My new game's finished...with video, and a rant to the industry.

**Jinn** · 20th October 2011, 02:59 PM

It does look like a fun game, but the company that holds the rights to the Rubiks image are notoriously quick to sue... Personally I'd worry about putting so many hours into developing a game that might not be online for long.

http://www.rubiks.com/company/image_rights.php

**IanO** · 20th October 2011, 06:05 PM

Originally Posted by Jinn

Personally I'd worry about putting so many hours into developing a game that might not be online for long.

A good point, and it would be smart to lawyer up a little before launching if you haven't already, just to make sure you're not gonna get into any trouble. Either Way Mr Stike.. you impress me more and more with every post!

Are you likely to be at the mesiter meet in Jan?

**jstrike** · 20th October 2011, 07:24 PM

Originally Posted by Jinn

It does look like a fun game, but the company that holds the rights to the Rubiks image are notoriously quick to sue... Personally I'd worry about putting so many hours into developing a game that might not be online for long.

http://www.rubiks.com/company/image_rights.php

Hm. Interesting. It seems to me that what's on that page is probably more aimed at factories in China manufacturing fake rubik's cubes. I think they'd have a hard time showing my game infringes on anything about their product -- it's not a physical toy, it isn't a photo of their toy, it doesn't use their brand or brand imagery, and it doesn't use their name. It's a similar type of puzzle, sure... but there's nothing on that page saying they have a patent on the use of a cube in such and such way... and if there was, it would probably be a mechanical patent, which wouldn't apply here either. Worst case scenario, it would be equally possible to change the plane faces to something else -- like fruits, or fish maybe...

**Jinn** · 20th October 2011, 09:46 PM

Originally Posted by jstrike

it would be equally possible to change the plane faces to something else -- like fruits, or fish maybe...

Good point, it may even look better with alternative images. And I think it would improve your ability to sell the game since the buyers wouldn't have to worry about licensing issues

**SlotMonster** · 20th October 2011, 10:47 PM

I like "fruits" idea!

It will be like good ole AWPs in 3D!

**Przecinek** · 21st October 2011, 04:41 PM

Yes, fruits are actually not 'worst case scenario' but 'best case scenario' as you can implemement different payouts for different symbols which sounds way more interesting that just plain colors paying more or less.

I'm sure the so called 'speedcubers' would be all over this game. What's the house edge assuming perfect play? Or it this a trademark secret?

**jstrike** · 21st October 2011, 08:56 PM

Originally Posted by IanO

A good point, and it would be smart to lawyer up a little before launching if you haven't already, just to make sure you're not gonna get into any trouble. Either Way Mr Stike.. you impress me more and more with every post!

Are you likely to be at the mesiter meet in Jan?

Thanks! Don't know where I'll be in January, but if it's possible to travel I'd like to

Originally Posted by Przecinek

Yes, fruits are actually not 'worst case scenario' but 'best case scenario' as you can implemement different payouts for different symbols which sounds way more interesting that just plain colors paying more or less.

I'm sure the so called 'speedcubers' would be all over this game. What's the house edge assuming perfect play? Or it this a trademark secret?

The game has a theoretical 100% RTP for perfect play in "Hard" mode, and about a 97.6% RTP for perfect play in "Medium". I don't know if speed cubers are really experienced trying to make the best possible cube with only 1 to 3 moves. It's slightly different because you can't use the regular combinations to solve things, or at best you can use only one. I should add I suck at this game myself and there's no way I can hit 100% on it, but I'm sure someone can. That's the fun of it. But it doesn't go over 100% RTP (or at least, I don't think it does). The initial scramble is completely random...in some cases (especially in easy mode) it will actually reverse itself to a perfect cube a small percentage of the time for a win. But still, from a random 10-turn scramble, there's only about a 30% chance of being able to make 12 rows, which pays even money. The RTP is made up in the luckier setups and in the progressive pots. So luck plays a part, and it's a high-variance game, probably the highest of any I've done so far.