The Hatmaker's Tale

[MashPotato]

The Hatmaker's Tale

Story: Tom Cliffton lives a peaceful, yet rather dull, life as a shy apprentice hatmaker in the tiny kingdom of Slymia.Ã,  One day, however, he is sent to the castle to make a special hat delivery, and what happens there will change his lifeâ€"and quite possibly the fate of Slymiaâ€"forever…

Screenshots:







Progress:
Story: 60%
Scripting: 2%
Backgrounds: 10%
Characters/Animation: 7%

Additional Notes
-640x480, 32-bit colour
-planned to be a medium-length game
-Strange Visitor will be helping me with scripting

[buloght]

That looks lovely! Brilliant!  :o

[Kweepa]

Looks superb!
Good luck to you!

[ManicMatt]

From seeing the green concept blob in critics lounge I certainly wasn't expecting to see something as bright and imaginative as this!

I tried very hard to think of any suggestions and all i could think of was pointing out the non-reflective mirror.. and I must have played tons of AGS games with faulty mirrors and never thought about it! So in other words.. I'd have to be real picky to complain about how this game looks!

[marlamoe]

I will be watching for this one.  Looks fun and original.  Good luck.

[Barbarian]

Wow, lookin' really spiffy so far!
Love the colors and the overall art. Good imagination. I knew you were VERY artistic (especially after seeing your website)!   

The main character, to me, is a bit, errr, "odd looking", but hey, it makes it quite unique and adds to the charm of your game.   

Best wishes with your project. I look forwards to playing the completed game.

[MashPotato]

Thanks everyone!  I will certainly need the luck and well wishes, especially when it comes to scripting (my computer programming skills end at Turing... yes, Turing), but I hope to pull it out ^_^

And that mirror is rather dirty, isn't it...Ã, 

[i k a r i]

I honestly think the game would be much more better with normal characters..
But it's just my opinion..

You have some amazing graphics, good luck!

[pslim]

When I saw the title of this game in the subject line I knew it was going to be cool. Tom and Mr. Hatsby are adorable, the bgs look great, and I'm jonesing for a demo. 

[Sinister]

Very nice.

Im not the kinda guy who plays games liek this, but it seems very pro-looking, the art style is very refreshing and unique. Characters are also unique..

I wish you best of luck, and hope to see this game in later stages.

[fovmester]

These graphics are so COOL! I love the style! Simple yet stunning! And so clever to make the characters have stick arms and no legs. So much easier and faster it will be to make complex animations. SWEET!

[dsg_charly]

Very very nice. Keep up the good work.

[MYKAYEL]

Nice indeed. One question: will the game have Monkey Island humor?

[MashPotato]

Thanks for the encouragement, everyone ^_^.Ã,  Now to address some issues brought up:

The humour: I would say I'm going for more of a light-hearted rather than straight comedic feel... I guess if I had to make a comparison, it would be more King's Quest than Monkey Island (but don't worry, you won't be able to die )

The characters: I must admit, what fovmester said is part of the reason I chose to have such unusual characters, but I also wanted them to look different, set the light tone for the game, as well as make it immediately clear that this game takes place in a fantasy world.Ã,  Did this game have to be populated by blobs?Ã,  Well no... but now that it is populated by blobs, that fact will be used in gameplay.Ã,  For example, you will be able to stretch and make yourself taller, and this will be used in solving puzzles.Ã,  I realize the character designs will not appeal to everyone, but I hope people will give it a chance anyway ^_^

A demo: unfortunately, not for a loooooooong time... all you can do in the game so far is walk around and look at a picture.Ã,  Somehow, I don't think it wouldn't be a partiularly fun demo ^_^

Thanks for commenting, everyone ^_^


EDIT: took out reference to a deleted post

[Nikolas]

I am struggling for around a day not to post here.

But can't take it anymore.

It is great!

It looks great and your art is brilliant.

And I knew you were a girl!!!!!!!!!!! !!1!!111!!!!!111!!!

Keep it up otherwise I'll have Barbarian come down there with his whip and make you keep on working harder

Other than that...

nothing else.

Thank you for being here in this community and for doing this for us!

