I have completed all levels, but can NOT get number 4 on the hard level. Does anyone have a solution to that one? I sincerely believe it is impossible and it should have been number 11 on the hard level. Thanks.



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It would be better if you post your question n the forums. :)

This game would not install on my Windows 7.... Don't know why, it just wouldn't. :(

Hi.
I downloaded and installed Splotches without any problems. But when I want to run it, the screen is jumping around weirdly. I hope somebody understands, what I mean, I'm German.
That's sad, because I read, what all the others wrote about the game. I'd like to play it, too.



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try updating your graphics drivers. also turn off any background programs that yo may not need.

Google Game Booster from IOBit and download. It turns off unecessary programs while you're playing the game, then yo can revert to normal after playing, just at the press of a button. It's a great program that can help sort such problems out. Post over in the firums if you have any more problems. It's more likely to be seen there. :)

That's great to hear!

If this should ever be picked up by a publisher for development on consoles, I hope to change the structure of the progression to make it introduce items more gradually.

I'll be honest, at first I didn't like this game. It was making no sense and in the beginning it was a bit hard to figure out. But after the first few tutorial levels, I got it, and after that I found it was actually quite clever and interesting! I now really like this game, I think it's fun and definitely unique. Good job guys!

Walden, that's a known issue with Windows 7. If you right-click the game and select "Run as administrator", it should create the save file. :)

Distraida, I think one of the levels thereabouts is actually harder and should be placed later on in the levels. Did you try skipping that one?

I download installed and played with no problems on my old windows Xp. The game is quite fun, and unique. The commentary is funny and the play gets you using your brain. It's a colourful way to start the day!

I don't generally care for puzzle games but I thought I would give this one a try. The tutorials were really fun! Then I got through the first 2 levels of "easy" mode, and couldn't get past it. So, I guess it isn't a game for me.

Game in stalls, registers and starts fine.

Go to tutorial and it says drag splotch around, but I cannot figure out how. I tried left and right click and grab but nothing happens.

Restarted and tried again with no better results. Sorry, but if I cannot get past screen #1 of the tutorial it is a fail.



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During the tutorial you have to keep clicking on the info panel when the game appears to freeze. You'll find the info button to the bottom right. It happens all the way through the tutorial sessions. I think the developer wanted to make sure you got enough information to understand how the game works. I was confused initially, but soon figured out what to do.

Hey I installed this game on Windows 7 and I can't save my games is it always like that? or am I missing something?

Nice game. Thanks a lot GGOTD and Clayton.

Remember when you start correcting grammar, always make sure that you don't use the incorrect spelling of words. Starting a sentence with a capital letter is correct, not a capitol. LOL

Nice game. Set up quickly and easily on Vista Ultimate (64-bit). The tutorial was acceptable and the game has enough of a challenge not to be boring after the first couple of levels. Different. Thanks GAOTD!

A terrific game. Not anything like the other match games.

FYI The indiepub contest that Clayton is referring to...is http://www.indiepubgames.com/vote.php There is quite the list of games there. You can vote until the end of August, I think. I get email from them and all you have to do to register to be able to vote. You can only vote once but you can change your vote if need be. We should all support our indie game makers/developers. Hopefully this isn't breaking any rules.

Cool game, Clayton, but the music has to go. Have to use some planning/logic; not to mention, remember how to mix colors.

Always nice to see a developer comming to GGAOTD to check responses, maybe do something with it even. Game so far looks like a fun passtime. i will definatly keep my eye open for updates (which i hope will be handed out here as well ;) )

Thanks for this great game with an original gameplay. And the link to indiepubgames, which I shall visit more often. See also: http://www.indiepubgames.com/game/Dreams for an different game. With the possibility to turn music off :-)

Uh oh, that's disconcerting! Do you have the latest version of DirectX? One older computer I tested the game on didn't like Direct X and wouldn't show anything but a blank window.

