06-08-2010, 07:36 PM
Well, from a designer's prospective (and maybe a tad salesperson 
), mansions that have great beginnings would be Magma Peak or Dr. Demented's Den. I would say to stick with the original game's theme and only have two in the demo. These mansions do indeed show players the potential of the game.
Whats-his-face president guy over at Pangea Software said screenshots to attract players to your games are vital. I'm not entirely sure, but you'll have to look into whatever you're going to choose and try to pick screenshots for the 'buy-it-now' splash screen which are indeed different from anything els you've shown players to increase their curiosity. You probably know more on the matter then I, however.
Blackheart keep and Citadel both are good, but in my opinion they have quite the attractive look to them on the map-screen compared to most mansions, I find -- making players seem more curious to see the mansion, thus buy the game.
Mount Peril seems to be much to awesome for players to play in the demo. Castle Basano doesn't really have a good beginning, I think; plus it conflicts with my 2nd point. Leofani has a good first section, but then it branches off into three more sections so it's impossible to stop the player unless you want them to beat 66% of the whole mansion.
If you pick one/more of my suggestions read on, Vern:
As for when to end the demo mode, in Dr. Demented's Den probably when Jack jumps down the poll in room 15904. In Magma I would suggest in room 16694 after you land at the bottom in a dark, unexplored cavern INSIDE THE VOLCANO. Oooooh, players will be wanting to see what's down there!
So, there you have it, my opinion.
), mansions that have great beginnings would be Magma Peak or Dr. Demented's Den. I would say to stick with the original game's theme and only have two in the demo. These mansions do indeed show players the potential of the game. Whats-his-face president guy over at Pangea Software said screenshots to attract players to your games are vital. I'm not entirely sure, but you'll have to look into whatever you're going to choose and try to pick screenshots for the 'buy-it-now' splash screen which are indeed different from anything els you've shown players to increase their curiosity. You probably know more on the matter then I, however.
Blackheart keep and Citadel both are good, but in my opinion they have quite the attractive look to them on the map-screen compared to most mansions, I find -- making players seem more curious to see the mansion, thus buy the game.
Mount Peril seems to be much to awesome for players to play in the demo. Castle Basano doesn't really have a good beginning, I think; plus it conflicts with my 2nd point.
Leofani has a good first section, but then it branches off into three more sections so it's impossible to stop the player unless you want them to beat 66% of the whole mansion.If you pick one/more of my suggestions read on, Vern:
As for when to end the demo mode, in Dr. Demented's Den probably when Jack jumps down the poll in room 15904. In Magma I would suggest in room 16694 after you land at the bottom in a dark, unexplored cavern INSIDE THE VOLCANO. Oooooh, players will be wanting to see what's down there!
So, there you have it, my opinion.