Apprentice II: The Continuation
The second chapter in the Apprentice series begins where the original left off. As the story continues, the black horse of war looms over the land, with the ominous Lord Ironcrow at the reins. Because Pib's apprenticeship makes him vulnerable to the military draft, attaining wizardhood becomes imperative.
From ocean diving to winning at the races, this adventure explores the land of Willowbean that lies beyond the Wizard's hill. New characters range from the Book Wyrm, a dragon-like being with a taste for literature, to Seacookie, the puniest contender at the centaur races.
Although we didn't make our Christmas deadline for its release (which turned out to be extremely optimistic, as the game boasts a design triple the length of the original), we managed to put together lots of animation, music, and scripting for this teaser trailer.
(http://www.2dadventure.com/ags/app2trailer.jpg)
Download teaser trailer (http://www.sonic.net/~schlae/herculeaneffort/app2trailer.zip)
Unfortunately, due to our host's strict bandwidth rules, we can only offer this trailer for a limited time. If anyone has any ideas about alternate download servers, please PM Geoffkhan.
Really good! Made me laugh out loud a few times, and you chose the right wig! :)
Hey! Allright - This is something I've been waiting for... Loved the first part, and I have a feeling this definately won't be worse... I mean, Triple Length? That makes my heart jump just like that... :)
Keep on working! Looking forward to playing it!
Hmm,
looks like i posted my games in production thread at the wrong time, everyone's guna b reading up on yours :'( lol
seriously though, this looks great and i cant wait to play the finished product.
Keep up the good work
-a chicken
This looks awesome ...
And I like the description:
"the black horse of war looms over the land, with the ominous Lord Ironcrow at the reins"
Totally sweet sounding!
I'm really looking forward the ocean diving!
More screenshots!!!!
])]V[
bloody awesome. can't wait!
It's like a cult classic in the making (or atleast a sequel to one :))
Awesome stuff... ;)
Su-weeet!
My only advise is, if you're going to be churning out stuff of this quality, you should consider getting your own domain name. The URL is just unwieldly.
If anyone can, Geoffkhan.
I made that joke myself!
Really great! I can't wait to play this one. The first Apprentice was great, and this one looks like it's aiming to be just as good if not better. Wow, three times the size... Don't make us wait too long! :-\
One of the most impressive trailers I've seen here, although I expected as much, and it didn't dissappoint.
I'm not big on Wizard type games, but Apprentice was excellent for a short game, and I expect this to blow it away.
Excellent work, can't wait, but I will anyway
OMG!!!!! Now I really cant wait for this game.
I hate you ;D
This looks very promising but there is one thing that bugged me. Lord Ironcrow takes the unenployment for his army and he wants Pib because his dad was a warrior in Ironcrow's army saying that Pib is unemployed but that is wrong since Pib is a wizard apprentice and a apprentice is a student. I know this is middle-age but it still doesn't feel right that Ironcrow tries to get Pib in his army even if he is actually a student and not unemployed. Looks like I have found the first story error to the game even before it got released, I would say it's unbelieveable.
God damnit! FINISH THE GAME, AND STOP TEASING ME!!! ;)
Wow, wow, wow.
Superb.
Fantastic stuff!
QuoteLord Ironcrow takes the unenployment for his army and he wants Pib because his dad was a warrior in Ironcrow's army...
The only mention of Pib's father is in a dream in the first Apprentice. Even there, it doesn't serve as a REASON for recruitment, just an attempt to convince Pib to enlist. I never meant for people to take the whole warrior-cook thing literally. (Lord Ironcrow was trying to justify what he said earlier when confronted with the fact that Pib's father was indeed a cook.)
Quote...Ironcrow tries to get Pib in his army even if he is actually a student and not unemployed.
Although it's true that Pib is indeed an apprentice (surprise), he is not being paid (as mentioned in the first Apprentice game), so he is NOT a professional. Other clues in the first game hint at this apprenticeship as being very informal.
I guess you'll just have to trust me that the story works and makes sense.