If it's okay with the GOTD team, I (as the developer) will provide a zipped version to anyone having issues with the installer (provided the giveaway is still in effect). Just email me. admin at oldmanclayton dot com.

The activation hung twice. Third time it went through, but the game didn't launch automatically. I double-clicked the shortcut the install had placed on the desktop, and a window opened but nothing showed up in it. I finally closed the blank window, and tried again directly from the executable in my Program Files. Same thing. Program does not show up in Add & Remove list, nor in list from Revo Uninstaller. Double-clicked the uninstall program that was unpacked into the Splotches folder created in Program Files. Whether all was removed... I don't know. The Clickteam Install Creator
(http://www.clickteam.com) that evidenced during install advised something like contacting the publisher or source in case of problems. I pray the install didn't download things it shouldn't have. Just in case, I have a system restore point I set before the install. With dialup, I hesitate to spend more time downloading the game again. Disappointing. The game sounded interesting.

I agree this game is certainly different.

@#1 WR - You just may need a holiday away from all the games to give your brain a chance to get some good rest; or a change in sleep medication.

"This is a rather entertaining and original take on color mic=xing and puzzle solving, though initially I found the game rather confusing due to the lack of any read me instructions. however the tutorial did help make things clearer.

*** mic=xing? I think the word you were going for was "mixing".

*** "however"? The first letter of a word that starts a sentence should always start with a capitol letter. Therefore "however" should be spelled "However". And when "However" is used to start a sentence there should be a comma placed before the next word. Therefore instead of "however the tutorial did..." it should be "However, the tutorial did..."

Now WR, you don't make those kinds of basic grammatical errors. So if lack of rest isn't the explanation for these mistakes, then I'd start putting out feelers for a new copy editor. Which by the way, my rates are very reasonable...lol


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Thanks for the grammar and spelling lesson. :D The full stop before however was supposed to be a semicolon; which is why it was lower case. I'd already written up my review late last night and had lost it to a system failure, so had rushed out a copy of the one I eventually posted. The 'odd' spelling of mixing is a typo. My gaming keyboard often does that. As I didn't proof read, those mistakes got through.

But you are right, the opiate meds I take (a combination of Duragesic patches {Fentanyl}, Oxycodone (the poor mans heroin), oxynorm (for break through pain) and gabapentin really knock me out. I play games to help with my pain relief as well as for entertainment. In fact one of the main reasons I write the reviews is to keep my mind a little more active than it normally is. I wouldn't say they are good, but I try my best to keep mistakes to a minimum. :)

Thanks for the kind words! I have thought of contacting some publishers, and even have a few emails waiting in my outbox. I just want to see where that indiePub contest goes first. If I can get a publishing deal from them, I could develop it for consoles, the iPad, or even again more professionally for the PC!


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good luck

Cool... very different from what I have played before. But like most everyone else... that music! I hope the developer does another freebie when he/she/they release an upgrade with the sound/music adjustments!
But for now, I can hit the Mute button and play some of my own music.

THANKS GGOTD and Clayton!

Looks like the sound effects and music separation should be a higher priority than I thought.

Buckleysmom, you can skip right over any level you don't want to play in the menu. :)

Luri, I'm glad you think it's worth more, but sales are negligible at the moment, so I probably won't raise the price.

Thanks for the comments everyone!


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I've updated my comment to take account of the time i've played post review. I'd only played the demo when I wrote the review so wasn't able to get a fuller view of the game. Have you though of contacting the main gamehouses for increased sales. From the number of positive comments you've got i'm sure it would be a winner. Though i'd make sure you've sorted the issues mentioned first.

another idea would be to add a color blind option.

@Barbara: - If you click the For Developers button at the top of this page you will find a convenient way to add a Facebook button on the right side. Just click the add our application link, then fill in the login info for your Facebook and voila, instant button. Enjoy!

When you win a level, it says "YOU da man" but should not that be "YO da man" if strict street-languague-protocal is to be ovserved?

