Universal Spell Quest (Universal)

Discussion in 'iPhone and iPad Games' started by ExK, May 18, 2013.

  1. ExK

    ExK Well-Known Member

    Feb 13, 2013
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    Founder @ http://cks-studio.com
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    #1 ExK, May 18, 2013
    Last edited: Dec 23, 2013
    [​IMG]

    iTunes App Store
    ===========
    https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/spell-quest/id644878093?mt=8

    Developer Info
    ==========
    http://www.facebook.com/cksgames


    http://v.youku.com/v_show/id_XNTUyMTAzMzQ4.html

    Spell Quest is unlike other word games. It's a clever blend of Boggle-like game play with RPG-like features that offers a thoroughly refreshing gaming experience.

    On the game board are letter tiles that the player must link up to create English words. On top of that, like in an RPG game, there are quests to undertake, bonus items to find, curse to break. Quests not performed expediently can even cost you your life.

    At every turn, the player has to make a hard decision. Should I claim that tempting looking bomb, which I can later use to bring that 'S' closer to the long word I've been planning? Or, should I get rid of the 'break' spell on that 'D'? How about the 'Begin with W' main quest which I'm left with just 3 turns to deal with before losing a life? Oh wait, that fevered 'QU' tile that boosts a letter score by x3 sure looks to yummy to resist, especially now that it's surrounded by 'I' and 'Z'!!

    Can you see where I'm headed? Decision, decision, decision! Fellow wordsmiths, you control your destiny!

    Other feautres of this irresistable game include:
    - The 'Q' tile in traditional word games is replaced by a 'QU' tile, making it less taxing to use the letter.
    - The letter frequency follows the letter distribution of English words in the Oxford Dictionary, as reported in the following website: http://oxforddictionaries.com/words/what-is-the-frequency-of-the-letters-of-the-alphabet-in-english
    - Automatically keep track of your achievements, your proudest words and high scores.
    - Compete with wordsmiths from around the world on 7 leaderboards.
    - Save your game anytime, anywhere and resume at your convenience.

    Spell Quest Edge is brought to you by the creator behind many other innovative games, namely Word Edge, Beautiful Worm, Number Pharaoh, Primary, Word Bridge, Kungfu Brain, Digi Crush, Super Math Invaders and Memon's Quest.


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  2. turakm

    turakm Well-Known Member

    Jan 15, 2009
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    Please tell me I'm not the only one that noticed that their App Store screenshots include best words - whore and queers

    Super professional hahah
     
  3. ExK

    ExK Well-Known Member

    Feb 13, 2013
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    Founder @ http://cks-studio.com
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    #3 ExK, May 18, 2013
    Last edited: May 18, 2013
    hi turakm, thank you for pointing out. my game accepts all legitimate English words that can be found in all highly respected English dictionaries. In a sense, it's no difference from the Oxford, Collins and Merriam that everybody owns :). Players can opt not to spell words deemed objectionable to them.

    I hope you enjoy my game. Cheers :).
     
  4. psj3809

    psj3809 Moderator

    Jan 13, 2011
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    It may accept those but it's weird to show those offensive words when you are trying to promote your game. Strange marketing decision
     
  5. ExK

    ExK Well-Known Member

    Feb 13, 2013
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    Founder @ http://cks-studio.com
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    #5 ExK, May 18, 2013
    Last edited: May 18, 2013
    You are right. however, due to Apple's policy, there is no way for me to change the screenshot anymore unless I create an update - which I'll do when I've gathered enough feedbacks.

    Meanwhile, I sincerely apologize if anyone was offended by the screenshot.

    EDIT: I'll replace this screenshot at least from toucharcade in a minute.
     
  6. ExK

    ExK Well-Known Member

    Feb 13, 2013
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    Founder @ http://cks-studio.com
    Singapore
    version 1.0.1 contains (just submitted to app store)
    ========================================
    - tiles now show letter scores.
    - 'highest scoring word' now takes into account score boost by quest completion.
    - screenshot replacement.
     
  7. LordGek

    LordGek Well-Known Member
    Staff Member Patreon Silver Patreon Gold Patreon Bronze

    Feb 19, 2009
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    Software QA Engineer
    Saratoga, CA, USA
    Game Impressions

    Just a bit into my first game but I love how the missions blend into the general word game mission of finding huge scoring words.

    Beyond the 10 turn limit to try to find a single word that fulfills the primary and possibly secondary goals, the player has to constantly put out fires via cursed tiles. These cursed tiles, if not dealt with in a timely manner (again, not real time, just within a few turns) litter your board with broken tiles and hard to use letters.

    Finally, handy power-ups will appear on the board (bombs, quest skips, etc.) to be claimed if included in a word.

