At Denki we like to do things differently and as a consequence we would like to let you know of bugs which actually exist in our games and how to go about finding them yourselves.
What is a bug?
A bug is something in a computer program which does not function as was originally intended. This can come in many forms such as graphic corruption, stability issues and animation problems.
As Test Specialist, it is my job to unearth all of the bugs in Denki’s output whether it’s an obvious graphical bug or something much more obscure. I’m going to dispose the details of some of these bugs to you, the fans, to make you aware of them so that when we do get around to fixing them you’ll know about it. Who knows, you may even have fun reproducing the bugs and seeing them for yourselves?! That’s entertainment for a Test Specialist!
Below is a selection of the bugs currently existing in Denki Blocks! Version 1.0:
Subject:
Puzzle images can be made to be permanently darkened by selecting them as they are flipped.
Description:
Puzzle images can be made to be permanently darkened by selecting them as they are flipped if they have been previously completed.
The player must first complete the puzzle and ensure that it is selected as it is being flipped over to have this bug be reproduced.
Reproduction:
1) Select the ‘Denki Blocks!’ Application Icon from the Home screen.
2) Slide the screen across to the right.
3) Tap puzzle 1 twice and successfully complete the puzzle.
4) Tap the screen twice as the scores are being tallied up on the puzzle review screen to return to the puzzle selection screen.
5) Tap the flip button in an attempt to flip the puzzle square from the picture side to the puzzle image and then rapidly tap the puzzle square as it is flipping over to select it.
6) When able to do so double tap the ‘Quit’ text to exit back to the puzzle selection screen.
7) Tap the flip button to notice that the puzzle square image is permanently darkened now.
Subject:
‘MIGHTY Play! You ACED This Secret Puzzle Set’ text ceremony is not accompanied by any life.
Description:
The ‘MIGHTY Play! You ACED This Secret Puzzle Set’ text ceremony is not accompanied by any life when it’s displayed onscreen.
This is inconsistent with all other text ceremonies which all have life accompanying them such as sparkles or a holy light special effect placed behind them when they’re displayed.
The expected result is that all text ceremonies are accompanied by life so as to be consistent.
Reproduction:
1) Select the ‘Denki Blocks!’ Application Icon from the Home screen.
2) Slide the screen across to the right.
3) Successfully earn twelve Denki Stars to unlock the secret puzzles.
4) Successfully complete all Master Challenges on the secret puzzles to have the ‘MIGHTY Play! You ACED This Secret Puzzle Set’ text ceremony be displayed noticing that is not accompanied by any life.
Subject:
Two screens are made to visibly overlap due to them being slightly transparent during transitions.
Description:
The two screens involved in the transition can overlap one another as the transition occurs due to them being slightly transparent and the contents of each being displayed atop one another.
This occurs in the transition between the in-game screen and the puzzle review screen as well as in the transition from the puzzle review to the puzzle selection screen.
The expected result is that all transitions throughout the game are handled elegantly.
Reproduction:
1) Select the ‘Denki Blocks!’ Application Icon from the Home screen.
2) Slide the screen across to the right.
3) Tap puzzle 1 twice and successfully complete the puzzle to notice that the in-game screen and the puzzle review screens overlap during the transition from one to the other.
4) Tap the screen twice as the scores are being tallied up on the puzzle review screen to return to the puzzle selection screen noticing that the two screens overlap ever so slightly as this occurs.
Subject:
Master Challenge ceremony icons can be made to not appear upon completion of puzzles.
Description:
The Master Challenge ceremony icons can be made to not appear during the Master Challenge ceremony upon completion of a puzzle due to the player letting the scores be tallied up in realtime and then tapping the screen whilst the ‘Tap On!’ text is not displayed onscreen.
This results in the Master Challenge icon (x2, x3, a shape or a move icon) not being displayed during the Master Challenge ceremony which occurs after the puzzle results screen.
This only occurs upon completion of the first attempt at a puzzle after not meeting the conditions of the Master Challenge during that attempt.
Reproduction:
1) Select the ‘Denki Blocks!’ Application Icon from the Home screen.
2) Slide the screen across to the right and tap puzzle number 16 twice to select it.
3) Successfully complete the puzzle ensuring you do not meet the Master Challenge criteria.
4) Let the scores tally up in realtime and then tap the screen whilst the ‘Tap On!’ text is not displayed onscreen to notice that the shape icon is not displayed on the proceeding Master Challenge ceremony. Timing is crucial to reproducing this bug.
Subject:
Level select music clips when it loops to the start of the track.
Description:
The level select music clips slightly when it loops around to restart the tune being played.
Due to this music lasting approximately ten seconds or so, this will be encountered a great many times if the player remains on the puzzle selection screens for even a short duration.
The expected result is that music tracks loop seamlessly without any noticeable clipping or break in the track.
Reproduction:
1) Select the ‘Denki Blocks Touch’ Application Icon from the Home screen.
2) Slide the screen across to the right and listen carefully to the level select audio to notice that every ten seconds or so the music will loop back to the start again at which point the audio will clip as it does so.
Enjoy bug finding!
Paul.