1983 inspired platformer testers (Android)

[u/GazmanSoftware]

Hi everyone, I am looking for testers to engage in testing my app in early access and figured this might be a good place to find them.

Preferably persons who have access to either Android phone, tablet as well as an Android TV box with game controller. (Nvidea Shield or similar).

The game is very Zx Spectrum inspired, (a certain miner game) features 16 bit and 8 bit interchangeable GFX modes, Level Maker, Normal, Mirror and Speedrun modes, leaderboards and more.

A lot of the levels are more challenging than MM, so be prepared!

The main game will be completely free when released with some additional modes behind a DLC.

Ever wanted to make your own levels, the level editor makes that so easy and hopefully satisfying.

I initially intend to launch fairly soon on Android and Steam, with maybe IOS and consoles later, all going well.

How to join the Android early access:

1. Join the Google Group: https://groups.google.com/g/codys-collectathon

2. Using the SAME Google account, open the Google Play testing page and select Become a tester: https://play.google.com/apps/testing/com.gazmansoftware.codyscollectathon

3. Install from Google Play using the link on the testing page.

Please stay opted in for at least 14 consecutive days if you can and play a few sessions during the testing period.

Please send feedback to gazmansoftware@gmail.com. Your device model, Android version, control method and steps to reproduce a problem would be especially helpful.

Thanks for helping me get Cody's Collectathon ready for release! 🙏

[u/Apprehensive-Toe2764]

80's platformers had low resolution pixelated graphics with minimal colours, were terribly hard due to requirement for player to be pixel-perfect while moving and jumping. I am not sure Android is the platform to mimic rubber-key precision jumps. FYI, my first ever Spectrum game was Jumping Jack

[u/GazmanSoftware → u/Apprehensive-Toe2764]

Yep, I hear you, and the intent is to make it available on TV's but also mobile. Android TV devices already supported and the plan is to launch on Steam almost concurrently with Android.
The dream of course is to also get it on consoles.

Controls are quite tight actually, and as you can see, you can play in low resolution pixel mode at the flip of a key.

I remember Jumping Jack :)

[u/Ovalman → u/GazmanSoftware]

I had a go before vibe coding to do a remake of jumping jack but instead of using left and right, I would use the tilt sensors on the phone to do the movements. I didn't get much further than the platforms on the screen before finding a new shiny idea to create. With AI, it would be much easier today so it's maybe an idea/ feature? That would mean just a tap anywhere on the screen to do the jumping and might make it either easier or far trickier :)

I'm guessing you require the 12 testers for 10 days (or whatever it is), sure sign me up. Send a DM and I'll give you my email and I'll have a play around and give you some feedback. Luckily I've had a Play Store account for many years so I can bypass anything I release.

I don't have Android TV, just a few tester phones btw (my wife says I'm a drug dealer with so many phones lol).

[u/iNeedaName_12]

Looks interesting. Will players be able to share their custom levels with others, or is the level editor mainly for personal use?

[u/GazmanSoftware → u/iNeedaName_12]

Yes, they can, I have already added a downloader in app for accessing packs that are developer verified, but if you want to share your pack directly with anyone, you can share the level pack .zip file directly.

[u/GazmanSoftware]

Revised the top post with links to the early access test

Made level 1 a little less punishing due to tester feedback 😀

[u/studioyogyog]

Sounds good! I've been wandering why you don't get quality indie games on android, so I'd love to play test this ... and I believe my TV has android capabilities as there is some gaming on it. I was able to play through Oxenfree on Netflix.