That's surprising. Since original eShop games came in so slowly, I figured Nintendo was slow getting the devkits out. Or maybe they didn't have the eShop guidelines set-up until much later, referencing how the eShop wasn't ready for the 3DS' launch.

I'm a bit puzzled by this comment.... Do you have interested publishers lined up already? From the outside, it seems like it would take more time/resources to develop for the more capable Vita, as well as the slow/small user base being a negative factor. On the other hand, I could understand if Sony was eager to help promising developers like yourself, despite the risks, in order to boost the user base.

I wish you the best, regardless, and your work may just convince me I need to buy a Vita.

there's no real difference between eshop and retail games except for the size in content. But development/license wise it's the same thing.

the problem with 3DS development is that it is such a big step upwards from the DS. If you look at the GBA and the step it took to DS dev was
much easier and smaller. Because the main features of the DS where dual screen and touch input.

The dual screen was basically the same as you worked with the screen on GBA, but now you did your routines twice. For touch input you needed
to add around 4 lines of code. Easy stuff!

On the 3DS you need to work with the GPU for the 3D screen. That's really a step upwards going from 2D to 3D, if you don´t do it right your framerate will probably suffer. The other main features are things like streetpass. Which is basically multiplayer stuff. It´s difficult to get that running and it adds a lot of problems
to your lotcheck.

So what you really need to build is a good framework. But this takes up a lot of time and money. Which is okay, if you are a big studio that is also making
retail games and stuff.. but if your just doing 2 buck games it is a bit of a problem.

Now, if you look over at PlayStation, they have the PS Mobile SDK. Which is a complete framework (it even comes with a complete program for you to
do programming in). And it's completely free and open. You can even test your games on a normal retail PS Vita!

The open part is really awesome, because now indies can go online and help eachother. I can share my code with others!

For example, I know a lot about graphics programming and the math behind it but I don't really know anything about audio programming. I can share my graphics engine and other people might share their mp3 player or something

@Hugo
C'mon there has to be some way you can still develop for eShop. I'm kinda tired of Nintendo's only real quality assets being WayForward and Renegade Kid. I still want that unique FPS you promised.

Also there is a thin line between what I consider length and replay value. I give you props for replay value. You also have great ideas even if you don't necessarily have the man power to give them true justice. But I've always been a little funny when it comes to length depending on how a game is designed and what kind of game it is. Shantae for example could have used at least one more dungeon, especially since one of them didn't even have a boss fight. I was okay with Mutant Mudds, but it's length was mostly because it was ridiculously tough.

@brandonwii

Developing for eshop would mean I have to take a all-or-nothing risk that I'm just not willing to make anymore. The costs went up and I have no view on sales figures and prices (does 2$ sell better than 5$ ?). When I was living at my parents this was okay, I could take a risk with Flipper 1. In the worst case I wouldn't be able to buy new games or pizza for a few months if it went wrong (food and a roof where provided by my parents).

But at the moment I'm living at my own house with my girlfriend. I'm an official developer for DS and 3DS so I need to have an office. There are a lot of things depending on me having money at the end of the month. I cannot take such a risk.

The FPS game is in full production.. just not for the 3DS

Noooo, now I have to buy a PS Vita! Lol.

@HugoSmits
Yeah, it sounds like Sony have done something really right for the small guys. Thanks for the info on that, because I'll need to keep a better eye on the Vita's downloadable front from now on.

But hey, if you get bigger off of your Vita work, don't forget to take some risks once in awhile .

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just putting it out there,the eshop lacks a good zombie shooter,the one zombie shooter on the eshop(if you must know the name its called undead storm)selled well and was the only ZS there and its a dsi ware,dsi ware or not it beats not having a ZS at all.

Hi there Hugo, just reporting to say I completely beat the game to it's completed fullness in exactly 1:06 hours.
It was fun while it lasted.

Maybe adding a "random level" option would have helped with that? Anyways, good luck with your future projects, It's sad to know that Flipper 2 wasn't as successful as you wanted it to be!

@Morphtroid, that's quite fast! on avarage players take 1,5 to 2hours to completely finish it. I guess it also depends on your puzzle and platform skills and also your age (a 12 year old might take longer on it). A random level option wouldn't really work since they are puzzles which are hard to just generate.

I guess it's all that math training working up. About the platforming skills, I actually died a lot trying to get through some levels.

I wasn't thinking about a real random mode, but a mode that chooses level features at random or something lol. Anyways, good game.

Yeah, a random mode of any kind would be difficult to make right.

I do wish the game was longer, but for 200 points it's truly an innovative concept and enough bang for your buck if you think about it (Mario 3D Land is a 35-45 hour game for $40, and that's one of the better deals on the 3DS).

Similar to Flipper, I really hope you revisit this concept, as there seems to be so much more that you could do with the game that simply cannot be done in 30 brief levels.

Sorry to bump, but can someone tell me how to get all the stars on 1-4? For some reason, it's the only one I can't seem to perfect (besides the last, yet-to-be-unlocked world)

Want to get this just cause it's you Hugo and you're awesome but, I'm sorry, the math is really putting me off. D: I know that's stupid given how much you've stated it's not really hard and still accessible to everyone.

I will be sure to buy this game very soon, Hugo. Playing around with math concepts is right up my alley, especially after passing Math Analysis this past school year.
I do have to admit that I was quite disappointed with Flipper 2, but that was mainly because it had a short campaign and no high-scores table. If the game saved at least like 5 high-scores in Random Castle mode, it would've been a lot more addicting to me.
The game Age of Zombies by Halfbrick Studios on the PSminis service suffered from an incredibly short campaign, but it made up for it with an incredibly addicting Survival mode that saved at least 10 high scores per level. It's a simple concept, but it gives the player a sense of accomplishment if they improve their high-score and can see by how much.

That's the one with the star over the spikes right?
I think I had to do a quick timed jump and math equation in midair to move the platfoms to get the star over the spikes.

Finished the game in 1:18.

2nd run (knowing all the puzzles yet making a LOT of mistakes) in :32

Yeah, the game is short, and really leaves you wanting more. Perhaps a sequel?

Got my review code almost a week ago, but wasn't able to download until today. Loving it so far!

Oh man, one and half hour is too short to buy the game , can't you do an updated version?

It's extremely cheap for £1.80! I have it and completely recommend you buy it! In fact, you can check out my review here: http://www.nintendofansonline.co.uk/2012/08/review-ace-mathic...

Anyone remember exactly what to do here? I also got all stars in all levels, apart from this one. Eventually I just triggered an equation while I hit the spikes, which somehow let me survive and get it...but I'm not feeling satisfied by that solution since I obviously just glitched my way to success. What the heck are you supposed to do with this one?