Games that players can't control the main character.

[gpineda1]

I'm a developer and wanted to ask anyone's opinion on this and kinda doubting my the game play in our game, Taboo Tyke.

We developed a game with a cute baby named Tyler but you can't control the main character like other games. You can't make him go left or right or even jump. He just walks and walks like babies do. Well my question, if you are kind enough to provide any opinions, do you think we made a mistake by NOT allowing the players to control the main character and only influence Tyler by dragging to the screen teddy bears and candy which will make him stop and crawl? There are other Action Items in the game but is this concept not familiar in game play and potentially a negative to the game? Does anyone know of another game that has a main character that can't be controlled but only influenced with stuff? I'd love to hear about those games and check them out. Thanks.

Guy

[JCho133]

The recent Colossatron: Massive World Threat had a main "character" (giant alien robotic death snake of destruction) couldn't be controlled (other than a skill where you could make him charge in a direction) which did very well commercially and critically.

In order to answer your question I think I'd need more gameplay details, like the objective of the game etc. I do think your current system sounds interesting but I'd like to hear more before I can provide a definitive answer

[gpineda1]

Maybe our video can help explain the game better. Any feedback on the game would be much appreciated too! Its our first!

Low bandwidth Version | Pop Up

[JCho133]

Haha he's so cute! And from what I see here it's definitely NOT. A mistake. The gameplay here looks really novel, and makes it so it's not just another platformer.

[gpineda1]

Wow, that Colossatron looks freakin awesome! Maybe one day when our game company grow up, we can be like them!

[gpineda1]

Originally Posted by JCho133

Haha he's so cute! And from what I see here it's definitely NOT. A mistake. The gameplay here looks really novel, and makes it so it's not just another platformer.

Wow thanks. So far everyone that starts playing, as far as I've seen, never pay attention to the instructional screens and never drags the Action Items. They always click and the clicks the screen. Doesn't work that way. Maybe we should look into that to ease the learning curve (which I don't think is too difficult).

[JCho133]

Originally Posted by gpineda1

Wow thanks. So far everyone that starts playing, as far as I've seen, never pay attention to the instructional screens and never drags the Action Items. They always click and the clicks the screen. Doesn't work that way. Maybe we should look into that to ease the learning curve (which I don't think is too difficult).

Maybe make the tutorials more interesting? Bright colors, cute faces I'm not sure.

Is it optional to play the tutorial or is it part of the first level?

[gpineda1]

Well when you first start playing, an intro movie plays and then in level 1 and 2 there are mini tutorials that you have to click continue to get rid of them. There is something about them that seems slow or maybe delays the players need to get right into the game? Maybe I'm over thinking it!

[JCho133]

Do you have any screen recording functionalities/apps on your computer or iDevice that you could record that video and 1st 2 levels with? I'd be glad to provide input on them

[saansilt]

Have the instructions as billboards in the background. That way the player can't skip them, sees them, and it fits the enviorment.