Lemmy & Binky present
(http://www.cgempire.com/forgottenelement/images/mia_titlescreen.jpg)
(http://www.cgempire.com/forgottenelement//lemmyandbinky/FE_Characters.gif)
(http://www.cgempire.com/forgottenelement/images/Newspaper.jpg)
Something is terribly wrong with Seahorse Island.
It's about a thirty suns now since the crops and trees began to wither and die. It has been raining for what seems like an eternity, but the rain does nothing to nourish the soil. The leaves have been gone from the trees outside my office for many suns now. The trees look like twisted corpses. I don't recall ever seeing such a sight as I do now as I write this.
Farmer Haywood has stockpiled the remaining grain, and has begun rationing it to the town. It should last us a while, but what then?
Mr. Clancy came to visit me today. He is looking for a woman--an ‘evil and manipulative creature' is how he put it--a mainlander spy, incredibly dangerous, and should I see or hear word of her I should report to him immediately. It may be my imagination but I seem to be seeing a lot of people around town I don't recognise lately. Out of the corner of my eye, just stood in the shadows--watching. The townsfolk seem to pay them no heed, which I find odd given their inherent xenophobic natureâ€"or, dare I say it, am I seeing things? Has the madness that is spreading across our fair island started to affect my mind also?
The headaches are getting more frequent, my eyes burning with their intensity. I would hope it is just fatigue, but I am beginning to doubt that. Either way there is no time for rest now--I fear it is going to get much worse before it gets better.
- Dr. E. Carter
(http://www.cgempire.com/forgottenelement/images/FE_Corridor.png)
Entry for Seahorse Island in Widdenfel Travel GuideThis small secluded island is situated six miles off the south coast of Widdenfel and is home of a curious community who have long lost touch with the wider world that flourishes around them.
A very much insular society that looks largely at foreigners as dangerous and untrustworthy, although the sea town of Derry in the North West of the island has recently accepted trade agreements with the mainland, and is developing a more trusting and relaxed attitude to their over sea neighbours.
Curiously, Seahorse Island is perhaps one of the only places in the world that employ the Caste System. The island has no formal government structure of any kind, and it is remarkable to see how this way of life has worked so harmoniously for the inhabitants for over 500 years.
Despite the frosty welcoming committee and unsure glances one would be sure to receive, especially as a woman, Seahorse Island is a remarkable place to visit. The island is steeped in a rich ancestral history, with many beautiful landmarks harking back to the Days of Kings. Anyone with an interest in this period in history, particularly of the Great Siege, should make it their aim to visit Seahorse Island at some stage in their lives.
Hopefully, in the years to come, the local community will become more accepting of influence from the continent, particularly in their attitudes towards gender inequality, and Seahorse Island could become an extremely popular and rewarding travel destination.
(http://www.cgempire.com/forgottenelement/images/FE_Screenshot_03.png) (http://www.2dadventure.com/ags/Element_Screenshot_02.gif)
Now featuring 32bit rain effects!
(http://www.cgempire.com/forgottenelement/town_rain.png)
Continued after Chicky and Saberteeth's posts until server issues are solved.
Looks very promising! 'specially the second screenshot ;)
The graphics are great. In which program are you drawing this?
8)
While there are issues displaying this in the first post - here is the rest of the game info:
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Subject 487b study notes - Author Unknown11/225 - Subject begins to show initial symptoms. Regular bouts of dizziness and mild nausea are observed within two hours of exposure. Some degradation in cognitive skills leading to confusion about their surroundings. No visible evidence of exposure at this point.
11/228 - Subject's cognitive functions continue to degrade, short-term memory loss and delusional paranoia are observed. Subject complains of severe head pain and becomes highly excitable, requiring sedation. Mild bruising of skin beginning to occur on legs and around abdominal region, and some hair loss has been recorded.
11/229 - Lesions beginning to form over entire body. Subject has become completely detached from real world, suffering persistent hallucinations and paranoia. Have decided to halt exposure before symptoms become terminal.
11/231 - Six suns after initial exposure, symptoms have begun to subside, yet desired states have not yet been observed and subject is submitted immediately for TBMC program. If successful, the subject will then be reintroduced to higher dosage levels once system has had sufficient time to recover.
11/235 - Application of TBMC program was unsuccessful, yet as the subject's rapid recovery from symptoms of prolonged exposure is extremely promising, I have decided to reintroduce agent for higher dosage in preparation for resubmission to TBMC.
Prologue coming soon!
The Forgotten Element Website can be found here:
http://www.theforgottenelement.com (http://www.theforgottenelement.com)
------------------------
The Forgotten Element will be released
completely free of charge. This is a labour of love and we have no intention of making money from it. The full game is split as such:
Prologue
Act I
Act II
Act III
The complete three act game will be comparable in length to commercial point-and-clicks, with each part being released as and when they are completed. The prologue will feature approx 1 - 1.5 hours of gameplay.
Once the game is finished, we will also be
releasing all plug-ins and ALL art assets so people can use them as they wish in their own games. Our only limitation on their use is that they not be used in commercial games.
(http://www.cgempire.com/forgottenelement/Mia_WalkR.gif)(http://www.cgempire.com/forgottenelement/NurseWalk.gif)(http://www.cgempire.com/forgottenelement/lemmyandbinky/Mia_Posed.gif)
A preview track from the fantastic The Forgotten Element soundtrack by Nikolas Sideris can be heard by clicking here (http://www.nikolas-sideris.com/cgempire/TFE.mp3).
Story by
Lemmy & BinkyArt by
CaptainBinky
MashPotato
Philip Drake
Code & Plugins by
Lemmy101
NickenstienDialogue by
CaptainBinky
Lemmy101
MashPotatoSound Effects, Music Composed, Produced & Directed by
Nikolas SiderisA preview of Forgotten Element can be found in the April edition of Adventure Lantern which can be read at http://www.adventurelantern.com/previews/forgottenElement/forgottenElement.htm (http://www.adventurelantern.com/previews/forgottenElement/forgottenElement.htm)
The Forgotten Element forum can be found here. (http://www.cgempire.com/showthread.php?t=302)
Thanks to the guys at CGEmpire (http://www.cgempire.com) for hosting! (And thanks to Nikolas to arranging it for us! :D)
Finally, the Forgotten Element Development Diaries can be found at the Lemmy&Binky blog at: http://lemmyandbinky.blogspot.com (http://lemmyandbinky.blogspot.com)
-----------------------
Prologue completion:
Final Art 70%
Placeholder art: 100%
Scripting 100%
Dialogue / Story 50%
Plug-ins 70%
Music 50%
----------------
We're using a combination of DP Animation, DP II Enhanced and Photoshop. Mostly, Photoshop & DP II for the backgrounds and DP Animation for the sprites (and character close-up talkie screens).
But what's especially nice is that in the 1st screenshot, she's carrying a hanger, so she can hang her clothes, should the need arise! ;D
It sounds a little cliche (the usuall I don't have my memory but as it happens I'm the only one to save the world idea...). But with this main character you can't loose!
To be a little more serious the Bgs, look lovely and I would love to see a breakdown percentage of how much way you've got to do...
When the game's out I will have to sent my wife away for a while... *ahem* ;)
Quote from: Nikolas on Mon 20/02/2006 14:00:43
And I honsetly hope that you animate also her tits while she moves...
Ohhhh yes :D I refer you to http://www.adventuregamestudio.co.uk/yabb/index.php?topic=24991.0
We're making sure that particular animation is as smooth as humanly possible ;)
Indeed :D. To quote myself, our walk cycles are "20 frames long apiece, and they're nice and dynamic".
Dynamic *cough*, ahem. There's very subtle hidden meaning there.
Nice graphics BTW...
Her right breast is a little wonky check that 2 inch nipple stand.
I couldnt resist...
(http://img214.imageshack.us/img214/2246/fake4bb.png)
The forgotten element, eh? It must be silicone. There, problem solved, no need to play the game. Though I will just to see the other characters ;)
Wow, her balloons are actually larger than her face on the sprite o_o. Graphics look nice all around. Was she inspired by Denise Richards?
http://web.syr.edu/~ssgong/DeniseRichards.jpg
I like the graphics, especially the sprites of the female main character. :o
I look up for this game.
Great work so far!
Trying for the Best Character Art Awards, eh?
/me chooses a committe of girls to do next year's awards
by the way, were you bottle-fed as a baby?
Question: Why is it always raining on Seahorse Island?
Answer: Because it's in Alaska. :)
Nice graphics guys.
Quote from: SSH on Mon 20/02/2006 14:31:16
by the way, were you bottle-fed as a baby?
Hey, if we have to draw 20 frames of walking * 4 directions, plus pushing, pulling, talking, idleing, opening things etc animations all in whatever spare time we can muster, then it's going to be a girl. Nothing wrong with that. Honest. *ahem*
Hehe, that looks like it will be fun!!
The character art definatley looks like its had some special attention given to it ;D
I cant wait to see her 'animate' Ã, hehe
Keep up the good work chaps!
Quote from: CaptainBinky on Mon 20/02/2006 15:34:53
Hey, if we have to draw 20 frames of walking * 4 directions, plus pushing, pulling, talking, idleing, opening things etc animations all in whatever spare time we can muster, then it's going to be a girl. Nothing wrong with that. Honest. *ahem*
It's worth pointing out though, that although the main character might lead you to believe this is solely a cheeky and gratuitous boobage game, we've made a real attempt to write a relatively serious story (though quite light hearted in parts) and the choice of main character and her attire is not quite as arbitary as wangling a "sexy nurse" into the game :) though it's certainly a huge bonus for development as well as hopefully playing the game! :)
This seems like a very nice idea. Though the story might be a little cliche, with this character and the art you offer it's going to be hard (no pun intended) to stay away from this game.
In any case, i hope you do make a great game. Stay away from the traditional single handedly saves the world cliches, and all female hero references. We wouldnt want to see this girl turn into Lara Croft, or into a Resident Evil character.
Keep working on it. Im putting this game on my list for future downloads.
-Sinister.
Quote from: Sinister on Mon 20/02/2006 17:18:03
This seems like a very nice idea. Though the story might be a little cliche, with this character and the art you offer it's going to be hard (no pun intended) to stay away from this game.
Thanks for the kind words. The "cliche" thing has occured to us. At the end of the day, a character having no memory may be cliche, but it's an extremelly good mechanic for introducing a character world that the player has no previous knowledge of. Rest assured that the memory issue is not the main plotline for the story.
In fact, as in the edit I've made to the original post. The cliche is, if anything, totally misleading. You'll need to play the game to understand, but we're hoping after finishing the demo, when it's released, it will no longer seem quite so cliche (or perhaps cliche for different reasons? ;))
wow! this is already my favourite ags game ever. hehe.
the backgrounds looks awesome too.
WOW :o i'm speechless .... lovely ... ruff
Lemmy and Binky.
I'm realy eager to play thisÃ, ;D
How many Locations etc will it have ? what kind of length demo will it be ?
Also, what kind of audio are you using ?
Cheers,
Ã, Ã, Ã, Ã, Ã, Ã, Ã, Nick.
Those graphics are... nice. I can tell you're having fun doing the art and animation.
Now how are we supposed to concentrate on solving the puzzles in the game when the main character looks like that? ;)
Good looking graphics. Be careful around that rack of hers though, it looks sharp.
Amazing what a sexy-looking female character in a game-in-production can do. I mean, here you post about your game just 1 day ago, and already you're into a 2nd page of replies, whereas some games-in-production can be around for months and barely garnish a couple of replies. ;)
Regardless, WOW, the character looks "schweet", *Yummy*, and you have good artistic talent. Best of luck with your game, and keep us updated of your progress sometimes. Oh, of course more pics of that lovely character would be quite welcome here too I think. Heheh.. :=
*Saves the picture in secrect "AGS Fantasies" folder*
You guys are really melting over a computer animation???
I like the backgrounds a lot, they look good and realistic.
About the story: It sounds cliche, but I think I'd first await the demo/full game to see what's all behind it (I'm female, so don't expect puns!)
To be honest, I feel a bit offended by her ehrm... front. But as stated before, I'm female.
Honestly I don't even know or I want to play the game, but if the story is really good I'm on it!
~Yurina
Quote from: Nickenstien on Tue 21/02/2006 00:04:48
Lemmy and Binky.
I'm realy eager to play this ;D
How many Locations etc will it have ? what kind of length demo will it be ?
Also, what kind of audio are you using ?
Cheers,
Nick.
Hi Nick, we'll have about 12 locations in the demo. It should take about 30-45 mins to play through, and serves as the prologue and introduction to the full three act game.
re: audio, we're using midi, but we're working on a plug-in which may allow us to try something a little different with it. ;)
Thanks everyone for their kind words, you horny devils. Yurina: we're sorry you've taken offence to our main character, hopefully when or if you play the demo you'll be able to find some enjoyment in it regardless.
Quote from: Nikolas on Mon 20/02/2006 14:00:43
But what's especially nice is that in the 1st screenshot, she's carrying a hanger, so she can hang her clothes, should the need arise! ;D
I thought it was for emergency abortions.
Anyway, looking good so far. And those nipples are probably just stiff because of the cold, right?
Right?
Looks excellent, the BG in particular looks awesome, and the GUI reminds me of Simon the Sorcerer, nice and neat. Just don't let certain things...erm...cloud over other aspects of the game.
Christ, it's Lara Croft all over again. Didn't a discussion about the objectification of women just get over in GenGen?
Regardless, I'm sure it will be a good game, and I'm looking forward to the demo.
Quote from: Redwall on Tue 21/02/2006 12:51:07
Christ, it's Lara Croft all over again.
The thing is, we discussed this quite a lot before we finished nailing the story. And what we concluded was that (and obviously we're not girls) we didn't see any problems having a female lead character even if she were a bit, how shall I say it, male targetted. I mean, you're not going to have an unattractive woman as your main character, and at the end of the day it's her who ultimately saves the day. So that makes her a positive role model surely, as opposed to her featuring as a random NPC who is there solely for gratuity.
I mean, if the main character was a bloke of Swartzenegger proportions then no-one would have a problem, but surely that's exactly the same scenario only the opposite sex?
I didn't see the discussion on GenGen, but I would be interested to hear the general conclusions.
I couldn't help but laugh at the previous replies to this thread, considering that they all seemed to be focusing on a certain (how shall I put this?) area of the game. ;D
But so far I think it looks really good (I expect that sounded like it had an alternative meaning... oh well...)
Quote from: CaptainBinky on Thu 23/02/2006 13:08:38
I mean, if the main character was a bloke of Swartzenegger proportions then no-one would have a problem, but surely that's exactly the same scenario only the opposite sex?
good point, I even think there should be more of female heroines with such...feminine attributes, at least for every male macho-superhero guy ;D
Quote from: CaptainBinky on Thu 23/02/2006 13:08:38I mean, you're not going to have an unattractive woman as your main character
Whyever not? ???