Holy crap, that was f***ing great! I really can't wait for the game now fellas :o
I haven't posted on these forums for quite a while and I just had to post now and say: Excellent work! Great! Amazing! Awesome! Unbelievable! etc.
How awesome, I didn't hear music and sound though because I'm at school, but I'll try to hear them as soon as possible.
Aww....
The sound and music is the main reason the trailer is so big.
You should get on that.
Wow-the trailer looks great.I was just wondering why didn't you ever change the front look of Pib because it looks way too wide.Otherwise the game rulez-can't wait to play it.
Awesome stuff, I can't wait to play the full thing!
Geoff,
Absolutely FANTASTIC!
I did have technical 'issues' playing the trailer back which I've posted in the Technical Forum (Are you using v2.6?), but even so I'm hugely impressed / jealous / gob-smacked / in awe!
Looking forward to the full release.
Matt
Matt, I used ags26rc1 for the trailer -- I was too lazy at the moment to upgrade to 2.6. I saw your post on the Technical Forum. As far as I can tell there shouldn't be any problem with the trailer itself. Weird.
just wanted to point that i have the same problem matt described in the tech forum.
otherwise, the trailer is awesome in every aspects - music, artwork/animation, dialogs,... and i'm glad this game will be longer than the first.
Okay, all I need to do is recompile the game in the newest version of AGS. The version I used (26rc1) had some little problems.
I needed to reupload it anways. I gotta find some free server like Freewebs to move it to. Yes, the download will be much slower than our main host, but considering the fees they charge for exceding the daily and monthly bandwidth...
That's actually a really good idea, since the site is over the quota and I can't even see my avatar anymore!
Amazing!
Really great animations and music. Superb!
As i'm just playing first part (great, great game, btw :)) : there's something that bothers me about interface. It's a bit tedious to select commands from bottom of screen (or to jump on keyboard to select the right number)... wouldn't it be easier to give a choice to switch between commands with right mouse button? It would be great if you could implement that in sequel.
Otherwise- i'm amazed.
Oh no, my avatar's gone! The website is down.
THE WORLD IS GOING TO END!
Well, maybe not, but for me it sure is.
Igor -
We considered the right click to cycle through commands, but because WALK TO is the default command, there is no other way to access it save for right-clicking. Of course, we could redesign the GUI to add WALK TO on the lower bar, but it seems a bit redundant to me.
Does everyone really prefer a "Sam and Max" interface?
I do prefer an interface with right-mouse click to change mode. But on the other hand, I respect the creator's choice, and am willing to work with other Gui's. Though verbcoins are really irritating to my opinion.
Im not sure if I already gave my opinion in this thread, but I have to say, that that horse animation is the best i've seen in a long time! I wanna animate like that!! :) And all the other things were awesome too! A beauty to my eyes. Keep up the good work!
Personally, i'd prefer S&M interface (with keyboard short-cuts still as an option).
Btw, as an idea: i quite like some newer interfaces, where action options become available only on hotspots (then you cycle through them with right mouse button)... while, when cursor is off hotspot, it automatical switches to "walk mode".
Also, i just finished first part of game. Congrats! I absolutely love the fairy-tale mood. My favorite location must be "the barn"- the music & location itself create some kind of sad/darker atmosphere, which is a nice contrast to the rest of the game.
If you read the readme file, you'd know that you can use the keyboard numbers 1-4 as a shortcut for the commands.
If you think Apprentice 1 is any good, my friend, just wait for Apprentice 2 -- which is 10x better!
QuoteBtw, as an idea: i quite like some newer interfaces, where action options become available only on hotspots (then you cycle through them with right mouse button)... while, when cursor is off hotspot, it automatical switches to "walk mode".
This idea sounds neat. So you can only cycle through options while over a hotspot? This eliminates the need for the lower "pull-up" GUI bar, right?
I know when I played S&M, I would often cycle past the desired action by accident. It would be nice to be able to select the action from another menu (as a backup). With your method, this is not possible. Do you think this is an issue?