Great game! Thanks guys. My only complaint, like #9, is that you can't turn off the music without turning off the sound effects. Repetitive music in any game gets annoying. I do enjoy the humorous comments. It takes some thinking to plan out the correct order and placement of the explosions. It would be nice to have the option to "skip" a level if you absolutely cannot get it to work. (Maybe it's already there and I just haven't found it yet??) Good game....thanks GGOTD!

Downloaded and installed easily and smoothly! Looks like a great game and I know both my grandkids and I are going to enjoy it! Thank you!

The music was to my ears inane and annoying, and no way to turn it off. Removed the program for that reason.

With the comments of others here, I just turned the sound off. The intro giggles are not meant for before my morning coffee. But the game installed nicely. I didn't get a desktop shortcut, but I'm not usually a fan of them. It did appear in my menu though so the file was easy to find. I played all of the tutorials. Nice game. I can see both the potential for children developing an understanding of color mixing and for complex problems for more mature players. I will say that as to the price, you might be underselling yourself. I know that this is still a down economy, but this looks like it belongs on the ten dollar rack.

Great game! Thank you so much!

Is it okay if I leave a link to your site on FaceBook? It might attract people since the games are free!! Do I just copy and paste the link on FaceBook or do you have another way?


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of course you can.

Cute! It will take a while to learn but it id definitely cute and different!

While I like playing games full-screen, it looks much better in window.

Thanks for an interestingly new game with cute sounds!

Having separate volumes for music and sound effects is a great idea. However, it would also help if the volume you set STAYED! I keep setting it down and it keeps going back up!

I had a slight problem with the install - It installed properly but the activation page that opened in FF had 2 "fatal errors" on it so that every time I closed Firefox, it reported that it had crashed (not that I shut it down). After about the third round of Firefox re-opening, I just told it to quit. That stopped the crashing reports.

Installed on Windows 98 Second Edition and immediately got an error of "Cannot load OpenURLs.mfx. This object might need an external program or library not yet installed." Cannot play it since it only gives me this error...


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Hi Joe, this game has only just been released and probably has a minimum requirement of XP or above. It does say some libraries may be missing. Try updating your graphics drivers and installing the latest Direct x files.

Very cool game. Level of difficulty is increased by the brush being wide enough to make it too easy to travel outside your intended path. Then, there is the logic needed to progress through a couple of combinations to achieve the goal. Definitely a thumbs up!

It seems better now :)
I reloaded.

I have had less problem playing in windowed format.
Should it freeze, just click on the top bar of the window itself, and it seems to restart.

Good game too - in the mould of Chips Challenge.

Hi guys! I'm the developer of Splotches. I'm glad some of you are enjoying it. :)

I did want to include a system for submitting spluzzles (and also a few other modes, items, and minigames), but because I had to finish the game before a competition deadline, it didn't make it in this time around. Depending on how the contest goes, I will try to tidy up some things in the puzzle editor.

And hopefully I can find some time to make some more spluzzles for download. You're welcome to submit any creations to my email address!

I'll have to redo all of the sound effects if I want to have a separate volume control for music and sound effects. I don't know if it will happen (long story), but it's on my list!

I will also look into a better readme file!


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It would be cool if you had a seperate folder for the music files as well, that way users can swap them for music they like. Personally I found the music very irritating. Other than that the game is excellent. It's different from anything I've played before, though I have come across color combo games before.

Not bad. :-) I have played only the tutorial, and imo it's an intelligent game, with great potential. There is also a level editor, but it lacks a simple way to share the user levels on the internet.

There is one thing I don't like at all. There is no way to turn the music off while keeping the sound effects. Pity, as I hate to play games (especially logic games) with stupid music in the background!

I downloaded this game but it won't work. When I try to start it, the music plays but then I get one of those "report this" messages. The same thing happened with yesterday's game. I've tried reinstalling it several times, I also logged out and in again, but that didn't work either. Any tips would be welcome.