[lo_res_man]

The hat maker kind of reminds me of Conin O'Brian
(and is it true Finland has this big thing about him?)

[Bai Karl]

Good stuff. Is there a demo lnik?

[MashPotato]

*haha* is it the hair?

And no demo at the moment... and there won't be one for quite a while.  As you can see from the progress report, I've not gotten very far yet ^_^

[Bai Karl]

"*haha* is it the hair? "
- I don't get that

[MashPotato]

I was responding to lo_res' comment about Conan O'Brian--I guess I should have used a quote to make it more clear ^_^

[T-bag]

Don't usually post on the GIP forum, but i just had to. This is looking good, great backgrounds, and the original characters only add to the charm!

This is your first game? Don't give up on it! Seen too many promising games get cancelled.

Good luck with it, wish i had the guts to start a GIP thread!

[Neil Dnuma]

If I could give any advice, it'd be not to go full length on your first game... Everything else looks amazing.

[Ali]

Ooh this looks good! I love hatmakers and all aspects of millinery.

I can see what Neil means about not going full-length though. I'd rather see a game this good-looking shorter-and-sooner.

Either way, good luck!

-Ali.

[MashPotato]

Thanks, all ^_^
After thinking about it, I'm not sure if it would be a full-length game... in my mind it's full-length, but it might be actually closer to a longish medium-length.Ã,  I agree it is difficult to make a long game on one's first try, but try it I will

I love hatmakers and all aspects of millinery.

...I'm not sure why I find this line funny, but I do!

[Polecat]

The artwork is simply charming. 

[Tuomas]

The hat maker kind of reminds me of Conin O'Brian
(and is it true Finland has this big thing about him?)

Yes -_-
And the game looks great! lots of luck in making it

[navalguijo]

Really Nice. I love the look

[MashPotato]

Thanks ^_^

I have some good news and bad news: the bad news is that after rethinking and reworking some of the puzzles, I think this is a medium-length game rather than a full-length... the good news is, that means it will be done a bit more soon (although still very, very far off into the future).

Anyway, things are puttering along nicely.Ã,  I have a few more things done, but since Release Something Day is coming up, I'll leave it until then ^_^.

[Steel Drummer]

Looks nice! Although the art style of The Apprentice would be a better style in my opinion.. anyways, when do you expect this game to be released? Do you have a team of people working on this, or just yourself?

[Shane 'ProgZmax' Stevens]

yodaman, I don't see where 'the art style of x' has any bearing on mashpotato's work.  She's doing just fine with her own style.  Keep up the good work!

[jasonjkay]

yodaman, I don't see where 'the art style of x' has any bearing on mashpotato's work.Ã,  She's doing just fine with her own style.Ã,  Keep up the good work!

I agree, I think this art style is quite amazing. When this game comes out, I think it will be one of the most popular AGS games ever. I even think people like yodaman will be saying "your art style should be more like The Hatmaker's Tale".

[Mr Flibble]

I think your style is fantastic, as soon as I saw the title screen screenshot I knew I was going to like this.

I have to ask though, how did you solve the problem of the walk cycles?

[calacver]

This art style is awesome! I agree it will be one of the most popular AGS games yet! And not because she is a girl (though that seems to help a lot).

[MashPotato]

Looks nice! Although the art style of The Apprentice would be a better style in my opinion.. anyways, when do you expect this game to be released? Do you have a team of people working on this, or just yourself?

Well, I wish I had the artistic skills of Big Brother so that an Apprentice style could even be a possibility, but I don't... I'm stuck with what I have, I'm afraid ^_^.Ã,  Anyway, to answer your questions, at the moment it's just me working on this, and I have no idea when it will be released.

I have to ask though, how did you solve the problem of the walk cycles?

You can see the walkcycles in the CL thread, although I took Maltjik's advice and altered the hair since then.Ã,  I might do a little more tweaking as well--I recently discovered the wonders of importing from the clipboard, so it's much faster to do edits now!

This art style is awesome! I agree it will be one of the most popular AGS games yet! And not because she is a girl (though that seems to help a lot).

*heheh* I will use my feminine wiles to get people to play my game!