    Good fun and FREE (banner ad sponsored but not too obnoxious)!
    4/5
     
  8. ExK

    ExK Well-Known Member

    Feb 13, 2013
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    Founder @ http://cks-studio.com
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    #8 ExK, May 19, 2013
    Last edited: May 19, 2013
    Thank you LordGek for your kind review! If the response to my game is good, I'll create a paid, ad-free version in the future :)
     
  9. FRS

    FRS Well-Known Member

    Oct 11, 2011
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    Yeah, have to add my two bits.. This game has sooo much potential but the experience is marred slightly by a few things. I'd gladly pay to remove the ads as their presence detracts hugely from the overall presentation. Furthermore, why not include the dictionary with the initial download? As every time I start the app it takes at least 3 minutes to download the word list all over again (on WiFi!) and this really deters me from even bothering to start it up.

    Lastly, it feels like the letter/word selection is clunky at best, compared to games with similar mechanics (e.g. Wurdle, Puzzle Quest, etc.). If the selection could provide some visual/audible feedback and be much smoother with backtracking it would be much easier to play. If these things can be cleaned up it would stay on my iphone for a very long time. :)
     
  10. ExK

    ExK Well-Known Member

    Feb 13, 2013
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    Founder @ http://cks-studio.com
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    #10 ExK, May 19, 2013
    Last edited: May 20, 2013
    Hi FRS, thank you for your comments.

    At the beginning, the word list is loaded from the static storage of your device to the RAM of your device. It's not downloaded via Wifi. As the word list is huge (used in word tournament), so it takes sometime. I'm monitoring the longest word created by the best players in Game Center, and I'll trim the word list to speed up loading time.

    For the tile selection, the partial word you create is actually displayed on the top UI panel. Also, when a tile is selected, there is a 'click' sound. Therefore, both audio and visual feedback is provided.

    For backtracking, I would like to incorporate that into my next next release. Thank you for your suggestion! If it works well, I'll put it into my latest word game, Letter Hound, as well. I owe you a beer! (or a lollipop if you're <18)

    EDIT: The backtracking feature has been implemented. However, due to the slow review process of Apple, the feature will only appear in my next next version. Thank you for your patience!
     
  11. ExK

    ExK Well-Known Member

    Feb 13, 2013
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    Founder @ http://cks-studio.com
    Singapore
    The latest version

    - The loading time is improved by 50% by using a smaller word list. To use the elaborate word list that support up to 15-letter words, activate it in 'setting'.
    - Beautiful effect when using a bomb.
     
  12. ExK

    ExK Well-Known Member

    Feb 13, 2013
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    Founder @ http://cks-studio.com
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    in the latest patch, I implemented a dynamic word loading algorithm. now, no more waiting for 15 seconds for the game to load at the start. words are now loaded in the background

    and the new version is now live!
     
  13. ExK

    ExK Well-Known Member

    Feb 13, 2013
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    Founder @ http://cks-studio.com
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    The game now supports IAP for removing advertisement. thank you for your support!
     
  14. ExK

    ExK Well-Known Member

    Feb 13, 2013
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    Founder @ http://cks-studio.com
    Singapore
    Today is the National Day of Singapore, and Apple runs a small 'Made in Singapore' feature for Singapore. I'm happy to announce that my most popular title so far, Spell Quest, is part of the feature. If you've not tried Spell Quest, please find out why wordsmiths the world over are swooning over this clever blend of Boggle and RPG .

    [​IMG]
     
  15. ExK

    ExK Well-Known Member

    Feb 13, 2013
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    Founder @ http://cks-studio.com
    Singapore
    1.0.7
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    - Fixed crashes on iOS7.
    - Finally works beautifully on 4th gen iPod Touch!!!!
     
  16. ExK

    ExK Well-Known Member

    Feb 13, 2013
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    #16 ExK, Dec 12, 2013
    Last edited: Dec 19, 2013
    1.0.8 (very major update)
    ===============
    - added jazzy background music.
    - added overlay tutorial.
    - More effects and animations for UI elements and letter tiles.
     
  17. ExK

    ExK Well-Known Member

    Feb 13, 2013
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    After many requests, and careful consideration, I've finally decided to increase the difficulty of Spell Quest.

    1.0.9
    ====
    - difficulty update due to overwhelming demand.
    - quest countdown reduces by 1 every 50 turns, starting from 10, down to a minimum from 3.
    - added the following quests after 100 turns: '6 letters long', 'end with I', 'end with H', 'start with X'
     
  18. ExK

    ExK Well-Known Member

    Feb 13, 2013
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    Founder @ http://cks-studio.com
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    Fixed broken screenshot links. Sorry!
     
  19. ExK

    ExK Well-Known Member

    Feb 13, 2013
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    Founder @ http://cks-studio.com
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    sorry tyewe, which screenshot did u find offensive?
     
  20. Cynuyt

    Cynuyt Well-Known Member

    Look nice, downloading now.
     

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