Technobabylon - Part II

[Technocrat]

"What is this, national suicide week?"



A young woman contemplates her end. A terror from the past comes to take its revenge. A police scientist finds himself blackmailed with the lives of the unborn children of his dead wife.



Forced to carry out the will of an anonymous voice on the interlinks, Dr Charlie Regis must try to perform both his official role as public servant, and the role that his antagonist has set for him. How long can he keep this conflict hidden from his friend and partner, Dr Lao? And more importantly, can he save the most important remaining part of his lost love?

Welcome to the future...
Welcome to Technobabylon


DOWNLOAD IT HERE

The second episode of this apparently episodic cyberpunk adventure. With thanks to kaputtnik for the music, and cianty, WHAM and kaputtnik for their testing input!


TECHNOBABYLON 2 - Now with more rooms!

Choose the star of the next episode:
Vote here!
Never mind, the poll seems to be well and truly borked. Just drop a post on here to let me know who you want to see next!

[bicilotti]

glad to see this out! d'loading!

[kaputtnik]

Do not miss out on this, good people! Even after the 5th beta it was still lots of fun to play, and I really think I'll download and play it again now. It's that good, really.

[Dualnames]

Downloading!!! 

[cianty]

The Technobabylon series is quickly growing to be one of my favourite AGS game series. I very much enjoy the visual style and feeling of the world. Highly recommended to anyone!

[bicilotti]

Played, finished, replayed it, enjoyed thoroughly!

Just a minor bug: in the options screen, try to click about -> "default game".

Keep it up with th good work.

[Dualnames]

Okay, I DEMAND 6 CUPS OF GLORY!!!

I thought I reached my limit with Marionette as best ags game. But well, man, the plot closed in the most unbelievable way possible. Way to go!!!!
Excellent game, the music is epic!!

I'm currently excited! The game reminded me of that coolness I've yet to grasp since Monkey Island! So pardon me if I'm acting over-excited!!
You got yourself a fan Technocrat!

[Technocrat]

Well, so far so good then! Glad people are liking it!

For the next several episodes, I've got ideas for each of the main characters, so I figured I might as well ask those who are playing who they'd like to see more of next episode - voting for it is HERE

[CaptainD]

Uber-kewl! 

Looking forward to seeing what you do with your dystopian future next...

[cianty]

Cool. I voted for Latha as I feel it's her turn now.

[frederic09]

I feel sorry for the girl, Latha, i wonder if Regis was manipulated from the beginning.

[Igor Hardy]

The stupid poll machine's personality refuses to count my vote!

Anyway, if it worked I'd vote for Latha.

[cianty]

The stupid poll machine's personality refuses to count my vote!

Ha ha. Guess it needs a more cooperative personality chip...

When I voted I got an message that I can vote only once, although it was the first time. Then I checked the results and saw one vote for Latha so I assumed it accepted my vote.

[mode7]

Damn, this is good! Really great game so far.
It reminded me a lot of ghost in the shell this time - which is a good thing.

The writing is amazing - the scenario you create is so intense and it's even more scary because everything seems so realistic or at least very plausible.

[Tarmstorm]

Really liked it, except for the elevator music.

[Ilyich]

Great stuff! Really well thought out, lots of nice and interesting details, cool and diverse puzzles, engaging story, involving characters, dense atmosphere, edgy subject matter and all that goody-goodness. And what's always important - a great, yet subtle sense of (black) humour.

In short - I enjoyed it quite a lot, thanks! Will definitely "See you in Part III".

[markbilly]

Loving this so far. Hurrah for sci fi!

[Technocrat]

Yeah, apparently the poll is well and truly borked. Grumble grumble...either way, just put on here who you want to see in part 3 instead! So far, Latha's apparently the frontrunner!

[Tabata]

Sorry, it wasn't possible for me to vote, too: „You cannot vote repeatedly.“ - I haven't!?  
... and looking the results it's telling me, that there is only one vote till now (something wrong with the voting-link?)

So I'd like to vote for "the frontnumber", too: Even if Dr. Lao is very interesting (with her/his background), I would like to know more about Latha first (but I'm really sure, I will like the story to come with everyone of this three).

