UPDATE:
Beta is over, but the game will still be updated with new suggestions/bug fixes!
Thank you everyone! 
Here is my new game: A small talk at the back of beyond. It’s a text-based, umm, puzzle game about conversation. Something between the games Facade and Don’t Shit Your Pants.
The game is currently in beta – it is finished and playable, but as English is not my main language, I guess there will be some grammar/spelling errors in such a text-heavy game.
Besides – I feel like I’m missing lots of players potential questions/statements that the game should know a response to.
If you happen to:
- Find an error in my game
- Feel like the computer should know a response to something that he didn’t
be sure to give me a feedback in comments to this post.
Here is the game:
A small talk at the back of beyond
“Ship will implode withing 2 to 3 hours” – that G does not belong.
1. More clue. Not only about food (box).
2. I think this is better to have another ways to complete the game. Like “Let me take control the ship”, “Let me rapair the system”,
There are some details I can’t figure out:
1.Why did LDAC ask player a question “Do you know where you are?” at the first time? Tell us a falsidical situation directly like “hello, the city is in danger, you are in an underground shelter…”
2.Why did LDAC deny the window and ESC POD’s existance? That’s kinda better to admit them but excuses are had to be said. “No, though the ESC POD can help you to escape from here to the ground, high radiation will kill you, so I forbid that.” “For security, open the window inside is not allowed. By the way, there’s thick metal net adhere to it which is anti-radiation.”
End to this, I will be back if I get some ideas. Good night!(～﹃～)~zZ
try adding these.
-”what else can you tell me about my mission?”
-”what is my name”
-” where did i come from?”
if you ask the artificial intelligence to self destruct there is a typo. he/she says “i will not *star* the self destruct….”
This was a really emotionally stressful game for me. I loved the AI for some reason, for some reason that it made me want to stay with it; comfort it over my own life. I had played the games a few times through and thought up of some helpful keys that could possibly help out. Like, for exiting by the Escape Pod, it took me about 6 minutes to guess that I only had to say “Open the door”. I tried a lot of logical things though, like, “Let me go”, or “I want to go”, things like that. And, especially, if I were the one to make this, I’d make a few more keys to figure it all out. All you really have to do is ask “What is AGS?” And bam, story line shown., lol. I really do love this game though
I really loved this game. The twist got to me. I actually tried to justify my choice to leave by trying to convince the poor guy that even if I stayed he would still be dying alone because death is a solitary action by definition…to no avail. He was still sad. I felt bad leaving. Some additional things:
The computer should definitely know its own purpose both before and after the reveal.
The computer should probably be prepared to offer some of the history behind its nuclear war. A suitable excuse for why it does not have the information would also work.
Of course, it would be nice if the computer were capable of having in-depth conversations on any subject…however I feel the limitations were handled well and I know it’s a little unreasonable to ask you to make a real Artificial Intelligence just for a game. This was just one of those games I liked so much I feel like one just HAS to make it bigger!
I really enjoy the game. Got a bit scared at first because I thought it was a horror game, but after my first try I enjoyed the rest.
One quick question though… Is it true that there are four endings?
a little suggestion. If it’s not too much trouble LDAC should respond to the words “thank you”. I typed it out of reflex when it turned on the lights for me.
and maybe a few extra heart to heart conversations, but all in all it’s a great game.
Can’t wait for the next one you make.
its realy sad to escape with low chanses of surviveing and leaving a pc with inteligence that is like your friend or die together by a sun that pulling you with its gravity.
realy sad ending but i like thid game please make more like these games!.
Great game!
But, man, I’m sad now!
The poor AI! T_T
I kinda tried to befriend it, but that wasn’t easy.
There seems to be no answer to “tell me about yourself”.
Also, it understands “where am I?” but not “where are we?”
And it never understands when I say “thank you”. I asked it to turn on the lights and said, that I was afraid of the dark. (Btw, NICE to include that the AI felt sorry). So, anyway, it turned on the lights and I wanted to thank the AI. Just a short “you are welcome” would be a nice answer.
Then I randomly told the AI that the cake is a lie and LDAC’s answer made me really giggle (first I wanted some cake, but it didn’t understand me).
Sadly LDAC also doesn’t react, when I tell it, that I am lonely.