But anyway, I hope it will be popular, because that will mean that I've done other things well... after all, graphics aren't everything.Ã,  I don't want to sound like I think I'm "teh bestest artist evah", because I don't and I'm certainly not, but I'm not too worried about the graphics--I know with time I can make a game that looks reasonably attractive.Ã,  What I am more worried with, however, are the puzzles and story, the backbone to any good adventure game.Ã,  Without these, people may download, but they won't finish.Ã,  I'm looking forward to working on it, though ^_^

Thanks for commenting, everybody.Ã,  Your well wishes and encouragement are greatly appreciated ^_^

[Mr Flibble]

Ah. I didn't read the end of the C&C thread for some reason...

I really like the way this game is shaping up, and not just the graphics. The mentions you made of the gloopiness having relevance in puzzles intrigues me. But I have been completely bowled over by the cutesy-ness. This may be a good game to use to start weening my girlfriend onto AGS  .

[Steel Drummer]

It is neat how you are using the character's shapes and stuff to do puzzles, but IMO, the graphics just don't suit the storyline of the game.

[LimpingFish]

Very nice artwork. Cute and unique. Good luck with your game.

[Sam.]

It looks good, but maybe try to work closer to picasso's style?




Really, it looks great, I desperatley hope you finish this game, no matter how long or short it is. Hooray!

[Afflict]

 :o

This looks Brilliant!!!!

MashPotato you go girl!

[Nikolas]

MashPotato you go girl!

Ι 2nd that

[MashPotato]

Aw, you guys are so sweet *sends virtual hug*

You can expect an update around Release Something day... until then, I'll probably be leaving this thread alone (but feel free to leave questions/comments, I will answer/address them with the update)
Have a good one! ^_^

[Wellington]

I'll echo the statements that the art style looks terrific and polished. It reminds me more than a little of the excellent webcomic Achewood, which has won quite a bit of acclaim with an equally simple, but expressive, drawing style.

[The Ivy]

I've said it before and I'll say it again, I like your style.Ã,  Good luck with this, I'd like to see your name added to the list of girls who make wicked-awesome games.

[TheCheese33]

That is some amazing artwork you got there! It rivals pretty much every other artwork used for a game here, and I mean it.

The concept of unique puzzles for a blob-like character is terriffic. It'd be so awesome to make yourself into a rope, separate into 10 little pieces, and things like that. With a format like this, you'd definately get good reviews for innovative puzzles. In the years I've been here, I've never been more anxious, because of you and IceMan's awesome talent. Good luck!

[MashPotato]

Wellington: Thanks!Ã,  I had never heard of Achewood before, so I googled it.Ã,  Art-wise, it reminded me a bit of those old-time comics from the 40's(?)

The Ivy: Thanks, I hope so too... but it's quite a lofty goal to set! ^_~

TheCheese33: Thanks Cheese33 ^_^.Ã,  I don't want to mislead you--unfortunately, you won't be able to shapeshift like that... mostly just stretch and compress.Ã,  I guess that's a bit of a letdown from what you were imagining -_-;; (it's kind of a letdown for me too!)



Update: updated the production numbers a bit in the first post.Ã,  Progress includes:

-backgrounds: finished one more (you can see it in the Release Something thread; 2 sketches waiting to be coloured
-animations/characters: finished Tom's walkcycle, finished the designs of 3 more characters, done front walkcycle of an additional character, done idle animation for characters (also in RS thread)
-puzzles/story: have a better idea where I'm going

[TheCheese33]

I still want to play this thing so badly, because I love when things are done right, and you are definately doing this right.

[MashPotato]

While I still hope to script character interactions and cutscenes myself, I'm happy to announce that Strange Visitor will be helping me out with scripting GUIs and anything else that makes my brain hurt too much (which is likely to be a lot ^_^).  Thanks SV!

[Play_Pretend]

I'm just happy to help, Ms. Potato.   Thanks for letting me on board!

[KANDYMAN-IAC]

Edit by Darth - You can't do that on Television ...

ohhhhhh... darth removed my hilarious postings and replaced it with nonsensical-ness.