Seriously; I'm not saying
you should have an unattractive woman as your main character. I don't have a problem with your main character as it is. But the blanket statement that an unattractive woman just isn't an option as a main character puzzles me. Why
couldn't a game have an unattractive woman as a main character? After all, there are certainly plenty of games with unattractive
men as main characters. (Bernard from DOTT, to name just one, isn't exactly an Adonis.) Why should unattractive men be okay as main characters, but not unattractive women?
Again, I'm not saying
you need to tone down
your main character; I'm not objecting to your game. But I disagree with the implication that an unattractive woman could never work as a main character in an adventure game.
Quote from: Alun_Clewe on Thu 23/02/2006 18:14:35
Why couldn't a game have an unattractive woman as a main character? After all, there are certainly plenty of games with unattractive men as main characters. (Bernard from DOTT, to name just one, isn't exactly an Adonis.)
So eh, you found Laverne attractive? :=
Quote from: Alun_Clewe on Thu 23/02/2006 18:14:35
Quote from: CaptainBinky on Thu 23/02/2006 13:08:38I mean, you're not going to have an unattractive woman as your main character
Whyever not?Ã, Ã, ???
Seriously; I'm not saying you should have an unattractive woman as your main character.Ã, I don't have a problem with your main character as it is.Ã, But the blanket statement that an unattractive woman just isn't an option as a main character puzzles me.Ã, Why couldn't a game have an unattractive woman as a main character?Ã, After all, there are certainly plenty of games with unattractive men as main characters.Ã, (Bernard from DOTT, to name just one, isn't exactly an Adonis.)Ã, Why should unattractive men be okay as main characters, but not unattractive women?
Again, I'm not saying you need to tone down your main character; I'm not objecting to your game.Ã, But I disagree with the implication that an unattractive woman could never work as a main character in an adventure game.
i agree - i was speaking generally. it's no coincidence that most of the top actors are good looking. unless it's essential to your plot, then it makes sense for your lead to be attractive.
Quote from: Alun_Clewe on Thu 23/02/2006 18:14:35So eh, you found Laverne attractive? :=
- Well, it's Bernard, not Laverne, who's usually cited as the "main character" of DOTT.
- I have a horrible confession to make. I've never actually played Day of the Tentacle yet. So I don't actually know what Laverne looks like. I'll...I'll try to remedy that as soon as possible. (The not having played DOTT, I mean. Not the not knowing what Laverne looks like. Though the former would lead to the latter anyway.)
Quote from: CaptainBinky on Thu 23/02/2006 18:43:56unless it's essential to your plot, then it makes sense for your lead to be attractive.
But again, male leads
can be, and often
are, unattractive, without it being essential to the plot. Why shouldn't this be true of female leads as well? There's a bit of a double standard. (Though I'm sure there are more that aren't occurring to me, right offhand the only unattractive female lead character I can think of from an AGS game is Granny Zombiekiller, and she barely counts (seeing as she was only in one MAGS game, and the originally promised full game starring her never materialized). Besides, who's to say Granny wasn't quite a looker in her younger years?)
For that matter, even with the "essential to the plot" part--are there any adventure games in which there are unattractive female leads even when their unattractiveness
is essential to the plot?
(Note: This is not an invitation to post lists of unattractive female characters in AGS games. As I said, there are probably more that aren't occurring to me. Still, they don't seem to be as accepted as the very common unattractive male characters.)
I concede that this isn't something unique to adventure games. The same situation occurs in movies and TV; unattractive leading men are far more accepted than unattractive leading women. I still don't think that makes the double standard
right.
Anyway, it's just a tangent that has nothing really to do with this game, so, ah, I'll shut up now.
(Now I want to make an adventure game starring an unattractive woman just to make a point...though I have several other games I want to make first. ;) )
Laverne is by far the kewlest game character, completely NUTS! Absolutly gulable and well blond and blue eyes not nasty at all just fell on her face one to many times ;)
I think that everybody deserves to be an adventure hero, Hot bold, fat,hunky and even downright ugly. I think as long as the player relates to the character or enjoys being the character in some way you cant go wrong. As for pleasing all of the ppl all of the time, ill right it on my to do list that is somewhere under my never ever gonna happen rock. :)
This isn't a discussion thread ... you want to talk about the virtues of female leads do it in the Adventure Related Talk & Chat of the GenGen.
All further ramblings will be deleted.
Quote from: lemmy101 on Tue 21/02/2006 11:09:22
Hi Nick, we'll have about 12 locations in the demo. It should take about 30-45 mins to play through, and serves as the prologue and introduction to the full three act game.
re: audio, we're using midi, but we're working on a plug-in which may allow us to try something a little different with it. ;)
Cool!! I definatley think serialisation of the game is a good way to go! Keep us all craving for more with cliff-hanger endings to the chapters ;)
This is looking to me like its going to be a realy high quality game! have you considered doing a deluxe-Talkie version when all of the Graphics are finalised ?
Keep up the good work Lemmy&Binky ;D
Quote from: Nickenstien on Fri 24/02/2006 02:35:16
have you considered doing a deluxe-Talkie version when all of the Graphics are finalised ?
Thanks for your interest - as far as talkie versions are concerned, we don't want to get ahead of ourselves - we're focussed well and truly on just getting the three acts and prologue complete. After that, who knows? If it turns out to be popular then we may consider some sort of "deluxe" version - after all we'll be releasing a combined "full" version of the game once act 3 is complete. However, most likely, we'll be a bit sick of it and want to work on something new ;)
Edited.
:o
Looking very promising.. tho.. please post more in-game-shots if possible.. now im only looking at one of game history's most sexy boops ;D
Wow looks amazing, and I don't say that because of the bewbs.
I just love the talkie screen of that man, too.
ooh, lovely, and the "bewbs" have a lot to do with me saying it. 8)
That guy looks awesome.
You know the way he looks, it is like he has something dirty in his mind...
I know this is not the right forum to say this but, I think the guy looks way more real than te girl..
She looks like a cartoon next to him.
I can't wait for the release of this game, keep it up.
I don't know, the guy looks pretty unrealistic to me. I mean, not the detail or style, but the design seems very much a caricature (like the girl). (Not that that's a bad thing.)
Looks great to me, and since they're presumably stood against the same BG, because theyre facing opposite ways, one is in full vface of the light, whereas the other is facing away hence the shadowed face.
WOW!!!Ã, :o :o
These look amazing!Ã, Great work so far! Nice graphics!Ã, :)
I'm definately putting this game on my to-do list!!!
Keep up the good work!!!!!!!!!!!!!
(if your going to edit my post darth, at least spell "definitely" correctlyÃ, for meÃ, ;D )
Okay, now I shall comment, first off, if you get past the big breasts (She should think about reduction surgery, those things could break her back.) The game's graphics look really nice, I 'specially like the guy's Talkie picture, are you doing the talking similar to the way they do Flight of the Amazon Queen at some points in the game. I hope you guys focus on the story as much as you have on the graphic of the woman, it would be depressing if the story was a let down. Anyways I've said my piece, actually looking forward to it.
Quote from: TerricMoonborn on Tue 28/02/2006 07:58:01
are you doing the talking similar to the way they do Flight of the Amazon Queen at some points in the game.
I can't actually remember how the talkie screens worked in FOTAQ - ours will use these close-up screens for any key conversations with key characters while the rest (say 75%) of the conversations will be standard MI-style in-game conversations. Is that the same?
edit: It's also probably worth explaining here that the talkie characters are overlayed over the background in which they are talking, so the choice of lighting is more to do with conveying the personality of the character than fitting in with the backgrounds, and hence the discrepency between the two screens we've posted.
Quote from: TerricMoonborn on Tue 28/02/2006 07:58:01
I hope you guys focus on the story as much as you have on the graphic of the woman, it would be depressing if the story was a let down. Anyways I've said my piece, actually looking forward to it.
Thanks for the kind words! We have put in a lot of work on the story, and got everything nailed down for the full three acts. So as to whether it will be a let down or not, I would hope not :), but obviously we'll have to see what people think when they play the demo. We're quite proud of it as a whole. Obviously we know what the story is, and where it's going, but due to the serialised nature of the game, it will be interesting to see how, and what players think as the story unfolds in each act.
Certainly looks great so far, and the story sounds intriguing also.
Can't wait for the demo...
EDIT: Just read the thread at AD. Mary Whitehouse would have been so proud ;D
good graphix :o
The art is awesome. My only bone to pick here is the SCUMM (TM) gui. Seriously, why? It's just an outdated remainer from conversational adventures, that Lucasarts themselves abandoned after their first few games. Most of the time it's only a way to make the game last longer by giving the player too many options instead of clever puzzles.
But if you are set on using it, could you at least make keyboard shortcuts? The whole rocking the mouse up and down continuously ends up getting on my nerves.
Quote from: En garde! on Thu 02/03/2006 11:21:35
The art is awesome. My only bone to pick here is the SCUMM (TM) gui. Seriously, why? It's just an outdated remainer from conversational adventures, that Lucasarts themselves abandoned after their first few games. Most of the time it's only a way to make the game last longer by giving the player too many options instead of clever puzzles.
But if you are set on using it, could you at least make keyboard shortcuts? The whole rocking the mouse up and down continuously ends up getting on my nerves.
We made the choice because we personally feel that the reduction of verbs has diluted the experience of playing point-and-clicks somewhat, and were both quite dissapointed that lucasarts, of all people, abandoned it. Without the scumm interface it becomes an "interact with everything" fest, instead of players having to think about what they actually want to do with objects.
It'd be like playing a text adventure and saying "use door, use chest, use ring, use gandalf" (I seem to be subconsiously playing The Hobbit, it appears heheh :))
Also I personally find right clicking through icons more cumbersome than clicking a verb.
Regarding keyboard shortcuts, however, great idea! we will definitely put this in.
Wow. that pointy.. poin.. picture sure has enough atmosphere. Heh. Freudian nip
lemmy101,
Are saying we will have type those Verbs + objects as we did in the old times?
Great graphics by the way and good luck in completeting project.
Regards
Quote from: lemmy101 on Thu 02/03/2006 11:26:55
Quote from: En garde! on Thu 02/03/2006 11:21:35
The art is awesome. My only bone to pick here is the SCUMM (TM) gui. Seriously, why? It's just an outdated remainer from conversational adventures, that Lucasarts themselves abandoned after their first few games. Most of the time it's only a way to make the game last longer by giving the player too many options instead of clever puzzles.
But if you are set on using it, could you at least make keyboard shortcuts? The whole rocking the mouse up and down continuously ends up getting on my nerves.
We made the choice because we personally feel that the reduction of verbs has diluted the experience of playing point-and-clicks somewhat, and were both quite dissapointed that lucasarts, of all people, abandoned it. Without the scumm interface it becomes an "interact with everything" fest, instead of players having to think about what they actually want to do with objects.
It'd be like playing a text adventure and saying "use door, use chest, use ring, use gandalf" (I seem to be subconsiously playing The Hobbit, it appears heheh :))
Also I personally find right clicking through icons more cumbersome than clicking a verb.
Regarding keyboard shortcuts, however, great idea! we will definitely put this in.
Quote from: splat44 on Sat 04/03/2006 11:04:53
Are saying we will have type those Verbs + objects as we did in the old times?
Erm no :) we have the verbs on the GUI to click on, as in Monkey Island etc.
this game looks awesome. i'm definatly going to play at least 5 times over.
i have a question about the picture below. near the bottom-left corner, am i seeing a dead naked woman that had it's spine broken or is it just a couple of thick branches?
(http://www.2dadventure.com/ags/Element_TitleScreen.gif)
edit by darth - there's a modify link. Don't double post.
Quote
Until one day, the island doctor happened upon a small wood which, unlike the world around it, was still in summer bloom. In the centre of the flourishing wood lay a girl, curled up asleep in the roots of a dying tree... It transpires she could be the key to everything. But is she the cure, or the cause?
Her spine's fine, she's sleeping.
We are absolutely thrilled to announce that
Nikolas
Has agreed to produce the music for The Forgotten Element!
To celebrate, here's a new screenshot:
(http://www.2dadventure.com/ags/Element_Screenshot_02.gif)
This looks great Im really looking forward to this game :D
So THAT's where she gets her nurse's outfit!
New preview in April edition of Adventure Lantern. Read it here:
http://www.adventurelantern.com/previews/forgottenElement/forgottenElement.htm
Or download it here:
http://www.adventurelantern.com/magazine/AdventureLantern_Apr2006.zip
:)
Quote from: lemmy101 on Mon 06/03/2006 13:39:07
Quote from: splat44 on Sat 04/03/2006 11:04:53
Are saying we will have type those Verbs + objects as we did in the old times?
Erm no :) we have the verbs on the GUI to click on, as in Monkey Island etc.
Thank you Lemmy101,
Good luck in completing your project.
The kind folks at www.cgempire.com (http://www.cgempire.com) have kindly offered to host our game and website.
You can find the new Forgotten Element website here (http://www.cgempire.com/fe_html.php?file=forgottenelement/FE_Article.html)
Check regularly for new screenshots / game information, and the demo (along with plug-ins and other goodies) when it is released.
Cheers!
lemmy
I really like what you guys pulled up already! I'd love to play this game once it's completed! The portraits look really, really good!
The website is also nice. Not too crowded, not too empty.
~Yurina
i'd just like to know for sure...
is this
HUMOUROUS
SERIOUS
or
SERIOUS WIT' DE HUMOUR??
Hammerite...
I guess if I had to label the Forgotten Element as either serious or humourous, then I would have to say serious. But I'm not sure that saying that won't give people the wrong impression. At the end of the day, we're trying to make a game that's enjoyable. So while the story may be on the serious side and the situations grave, there will be humourous characters (humourous, not milk-out-of-nose hysterical) and light hearted moments to balance the more serious storyline.
Er, so maybe SERIOUS WIT' DE HUMOUR!
P.S. Thanks Yurina!
http://www.cgempire.com/showthread.php?p=170#post170
This is probably only of interest to those who make AGS games themselves, but follow this link for details on some of the plug-ins that will be released subsequent to The Forgotten Element...
Those who would like to beta test plug-ins, or the game itself, when we come to beta testing, reply to the Forgotten Element beta thread and we will give you priority!
Follow this link to the beta testing thread: http://www.cgempire.com/showthread.php?p=172#post172
lemmy
This is shaping up to be very impressive indeed. Love the portraiture, not to mention the little bit of fan service on the heroine's pic (coming from me, that's a compliment, believe me :)). Best of luck guys!
I can't wait for the plug-ins now I know the details involving them. Especially the AGS Particle editor will come in handy since I make RPG's mostly with AGS. Also the iMuse sounds interesting, maybe I'll try my hands on that too (but I can't make music myself...)
I'm glad the game is with a bit humour, that always makes me feel more comfortable playing a game.
