I've developed a game. It's not exactly the next step forward in ultra-realistic 3D battle simulation. In fact, you might think it's the dumbest game you've ever played. But it is fun, or so my friends tell me. It's basically a 1980s style arcade game, similar in concept to Pacman or Donkey Kong, except that your controls consist of a single button. A bit more about how that works is on the game's web site. Appropriately for such a silly game, it's called Dork.
So far I've just had a few friends testing a nearly-complete \"alpha\" version, but now it's pretty much all done and I want to do some wider testing before I try to get people to pay for it. (Not that anyone would pay very much, but I figure I might as well see if I can at least make a little money off it.)
I can't pay you, but if you volunteer you'll get: (1) a prerelease version before it's available to the public, (2) a free copy of the final version when it comes out, plus any future expansions, (3) your name on the credits page, with a link and/or a small image if you want, and (4) an invitation to a party at my place near Boston if it makes any half-decent amount of money (transportation will NOT be provided -- and probably not parking space either).
You won't have any serious obligations to me, except to keep the prerelease version private. You can play the game as little or as much as you want, and provide as little or as much feedback as you want. I've set up a forum for discussion (the testers' forum is hidden; I'll give you access when you sign up).
Feel free to ask questions here, but if you want to be a tester, send an email to beta@moojob.com. Include your real name, your DBB name (not required, but I'd like to have some idea who you are), and your snail mail address.
Right now the game only runs on Windows. I am planning a Mac OSX port and possibly a Linux port, so if you're interested in testing on those platforms, write to the above address and say so. I'll get back to you when the port is ready.
If too many people volunteer, I reserve the right to take only the first N volunteers, where N is a number determined by some algorithm I haven't decided on yet.
Please don't go around advertising this opportunity-- if I don't get enough volunteers I'll let you know. (Obviously I would love it if you tell everyone in the world after the final version is released.)
Wanted: Beta testers for my new game
Thank you! I was beginning to wonder... 24 hours and no responses. I guess my tone was a bit presumptuous, talking like people would be jumping at the chance, but I'm pretty sure someone would have told me if I was being really inappropriate. People here tend to be honest about that. So I guess most Descent fans just aren't that interested in a retro 2D game with amateur art. 
Anyway, please drop me an email at beta@moojob.com, and I'll send you the installer as an attachment.
Anyway, please drop me an email at beta@moojob.com, and I'll send you the installer as an attachment.
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A Linux port is pretty likely to happen. A friend of mine wants to do the port; we just have to work out the details, and I haven't made it a priority. Should I put you on my (rather short) list of Linux testers for when it happens?Xamindar wrote:I'm interested. But I don't see a Linux version.
I've thought about running Dork on cell phones, handhelds, etc. Cell phones really don't have enough resolution for the level designs I've made, so it would require redesigning everything-- and probably reprogramming too, because I somehow don't think cell phones support OpenGL. Handheld game consoles would probably work pretty well, but apparently it's tough to break into that business, and you have to sign your soul over to the hardware manufacturer. So for now I'm just doing desktop platforms, and I'll think about others if it's successful on those.
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Sure, I'll be glad to help test it.aldel wrote:Should I put you on my (rather short) list of Linux testers for when it happens?
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SuperSheep
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I have heard that cell phones support Java and Flash. I know my Motorola phone does Java and I see the options in Flash for cell phones. Until they have WinCP (probably coming soon) these will probably be your best bets.aldel wrote:I've thought about running Dork on cell phones, handhelds, etc. Cell phones really don't have enough resolution for the level designs I've made, so it would require redesigning everything-- and probably reprogramming too, because I somehow don't think cell phones support OpenGL. Handheld game consoles would probably work pretty well, but apparently it's tough to break into that business, and you have to sign your soul over to the hardware manufacturer. So for now I'm just doing desktop platforms, and I'll think about others if it's successful on those.
Btw...Looks cool although I haven't had a chance to play it. I like the concept and the graphics.
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Thanks! I've never been sure whether to be proud of the visual design... I spent a lot of time on it, but I still don't know what I'm doing. I try to think of it as charmingly naive, or something.SuperSheep wrote:Btw...Looks cool although I haven't had a chance to play it. I like the concept and the graphics.
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Actually this raises an important question. How could I make it easier for people under 18 to buy the game? Payment is through PayPal, so you don't necessarily need a credit card, although I'm not sure what PayPal's policy is on minors.Dakatsu wrote:Cool. I am 13 so I couldn't buy it, but if I didn't get it for free and I could buy stuff over the internet, I would get it.
When I was 13 I paid for video games in quarters. Too bad I can't put a coin slot in the software...
