Woodlands - Updated (2008-01-23)

Ozzie · Fri 21/10/2005 21:55:19

Wow

I'm speechless

I think you're creating the game right now I've always have been waiting for

Superb atmosphere, much better dialogs than in Frank and the feeling to be really immersed to this world, like it's happening to you right before your eyes.
If there is a word of critic I would say that the trees look still a bit strange...don't know, not really convincing. But that is even the only weak point in the graphics, the flash movies are outstanding on the other side.
I'm waiting for this, worth waiting for!

fovmester · Sat 22/10/2005 10:13:12

I'm overwhelmed!!

Thank you so much!

About the trees, I'm thinking about putting a lot of thick moss on them to make the forest seem more ancient. But at this point that is a lot of moss to draw, so I have to think about if it's really worth it first.

Ozzie · Sat 22/10/2005 13:23:27

The problem with the trees isn't that they aren't enough detailed, they are, but from the way you draw them they look a bit unnatural, strange. It's not a big thing, they are ok, but it stood out for me. When I think about it, it was only the big tree on the second screen which was so striking in this regard.

The graphics as a whole are more than pleasant enough to not distract from the plot/action, much more, the animations for example of the drummer, flute player and the dancers are extraordinary. Also, you clearly get better the more backgrounds you create. Maybe you just have to find a way to draw some trees better in the future, however, the most important thing is that you finish it. Of course that doesn't mean that you should rush it but on this quality level this will already become one of the best AGS games ever, I guess!

fovmester · Sun 23/10/2005 08:17:39

Quote from: Ozzie on Sat 22/10/2005 13:23:27
The problem with the trees isn't that they aren't enough detailed, they are, but from the way you draw them they look a bit unnatural, strange. It's not a big thing, they are ok, but it stood out for me. When I think about it, it was only the big tree on the second screen which was so striking in this regard.

The graphics as a whole are more than pleasant enough to not distract from the plot/action, much more, the animations for example of the drummer, flute player and the dancers are extraordinary. Also, you clearly get better the more backgrounds you create. Maybe you just have to find a way to draw some trees better in the future, however, the most important thing is that you finish it. Of course that doesn't mean that you should rush it but on this quality level this will already become one of the best AGS games ever, I guess!

Well, the tree in the junie village is an old old one and therefore I drew it like I did, with a huge trunk and lots of texture. Anyway, I'm glad you like the game so far!

I just wanted to tell you that the out of memory problem has been fixed. It was actually a memory leak in the AGS engine (GUI.SetWidth/SetHeight/SetSize), but CJ has fixed it now. I uploaded a fixed version to the homepage for you that haven't been able to play it because of the memory leak (shouldn't be that many).

ildu · Sun 23/10/2005 12:03:38

Marvelous game. Just played and completed it. I love the graphics and the atmosphere.

Elliott Hird · Sun 23/10/2005 14:30:05

It's a demo, not a game...

Mats Berglinn · Sun 23/10/2005 15:26:27

Quote from: Elliott Hird on Sun 23/10/2005 14:30:05
It's a demo, not a game...

Actually, it IS a game but it IS a demo game, not a complete game.

I'll like the demo. Good thing that you got rid of the memory problem, it really bugged me. There's one thing that I find strange in the story:

Spoiler

Once you have talked to everyone and gave Gorby/Corby the herb Tom leaves the party to go asleep again but since he have slept through the whole afternoon he should be very hungry by now. I find it strange that Tom doesn't eat before going home to sleep. I would if slept through the whole afternoon.

[close]

By the way, I love the change of expressions while the characters are talking, it's something that's not common in adventure games (The Curse of Monkey Island was the only 2D commersial game that does so, as far as I know), especially not in AGS games.

Ubel · Sun 23/10/2005 15:44:06

Quote from: Mats Berglinn on Sun 23/10/2005 15:26:27
By the way, I love the change of expressions while the characters are talking, it's something that's not common in adventure games (The Curse of Monkey Island was the only 2D commersial game that does so, as far as I know)

Monkey Island 2 does that too. And yes it is a very nice add to the game. I love it.

The demo was great! I really liked those cutscene animations, they looked wonderful. Very nice animating work! I didn't like it when the cursor mode automatically changes to walk mode when you click on something, but otherwise it's a very cool interface.

Good luck with this project, I'm waiting for more!

-EDIT-

Mats Berglinn,

Quote from: Mats Berglinn on Sun 23/10/2005 17:26:46
Quote
Monkey Island 2 does that too. And yes it is a very nice add to the game. I love it.
I was talking about face expressions, not arm movements and so on. That thing was on Sam and Max as well.