Go on with this well done work!  

... only to have mentioned it (no bug or something, that has to be changed):

Spoiler

After you have been in the Central and come back to the balcony, there is (still?) a hotspot named „new character“.

[close]

[theo]

Yay! gonna download this as soon as I get home from work! 

Congrats on releasing it!

[Barricus]

Wow, you released this fast.  I was expecting a wait of six months or so!  I'd be playing it right now, but it's 6 AM here and I haven't slept yet.

[Saren]

I loved it!  Nice graphics, characters, dialogue, story. The puzzles were logical but challenging. I'll be keeping my eye out for episode 3. You may become an AGS rockstar  :o

[frederic09]

i'd like to see Lao as the main char for the part 3.

But i don't mind at all if it's Latha or Regis.

[Jimbob]

Pretty awesome. Kinda inspired me a little for where I want to go with the sync::routine universe... but not for a long while yet

More!

[Barricus]

Just finished playing it.  Awesome.  :o Hit me up if you need another beta tester for part III or anything else.

[buddha]

Just finished, another great chapter! You've got me wanting more again
Contrary to some, I've enjoyed the retro minimalistic music (sometimes reminded me a bit of some of the music in Snatcher). It fits well with the rest imho. Still diggin' the graphics. The only room that kind of felt a little less polished to me was the bedroom.

Keep up the good work!

p.s. My vote goes to Latha

[Dualnames]

Just finished, another great chapter! You've got me wanting more again
Contrary to some, I've enjoyed the retro minimalistic music (sometimes reminded me a bit of some of the music in Snatcher). It fits well with the rest imho.

Oh, just noticed I made a spelling mistake on my post! :

Fixed. Also yeah, the music is really great, I kept wondering what genius was behind it the whole time. 

[Technocrat]

Fixed. Also yeah, the music is really great, I kept wondering what genius was behind it the whole time. 

Kaputtnik was the musician-in-chief for this episode, it certainly came out differently to how I expected the music for it would be, but I think it certainly helped build a significant part of the atmosphere!

Also, DuncanFX tells me that Part I is on the coverdisk for this month's PC Gamer UK - can anyone screenshot this for me? I won't be anywhere near a PC Gamer until at least June, and my curiosity/ego is piqued!

[kaputtnik]

Kaputtnik was the musician-in-chief for this episode, it certainly came out differently to how I expected the music for it would be, but I think it certainly helped build a significant part of the atmosphere!

It also came out differently to how I expected it to be, haha. By the way, that's my first all-Linux soundtrack, 100% bio-degradable, zero-emission, kid-friendly, sustainable, accessible and almost too Indie to be true.

Thanks for the compliments,

Duals (I already suspected that you might have heard even less epic music than mine in the past, but you never know...) and
buddha (I'm glad you enjoyed the sound and feel of it, the world needs more people who can appreciate the beauty of plain old FM synthesis!)!

Oh, and in case anyone is interested, my first shot for a main theme went so horribly wrong, I really can't remember what I was doing there and why I was doing it. A cheap sounding monkey island elevator party tune abomination with insinuations to classical counterpoint composition. Get it while it's, uhm, there:  http://www.box.net/shared/blqrxi4j7v

[DuncanFx]

Also, DuncanFX tells me that Part I is on the coverdisk for this month's PC Gamer UK - can anyone screenshot this for me? I won't be anywhere near a PC Gamer until at least June, and my curiosity/ego is piqued!

Here you go...

[theo]

played through a large part of this yesterday and I love it. Your writing rocks. Technobabylon is what BASS should have been.

[Technocrat]

The Curse of Elevator Island

Yeah, this one did sound a little too "jolly" for the situation! Maybe I can find a context for it in a later part, though...

Here you go...

You're awesome, you know that?

[markbilly]

Technobabylon is what BASS should have been.

Be careful. Technobabylon II is fantastic, but you are in the midst of some die-hard BASS fans, here!

[kconan]

  Great game man, and good job on getting the PC Gamer love.

[Igor Hardy]

You've in some nice company on that PC Gamer cover disc - Octodad and Super Crate Box are some of the most popular freeware titles of the year. But what effect that will have on potential players of cover-disc Technobabylon I have no idea.

btw is it "cover disc" or "cover disk"?

