Trace - new free game

[bovinedragon]

Hi, just wanted to tell you all about my new iPhone game, [app]Trace[/app]

Trace is a casual platformer where you draw your own path through the levels. Use the touch screen to draw platforms and navigate past obstacles to reach to goal at the end of each level. The game is easy to pick up and play anytime, and high scores add another level of challenge.
-6 Unique Worlds
-120 Levels
-Original Soundtrack
-Free!

It's free, and has a 4.5 star rating in AppStore.

Youtube video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ewmcfdh0TlY

AppStore Link: [app]Trace[/app]

Website: http://www.spacecowmusic.com/Pages/trace.html

Any feedback and suggestions are appreciated!

-Kevin Calderone

 

[Sky Blue]

Dowloaded last week, I like it a lot!

 

[SlapMonkey]

I too have been playing it since it's release and am enjoying it.

However, it does seem too similar to (at least the basic idea was taking from) the much nicer and more innovative (and unfortunately PC only) Crayon Physics Deluxe game.

 

[elbirth]

Thanks a lot for bringing this app to our attention, I hadn't seen it. I downloaded it a couple hours ago and played it while I was gone to eat, and I absolutely love it. I'm usually turned off to apps with crappy graphics, but the hand-drawn look adds to its character and I really like it.

I've wanted a game like this where you draw your path to completion, and this is exactly that, and seems to have a lot of levels to keep the gameplay going.

Any chance you'll be updating with even more levels in the future?

 

[Cynicalone]

Very cool! Thanks for the heads up.

 

[bovinedragon]

However, it does seem too similar to (at least the basic idea was taking from) the much nicer and more innovative (and unfortunately PC only) Crayon Physics Deluxe game.

I didn't have the style in mind when I started making Trace. I'm just a really bad artist, so it ended up looking childlike drawn in the end.

Any chance you'll be updating with even more levels in the future?

I'm working on version 1.1 right now, should be a week or two before it comes out. Still looking for feedback to include in 1.1, so any feedback is appreciated.

Also, I plan on making a paid version, with more levels and features. Wont be for awhile though, already working on another game. Probably end of year/early next year.

 

[return7]

I didn't have the style in mind when I started making Trace. I'm just a really bad artist, so it ended up looking childlike drawn in the end.



I'm working on version 1.1 right now, should be a week or two before it comes out. Still looking for feedback to include in 1.1, so any feedback is appreciated.

Also, I plan on making a paid version, with more levels and features. Wont be for awhile though, already working on another game. Probably end of year/early next year.

well done btw. it's clever and fun.

 

[SkillsToShow]

Very nice and enjoyable game, I thought it was Line Rider at 1st

 

[elbirth]

I too have been playing it since it's release and am enjoying it.

However, it does seem too similar to (at least the basic idea was taking from) the much nicer and more innovative (and unfortunately PC only) Crayon Physics Deluxe game.

I would actually love to see a game just like Crayon Physics for the iPhone. The whole concept of creating objects in the world to complete your task is really cool. Does anything like this happen to already exist? There was a puzzle/game released early in the life of the app store where you used water, fire, etc to do stuff, but I can't think of the name now...

I'm working on version 1.1 right now, should be a week or two before it comes out. Still looking for feedback to include in 1.1, so any feedback is appreciated.

Also, I plan on making a paid version, with more levels and features. Wont be for awhile though, already working on another game. Probably end of year/early next year.

Sounds great, will definitely look forward to it. If you get a paid version out, I'd probably buy it for the added levels and features, assuming its price is reasonable
You willing to give any kind of insight as to what the other game is you're working on? Anything remotely similar to Trace?

 

[GreenLightJerky]

There was a puzzle/game released early in the life of the app store where you used water, fire, etc to do stuff, but I can't think of the name now...

I think you are speaking of Aqua Forest, which happens to be on sale for free till the 12th I think.

 

[elbirth]

I think you are speaking of Aqua Forest, which happens to be on sale for free till the 12th I think.

yep, that's the one... I was poking around the app store trying to find it and just did a few minutes ago... however, when I try to get it, it says it can't process my order because the app is being modified... they're probably changing the price back and I'm too late

 

[DrummerB]

I just tried it. Very funny and cool game!

I'm working on version 1.1 right now, should be a week or two before it comes out. Still looking for feedback to include in 1.1, so any feedback is appreciated.

Some small things I've realized: I have to press the "Retry" and "Back" buttons multiple times or wait 3-4 seconds to retry or go back. I assume the numbers of the levels indicate the difficulty? After completing the first world I had to check all the other worlds to see where to continue.

DrummerB

 

[elbirth]

I just tried it. Very funny and cool game!



Some small things I've realized: I have to press the "Retry" and "Back" buttons multiple times or wait 3-4 seconds to retry or go back. I assume the numbers of the levels indicate the difficulty? After completing the first world I had to check all the other worlds to see where to continue.