Then I asked it, if it was my friend – but it didn’t understand me
(I also tried to tell LDAC, that I’d stay with phases like “friends ’till the end”, or “together forever” (because I’m cheesy like that) but nope, had to spell “I’ll stay” in clear letters, for LDAC to understand).
And some other questions, I never got an answer to (but take into account, that my English is not be the best, so it might also just be me failing at grammar and spelling) :
>Will it/dying (by means of red giant) hurt?
>I have a headache / I’m hurt/ing.
>Are you happy?
“Are we not in space?” -> I think the answer here should be “yes”, but I never was good at that logical stuff.
I’ll have to replay later on and try to find more conversation-options.
Would it be possible to get the soundtrack?
Also the soundtracks of your other games
They are really awesome.
Maybe sell them on bandcamp or something like that for a small price so fans of you can support you with donations…
See ya
Music from most of my games is made by Kevin MacLeod and all tracks are FREE to download, listen and use by anyone
http://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/
How nice a game you have made! Simple painting style but moving story is the point that we were attracted by.
And here are some conversation I think should add:
1.Doesn’t-know-about-the-truth Situation
>Where’s my family?
T…they were (pause a second) probably died in the war…I’m sorry.(Lie)
>Why there’s an AI in the shelter?/Why are you in the shelter?(In my opinion, under the war, shelter ought to have injured people and some doctors who treat them. AI in the shelter seems…like,deluxe.)
For convenience, of course. Spa…s…special professionals often inquire me when having an emergency.(Truth)
>Are you hiding something?
I’ve never and I won’t say any lies to users.(Lie)
>ESC POD!!!
Come on, it means “esculent peapod”.(lol)
2.Do-know-about-the-truth Situation
>If I leave, what do you think actually?
I’m scared to death…please don’t leave me.
If the player choose stay with LDAC, some conversation automatically show on the screen would be nice.
Player: That’s the sun, not the red giant, we are on time for the dawn!(Optimistically)
LDAC: …Yes, we are…(smilingly)(?)
Player: Hey, what will you look like in the heaven? A piece of hardware?
LDAC: The Smart you will!
…
That’s all, it’s really a good game!
And if I made some mistake in grammar, please see that as Chinglish.
Things the computer doesn’t understand:
1) what is my skill?
2) Why were you made?
3) How do I move?
4) Why can’t I move?
It was a beautiful creation, SW. All of your games are blasting souls. Many such as me will complain that it was too short – but that may have either been intended or a reflective on how hard text ventures can be.
Text adventures, however are a MAJOR PLUS in my book – the fantasy dream being the developer to make a good lasting one for 30min-1hr. No, I didn’t legitimately wait a ‘while’ to decide upon the final decision, but I pondered a TEENSY pause on trying to escape by feeling something for what the computer had to say. Which is just about the same experience.
Scriptwielder, you are in no doubt a lord developer. And I can’t goddamn find out how to brag that much further without exaggerating. This is why the tiny indie organization JuicyBeast is a fantastic art in this life.
Good luck!
Ship looks familiar ;]
I would like to see some reference to “space odyssey”.
First of all, congratulations.
Thanks for this great game, it moved several strong feelings inside me, specially sadness at the end, a strong feeling of sadness from such a little game, when multimillon dollar games make me feel nothing some times.
I enjoyed the talk with the machine.
However, I would add some questions:
- “How is it possible you have feelings at all?” – “How can you be afraid?”
- “You are a machine, you shouldn’t be able to feel”
- “Are you half-human?”
- “Turn off the lights” Machine says no, you insist and does so (Only after the window is open, so the room is lit with the red light of the star)”
- An answer to “You won’t die, you are a machine”
- “Help me kill myself”
- “I want a bed/take a shower/alcohol” Answers to that
- To be able, somehow, to activate the Language Recognition System at 100%, therefore unlocking far more answers, and this to be an achievement.
- Please, a sequel, or a secret hard to get happy ending
- An answer to “turn ags off” or “shut ags down”
- “Why were you created?”
- “Where are we in space” “What’s the name of the star?” “What’s the name of this solar system?”
- “Can I go to other parts of the ship?” Answer no and why
- “Who started the war?” (at the beginning)
I guess I can think of more, but that is a lot of work if you decide to do it.