~Yurina
Wow this looks and sounds fantastic!!! I can't wait!!! ;D ;D ;D
Hey guys,
I've just been reading the "Tools and Plug-ins" thread on your website, and I have to say that, on top of your obvious efforts with the graphics, it's exciting to hear about the advancements you've been making in other areas. In particular, I'm referring to the "aMuse" music system, which sounds like it will be a revolutionary tool for musical story-telling in AGS. I know that Nickolas (sp?) is signed up to be your composer - I've heard his stuff and it's good, and I can't wait to see what he'll do with a system like aMuse.
I'm also impressed that you'll be offering downloads of sprites and so forth - after all the effort that must have gone into the animations, that's a very generous gesture to the amateur community!
Keep up the great work and I look forward to hearing more updates soon!
Quote from: Sheepisher on Fri 02/06/2006 09:13:16
Hey guys,
I've just been reading the "Tools and Plug-ins" thread on your website, and I have to say that, on top of your obvious efforts with the graphics, it's exciting to hear about the advancements you've been making in other areas. In particular, I'm referring to the "aMuse" music system, which sounds like it will be a revolutionary tool for musical story-telling in AGS. I know that Nickolas (sp?) is signed up to be your composer - I've heard his stuff and it's good, and I can't wait to see what he'll do with a system like aMuse.
Thanks Sheepisher! One of the first things when we started this project was investigating using an iMuse like system... at one point we even had the entire ScummVM running as an AGS plug-in! Along with the Scumm interface and the dialogue font it was one of the most important touches to the game for us both. Needless to say when Nikolas agreed to do our music it was very exciting! :)
Quote from: Sheepisher on Fri 02/06/2006 09:13:16
I'm also impressed that you'll be offering downloads of sprites and so forth - after all the effort that must have gone into the animations, that's a very generous gesture to the amateur community!
If providing all our backgrounds and sprites will result in more point-and-click games being made then it's well worth it. Hell, if someone actually used one of our actual story characters in their game that would be awesome...
Quote from: lemmy101 on Fri 02/06/2006 10:54:20
If providing all our backgrounds and sprites will result in more point-and-click games being made then it's well worth it. Hell, if someone actually used one of our actual story characters in their game that would be awesome...
I wish all artists had this kind of attitude. It's very hard to find some decent free sprites for games which are of such quality. :D
Cheers!
~Yurina
Quote from: lemmy101 on Fri 02/06/2006 10:54:20
If providing all our backgrounds and sprites will result in more point-and-click games being made then it's well worth it. Hell, if someone actually used one of our actual story characters in their game that would be awesome...
One of the things we'd like to do when we finish the game is to provide additional animations for some of the more minor characters, like pick up, push, pull, open, close etc even though we don't need them so that even a minor character in our game could be a main (or even the player) character in someone else's game. Obviously our player character (Mia) may not be that appropriate for someone else's game (nurse's costume etc).
Also, we will provide the backgrounds in PSD format (as well as bitmap) so that the backgrounds can be dissassembled, rejigged, and made appropriate for another game (move that tree there, but that building over there, remove that object etc).
Quote from: Yurina-chan
I wish all artists had this kind of attitude. It's very hard to find some decent free sprites for games which are of such quality.
That's exactly why we're doing it. If they were only used as reference for paining over that would be great, but the option is there to use them as-is. We want to help other indie developers as much as possible, hence the plugins, tools, sprites, backgrounds. We feel this is very much in the spirit Chris Jones has started with all the work he has done on a completely free adventure creator. In fact, were it not for CJ, we may have never have been inspired to give all this stuff away, so kudos to him!
Quote from: CaptainBinky on Fri 02/06/2006 11:25:05
Quote from: lemmy101 on Fri 02/06/2006 10:54:20
If providing all our backgrounds and sprites will result in more point-and-click games being made then it's well worth it. Hell, if someone actually used one of our actual story characters in their game that would be awesome...
One of the things we'd like to do when we finish the game is to provide additional animations for some of the more minor characters, like pick up, push, pull, open, close etc even though we don't need them so that even a minor character in our game could be a main (or even the player) character in someone else's game. Obviously our player character (Mia) may not be that appropriate for someone else's game (nurse's costume etc).
Also, we will provide the backgrounds in PSD format (as well as bitmap) so that the backgrounds can be dissassembled, rejigged, and made appropriate for another game (move that tree there, but that building over there, remove that object etc).
Quote from: Yurina-chan
I wish all artists had this kind of attitude. It's very hard to find some decent free sprites for games which are of such quality.
That's exactly why we're doing it. If they were only used as reference for paining over that would be great, but the option is there to use them as-is. We want to help other indie developers as much as possible, hence the plugins, tools, sprites, backgrounds. We feel this is very much in the spirit Chris Jones has started with all the work he has done on a completely free adventure creator. In fact, were it not for CJ, we may have never have been inspired to give all this stuff away, so kudos to him!
You guys rock!
~Yurina
Hello!
Long time, no hear! I thought I'd better just give a bit of a head's up with regard to where we're at just in case anybody thought that this had died, and anyone actually cared. Who knows?
So... The Conversation Engine that we're developing is coming along nicely (the editor's not finished yet, so we're typing all this in to XML files (which actually is a lot less painful than you might imagine) and it works a treat! All the parts of the prologue that were playable before have been converted to this new system, but because of our Conversation Engine, we've gained much more natural dialogue than we had before, plus our characters now animate and react during conversations rather than just playing a looping "talking" animation. This looks pretty cool (in my opinion).
There's still a fair amount of sprites and backgrounds to complete, but with placeholder graphics in, the whole prologue is pretty much playable so we're still on schedule for a 2006 release (with development on subsequent acts being significantly faster due to amount of work we've had to do to get the prologue going :D )
We haven't released any new screenshots for a while mostly because we want to save a lot of this material for the game, rather than spoil it by showing too much now. However, we have some pre-release material ready to go once we're confident what the final final release date will be, so stay tuned!
Cheers,
CaptainBinky
P.S. Thanks Yurina! :D
Good to hear things are still progressing. This is another adventure game im eagerly awaiting to have a good ole go at. Just hope the story matches the great artwork! :D
Quote from: TastyCrisp on Tue 18/07/2006 13:26:36
Good to hear things are still progressing. This is another adventure game I'm eagerly awaiting to have a good ole go at. Just hope the story matches the great artwork! :D
Thanks TastyCrisp! :D
We'd like to think so :) We've been developing the story for the past couple of years, long before we even discovered AGS, or decided to do a point-and-click, we have quite a substantial mythology, history and social structure of the island we've set it on. We like to think the story betters the artwork, but of course you will need to be the judge of that :)
I would say more time, all in all, has gone into the story than anything else at present... though there's a LOT of art in the game so when it's finished it will clearly be the art that's taken most of the time :)
Well it all sounds rather awesome :) will look forward to reading more updates as they come!
Quote from: lemmy101 on Tue 18/07/2006 13:51:58
I would say more time, all in all, has gone into the story than anything else at present... though there's a LOT of art in the game so when it's finished it will clearly be the art that's taken most of the time :)
I agree. Art and story design take most of the time. It depends on the game what'll take more time of those two.
I'm glad this game is not stopped, it's on my "wanted"-list of AGS games... :P
Quote from: Yurina-chan on Tue 18/07/2006 15:48:00
I agree. Art and story design take most of the time. It depends on the game what'll take more time of those two.
Of course, the difference is when it comes to the story the most it involves is sitting there on the sofa and excitedly rambling on about ideas and have a few drinks... doing the art involves hours and hours of staring at DPaint/Photoshop :D
Quote from: Yurina-chan on Tue 18/07/2006 15:48:00
I'm glad this game is not stopped, it's on my "wanted"-list of AGS games... :P
Thanks Yurina! :) And you're on my "wanted" list of Forgotten Element players :D
Quote from: lemmy101 on Tue 18/07/2006 15:52:59
Quote from: Yurina-chan on Tue 18/07/2006 15:48:00
I agree. Art and story design take most of the time. It depends on the game what'll take more time of those two.
Of course, the difference is when it comes to the story the most it involves is sitting there on the sofa and excitedly rambling on about ideas and have a few drinks... doing the art involves hours and hours of staring at DPaint/Photoshop :D
That depends per artist. Myself, I make less detailed sprites (tiled ones) so that makes a difference too.
Quote from: lemmy101 on Tue 18/07/2006 15:52:59
Quote from: Yurina-chan on Tue 18/07/2006 15:48:00
I'm glad this game is not stopped, it's on my "wanted"-list of AGS games... :P
Thanks Yurina! :) And you're on my "wanted" list of Forgotten Element players :D
How come? I'm really curious about that... :P
Quote from: Yurina-chan on Tue 18/07/2006 15:55:38
How come? I'm really curious about that... :P
1. You've been continually supportive of the project and helped keep Binky and myself enthused to continue making our game.
2. Given all the "controversy" surrounding *that* picture (You'd think it was the cartoon of Mohammed!) it'll be interesting (and probably theraputic ;)) to see what a woman's reaction to the finished game was :)
Quote from: lemmy101 on Tue 18/07/2006 16:00:04
Quote from: Yurina-chan on Tue 18/07/2006 15:55:38
How come? I'm really curious about that... :P
1. You've been continually supportive of the project and helped keep Binky and myself enthused to continue making our game.
2. Given all the "controversy" surrounding *that* picture (You'd think it was the cartoon of Mohammed!) it'll be interesting to see a woman's reaction to the game :)
Thanks!
Really, I didn't know I was this important... I really like the idea that I supported you so much! ^.^
~Yurina
hehe don't get too big a big head about it though Yurina;) but your support, as well as everyone else's is much appreciated and has helped a lot to keep us going (it's turned into quite a gargantuan project as time's gone on lol :S)
Though I have to say the "You guys rock" comment put you eternally on our good side ;D hehe
When is Nik going to start composing, producing, directing, editing, proof-reading & baking the music? :)
Quote from: m0ds on Tue 18/07/2006 16:24:50
When is Nik going to start composing, producing, directing, editing, proof-reading & baking the music? :)
He's coming up to see us this weekend as it goes, and will get his first copy of the prologue to start scripting music into! :D
Go Nikolas!!! WOOO!!!!
Quote from: lemmy101 on Tue 18/07/2006 16:08:13
hehe don't get too big a big head about it though Yurina;)
If someone needs a big head it's me, I assure you (low self-respect... :()
Quote from: lemmy101 on Tue 18/07/2006 16:08:13
Though I have to say the "You guys rock" comment put you eternally on our good side ;D hehe
;D
Yurina
Quote from: m0ds on Tue 18/07/2006 16:24:50
When is Nik going to start composing, producing, directing, editing, proof-reading & baking the music? :)
What????? I only signed up to compose, produce and direct not edit-proof-read-back the music. ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
From the inside view of someone who knows what's going on in the game (and awaiting really really impatiently to come the day to have drinks and discuss everything in detail with the guys) I have to say that this game, added to everything else mentioed in the posts before has a lot of 'backbone story' which for me is really important and makes me even more happy to be a part of this game :)
Kudos to the guy who painted the girly closeup, she reminds me of Keeley Hazell or some other babe. 8)
I know this has been argued over and over before, however this led me to "stare" more than necessary on that picture. :o
(Gosh, I feel like I'm criticizing Mona Lisa here.)
I really couldn't stand the shadow on the leftmost bobby, so I ended up doing a fast and dirty editing. While being at it, I also streched the rightmost baby which was sort of crooked, like Afflict pointed out in his post.
As you can see, I have little to no knowledge about graphics (though I have some knowledge in boobs), but this way *they* seem more natural to me (before and after pic follows):
(http://img291.imageshack.us/img291/2441/elementtalkiemia02bh6.png%3Cbr%20/%3E)
...this has most likely something to do with my distorted "sense of aesthetics", so feel free to forgive my post altogether. ;D
My best wishes for your game. ;)
No probs, HM :D
The graphics we've released are slightly changed in the version you will play, because all of this stuff is work-in-progress up untill the point that we've finished.
Rest assured, I've editted that particular image since posting it - and your comments are most welcome!
Cap'n Binky
Hey Lemmy, Captain Binky,
Great to hear that work is still progressing on "Forgotten Element"! Of course it's entirely understandable how long it's taking, what with the enormous effort that everyone is clearly putting in, and from what we've seen so far, the wait is definitely going to be worth it!
Very much looking forward to a 2006 release date for the first act! Hurrah!
Best of luck!
This game looks great. I wish you the best on your project.
This game has to be the 'natural' choice for any consumer. *wink* *wink* The dynamic 'curves' of this game are a sight to be-'hold.' *snicker* *wink* *snicker* And best of all, the main character has 'real big tits'. *snicker* *wink*
But seriously, she looks really good...
I mean the game... looks really good, as a hot person - game... GAME!!!
Keep up the good, erm, work ;)
I am looking forward to this title even 10 x more now.
I am glad to know that you guys keep working harder and harder at achieving a greater level and welcome the critics you get!
Keep it up
Great Work
Afflict!
Cheers, Afflict!
Here's the Seahorse Island newspaper with some small plot tidbits...
(http://www.cgempire.com/forgottenelement/images/Newspaper.jpg)
Thanks for the kind words Afflict! Indeed we're always open to constructive critisism :D
On a side note, Dan Marshall over at gibbage.co.uk for some reason deemed us worthy of an interview! You can read it by following this link:
http://gibbage.co.uk/Interviews/ (http://gibbage.co.uk/Interviews)
(While you're there, I also highly recommend you download the demo of Gibbage and give it a blast. One of the best indie games out there IMO and worth much more than the pittance Dan's asking for it. :))
hey guys! great to see the progress! even though im still sulking about not being able to animate the girl :'( (well, officially, haha), im really looking forward to the game. ;D
the newspaper, the title and the main character all reminds me a lot of the fifth element (the movie). did you find any inspiration there? and will milla make a guest appearance? ;D
keep up the amazing work.
Utter coincidence. We came up with the name, then thought "ahhh, it's a bit like the 5th element"... then we thought "ahh sod it, it's better than "Nurse boobie Girl and her adventures on Seahorse Island" ;)
True story :D
Well, the bit about the name being similar to 5th Element is anyway, given the effect of *that pic* "nurse boobie girl" would probably be a more marketable name even if totally inappropriate for our game ;)
We also thought "Our game is set on an island - under no circumstances should the island be named after an animal (like Monkey, for example)". Then we forgot about it, realised that the island looked a bit like a Seahorse, and called it Seahorse Island.
Fortunately, Monkey Island looked like a parrot. Seahorse Island looks like a seahorse. See? Completely different!
I have not yet got around to commenting on this game but it looks most promising. I am eagerly awaiting the realease of a demo for this great looking game. On another note, has there been any music added to the game at this point? I was wondering if you are planning on writting original music or using music that is already written. Just curious.....
Thewalrus
Goo, goo, ga, joob!!!!
