DEMO (https://bluekeystudios.com/filez/hsUfu7234rth/LoCI_DEMO.zip)
v1.3 added end-game state and speech-skipping on mouse click
'Lost on Cow Island' is a comedy adventure game about being on a desert island after a time-travelling accident strands you there.
You play as a nervous art-student named Julius, with drunk but reliable friend Dr Braun (pronounced Brown) diligently fixing the broken time-machine. Julius must find car parts throughout the island, and get them back to their own time...
[imgzoom]https://bluekeystudios.com/img/preview/prev1.png[/imgzoom]
[imgzoom]https://bluekeystudios.com/img/preview/prev2.png[/imgzoom]
[imgzoom]https://bluekeystudios.com/img/preview/prev3.png[/imgzoom]
[imgzoom]https://bluekeystudios.com/img/preview/prev4.png[/imgzoom]
[imgzoom]https://bluekeystudios.com/img/preview/prev6.png[/imgzoom]
[imgzoom]https://bluekeystudios.com/img/preview/prev7.png[/imgzoom]
Features:
-1366x768 (16:9) resolution of 50+ painterly backgrounds
-3,600+ lines of dialogue
-Full English voice acting directed by Ben Rich through irregular emails
-Original soundtrack by composer VanillaPear Sound comprising 18+ songs
The Team:
Ben Rich - Development, Writing, Puzzles, Coding, Project Management
MichaŠ‚ Bukowy - Art, Animation (secondary characters)
Rocky Wahyudi - Animation (Julius and Dr Braun)
VanillaPear Sound - Music, SFX, VO Leveling
and a tonne of voice actors from around the world! (but mostly America)
Story/Puzzles - 100%
Scripting - 100%
Animation - 100%
SFX/Music - 99%
Voice Samples - 90%
Notes:
Developed by Blue Key Studios.
Release due in mid-2022, or publisher schedule.
QuoteJulius (sensitive English art student) and Dr Braun (scatter brained mad scientist) go exploring in a time machine built into a Delorian.
Sounds familiar ;-)
I really like the art, the only thing is that it's hard for me to read the speech font.
Good luck with your game!
This looks brilliant. Really funny. :cheesy:
I thought you'd painted over the Curse of Monkey Island sprite until I did a comparison! Someone likes their art style, and who can blame you!
Lovely background art!
I asked the animator to ‘be inspired' by the Guybrush Threepwood - he went a little too far :p I checked with mike Stemmle, he said it's okay, let's hope Disney agrees.
Last to Know - I may change the font, what about it don't you like?
Maybe because the background color of the speech bubble is the same color as the font color...
It was just my first impression. If I saw those screenshots in full screen, maybe I could read the font better.
In general, I prefer "cleaner" fonts rather than "comic" fonts. But that could just be me.
Quote from: The Last To Know on Thu 22/08/2019 11:22:06
QuoteJulius (sensitive English art student) and Dr Braun (scatter brained mad scientist) go exploring in a time machine built into a Delorian.
Sounds familiar ;-)
Very familiar. Maybe not the best idea when doing a commercial game...
The artwork is amazing, and going by the amount of posts in the technical forums, it looks like a huge amount of work has gone into this... Which is why I'm slightly baffled as to why you would use "borrowed" characters after working so long, so much and so hard on this. Wouldn't you rather have original characters and not have your game be known as some "homage" or fanfiction of sorts? I think this game deserves to stand on its own legs and I hope my critique comes across as what it actually is: a compliment! I'm loving what I'm seeing in your screenshots and I think it would be a bit of a waste to have it ride on the coattails of something else instead of being its own unique thing :)
Laura true, it is a giant homage to Lucasarts games that I liked; but that's exactly what it is. I agree I could redo the car and Julius's animations - except this would cost more money, and require a lot of time replacing a lot of views.
Anyway the writing is dissimilar from Lucasarts, and also, despite the references, it so insane that it hopefully *will* stand on its out two feet, rather than being a pale comparison. And ps the 'arch nemesis controlling everything' is revealed at the end and makes the whole game make sense.
Better to ask for forgiveness than permission, at this point ;P
Last to know, the full game is 1/3rd larger, I shrunk them down to fit all the images on one screen.
Quote from: bx83 on Fri 23/08/2019 12:50:50
Laura true, it is a giant homage to Lucasarts games that I liked; but that's exactly what it is. I agree I could redo the car and Julius's animations - except this would cost more money, and require a lot of time replacing a lot of views.
