Mana Games

[manutoo]

MarianoEG,
thanks, I'm glad you appreciate it !

[starfighter]

I think your investment in the motion capturing device was really worth it. Animations look much smoother now. Also gameplay-wise, it is an improvement. Movements are more predictable for me now. I originally thought it might just be a cosmetic gimnick, but the game looks much more polished now and plays better too.
Also, you can probably put motion capturing in good use for your next game(s). So it was really a good decision from your side, in my opinion.

[Maurish]

I've had the game for a while now. I left it on hold waiting for the animations, which took quite a long time to arrive, but in the end, the game is just as I imagined it would be. Congratulations on your great work and for fulfilling your development promises. All that's left to do now is enjoy this great game.

[manutoo]

starfighter,
I'm glad you enjoy the mocap anims !

Maurish,
I can assure you the time felt longer for me...
And thanks, I hope you'll enjoy the game for a long time.

[Its_Rafa]

I was just reading about the mocap process in the mini Dev Blog and had a good laugh at some parts. Alcaraz might still regret not calling you in for those mocap sessions.

But seriously, incredible work, Manutoo. I'm really happy to hear about the sales and concurrent player numbers.
Hopefully things will only keep getting better from here. I have a feeling the community is more active than ever, helping TE4 reach even more players and gain even greater recognition it already has.

[manutoo]

Its_Rafa,
yup, it's pretty clear that Alcaraz missed his chance to enter Tennis History...

And yup, sales have been very good since the official Steam release. I might write a mini-blog post at some point...

[anrox335]

@manutoo
If mocap was purchased earlier and other features were postponed, do you think we'd have all the potential animations like remaining footsteps, after point animations, squash shot, return shot, different modded animations for same shot, idle animations for NPCs/crowd? I am not blaming you or anything, just a thought. In fact, what you did was absolutely correct way considering the current economy.

[manutoo]

anrox335,
I've have not made anything different : I think the game has the most important features done.

The only little regret, or at least interrogation, is that TE4 didn't sell well at 1st. If it did, maybe I'd have been more confident about the budget and could have hired a freelancer for animations. Although, at this point, I'm not sure it'd have changed much, as the 1st thing to get better animation would be to hire a professional tennis player, plus possibly a motion-capture specialist, and that is still out of my budget.

[anrox335]

I've have not made anything different : I think the game has the most important features done.

.
Agreed, you have put more way than enough features for a solo dev

Although, at this point, I'm not sure it'd have changed much, as the 1st thing to get better animation would be to hire a professional tennis player,

I don't think you'll need a professional; the guy who did the running animation did a great job. The only missing animations, in my opinion, are:
1. Front footsteps
2. Shot preparation/orientation animation for an extremely early prepared(the player just stands still right now)
3. Half volleys/Hitting the ball just after the bounce
4.Running squash shot(I feel this should be a secret shot)
5. Mini Slides(Basically normal slide but with lesser distance and narrower stance)
6. Maybe Twinner
7. After point animation
8. Idle animation for linesmen/ballboys/crowd

The other things I listed, like different animations for return shots, different modded animations for the same shot, etc can be done by modders.

Plus possibly a motion-capture specialist, and that is still out of my budget.

If you ever need funds for restarting the development, or hiring a specialist, you can always use Patreon. Many indie devs I personally know also use this. Even 100-200 dedicated Patreon subscribers can help a game significantly.

[Its_Rafa]

@manutoo,

you mentioned earlier this year that you were no longer planning to work on TE4 full time and were considering starting a new project. Given that TE4 has been doing better this year than in previous years, have you had any second thoughts about that decision and considered returning to TE4 full time, or has the new project already become your main focus?

[Nicky Gi.]

@manutoo,

you mentioned earlier this year that you were no longer planning to work on TE4 full time and were considering starting a new project. Given that TE4 has been doing better this year than in previous years, have you had any second thoughts about that decision and considered returning to TE4 full time, or has the new project already become your main focus?

I mean, what else can be added in the game considering that it is made by one person? The only realistic things I can see being added are dynamic net and hawkey.

[polakis]

And player movements after points, plus player commentary names and score voices in tie break

[matservant]

And player movements after points, plus player commentary names and score voices in tie break

I'm working on adding score voices in tie break, through XKT mod. Also working on adding umpire voice with player names, and saying score and player names at the end of game, set and match

[polakis]

Really? Very nice!!!!

[manutoo]

Its_Rafa,

you mentioned earlier this year that you were no longer planning to work on TE4 full time and were considering starting a new project. Given that TE4 has been doing better this year than in previous years, have you had any second thoughts about that decision and considered returning to TE4 full time, or has the new project already become your main focus?

Sorry for the delay to answer you ; I guess other people have the same question, so I took the occasion to write a longer mini-blog post => viewtopic.php?p=303078#p303078 .

Nicky Gi.,
there's always a million things of smaller & bigger things to do...
But at some point, it's time to move to other things...