Adventure Game Studio

AGS Games => AGS Games in Production => Topic started by: kiddou on Fri 14/03/2014 16:32:30

Title: Pico's Journey (Update: Video!)
Post by: kiddou on Fri 14/03/2014 16:32:30
Pico's Journey

Updates
24 Mar 2014 (http://www.adventuregamestudio.co.uk/forums/index.php?topic=50180.msg636484716#msg636484716)
9 Apr 2014 (http://www.adventuregamestudio.co.uk/forums/index.php?topic=50180.msg636485747#msg636485747)
1 May 2014 (video) (http://www.adventuregamestudio.co.uk/forums/index.php?topic=50180.msg636487365#msg636487365)

Project Page
http://fuulynn.com/pico.html

Project Summary
Pico's Journey is my ongoing Final Year Project to be submitted on May 8. The project is now reaching its final stages.
I write the story, the script and design the game's look; the programming is done by slasher.
The game hopes to give the players an insight on schizophrenia and how to help its patients, through a lighthearted story that gets progressively dark.
Through solving the game's puzzles, the player will get deeper and deeper into Pico's mind and witness what she's witnessing: a strange, quirky and nightmarish world.
The art direction I am aiming for is a uniquely minimal, painterly style that resemble watercolor paintings even though they are created digitally.

Story Summary
Pico's Journey is a story about an 8 years old girl, Pico who lives in her own world made up of imaginary friends and strange happenings, because of her mental condition. Surrounding her are her three 'imaginary' friends, Bun (a stuffed bunny that came to life), Mr Y, Mrs X (two bodiless voices inside her head), and Tea - her only real life friend. Tea is the only 'real' person she trusts in and likes to be with.

One day, while on her way to meet Tea, Pico notices a man who's secretly following her. Confused between reality and her hallucination, she grows more and more scared of this man and only wants to avoid him at first. Eventually, urged on by her imaginary friends and giving in to her own fear, she attempts to hurt the man. The story will gradually unfold to reveal who the Man is, Tea's secret, and how Tea can be the only one to help Pico cope with her illness.

Videos
Gameplay prototype of the first room (with placeholder images): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hFQJOK-BAEM

Concept Art
(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/11387140/Pico%27s%20Journey/concept1.jpg)
Pico hallucinating in the toy shop
(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/11387140/Pico%27s%20Journey/concept2.jpg)
Pico and Tea in the playground
(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/11387140/Pico%27s%20Journey/pico2.jpg)
Pico's design
(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/11387140/Pico%27s%20Journey/Bun.jpg)
Bun's first design

Screenshots/Assets
(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/11387140/Pico%27s%20Journey/cutscene1.gif)
Cut scene (animated gif)
(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/11387140/Pico%27s%20Journey/picowalk.gif)
(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/11387140/Pico%27s%20Journey/picowalk.jpg)
Character sprites
(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/11387140/Pico%27s%20Journey/screenshot1.jpg)
(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/11387140/Pico%27s%20Journey/screenshot3.jpg)
(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/11387140/Pico%27s%20Journey/screenshot2.jpg)
(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/11387140/Pico%27s%20Journey/screenshot4.jpg)

Progress
Story/Writing: 90%
Scripting: 80%
Art assets: 20%
Voice, music, sfx: 30%
Testing: 0%

I'm currently focusing on creating the final art assets and working with some voice actors.

I'm looking for testers! Message me if you're interested :-D.
Title: Re: Pico's Journey
Post by: Peder 🚀 on Fri 14/03/2014 16:55:47
Man this story/art sounds/looks really really interesting! :).
Title: Re: Pico's Journey
Post by: Stupot on Fri 14/03/2014 19:19:40
What Peder said. Gorgeous!
Title: Re: Pico's Journey
Post by: Frodo on Sat 15/03/2014 00:34:33
This... looks... gorgeous.  :grin:

I wish you all the luck with this one.  :wink:
Title: Re: Pico's Journey
Post by: Secret Fawful on Sat 15/03/2014 12:04:59
I like the subliminal messaging in the grass.
Title: Re: Pico's Journey
Post by: Ghost on Sat 15/03/2014 12:36:31
Speechless. This is looking gorgeous... Best of luck with this little gem!
Title: Re: Pico's Journey
Post by: Tabata on Sat 15/03/2014 13:06:32
Interesting theme and individual style - will give that one a try for sure!

Good luck with your Final Year Project!  (http://www.smileyvault.com/albums/userpics/12962/goodluck.gif)
Title: Re: Pico's Journey
Post by: Matti on Sat 15/03/2014 13:31:58
This looks quite nice. One thing I noticed though is that in her side view Pico looks rather angry/upset. I think that's because her hair can be mistaken for her eyebrows and the large mouth adds to this impression.

Quote from: Secret Fawful on Sat 15/03/2014 12:04:59
I like the subliminal messaging in the grass.

