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Entertainment Online Product Evaluation Report 12/9/2008
Evaluation of Dominion by Warez Ltd
In case of query, please refer to: Jason Avent
Rob Balloch
Testing Equipment:
28.8 modem (Hayes Compatible)
1 x Pentium 120 (16 MB) - Trio 64v video card
1 x Pentium 133 (16 MB) - Nitro 64v video card (Cirrus chipset)
1.0 Scope
1.1 Domion is a Multiplayer Online Game (MPOG) which incorporates elements of
strategy, action and simulation genres. The play environment is viewed top-
down in 2 dimensions and based on a grid. The players command the
movements of their armies using a point and click interface to define paths
around a map which are executed on a timed turn basis. There are two phases,
the player interaction phase, where the movement paths are defined and a
movement phase where the moves are made and the armies interact.
1.2 This product is to be evaluated to ascertain whether it is of adequate quality for
use with the Entertainment Online service. It is still in early beta stage and has a
few known bugs. These bugs should be resolved along with any new problems
found before introduction to the service. We will make observations about the
main aspects of the game, identify the present bugs, although it is likely that
there are still a great deal that have not yet been discovered yet, and make
recommendations for further areas of development.
1.3 Warez have chosen to use Direct Play for their Internet playability. We are
unsure how the approved ISP software will perform with Direct Play. ISP
compatibility is important for Entertainment Online.
2.0 Graphics
2.1 The Graphics used are of a high quality and depict characters well with little
clutter. Animation is minimal.
3.0 Accessibility
3.0 This is an early version of the game and does not have any of the help options
that a release version would. Accessibility is aided by help functions but a well
designed game should be intuitive enough to be understood by the beginner.
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3.1 The control interface is complicated and this version of the game does not
include any instructions. The game concept is simple enough but not explained
or intuitive.
3.2 A full manual is required detailing all aspects of the game.
3.3 Although the icons are detailed and attractive, it is not at all clear what they do.
3.4 Defining paths is cumbersome. It involves a mass of mouse clicks and menus.
Overcomplicated for such a simple procedure. There is a bug which stops the
player removing a path once it is set. Therefore committing a character to
moving along a certain path once that path is defined.
3.5 The magic functions are not defined. Spells are available but casting, effects
and costs are not immediately evident.
3.6 Combat doesn’t seem to happen very readily. It does not seem to be enough to
ask a character to move to an enemy’s square to start a fight. This can be very
frustrating. There is no function to force combat.
4.0 Interface
4.1 The interface is overcomplicated and to define a path for one set of troops can
take five or six mouse clicks and movement between several menus.
4.2 The ‘Book’ page where people meet before the game includes no feedback or
instructions. Once a starting position has been defined, it cannot me moved or
reset.
4.3 The Lobby system is well built and simple but has no help for new users.
4.4 There is no notification when units encounter enemies.
4.5 It is too easy to lose your troops when scrolling around the map.
5.0 Sound
5.1 The sound samples are borrowed from a well known product. These will need to
be changed.
5.2 There are not enough sound effect triggers. For example there is no sound
effect for combat or death.
6.0 Gameplay
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6.1 The AI for detecting enemies is unreliable and can become annoying. Initiating
combat intentionally is difficult.
6.2 Movement of units across bridges confuses AI. Characters are often caused to
stop or find another way around even though the route across the bridge is the
shortest and most obvious.
6.3 Magic spells seem to have very little effect have no tangible indicators that they
have been effective or who they affected. Thus a player is unlikely to use them.
6.4 None of the testers of the game were compelled to play.
7.0 Compatibility
7.1 Dominion is a Windows 95 only product. There are no plans to create a version
for Windows 3.11.
7.2 Dominion does not work with Pipex using the Pipex Winsock. The Lobby
application cannot obtain a connection using Pipex as a carrier with Pipex
TCP/IP stack and returns the message launch failed on pressing the run
application button.
7.3 Pipex also has a windows 95 dial up facility. The Lobby encountered the same
problems as in 7.2 above.
7.4 Dominion will not run over a connection using AOL as the ISP.
8.0 Stability
8.1
8.2
9.0 Installation
9.1 Download size is just over 2MB. This takes 20 minutes at 28.8 bps.
9.2 Installation is problem free.
9.3 The changes suggested above may well increase the file size. Because the
download is so small, the new additions will not have too great an effect.
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