New iPhone App: SnoWords - First Look!

*Read Me*

First of all, a description of how the game is played - although you can probably figure it out from the video:

Each level is 2 minutes long, and the goal is simply to make words. Scoring is currently 2^(word length) points for each word, but that is subject to change (as is almost anything about the game - which is why I made a video and I really want feedback!). As points are scored, the snowman in the background is built up. When it's finished being built (the hat is on) you have enough points to continue to the next level. If you don't finish the snowman (get enough points) before time runs out you lose. Simple as that :D

You may notice the beginning section and wonder what that is - I've integrated OpenFeint into the app. OpenFeint is similar to Xbox Live or PSN in that it allows you to keep a friends list, check leaderboards, see what friends are doing, and even get achievements (which I have not added yet but most likely will). It's most importantly an easy to use leaderboard for the game, so you can compete for high scores online!

The graphics are done by Hailey Thorne (who most of you probably know as GuitarHailz on Scorehero) and I'm really happy to have graphics done by somebody else for this game, since the game would look like crap if I had attempted them myself :p

I'm also getting a friend to record a song for the game so the music should be awesome as well (although for now there's none so I used Soothsayer)

Finally: the game is obviously not done yet and needs work...mostly fixing up the UI to make it look nicer (not the graphics - the buttons, labels, etc.) but I also need to work on the gameplay a lot before I finalize this app.

I'm asking all of you to give me suggestions on gameplay. Anything you can think of is welcome, please give me as much feedback as possible. I'm thinking about adding power-ups, different game modes, really anything to make the game as fun as it can possibly be. Chances are I'll be able to add any suggestions that I think are good ideas so suggest something and it could end up in the final app!

Thanks!

Category:

Gaming

Tags:

• SnoWords
• iPhone
• app

[ManfredvonKarma7]

Maybe as the time runs out in a level, you could have the speed that the snow is falling increase? That would add a sense of urgency if someone hasn't gotten enough points yet, and also give them a better chance to make words. Actually, the opposite might work too. Having the game slow down (like the storm is letting up) would serve to penalize those who take too long.

I'd think it's worth considering, but the game looks good without it.

[footballtom3685]

That's a great idea, I think I'll also have the snow speed up a bit for each level. But overall having it speed up as the level progresses is great too, I'll add that for sure.

[iamroldanmandude]

It would probably increase the entertainment brought from the game if you had an enormous word bank that automatically detected words that are made instead of having to stop, let letters fall, and click submit. Just a thought though, seems real fun! :D

[footballtom3685]

That could be done, but what if you wanted to make the word "person"? It would submit "per" automatically and you wouldn't be able to continue. I thought of that originally too, but it wouldn't make sense the way the game is set up. And since you're using your fingers anyway hitting submit doesn't really slow you down that much.

[iamroldanmandude]

Well how about adding a button that would be held to indicate that it's either a longer word, a word that has another as a root, or past or present tense. Something along the lines of that would seem like a reasonable thing to do since you could hold down that button with the thumb of the hand in which you are holding your device.

[footballtom3685]

Uhh..a submit button seems much simpler than that imo

[hafedh02]

love the MUSIC...anyone knows by who ?????

[thekoolkurt]

props for having Buckethead

[forsalebypwner]

Dude that looks great!

[GuitarHailz]

Hey that looks really neat, great job! I will pick this up for sure when it's done. ;P

[NivaroxGH]

Soothsayer :s

[iamroldanmandude]

Meh, probably. Like I said, just a thought. :D