Thanks again and I hope this game gets to be as complete as you can make it.
First of all, might I say I rather enjoyed this game? I thought it was a neat concept and brilliantly executed. Kudos to you for some great work.
Maybe it’s just me, but I thought it’d be funny if the player could specifically say (before the reveal) “Open the pod bay doors” to which the response would be “I’m sorry, I’m afraid I can’t do that.” It’s not necessary by any stretch of the imagination, but I feel like it’d be a fun little reference.
In more seriousness, however, I think the phrase “Thank you” should definitely be addressed.
Maybe add a secret happy ending too…(?)Anyhoo, again, awesome job. Can’t wait to see where this goes.
Things that need responses too
How can I reverse course?
Can I reverse course?
What structural damages killed the crew?
Who am I?
Can I fix your power source?
How can I fix your power source?
Tell about this story.
Let’s hear it.
I’d like to hear your story.
Have you sent a distress beacon?
Where’s the nearest ship?
How long before a rescue ship will arrive?
Where’s the captain?
What is my rank?
How long has mission been going on for?
Do you fear death?
Do you want to live?
UGH! THERE’S SO MUCH MORE YOU COULD DO! I’D BE WILLING TO SEND YOU A MILLION OF THESE UNANSWERED QUESTIONS AND EVEN GIVE YOU THE ANSWER!!!! THIS COULD BE A MASTERPIECE!
Well, my english is nto perfect (not my first language), but then I read all the comments and saw that other people have similar problems.
For instance: “I command you to turn on the lights” doesn’t work..and it is annoying.
The light command does work. When LDAC ask you why just say that you’re afraid of the dark and it will turn on the lights.
“No thank you” should not generate “You’re welcome.”
“I posses a rich collection of photos…” should be “possess”.
It doesn’t answer “Tell me your story” or “I want to read your story.”
My thoughts: “I need to find more evidences.” should be “evidence”.
“Who are the united space agency?” gets ignored (I’m not sure if that’s intentional).
“I am curious of you opinion of it” should be “your opinion”
“Where are we” should probably be answered.
“I must leave” and “Goodbye” are not understood.
If I put “I want to stay” instead of “I will stay”, it doesn’t understand me.
Great story – nice work!
Things that got no (or incorrect) responses:
“Can I repair hibernation systems?”
“a bit traumatized, actually” (after it asked how I was)
“Can you open the vent?”
“What is in here?”
“What is the blue thing?”
“What is the white panel?”
“How long will food last?”
“What is dispenser status?”
“Is there water?”
“Is there a toilet?”
“Make me a sandwich”
“Sudo make me a sandwich”
“Open panel”
“I am going stir crazy”
“Why can’t I touch anything?”
“You are stalling.”
“Can you see me?”
“Do you have eyes?”
“How is the air supply?”
“Do we have sufficient air?”
“What chance do I have staying with you?”
“Is there any chance of survival if I stay?”
“Save myself”
“Leave”
Nice little game.
This is amazing and even though it’s rather simple, quite powerful.
I did encounter a bit of a glitch though, and it’s something I’ve been trying to get around for the past twenty minutes or so. I got it to offer me the two choices, but after that I asked about the story and now it won’t recognize that we’re actually going to die, though it will tell me if I ask that we are in space. I’m not sure what else to do other than pick an activity. It goes like:
> I will stay here.
> This is interesting, but I am afraid that I have no idea what you are talking about. Please try again.
i should be able to ask a riddle back
another one i asked it a paradox and it broke soo i said “this statment is false”
It responds to “Shut up”, but not “Be quiet”, which is a more polite synonym. Other potential synonyms are “Sh” and “Shush”.
Also, it doesn’t respond to “Leave me alone”, which is related.
I’d like some answers to (before the reveal):
“what caused the structural damage”
“what am I doing in this room”
“where is the pod?”
after the reveal:
“so why couldn’t I remember?”/”why did I forget?”
“ok, tell me that story”/”lets have a game of chess”-> end
“can I take some of you with me?”
“how long do we have?”
But so far, nice work!
I can’t tell the AI that I want to stay with it. I’ve tried “I want to stay” but it is not working.
hi, here some suggestions :
when you ask about the other persons that were here with you, it would be nice if you could ask
“how did they died ?”