DrummerB

The Retry and Back buttons are "double tap" buttons by design, as he states on the app page in the store. I assume this is to prevent accidentally erasing all your lines or exiting the level. Double tapping always makes them work right away for me and I don't see any sort of 3-4 wait time, so maybe this is the issue you're seeing.

I also agree with the comment about not knowing which section to go to in what order without having to go to every single one to see which world it is. They're not even in order clockwise or anything it seems, which is slightly frustrating if you want to do it all in order.

I'd also maybe like to see an option for a simple "undo" so you can under single lines at a time instead of having to erase everything you've done. There have been a few times where I drew a few lines and only messed up on one and wanted to redraw the single line but had to go back and redraw them all.

 

[bovinedragon]

I would actually love to see a game just like Crayon Physics for the iPhone. The whole concept of creating objects in the world to complete your task is really cool. Does anything like this happen to already exist?

There is iPhysics lite, which I believe uses the same Box2d engine that Crayon physics uses.

You willing to give any kind of insight as to what the other game is you're working on? Anything remotely similar to Trace?

I'm working on the lite version of my next app, I will make a teaser video once I get a few levels completed. Few weeks or so; i'm getting sidetracked making Trace 1.1. Keeping it a surprise

Some small things I've realized: I have to press the "Retry" and "Back" buttons multiple times or wait 3-4 seconds to retry or go back. I assume the numbers of the levels indicate the difficulty? After completing the first world I had to check all the other worlds to see where to continue.

Yeah I forgot to make an instruction for the double-tap buttons, I will add that. Also I am going to put world numbers in the world select screen, so you can tell where you are supposed to go. I drew the world select screen before we decided on the world order...

I'd also maybe like to see an option for a simple "undo" so you can under single lines at a time instead of having to erase everything you've done. There have been a few times where I drew a few lines and only messed up on one and wanted to redraw the single line but had to go back and redraw them all.

Yeah that was requested by a lot of people. I am also adding a button to toggle between pen and eraser, so you can erase lines that you messed up.

Thanks for the feedback

 

[elbirth]

There is iPhysics lite, which I believe uses the same Box2d engine that Crayon physics uses.

Awesome, thanks for the suggestion. I just watched a few YouTube reviews of it, and it looks great as well. Gonna pick this one up.

Good luck on your update and other app, definitely looking forward to seeing them.

 

[iPhone3G]

What kind of times are people completing it in? I just finished my first time through - 100%, 90 Minutes. The only level that gave me any trouble for a bit was the final stage of the plant world. I think I'll go back and cut down on some of my slower stages now.

So what kinds of times have you all had?

 

[Maximillian]

Awesome. Very very cool!

I'd have never seen this game so thanks for the heads up!

 

[bovinedragon]

What kind of times are people completing it in? I just finished my first time through - 100%, 90 Minutes. The only level that gave me any trouble for a bit was the final stage of the plant world. I think I'll go back and cut down on some of my slower stages now.

So what kinds of times have you all had?

The current fastest time is posted on the AppStore page. Right now it is held by David Palley @ 19 mins 56 seconds.

 

[Sojourn]

I am also adding a button to toggle between pen and eraser, so you can erase lines that you messed up.

That's a great idea -- I've found it frustrating if I decided to, for example, draw out a plan for the whole level at the beginning, only to find that I've boxed myself in between the lines I've drawn, and I need to start all over again.

Thanks for offering your insight on the boards -- it's always great when the developers are connected to their user community on the grassroots level.

Take care,
Sojourn

 

[bovinedragon]

Version 1.1 of Trace has been submitted to apple. Thank you for all of your feedback, I've tried to include everything people suggested into version 1.1. Should take apple about a week to update the app.

Whats new to version 1.1

-Line Eraser
-Play Your Own Music
-Improved Person (No more block, Stick person now!)
-Improved HUD
-Bug Fixes
-Mute Button
-Improved World Select Screen

 

[beate]

-Improved Person (No more block, Stick person now!)

Yay! The only thing I wanted. Thank you.

 

[elbirth]

Version 1.1 of Trace has been submitted to apple. Thank you for all of your feedback, I've tried to include everything people suggested into version 1.1. Should take apple about a week to update the app.

Whats new to version 1.1

-Line Eraser
-Play Your Own Music
-Improved Person (No more block, Stick person now!)
-Improved HUD
-Bug Fixes
-Mute Button
-Improved World Select Screen

Sounds great, thanks a lot. Looking forward to the update

 

[bovinedragon]

Version 1.1 is out, only took apple 2 days. Very quick compared to the 6 weeks it took 1.0 to come out... Thanks for all of your feedback!

 

[bluenoise]

Thanks to this thread, I decided to give this a try myself. It's a great game! I just showed a coworker, so he's downloading it now, too.

 

[dalvin200]

Level 20?

I'm stuck at level 20... for the past half hour its been doing my head in!

if anyone has completed it, can you post a screenshot please?


and kudos to the game..its one of the best i have so far!!! reminds me a lot of the physics one on my jailbroken iphone