How to be a Ninja

[Nikolas]

About the demo, I was wondering if it would be a good idea to have some kind of small prequel (or even sequel, if it can be clever) of the game instead of a small portion of the game, as you usually do. This way you get to show off your graphics, your art, your gameplay, your game, but without giving away anything, and moreover when someone downloads your game he/she won't have to replay the first of the eight chapters, just because he played the demo.

Just a thought!

[Ninjas]

I really don't like game demos for that reason. I don't know. I like the idea of integrating the booklet (which would be designed to look like the 'How to be a Ninja' book in the game) with the gameplay.

Yeah, I can see problems with the booklet, but it is ultimately harder to photocopy the book than it is to download a key-gen. The other thing I think is intersting is that reproducing the book, or even quoting large portions of it, is against the law, while making a key-gen is completely legal. I think adventure game fans would enjoy the oldschool charm of looking stuff up in the book also.

The main problem I see is that some people may find it confusing. They may mistakingly think the game is free, and then feel ripped off because they have to buy a booklet, or they may want the whole game and think the download version is only a demo. Maybe if I use standard phrases it can be made to make more sense. "Order the manual and get codes to unlock the full game"

I'm really not worried about guys giving the game to their friends. I'm more worried about my game showing up in disks with other ripped games being sold on Ebay. Having to print out a mutli-page booklet would slow those guys down a lot more than just needing a code.

Utimately any copy protection system is going to fail, or else be a royal pain for the legit users, or both. I want to make it easy for people who buy the game to play it. One huge problem with commercial games is that they often are buggy, or won't work with people's computers. My game will run, even on an ultra low end PC, at 320x240, 15 FPS. I'm sick of playing games and having it not work because I don't have 3.0 pixel shaders or an $800 Gforce 9.

I may shop the game around once it is closer to being done, but I plan to retain the right to sell it online.

[sergiocornaga]

I like the sound of "How to be a Ninja" as an actual title, not just a working title. But hey it's your decision. 

This game looks pretty cool, I look forward to it.

[i k a r i]

What about:
The Path Of The Ninja
The Hidden Ninja Arts
Ninja Codes
The Way of The Ninja

[Ninjas]

Playing around with player portraits. I like the look of this, though I may slim the black lines down for the final game.



I think the game may indeed be called How to be a Ninja, but I wanted to leave it open in case I came up with an even better title later.

[ildu]

I like the futuristic-looking sporty clothing. It really suits a game like this. It's kinda like the parkour dudes in Yamakazi. Futuristic, cool and sporty. And also, the drawings are really good.

[ManicMatt]

A mate of mine came round today and I showed him your screenshots as an example of another AGS game other than mine, and he was impressed, and then bored me about how you would have made the backgrounds!

[fovmester]

Dude! You sure know how to draw people!! That character art is AMAZING!

[A�rendyll (formerly Yurina)]

Woooooooooooooooooooooooow!

I think Im going to like this game a lot. I always liked ninja's, but with this game my liking bacame a lot bigger al of a sudden...

Can't wait to see the demo! ^^

[Spitfire]

Looking Superb! Keep it up. The art direction is amazing, very nice style.

[ikeeverett]

Hey, this stuff looks really good.  I noticed that you have none of the music or sound done - do you need help with that?  I'm a professional composer/audio designer and would be happy to help.  I've never written for a computer game (I mostly work for theatre and radio commercials), but I used to love Sierra games as a kid and got an urge to get involved in something.

I like the work you've posted - I'm imaginging a blend of traditional koto and/or shakuhachi with ambient trip hop to mirror your near-future, urban tone.  I might even add some glitch electronica elements since you've kind of got a gray, gritty thing going on.

In any case, let me know - I'd be happy to help out.

isaac
www.isaaceverett.com

[Mordalles]

simply awesome. great backgrounds. i 1st thought i was looking at photos.
lighting is really superb.

[scourge]

hey man, keep up the splendid work, your graphics rule! Ninjas rule.

[Ninjas]

I have been really sick with the flu... I have only made a little progress. I'll also be out of town for Christmas and New Years. Until then Here is a little something.

[ildu]

WOW. That looks just so damn cool.

[Sslaxx]

WOW. That looks just so damn cool.

Here, here!

If this game has a Linux version too, I'll buy it!

[scourge]

Geez that's good.

[i k a r i]

Aren't his arms a bit short? 
anyway, great piece of art, what I like the most is the position of his right hand =)

Am I going to be able to buy it from Argentina?..(If it gets good critics =PPP)

[Ninjas]

Ikari, I think I'll end up doing a full spanish language translation (w/ voices) and I will make an effort to sell it. I have my degree in economics and I am aware of the huge differences caused by currency valuation. I hope to sell the spanish language version at a fair price for the majority of people likely to buy it.

As for his arms, I would say it is just perspective, but you could be right, especially on the character's left arm.

Thanks everybody. I'm trying my best to recover so that I can get back to work on this.

[i k a r i]

I would buy it in english, the voices in english for some reason are always far better..
Another thing about spanish is that is very different in every country, I would hate to hear spanish voices from Spain, is EXTREMELY different than my spanish (although we understand perfectly each other), another accent, other expressions, etc etc etc....
I can't stand watching a Spain movie, or a Mexican movie..I don't know why =/

I don't know what USA people think about english accent or canadian accent..

But I'm talking too much, what I wanted to say is that it would be MUCH better if you leave the voices in english and the text in spanish (optional), we are VERY used to that here because most of the movies are like that..and it will be much more better for you because most of the people who speak spanish thinks like me..(and less work too).....trust me.

And I'm glad you know about the current devaluation..