Monkey Island 2 does face expressions too in some places.

Mats Berglinn · Sun 23/10/2005 17:26:46

Quote

Monkey Island 2 does that too. And yes it is a very nice add to the game. I love it.

Quote

I was talking about face expressions, not arm movements and so on. That thing was on Sam and Max as well.

fovmester · Sun 23/10/2005 20:08:31

Quote from: Pablo on Sun 23/10/2005 15:44:06
I didn't like it when the cursor mode automatically changes to walk mode when you click on something, but otherwise it's a very cool interface.

That's a good point. Never thought about how irritating that could be. Especially since you might have to cycle through a lot of cursor modes again and again. I'll think about changing it.

Thanks for the great comments on the face expressions. I'm glad you like it since it has taken quite an effort to do!

Iv4n · Sun 23/10/2005 20:44:39

Yeah, I just wanted to metion the cursor mode issue too and that I like the trees

. Somewhat I don't like much is when Tom meets the evil wizrard. They talk too much! I mean a real evil wizzard shouldn't show all his playing cards, especially at the beginning, right? Maybe this is a way to tell a story, but somehow it's strange and it doesn't fit for me.

fovmester · Mon 24/10/2005 06:50:50

Quote from: Iv4n on Sun 23/10/2005 20:44:39
Yeah, I just wanted to metion the cursor mode issue too and that I like the trees . Somewhat I don't like much is when Tom meets the evil wizrard. They talk too much! I mean a real evil wizzard shouldn't show all his playing cards, especially at the beginning, right? Maybe this is a way to tell a story, but somehow it's strange and it doesn't fit for me.

Well he doesn't really show ALL his cards. Not many at all in fact.

Spoiler

All he does is demands payment and hints that the woodsfolk can't rely on Nergal to protect them anymore. He doesn't say why or what his plans are. He just states that HE is the new ruler of the forest.

[close]

fovmester · Thu 08/12/2005 08:09:34

Here's an update on the progress of Woodlands. Sorry for being quiet for so long!

2005-12-08:
Phew! A hard semester is almost over. I've been trying to get time to work on the game the last months, but it hasn't been easy! Still, I've done quite a lot! 20 rooms are done which is almost all the forest scenes (four remaining). I've released a demo (which I believe you all tried out. If not then do so right NOW!) and finished some music and some of Tom's animations. Now I have to focus on my exams for a week and then it's christmas!! Which means time for Woodlands!!!!

Here's two new screenshots!

ildu · Thu 08/12/2005 09:51:39

Looks great and I'm totally blown away by the progress. But, that waterfall mist is totally too bright, compact and unshaded.

scourge · Thu 08/12/2005 11:59:22

heya, i just saw this game for the first time

, it looks truelly excellent! Those backgrounds are of extreme high quality

Ubel · Thu 08/12/2005 14:25:01

Wow, that second background is beautiful!

It's unbelievable to me how some people can work so quickly on their games. (Because I'm such a slow bastard.) You have done great job so far. I can barely wait to play this!

i k a r i · Thu 08/12/2005 19:03:41

Wow!...AWESOME BACKGROUNDS!
I want to play this game since I tried that demo, the bad guy is one of the best I've seen =P and the story is very intriguing..
Hope you finish this soon, cause I can't wait to play it!...

ManicMatt · Thu 08/12/2005 19:42:15

LUSH! If I was playing the game, I'd just let my character stand there and I'd gawk at the pretty graphics!

I only just recently played frank the farmhand! Still got the sequel to look foward to! (When I get the time. No offence, but half life 2 is next in line of what to play)

fovmester · Fri 09/12/2005 12:08:55

Thanks people!

Pablo:

Quote
It's unbelievable to me how some people can work so quickly on their games.

Fast? I haven't worked much at all the last months! But when I get the time I try to be effective with it.

ildu:

Quote
But, that waterfall mist is totally too bright, compact and unshaded.

If you could show me an example of how you'd want it to look, I might change it. The reason I made it the way it is now, was because I don't have much of an idea how to draw mist otherwise.

Thanks again, y'all!

Ubel · Fri 09/12/2005 14:05:10

Quote from: fovmester on Fri 09/12/2005 12:08:55
Pablo:
Quote
It's unbelievable to me how some people can work so quickly on their games.

Fast? I haven't worked much at all the last months! But when I get the time I try to be effective with it.

Heh, fast when you compare to me!

Woodlands - Updated (2008-01-23)

scourge