Hi thewalrus, I am the egg man!
Thanks for your comments! As for music, this is being taken care of by none other than the critically acclaimed Nikolas Sideris, of Tale of Two Kingdoms (http://www.taleoftwokingdoms.com) and Thale Cres (http://www.thalecres.com) fame! So yes, it'll be original and (if Nikolas' other stuff is anything to go by) utterly fab!
Cheers,
Cap'n Binky
Hi all,
A quick update with a couple of new screenies...
(http://www.cgempire.com/forgottenelement/images/FE_Corridor.png)
(http://www.cgempire.com/forgottenelement/images/FE_Mapscreen.png)
(http://www.cgempire.com/forgottenelement/images/FE_TownCredits.png)
The map screen is a prototype version to test the system - the graphic in the top left fades in and out as you move your mouse over the (placeholder) location hotspots. And I'll be re-drawing the compass at some point because the one I've done here is rubbish :)
edit: By the way, if you're wondering why in the screenshots the only inventory object shown is a coathanger... well there's 2 reasons for this. Firstly, inventory objects can give away what happens in the game to some extent and secondly, the placeholder items we've drawn look really, really bad :)
Cheers,
Cap'n Binky
If your game is half the fun your interview is, then it will be a 10 points game...
I cant wait to play it..
Holy Cow!
With such a game like this, I'll have to work harder if I want my game to denote amongst all this quality.
Truly nice, indeed. I'm impatient. I want to play this now.
Looks very nice! I look forward to play, too.
Wow! Your graphics are superb!
Good job!
I have to chime in on the graphics as well. The detail is really mind-boggling. I'm very, very impressed with the quality of this game's visuals.
Thanks ever so much for the compliments guys! It really means a lot! :D
Also it encourages us to try harder and harder with every new graphic and scripting that we add in!
:D
Cap'n Binky
YAY! UPDATE!!! *throws in a party* :D
I really love to see that the game is developing, and especially the map looks great!
Cheers ;D,
~Yurina
that last background looks amazing.
*adds lemmy and blinky to my jealous-of-list*
Wow. That screenshot of the town is amazing. In addition to all the other stuff you're going to provide, I don't suppose there's any chance you could put up some background tutorials?
Also, it seems like your web page for the game is down. What's up?
Anyway, good luck on finishing this. It looks really promising!
Amazing stuff guys, you rule.
@EagerMind:
Tutorials aren't something we considered since really, there's no difference to how we produce our backgrounds than anybody else. The only things to consider are: We use Photoshop to paint the backgrounds so they are all 24bit, and we use graphics tablets (mine's A4 sized). Once you've determined what your perspective is going to be (and there are loads of tutorials for this already) then it really does just come down to painting it in your own particular style. However that said, if we have time we can certainly look into producing some sort of tutorial. :)
Oh, and the server's been pretty unreliable recently - but this is being addressed at the moment, apparently.
@Yurina-chan:
*Binky does a little dance*
@Mordalles & Buloght:
Thanks! The feeling's mutual - both your stuff rules! :D
Cheers,
Cap'n Binky
Hey guys,
The new screenshots look excellent - well in keeping with the high quality that you've already established in the other tidbits you've shared so far, so that's hardly a surprise!
I particularly love the conceit you have going with the map screen - that is, to fade in a little "reminder" at the top left of the screen to help the player link game locations to map locations. Navigating in adventure games is often tricky because you don't have the same sense of spatial reference you'd use in real life, so that's a really nice touch. It shows thought and consideration!
Glad to hear that steady progress continues to be made with this game. I very much look forward to beta-testing it! And do PM me if ever there's something I can help out with.
Quote from: Sheepisher on Mon 04/09/2006 07:49:31
The new screenshots look excellent - well in keeping with the high quality that you've already established in the other tidbits you've shared so far, so that's hardly a surprise!
Thanks Sheepisher! :D And thanks everyone else we're both extremely proud of how FE is going but such a big project is pretty daunting so all your kind words really help us keep pegging way at it :D
Quote from: Sheepisher on Mon 04/09/2006 07:49:31
I particularly love the conceit you have going with the map screen - that is, to fade in a little "reminder" at the top left of the screen to help the player link game locations to map locations. Navigating in adventure games is often tricky because you don't have the same sense of spatial reference you'd use in real life, so that's a really nice touch. It shows thought and consideration!
Glad you like it! Some of it came from neccessity, in that we wanted the whole island to beon the map screen, so didn't have enough space to put locatons directly on the map. We're trying to get across a sense that these locations, despite being just a map-screen click away, are really part of the island, and trying to get across regional differences, for example a North/South divide, and so people describe how to get to these locations once they become available. Hopefully just by that people will remember that Location X is in the North and so on. The fading alpha location stuff looks lovely when it's running (I can say that 'cause I didn't draw it :D)
Quote from: Sheepisher on Mon 04/09/2006 07:49:31
Glad to hear that steady progress continues to be made with this game. I very much look forward to beta-testing it!
Steady indeed, we just wish we could work on it full-time :D We're looking forward to (or dreading, I've not decided ;)) people beta-testing it too :D
Quote from: Sheepisher on Mon 04/09/2006 07:49:31
And do PM me if ever there's something I can help out with.
Don't fancy drawing us a tavern, do you? ;D
Thanks everyone!
PS: Does everyone see where the name of the island comes from now?:D
OMG those screenshots are killling me!!! Please have this game done soon!!!! Or I might just go insane!
I can't wait for this game to be released myself..... This game looks so excellent!!! Any idea when it is coming out???
Thewalrus
Goo, goo, ga, joob!!!!!!!!!!!
Well around 200n...
It will be ready when it's ready.
Not there yet...
Only a little more...
Ok. I'm not entitled to an update, but things are moving along quite nicely. There are placeholders everywhere, but the game is...playable in a certain way. That's all I can say for now.
Music wise it's also moving along nicely. Tunes and sfx are getting into place. ;)
But still await the official update from lemmy or binky. And if I remember correctly the first post is edited periodically to include new info and percentage. :)
Thanks for the update! This game is too good!
Quote from: calacver on Mon 18/09/2006 22:51:03
Thanks for the update! This game is too good!
We're starting to doubt we'll get the prologue done 2006 now, but are hoping for Feb/March time.
Nikolas is right, it'll be done when it's done... but we can definitely see the end in sight.
Remember though this is the prologue, probably an hour of the game... we will still have Act I to Act III to come then :D
That is great news, cannot wait to play it. And nikolas' music will be brilliant I'm sure!
Updated story info on first post!
great to see some progress. nikolas, you have some catching up to do! 10% :o ;)
Wow great to see some progress!! This is the number 1 game I'm most excited about coming out!!!
Love the new screenshots ;) PLEASE HURRY!!! LOL
Yes...
I know Mordy... I know... :(
But to be honest lemmy and Binky are kinda lying. Because it's 12% of the music that is done. (and 0% on the sound fx... :S brrrrr)
To tell you the truth, we have the main theme (which sounds amazing, BECAUSE I WROTE IT!!!! Muahahaha)... kdding of course. But since the main theme is there, there is guidance on what the rest of the music will be.
And I have some pretty good idea on how the music should be. It just needs some time to find and start writting it actually (remember my thread about lack of time/sleep????)
Anyways.
I'll give you a little something to wait for:
The soundtrack features Sofia Zarami, a Greek singer, who actually is extremly good at what she does (and a good friend of mine). So the soundtrack apart from the sampled orchestral stuff I do, will also have real voice (and *ahem* a choir as well...)
Tempted? ;)
Goodluck guys, all of the best. Looks purely beautiful. And goodluck nikolas. I am tempted by the music :D Were the sirens from greek tales? Those mermaids that got to odyseus :D
Thanks Mordalles, CosmoQueen, and Buloght! :D
We're going as fast as we can!
(Should've come up with a shorter Prologue really ;D)
woah this might be one of the nicest looking 2d adventure gmae ive seen! :D:D the story sounds really interesting love the newspaper idea sounds like a lot of plot going on! keep it up guys this looks and sounds GREAT :D:D!!!
Have a happy new year everybody from Lemmy & Binky!
To celebrate the arrival of 2007, the year when the Forgotten Element Prologue will finally emerge, here are a few bits and bobs from the game:
(http://www.cgempire.com/forgottenelement//lemmyandbinky/FE_Characters.gif)
(http://www.cgempire.com/forgottenelement/Mia_WalkR.gif)(http://www.cgempire.com/forgottenelement/NurseWalk.gif)(http://www.cgempire.com/forgottenelement/lemmyandbinky/Mia_Posed.gif)
Quotethe year when the Forgotten Element Prologue will finally emerge
\o/
I get the feeling this is the year that'll see most quality AGS games in a long while...
bobs or boobs?
Quote from: Da_Elf on Tue 02/01/2007 20:42:27
bobs or boobs?
:D A bit of both. ;)
(Cheers guys!)
The hair and gown in that walkcycle are absolutely amazing. Was this drawn from any kind of reference?
Nope, it was hand-animated :)
Cheers!
L&B
Wow - I just read this thread back in the old posts - and now an update :D
Awesome graphics + compelling storyline = me in eager anticipation!
This looks absolutely gorgeous, storyline and all! Eagerly awaiting each new update. :)
Been keeping an eye on this for well...forever now :D Looks fantastic...was really interested in seeing if the animation would be to the standard of the artwork and well...I think it's fantastic :D I haven't seen stuff this good for years. Love hand drawn animation, always gives more character and little details...
Seriously...im drooling *wipes chin* and I can't wait for more updates and to eventually get hold of this!
Keep up the fantastic work
The graphics/animation on this look absolutely brilliant. (Even if the main character is a little too obviously aimed squarely at the hearts and er... minds? of teenage boys everywhere).
I'd go so far as to say that the graphical quality is easily up there with the best professional pixelated games. As long as the gameplay, puzzles and writing live up to what you're doing with the art, this is going to be incredible.
(No pressure, obviously.... ;))
then call me a 31 year old teen cuz im loving it (:
I'm not sure I can be objective enough, as I'm part of the development team but:
The grachpis, that I've seen (and I've seen everything, including animations and other stuff), look amazing. I'm stunned by the graphics!
Also the gameplay and puzzles are very well thought out and completly logical. Story is brilliant, and enough to reach 3 episodes (remember that this is just a prologue, not even a 1st episode, but should last for more than an hour, if you know what you're doing, with a walkthrough).
Music wise (brrrr...) I'm trying my best, and hopefull in Januray, should have something to show off as well :D. 2007 is the year that The Forgotten Element will be released (and I'm not talking about December 2007... but earlier...)
:)
Quote from: Nikolas on Thu 04/01/2007 11:23:562007 is the year that The Forgotten Element will be released (and I'm not talking about December 2007... but earlier...)
November? :o
:D
Although it's tempting to give a more specific date, given how outrageously wrong we were about the whole Prologue-out-before-end-of-2006 thing we figured we'd just keep our mouths shut this time :p
Cap'n Binky
Saying you were "outrageously wrong" only means we'll have to wait 3 or 4 months :(..or even more..:-[
Anyway, it'll be worthy ;D
One thing to remember is doing this game is of extreme importance to us. You can rest assured that although the amount of work is quite massive... it WILL be done eventally. Though that also means we'll only release it when we're 100% happy (and we're often quite hard to please ;))
Also something to bear in mind is that the prologue has a lot of art assets that also appear in the other acts, so although the prologue has taken about a year thus far, we're effectively completing a fair chunk of stuff that's needed for the following acts, not least of all the plug-ins and tools we've written for it. We see Acts I - III, whilst each being longer than the prologue, taking less time than the prologue to do.
Quote from: Nikolas on Thu 04/01/2007 11:23:56
Also the gameplay and puzzles are very well thought out and completly logical. Story is brilliant, and enough to reach 3 episodes (remember that this is just a prologue, not even a 1st episode, but should last for more than an hour, if you know what you're doing, with a walkthrough).
2007 is the year that The Forgotten Element will be released (and I'm not talking about December 2007... but earlier...)
:)
The more I hear about this game, the more I anticipate it! The quality of AGS games just gets better and better.
Hello AGS! :D
I'm here to give you a small preview of the music for The Forgotten Element, in the form of a single track from the soundtrack. :)
So please click/download/listen and enjoy the track with the ingenious name "The Forgotten Element" (or TFE for short)!
The Forgotten Element (http://www.nikolas-sideris.com/cgempire/TFE.mp3) (<-Click here!)
The forgotten Element.
I can feel the tress shedding their leaves
I see their tears fall...
The shadowed vines creep through our mind.
As memories slowly fade and die.
And yet there's no reply...
Dark skies, but still we dream of gleaming trees.
Our thoughts; Sacrifices to a parasite
How could we forget that sight?
When the skies closed their eyes.
I've been waiting to cry.
And yet there's no reply...
The trees of light stand now bare,
their leaves all shed.
bitterness...
Greys and Browns intensified.
Our spirits?
washed with the sterile rain
And yet there's no reply...
And the skies closed their eyes,
I've been waiting to cry.
And the skies closed their eyes,
I've been waiting to cry.
And the skies closed their eyes,
I've been waiting to cry.
Soprano voice by
Sofia ZaraniMusic, Orchestration, Production by
NikolasLyrics By
Lemmy and Binky with tiny adaptations by
NikolasVoice Recordings by
Studio Victory, Athens
(http://www.nikolas-sideris.com/cgempire/TFE1.png)(http://www.nikolas-sideris.com/cgempire/TFE2.png)
Me and Sofia, while listening back to the track Me and my engineer
WOW!
AWESOME!
It really looks like this game is gonna be one of the best AGS games ever!
I just have to play this game when it comes out!
Also, is there a way to give you guys some money support?
Also I havent noticed yet (though I been a bit lazy lately so havent checked in on games I looking forward to that much) any website?
(only a forum)
Do you have a website?
Peder.
It's a little... sophisticated* for my tastes, although I suspect it goes better in the soundtrack than stand-alone. Perhpas you should add a techno-drumtrack? ;)
* Deliberately discordant, in parts
Quote from: Peder Johnsen on Wed 17/01/2007 16:58:35
WOW!
AWESOME!
It really looks like this game is gonna be one of the best AGS games ever!
I just have to play this game when it comes out!
Also, is there a way to give you guys some money support?
Also I havent noticed yet (though I been a bit lazy lately so havent checked in on games I looking forward to that much) any website?
(only a forum)
Do you have a website?
Peder.
Well...thanks! :D we were thinking of adding a donate button onto the L&B site when we release the prologue, obviously we'd share anything we got with Nikolas. We've long ago realised our game would be a shadow of itself without the the music Nikolas has given us so far. Can only imagine how much the music will have driven the game by the end ;)
PS: Our sites:
http://nikolas-sideris.com
http://lemmyandbinky.blogspot.com
We've yet to make a super official Forgotten Element website :D too busy on the game. But will have one done for the prologue's release.