[Galen]

Really fantastic work. Had a couple of hiccups with objects not interacting well (splitter and the bartender) and the kitchen knife's hotspot being a little hard to catch but other than that I'm just suprised at how you got such a quality game out so fast after its predecessor.

Now, go make more

[Barricus]

btw is it "cover disc" or "cover disk"?

English is weird.  "C"s and "K"s are pretty much interchangeable most of the time.  Having  two symbols for the same phoneme...This is why the terrorists hate us.  It's not capitalism, it's not how we treat less prosperous nations.  It's out confusing alphabet. 

[Igor Hardy]

HardyDev just posted what might be the shortest review in the history of HardyDev!

English is weird.  "C"s and "K"s are pretty much interchangeable most of the time. 

Cool, then I'll be now replacing all my "c's" with "k's" and "k's" with "c's"!

btw Is that Kitizen Cane in Galen's post?

[Technocrat]

HardyDev just posted what might be the shortest review in the history of HardyDev!

English is weird.  "C"s and "K"s are pretty much interchangeable most of the time. 

Cool, then I'll be now replacing all my "c's" with "k's" and "k's" with "c's"!

btw Is that Kitizen Cane in Galen's post?

Another fine review, if I may say!

I'm very glad everyone's enjoying it, I've pretty much got part 3's plan sorted out, and there's an aspect of it I shall probably have in a testable state for the Critic's Lounge by the end of the weekend.

And since there's 56 minutes until Christmas here in Korea, I hope everyone has a lovely day of it!

[CaptainD]

Just completed it, really excellent game.    8)

[Gabriel_Down]

So am I the only one who can't save in this game?

Other than that so far (I left the game some days ago to the point you make cheffie happy =P) the game is really really good in my opinion. The graphics and music are good, the dialogues very nice, and the whole feel of the world makes me want to play this again and hope for more. Well done

[Barricus]

HardyDev just posted what might be the shortest review in the history of HardyDev!

English is weird.  "C"s and "K"s are pretty much interchangeable most of the time. 

Cool, then I'll be now replacing all my "c's" with "k's" and "k's" with "c's"!

btw Is that Kitizen Cane in Galen's post?

It doesn't work there, because the "C" is acting like an "S".  I blame all the people here from England and only them.  Every Brit not on the forums is not held accountable.

[Igor Hardy]

It doesn't work there, because the "C" is acting like an "S".  I blame all the people here from England and only them.  Every Brit not on the forums is not held accountable.

Can I at least keep switching between Technobabylon and Teknobabylon?

[Technocrat]

So am I the only one who can't save in this game?

Other than that so far (I left the game some days ago to the point you make cheffie happy =P) the game is really really good in my opinion. The graphics and music are good, the dialogues very nice, and the whole feel of the world makes me want to play this again and hope for more. Well done

I thought I'd managed to get the save-issue sorted in this episode, it seems to work on mine! What error is it giving, or just not showing up in the list? Glad you've enjoyed it, there'll definitely be at least a third part, but that certainly won't be the conclusion to the story.

Can I at least keep switching between Technobabylon and Teknobabylon?

I don't want to have to start making this a crossover with William Shatner's Tekwar, though the two settings may share superficial similarities!

[Gabriel_Down]

It just doesn't create a save file, doesn't pop an error message or anything. I was playing it on a cheap 1,6Ghz intel netbook under winxp if that's any help, I'll try it on another pc and see if it works. Glad to hear there will be more games

[tzachs]

Just played it, and ran out here to comment, because it was so damn awesome!

Atmosphere- Awesome!
Story- Awesome! (Especially the ending)
Puzzles- Awesome!
Dialogs- Awesome!

I did miss sound effects though, they would have added even more to the atmosphere, and also, sorry kaputtnik, but I didn't enjoy the music (it wasn't the synth that bothered me, it was too repetitive and lacking melodies for my taste).

Also, one small issue, using stuff on the pool didn't issue a response.

Overall, I'm really enjoying this world, and want more!

[kaputtnik]

...and also, sorry kaputtnik, but I didn't enjoy the music (it wasn't the synth that bothered me, it was too repetitive and lacking melodies for my taste).

