Hi there! I just got back from my time off in Japan and I’d like to keep folk informed on what I have in store for this year.
Super Scrandle, Ko-Fi supporter status
Super Scrandle will be returning soon in an improved form.
Problems I identified with the original design:
- Pints are a little too situationally-specific and people didn’t really use them much.
- The “Escape” mechanic makes little sense without a leaderboard or stats.
- Evil rounds serve an attritive purpose but there’s not really a gradation of difficulty. The 1st evil round might be just as hard as the 8th. They also make more sense when “Escaping” makes more sense.
Otherwise I’m fairly happy with how it works, though it could use a little more flavour.
As stated prior, at some point this mode will only be available for Ko-Fi supporters, as well as a few other features I have in mind introduced throughout the year (save sync, chievos). I expect this system will play out like “each donation gets you a set amount of supporter time”, but I’d like it to be on the generous side. And don’t worry, donations made before this point will be applied to this system.
Data Entropy Improvement Concept (DEIC)
An issue I’ve identified with the design of the dynamic rating system is that it lowers entropy over time. Items are generally compared with similarly rated items (or at least more often than not), creating a reinforcement loop which means ratings tend over times towards 50%. This leads to somewhat more boring games. We’re not at this point yet, but it may become a problem in the future.
But at the same time, I like the way items have a “canonical” rating. You can learn that this or that item stands at about the 30% mark.
At some point, there will be a change in how dynamic ratings are calculated, and you’ll have to relearn the meta a little. I’m experimenting with ideas like a ELO-style system or a system where ratings “harden” over time. I want a fairly flat rating profile across all items, not a bell curve. I need a data scientist…
Once I’m happy with the next version of the dynamic rating system, I plan to move all items to this system to allow for the greatest variety of matchups.
Tuesday Scrandle?
I’d like to start doing non-stadium food on a set day, as there’s hardly a shortage of funny food pictures out there and a lot of the user submissions have been, uh, people’s dinners made at home…? I’m flattered they made the effort of sending the picture, but it doesn’t really fit with the stadium theme.
Maybe Tuesday will be the “Home Team” day, or maybe a weekend day, I’m not sure yet.
Various client improvements
The experience is still pretty sloppy, particularly on mobile. I’m not really very good at this stuff, but I’ll do my best to try to improve it.
One improvement that’s probably needed is a button to show the full image, or at least hide UI that might be obscuring an image.
Multiplayer
Probably the killer app for Scrandle.
I have two multiplayer systems in mind – the first is a more simple “hotseat” system that just lets you play with friends at the pub etc. The second is a slightly more elaborate duel-style game for online play. Naturally, you can expect the first before the second.
Friday Scrandle
Sorry but I’m going to keep doing them.
Cry if you want.
Your tears will reach heaven before they reach me!