Anyway the writing is dissimilar from Lucasarts, and also, despite the references, it so insane that it hopefully *will* stand on its out two feet, rather than being a pale comparison. And ps the 'arch nemesis controlling everything' is revealed at the end and makes the whole game make sense.
Better to ask for forgiveness than permission, at this point ;P
Fair enough! Looking forward to seeing the whole thing once it's done (nod)
(btw, in the first screenshot it should say "thousands of years old", not "thousands of year's" ;))
I may need a proofreader...
Anyone interested in doing 3800 lines worth?
Quote from: bx83 on Sat 24/08/2019 00:50:09
I may need a proofreader...
Anyone interested in doing 3800 lines worth?
How many words does that translate into, and what's your budget?
~38,000 words for all scripts and all lines.
Try me for cost.
My other animations were looking a bit too infringing.
Which face a) do you like best, and b) could not be mistaken for a Lucasarts character associated with Monkey Island around 1997?
https://imgur.com/a/Ixo45AM
Uhm, actually I would probably be more worried about copy right issues on a certain movie trilogy, than MI, to be honest.
I'll change the car and remove references to these movies (which are like 2 lines).
Does anyone think this *doesn't* look like guybrush?
https://imgur.com/a/HIms9TH
I did not have problem with the previous graphics, but as the others said it is better to create your own style.
The overall game looks very nice!!
I think it looks beautiful. Though the BttF influences are very on the nose for a commercial release.
Also I agree with The Last to Know. You're going to have to make the speech font more readable. Try spacing the letters more and making the black outlines thinner (and/or just increase the font size a touch).
Those images are 2/3rds of actual size.
When you say on the nose, do you mean the car image, or what's said?
Looks great, if it means anything i didn't think of what previous posters said at all. In fact i was thinking more of the title Deponia. I think you should keep the style as is! It's not Guybrush, inspired for sure. But i didn't think of Guybrush when i saw your character until i read the other posts!. Keep it up!
What about the bttf reference?
Quote from: bx83 on Sat 07/09/2019 02:55:41
What about the bttf reference?
I think the issue is not, what from BTTF you are referencing, but that you will sell this commercially with a perception (from description and artwork) that you are borrowing/modifying someone else's intellectual property as a base.
I realise the cars a Delorian - I'll change it.
I'm aware Julius's face is like Guybrush - changing it.
Is there any other factors you see as commercially damaging?
Quote from: bx83 on Sat 07/09/2019 14:42:02
I realise the cars a Delorian - I'll change it.
I'm aware Julius's face is like Guybrush - changing it.
Is there any other factors you see as commercially damaging?
It depends what you mean by commerically damaging. If anything I think you'll be more successful with all of these elements left in, but that is the problem; if the the rights holder can demonstrate that this game made you lots of money and statistically show that it performed better than other products which have no relation to their property, they might be asking for all of the money which it made.
Quote from: bx83 on Thu 22/08/2019 09:32:01
Lost on Cow Island is a slap-stick, foul-mouthed
^^ and they might consider their property to have been damaged, especially if it appeared for purchase in the same stores when their own products are available.
Please don't take this as criticism, I think people are pointing out these issues because they can see the amount of time and effort that has gone into this. But you've already started promoting the game using artwork and a description which might be enough to cause you problems, so I would probably suggest getting some clarification from a legal proffesional to check over the rest of the game content.
Perosonally, I can't speak for what is in the rest of your game, but I would say you are still making direct references that wouldn't be considered accidental:
Spoiler
Yeah, I'd say the Marty McFly outfit is the big thing, aside from the DeLorean, that makes it come across as a BTTF "ripoff" (though that's too harsh a word). That's so blatant that it ensures that other details, which by themselves are generic enough that they wouldn't necessarily cause anyone to think about the movie (like the crazy-haired scientist) are inevitably seen through that lens.
In other words, if you change the outfit in addition to what you've already mentioned, 90% of the problem goes away. You could have it as an easter egg or something if you want, but I think advertising a commercial game with the main character wearing that outfit is going to get you endless questions about how it relates to Back to the Future.
https://i.imgur.com/K0jelWd_d.jpg?maxwidth=640&shape=thumb&fidelity=medium
Looking at these two, probably go with white jacket.
Or maybe the right one with a dark brown or black color for the jacket?
Nah, he's not cool he's a sensitive thin virgin. Plus it stuffs up a puzzle if his jackets other than red/white.