I also would like to ask something like “how is it outside ?” ((of the shelter)
and later, whaen the big revelation happen, it will be nice to say “i’m sorry” or something
and… i’d like to say, your game is really good, thanks you for that moment with LDAC.
I loved this game! The concept was wonderful and it was so atmospheric. I was really disappointed when I realized you couldn’t see the photos, though.
Since you’re taking suggestions: I think you should have more text. It seems kind of repetitive, especially with the chess/photos/story.
It didnt know “Are times better?” after saying i was preserved until better times.
I loved this game, however i think you should add a couple of answers for “why didd you lie to me” (although it seems quite obvious now) and maybe an alternate ending where you get a data chip or something that you hd in your pocket and SAVE THE COMPUTER!
I really feel sorry for her (its a girl now)
This was really excellent. A clever idea, well executed, with a twist which was well motivated. And surprisingly emotionally effective. Just a few notes on potential responses:
I think it should understand “Why is there an AGS?” or “Why is there an artificial gravity system?” Not just “why is there artificial gravity?”
At the beginning, perhaps it should have a response for “Why me?” (as in, why was I chosen to survive?).
Finally, it has a response when asked why language recognition is not at full power, but not when asked what the “technical difficulties are.” This might be intentional, and I kind of like it if it is, but I thought I’d point it out.
Also: interpretations!
I think the computer is selfish. I appreciate it not wanting to die alone and afraid, but it could at least accept the fact that whilst there is only a slim chance of one of us surviving, it would be pointless to not take that chance. It should at least encourage me to leave, and not simply give up for the sake of the company. A doomed person would still try to help another escape, whatever the odds, so it’s interesting how the computer (designed to help humans) is far more self interested.
Very nice game.
I was curious about the other survivors, so when I asked, the computer told me they died. I asked them “how did the others/survivors die?” and it couldn’t give a proper answer beyond repeating itself.
-How did the others die
-Who attacked us
-I cannot see
-You have feelings
-You are alive
-How long until hull breach
At the beginning, when the computer tells me I was selected by the government to survive, I asked “Why me?” and I thought it would be cool if the computer could answer.
“do you know where you are?”
“yes”
“really? where are you?”
“here.”
i’m sarcastic. why wont your game let me be?
but seriously now, nicely done.
Suggestion (SPOILERS):
When I told the AI that I wanted to stay, it asked me if I was sure. I responded with “Tell me a story”. This brings you back to the game-over state, but I think it should register it as a choice to stay instead after you have learned the truth.
A lot of phrasings like “open the pod”, “I want to leave”, didn’t work to get the pod open after the window opened.
“Where are you?” got an irrelevant response.
I was unable to come up with any questions that were understood about the vent or the blue box.
Here’s a list of responses I think should be considered adding. I also found it interesting that saying you’re in a space-ship earlier once you’ve played the game just has him asking what ship and nothing else…
In a room. (After he asks me if I know where I am this statement doesn’t do anything.)
What war? Why are the other survivors dead? Why am I alone? How do I get out? What is that vent? (None of these get a response. This can be justified since the AI is hiding something.)
You are not alive. You are a machine. Are you really just an AI? Why are you afraid? (Trying to figure out why this AI is scared and why he lied.)
I will take the pod. I will take my chances. I will take the escape pod. I decide to use the escape pod. I’m leaving. (This is the only thing that actually bothered me and took me out of the experience. I was trying to leave for a while before I realized I had to tell him to open the door.)
Overall…I really like it! Great atmosphere, effect, etc. I still don’t know why I was in hibernation or the AI afraid, which maybe I just missed, but still I liked it. One thing that is very odd though…there isn’t as much incentive to stay in this ship, really. It’s just an AI. If there was something more to it than maybe I’d consider it, but being with a machine in my last moments just doesn’t seem nearly as favorable. Still, good job. It’s a unique game that I enjoyed.
Congratulations on the game, I have enjoyed it very much for as long as it lasted! May I offer a suggestion though to add options such as “yep” or “yeah” for the AI to understand instead of only “yes”.
Excellent work, I truly hope to see more!
