UPDATE 6.19.03: Need animators for new game! (info, screens, and artwork avail.)

[undergroundling]

Hey,

Well, I'm currently starting work on a new game titled (probably) SpellBound.  This game is going to follow the misadventures of a bumbling wizard as he accidentally stumbles into a quest to save the world.  As you can tell, the story isn't too fleshed out, but I have an idea of where it might be going.  

Anyways...I'm assembling a small team to help with story, scripting, and maybe some artwork/animation.

Here are some examples of work already done for the game:





As you can see from the above screenshot, I have completed (most) of a GUI with custom graphics including a neat multiple inventory system (coded by Scorpiorus - many thanks to him!) which organizes both a standard inventory and a spellbook (much like that in Zork: Grand Inquistor and any other game that involves magic, really).

Oh, and that background was just a quick little thing I threw together, not too good really.

But if you're interested, respond here on this thread, private message me on the boards, or email me at drmoruth@yahoo.com.

Thanks!

- Bryan

UPDATE:

Rincewind is going to be doing the background art for my game.  As of now, I'm still looking for some voice talent and programmers.  If I haven't gotten in touch with you yet and you've posted to this thread, I'll get on that as soon as possible.

Right now, I DESPERATELY need animators for this project.  I'm doing all the original character art myself, but I really need talented animators who can animate walk cycles and the like.

I should have some new screenshots shortly, so stay tuned!

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

[Bob The Hun]

I'd be able to contribute to the story, most likely, and maybe even some scripting. Artwork, though, I can't do that well.
Anyway, I have some spare time and would be willing to help out.

[undergroundling]

I've got two general ideas about ways this story can play out, but neither is fleshed out really well.  What I really need are some specifics, something my mind seems unable to come up with right now.

Idea 1:
The wizard (I still need a name, dammit!) tries to cast some complex spell which goes horribly wrong (a la the Mickey vs. brooms sequence in Fantasia, albiet on a grander scale).  Instead of doing what it was supposed to the spell threatens the safety of the whole world (or kingdom, or whatever) and it is up to him to stop this disaster.  Through a series of misadventures, our hero sets out to right his wrongs and save the world from a disaster he brought upon it.

Idea 2:
The wizard accidentally stumbles upon an evil plot (to dethrone the king? to block out the sun?).  Since the wizard is known to be a bit of a nut, no one really takes him seriously, and besides, all the good wizards are too busy to help out.  So it is up to our reluctant hero to haphazardly save the day.

Well, these are the two basic ideas I have for where I want this story to go.  And of course, I DO want to leave room for a sequel  

So if you (Bob the Hun) or anyone else has any ideas, let me know.

- Bryan

[Bob The Hun]

To me, idea one seems a bit generic.
Idea two has been done before two, but it could be made very original with just a few variations.
Or, you could combine the two, where, through an accident with some complex spell, the wizard accidently gets himself into this whole evil plot, forcing him to save himself and, thusly, save the world.
However, the whole "hero reluctantly rises up and saves the world" has turned into something of a cliche.
Before one can really determine a plot, one needs to know the atmosphere of the game, though. Is it meant to be more serious or humorous?
If it's a serious plot, i can still help out, but my specialty lies within writing more humorous stories (although most good humor games have a touch of seriousness, too)

[undergroundling]

This is definitely meant to be a humorous game.  I love Monkey Island style puns and wordplay as well as the Al Lowe LSL/Freddy Pharkas style humor and intend for the game incorporate those sort of jokes.

The hero saving the world bit does seem like a bit of a cliche of course, so if you have any better ideas, I would LOVE to hear them.

Thanks.

- Bryan

[Bob The Hun]

An idea:
There is a big plot by some mysterious organization for some evil deed (whatever that would be). The wizard does something that leads the organization to believe that that he has stumbled on their plan, despite the fact that it was just a big misunderstanding, and he has no idea of their intentions. So, thinking that the wizard knows too much, they decide to try to kill him. After the hitman shows up and almost kills the wizard, the wizard trys to find out what the heck is going on, which just gets him deeper into the whole thing.
Don't know any of the details that would work with that, but it seemed the only non-"hero saves the world" plot I could think of off the top of my head.

[m0ds]

Normally, I'd say something about posting in the ACR thread and lock this thread. BUT, as you're probably the first person in AGS history to actually give a detailed brief WITH SCREENSHOTS (!) about your project, I'm going to let it be. If you need any music, just shout.

m0ds

[Nostradamus]

If you want a voice actor, I'm there. PM me.

[Renal Shutdown]

Hey

Once current projects are out of the way I'm available as an jack of all trades (master of none) handy, odd job, random task man-type thing dude.  What time frame you looking at?

Hugs
Iqu

[Bob The Hun]

Now that Nostradamus brings it up, I could do voice-acting, too.

[furrylilkreature]

I might be able to help out although I do not know scripting

[furrylilkreature]

take that back I know scripting know

[undergroundling]

Wow, thanks to everyone for their replies.

I'll probably be getting in touch with people shortly, but I want to leave it open for a little bit longer so I can see who else shows any interest.  I'm sure I can find a place for anyone and everyone who wants to help out!

- Bryan

[Jimi]

I don't mind helping out with the puzzles. I'm helping Hobbes with the puzzles for his game.

[Rincewind]

Well, I'm no expert in drawing, but I'd love to do some fantasy-inspired backgrounds for a humourous game... Just Instant Message me.

[undergroundling]

Since I've gotten some great response here, I'm gonna *bump* this thread up to see if I can get any more

So far, Rincewind has agreed to do some backgrounds and I'm in talks with Nostradamus to do some voice acting.  I still need scripters and probably a full-time animator (mainly for animating walk-cycles of the characters I've drawn), so any help would be greatly appreciated.

And hopefully I'll have some new screenshots soon for you guys to check out.

- Bryan

[Pale]

I'd love to see the bumbling wizard unintentionally cast a spell which turns him into an evil, power-crazed lunatic who is hell-bent on world domination.  You could spend all your time trying to execute some master plan which eventually backfires and you end up inadvertently saving the world from yourself.  You could be the hero and villain of the story.

[undergroundling]

That's actually a pretty cool idea, but not really the direction I want this game to go.  Thanks for the suggestion though, and if you have any other ideas, I'd love to hear them.

- Bryan

[furrylilkreature]

I'm usally good at animating my own stuff but I'll still try at your idea (I can make good spell animations too)

[EldKatt]

I'm available for doing backgrounds, helping with story and puzzles and such, and composing music (the kind commonly referred to as 'classical', and film score type music). Oh, and voice acting. Get in touch by email or MSN Messenger should you need me.