Puzzledorf News

v3.0 New Graphics Release

• The new graphics are finally released
  
• Also includes new ambient nature sounds, with independent volume controls
  
• Demo nearly ready to be released
  
• Several easy achievements removed as discussed here and here
• Several new achievements have been added
  

[previewyoutube][/previewyoutube]


The new graphics have finally been released tonight. Preview trailer below. You can read the press release here.

Along with the new graphics I have added ambient nature sounds. These have their own independent volume controls and I feel add a sense of deeper immersion to the game.


As discussed previously, there have been several of the simple, early game achievements removed, however, several new achievements have been added. The new ones added are:

• Beat 2 different puzzle types, ie, Beginner, Classic or Christmas
  
• Beat 3 different puzzle types
  
• Beat 2 different mirror modes, ie, Beginner, Classic or Christmas
  
• Beat 3 different mirror modes
  
• Earn all Classic and Beginner Highscore achievements
  
• Earn all Christmas Highscore achievments
  

If you've already earned all other achievements, then these new ones will automatically be awarded to you the next time you play the game.


The demo is in the final stages of testing and planned to be released soon. It will include all of the Beginner puzzles, the whole first world of the Classic puzzles, and the first level of world 2 in the Classic puzzles. Keep an eye out if you're waiting to try Puzzledorf.

Conclusion

Also, if you're enjoying the game and you haven't already, leaving a review is super helpful, as it helps the game get discovered more easily by the store algorithm, and helps other buyers to make an informed choice. For any indie game you want to support, every review helps.

I've also got some other stuff I'm working on, so look forward to more news soon.

[previewyoutube][/previewyoutube]

• New graphics update nearly complete and releasing soon, planned for sometime June / July
  
• Possible minor changes to Beginner achievements
  
• Planning to add a free Demo for new players
  

The new graphics update is nearly complete and will be releasing soon. You can see some of the latest progress below, including the revamped lava world:

[previewyoutube][/previewyoutube]

[previewyoutube][/previewyoutube]

The new graphics are currently up on the Xbox demo already. To give you an idea of how it will feel, here's a playthrough of it:

[previewyoutube][/previewyoutube]



I want to make some minor adjustments to the beginner achievements. After reducing the number of levels in the beginner worlds, it feels like new players get too many easy achievements too quickly at the start. I feel like it will improve the experience to remove some of them, which will also keep achievements consistent across platforms.

For more details about the changes I'd like to make, I go into detail in this Community post here. I know some people can get really passionate about their achievements, so I wasn't planning on making any drastic changes before bringing it up for discussion and seeing how people feel about it.

Edit: I am also looking at adding new achievements to replace these ones, which I've talked about more in the comments.


The Xbox Demo has been doing really well, more on that in a later post. In light of this, I have decided it's worth adding a free demo to Steam. I am hoping to launch that soon after the new graphics update is complete and released. This way, anyone curious about the game can try the demo first. It will be the same as the Xbox Demo which currently includes:

• All of the Beginner Worlds
  
• World 1 of the Classic Worlds Plus the first level of World 2.
  

I will be announcing the release date of the Demo soon.

[previewyoutube][/previewyoutube]

Puzzledorf is coming to the video games expo SAGE, 2024! From their official announcement:

“A 34-exhibitor line up has been revealed for Adelaide’s newest and most exciting video games expo. South Australian Game Exhibition (SAGE) takes over Adelaide Studios on Friday 16 and Saturday 17 February for two action-packed days of free fun suitable for the whole family – this year as the flagship event on the Adelaide Fringe Interactive program! “

Read more here.

[previewyoutube][/previewyoutube]

I’m very excited to announce that Puzzledorf will soon be releasing on XBox Series X / S and XBox One consoles! The demo is currently live to play right now on XBox! See it here.

To read the full news release, click here.

You will also notice the above teaser trailer has new graphics. It’s soon going to be more colourful than ever with relaxing waterfalls. I am hoping to have this graphics update ready mid february. The Ruins puzzles are planned for release later this year, delayed due to console ports.

Here’s a quick preview from some of the new level designs:







To read the full news release, click here.

v2.9.04

Quick fixes:

• UI in Mirror mode was accidentally mirrored for "some" game pad types. This has now been fixed.
  
• Level 8 of Palm Beach, Classic mode, was accidentally replaced with the wrong level. This has now been fixed.