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AGS Games => AGS Games in Production => Topic started by: Two Tales on Sat 03/03/2018 13:24:05

Title: Astral Horizon
Post by: Two Tales on Sat 03/03/2018 13:24:05
Astral Horizon is a project I've been working on for a while now. I love any sci fi that is set in space and had to do something to scratch that sci fi itch.
Here are some of the features I've already implemented:
- Sand box style open galaxy to explore.
- Many stations and planets to discover with the ability to dock at stations and land on planets.
- Several ships to fly and/or buy.
- It is entirely up to the player how they want to earn credits to progress. You can scavenge, mine, trade or take on jobs legitimately or illegally.
- Many colourful characters to meet throughout the galaxy.
- A story to follow at your own pace.
- Ship cockpits can be customised/personalised by buying new equipment with the credits you've earned.

There are lots more features that I'm cramming in to this. So much so that the sheer ammount of variables to keep track of is scrambling my brain. But I will get it finished. I'm too far in to it to give up now and I'm loving it which is great because all the scripting never feels like a chore.
Plus constantly thinking of new worlds etc to explore is sooooo much fun.
I'd say I was approximately 45% of the way to completion.

I've also added a ton of references and plays-on-words to the game. For example about 50% of the planets are named after planets from all sorts of sci fi movies, games and books.

Approaching Acheron(LV-426):
(https://i.imgur.com/Pi6YL8e.png)

Looking for illegitimate work in Mos Moya on the planet Tantooit (<-see what I did there):
(https://i.imgur.com/voAJHWy.png)

I'll post more updates as things progress.
Title: Re: Astral Horizon
Post by: cacaro on Sat 03/03/2018 13:49:12
This looks amazing. Can't wait to play it.
Title: Re: Astral Horizon
Post by: Darth Mandarb on Sat 03/03/2018 13:55:03
I feel like abusing my moderator powers and forcing you to post more screenshots (only because I really want to see more of this)!

In all seriousness; this looks/sounds great!

I have long wanted to make an AGS Privateer and this sounds just like it!

Keep up the good work!
Title: Re: Astral Horizon
Post by: CaptainD on Sat 03/03/2018 15:56:33
Wow. This looks incredible!
Title: Re: Astral Horizon
Post by: AnasAbdin on Sun 04/03/2018 05:07:24
Hnnnnggggggg uuunnngggggg
Title: Re: Astral Horizon
Post by: Dor Hajaj on Mon 05/03/2018 21:31:38
Looks amazing!
Good luck!
Title: Re: Astral Horizon
Post by: Two Tales on Mon 05/03/2018 21:38:50
Thanks for the positive first impressions.

Quote from: Darth Mandarb on Sat 03/03/2018 13:55:03
I feel like abusing my moderator powers and forcing you to post more screenshots
Your wish is my command.

After the initial cost of a mining laser for your ship, mining asteroids for ore can be quite lucrative:
(https://i.imgur.com/qq7ckbN.png)

Just docked at Unicore minerals orbital base station. Time to sell some of that ore:
(https://i.imgur.com/WfwDBiu.png)
Title: Re: Astral Horizon
Post by: CyberUncleCat on Tue 06/03/2018 02:37:52
Basicaly just Mass Effect AGS.






And i really like Mass Effect:).
Title: Re: Astral Horizon
Post by: Arcangel on Tue 06/03/2018 17:44:12
For my, sound and looking like Wing Commander: Privateer, and I like a lot that game.

Now I  mark you and follow your progress GOOD LUCK. ;-D
Title: Re: Astral Horizon
Post by: Mandle on Tue 06/03/2018 22:50:04
Looks amazing! I love open world games where you can just live "your" life!

One thing though: I'm not really hot on the idea of naming stuff in the game as parody/tribute references to other sci-fi properties. The game looks strong enough to stand on its own two feet without such gimmicks. I feel you have a chance here to create your own unique universe the player can get immersed in and that such references would weaken that feeling of being in a real and vibrant world of its own.

Just my two-cents but I, for one, find that kind of thing to get old pretty fast and ends up detracting from my enjoyment of games rather than adding to it.