Regardless, a big thank you to GAOTD and to all the developers who provide their programmes to us - you guys rock.



................................Moderator Comment.....................

It sounds like you've got an issue with the way your computer is set up? If you're only getting the sound it may be that you need to update your graphics drivers. You can find out which developer (usually NVIDIA or ATI) by pening up the DXDiagnostics panel. (just type dxdiag in the run command window) when the diagnostics panel is open click on the displau tab. Once you've discovered which chip you have just google the name of the manufacturer. There is a link on both developers home pages that take you to where you can get the latest drivers. You may also need to update your DirextX as well. You can get DX from Microsoft. you'll need DX9.0c if your still using XP, DX10 for Vista and DX11 for Win 7. I hope this helps. :)

Smooth download, installation, and activation on Vista x32 OS. Have not yet had a chance to play it, but it looks like it will be a very fun game - just the sort of thing I enjoy! Thanks, GOTD & WR.

hey there i wrote a comment before. Just to update the tutorial is ok but once you get up to the game it does not make any sense if it does for anyone else let me know thanks.

A nice fun game, thanks GGAOTD.
One BIG problem for me though. It keeps freezing, and the only way I've found to get out of the frozen situation in by pressing ctrl-alt-delete, and ending the offending task.

I'm not all that techy, and I'm not sure why this is, but the game seems to be running 2 things at once.

Anyway, I'm going to try uninstalling and reinstalling to see if that helps.

Thanks for this nice game, it starts off quite easy, but you have to aim very precise with the mouse or you'll loose all your colors before you're anywhere near the end.

Plays nice and quick.

Another fun game. Upbeat music and cute graphics. Easy to follow instructions. I like the restart as well as the level options. :D
No installation problems. Thanks again, GOTD.

Hi there just letting you know this game took a little while to set up it is ok for kids but a little confusing and basic for adults as it is mainly about mixing colours I will keep it though caus i have kids use my computer sometimes. The annoying thing is for a while you woll have to read for them every screen which can take oly about 30 seconds to complete. Anyway thanks guys as i said i will keep it , well at least till i need more room on my computer Glenys

Splotches:

Intro

Installation

Today's game is a 36.7Mb download that unpacks to two files, a read me and a dual activation and set up module. The installed game is 36.3Mb. Shortcuts are installed to the desktop and the Start/Programs menu, plus there’s also an uninstaller which is accessible from the start menu.

Explosion

Introduction:

Splotches is a new puzzle game with lots of paint, explosions, and bright colors. Spread and mix colors to make brown, which explodes in a flurry of awesome sound effects and mesmerizing particles. Your goal is to destroy the rainbow Orb, but you’re sometimes hampered by several obstacles that you must overcome, such as volatile mines, locked walls, teleporters, and all the habooglery of other interesting items.

Reference http://splotchesgame.com/index.php accessed 28th aug 2020

Explosion Stage 1 (Brownsplosion)





Explosion stage 2 (Woot)

End of Level Statistics

Progress from in-your-sleep easy mode to brain-meltingly hard spluzzles.


A detailed tutorial is included with the demo. Splotches only requires a mouse.

Brush up on those things you learned in art class long ago:
Yellow + Blue = Green
Red + Yellow = Orange
Blue + Red = Purple
And you'll be right at home.

Reference http://www.indiepubgames.com/game/Splotches accessed 28th Aug 2020


The Game:

The goal of the game is to destroy orbs, and other items by combining specific colors to create brownsplosions (explosions) near the object to be destroyed. Creating the wrong combination can result in black splotches that will impede your progress and lower your level scores. Once you’ve completed the level a window appears with the level stats that includes your score, any black splotches you’ve made, which give a negative score as well as the number of moves you made. The smaller the number of moves the more points you score.

