Messages

[Demo downloads:]

A new demo of this game is available! The gameplay is much expanded, and Joe Cutler's story is more developed. It's about 3x more fun than the last release.

Demo downloads:
Windows
Linux

E/S

Thanks for persisting, and thanks for the game-crash notice. All your comments are appreciated and I'll be sure to respond to them in the game.

E/S

I guess I'm at the "end" for Cut.

Sounds like you're right. I'll look into the Organizizer/kitchen malfunction. Whatever you're trying to do there doesn't sound important anymore.

Spoiler

I can't find a use for the shreds.

[close]

Again, you've got the right idea on this but the game is being picky about how you execute it. Sorry.

Spoiler

Maybe, when you try to use the shreds on the squirrel, Dirk should say, "I'd rather use them where the squirrel will use them."

[close]

I guess the heap of clothes, locked door in the cellar, locked door on the 4th floor, fuses in the basement, the entire 5th floor (among other things) are not implemented yet?

The heap of clothes, fifth floor, and fuses aren't implemented.

Thanks for your other comments as well! It's so helpful and encouraging to see specific questions and critiques.

E/S

Aha! Then I think  I will need to

Spoiler

find a way to pass objects from Cut to Dirk. (I found the other way.) Then Dirk will have a means to tell the chef it's time to open the cafeteria.

[close]

You've got the right idea, I think. Maybe this puzzle, like some others in the game, is simple in concept but not implemented smoothly given gameplay conventions.

Spoiler

There is no way to pass the phone between players.

[close]

What I don't know, is whether I can paint myself into a corner. I guess I may hit dead ends if I

Spoiler

give back the chef's phone prematurely, or fill the bucket with shreds before picking up the rubber bands?

[close]

I don't want dead ends in the game, and I think I've avoided them in the demo -- until the meaningful gameplay is exhausted.

Spoiler

You can return the phone whenever. Do it! You can also fill the bucket with shreds whenever. Do it! (And then use them.)

[close]

I wondered about the organizer app. I turned it off after the first room. Was I supposed to leave it on?

I don't think this matters. The Organizizer app should enable certain tasks for Cut; it shouldn't block any actions.

Hope this helps!

E/S

Perhaps you can hint about what puzzles/tasks are solvable so far? (Without giving away the solutions?) I understood you right that the demo doesn't have a concrete ending (with a message or end screen)?

Yes, the demo doesn't have an end screen.

Dirk is looking for his friend Sloane. (I'm afraid the game doesn't coax the player enough toward this narrative.) Where is Sloane's room? Where is/are the entrance/s?

As for Cut,

Spoiler

he needs people to see his ad. When will people come to see it? Can he (or Dirk) help initiate their arrival?

[close]

Thanks so much for your perseverance so far. Your playing and comments give me plenty to think about regarding my puzzle designs.

E/S

I had to restart my first go because I couldn't get out of the phone GUI. Other than that, I think this one is shaping up nicely. It will be interesting to follow this project.

Thanks, and thanks for playing! I need to implement an exit from the phone GUI. Sorry. For now, you can dial four random numbers, get no answer, and the phone GUI will go away.

You haven't done everything in the demo. I haven't yet programmed a use for

Spoiler

the piece of wood,

[close]

but the other things you mentioned do figure into solvable puzzles. Let me know if you play further or would like more concrete hints.

Thanks again for playing!

E/S

Hi!
The file is on a private Google drive. You may want to make it public or move the files to another place that is publicly accessible.

Crumb buckets! Thanks (and thanks, heltenjon) for the notice.

The files should be accessible now!

E/S

[VANTOGRADE HEIGHTS]

VANTOGRADE HEIGHTS
a video game by vantograde productions

The Story:
Joe Cutler is a new tenant in the Vantograde Heights building. An ambitious person, Joe immediately begins to market himself out, hoping one day to own the building and its main corporate lessee, URBAaRCo, the Used Rubber Band Acquisition and Resale Company. Meanwhile, longtime resident of Vantograde Heights, Dirk Hanes, works his way up the URBAaRCo corporate ladder to discover the whereabouts of his missing friend, Samuel P. Sloane.

Screenshots:






Development progress:
Story: 85%
Scripting: 60%
Graphics: 50% (almost no animation so far)
Sound: 0%

Website:
https://wp.connectseward.org/derekhain/

Demo downloads:
Windows
Linux