Best of luck of course! I want to play the shit out of this game either way!
Title: Re: Astral Horizon
Post by: Jack on Tue 06/03/2018 23:18:33
Amazing +1 :D

I also agree about nostalgia. It's like a millstone.
Title: Re: Astral Horizon
Post by: ThreeOhFour on Wed 07/03/2018 00:36:17
This is a very promising project!! :cheesy:
Title: Re: Astral Horizon
Post by: Athanor on Wed 07/03/2018 16:13:05
Wow the screenshots and the description just blow my mind! :shocked: I'm totally looking forward to your game.
Title: Re: Astral Horizon
Post by: MrPr1993 on Thu 08/03/2018 02:58:42
OHOHOH what beautiful graphics! Can't wait to see more of the gameplay and backgrounds!
Title: Re: Astral Horizon
Post by: Two Tales on Mon 12/03/2018 14:17:56
Thanks everyone.

Quote from: Mandle on Tue 06/03/2018 22:50:04One thing though...
I'm glad you brought this to my attention. I was so busy having fun with it I didn't stop to think that it might not appeal to everyone. Maybe I'll tame it down a bit.
Title: Re: Astral Horizon
Post by: Athanor on Wed 14/03/2018 16:45:47
Quote from: Two Tales on Mon 12/03/2018 14:17:56
Thanks everyone.

Quote from: Mandle on Tue 06/03/2018 22:50:04One thing though...
I'm glad you brought this to my attention. I was so busy having fun with it I didn't stop to think that it might not appeal to everyone. Maybe I'll tame it down a bit.
I would appreciate this too. I'm no big fan of references myself and always prefer a "closed" game-world without too much "pollution" from pop culture. Most definitively I would play this stunning beauty of a game nonetheless, but maybe with a tiny bit less pleasure. ;)
Title: Re: Astral Horizon
Post by: Arcangel on Wed 14/03/2018 18:26:31
https://www.myabandonware.com/game/wing-commander-privateer-219

A lot images that remember your game. I search for those now, TIME to remember. :cool:
Title: Re: Astral Horizon
Post by: Mandle on Wed 14/03/2018 22:59:15
Quote from: Two Tales on Mon 12/03/2018 14:17:56
I was so busy having fun with it I didn't stop to think that it might not appeal to everyone.

Yeah, it's easy to get carried away with one's own in-jokes, but this game looks like it deserves to be a rank higher than parody material.
Title: Re: Astral Horizon
Post by: Two Tales on Fri 27/04/2018 12:34:54
(https://i.imgur.com/FjquRHE.gif)

I've had to make the galaxy map smaller than originally planned simply due to over-ambition and the need to actually get this project completed but I believe I have made the systems within this galaxy large and diverse enough to encourage exploration and give different players different experiences.
For example, this is Jendo...

(https://i.imgur.com/alVGYx0.png)

...a small forest planet that is located in a rather open space in a system and following the storyline will not lead you there so some players may not even come across it. For those that do find it they will be able to land and attempt to communicate with the indigenous wildlife which could prove challenging:

(https://i.imgur.com/VcYo6Zs.png)

Saying the right things can prove beneficial to both sides. Then again, some players may give up and leave empty handed.
Title: Re: Astral Horizon
Post by: AnasAbdin on Fri 27/04/2018 12:36:40
Quote from: AnasAbdin on Sun 04/03/2018 05:07:24
Hnnnnggggggg uuunnngggggg

Uuuunnnnngggggggg
Title: Re: Astral Horizon
Post by: dactylopus on Fri 27/04/2018 13:27:40
Your portraits are amazing!
Title: Re: Astral Horizon
Post by: CaptainD on Fri 27/04/2018 14:13:42
Not sure I like the Gungan style speech but everything else looks absolutely brilliant!!  8-)
Title: Re: Astral Horizon
Post by: Two Tales on Fri 27/04/2018 16:28:28
Quote from: dactylopus on Fri 27/04/2018 13:27:40
Your portraits are amazing!
Most of the portraits are from a downloadable portraits assets pack. I've just done some minor editing and recolouring to suit my needs.
Title: Re: Astral Horizon
Post by: dactylopus on Fri 27/04/2018 16:37:04
Quote from: Two Tales on Fri 27/04/2018 16:28:28
Most of the portraits are from a downloadable portraits assets pack. I've just done some minor editing and recolouring to suit my needs.
Well they are certainly appealing!
Title: Re: Astral Horizon
Post by: Jim Reed on Sat 28/04/2018 14:50:55
I don't have much to comment I'm just waiting for this to come out.
Title: Re: Astral Horizon
Post by: Two Tales on Fri 01/06/2018 15:26:31
After detecting an unknown signal from a nearby planet you land to take a closer look.
This also reveals one of the ships available to the player.
I should probably mention that all screens are a work in progress and subject to change/modifications.

