u/One-Fill-7577

Thanks, that's really nice to hear! And yes pirate vs pirate is definitely on my list for the future.

I'd like to build it in steps. First comes adding friends and doing things together with them, like comparing progress and teaming up on some activities. After that a wider multiplayer mode where you can actually take on other players ships. That one needs more care since it has to stay fair for people who play a lot less, it can't be easy to cheat and there need to be enough players around so you always find someone to fight. So it'll take a bit longer, but I'm thinking about it. :)

Hey!

Thanks so much for the review and recommendation!

I totally get your point about AI-generated assets lacking uniqueness. I actually looked into hiring artists on Fiverr, but with over 400 assets needed, the costs were a bit out of reach for me at this stage. AI ended up being a much more affordable way to get the project off the ground. Hopefully, as the game grows, I'll have the opportunity to work with artists and give it a more unique look.
In the meantime I'll definitely check out itch.io.

Really appreciate you taking the time to share your thoughts! :)

Ahoy captains! The design update I mentioned last time is now live on Android:

• Every item, monster, island and icon is redone
• Your captain now actually wears the gear you equip (helmets, armour, weapons, capes)
• New ships for every tier in your own colours, and every upgrade you build shows up on the ship (plating, nets, cannons, crow's nest, lamps)
• Some optional ad bonuses: double your Slayer coins, a free slayer task skip once a day, open a treasure chest once again
• And of course some bug fixes..

Two things have changed since my original post, so I want to be upfront about them:

• AI disclosure update: the new in-game art (items, monsters, islands, ships, captain) is AI-generated. since I have around 400 icons/images and it would be very expensive to hand draw them all right now. Game design, balance and progression are still mine and the sound is still synthesized in code.
• Ads and purchases: there's now one optional purchase, the Captain's Pass. It removes all ads, keeps the Tailwind bonus always on and gives every ad bonus for free. Without it there's now an occasional ad at natural breaks (sailing, a new chapter, a ship upgrade), never in the first chapter and at most one every 5 minutes. All content is still free.

Coming next: optional Google sign-in with cloud save, so your progress survives a new phone.

I'd love to hear how the new look feels and if anything looks off on your device, please tell me! :)

Play on Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.tideidle.app

Congratulations, well done! :)

To everyone - Thank You for the feedback! :)

I just published big update, Tide Idle 2.0: Ashore!
• Your captain now fights on land: 7 dungeons(one on every island)
• Smith gear at the new Anvil
• Rare dungeon keys open treasure chests with 11 unique items
• Slayer tasks, lairs and streak bonuses from Old Maren
• The Harbor: daily bounties, cargo runs and doubloons
• Skill capes at 99 (worn in the new cape slot)
• Repair kits patch your ship, food now heals only your captain
• Rarer sea loot for a longer hunt

I'm currently working on huge design update that makes the game look much better and more realistic. But it takes some time to add/test them all since I have a lot of icons and images in the game.

Thanks again! :)

Thanks for feedback! =)
Honestly this first version was mostly me testing the waters to see if anyone else is into a sailing, skilling + idle mix like this before going all in. I've got a long list of ideas and plan to keep adding to it. And you're right about the linear part, I noticed that too. Right now everyone ends up on pretty much the same path.
Curious what you'd want most, more freedom in what you do or more depth in how you do it?

Tide Idle: Pirate Idle RPG