4.1.0 bugs: Keeps reverting to default ball when selecting "next".

[YutMarma]

I hate to say it, but I think the revamped UI is a major step backwards.

After completing a level, choosing "next" will start the next level with the default Yellow ball. In order to continue using the same ball, you have to manually back out to the menu, then select "Play" (and find the ball you were using when the ball select screen shows up) which interrupts the flow of the game. I'm not sure why the ball selection screen was changed, it's not like the old UI was cluttered or anything.

There's also no way to select a ball from the "level grid", so you either have to tap the arrow brackets dozens of times, or select a level from the level grid, then back out to the menu, then choose "Play" in order to have the ball prompt show up.

Updating was a huge mistake for me. I even tried reverting to a previous version in the F-Droid store, but attempting to do so will trigger a "Error installing Ball2Box: Failed to install due to an unknown error" - I suspect it's because I've kept the app data, but erasing it too will mean I'll have to unlock everything all over again from scratch, which really isn't something I'm looking forward to. Maybe it's possible to sanitize the current version's app data so older versions don't hiccup on it?

[dulvui]

Thank you for your honest feedback!
You are right, there is a bug with the ball, and I'll fix it as soon as possible.

Would you prefer the old UI with the simple play, ball, and level buttons? Or would you suggest something else?
I'm still very bad in UI/UX design, so suggestions are very welcome :-)

I don't know how Godot/F-Droid handle save files exactly. In the latest version I didn't change much in the configs, so it should be backwards compatible. But I'll work on a fix today, so in a few days you can update to the fixed version.

[dulvui]

I fixed now both issues by fixing the yellow ball reset problem, and always showing the ball selection screen.
So if you choose a level from the level selection screen, you can change the ball.

Now I also can remember, why I changed the UI in the first place. A lot of players where not aware of the other balls, when only the ball/shop button was used to change the ball, so showing them always was my "hotfix" to this problem.

Suggestions for a better UI/UX are always welcome :-)

I will do some more play tests now and the release a new version already today to fix the issue asap.
Note that F-Droid might take some days to get the new version, depending on the next update cycle.

[dulvui]

Fix is on the way with version 4.1.1
Already playable on itch.io https://simondalvai.itch.io/ball2box

[YutMarma]

Sorry for the delayed response - and thank you for your quick response!

Fix is on the way with version 4.1.1

Can't wait! 👍

I fixed now both issues by fixing the yellow ball reset problem, and always showing the ball selection screen. So if you choose a level from the level selection screen, you can change the ball.

This was a bit confusing for me as a long-time player, since I had no reason to expect a chance to select a ball once deciding to play a level.

My memory of the old UI is a bit hazy, since I never really paid attention to it (imo a sign of a good UI!). I think the root issue might be that mobile players are going to be preconditioned to ignore the word "shop", since, let's face it, 9 times out of 10 (or is it 99 times out of 100...?) that means "microtransactions". Maybe raise the star count position by one button-height, which gives space for another full-width button, so the main screen reads:

* * *
< LEVEL xx >
Play
Skip Level
Select Ball (this would also be the screen to unlock balls)
(sound and Github buttons)
(website URL)

[dulvui]

Now version 4.1.2 with the fixes is available also on F-Droid. I hope this fixes the bugs and makes the gamw playable again.
Your suggestion for the menu makes sense to me and I'll try to resimplify the UI again for the next updates. From mid september I'll be working full time on my games, so things will happen lots faster!