*hangs head in sadness*

edit - and then he combined your double post

[Darkmaster400]

This game looks brilliant,
I like the interface, the cartoon-ish look.

Just one thing I dont like, The fonts.. The fonts dont fit into the gaming,
make the fonts a little more detailed and this will be awesome 

Good work, this far. 

---

[MashPotato]

Thanks for the comment, and you may have a point... I'll take a look around at some font sites ^_^.Ã,  In any case, I don't want the font to be too cartoony, as I don't want to improve looks at the expense of legibility.

EDIT: for some reason, I read your post as asking for a more "cartoonish" font... I need more sleep.  A more detailed font would be nicer, yes ^_^

[Nikolas]

I will have to comment on the fonts as for some reason I see them perfectly fitted with this amazingly done, great and wonderful game, from the one and only great, beautiful, sexy but with brains, mash potato!!!!!!!!!!!!!

*Nikolas is waiting with his arms open to recive a virtual hug!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!*

[MashPotato]

great, beautiful, sexy

Wow, you really like that bee...

*Nikolas is waiting with his arms open to recive a virtual hug!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!*

Hey, I don't give out virtual hugs like water!Ã,  Aw, what the heck... *sends virtual hug*

Since I'm already posting, I'll mention that the interact cursor can now display custom verbs (eg. "put on hat" instead of just "use hat"), thanks to SV.Ã,  I've also drawn out another background.Ã,  However, work will slow on this for a while because I have to look for a job, having just graduated from university.Ã,  Bye for now!

[MashPotato]

Just a small update to let you know this project has not been abandoned ^_^.  Things are moving slowly (veeeery slowly), but they are moving!  I think part of the problem is the method I chose to do the backgrounds in; it takes me forever to finish one, and makes me lazier -_-;;.
Anyway, I probably won't update this thread again until I have the majority of backgrounds and lots of the animations done, so don't be alarmed if you don't hear from me for a while... the project is still a-go!  (yes, I admit I announced the game too early, but what's done is done ^_^)

I leave you with a sketch of some of the characters you will meet in The Hatmaker's Tale:

[PureGhostGR]

Thank you for the update MeshPotato. I really love the artwork that is going on here and I look forward to the release of the game.

I do wish you the best of luck in getting this baby done.

For what it is worth, you have been doing an amazing job so far.

[SSH]

Princess Marian X will be about hatmaking, too, so lets hope that we don't each other use the same plot points/puzzles...

This looks good, even if all the characters look like condoms

[MashPotato]

PureGhost: Thanks ^_^
SHH: *sigh* do they really? -_-;;  Perhaps a redesign is in order (I was thinking about it, anyway)... I'll open a CL thread...

[SSH]

I'm only joking!

[MashPotato]

Ah, don't worry about it--I had received a similar comment before, so it was a concern at the back of my mind, and I had been considering making a change anyway ^_^  Please take a look at the CL thread, I would like to know if it's an improvement or not (actually, now the characters look a bit more like your avatar! ^_^)

[Buckethead]

What a cute game , i would love to play it some time ^_^

[Petra]

Can't believe I have missed the announcement of another brilliant game!

Really nice graphics and all I have to say:

Good luck with this and hope this jewel will be released soon

[Sylvr]

This really does look great. I am ready to play it!

[calacver]

Keep it up, your game is visually stunning!

[thewalrus]

     I assume things are still going rather slowly..... Haven't heard anything from you Mashed in about a month..... Well good luck....

Thewalrus

Goo, goo, ga, joob!!!!!!

[MashPotato]

Oh, I was suprised to see this had been bumped!Ã,  I'll give an update then ^_^...

This project is on hold at the moment, as I am trying to complete a short game in order to get a handle on scripting and using AGS.Ã,  Graphically, the short game looks pretty different from Hatmaker, and might spell a complete overhaul for this game as I find doing bg's in the new way a little easier.
So, Hatmaker is on the back burner for now, and when I start on it again it might look different.Ã,  But in the meantime, you can watch out for my new game, which I hope to finish relatively soon (I'm aiming for late next month, taking into account that I have to learn how to script things).

EDIT: actually, I'll ask Darth to lock this for now...