Show HN: Android Dev Quest – A puzzle game solvable only using developer tools
androiddev.questHi HN,
Android has a lot of developer tools available that can kind of give you super powers.
Dev Quest is a unique puzzle game built exclusively for Android developers -- it can only be solved by the creative use of different developer tools.
It's an idea that I've iterated on for over 5 years, and finally launched today.
It's very challenging even for seasoned devs, so there's a progressive tips & tips tricks guide included to help if you ever get stuck.
I hope people come out the other side feeling like they have super powers as an Android developer, and had fun in the process!
I'm now at challenge #13 and have no clue how to proceed further, I even revealed all tips for this one, but nothing is happening. (I suppose the start service command contains a typo, as it would require root, but removing the errornous word allowed me to start the service). I also see that the service is started in the developer tools, but 'sending the message' (being vague to not spoiler things) doesn't change anything in the Challenge.
For the previous challenges I haven't had any problems, finding the correct tools for each challenge wasn't really hard. But #7 and #8 were stressing me out, not because the "developer part" but the challenge itself, as I needed to remember things and be fast.
But I think the tips website is really well made! And the challenges that weren't tedious were quite fun, as it was cool to see how the developer tools can be (ab)used to created challenges like these!
Thanks for this feedback! You're right, the start service command did contain a typo. The action had a typo in both code snippets too. I've updated the dev docs for this, verifying that the code snippets now work in the app.
I've heard similar feedback on #7. My plan is to reduce the digit count from 6 to 4, which should still prove you understand how the puzzle works, without making it unnecessarily complicated.
Thanks again for the feedback! I hope this helps unblock you and that you have fun with the rest of the game.
Great work!
Are you planning to do something similar for iOS?
As a legal geek, I feel the need to point out that you haven’t linked to any privacy policies or similar documents (at least on the website). Is that something you’ve thought about?
In the early stages you’re in, you’ll probably be fine, but you wouldn’t want to risk getting sued for something so simple down the line.
I’m the creator of a tool called Legalfast (legalfast.app), so I’d obviously recommend it. And hey… if the early adopter pricing feels too steep, let me know!
Wishing you all the best, // Sebbe
Thank you! I don’t know if iOS has enough of the same tools to make it compelling enough? Worth a look, though…
I did need a privacy policy in order to publish to the Play Store. It’s linked to in the data & safety section.
I liked it but I am not an Android Dev, so I found it a little hard. I like that there are hints, but they are probably for a different audience. I would need maybe a little intro saying that the next three puzzles deal with the following three types of bugs, which the intro would briefly introduce. I would then have to figure out which puzzle corresponds to which bug and find a way to debug it.
The second puzzle was great because the tool gave me a way to solve the puzzle. The tool for the third puzzle didn't really help because I still had to tap a lot, so I quit.
I know that my feedback may sound negative. I think the concept is great and after one or two revisions I can see folks enjoying it quite a bit!
Thanks for the feedback. Yes, the game is intended for people who are already Android developers, so it's impressive you got this far!
This is pretty cool! I'm not sure if I'm the target audience since I have virtually no experience developing Android apps, but I'm giving it a try. It might be helpful to clarify that the intent is everything is solvable using the on-device developer tools, nothing needs an ADB desktop system connection.
Thanks for the feedback. Yes, the game is targeted to people who are already Android developers, but I hope you have fun with it! Just consider the tips & tricks guide a learning center. I did try to hint in the intro chat that only the on-device developer tools were necessary... but once you get to the red levels, things get taken up a notch.
Having lots of fun with this one! Thanks for sharing. Im unsure if i have a setting turned on thats not allowing me to progress in challenge six, after performing the requested action Im given a prompt "answer not detected over this screen". Unsure if i am doing something wrong. Im trying to write as cleary as I can without spoiling for others.
Thank you! :) I know what you are talking about. Make sure you are using a developer tool to solve that puzzle. If you are doing it without a developer tool, it won't work. If you're still stuck, the tips guide will help.
Really enjoyed this. Thanks for creating it.
#7 is my personal enemy. Maybe it's just me but it was hard to pin point the exact number on a smaller screen.
Maybe increasing the the font size of the numbers or increasing the duration between each movement might help.
Sorry about that! Based on other feedback too, I was thinking of maybe reducing the digit count from 6 to 4. It should be enough to prove you're able to solve the puzzle, but less frustrating.
I'm really liking this. Out of interest did you have any trouble with the play store review process for getting users to turn on developer mode?
Thank you! I had no problem with approval, actually, but I was worried about it too.
The biggest trouble was the requirement to have 20 people in the closed testers track for 14 consecutive days before being allowed to apply for production.
About to start. Hoping it's like The Last Starfighter.