By the Sword: Foreword (UPDATED: 12 Jul 2010)

TerranRich · Tue 23/06/2009 23:59:48

Yes, you read that right! This is a By the Sword game. In other words, this is a mini-game that takes place before — and gives some back story to — the main By the Sword game. This, and one other free mini-game, will be released first, in order to generate some interest and "buzz" around By the Sword, which I'm also working on.

You are Lieutenant Ronald Garner, an officer in the United Earth Star Force. After your captain grants you some much-needed (albeit short) shore leave on Earth, you return to your home to find that things aren't as they should be.

WEB SITE
You can now find the game's home page at www.BTSgame.com. Check it out!

UPDATES
12 Jul 2010: New screenshots added!
24 Jul 2009: Added a third screen shot.
16 Jul 2009: Replaced all screen shots with newer, updated versions.
27 Aug 2009: Added wallpaper (in different resolutions) and teaser poster below.
02 Jul 2010: Added a much-needed update in terms of progress; added web site URL.

PROGRESS

Story: 100%
Dialog: 30%
Puzzles: 70%
Graphics: 40%
User Interface: 75%
Sound/Music: 10%
Programming: 5%

IN-GAME SCREENS

Click to enlarge:

July 12, 2010

July 24, 2009

VIDEO

First official teaser video - Ron's personal log #1: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cFNM_5ohulI

NOTES

For those of you who have ever played the old 2003 demo of By the Sword: Conspiracy, this is a prequel to that game. I will release Foreword first, in order to tell more of the back story, as well as to generate interest. This will be a freeware game with a very unique GUI.

For more information, visit http://www.btsgame.com/about.

COMING SOON

While working on Foreword at the same, I have been compiling a demo reel/teaser trailer for Foreword in my spare time, consisting of animations, game play clips, and an exciting musical score. That will be coming within the next few days.

RELEASE DATE

I've finally decided on a tentative release date sometime during the Fall of 2010 (this year). Stay tuned!

Ryan Timothy B · Wed 24/06/2009 01:26:22

Game looks great man!
I'm loving the idea for the flying car scene. I realize this isn't the CL but some blurred alpha channel sprites whizzing by the foreground of the screen to really enhance the experience of motion (unless you already have them). Eye catching cut scenes like this one really get me excited to play a game.

I noticed the small font on the bottom, will the game be voiced?

I haven't played the 2003 demo, so I'm curious, will there be any in space gaming? Mother ship or other.

Anyway, I'm not a big fan of 3D adventures but this one we'll just say; keep working on it so I can play it!

(And I absolutely love sci-fi themed games)

TerranRich · Wed 24/06/2009 01:51:00

Yes, the game will be voiced. I'll be playing the main character, and later I will seek voice actors for parts in the game. It's a short game, so there aren't that many lines.

I personally think the actual city fly-by scene looks awesome, considering I'm limited to 5 BG frames.

As for in-space game play, if you mean arcade sequence, no, none are planned for any of the games. But I will definitely keep it in mind... it's a good idea to include one in the main game.

cosmicr · Wed 24/06/2009 04:40:18

I'll be keeping a close eye on this one too, looks great so far!

The second pic is quite interesting, is the grass green and lush part of the scene, or are you intending on making it dirty because its in a demolition area? It looks like it feel from the sky!

Keep up the good work though!

Just curious, what 3d package are you using?

Dualnames · Wed 24/06/2009 15:44:11

For a sec i got scared someone dug this up.. Great news TR!!!

TerranRich · Thu 25/06/2009 04:57:51

UPDATE: Added a third screenshot, showing hotspot labeling, custom cursors for different default actions, and the fact that the top GUI only appears when moused-over (and is now just an inventory GUI with one button leading to the options/pause GUI).

cosmicr · Thu 25/06/2009 05:07:39

the screens look fantastic! can you tell us more about how you created them?

I only ask because I've been dabbling with 3d myself.

TerranRich · Thu 25/06/2009 06:53:53

I use Poser mostly, but never the default characters, or even the default textures for original characters. I customize nearly everything I use in my scenery. All of it is purchased from places such as www.daz3d.com and www.renderosity.com. Many of it is donated by ratracer, a fellow AGSer who also models 3D scenery and sells it on Renderosity. Coincidentally, he also helped plan the main By the Sword game that is currently being held off until the two prequels are released.

TerranRich · Fri 17/07/2009 00:51:55

Hey guys, I updated the screenshots to show more up-to-date versions of what's in the game. They're all in-game captures, which is obvious from the mouse cursors that can be seen in most of them.

Joseph DiPerla · Sat 18/07/2009 01:46:51

Looks good. Keep it up.

TerranRich · Fri 07/08/2009 02:21:20

Here are some character renders I made, this time with more realistic lighting (for promo shot purposes):

Ronald Garner, main character

Jeremy Bellevue, best friend of Ron

Philip Reigner, Esquire, attorney-at-law

Cindra Taylor, a waitress in the cafe where Jeremy works

A Mystery Woman, who appears later

A Stellar Patrol officer, all-seeing space police

Ghost · Fri 07/08/2009 03:14:32

I demand more screenshots of teh mysteree woman! Those eyes look spooky...

No, really, this is looking great, and sounds like a fairly large and professional concept. Best of luck, and a great idea to use some smaller games as bait. Everyone wins.

edit:

Whoo!
|
v

TerranRich · Fri 07/08/2009 03:42:43

That's a great term, Ghost! "Bait", which is kind of what it is.

I've been working on a wallpaper with the Mystery Woman on the side... maybe I can finish it up and release it.

TerranRich · Thu 27/08/2009 06:30:16

UPDATE:

I've created some wallpaper images, in between planning various puzzles for this game. I've decided to drastically expand the first half of this game, as it was originally just "go here, talk to X, go there, talk to Y, go here again, talk to X again", etc.

Anyway, here they are, for various resolutions:

[1920x1080/HD] [1280x960] [1024x768] [800x600]

Dualnames · Thu 27/08/2009 07:36:26

Very proffesional promo thingy there Terran! Love it.

TerranRich · Fri 11/09/2009 02:42:22

It's time for an update! Work on By the Sword: Foreword is going quite well, with new backgrounds, characters, etc. being created every day.

I have made the first of what I hope are many personal log entries by our main character. Read the video description for more details: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cFNM_5ohulI

This video doesn't really add much, but future log entries will add more story and background details to the game and the universe. The audio was recorded on the spot with no script, all improvised.

Dualnames · Fri 11/09/2009 08:04:05

I'm definitely going to play this game, no matter what, if it's made the same way Barn Runner games are (making small gamers while making a really big one), I'm sure i'm gonna have some fun!

TerranRich · Fri 11/09/2009 16:42:36

That's exactly the idea... I'm working on the two smaller games at the same time I'm working on the big, commercial one.

TerranRich · Fri 02/07/2010 22:59:40

By the Sword now has a home page! Check it out: http://www.btsgame.com

I've also added a bit more information to the initial post, but overall progress on Foreword is continuing, with a tentative release date somewhere this coming fall.

Dualnames · Sat 03/07/2010 10:38:24

Quote from: TerranRich on Fri 02/07/2010 22:59:40
By the Sword now has a home page! Check it out: http://www.btsgame.com

I've also added a bit more information to the initial post, but overall progress on Foreword is continuing, with a tentative release date somewhere this coming fall.

Hooray UPDATE!!!!!