Shelter (working title)

Overlord Bob · Wed 01/09/2010 03:32:13

Well, this initially started off as a test / playing around with AGS, but has since been growing into a fully developed (albeit short) 1st person horror-themed adventure game.

Overview:
You play as an unnamed "businessman" who was shot in the arm after a deal that had unexpectedly turned violent. You managed to escape in your car and drive away, but your situation is still bleak.

Running out of gas, and still bleeding profusely despite a make-shift bandage, you come across an abandoned house that looks as if it might provide some temporary shelter while you try to figure out what to do...

Progress:
As of right now, I ~~almost~~ have a completed beta. It needs some intense polishing, bug fixing, ect., but the core of the game is pretty close to done.

I'm never quite been a fan of arbitrary numbers, but here's a rough estimate of my progress so far:
Graphics - 75% (some placeholder graphics remain, others need to be edited)
Scripting - 70% (mainly bug-fixing, but I have some pretty terrible looking code, so that might take a while. Blank template + little experience w/ AGS != good idea)
Sound / Music - 75% (same situation as with the graphics)

Release Date: Eventually?

Snake · Wed 01/09/2010 04:04:36

The current title sounds fitting to me!

This game has got me waiting!

Very nice sounding/looking game, Overlord.

shayavr · Wed 01/09/2010 07:15:47

hurrey for 1st person adventure games!!

nicely drawn screenshots too.

Atelier · Wed 01/09/2010 11:05:36

How about something ~~clichÃ©~~ ominous, like 'The Beckoning', or 'The Abandoning'? Or, thesaurusing shelter returned the saying 'Port in a Storm'. It might make a nice abstract title, considering this man's predicament.

Really spooky screenshots, well done.

CaptainD · Wed 01/09/2010 16:07:30

I think "Sanctuary" would make a better title than "Shelter", but I don't know if that would really fit with how your plot unfolds? Maybe with an appropriate adjective indicating whether it truly ends up being a sanctuary or not?

(If not... "False Sanctuary" might not be a terrible name... or then again maybe it is!

)

Horror games aren't really my thing, but I like the graphical style.

kconan · Wed 01/09/2010 16:13:35

Ramshackle.

Derrick Freeland · Wed 01/09/2010 18:20:45

My vote is for 'Shelter', I think that's a great title; short, memorable, and effective. Also, I really like the style of this game. It's very fitting for the genre without being over the top.

Overlord Bob · Wed 01/09/2010 18:49:25

Well, I might end up sticking with 'Shelter', then. I thought about 'Sanctuary', but that seems to have a bit of a religious connotation to it (is that just me?) that would feel out of place in the story.

Also, while I wish my drawing skills were that good, those backgrounds are just regular pictures after about an hour of photoshop, trying to find a cool effect. I'm glad to hear that people like it, though.

LimpingFish · Wed 01/09/2010 21:54:21

*cough*

"Sanctuary" might already be taken.

*cough*

Who said that? Â¬Â¬

Also, as a horror game enthusiast, I'll be looking forward to this.

Dualnames · Wed 01/09/2010 23:16:14

The first scene is striking odd like the house in the Night of the Living Dead. Might be me. As for the title, I think Shelter is fine IMHO.
Looks very spooky. Keep it going.

CaptainD · Thu 02/09/2010 18:54:48

Quote from: Overlord Bob on Wed 01/09/2010 18:49:25
Well, I might end up sticking with 'Shelter', then. I thought about 'Sanctuary', but that seems to have a bit of a religious connotation to it (is that just me?) that would feel out of place in the story.

I dunno... it could be, I wouldn't have thought people would necessarily think of it having a religious connotation, but I can see why they might, I suppose.

CaptainD · Thu 02/09/2010 18:55:34

Quote from: LimpingFish on Wed 01/09/2010 21:54:21
*cough*

"Sanctuary" might already be taken.

*cough*

Who said that? Â¬Â¬

Is it? Sorry! I did a search of the forums and only found someone back in 2003 talking about making a game with that name though - ?

ddq · Thu 02/09/2010 19:04:03

The name "Shelter" is great. Other alternatives could be "Bleak Haven" or "Hollow Refuge" if you wanted to change to a two word title, but those are just off the top of my head. The one you have fits the game perfectly already. Personally, I'm not a fan of photos with buttloads of filters on them for backgrounds, but you could make it work.

Atelier · Thu 02/09/2010 19:28:31

Why not call it simply The House? It sounds more ominous.

LimpingFish · Thu 02/09/2010 19:45:40

Quote from: CaptainD on Thu 02/09/2010 18:55:34
Is it? Sorry! I did a search of the forums and only found someone back in 2003 talking about making a game with that name though - ?

No need to be apologize. I was just kind of implying that a game with a title largely based around the word "Sanctuary" might...possibly...be coming out. Soon. Not that I would...um...know anything about tha- Hey! There goes Elvis!

/runs

Quote from: ddq on Thu 02/09/2010 19:04:03
Personally, I'm not a fan of photos with buttloads of filters on them for backgrounds, but you could make it work.

I'm usually of the same opinion. I think keeping them black and white will help a lot. Adding splashes of colour, to highlight certain objects and such, could also add to the visual style.

Regardless, I'm liking this project so far.

CaptainD · Thu 02/09/2010 20:03:24

Elvis?!?!

Where??!!?

Overlord Bob · Thu 02/09/2010 21:55:53

I've been doing some more work on the game, but I'm about to start classes, so progress is going to be rather slow.

QuotePersonally, I'm not a fan of photos with buttloads of filters on them for backgrounds, but you could make it work.

I tried to make it so that the effects added to the mood without being distracting. I guess using pictures could still be considered a bit of a 'cheap' way to do backgrounds, but I'm none too gifted at drawing, especially with a computer. And yes, there will be some limited amounts of color throughout the game.

It's nice to know that people are looking forward to this, though I'm also a bit (read: very) nervous, as now I actually have some expectations to live up to. I suppose that's better than the alternative of "Eh, this is probably going to suck. Moving on.", but... actually I'm not really sure where I'm going with this.

Great, now it sounds like the entire purpose of this post is to attack my own game.

Hmm...

CaptainD · Thu 02/09/2010 22:29:50

Quote from: Overlord Bob on Thu 02/09/2010 21:55:53
Great, now it sounds like the entire purpose of this post is to attack my own game. Hmm...

It's a cunning plan - we now all feel compelled to defend it!

Derrick Freeland · Fri 03/09/2010 01:02:19

About the art: Using photos is a perfectly reasonable technique, and like I said, it looks good, so you made it work. My only advice would be to use photos for every other asset in the game (the player's hand reaching for objects, npc's, etc..). This way you have a consistent look. Also, photos are great, because if you have a location that looks good, you can take a ton of photos and create a really high level of immersion.

CosmoQueen · Sun 05/09/2010 20:18:25

Looks very dark and creepy! I like it