Star Ratings or Number Score?

Ninjadoodle

Hi guys

I'm getting close to getting my game done, and just wanted to ask what your opinions are on scoring systems.

Basically the game I'm making is a Point Blank (Namco) / Tap the Frog / Warioware style, collection of mini games.

In each level you have a goal to complete inside 20 seconds.

I'm trying to decide whether it would be better to use a "Star Rating" or "Number Score" for each level completed.

I think that star ratings are a little more user/kid friendly, and cater to the slightly OCD audience lol - gotta get them all

Then again, a number score is more flexible, and improving your score by even a millisecond is an achievement.

What do you guys think?

Thanks in advance for any feedback!

keszegh

both is also an option.

SinisterSoft

Both.

Btw, that's what I might be doing next next (next?) - using LiquidFun for most of the sub-games.

antix

Stars, then you can use multiple things if you like.. stars, coins, carrots, etc

totebo

Game design question, yay! I reckon star score as the main scoring would work best, because they're easy to understand and we'll used. You can then get a "total stars" score across all mini games (or game session).

The issue you will get using only stars is some people will get ALL stars. Let's turn that issue into a feature. You could have a second leaderboard called "superstars" (get it!?) with the time it took to get all stars as the score (or other relevant secondary scoring).

Ninjadoodle

Hey guys - thank you all for your suggestions, it definitely helps! I will go with the Star Ratings as the main system, with the timer as a secondary

keszegh

i'd say that 3 stars for beating different time limits is boring.
so 1 star for beating a time limit, 1 star for collecting some collectibles, etc. all stars ideally relate to a different type of achievement.
and then of course timer can remain so that it motivates you to play even after getting all stars.

e.g. in a game i try to finish sometime, i do not have collectibles etc things, so i decided that it is either no star if you finish a level or a single star if you finish in a given time. and also your so far best time is listed which you may want to beat.