Guards of Atlantis introduction video. Looking for Feedback.

I definitely like what you have so far! All of this video stuff seems well beyond my ability, so take what I say with a grain of salt... but here's what I got:

The music at the beginning is a smidge quiet for me at the beginning, so I turned up my volume some ...only to get the narrator a little louder than I expected. Not so much that the voice was loud, but the music was quiet, and I over adjusted. Perhaps the music can be louder at the start, and get quieter for the narrator?

At one point, there's cards being played on the board, with one placed face-down on top. The face-up cards being used seemingly for the icon that is showing under the edge of that face-down card. But then when the card playing example is given, there is none of that 'cards face-down and other cards with the icons underneath' thing going on...

When you say that the cards resolve in initiative order, it might not be obvious where to find the initiative stat... second run through I noticed it was the upper left corner, but maybe can highlight that on the card really quick maybe, or put a quick circle around them or something?

The only part that I'm concerned about is "when the lane is pushed". Where when there are no more opposing minions in an area, then the player gets to place all his minions closer to the base (in the next area).

I guess this is because minions re-spawn at specific places on the board (like in the middle) and you wanted to give some kind of "bonus" if a player did really good in one area?!

Not sure I get how re-spawning is done. Is this like "magically" all minions re-spawn and the game continues?

Something about the re-spawning that doesn't appeal to me. I understand why - because you need someplace and if it's across the board, it's not really good since those units need to move all that distance.

But that's what I don't like. Unless I misunderstood.

And I think the artwork looks great, the cards and the minis - everything from the artistic perspective looks real great. The video is also very cool... I'm just not liking the whole, re-spawn and continue concept.

Same goes the "other" rule I find strange, if you have less minions in the area, you lose another minion... So you are losing and then you lose some more?! Doesn't this produce a "run-away leader" type of syndrome. Like 1st player to win the middle, wins the game...?

IDEA: You can ignore my ramblings... But here's what I think would be better than those 2 rules.

A> When one player defeats a unit, it goes "back" to the base.
B> This will allow "natural" progression from one area to another, since the opponent's pieces will take TIME (turns) before they reach opposing forces.
C> No run-away leader, because the leading player requires MORE time for his reinforcements to arrive. Which allows for the opponent a chance to "redeem" himself.

You can maybe optimize this a little bit... Like instead of ALL THE WAY back, re-spawn in the PREVIOUS area. That might be more suitable for the purpose of the game.

Just my 2 cents.

Update: How do you "track" damage? Is this with tokens or is it more of an all-or-nothing mechanic? The video doesn't state this... :/

Update 2: You could have numbers for areas

#1 = Base 1
#2 = Grassland 1
#3 = Swamp
#2 = Grassland 2
#1 = Base 2

So the rule could be, minions re-spawn in the previous area (area - 1). So if you are in #3, (#3 - 1) = #2. Something like that might do the trick...

Note: As I have mentioned in other posts about "design" in-general, making a game takes time. And usually the hardest part is completing the last 10% of the game. 90% of the game is good - but you are left with some rules that work - but don't seem optimal.

I had the same with my Roles in "Tradewars - Homeworld". But on the advice of playtesters, I modified them according to their suggestions. And in truth, the roles went from 75% to 90%. There is still one role that could use some "fixing" - but I am leaving this to a future Expansion...

I would put in the video that players do NOT move Minions. I didn't get that and it makes a big difference. Now it's a little more clear about why they re-spawn in specific places.

Also your "heroes" are the ones doing the movement. That I figured - but for the minions it was not explained.

Really like the video! Quite interested in the game, especially because of the great artwork! How did you produce the animated parts of the video? When do you plan to kickstart?

Also, here's some advice that I got from a professional game designer, and I continue to struggle with when I have held feedback sessions:

Accept all feedback with a thanks, and, at most, a followup question. Never, never, NEVER explain to the person why his feedback is wrong, even if you are sure it is. (His followup was that if you hear the same wrong feedback multiple times, it probably isn't wrong, you are. I'm not saying that happened here, but it has certainly happened to me.)

Except someone that doesn't know what MOBA means will immediately feel disenfranchised or left out and, therefore is a potentially lost sale.

Why leave any potential customer out?

If it's an acronym, it needs to be explained or left out. Unless you aren't concerned about losing customers who would have otherwise viewed the video and got interested in the game right off the top.

I have only newly become aquainted with the term MOBA so every time I see it I have to think hard about what it is.. and, to be honest, right off the start of the video I had the feeling of being slightly in the dark. That feeling remained. That feeling is not something that will attract a new customer.

(edit: Otherwise, the video is good)