I lean more towards releasing Chapter 1 if it encompasses the majority of how the game is played. If there's a flaw in the foundation, it's better to bring it to the light sooner so you don't have the extra task of going back and redoing stuff you've already made.

author=Professor_Q
This is pretty cool, considering that I'm more or less in the same place (though I doubt my game and yours should be mentioned in the same breath!)

As for the demo, that depends on the length of each chapter, but I'd say finish at least two chapters before putting something out. A prologue / first chapter is a hook, but a demo should be something more substantial. (Besides, it's the part after the first chapter that's often the trickiest to get through! ^_^)

All the best, and looking forward to another awesome game. =)

Thanks! And you certainly may mention your game in the same breath :D Is it "The Third World?"

author=zDS
I love the idea of a progress meter. I should make one of those myself sometime.

Go for it ^_^

author=Red_Nova
I lean more towards releasing Chapter 1 if it encompasses the majority of how the game is played. If there's a flaw in the foundation, it's better to bring it to the light sooner so you don't have the extra task of going back and redoing stuff you've already made.

Well, after talking to Sooz about it in RL she made the good point that Chapter 2 does in fact encompass more of what the game is about and ends on a much stronger point.

Perhaps I can have the best of both worlds by releasing a demo to testers when Chapter 1 is done to make sure the gameplay is functional and then release Chapter 2 to the public as a demo so the story feels like it's at the right point?

author=eplipswich
Personally, I would rather wait for the full game to come out (I always do for almost all games), but it's your call. Since your game is in chapters, though, I guess you would want to release the game in chapters?

I totally get that, but for me, releasing a demo first really helps keep my motivation going and also gets me valuable feedback.

Also, just to be clear, the Chapters aren't official and won't be showing up in the story (as in, there'll be no big text telling you that you're entering "Chapter 2" etc), they were just general areas in the game that split up easily. They're more a shorthand for me to know where in the game I am XD;

First off, plagiarism; you blatantly stole Luxaren Allure's Game Progress Meter.

Secondly, how long is the game estimated to be?

Thirdly, a demo of Chapter 1 is probably the best page in the book that you can turn to.

Fourthly, I might be able to test this. If you need another tester, that is.

author=Sooz
Never release demos. Never release games. Just a constant stream of apparent progress but no end product: That is the secret to the perfect game.

I kind of did this and finished my game in less than a year, but now no one knows about its existense. xD

author=MakioKuta
If the demo is to tease us, then end it at a good story hook.

If the demo is meant to get feedback on the game's systems, then let it run until we have a strong sense of the game's systems.

EITHER WAY I am excited. If you want me to help test, please let me know!!! <3

Haha, that a good point. I'll try to figure it out as I go further. Tho it's possible I'm overthinking things XD

And I'd absolutely love to have you as a tester. Thanks very much ^________^

author=Sooz

author=unity
Tho it's possible I'm overthinking things XD

Surely not! That's out of character for you! :V

Quiet, you! :P

I think the best option at this point is, when Chapter 1 is finished, I ask for Beta Testers to try it out, and ask them afterwards if they think it's a good place for a demo, letting them know that Chapter 2 has even more Weird-Unfortunate-ness in it, and if they still think it's good enough for a demo, I'll release it then.