I still like the red one a lot, for what it's worth!
What's the favourite?
https://i.imgur.com/ZP5qAO1_d.jpg?maxwidth=640&shape=thumb&fidelity=medium
For me it's no. 10 :)
The purple one?
Quote from: bx83 on Thu 12/09/2019 16:27:45
The purple one?
No, the dark red one: second row, fourth from the left (or third from the right).
Quote from: bx83 on Thu 12/09/2019 13:00:07
What's the favourite?
https://i.imgur.com/ZP5qAO1_d.jpg?maxwidth=640&shape=thumb&fidelity=medium
I like the blue one in the top row. Blue is my favorite color, so I'm biased.
Uhm, I would probably avoid the red/brown colors just to distance a bit more from BTTF.
I like the Yellow (always like yellow with blue (nod), and he doesn't need to be a fashion nerd anyway ;) ), the 2 blues (though more inclined to the cyan, no he's not one colour), and the dark green... (I also like white+blue, but think a white jacket is unlikely - it gets way too dirt - unless he's trying to camouflage in snow areas (nod) )
Also, maybe you should also change the name of the doctor, as Dr.Braun is too close to Brown...
To me the colours are
first line: white, red, brown, green, dark blue, purple
second: cyan, pink, vibrant red, brown (not dark red, reminds me too much of leather), bright green, dark green
QuoteI like the blue one in the top row. Blue is my favorite color, so I'm biased.
Me too :P Gotta balance our the jeans though.
QuoteUhm, I would probably avoid the red/brown colors just to distance a bit more from BTTF.
That's the prob though - red is the best colour of all colours!
QuoteI like the Yellow (always like yellow with blue (nod), and he doesn't need to be a fashion nerd anyway ;) )
The third on the first row?
Quotethe 2 blues (though more inclined to the cyan, no he's not one colour), and the dark green...
Well now you'd said that bttf future==red, I am leaning towards the green.
Quote(I also like white+blue, but think a white jacket is unlikely - it gets way too dirt - unless he's trying to camouflage in snow areas (nod) )
I was inspired by my own white jacket; which gets dirty like every 48 hours. Hmm :/
QuoteAlso, maybe you should also change the name of the doctor, as Dr.Braun is too close to Brown...
True, but I thought it was clever. 99% of Americans say braun, like the shaver brand ('br-OR-n')
Goddamn I can't decide. Who would have known my cheeky little references were actually incredibly obvious, striking references that might get the lawyers in a blood lust? Oh well.
Did I mention Braun sounds like this?
https://redrom.ltd/img/sounds/
Back to the drawing board... Atleast the *game* is almost finished, even if I have to get more voice.
Now, make your choice:
https://bluekeystudios.com/img/colous2.png
I'm leaning heavily to green on the left.
Quote from: bx83 on Fri 13/09/2019 00:09:16
QuoteI like the Yellow (always like yellow with blue (nod), and he doesn't need to be a fashion nerd anyway ;) )
The third on the first row?
Yes, the 3rd on the 1st row. I see you call it "brown"... (laugh)
Well, to be honest, the first time you posted stuff about this project, my first though was "Oh, how nice a fan parody of BTTF..." and thus I immediately thought it would be freeware and therefor I said nothing at the time. (roll)
I would not go with the middle one, but either of the other 2 are okay. Green is hope and Cyan is blue (one of my favorite colors)... (laugh)
...Green is hope?
And now you know. ;)
Quote
Springtime, freshness, and hope
Green is the color most commonly associated in the United States and Europe with springtime, freshness, and hope.Green is often used to symbolize rebirth and renewal and immortality. In Ancient Egypt; the god Osiris, king of the underworld, was depicted as green-skinned. Green as the color of hope is connected with the color of springtime; hope represents the faith that things will improve after a period of difficulty, like the renewal of flowers and plants after the winter season.
source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green
Oh, I'm using that.
https://bluekeystudios.com/img/FW1hiEn.png
https://bluekeystudios.com/img/final%20colours.png
My final choices for Julius. I know you all prefer red but I want to get as far away from bttf as possible stricken with fear for my inevitable lawyering.
Please vote (informaly, non-bindingly) your choice :)
Last one. :)
...but what does that mean?
Not the first? (roll)
The second?
The cyan with black/gray pants?
But really, you starting to over think this. Wonder if Julius has that much trouble picking which jacket to wear... (laugh)
Why don't you create a scene at the beginning of the game, where the player has to choose the color of the jacket? :-D
Yes, but it'd mean doubling the animations.