Cheers!
L&B
Thanks for the links!
And I guess there is no point in hurrying with a "super official" website!
It is the game that is important! :P.
Ok
Some more info for the games music.
I'm sure it's been mentioned before, that it will be interactive. Simply meaning: You move to a dangerous spot, music changes[/b] to spooky. Go back to safety, music switches[/b] back to normal.
Playing normally, will never give you the opportunity to listen a whole track at once. it will be changed a few times, here and there.
;)
Site...
At the moment the game is being kindly hosted at www.cgempire.com . there is a forum for The Forgotten Element. some info are there
very nice melody and everything the only thing i had a problem with was the reverb on the voice. i couldnt understand what she was saying it was so much. kinda sounded like she was recoded in a large open room
Thanks Da_Elf.
Sofia, is singing in a classical method in that song, and actual rather baroque like, so even without the reverb it would be difficult to make out the lyrics... :-/ it's the nature of the classical singers...
On the reverb itself, I do know it sounds a lot, but keep in mind, that she's in a concert hall along with a full orchestra of +70 players... ;)
Fantasticly atmospheric. I can't wait to hear more music for this project...Will be great to see how well the interactiveness of the music works when playing the game also.
This whole project really is shapeing up to be something quite special, from the art and animation to sound and story hints so far this is going to be such an amazing adventure :D
Keep the updates coming you guys! Always good to hear from you on here! I'll look forward to seeing a website up nearer the prologues release and I'll definately be chippin in a few £ when the prologues out and the donation button is up!
So even if the game stinks (In which it won't I'm sure), the music will be fantastic! ;D
well that helped pleurgburg ;) okay not true, the game was great, but the music so was what made me want to continue playing.if you can combine great graphics, with great music, plus a compelling storyline, plus well done puzzles, then baby you got a winner.
Quote from: ManicMatt on Sat 20/01/2007 22:30:46
So even if the game stinks (In which it won't I'm sure), the music will be fantastic! ;D
Ha ha, yeah! We'll try to make sure the game doesn't stink, but at the very least there'll be some nice music to listen to :D
Binky
I am very impressed by the level of professionalism in this game - and the music only serves to underscore that impression! I honestly don't see how the game could stink :)
Thank you guys!
Just a tiny word for the project: The music wouldn't be here if Lemmy and Binky were not the people who they are. I deeply value that! Further more everything in this project shines! Now enough self blessing I guess...
On a musical matter, I have agreed with Sofia that we will do more tracks for this game, with her. This means that you will get to enjoy her even more... At least I'm thrilled by this turn out! So is she, and Lemmy and Binky! You don't getvery often a live musican, in studio suroundings to do this for free...
So in other words a HUGE thank you to Sofia, for what she's done already, and what she will do inthe near future...
:)
(I think that the more I post, the more spammy my posts are turning... ugh!)
Okiedokie...
We've finally decided to bite the proverbial bullet and launch http://www.theforgottenelement.com!!!
We'll be continually updating this site as we saunter ever onwards towards the release of the prologue, with more little nuggets of story, screenshots, music and other news.
Hooray!
Captain Binky
Nice, very nice. The tools you're planning to release to us mortals sound like the nuts.
Something more for the game makers. Info on the in-development plugin used to get awesmoe AGS to do some extra stuff.
As development on The Forgotten Element continues, our plugins have developed to a point that they have been combined into a single plug-in called AGX.
AGX is an extension to AGS that provides many new features to the system. Some of the main features include:
New conversation and cutscene engine - A powerful XML driven cutscene / conversation system that allows more fluid conversations, easier logic handling, and more emotive animation to be quickly added to AGS games. Simple scripts control all character actions and are easily batch compiled into XML to be run by the engine. Example:
#1 EGO
[KnowAboutChicken!=true]Hello! How are you? (2)
[KnowAboutChicken==true]Tell me about the chicken. (3)
I better be going. (END)
#2 BOB
I'm fine.
[ Bob:ScratchAss ]
but this chicken is pissing me off.
[ Bob:Point ]
Watch as I point at the chicken whilst talking.
[ Bob:Normal ]
[KnowAboutChicken=true] (1)
#3 BOB
It's an evil chicken. From Mars, of all places.
[Bob:Shrug]
[ Walk( Bob, 10, 20 ) ]
[ Walk ( Bob, 50, 80 ) ]
[ GiveInventory( 5 ) ]
[ Wait( 20 ) ]
[ ShowOverlay( Banner1,Additive, 200, 300 )] (1)
This system allows you to easily add many different deeply branching conversations that change each time the conversation plays out, and seamlessly integrate conversations with cutscene actions and screen effects. Also has support for integer counters, to allow you to create dialogue puzzles in the scripts.
Multiple poses and gestures can be set up for each character, each with full in/out transitions, and speaking frames, allowing you to easily add lots of erm... character to them, switching between them fluidly without using reams of views and AGS script.
The system also allows multiple people to easily write cutscenes and conversations simultaniously outside the editor, and for musicians to place the music and sfx themselves independently of the coder/scripters.
AGX cutscenes also simulate blocking by turning off the mouse and GUI, but AGS is really not blocking, allowing it to run alongside AGS script, or have many AGX cutscenes running at the same time! (Imagine having a looping cutscene adjusting the transparency of a subtley changing shadow map, at same time as looping slightly rippling/fading in/out beams of light through a window, at the same time as looping a drunk snoring and coughing and hurling abuse at the barmaid, at the same time as looping a dog scampering about, at the same time as your main character's conversation)
Overlay / Particle system - Allows full 32bit animated alpha overlays with masks on screens, allowing you to do snazzy credits, lighting effects, rain, thunder, even saturate and desaturate portions the screen. All driven by the cutscene scripts.
DirectX Support - Allows you to run AGS through DirectX, utilising hardware acceleration for the overlay and particle system, and even allowing you to run 320x200 games on those pesky LCD screens.
Full game logging - AGX logs every action, conversation, and user interaction, all timed, allowing you to read exactly how play-testers experienced your game, and how long it took them to solve specific puzzles. Also allows focus testing by allowing play testers to hammer smiley icons during gameplay based upon their enjoyment/frustration which can be used to refine your gameplay / story.
Advanced Music System - Based on a system conceived by Vince Twelve and Nikolas, the music system in AGX allows for interactive music and more advanced mixing / blending than is available in AGS.
There are a few things left to do that mean it's not currently releasable, for example the conversation/logic system does not save into AGS save files yet, meaning essentially it's useless as it stands for use in a game. Clearly before the FE prologue is released, these will need to have been addressed, and we will begin public beta testing soon after.
Cheers!
lemmy101
Man. As much as Im looking forward to the game these plugins are what Im really after.
Sounds like some super powerfull tools. :=
Yeeeeeessssssss. 8)
Congrats on the website!!
And damn!
That plug in will be usefull!!
I hope it will be free!!! :P.
Looks like a plugin I need for my full length game :P.
- Peder.
Thanks! :) The plug-in, as with all the content we'll be providing (art assets etc) will be completely free! (For non-commercial use :))
L&B
Wow. What you've done so far is absolutely great. We'll hopefully see TFE in action soon. God luck with this project.
Jesus, I though the game was awsome enough, but that plugin...
:o
Great work with the website! At work at the moment but will check it out in much greater depth later!
Bit poor this month but when the Feb paycheck rolls in I#ll be sure to donate a few pennies to the cause :)
Keep up the stunning work you lot!
This plug-in is amazing! I really like the play tester logging. Makes solving bugs a lot easier, because you can see exactly what the person did, rather than trying to re-create what he did to run into the problem. The DirectX support, simplified cutscene programming, and 32-bit overlays are also awesome. I may not need to wait that long to create my game after all! ;D
I am also looking forward to playing the game. Keep up the good work! ;)
Thanks everyone for the lovely comments :D
sign up to the Beta Testing thread here:
http://www.cgempire.com/forum/showthread.php38
...to get the plugin earlier (not yet though :D)
PS: Thanks TastyCrisp. No pressure obv. we've technically released sod all yet :D but needless to say any contribution would be super fantastically appreciated :D
-
Hello!
Just wanted to let everybody, who might be in love with Mia (as I am), that in the games' site (www.theforgottenelement.com) you can download a wallpaper, featuring, who else? Mia!
Go on, you know you want to. ;)
Heh heh, cheers Nik!
Also, there's a couple more up there now including thus-far unspecified major character from Act 2, so that's a bit of a sneak peak of later acts :)
Cheers,
Cap'n Binky
A we still far off from the release of the first part of the game??? Any idea? I dunno how much longer I can wait....
I could go for the rather obvious sexual joke, but I won't... :=
I can only speak for the music, which is going rather well I reckon. Must be around 40% now... And lot more in my head. For the rest on which I'm not entirely responsible I can say that BGs are almost complete (I believe that 1 is pending), and furthermore all characters are drown... Now taken into account that Mia will have 8 direction walk, you can understand that animation is tricky. Script wise the game is currently playable begining to end, with some things pending though. New moduels, AGX, etc are almost complete...
I still don't dare to give an exact date, as these things tend to take a bad turn...
One note for the future is that many things will move faster for the next acts, as most things are already done, and will be used again to a certain extend...
-
hi, what software you use for character movements? veri nice and smooth frames.
All the animations were done in DPaint Animation (which utterly rules). I've used more frames in Mia's walk cycles than the other characters because she's the sprite you'll see the most.
CB
Hey, your portrait looks so much better than that one from Amazon Queen. it's obivous who is the better artist.
I have to say, this game is setting up well, most likely the best game of 2007? We'll have to see, but I'd bet on it, don't think anything will come close. Not that it's a competition. But it shows what professionals (right?) can do with AGS.
I am also glad you are doing the music nikolas, any game you work on should automatically get music award, so I'm glad you are working on your first ags game music wise! And that track is pretty darn nice with sofia. You are almost making it unfair for the other musicians.
On a scripting side, those plug-ins sound sublime lemmy. Your work will surely not go unappreciated, I'm sure a lot agsers would benefit from the graphics and plug-ins.
The animation is brilliant, if you don't win the animation award it'll be weirdly odd.
Goodluck to the team (lemmy, binky, and nikolas).
The Forgotten Element FTW
edit Quote from: Nikolas on Mon 19/02/2007 20:13:43, and furthermore all characters are drown...
Why did you drown all the characters? :-\
Thanks calacver...
Indeed it is great to get recognition and surely we love it the way you have taken into this game. One thing though (and I think I'm speaking for all of the team), is that we never ever discussed awards, or whatever, or best game and what not. We are all 3 hooked up with the game (and every time I get more info about future acts, I get more eager to get on with the project), so nothing else springs to mind... :)
Quote from: WebsiteNikolas had a new idea of how to implement interactive music, and through Lemmy and Binky's intense feedback and scripting it turned into the current system with mp3/ogg support.
So does this mean you also made a music system that works somewhat the same way as the one in MI2?
And will this also be aviable for the community?
Nice desktop images!
Peder.
Ace looking site, can't wait for your game to come out!
This game and the lost lagoon are my two most antisipated games. lets hope it IS the best game of 2007, (not the best game of say, 2010)
Thank you everybody for the kind words, your support means a lot to us!
Peder:
Some news on the music system. Big thanks go out to Vince Twelve for agreeing to let us include his funky (really) patented (not really) music system (used in the fantastic What Linus Bruckman Sees When His Eyes Are Closed (http://www.adventuregamestudio.co.uk/yabb/index.php?topic=29194.0)) in AGX (and TFE, for that matter).
Nikolas has made some of the interactive elements using this system and they work a complete charm! It has to be said, Peder, that any system that uses MP3 could never be as versitile as using MIDI like MI2, but regardless this system works incredibly well, with the obvious advantage that the game can use super beautiful MP3 music and not blippy MIDI, so for what Nik wants to do (and is doing) with the music this is clearly the best system we could have used. Thanks Vince!
I'll look to getting the DirectMusic support into AGX (i.e put aMuse into AGX, and finish it), but this will not likely be in the first release given we need to approach tasks for the plugin that help get TFE prologue out first and foremost.
Cheers everyone!
lemmy&binky
Thanx for the little update, Lemmy. I have to say that I am still DYING to play this game. I think '07 is gonna be a great year for AGS! Keep up the good work and nikolas, I'm sure the music is goin' to be surpurb!!!!!
This game looks extremely interesting. Graphics are top notch. Its also nice to see a female play the role instead of a male. Its a nice change of pace.
Say... how many MB long will each the Prologue and three acts be?
As low as possible, but at the end of the day we want to make the experience as good as possible. Won't be anything silly, but will likely be in the "large download" category if I'm honest. The whole 3 act game anyway.
I want to cry :( The game is about to be published and i don't want to challenge this beautiful game on AGS 2007 awards. Unfortunately, i will challenge and Forgotten Element is going to take all of the awards. On the other hand, i am very happy because i will play this game soon :) Congratulations sincerely.
What game are you making proximity?
Nevermind, I found out which your making. Looks nice!
Hello Lemmy&Binky. Can I just say "hurry up!" I'm dying with anticipation!
Yes, I'm here too. I'm everywhere...
I have to say, on the MB front it's going to be hard for you to keep the size down. Once music and sounds effects get added into the mix, the MB really start to add up. I have experienced this, and my game only has 8 rooms at the moment, and one music track.
Well...
About music, think of it this way more or less. Every minute of music can be around 1-1.5Mb... in ogg format (no touchy mp3). So I am actually looking at around 20-25 minutes of music, which means 30-40MB :-\ sound fx are never that big actually. I wouldn't expect them to be more than 5 MB in total, not only because of the length, but also because of the quality...
About the whole 3 acts + prologue, I don't think we can even make an estimation apart from "large download size" that lemmy said...
I'm not too fussed how large the download size will be, even if it was hitting a gig I'd still begin a download in an instant........
Still even if this is a large download maybe you could do something along the lines of if someone donates 'X' amount you'll post them a copy of the game on CD or something? I know there's some crazy rules and stuff surrounding effectively 'buying' a copy but Im sure people would be more than happy to cover costs of postage and cd if dial-up or download problems meant they couldn't actually grab the game.
Personally I miss buying pc games that come in big boxes with 50 page illustrated instruction booklets 5 disks and a whole bunch of other games related items (maps, collectors card etc.)....and although that's highly impractical would the team consider putting together some kind of 'pack' that could be 'obtained'? Because I know it would be awesome to actually have a copy of the soundtrack as an audio CD etc. as well as maybe some reprinted concept art stuff? I know in this digital age you can grab everything of the web anyways but still....it's nice to actually have hard copies of things too...and something looking this good surely deserves to be flattered with some realworld awesomeness
Anyways....I ramble...I know the final game is way off and there's so much to do without even considering stuff like this but just wanted to note some thoughts down as I really don't post on here as often as I should...
Keep up the great work!
