Game
Imagine Lifetimes

5 years ago

Unlocking the pacifier after completing one ending had to be a bit more obvious, so from this day forward, THE BABY WILL CRY.


This might not seem like an important change, but it's crucial for players to realize the game 'changes' after completing one ending. The average playtime for the early build shows that most stop playing after one ending, perhaps never realizing there are more endings out there. For the demo it wasn't that big of a deal, but I definitely needed to fix this for the final release.

Here's how it works:
1.) After completing one ending, the baby will be crying
2.) Luckily, a pacifier will appear in the top left of the screen
3.) Hovering over it will unlock the pacifier, thank god, the crying stops

gif_pacifier1.gif

This simple scene strongly *hints* at the appearance of the new clickable pacifier on the screen. Eventually, I want players to click that pacifier and discover what happens next by themselves, because it unlocks an important part of the game: the achievement / progression screen.

To make sure that happens:
4.) The pacifier is animated and has sound effects to stand out
5.) While the baby is crying, you temporarily can't continue the game
6.) While the baby is crying, you temporarily can't exit the game
7.) Once you unlock the pacifier, you can continue or exit again

If the player clicks the pacifier, that's perfect. If the player does not click the pacifier yet but continues playing, great, at least they are still playing! Now, if the player has not clicked the pacifier yet but is about to exit the game...

I've got one last trick:
8.) Hovering over the exit button will auto-trigger the "surprise"

gif_mind2.gif

For those who were planning to quit after one ending, hopefully, seeing that head *POP* open will entice them to stick around and see what else the game has to offer. If not, I've done all I could! :D



0 comments

Loading...

Next up

We're only 2 DAYS out from Thinky Direct – where I'll be revealing a brand new trailer for The Button Effect!! Join me in the stream this Thursday? 🙌

https://thinkygames.com/direct/

The Button Effect is a first-person puzzle game about unlocking a museum full of mysterious buttons. The demo is releasing on Steam soon – wishlist to support! 🙌

https://store.steampowered.com/app/2299940/The_Button_Effect/

Hey Game Jolt, in-game translations are now available for Spanish, Brazilian Portuguese and Greek!

@NEOWIZ_QUEST 's NARRATIVE JAM has begun!

Create an original narrative / story game in 10 days for a chance to win cash! 

Join the game jam: https://bit.ly/GameDevCommunity

Start Narrative Jam-inspired quests: https://bit.ly/narrativejamquests

#gjbroadcast

The Button Effect is a first-person puzzle game full of hidden connections. Wishlist for updates about the Steam demo release! 🙌

https://store.steampowered.com/app/2299940/The_Button_Effect/

Happy #WIPWednesday! Are you working on a game? Making some art? Practicing a song? Something else? Tell us in the comments!

The Button Effect (demo) is coming soon! 🦋 Wishlist on Steam to get notified of the release!

https://store.steampowered.com/app/2299940/The_Button_Effect/

The Button Effect! 👉🔴🟢🧩

(Steam demo drops next week)

@NEOWIZ_QUEST 's NARRATIVE JAM is underway!

Create an original narrative / story game in 10 days for a chance to win cash! 💸

Join the game jam: https://bit.ly/GameDevCommunity

Start Narrative Jam-inspired quests: https://bit.ly/narrativejamquests

The Steam demo for the Button Effect, inspired by games like The Witness – is releasing after this weekend! 🧩

https://store.steampowered.com/app/2299940/The_Button_Effect/