(https://i.imgur.com/gXWfFnn.gif)
Title: Re: Astral Horizon
Post by: Two Tales on Tue 18/09/2018 20:21:28
I haven't done an update for a while so I'm going to waffle for a bit about controlling a ship.
I have a feeling that it might be a bit of a steep learning curve for some new players as there is quite a lot to take in so I've decided to add an in-flight manual to the ships computer.
All cockpits have the same basic layout with differences between them being mainly cosmetic. It would be waaaay to much work to make each ship's interior completely different.

(https://i.imgur.com/ydRzrar.png)

The ship is steered using the keyboard, leaving the mouse cursor free to operate the various dash controls.

All four of the screens at the bottom are interactive.
Screen 1 does not display anything in cockpit view but when clicked on will bring up the galaxy map, the registry that displays your current objectives and cargo and also reputations.
Screen 2 displays (in cockpit view) message alerts for example; Incoming message or fuel level low. Clicking on the screen will bring up the ships status screen that shows any damage, fuel level, additional components that the player has bought for the ship etc. In addition you can also go to any messages that you have received while in flight.
Screen 3: When the target on the heads up display is aligned with a point of interest it will display on the data screen in cockpit view. Then screen 3 can be clicked on to bring up additional information regarding the object. This could be a planet, station, asteroid etc.
Screen4 does not display anything in cockpit view but when clicked on will bring up the pilot profile, in-flight manual and options menu.

The ships computer also has a voice that will say messages like warning, prepare for hyperdrive, incoming message etc.
The voice can be changed in the options to suit the players preference.
Title: Re: Astral Horizon
Post by: Click'd on Tue 18/09/2018 20:42:27
The font looks cool but it's hard to read. Especially when it touches the white pixels, er, stars.
Title: Re: Astral Horizon
Post by: Two Tales on Tue 18/09/2018 21:44:15
Quote from: ClickClickClick on Tue 18/09/2018 20:42:27
The font looks cool but it's hard to read. Especially when it touches the white pixels, er, stars.

That's just the first font that was set in paint when I wrote over the screenshot. Must of been the last font I used :-D
Title: Re: Astral Horizon
Post by: Two Tales on Thu 27/09/2018 19:52:28
 Talking to the local bartender or checking newsboards are good ways to find useful information.

(https://i.imgur.com/uTDcUIq.png)

(https://i.imgur.com/Ke5Ywl3.png)



Title: Re: Astral Horizon
Post by: Two Tales on Wed 27/03/2019 11:26:07
Playing as a scavenger is a viable way of making money. There are plenty of locations that can be searched for loot.
(http://i.imgur.com/qrxPYGu.jpg)

Scrap and other items can be found floating around space that can be scooped up and sold for a few credits.
(http://i.imgur.com/DDgaCNE.jpg)

Life commitments have slowed progress for the last few months but I'm still working on it!
Title: Re: Astral Horizon
Post by: Arcangel on Wed 27/03/2019 11:43:35
More and more remember me Privateer or Wing Commander and I love those game. Really like play your game Excellent work.
Title: Re: Astral Horizon
Post by: AnasAbdin on Wed 27/03/2019 14:16:13
Quote from: AnasAbdin on Fri 27/04/2018 12:36:40
Quote from: AnasAbdin on Sun 04/03/2018 05:07:24
Hnnnnggggggg uuunnngggggg

Uuuunnnnngggggggg

UUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUNNNNNNNGGGGGGG
Title: Re: Astral Horizon
Post by: Kweepa on Wed 27/03/2019 16:42:32
I concuuuuuuuuuuuuuuRRRRRRRRRRRRRGGGGnnnnnnn
Title: Re: Astral Horizon
Post by: Jack on Wed 27/03/2019 17:49:52
*slips on something when coming into the thread*
Title: Re: Astral Horizon
Post by: tanito0 on Sun 31/03/2019 14:22:46
This looks nice, I'm looking forward to exploring it!