Looking forward to seeing some more artwork / anything relating to The Forgotten Element soon!
TC
Quote from: TastyCrisp on Mon 26/03/2007 13:51:06
I'm not too fussed how large the download size will be, even if it was hitting a gig I'd still begin a download in an instant........
Good point. Why are we even discussing this. I'll download it even if it takes me a day.
And all the other things mentioned with regards to a "game pack" sounds cool. Binky, you could do those art tutorials I've nagged you about? :P And an audio CD would be a nice touch too.
Problem is, I think the Forgotten Element is supposed to be fundamentally a free game, and so this probably won't happen. Unless they are willing to do all the extras for free... likely!
Hello chaps!
One of the things me and Lemmy have discussed would be doing a snazzy boxed version of the complete game - with the actual game on it, the assets which we'll be giving away, our tool set (AGX and such like), and (with Nikolas' consent) an audio CD of the music. Since the game, assets, and tools are all free, all it would cost is the actual production costs of the box and CDs. So it'd be pretty cheap. :)
If I could get some tutorials together, then I'd be happy to include them... although to be honest, having the assets to muck around with as well as all the tutorial resources already floating around on the interweb I'm not sure how necessary it is that we make our own equivalents.
However, that's waaaaaaay down the line. Gotta finish all three acts and the prologue first ;)
Cheers for the feeback!
CB
Sounds really interesting. I like having games that come complete with box, cd-case, cd, map, music cd, manual, etc, etc..... Good luck on getting that proluge rolling out sometime in the not so distant future........
When will this game be finished? :'(
As soon as possible :'( we don't want to set a date until we know for sure. We're still trying for this year for the prologue. The end is certainly a lot closer than the start. :) Beyond this we wouldn't like to say. ASAP.
In other news, we've just recruited the wonderful Mai from CGEmpire as a writer. We know she'll add a lot to the dialogue in the game and will speed up development a great deal.
Yay!
lemmy
PS: Thanks thewalrus! :)
Well this shows promise..
good storyline + a chick with a small shirt = happy larry :=
Judging from the screenshot, the "forgotten element" is obviously the bra! ;D
Anyway, I am really looking forward to this game! The graphics look great, the story is intriguing and the soundtrack ... I think Nikolas is doing miracles again! I am looking forward to this game, although I must also protest against the degradation of women! ;)
Ariadne,
cheers for the kind words (and everyone else of course).
Because I'm from the inside I can tell you that, by all means, large breasts in this case mean nothing like what you think really. Additionally the fact that the new dialogue scipter (Mai from CGEmpire) is a female, should speak alone... ;)
Either way thanks guys...
On the music part:
I've had plenty of things on my plate lately (=past few months), thus I haven't done anything for TFE... (but the single with Sophia is not the latest track I did ;)). Furthermore the things I've asked lemmy to do are something on the difficult side of things (brrrrr). But he wants me happy ;D, what can I say really. :)
I really hope that production will speed up really soon. :)
I was listening to the soundtrack of the game and I was wondering who wrote this sh*% and I saw it was you Nikolas. Just kidding of course
* crowd puts stone down
I loved the music very good and atmosferic though can't tell if it will be right for the game, but i guess you know that. That reminds me of an experience I had...
*crowd picks up stone and ManicMatt takes the first hit.
Graphics: WOWZERS! (Sweet mother of mammaries! They're huge!!!)
You've got a really professional looking game coming up here. The characters are animated nicely and they fit in with the backgrounds, unlike so many other projects in this forum. Great work here.
Story: Nothing too new or amazing on the story part, but its a background story for a game, its not meant to be amazing. Its what happens in the game, and how well the game sucks its player into playing, what counts. You have a great thing going on in here, and I cant wait to get playing this one.
Indeed Great work with the game so far guys
The Graphics are fantastic :o 30,000 DD can't be bad
Cant wait til its out
Sin
Im hoping great things dor this game!!!
Thanks for the kind words guys, we're still hammering away at it and hoping for a 2007 release of the prologue. We've recently recruited a talented writer to help with dialogue scripting, and a very experienced sprite artist from CGEmpire (http://cgempire.com/forum) so hopefully they will speed things up a great deal.
Yay for speed! :)
Thank you all for your interest, it really does keep us going :D
Well, this was an interesting game. The graphic looks really professional and the story seems to be awesome. I can hardly wait for the prologue. Gimmie, gimmie, gimmie! I need some more! ;)
Howdy chaps! Just a quick update on our progress on the AGX Conversation/Cutscene Editor, which allows you to create cutscenes and conversations using actual Cole & Haag screenplay formatting with embedded script commands, meaning you can write your scenes in screenwriting software such as Final Draft, or write straight into the editor....
A picture is worth a thousand words:
(http://www.cgempire.com/forgottenelement/AGXScreen1Thumb.png)
Click to enlarge (http://www.cgempire.com/forgottenelement/AGXScreen1.png)
Also, you can look at the example script file by following this link:
http://www.cgempire.com/forgottenelement/Example.rtf (http://www.cgempire.com/forgottenelement/Example.rtf)
The example script above runs perfectly in AGX and allows for dialogue writers to add content externally without a copy of AGS or knowledge of game scripting, and allows musicians/ sound engineers to sync audio to events the game without AGS installed.
Commands can be typed in manually, or can be added with nice simple dialogs such as the "add pose" one here:
(http://www.cgempire.com/forgottenelement/PoseDialog.gif)
The XML data generated by the editor can be run by the AGX program directly, or packaged into a datafile and accessed from there for released games.
Progress on the game is... well progressing :) We're getting there!!! ;)
Thanks everyone for their patience! :)
Lemmy & Binky
Wow, I just read through that rtf file and it really put it in clear terms what AGX will be able to do (to be honest, I didn't really fully understand before ;)). It seems so easy to use, but gives you so many options to control your cutscenes just as you want them. Great job guys, and thanks for planning to make it available to everyone later on! :) (hurry up with that, okay? ;))
Looking good guys. I can't Wait!
Wow. Someone worked on a game so hard. I hope it's worth it.
This game looks exciting! I used to own "Indian Jones and the fate of Atlantis" back in the day. One of my first true point-and-click adventures.
Ever since Myst, I've lost my interest in them simply because in traditional style point-and-click adventures the artwork was more painted than 3d, giving it a different feel. Like you were in a book.
This game definetly seems to be going with that tradition. Can't wait to play it.
Oh yeah, also anxious to hear Nik's music as well!
Yeah this reminds me, when do I get to play with huge gigantic nurse tits?
I heard those tits are integral to the storyline.
Do I have to lick them or something?
I can't wait!
I was just thinking about the game yesterday, hoping all was still well. And I see it is! Can't wait to play it, and certainly can't wait to get my hands on those sexy plugins!
This game looks absolutely amazing! Especially the AGX module/plug-in you guys are developing. When TFE is all said and done, I think AGX itself deserves its own spot on the front page.
A question for lemmy & binky:
Is the AGX module/plug-in in its final form to what you guys need it to be to push forward on TFE? If so, will the community get to see how AGX works under the hood or will the community get it as-is? I'm sure many a-clever programmers (me excluded, unfortunately :-[ ) are probably interested to see if they can tweak AGX.
Edit:
After looking at screenshots of Mia, I'm guessing the overly tight clothing is to avoid difficult walk cycle animations? Then again, a long flowing dress like Nellie Cootalot's would totally avoid the need to animate feet. ;D
Quote from: Xyndicator on Thu 09/08/2007 20:38:44
This game looks absolutely amazing! Especially the AGX module/plug-in you guys are developing. When TFE is all said and done, I think AGX itself deserves its own spot on the front page.
A question for lemmy & binky:
Is the AGX module/plug-in in its final form to what you guys need it to be to push forward on TFE? If so, will the community get to see how AGX works under the hood or will the community get it as-is? I'm sure many a-clever programmers (me excluded, unfortunately :-[ ) are probably interested to see if they can tweak AGX.
We may well release the source code one day, but it would be unlikely to be until it had matured sufficiently (and we'd gone over it with a fine tooth comb tidying, possibly? ;))
More likely we would allow for custom AGX commands in AGS script, or/and add some kind of plug-in interface (plug-ins for plug-ins... geez ;)) but I dare say at some point in the future we'll probably just release the code. :)
Quote from: Xyndicator on Thu 09/08/2007 20:38:44
Edit:
After looking at screenshots of Mia, I'm guessing the overly tight clothing is to avoid difficult walk cycle animations? Then again, a long flowing dress like Nellie Cootalot's would totally avoid the need to animate feet. ;D
;)
(http://www.cgempire.com/forgottenelement/Mia_WalkR.gif)
Thanks everyone for the lovely comments! :)
Oh and m0ds, we said they were fully justified in the storyline ;D though if you want to lick them, make sure to dry the screen afterwards :p
Briliant game! Briliant animation and graphics!
I haven't heard much from you lately. What's the progress ? When is it going to be released ? Do you have anything new ? Please keep us updated lemmy. I've been waiting for sooooo long my favorite game :(
Hi guys, thanks for the interest! :)
There has quite a lot of progress in backgrounds and development of AGX, not anything we would like to show though as it's all either under the bonnet stuff, or spoilers.
Unfortunately real life commitments have meant we've not got a lot done lately. :( We're still working on it, and we'll never abandon TFE, but the sad truth of trying to juggle busy day jobs and such meant it's had to take the back seat in the last few months. :'( we've hardly updated our blog or anything either :(
We'll get back on the case soon though, promise! :)
We all wait with baited breath. You can do it!
The graphics are very well-done, despite the uhmmm objectificaion.
I want to ask something about the graphics. How do you call your drawing style ? Does it have an any name in the art drawing ?
Well, as far as it is not a "graphic question" but an "art question". I should say that those graphics could be called "Realist". But as far as these are dynamic graphics rather than static pictures, we could call them "Dynamic Realism".
And due to those are low-res graphics it could be "Dynamic Pixelated Realism" or "Low-Res Dynamic Realism"
But as far as I know about art this could be a entirely new kind of artistic conception.
Quote from: proximity on Fri 14/12/2007 18:05:14
I want to ask something about the graphics. How do you call your drawing style ? Does it have an any name in the art drawing ?
I'm afraid I have no terms for it, it's just how it turns out :)
It's Lemmy&Binky-style if you want to call it anything :D
Update: Things are still progressing - no final date as yet though, but the interest in the game is appreciated :)
Graphics are brilliant. Wish I could draw like that.
Main character is a wee bit Lara Crofty though... Suppose it's at least original for an adventure game (anything but the down-on-his-luck, unemployed/not-too-well-off male in his early-to-mid-twenties... like 90% of the games out there)
I hope there's a nipples easter egg. Or nudity patch. Otherwise I guess I'll have to try and enjoy the story or something.
:P
Quote from: m0ds on Wed 06/02/2008 22:05:42
I hope there's a nipples easter egg. Or nudity patch. Otherwise I guess I'll have to try and enjoy the story or something.
:P
Seems like there's something else you could be doing than watching 16-bit porn.
Like... watching HD-quality porn :P
Sorry dude, 15 second clips all the way :=
Quote from: m0ds on Wed 06/02/2008 22:15:34
Sorry dude, 15 second clips all the way :=
You're quite obviously a noob in the art of porn-theft :P
(Hey, I'm not going to encourage the exploitation of desperate women by giving my money to the porn industry... I'm a freedom fighter!)
I'm deeply disturbed on how an extra three pixels to the chest can get you guys so riled up.
Crazy, it's not every day an AGS game features a protagonist that puts Lara to shame...every time this thread crops up, I can't help but let things in my pants crop up too. Don't blame me, blame the developers. :P
I don't understand why she doesn't just wear a bigger shirt which she can actually button up...
Because then her breasts wouldn't be visible. She has nice breasts. :-\
...
I like...breasts.
...
Quote from: LimpingFish on Sat 09/02/2008 20:09:19
Because then her breasts wouldn't be visible. She has nice breasts. :-\
...
I like...breasts.
...
You realise 'she' is a drawing, right? :P
Quote from: Emerald on Sat 09/02/2008 14:40:46
I don't understand why she doesn't just wear a bigger shirt which she can actually button up...
Because this shirt was the only one she could find!!!!!!!!! :O The other shirt was regular size and that wouldn't show her breasts as this one does. ;)
That or the graphic artis has an obsession with boobs... (healthy obsession if you ask me! ;D)
Quote from: Emerald on Sat 09/02/2008 20:17:01
You realise 'she' is a drawing, right? :P
Yes, and as such, "she" has no concept of bashfulness, and is therefore immune to the unctuous rumblings of those that seek to suppress her sexuality.
Cleavage. Breasts. Hurrah!
Lol, "unctuous rumblings"... you did a funny...
Anyway, for some reason I've always felt the need to keep 'emotional narrative' and 'large, physically imposing breasts' apart... They just don't really seem to go together...
I think the developers have heard quite enough from all of you. I fully support their decision to make the game they want to make.
BUT GEEZ! I think they've heard enough, don't you? I think they GET THE POINT! No matter how many jokes you make, they're still gonna make the game this way, so just leave it alone unless you have something constructive and NEW to say.
You aren't even paying attention to the other characters, the gorgeous backgrounds, the orchestrated music....the breasts are very nice and all, but they're hardly the BIGGEST part of the game. (pun not intended)
Quote from: Fawfulhasfury on Sun 10/02/2008 19:48:43...all of you...
BUT GEEZ! I think they've heard enough, don't you? I think they GET THE POINT! No matter how many jokes you make, they're still gonna make the game this way, so just leave it alone unless you have something constructive and NEW to say.
Thanks for the kind support! :)
But don't worry. We don't mind this tease about the boobs etc. :) We kid around ourselves all the time, it's no problem really. :)
http://www.adventuregamestudio.co.uk/yabb/index.php?topic=25372.0
Almost two years have passed, and the breasts are still raising eyebrows.
Yes, I said EYEBROWS! >:(
Lemmy, Binky, and Nik have always had my full support, and will continue to.
And anytime breasts, in general, get a bad press, I will be there. Proud and erect.
...
Standing erect, you filthy-minded people! >:(
Quote from: LimpingFish on Sun 10/02/2008 22:21:16
And anytime breasts, in general, get a bad press, I will be there. Proud and erect.
Mine too... I mean, me too.
Go on with this jewel!
I'm really trying hard to come up with a reason her breasts are directly linked to a number of important plot details...
Are there aliens in there, that burst out and go on a rampage? Or maybe she's the alien, and she was designed to efficiently attract men, like in Species.
Anyway, I disagree with the whole 'objectifying of women' argument - there's women in this world with large boobs. Which means that it's perfectly realistic to have a character with big boobs. And even if you do objectify her you can say you're doing it to prove a point.
The thing I don't really like is the fact that they seem sort of out-of-place. (This is also one of the reasons I hate anime)
They are kind of noticeable. Almost to the point of being ridiculous.