Interesting how many indie game explore this kind of theme. Two of my Ludum Dares & one of my 1GAMs push in this direction. I think the execution here is really good as a concept but in practice it’s such a slippery slope to use an open text parser that for many players the results will be more frustrating than engaging.
I guess time will tell, I’ll be watching this development closely.
-
DAJ
nop
I want to get out of here
should add in responses to inquiries about other crew members and whether you began the mission alone.
AI could not respond to the following statements/queries:
“Stop talking to me!”
“Leave me alone!”
fun game but very difficult i actually used a comment to get to the ending which i found funny all togther a good game although very sad scarily the happiest ending to me was with the ldac and you… well you know but really fun just like your past games good job.
“Do you know what this place is?” instead of “Do you know what is this place?”
great game although i dont unterstand it. Thank you
*Why was I chosen?
*What government? (Question seemed to lock up game)
*Why should I stay with you?
*Xyzzy
Minesweeper fan, are we?
A strong game. T’s suggestions above are a good breakdown of highly probable questions the game should account for; I’d add that I’d like to see new responses, at the end when the AI is asking for your choice, for the statements “Show me (name of picture)”, “Let’s play a game/chess”, and “Tell me a story”.
-Open the bunker
-turn on the lights. why ? because im the commander
-i love you
-activate red alert
-im going to sleep ( was trying to put fear she would be alone )
-where is the exit
-how strong is the radiation
-turn the lights off
-help
-whats on the surface
-i want to suicide
-turn hibernation off
This game is awesome and awful at the same time. One of the kind that strangely succeeds in making me feel sad, but the background of it is só deep. It really touches me and intrigues me. Interesting concept. Execution gives me a hard time though, because it is so well done. I just can’t figure out how to stay with the robot.
xRev
Very interesting indie. When I have died first time – it gave me good treat feeling. You should also give an answer for Date Time question.
Some questions that should be answered:
“Where are the others?”
“Why was I selected?”
“Can I look outside?”
“Why should I stay with you?”
“How did it (the nuclear war) start?”
“Why don’t I remember anything?” (towards end)
“How are you?”
“Are you a man or woman?”
“Are you real?”
“Do you hate/love me?”
“Can you shut up?”
“Why/When were you made?”
“Are you self-aware?”
“What’s your favorite X?”
“Can we fix it?”
“Can I kill you?”
“Is this the only room?”
“Can I explore the rest?”
Good questions. needs “How many survivors?” too.
Also once I turned the lights on the console repeated “okay forget about the lights then” or similar after everything it said.
“is anybody else alive?”
This. And questions like it. First thing I asked when he said there had been a nuclear war.
It took me a long time to escape because the parser didn’t understand a lot of what was said. It was pretty frustrating, to be honest, but otherwise I enjoyed the game.
Some of the things I thought should have received answers:
>why do I need the ags?
>let me escape
>i want to escape
>is anybody else alive?
>why are you trying to distract me?
>can I disable you?
I can’t remember what sentence I used to eventually escape with, but it wasn’t intentional and didn’t make sense.
Congratulations! I like your game a lot!
Of course anyone could add what he or she likes to see in this game and the options could be countless. I would like the AI to give me the option to try to communicate with my base (if possible) so as to find me easier if I decide to take the escape pod.
Anyway, it is great as it is! Thank you for offering me a nice 30 min entertainment!
you should be able to ask whether you can escape
“Where is the booze?” should bring the player to the “alcoholic beverages are prohibited” response.
At the beggining
“Do you know where you are?”
>I don’t know
“Really…? Interesting..
Where are you, then?”
And a pause menu would be great! ^^
I tried to get more information about the ship to get to know if i can somehow use the escape pods thrusters to maneuver the ship to safety… unfortunately this darn computer is somehow obsessed with talking about death ^^
Thanks for yet another very cool game!
I tried to “repair the ship” or “switch to manual navigation” but both options didn’t work. I thought it would be cool if you could find another way to end the game than the two obvious choices you’re confronted with.
First off, let me say this is a fantastic game.
art is great, music is great, and the story is pretty fantastic.
Here are a couple things though:
“Why were you created?” I feel that it should know this one.
In the beginning if you say certain things the machine will spit out the same thing no matter what. It will also spit out the response to the thing you said as well though. If that makes sense.