Also, I'm guessing that you would be able to change actions while over the inventory as well as the room hotspots?
As Gregor mentioned, we have quantified the exact amount by which the second game will surpass the first one.
the only warning i have to that type of cursor system [the one that igor mentioned] is accidentally slipping off the hotspot and WOOPS! there goes your cursor.
store the last used cursor maybe? and stay away from pixel hunts not only cause they annoy but because slipping off a few pixels is easier [obviously]
otherwise i love you guys
Having it remember the last cursor is a great idea! I'll have to experiment with that. Thanks!
Any news on an alternate download site? I haven't been to the Games in Production forum in weeks, so I totally missed this the first time around (curses!).
I believe the alternate download is hosted at our new location:
http://herculeaneffort.adventuredevelopers.com/ (http://herculeaneffort.adventuredevelopers.com/)
Thanks a bunch, AdventureDevelopers!
http://herculeaneffort.adventuredevelopers.com/app2trailer.zip
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The requested URL was not found on this server.
Apache Server at herculeaneffort.adventuredevelopers.com
Curses again!
Quote from: big brother on Tue 20/01/2004 02:06:10
I believe the alternate download is hosted at our new location:
http://herculeaneffort.adventuredevelopers.com/ (http://herculeaneffort.adventuredevelopers.com/)
Thanks a bunch, AdventureDevelopers!
Don't thank us yet. You obviously haven't talked to Greg yet about 'the deal'. :P
Just kidding ;D
Let's see how much bandwidth you guys can abuse. Maybe you'll even beat Screen 7!
--Erwin
I haven't uploaded the Apprentice 2 trailer or Apprentice 1 to the website yet, but you can still download them in the 'Games' section on the AGS website. The links go to working mirrors.
All I had to do to get that webspace was to sell my soul, 50% of all the blood in my body, my kidneys, and various other organs to AdventureDevelopers (who in turn sell on Ebay, FYI). What a deal!
Quote from: Geoffkhan on Tue 20/01/2004 22:02:35
I haven't uploaded the Apprentice 2 trailer or Apprentice 1 to the website yet, but you can still download them in the 'Games' section on the AGS website. The links go to working mirrors.
All I had to do to get that webspace was to sell my soul, 50% of all the blood in my body, my kidneys, and various other organs to AdventureDevelopers (who in turn sell on Ebay, FYI). What a deal!
I heard your internet connection isn't that fast so in exchange for another percentage of your soul (or maybe bigbrothers soul?) I'd be more than willing to upload the trailer and game to the server, if you want. Just let me know where you want to stack it, and I'll have it there in a jiffy.
Did I mention how much I liked that trailer, btw? :o
--Erwin
Thanks for the offer, but I need to recompile the App2 Trailer in the latest version of AGS. Maybe I'll also compress the sound some more so it'll take up less space.
If you want, you could upload Apprentice 1 (if you have the updated version, with the secret bonus puzzle) on the server for me. Big Brother's soul, eh? I'll think about that...
Thanks,
Geoffkhan
I needed a walkthrough to complete every single puzzle (I'm really stupid), but I loved the game. Excellent animation, way better than I can do. I'm looking forward to the game.
Well, I recompiled the Apprentice 2 trailer and uploaded it on the server. Now it should work for those of you who had problems with it. Here's the url:
http://herculeaneffort.adventuredevelopers.com/app2trailer.zip (http://herculeaneffort.adventuredevelopers.com/app2trailer.zip)
I really loved this trailer. The graphics look even better than in the first one, especially the backgrounds. And the music fits perfectly.
Combined with the new interface, this game will surely rock.
Well done! :D
Good stuff, guys. I'm definitely looking foward to Apprentice's next installment. :)
Really nice.
Great art....
I must say that i was surprised when that Lord took of his helmet, because i didn't follow the thread about his hair till the end. I didn't know you chose the baroque one. Well, it's not bad at all, tho' i think most of us will go with anything... Wait, or is that one of his many wigs?
Yes, the wig he is wearing in the trailer is one of many. Here's a tentative
picture of Ironcrow's "wig room."