I mean, the Tomb Raider series has some serious plots, but there's always that undercurrent of playful sexuality, even when she's slaughtering a platoon of mercenaries with a pair of pistols... (Then, when she's finished, there will be a cutscene which zooms in on her ass for five minutes...)
Emerald,
Honestly.
If you think about it, this game is ABOUT this heroine! It is ABOUT a girl, who is the main character. So she is hardly being treated as an object! Second, you don't know the story behind the game (this is the prologue you're seeing here) and you don't know why she is this way.
Did you read the link, kindly provided by limpfish? (thanks limpy ;))
QuoteI think they GET THE POINT!
And luckily we get two very well defined points ourselves.
;)
Quote from: Nikolas on Tue 12/02/2008 14:45:15
If you think about it, this game is ABOUT this heroine! It is ABOUT a girl, who is the main character. So she is hardly being treated as an object! Second, you don't know the story behind the game (this is the prologue you're seeing here) and you don't know why she is this way.
Did you read the link, kindly provided by limpfish? (thanks limpy ;))
I don't think you read my post very carefully. I totally accept the choice of a large-breasted protagonist, and I'm sure she's not being objectified. Even if she is, you can say that it's a literary device you're using to hold a mirror up to modern social standards and make people reflect on what it really means to be a woman in a man's world.
And I did read the link. Binky really kicked that self-righteous guy's ass on that blog of his...
Anyway, the thing I don't understand is you keep saying 'her boobs fit into the story', yet I really can't see how that could work. I have never heard of a body part being an important part of any story, unless you count the end of the Crying Game...
All this talk of objectifying women, do you not think some people are 'objectifying' Lemmy and Binky's hard work? You are looking at the features their character and making assumptions as to their intentions, but, more annoyingly I think, you are taking the face-value of their game and making assumptions about what they wish to achieve with it. I think they really want to make a fun game as a challenging project, and I think they have created an interesting and engaging story. All this talk of breasts and immaturity is masking how mature they want their game to be, and its real purpose as a serious adventure game.
Now, you could say that Lemmy and Binky are not doing themselves any favours by designing their main character so... However I'm sure there is good reason, and the immediate, pathetic screeching it produces from some people doesn't do those 'some people' and favours either.
There are more serious places to be targeting inequality speeches, etc. Where they are really needed.
P.S. The game looks lovely, hurry up! :D (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dEtm_Q2LK9g)
I probably didn't read your post right then... Whoops... (<-this is turning out to be my favourite word after all! :D)
Serious as the game may be, gigantic breasted women walking around scantily clad in jungles & coastlines still has a very silly edge to it. But I don't see anyone complaining. No-ones hijacked this thread to demand her boobs be downsized. As far as I can see it the most of us "silly peoples" are just having a laugh. I'm sure if I made a game with a guy with a huge buldge in his pants then there'd be plenty of immature comments. And that's great. It's publicity afterall, and I'm sure Lemmywinks & Binky really don't mind so much :) And if they did, they would've deflated her long, long ago. Now, personally, I can't help it. I will continue to be silly and crack jokes about her massive knockers because they've given me reason too. Not because I don't like what they've done or disagree. They've just put big bouncy jubbly things on my agenda. HOORAY
Quote from: markbilly on Tue 12/02/2008 15:11:15
All this talk of objectifying women, do you not think some people are 'objectifying' Lemmy and Binky's hard work?
However I'm sure there is good reason, and the immediate, pathetic screeching it produces from some people doesn't do those 'some people' and favours either.
Of course, the inevitable "Can't we all get along" Speech...
Just once I'd like to have an intelligent debate without someone getting all up-in-arms over their own half-baked perception of what the point of it is...
'Pathetic screeching'. Your self-righteous attitude appalls me foul knave... :P
What I don't get is why people who find they dislike something in a game (a game they haven't even played yet) try their damndest to be vocally opposed to get it changed rather than just, you know, play another game or accept that this is how the designer wanted things to be. As a people we've become too demanding on others to kowtow to our own personal perceptions of what is good and right, and that's just not acceptable to me. Please stop discussing this issue, since Lemmy and Binky have made it abundantly clear that they will make the game the way they want regardless of the boob-critique. It's really just dragging this thread off topic and wasting pages and bandwidth. Thanks.
Quote from: m0ds on Tue 12/02/2008 15:39:05
... I don't see anyone complaining. No-ones hijacked this thread to demand her boobs be downsized. As far as I can see it the most of us "silly peoples" are just having a laugh.
As a woman with pride and dignity (and smaller sized-boobs), I demand that this endowed-breasted pixelated b*tch be downsized this instant!! It's a... an insult to us all!! I won't stand for it!!!!! >:( >:( >:(...
...
...
Nah, just kidding! :PI Couldn't care less if she had a giant penis stuck in the middle of her forehead. I love, love, love the graphics and I can't wait to try out this wonderful game. I'm so glad that the main character is female, it seems not to happen too often these days, so it's a treat for guys AND girls. Whoever makes the backgrounds and sprites for this game is doing an incredible job, the story is interesting, I bet the programing will be superb -- and with Nikolas on board for the music, it will be sensational!!
Keep up the awesome work you guys!!
P.S. I've downloaded the large-scale wallpaper from your site yesterday and it's now my desktop wallpaper, I got to say my husband is quite the fan of boobs too. (I don't mean that I get turned on by big boobs... I don't mind them, but... um, I don't fantazise about them. Uh, oh geez. I'm going to shut up now.)
Glad to see there's progress being made on this game! I've been looking forward to it for a long time.
This has gotten way outta control ...
Any more discussion/talk of the boobs/breasts whatever ... will be deleted with no warning. So don't waste your time and stop cluttering up this thread with the same stuff that was talked about FOREVER ago.
I like the guy's coat (the one standing next to the woman with the... brown hair). Looks like Neo's from the Matrix...
You know what I like? And liked from the very first minute on- the very day I stumbled over TFE?
That superb blue-on-black line of trees, with the girl curled up among the roots. I believe that games come with a hook, with a first impression that either drags your interest or fails to flare the spark, and I was surprised that such a simple, placative image made me seek more information. It was *fitting*. It summoned pictures into the creaking cinema of my brain.
When this thread grew larger, I was equally impressed by the skillful little insights into the game's story via newspapers and reports. Let's face it, L&B managed to keep a tight lid on the actual game story, but the little tasters they gave, they all add up to a Ghost with great hopes and expactations.
So all in all, we have here a game that is much talked about, without too much known about it, and all for the better I believe. Just let me get the line out: I wish you all the best of luck, and I am eager to learn what the story will be that started with a silhouette in the dark.
Has there ever been a game on this forum that has had as many pages in its thread as FE does?
Tits :D
Quote from: Emerald on Fri 15/02/2008 19:39:09
Has there ever been a game on this forum that has had as many pages in its thread as FE does?
LOTLL (Legend of the Lost Lagoon - edited by Darth) should at least be close. Quality *does* produce quantity.
Hey everyone! Thanks again for the lovely comments! Just to let you all know things are still progressing. Work comes in fits and starts around our stupidly hectic lives, but it will be done one day hopefully sooner rather than later! ;)
Thanks Ghost for all the kind words on the "hooks" of TFE, we're glad you like the tasters and that they have done the job of spiking interest, sometimes we feel a bit sad that most of the interest is in Mia's chest rather than all that stuff so great to hear you point that out! :)
Anyway wish this coulda been an "it's nearly nearly done!" post but alas it's not yet. The end is in sight but there is a lot to do to get it right yet, as often is the case it took longer than we expected (we shoulda known better really ;)) but we'll stick with it until it's done. Never take lack of information or posts of progress as TFE being abandoned or forgotten about (no pun intended). If there's one thing we consider something we must accomplish it is this game, which is more reason we need to make sure it is as good as we can possibly make it.
Thankies everyone!
L&B
It's good to know that this game is still in production and not forgotten! :)
Quote from: Iv4n on Sun 17/02/2008 21:40:56
It's good to know that this game is still in production and not forgotten! :)
Forgotten Element Forgotten? Never.
Just a quick announcement to say we're mighty proud to welcome to the newest member to the Forgotten Element team:
MashPotato!
Yay! Mash is going to lend her awesmoe art talents to the game and has already come up with some great stuff! :)
Hello Mash! :D
Glad to be part of the team! :D
*puts banner in sig as final rite of passage* ;)
That's great news- congratulations on such a select team!
GAH!
Now MashPotato on graphics as well!? :D
This game excites me more and more.
Hey, it's good to see you got a new artist. I know it's got to be hard with only two people on your team.
HEY! >:(
3! 3 persons on the team!
And now with Mash onboard there's 4, and a few more helping out as well!
;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
Oh BTW:
Quote from: MashPotato on Fri 22/02/2008 00:27:27
*puts banner in sig as final rite of passage* ;)
I won't change MY signature! Not by a million! :D
Forgotten Element update! Woo!
Well, Mash has been doing some fab work on the backgrounds repairing some of the ones I did that were a bit pap, Philip is on the case with a couple of the remaining scenes, and I've been doing walkcycles (oh joy!).
Nickenstien has been busy integrating particle effects into our AGX system so very (very very) soon they'll all be up and running within AGS itself, woo! That also means we can convert some of our software rendered effects into DirectX now that CJ has released v3 of AGS.
The prologue has ended up slightly larger than we anticipated (still just a slice of the full game mind) but we hope it's going to be worth it. All this extra work we've had to do for the prologue has meant that Act1, 2, and 3 dev time should be significantly reduced so the full complete game should be out sometime this century :D
Wish us luck...
Lemmy&Binky
I wish you guys luck, because if you guys have luck I'll be lucky enough to play an excellent adventure game.
Im sure at this point, it will be amazing ;D
Thx for the update!
Whoot! & goodluck :)
Just a quick post to say. HURRAY!
We now have fully functional DirectX particle system in AGX, meaning The Forgotten Element now has an uber lovely 32bit rain effect.
(http://www.cgempire.com/forgottenelement/town_rain.png)
Huzzah!
Thanks go to Nickenstien for his tireless efforts over the past few weeks getting this into AGX (and thanks to CJ for implementing DX9 in the first place!). Also note some lovely Mash characters now inhabiting Littleroot Town. Huzzah!
L&B (+N+M+N)
Looks outstanding. Great work you guys.
What exactly is AGX, btw? Is it an AGS Plugin you guys have developed for your productions?
Edit: Is it possible, with your particle tool, to have slower rain dripping off the parts of the building to simulate running water? I think that, along with subtle splash particles for the ground, will beef up this scene even more!
Cheers,
Paul.
Hi subspark!
First of yes, it's possible to do whatever particles we want... some scenes have single drops dripping through the trees, we have steam, fire and all sorts all running through the same system... and we're planning on having water guttering off corners of roofs in the final thing. :) There are also splashes in it already, they're just notoriously difficult to catch in single screenshots but are quite clear when it's running.
We'll look at getting a youtube video up of the rain in action.
re: AGX, we've basically added a new conversation / cutscene engine around AGS in a plugin, along with an editor for editing dialogue / cutscene scripts in Cole & Haag movie screenwriting format:
(http://www.cgempire.com/forgottenelement/AGXScreen1Thumb.png)
Click to enlarge (http://www.cgempire.com/forgottenelement/AGXScreen1.png)
You can look at the example script file by following this link:
http://www.cgempire.com/forgottenelement/Example.rtf (http://www.cgempire.com/forgottenelement/Example.rtf)
(http://www.cgempire.com/forgottenelement/PoseDialog.gif)
It allows for "Poses" to be set up, to allow characters to move in and out of poses, along with transition frames and speaking frames (like):
(http://www.cgempire.com/forgottenelement/lemmyandbinky/Mia_Posed.gif)
:)
As well as a 16 channel music blending system, asyncronus script processing, 32bit overlay system with blend modes such as additive, subtractive, modular etc. Soon we're planning pixel shader support, to allow for gaussian blur, bloom and other real-time postprocessor effects.
It will, of course, be released as soon as we've got it to a level where we're happy to release it. :) Thanks for your interest!
lemmy&binky
WOW... :o
What wouldnt we all give for a nice youtube demonstration of the rain in action ;D ;D ;D
Hmmm maybe :D
We'll see what we can do.
This "Pose setup" really sounds very useful- I read you right that, after delivering TFE, you will make this public? Sounds almost too good to be true :o
As a programming acolyte I'd like to know, how do you develop these tools? Are that plugins, or do you write programs that create, I do not know, the proper AGS code and copy'n'paste it, somehow, into the files?
I thought that this is as good a time as any for me to say say......HI! :)
Loads of work has been underway with TFE and AGX at the L&B HQ (does this sentence need any more acronyms?), and it is playing/looking/sounding BRILLIANT! So I am rather excited about it, and very glad to be involved! :D
It's a pleasure to work with such a talented bunch! *High fives to Lemmy, Binky, Mash & Nikolas* You guys are all so damned talented! :D
Also, as I have been developing the DirectX graphical effects engine for the AGX system, I must give another *high five* to CJ for his Plug-in/DLL support in AGS. The interface for DLL's within AGS is great!
So, errrr, yeah....... HI! To everyone! ;)
AGX consists of two plug-in DLLS, one for the DirectX overlay effects, and one for the conversation/cutscene engine.
There is then an AGS module which communicates with these two DLLs, so everything can be done with calls such as:
AGX.Start("Town/ThunderLoop");
AGX.Start("Town/Music1");
AGX.Start("Town/OldWomanIdleLoop");
AGX.AddEmitter("Rain1", 50, 20, 800, -15);
AGX.AddEmitter("RainSplashes", -10, 100, 800, 140);
AGX.AddEmitter("Steam2", 125, 240, 10, 10);
AGX.SetLogic("EnteredTown", "first");
The editor is written in C# in Visual Studio, and has no physical connection to AGS or AGX (beyond the files it spits out, which as xml and loaded by the AGX plugin) but we're working on integrating the editor into the AGS 3.0 editor, with CJ's help, so that AGX scripts will appear in their own category in the tree in the 3.0 editor! :)
And yes. Everything we do will be released for use by the AGS community. Also once the entire 3 acts are out and released, we'll be releasing all art, backgrounds, sprites, animations, effects, in their source formats for use by the community for free for non-commercial use. :)
That's some way off yet, though. But the initial release of AGX should be well within this year (we won't hold out on the plug-ins for all three acts ;)) , as we also should release the prologue. Okay, we've said "this year" a few times since 2006 but hell we're feeling like we're getting close, finally! :)
Thanks!
L&B
You certainly have a great attitude towards game development and the AGS community. I commend you for that. I wish I could donate some cash or something to help move you guys along this busy path. Got an official website for TFE?
A million cheers,
Paul. :)
Hi Subspark!
Thanks for the kind words - we sure appreciate it and it helps keep us motivated. It really feels like we're beginning to get onto the home stretch now.
