Updates
This week, we focused on improving our build based on the feedback we received from our playtests. We made several changes to the interface and streamlined the user experience.
Design
On the design side, we added several sections to the tutorial.
- Dragging tutorial to show hallway scrolling
- Refined the tutorial flow by adding more guidance and highlights
- The behavior of the flow if the player selected the wrong article is to now allow the player to try again.
- Feedback on the selected article is delivered through the narrative after viewing the student government’s reply on Meowwer.
- Introduction to the school and student government
- Conflict is brought up in the form of Ryan and Hans causing dissent by opposing the removal of deep fried foods from the school cafeteria.
- Investigation reveals that they use sensational, non-scientific articles.
- They counter by calling the school cheap.
- Player investigates and reveals the flaw in their arguments.
- Finally, they counter by making semi-logical arguments about air fryers.
- The truth is revealed and shown that Hans and Ryan stand to benefit from keeping the unhealthy fried foods in the school cafeteria.
Art
Reference art for the player’s “mind list” which shows important information and hints.
The keywords to be searched for will be populated in this thought bubble.
New search engine interface reference
Tech
The programming team spent precious hours adding all the quality of life improvements that would make the build more robust and also more playable.
The amount of coding that the programming team had to perform for the next chapter was minimal due to the scalable way the dialogue manager framework was written.
In the upcoming week, we will be playtesting the second chapter with South Fayette students along with students from Laurel Highlands Middle School.