Make a Non-Code Feature!

[shazasky]

Can You Guys make a non-code feature

[davidalangay]

Seconded, supporting this request.

Signed, someone who CAN program in many languages but wants to see those unfamiliar with programming to be able to play this game.

[✞𝐵𝓇𝑒𝓃✞]

Agree. This looks like so much fun, but I don't know any code :(

[View The Phenom]

Agreed, if you want to extend your reach beyond a small niche (which means very little funding and support) then you need to provide features for less tech-savy players. Otherwise, you're limiting the audience to a handful of enthusiasts.

Bring more people into the space, don't just appeal to the small audience that exists. And I'm someone who can program in multiple languages, but having a larger player-base with more support can only be a positive thing.

[Mal Function]

perhaps a scratch mode?

[dayspyda]

Agreed! i know zero about coding. Ive made a gadget, but its a paperweight because i have no idea how to code

[Karppa]

Same here; I have a bunch of ideas for some button combos and things but I cannot get LED states to work, for an example

[Bainrow Kicks]

I'll make another recommendation here and then I'll quit.. :P I barely know any code, but this game looks more accessible to me now than a few months ago. That was before I got hooked on Zachtronic's games. "Exa Punks" and "Shenzhen I/0" both inspired me to attend tutorials for coding in python irl, and both games are on gamepass atm. There there's also "Last Call BBS which is kinda similar to this and "Opus Magnum", cool puzzle games, but with no coding and no need to read through physical manuals/ on the web.

Some of the reviews that made me play the games were in the lines of "If you like staring at your screen for hours while thinking of possible solutions, then this is the game for you" and "This game won't teach you how to code in real life, but it will teach you how to read manuals, which you need to do in real life when coding." :P

So if Retro Gadgets is not accessible for you at all, perhaps check out some of these games.

[Gomez The DuckBoy]

I don't know how viable would it be without coding as you need to tell the components what to do... honestly Lua is a pretty simple programming language, don't get me wrong I'm not calling anyone dumb here or slow or anything like that, I get that programming for anyone who hasn't done it before is hard, but this language is pretty simple to learn, I assure you you just need one weekend, or, if you have it, one afternoon, to learn how to use it and all your problems regarding this will fade away!

https://www.lua.org/manual/5.1/manual.html#2 here's the manual for the version of lua this game uses, don't get nervous when reading it, it can be a ton of information at once, just calmly go through it and you'll see is not that hard, most of it you can get it just through pure logic

[Bakumaster]

I hate to say it but this is kind of like asking the devs to just make a different game instead. It's absolutely a valid criticism that the game isn't accessible to anyone without a coding background. But code is how you tell the components of your gadget to do things - without it, you just have a lump of plastic and metal. The most realistic option I can think of is to develop an alternative visual coding interface for the dialect of lua used in the game, but even that would be quite the workload. Again, I think accessibility and poor tutorializing are valid criticisms, and I'd like to see the devs improve on that, but I think removing the coding from what is fundamentally a coding game is very optimistic at best.

[DuckieMcduck]

The true outcome for this game is some sort of campaign mode that teaches the player how to code from the very basic, to the cooler stuff, like they're puzzles.

Since everything is simulated you can effectively test every step as well. Game has a lot of potential, but trying to get a gadget to work is needlessly masochistic if you're a learner.

[Dumbass-er]

i think the issue is that the game doesn't have any way to teach the player besides "read some technical documents". this is a problem because the budding enthusiasts already do that, and they're most likely already working directly with LUA or actual physical electronics and mini computers.

the purpose of this game is ostensibly to get casual players interested in coding and design by providing a very simple set of tools so you don't get overwhelmed by possibilities, combined with a charming retro handheld electronics aesthetic. there's no on-boarding though so a casual player is gonna open it up, look for a tutorial/campaign, get linked to the online technical document, then give up because they're here to have fun not hunker down for a self-made university course.

[View The Phenom]

Originally posted by BlueDouble:

i think the issue is that the game doesn't have any way to teach the player besides "read some technical documents". this is a problem because the budding enthusiasts already do that, and they're most likely already working directly with LUA or actual physical electronics and mini computers.

the purpose of this game is ostensibly to get casual players interested in coding and design by providing a very simple set of tools so you don't get overwhelmed by possibilities, combined with a charming retro handheld electronics aesthetic. there's no on-boarding though so a casual player is gonna open it up, look for a tutorial/campaign, get linked to the online technical document, then give up because they're here to have fun not hunker down for a self-made university course.

Basically this. If a requirement to engage with your game is "study this external documentation and then come back and try again", you've already lost a significant number of potential users. Studying external guides should be a way to enhance the experience (learning new tips and strategies), not a default requirement.

Ideally, the devs will take a page out of the Zachtronics book. Slowly introduce concepts and examples to players that they can build on over time, with samples that can be used as a foundation. Those games can become incredibly complex, but they're taught in a way to give you plenty of time to discover and play around with the basics.

If you want people to learn code and it's a core part of your game, then it's on you (the developer) to teach players in a step-by-step manner. Otherwise, you've introduced a difficult mechanic that sinks the game almost immediately. Or you're destined to cater to an incredibly small audience who are willing to do the extra work just to interact with your game on a basic level.

[반딧불 세레]

We have to realise that it's still being worked on and far from complete, but yes, I think a tutorial should be high on the list to help newcomers and maybe some more emphasis that it's a coding game first and foremost.
I've never used LUA before but I've been making gadgets by taking apart the pre-made ones and rifling through the code to see how they worked and then using the code on my own gadgets. Eventually I was able to figure out what did what and learn the basics, which is what I think this game is going for (a LUA learning game type thing). It's actually really helpful for learning it because you can "physically" see what your code is doing to the gadget which is great for kinetic learners like myself.

[salem]

The game really needs some kind of campaign mode that walks you through how to build complex deceives. Just something so players can get the basics. I got the game because I'm really into vintage tech and not for the coding aspect. I knew there would be coding, but I didn't know the devs would just tell you to figure it all out on your own. I think the game is great and I could make some really cool things once I get a better understanding on LUA, but it is incredibly overwhelming trying to figure it all out on your own.

[Hairymagician]

Originally posted by Mal Function:

perhaps a scratch mode?

yeah i was thinking they could do that it would be very useful beause i dont know much about code and my brain is gatting beat up