We do have a website, it's http://www.theforgottenelement.com (http://www.theforgottenelement.com) although we haven't updated it for a while (it still says it'll be released in 2007 - whoops!) - we'll do this as soon as we can squeeze some time in :D
Where are the rest of the bank holidays when you need them?
Cheers,
Cap'n Binky
I have to agree with subspark. You're definately the team with the best take on professionalism and with one of the greatest attitudes I've witnessed here on AGS, at least concerning non-commercial ventures. I like that you're raising awareness by progress rather than hype. Oh, and the project looks great :).
I'll chime in- the offer to provide these tools alone is amazing. And with such a promising game to back you up, more power to you!
oh it's raining so i think it's cold but she's still nude lol
Looks super! Cannot wait! This game and Da New Guys: DOTJ are what I really want to play.
Thanks guys for the lovely comments!
Just a quick post to say tonight we cracked the final technological hurdle in getting the existing overlay system (used for credits, logos, lighting effects, etc) over to DX9 to run alongside the new particle system, along with a new text rendering engine for doing dialogue choices in AGX. This is officially the last big programming thing that is required for the prologue! Everything else is pretty much sparkly bells and whistles! :)
That said a fair bit of work is still needed on the scripting / dialogue side, the prologue has grown a great deal as we've gone on...but we're getting closer than ever now!
/party!
(http://img167.imageshack.us/img167/1711/sa0349smallqq1.jpg)
(http://www.scienceyear.com/parents/party_time/images/party_time_top.gif)
Paul.
Go TFE Team! Thanks so much for updating AGS. Your game is awesome for it's pixels alone. It might be one to bring Old School adventure games game into style.
This one looks great cant wait ti try it out. Keep up the good work guys ;)
This game looks great and all, but where are her shoes?
What are you going to do about all this Xna crap?
QuoteThis game looks great and all, but where are her shoes?
And her raincoat? She must be freezing out there. Have you guys set up scene dependent costumes or do you have another governing system?
Cheers,
Paul.
Quote from: dirk delshire on Tue 01/04/2008 10:50:43
What are you going to do about all this Xna crap?
I'm sure we'll scrape by! ;)
Quote from: subspark on Tue 01/04/2008 11:13:16
QuoteThis game looks great and all, but where are her shoes?
And her raincoat? She must be freezing out there. Have you guys set up scene dependent costumes or do you have another governing system?
Cheers,
Paul.
Trust us when we say this point does not go unaddressed, no pun intended. :)
QuoteThis game looks great and all, but where are her shoes?
Why d'you think the game is called The Forgotten Element? :P
The new screenshot with the rain looks fantastic. Really looking forward to this!
Lovely screenshot!
Lovely characters!
Amazing plugin!
Amazing team!
I CANT WAIT! ;D.
We are getting a brilliant/pro looking game and an amazing plugin!
I must say I am REALLY amazed by all the work you have done!
And I think when the plugin gets released it will help making other "good looking" games even better!
And as ive said before I KNOW I will use it for my future games!
Peder Johnsen.
Quote from: CaptainBinky on Mon 20/02/2006 13:59:46
(http://www.cgempire.com/forgottenelement/Mia_WalkR.gif)(http://www.cgempire.com/forgottenelement/NurseWalk.gif)(http://www.cgempire.com/forgottenelement/lemmyandbinky/Mia_Posed.gif)
The middle one is a different woman right?
Yep! ;)
(and thanks Peder! :D)
Game looks Amazing!
I can't wait to see what the coat hanger is used for since this is a Doctor theme... LOL
(http://www.cgempire.com/forgottenelement/images/FE_Corridor.png)
Quote from: skitzo on Tue 01/04/2008 20:05:52
I can't wait to see what the coat hanger is used for since this is a Doctor theme... LOL
Emergency tracheotomy?
Improved wire for a defibrillator?
Lockpicking?
Hanging clothes?
Her boobs are alittle TOO big.
But I will still play it, it looks great!
Are you guys DOA fans? LOL
Hello chaps and chapettes,
Thought you might like to see our all-new Prologue Title Screen hot off the press...
(http://www.cgempire.com/forgottenelement/images/mia_titlescreen.jpg)
Thanks for all the interest! :D
L&B
Title screen looks very nice :)
Cant wait to play this one.
Hate to bring up that part of her anatomy again, but despite the fire in the background I get the impression she's very cold... But there's nothing wrong with that of course.
Ok, one point of serious criticism (despite this not being the critics lounge): the end of her hair looks a little odd, unless that's her shirt.
Looking good though, along with the everyone else on this forum, I'll play this.
Very nice work, as usual.
And another reason why this is one of the few AGS game currently in production that I can wholeheartedly say I'm eager to see released.
As I've said in the past, the whole project has a very European feel to it; the sort of thing you could easily see a "Metal Hurlant" logo on the cover of.
Awesome. :)
Quote from: LimpingFish on Fri 04/04/2008 20:11:13
As I've said in the past, the whole project has a very European feel to it; the sort of thing you could easily see a "Metal Hurlant" logo on the cover of.
Prolly cause Binky, Lemmy, me and Nick are all in the UK. ;) Of course Mash has joined in, which is only great, but she's Canadian!
Anyways, thanks for the interest, it only makes us work harder. :) Really, thank you!
u didn't answer someones question above...
what program did you draw the graphics in???
Quote from: Nagania on Fri 04/04/2008 22:58:13what program did you draw the graphics in???
Sorry, I must have missed the question. I've actually answered this on the first page already but it's got a bit buried now ;)
We're using a combination of DP Animation, DP II Enhanced and Photoshop. Mostly, Photoshop & DP II for the backgrounds and DP Animation for the sprites.
Sorry this may be a stupid question but I am kind of new to all of this. What is DP?
Deluxe Paint :)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deluxe_Paint
sorry, didn't see it on the first page...
is it free????
looks quite cool
Quote from: Nagania on Sun 06/04/2008 05:02:35
sorry, didn't see it on the first page...
is it free????
looks quite cool
Please take this line of questioning into PMs so as to not clutter up this thread.
Keep up the good work TFE-Team!!
Cheers,
Paul.
Edit: LINKS TO DP REMOVED
I didn't say his question was un-reasonable ... but it was answered and back-n-forth at this point (such as "thanks, blah blah blah") will just clutter up this thread (as does me having to explain this over and over again).
Not to mention that the question didn't need to be asked as the answer was already provided if he had read the thread entirely. Either way, now it's definitively answered so no more on this subject!
Also, subspark, neither of those links work!
AGX plugin update guys and gals! :)
We've finally got the AGX editor integrated into AGS, which has allowed us to interface with AGS more closely and to provide the AGX script editor with funky features such as:
Visual character positioning
When you add a teleport, walkto, or pose change to the AGX script, it will display the target room and allow you to click/drag or nudge the character to their target position (Click for full image)
(http://www.cgempire.com/forgottenelement/AGXUpdateThumb.gif) (http://www.cgempire.com/forgottenelement/AGXUpdate.gif)
All characters present in the room according to the currently edited script will be displayed in their current pose and position, so you can align them up perfectly in cutscenes without ever having to edit X, Y coordinates again! It can also display walkable areas to aid in placing your characters, and even obeys character scaling set up for walkable areas!
Thanks to CJ for the awesmoe plugin interface!
Thats all folks! :)
Will keep you posted on any new additions as and when they go in! :)
L&B Team
Awesomeness- continue this, and your release will justify a version 4 ;D
No, seriously, there are a lot of interesting and useful little ideas bundled in your system. Promising stuff, I can't wait!!!
And I hear you are making a game too ;)
I have absolutely no problem with European women. ;D
I love Zoe Castillo(Dreamfall) better in the original artwork then the in game model. Kate Walker(Syberia) is also very alluring in all her French beauty.
I love how user friendly you've made your plugin. I can understand visuals far better then text.
The plugin sounds so absolutely neato :D.
Godspeed!
Indeed godspeed guys, brilliant work. Well deserved credit for your magnificent leaps and strides! Congrats team!
Cheers,
Paul.
Thanks guys! Your supoprt means a lot! We've added zoom, character scaling and walkable area support now :) Refresh the images to see.
L&B Team
Can. not. WAIT. for this game.
Im looking very much forward to playing it, and perhaps even more to getting to use the AGX plugin. That thing looks sweet!
Another AGX update guys! :) Announcing the latest addition to the AGX toolset in its early stages of development:
DP AGX!
Click for full image.
(http://www.cgempire.com/forgottenelement/dpagxscreenthumb.gif) (http://www.cgempire.com/forgottenelement/dpagxscreen.gif)
A faithful recreation of Deluxe Paint Animation on Windows for the first time! along with functionality to create and export animations straight into AGX + AGS, it loads and saves Deluxe Paint Animation ANM files (along with other common formats), Wacom pad pen pressure support, multiple undo/redo, and will hopefully be a competitive free pixel-art program with lots of AGS specific functionality.
We're adding features that we need for development, but we hope ultimately it will contain most, if not all, of the DPaint Animation functionality, and we'd like to get layers and other cool features in there too. :) With the option of having it seperate or integrated fully into AGS.
W00t! :)
Thanks!
To subspark: I'm not 100% sure, but I don't actually think that DPaint was ever made officially public domain and EA still retain the rights, unfortunately. :( Which is some of the reason we undertook this DPAGX project (apart from being able to add some modern features to it)
L&B Team
Jaw, meet floor. You guys do remember that you were working on a game, too right? ;)
:D hehe yup. progress is thundering along. We're just investing time that will cut down on TFE development as much as possible over the three acts with the happy side effect of some cool stuff we can release to the community.
Thanks! :)
L&B Team
Thanks Lemmy. I've taken down the links to the protected software.
Cheers,
Paul.
Basically...
Oh my God.
Now this is taking dedication to another level.
Awesome.
Quote from: Ben304 on Tue 22/04/2008 04:11:06
Basically...
Oh my God.
Now this is taking dedication to another level.
Awesome.
I will second that :o
DP AGX! That's so awesome! :D
You people are amazing, can't wait for the game and AGX!
Thanks chaps! There's a fair bit left to do to DP, but because features are implemented in order of features that we personally use in Electronic Art's DPA, it's not far off being completely useable. Things like the perspective tool (and smear / smudge brushes - but heck - who uses them in DP???) will be further down the line.
Ta,
L&B
I simply don't deserve this.
wow! great! i've been wating for a remake of dp for years! in the original dp iv there seem to be no way to work with my intuos 3 in the program.
awesome news! any release dates?
We think an early alpha of DP will be released before any of the other tools, or TFE Prologue itself. Just... when it's ready! :) The first version will be missing some features but will hopefully have most things pixel artists commonly use. :)
You guys are awesome! I've been using MS Paint to draw my sprites and Photo Shop to convert them, but now I will happily be able to do both in AGX. If all you did was make updates to AGS I'd be happy with that alone.
Another DP update peeps! :) (yeah yeah I know, it's just we're rapidly approaching the point where showing anything more of TFE prologue itself we'll be giving too much away)
Click for full image.
(http://www.cgempire.com/forgottenelement/DPScreenThumb.gif) (http://www.cgempire.com/forgottenelement/DPScreen.gif)
Note the added features:
* Layers support. They behave very much like photoshop, with locking transparency etc to come.
* Full history support. Ultimately it will allow you to save out an animated gif of the history of single frame pics to allow for step-by-step WIP animations of pixel art.
* DP style palette editor, at the moment allows editing, and spread/ramp between two colours in RGB or HSV colour spaces. Will eventually have drag/drop palette editing and remapping to allow you to easily reorganise and tidy your palette, as well as a bunch of auto sort modes and other cool features.
Other planned features include onion-skinning, slices (setting up marquis areas across frames to export frames to specific filenames or hopefully straight into AGS)
Thanks again for all your support!
L&B Team
(note to mods, would there be a better place to put this stuff? I know it's technically not written *in* AGS like SSH walkcycle generator, but would it be better to have a GiP thread for it as it's not strictly TFE, or is it fine here?)
Fantastic work Lemmy. Your DP program really shows promise to those who desire that retro adventure look. Bravo! Bravo!
Cheers,
Paul.
nice it looks like a high quality game.....
I will track this game....
keep it up.. you're doing a fine job.
Any updates gentlemen? We're just dying for a new screenshot or two! :P
Cheers,
Paul.
On my behalf there is a delay.
I'm moving across countries, trying to finish my PhD, and generally I'm keeping myself extremely busy! On the downside is the fact my whole studio is currently (and for the last month) in boxes traveling across most of Europe. No chance to test anything yet! :( And my house is NOT yet ready!
So I'm commenting that I'll be... late... :-\ (but I'll be there...)
Sorry...
QuoteSo I'm commenting that I'll be... late... Undecided (but I'll be there...)
Be where exactly? No offense but are you in the right thread? I think your referring to Mittens but I can't be sure. Please clarify.
Cheers,
Paul.
Nik's the musician for TFE, Subspark ;D
Speaking from the art side, things have been a bit busy for us lately, but we hope to go back on full speed ahead soon :)
lol...
What Mash says. I write the music of the game and haven't done much (read: anything) for the past few months really. But I do hope to get back on track later on this year, to get this baby (not Mia) rolling and finally finished and released. TFE is not dead! :)
Oh hehe. I know what you mean.
If only we could reverse the hours of the day but keep the work we do.
Beers and happy composing Nik!
Paul.
I don't think I have posted here yet so HERE I GO:
I'm pretty impressed with what you guys are doing with this game. Usually I'll lurk and see these ambitious projects pop-up and eventually they go nowhere and disappear. It's great to see that after all this time this project is still frontpage material and going strong at 18 pages.
It's not often I actually get excited over the release of an AGS game but I've been really looking forward to this one for a while. Although I also don't expect to see it finished for a while, I want to say keep up the good work.
So... has The Forgotten Element been abandoned?
That's what I've been wondering as well.
Not abandoned, and never will be. Just getting kinda put to the side all the time. :( We keep picking it back up but then other short term things come around and it ends up getting shelved again.
We'll get it done eventually. ;)
Quote from: lemmy101 on Sun 26/04/2009 23:02:00
We'll get it done eventually. ;)
I'll light a candle for that, and I appreciate all the side effort you're making for
indie gaming, by the way. Best of luck!
I'm so glad its still getting done :)
Gonchi - please do not dig up threads. You should, as the Forum Rules suggest, send a PM to the author asking them about it.
Also, do not reply to this message with an apology :P
Lemmy - thanks for the small [prompted] update! Good to know it's still in the works (not that I doubted of course)
Quote from: Darth Mandarb on Mon 27/04/2009 00:43:13
Also, do not reply to this message with an apology :P
Wittiest of your posts Darth. Aw, for a sec I thought Lemmy would say "This will be released in two days", that'd make me shit my pants alright.
THE FORGOTTEN ELEMENT ROCKS!! :=
So does Darth.
Sparky.