...melodies?! You think they still have melodies in this dystopian cybernightmarish hell-future? Where would they get them, from outer space?

Well, I will have to ask good Mr Technocrat for permission to flood the cyberspace with melodies in part III, then. Sweet, non-repetitive, lavish and opulent* melodies, mmh.

*subject to adjustment according to talent, creativity, time and equipment

[Cogliostro]

Technocrat ,

I completed the game a little bit ago and I just wanted to say WOW!  And one other thing WOW!  Oh, and AWESOME!   :o

It's fun to dive into a little game that isn't presumptuous, has a good idea or good puzzle and everything else builds around that.  That's what most indie games are.  This, however, is the EXACT reason why indie games ROCK! 

The dystopian future you've outlined feels real.  You never doubt that the world described could exist.   Both characters have depth to them.  A three-part robotic mind is clever and realisitic. 

Only problem for me was that the edges of the screen went off the edges of my monitor.  I'm pretty sure that's something Chris'll have to fix.

Waiting for part III

- Cogliostro

[Anian]

...does the "Comm" button do anything? Even when I felt the need to contact my partner, it didn't work (cause the virus broke communication).
Also, the very last "puzzle" I solved by randomly clicking, I just didn't know what (where) was I supposed to do with the item and also was pretty sure a cool combo would be made like:

Spoiler

cooking gel set to 100C and then put on the bone

[close]

Everything else I liked.

[kaputtnik]

Hey anian - your spoiler text is exactly what the last puzzle is about. It is, basically, the last puzzle. How come it didn't work for you?

[Anian]

Hey anian - your spoiler text is exactly what the last puzzle is about. It is, basically, the last puzzle. How come it didn't work for you?

Well then I didn't get the message (or maybe the trouble was in my part that I saw the begining of the message and thought it again said that it's not safge to do that etc.) and then I literally by accident clicked on the inventory screen and suddenly I solved the puzzle... ehh, nevermind.
But the whole end scene was kind of weird cause the message kept saying not to disturb stuff "so people don't know I was there", but in the end

Spoiler

what was the point when it all got blown up? 

[close]

[Technocrat]

But the whole end scene was kind of weird cause the message kept saying not to disturb stuff "so people don't know I was there", but in the end

Spoiler

what was the point when it all got blown up? 

[close]

It's the future, they'd probably be able to find your DNA if you go around touching too much!

[Stupot]

I finally got around to playing Episode 1, loved it, and am now loving Episode 2.  Even more so now that I'm not stuck anymore

[edit]
That was a nice ending! Can't wait for part 3 :-)

[qptain Nemo]

Technocrat, thank you so much. For many things. For bringing back sweet oldschool (love the "quit to dos" menu item!) spirit reminiscent of Beneath a steel sky. Finally someone did that. For two really good, well thought-out well-written, pleasant to play and inspiring games. My hat is off to you, I respect people who do games like that. I haven't played everything and I don't how the voting will go, but if you ask me - TB2 is pretty much the best ags game of 2010. And really curious about what you'll do with the part three. Good luck with it, I wish your creativity stays with us and flourishes.
And Pablo's theme was really nice, I'm kinda surprised you used it only in the first game. So each part will have unique main theme?

[Monsieur OUXX]

It's the future, they'd probably be able to find your DNA if you go around touching too much!

Dman, I'll have to stop touching random stuff/people before the Singularity occurs (by then we won't have fingers anymore anyway).
According to Kurtzweil that means approx. 35 years of non-touching things. 

[The Great Underground Empire]

I am *seriously* loving this game...I'm really picky about storylines and dialogue, and I'm not a big fan of sci-fi, and you've got me totally hooked anyways!  The plot and dialogue move forward really smoothly, everything is really well-written.  You slip in the technology of your universe seamlessly, without holding up the game to over-explain.  I can't wait to play it all the way through!

Unfortunately,   I've hit a game-freezing bug, and  because I couldn't save, I'm going to have to start over from the beginning.  But I will, because I really believe it'll be worth it!