Cassiebsg yes, he's neurotic and overly thoughtful.
But anyway the choice has to do with one of the last puzzles in the game. Just worried the blue jacket is too bright. Whatevs, I'm going to pick at random.
Hey, me again with an update:
(https://redrom.ltd/img/d3zte46.png)
Hopefully have it completed in...... months.
Okay guys - all fixed, as you'll see from the green jacket. I'm in Port Macquarie running off my phone, so it takes like 10 min to send 1 image; soon fixed.
I now have an alpha (then, as more sounds come through, a beta and a demo); most of it's done, but noooot ent*irely*, and it's moving at a snails pace.
But oh yes. It *will* happen.
Upload well and truly uploaded.
Comments?
Is it easier to read at full size?
I'm not sure what you referring to? What did you upload? What is "easier to read at full size"?
That is all the comments I can give, except for the fact that Julius no long looks like Marty, so that's a plus. (nod)
I uploaded the alpha.
Most people found the font hard to read, partly because the origin size of screenshots was smaller than original. They’re now full size, was wondering if anyone still had trouble reading them.
Well that’s good news, 6mo animation work not done in vain.
Quote from: bx83 on Tue 25/08/2020 23:20:16
I uploaded the alpha.
Most people found the font hard to read, partly because the origin size of screenshots was smaller than original. They’re now full size, was wondering if anyone still had trouble reading them.
Well that’s good news, 6mo animation work not done in vain.
The font in the updated screenshots is easy to read now.
I don't think the screenshot size was the issue for most people:
Quote from: The Last To Know on Fri 23/08/2019 07:53:22
Maybe because the background color of the speech bubble is the same color as the font color...
It was just my first impression. If I saw those screenshots in full screen, maybe I could read the font better.
In general, I prefer "cleaner" fonts rather than "comic" fonts. But that could just be me.
Quote from: Stupot on Tue 03/09/2019 01:38:58
Also I agree with The Last to Know. You're going to have to make the speech font more readable. Try spacing the letters more and making the black outlines thinner (and/or just increase the font size a touch).
To me, that font is still really hard to read. As mentioned in those quotes, the issues include:
similar colour background
not enough spacing
too thick a black outline
small font size
You may want to consider a different font altogether. It's currently an accessibility nightmare - I'm having trouble with it and I have good eyesight and reading ability. I'd imagine it would make the game unplayable for some people with, say, colour blindness or dyslexia.
Quote from: Ben X on Wed 26/08/2020 08:13:59
You may want to consider a different font altogether. It's currently an accessibility nightmare - I'm having trouble with it and I have good eyesight and reading ability. I'd imagine it would make the game unplayable for some people with, say, colour blindness or dyslexia.
Agree. In fact, I'd say that having both speech bubbles AND font outlines is redundant. Usually it's either one or the other (font outlines help make text readable on any background, but if you already have a solid background for your text, then you don't need an outline at all, just a font colour that contrasts well with your bubble background colour.)
Okay:
-simpler, larger font
-thinner or no text outline
-more contrast between font and bg colour
Is this good?
Quote from: bx83 on Wed 26/08/2020 11:18:50
Okay:
-simpler, larger font
-thinner or no text outline
-more contrast between font and bg colour
Is this good?
Those listed changes sound good, yeah. But you haven't posted any new images, so it's hard to say...
Images coming soon...
(I’m always working my way slowly)
Wow the artwork looks great! You should get your Steam pre-order page up so we can wishlist it and not lose track of the project.
Here's the new font. It's called Caviar Dreams, which whisked me away and I had to have it :p
(https://redrom.ltd/img/newfont.png)
Quote from: milkanannan on Fri 04/09/2020 04:42:25
Wow the artwork looks great! You should get your Steam pre-order page up so we can wishlist it and not lose track of the project.
Yes I should - *but how*?
No, seriously I have no idea how. I have the $150 starter thing, but..... now what? Can't find anything on the net in way of a tutorial (though I've not been working on it for ages while I wait literally months for new animation and sound samples)
Could anyone help me with steam? Like step by step.
Reason is: steams worth a lot of money; steams a steep learning curve; to me, so was this language. So you know. Anyone. I know a few of you have tried the steam ags/sdk - what say ye? Are publishers usually those who take care of all steam? Humbly asking.
Update: the publisher will.
Now, just gotta get of them...