The game starts up in a window. To get to the main menu click on the play button from the intro screen. You’ll find the screen mode button to the bottom right of the main menu. The main menu is rather different from the usual main menu with the different difficulty levels being shown where you normally get a main menu. There are four categories; 9 tutorial levels, 21 easy levels, 26 medium levels and 11 hard levels, making a total of 67 puzzles. This seems rather a small number of puzzles for a full version game; however there is a levels editor that the developer calls a spluzzle maker, that enables you to make as many custom made levels as your imagination will allow. At this time there is no facility on the developers site to access other peoples custom levels, but if this game takes off I’m sure that will become an option (hint to the developer) :)

Color chart

Along the bottom of the main menu you’ll find several buttons that give access to the title screen, a color chart which shows you the various color combinations you can make.

There are four sections covered which include the following:

• Mixing Primary colors

• Brownsplosions

• Ingredients covered

• Black splotches


To win levels you have to combine primary colors to create mixes that are then mixed with a specific primary color (which is dependent on the secondary color you’ve created) to create brownsplosions. Mixing the wrong color combination will result in a black splotch which will take away points. Black splotches cannot be removed and can cause obstructions. If you get stuck you can restart the level, and you can replay any level you wish to improve your score. (:

Main Menu

In Game Image showing sevral item types

There’s also a button for changing the volume, though there is no separate button for effects and music and a button to access the levels editor (spluzzle maker). The spluzzle maker is relatively easy to use with an inventory button that gives access to all in game items such as bombs, mines, color plates that only allow the color specific to the plate to pass, teleporters, locks, keys and conveyors, that move splotches around automatically. Beware of these as you can end up in a trapped loop if you don’t select the correct conveyor, as well as the primary and secondary colors.

To save a custom made level click on options. A drop down menu will appear that enables you to set the difficulty, name the level as well as save or load to test it. At first glance the level editor looks a little confusing; as does the game play; however, once you’ve played through the tutorial levels the game and levels editor inventory will make more sense.



Video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Vegcn8vbew



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vk6bFXrl580


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0IZ_DGd5Kls (trainer video)


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A7l7XO2_pYI



Images:
You can see a slideshow of over 50 images that include tutorial images via the following link:


href="http://http://s571.photobucket.com/albums/ss160/Whiterabbit04/Splotches/?albumview=slideshow

Tutorial Image

Conclusion:

This is a rather entertaining and original take on color mic=xing and puzzle solving, though initially I found the game rather confusing due to the lack of any read me instructions. however the tutorial did help make things clearer. I'd definitely recommend starting off with the easy levels once you've completed the tutorial levels, then progress to the more difficult levels. by the time you've completed the game you'll easily be able to design more levels for the rest of the family to solve.

I’ve uploaded screen captures of all of the tutorial screens, which you can see via the image link I’ve provided above. The ability to access any of the puzzles is a plus and the colourful look to the game should be appealing to both adults and children, though I do think adult supervision will be required, especially to show how the game works. The harder levels may also be too challenging for all but the brightest of children and adults.

The rules are simple, but the harder levels are quite complex to crack.

It’s definitely a game I’ll be keeping for a rainy day as there’s potential in this game. In my opinion it’s well worth 7.5 out of 10 for originality and family fun (I've revised my original score after spending some time playing this appealing and addictive game.

A useful addition to this game would be access to a upload page where you can upload or download custom made levels. I’d also like to see a read me with clear and concise instructions on all aspects of the game including the levels editor and a rationale for creating the game. Finally a few mini games would improve the overall feel of the game.

Thank you to the developer for sharing this little gem and as always to the game giveaway team for bringing us free games.


The developer has suggested that you post any custom made levels that you create to his Email. Please PM me if you have any levels to upload and I’ll PM back his Email. You can access his website:

http://www.jollycrouton.com :idea:

Who knows the developer may even release them as free add-on packs to the main game, with the names of the creators acknowledged. cool! :)