Spoiler

In the transit station scene, when your partner is climbing the tower for backup, you can hit F5 to bring up the Save GUI.  When it cuts back to Regis talking to the bomber, the GUI stays up, but greys out the controls.  You can continue dialog for a few seconds, then the game stops.  I know not a lot of people may try this, but I did because I was worried I'd make the wrong choice and die, so I wanted to save.

Also, during the opening title of the game, you can TAB open your inventory and select the pocketknife.

[close]

[Kweepa]

Excellent game!
I don't have a clue what happened, but I suppose that's the idea!

[Monsieur OUXX]

I've hit a game-freezing bug

Spoiler

In the transit station scene, when your partner is climbing the tower for backup, you can hit F5 to bring up the Save GUI.  (...).

[close]

I know not a lot of people may try this, but (...)

Same thing happened here, for the same reasons. I was so scared I cound't save on time and that I'd die... I made that mistake and had to start all over again
@Technocrat: Simply block the Save menu while the sniper climbs up the tower.

[Technocrat]

Technocrat, thank you so much. For many things. For bringing back sweet oldschool (love the "quit to dos" menu item!) spirit reminiscent of Beneath a steel sky. Finally someone did that. For two really good, well thought-out well-written, pleasant to play and inspiring games. My hat is off to you, I respect people who do games like that. I haven't played everything and I don't how the voting will go, but if you ask me - TB2 is pretty much the best ags game of 2010. And really curious about what you'll do with the part three. Good luck with it, I wish your creativity stays with us and flourishes.
And Pablo's theme was really nice, I'm kinda surprised you used it only in the first game. So each part will have unique main theme?

Well, I'm certainly glad that you liked it! I can always improve it though, especially the graphics. I think something like Beneath a Steel Sky meets Ghost in the Shell is my kind of goal!

Spoiler

In the transit station scene, when your partner is climbing the tower for backup, you can hit F5 to bring up the Save GUI.  When it cuts back to Regis talking to the bomber, the GUI stays up, but greys out the controls.  You can continue dialog for a few seconds, then the game stops.  I know not a lot of people may try this, but I did because I was worried I'd make the wrong choice and die, so I wanted to save.

Also, during the opening title of the game, you can TAB open your inventory and select the pocketknife.

[close]

Goes to show that playtesting can never be too thorough! Since part 3's going to be shorter, it should hopefully be easier to spot this kind of thing before it causes a problem!

[Matti]

I haven't finished it yet, but I really like it so far, you did a great job! Everything felt right so far, I like the graphics (perhaps the only thing that could be improved), the plot and the gameplay (well, everything except the pop-up inventory, but that's personal preference I guess).

Keep it up, Technocrat!

[Creamy]

I did technobabylon part 1 & 2 this afternoon. They are both excellent in their own way and deeper than I expected.

Can't wait for part 3 !

PS : les anglophones ont aussi un drôle d'accent quand ils essaient de parler français  

[StillInThe90s]

Just finished part I and II in one push, and I must say that they are very good. Both graphics, puzzles and story are very well made. I'm bot too in love with the inventory system though. -but it looks nice.
When is part III due?

[Tamanegi]

I played TB1 a while ago and TB2 just now. BASSxGitS is exactly what I thought, it'S a great game. You actually feel like being in a consistent world.

So, did I get this right?

Spoiler

You place the bone ANYWHERE in the apartment where Latha lives, then leave, and then Latha gets trapped there, only that the walls are free of photos and posters and the bone is invisible, and she manages to escape just before it blows up? ;-)

Okay, you can blame it on TB1 being made before TB2 and that you didn't have everything planned out back then... but it feels strange to just drop the bone and nobody takes it away while they are putting away all that stuff on the walls anyway, or that it just becomes invisible ;-)

[close]

Hm, this sounds like my comment about the world being "consistent" was sarcasm, while it certainly was not, honestly.

[GreenBoy]

So, did I get this right?

Not really, it's in a big apartment block, so it's actually in another room that looks very similar to Latha's.

[Tamanegi]

Makes sense, and I actually assumed that first until I saw the cutscene with

Spoiler

Latha leaving her room, because she mentioned it's a type of room for social housing.

[close]

[Iliya]

Great man! I like your TB works.