Paper Prototype Feedback.xlsx

	A	B	C	D	E	F
1	Playtest - 10/24/2023
2	Feedback / Question	Underlying Issue	Category	Severity/Priority (1 - 5) 1=Most Severe, 5=Least Severe	Proposed Solution	What We Did
3	Second half of the story works - from failure drink and onwards	Elliot character is not lacking friendship.(Experience goal misalignment) First act lacking establishment: Elliot's conflict to embark on the journey isn't strong enough - why does he want to go? Is it simply because he received the letter from his grandmother?	Narrative Arc	1	Entry short cutscene for exposition. Tutorial level introduces the status quo of Elliot: he is doing repetitive task from set ingredient instructions. Maybe minor inicidents of customers of rival families trying to steal ingredients, and the fig family is very protective about their ingredients.	- Cut fignation exposition out, Elliot now begins already drink making at the bar, having already survived alone as an orphan. in addition, he is competing against other characters in search of the fig flower
4	Drink mixing	Teaching the language and logic for the associated emotions	Gameplay	1	Each new ingredient has one drink that has only that ingredient requested by an alien, so whenever new ingredient is gained player knows what keywords or emotions is associated with it. other key words to teach "balanced" two of each of four of each	- Alien drink prompts begin by having a single ingredient and corresponding emotion, drink menu records discoveries and as drink prompt emotions become more complex as does the drink making, based on psychological wheel of emotion
5	Curious about platforming - emergent Platforming feasibility Platforming feels like entirely different game	The purpose of platforming The premise and motives for platforming	Gameplay	2	Platforming was designed with the intention of adding gameplay to the game, but with playtest, we found that this was cut off from the bartending part of the game experience. I think we still need platform to help us tell our story, it needs to be simplified as much as possible, turning the platform into a environment design to fulfill the narrative in the scene. Platforming: instead of ability based platforming, we can consider combinatorial based puzzles - location unlocking from information and tools received by happy cutomers.	- Platform changed and scoped down to simply a short interactive cut scene for narrtative purpose not a platform game mechanic
6	No choices in activities	Would like to see more personal choices, could also tie into drinking making needs more puzzle and choices	Gameplay	2	Approaching NPC by choice. Mixing drink requires trial and error.	How you interact and serve your customers changes your drink menu and drink making, player now makes choice to share ingredients with "competitors"
7	Narratively contrast needed between life and co message vs final message about teamwork	This ties into Elliot's character at the start of the narrative arc, Elliot begins as a reflection of life and co's teachings	Narrative Arc	2	Intro, describe life and co's influence through tutorial, gives exposition of upbringing while explaining ingredients and emotions associated	More defined exposition of Elliot's family and background during Chapter 1 in the space bar doing repetitive mixing for alien NPCs.
8	Grandma's recipe for last drink is more fun than getting solutions	Drink puzzles need a code, see row 4	Gameplay	2	Word puzzles based on simple code that get more complex with intro of new ingredients and combinations	See row 4
9	Elliot original personality feels unclear, not independent enough	This is a Narrative thing, Elliot needs a more complete character arc. How is he affected by the teachings of Life & Co?	Narrative Arc	3	Keep working on the script. From the time he started out as a loner to accepting his friends, to getting help from his friends then he really learned what friendship was all about.	Tightened the pacing of the overall narative arc to 3 major chapters, starting directly within grandma's space bar.
10	Could gameplay show teamwork > working independently	Not just narratively, but gameplay wise, there could be additional roles for the characters that really show teamwork	Gameplay	4	Perhaps ingredients do run out but if you accept drink advice from ll and mw they refill for you? could also go with that accepting help or hints from aliens or bartenders improves your drinks	Player now makes the impactful choice to share or not to share their "fig flower" ingredient with other characters so they can work together
11	Players get the final drink mixing puzzle using all ingredients gathered		Gameplay	Good
12	Players understand the experience goal of friendship		Narrative	Good
13	Narrative is intepretable and engaging		Narrative	Good
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