music ;)

just few things come to my mind... I really like the game - no wonder it's selling :)

good luck with sales!

according to this (http://www.dexterity.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=906), May 19.

Thanks for the figures Sirrus! they are mostly appriciated!

In response to "using the keyboard"

You can use the keyboard for everything...hence the hotkeys.
If you notice on the top of the game, every icon also has a number in the lower right hand corner.

The number corresponds with a hotkey on the keyboard.

So to bring out your lawnmower, all you have to do is hit "3" on the keyboard.

Also, there is a "go to sleep" button in the menu (right click).

We made sure almost all commands could be done with the keyboard alone...seems it works out well.

Alex

Sirrus: now you have excellent situation to increase your selling process. I like DF, almost thinking of buying it - but first I really have to know what's waiting me :)

1) Shortcut commands? Uh, maybe you should tell people that they can use those as shortcut commands. I read the help info, but it seems that I missed that (such a long text to read first time getting in)

2) I would really like to have that ENDTURN/GOTOSLEEP button (press ENTER or something) in keyboard/onscreen (not in sub menu!) - this is one thing which keeps me on the edge - don't fall into the MONEY BAG yet ;)

3) Still I don't know how those grass/bush thingies work... will they grow eventually? on what odds will cops try to destroy my "garden"? What if I use bushes as covers (is it possible? :))?

4) What it really is for me if I buy the game - so far it says two buildings and play for 90 days.... but what if I want to play unlimited days? :) Oh, and is there something more than just planting some dope stuff? Something extra... something more... like other crooks? Hiding your stuff? What? :)

5) Oh, you changed that "download link" - good, previously it was FOUR clicks before downloading anything, good for that :) But still: there are lots of Javascript errors (I get them all the time) in your website, really annoying... =/

oh, and sorry for the off topic - this was about the review, but I couldn't keep my mouth shut :)

Lemme go through each question...

1) Where do you recommend I tell them? Each image has a number on it, most people figure it out but maybe not. Also, in the right-click menu, it tells the shortcut. If no one reads the intro help, how can I make it more clear? ;)

2) Ok Ok, next update ill include Enter to go to sleep ;)

3) Grass doesnt grow back. I think next update ill change that as well. The whole cover thing never really happens, didnt seem significant enough.

4) Ive heard very few requests for unlimited play, but maybe we will add it. The point is that a 90 day game usually takes 30-60 minutes..not sure why you would play longer especially since there is no saving.

5) What errors do you get? If you can, let me know specifically, would help a lot.

Thanks for input!

Alex

1) You are quite right (I thought that when I wrote my question first time) but there's also one possible solution which I use in my game. Instead of having to read LONG text I show random hint each time user launches game (I do it on the loading screen, you could perhaps show hints on top of "PLAY NOW" or maybe you could show different random hint for each day in game?)

2) YES! :D

3) That would be nice - grass does grow fast in your garden you know :) that would also add strategic elements there...

4) Well, just a thought. I thought it would be nice to save/load game with unlimited play... but I guess 30/60/90 do fine as well

5) Oh, and sorry for not giving exact errors (I should know this as I do web solutions for living ;)). I'm using IE6. ERROR MESSAGE:
line 14, object expected
(basically your "onLoad()" method calls function MM_preloadImages() which doesn't seem to exist...)

Thanks for all the suggestions, definately going to run through them when we update the game soon.

I fixed the errors now, so should be a go :)

Thanks for the insight!

Alex