January 2003
Each month there'll be some random thoughts here and a sneaky "keyhole" peek at a scene from the actual game.
This month I'd like to introduce you to my Concept Tester.
Ursula is playing Magnetic as it develops and writing to her friend June as she plays -
this ploy makes it easier for Ursula to supply me with the sort of feedback I'm looking for.
Here's one of my favourite bits so far:
"Now this is where Magnetic becomes a very unusual game. You remember that I said you have to wait out the storm at the beginning of the game? Well, when the beach game is complete, the shapes move, come together, part again - almost like a dance - and you can watch that for as long as you like. The same with this beautiful pattern, and the colours and shapes are indescribable. I sat and watched it for ages. Then I suddenly saw the cursor re-appear as a target cross - incredibly, you can click on a section of the pattern and that will develop (not quite the right word, but I can't think of another one). Only one word to describe all of this - WOW!!!!!!!!!"
Of course it hasn't all been sweetness and light. Ursula's very honest feedback has enabled me to clearly
see several flaws in the basic story line and the way it is being conveyed by the game.
For a long time there have been several parts of Magnetic that I wasn't happy with -
one basic change to the underlying story set these parts back on the right track (sounds
easy but it took a one hour solo walk on the beach to come up with that "one basic change").
Where would I be without these incredible people who are prepared to put in
many thankless hours struggling with my embryonic creations?