(http://www.2dadventure.com/ags/wig_room.gif)
he he, i love it when you guys say 'tentative picture'.....
OMFG!
that wig room looks amazing, *sigh* if only i could draw like that
-a chicken
I love the bird (crow?) on top, it reminds me of the Nazi emblem. :D
Yeah, I was inspired by some Reich imagery for that one.
You're going to see a lot of that emblem in the game...
Ironcrow himself came from Otto von Bismarck (old "Blood and Iron"). You could say that Ironcrow and Bismarck both had a "readiness to go to war" but that's as far as political similarities go.
Hey guys, your game looks badass and considering the quality of your first game I have no doubts that this one will be excellent. However, I have to question the subtitle... "The Continuation"? Isn't that pretty much what every sequel is? I don't mean to be whiny, and I know this is a very nitpicky thing to bring up, but "The Continuation" doesn't really serve any useful purpose as a title. It's assumed that a direct sequel is going to continue, so to me it sort of comes off more like extra words which exist solely to justify the addition of second title. Perhaps you could come up with a more descriptive alternative, or (better yet, in my opinion) just leave it off entirely. I've noticed that the AGS community has been inundated with two-title games for no apparent reason. Anyway, I can't state enough that I don't mean this as criticism of your game, which as I've said a few times will certainly be great, but perhaps you could rethink the title. Or not, that's cool. I'll still play it (probably).
Actually, that's a good call. Never really thought about it too much. I'd have to change some of the website stuff and the wallpaper, but it's probably a good idea to come up with a better name.
I'll come up with a few names and post them later. You guys can pick your favorites. Sound good?
Wooo, I've made a difference!
Well, how about ...
This baseball? It's been autographed by your country's Lou Gehrig!
(sorry, couldn't resist.)
How about this title:
Apprentice II: The Knight's Game
(second title is necessary BTW)
Personally I think it should be something like Apprentice 2: The War of the Knights or maybe Apprentice 2: The plan of Ironcrow, or something like that.
Quote from: big brother on Tue 03/02/2004 06:00:31
Yes, the wig he is wearing in the trailer is one of many. Here's a tentative
picture of Ironcrow's "wig room."
(http://www.2dadventure.com/ags/wig_room.gif)
Do I see a Conroy Bumpus wig? (the blonde one)
--Erwin
How about Apprentice II: Caught In a Crow's Nest? It's somewhat long but meh. :P
Erwin: Yes indeed, that IS a Conroy Bumpus wig. Limited edition. With autograph. And official dandruff.
I like thowing in references to Lucasarts stuff.
As for the name, the Crow thing is good. I'm thinking more along the line of a chess analogy. Here are some of my latest ideas:
Apprentice II: The Knight's Turn
Apprentice II: The Knight's Move
(Kinda like "The Empire Strikes Back")
Big Brother, I like the in-joke for that game. I hope you bring even more in-jokes from Lucas Arts games. About the title I think that The Knight's Move sounds better than The Knight's Turn because turn can be mistaken for as turn as standing in a line which would be silly, if you know what I mean. Move does sound good because the word "move" is a term of a strategy (not only in chess but also for planing a battle) so in my opinion Knight's Move are the best.
Off-topic: Big Bro, have you played my game Wizardhood? There's a funny in-joke from the original Apprentice.
Yeah I think I'm leaning towards "move" myself...
Hope it doesn't suggest a funny dance. (Knight's move?)
Mats: Yea, I played Wizardhood and was flattered by the towel/spider reference. :)
Well, after much consulting, I've decided to go with "Apprentice II: The Knight's Move." If you're reading this, Gregor, maybe you could change the title of this thread.
Anyways, progress is good. I only have one more background to draw and then it's on the animation, other miscellaneous art, and room interactions.
*bump*
Righto, Big Brother! We'd also need to update the website and the wallpaper, for that matter.
I have to say, that I can sympathise with Pib. Neither of us want to be soldiers. On the other and, I'm already drafted. :o