Me too ;-D
Title: Re: Pico's Journey
Post by: Marygold on Sun 16/03/2014 16:30:32
As a psychology major I can nothing but love the idea of this game :) And looks gorgeous, too! Interesting style of art, in a good way.
Title: Re: Pico's Journey
Post by: kiddou on Mon 17/03/2014 03:40:52
Thanks everyone for your kind words and support! I hope the final product won't dissapoint :P. More materials coming soon! ...ish.

Quote from: Secret Fawful on Sat 15/03/2014 12:04:59
I like the subliminal messaging in the grass.

Thank you! I showed the image to some people I know but none of them even noticed that. Such a relief to know it's not unreadable :D.
Title: Re: Pico's Journey
Post by: Eggie on Mon 17/03/2014 10:20:22
Absolutely gorgeous! Love the character designs!

Also huge sense of relief after your title put this guy (https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=newgrounds+pico&client=firefox-a&hs=o0q&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&channel=sb&source=lnmsbm=isch&sa=X&ei=lcwmU6nxIMSshQe4iID4Aw&ved=0CAkQ_AUoAQ&biw=1600&bih=750) in my head
Title: Re: Pico's Journey
Post by: kiddou on Mon 24/03/2014 06:53:02
Quote from: Eggie on Mon 17/03/2014 10:20:22
Absolutely gorgeous! Love the character designs!

Also huge sense of relief after your title put this guy (https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=newgrounds+pico&client=firefox-a&hs=o0q&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&channel=sb&source=lnmsbm=isch&sa=X&ei=lcwmU6nxIMSshQe4iID4Aw&ved=0CAkQ_AUoAQ&biw=1600&bih=750) in my head

Hmm I didn't know about that guy but I do know another Pico that would be terrible if people mistake my Pico for him :X. And thanks for your compliment <3.

Some new screenshots!

(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/11387140/Pico%27s%20Journey/screenshot5.jpg)

(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/11387140/Pico%27s%20Journey/screenshot6.jpg)
Oh no Pico is stepping on Bun :D

Praying that I will finish this before the deadline. So many distractions :-X...

I'm sending a demo out to testers! If you want to be a tester just message me to get your copy! (laugh)
Title: Re: Pico's Journey
Post by: Driven Bats on Thu 27/03/2014 22:20:33
Oh, man, this art is cool. It looks like you're playing a children's book (although I don't imagine I'd be recommending this game to little ones, lol). I look forward to seeing more!
Title: Re: Pico's Journey
Post by: Slasher on Wed 02/04/2014 18:28:36
Hi,

with Firefox I can now view your images.... Love your application of color and style (nod)

Fantastico

Glad to be part of this project..

slasher


Title: Re: Pico's Journey
Post by: kiddou on Wed 09/04/2014 21:51:48
Quote from: slasher on Wed 02/04/2014 18:28:36
Hi,

with Firefox I can now view your images.... Love your application of color and style (nod)

Fantastico

Glad to be part of this project..

slasher

I'm glad to have you in the team too! You have been a really big help and I can't thank you enough! :-D

UPDATE

I'm having my final presentation tomorrow. Wish me luck!

(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/11387140/Pico%27s%20Journey/StartScreen.jpg)
Finally... A proper starting screen.

(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/11387140/Pico%27s%20Journey/Screenshot%202014-04-09%2011.05.04.png)
Exactly my thought right now (nod)

Title: Re: Pico's Journey
Post by: Frodo on Wed 09/04/2014 23:06:08
Good luck Kiddou  :smiley:
Title: Re: Pico's Journey
Post by: Myshkin on Thu 10/04/2014 14:42:43
That first hallucinating image is amazing
Title: Re: Pico's Journey
Post by: dactylopus on Thu 10/04/2014 17:39:32
Best of luck with the presentation!  Everything looks fantastic!
Title: Re: Pico's Journey
Post by: kiddou on Thu 01/05/2014 10:23:56
Major update! I've been working my ass off since there's less than a week before the submission deadline, uh oh :-X.
Hopefully I will be able to release the game here in about 2-3 weeks. Hope you're all looking forward to it (laugh).

First of all, here is a belated gameplay video of the first scene!
[embed=800,600]http://youtu.be/obBjMbqIw6k[/embed]
This scene is pretty close to the final product though certain things are still not there, for instance Pico's up and down walk cycle that I'm still working on >_<. And I will certainly change the way Mommy looks.
Sorry for skipping the conversations, I was trying to keep this video short.

Some more artworks!

(https://scontent-a-sin.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/t1.0-9/10259864_10203632533392537_1538224399784981912_n.jpg)
Try to spot the references!

(https://fbcdn-sphotos-g-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/t31.0-8/10259218_10203634619004676_9182503856264992017_o.jpg)
Dark!Playground scene
Title: Re: Pico's Journey (Update: Video!)
Post by: Slasher on Thu 01/05/2014 13:36:40
Remarkable...

You have done so well with the new backgrounds and some changes since last demo.

I know you still have much work to do and hope you get it done with some time to spare.

Good luck (nod)


Title: Re: Pico's Journey (Update: Video!)
Post by: dactylopus on Fri 02/05/2014 04:26:09
Wow, that looks really nice!  The voices are great, too.  I think Pico's voice is perfect, and I like Bun's as well.

Good luck to you!