Picaroon - The Lost Years - Part 1: Mysteries of the deep

[Electroshokker]

"And so it came to pass. What was once mere thought is now reality." A great adventure in the making! Website http://www.t-vandepoele.be/pms Features 640x480 32-bit graphics, in CMI (Monkey Island 3) style ogg encoded ambient music all improved verbcompass gui system puzzle solving fun Story You're a man of action, a rogue, a swashbuckler, a man who can drink fifteen kegs of beer in under 10 minutes, a man on a real important mission! That is, if you could get actually remember what it was. Reclaim your lost memory, your pirate skills and most importantly your loot. Get a ship and crew together and go save the day (or at least have some fun)! What more could a man want?

Screenshots

(resized for easier overview, click on any to view it in full glorious 640x480 )



Team

Lead Programmer Tom 'Electroshokker' Vandepoele

Dialogs Tom 'Electroshokker' Vandepoele Micheal 'Fawfulhasfury' Cross John Cusick

Background Artist Daniel 'zyndikate' Thomas

Animations Tzanko Tchangov Kyle Evans Daniel 'zyndikate' Thomas Lizzie Hupcey Chris Spry

Art Support Eyal "Ejay" Jamer

Music Anders "A-hed" Hed Helge "Bluegrot" Taskdal

Sound FX by Matthew Brown

[Darth Mandarb]

FORUM RULES

edit - thanks for the update!

[Secret Fawful]

This game is very good, and I recommend you try it. Thge author has so far managed to implement jokes to replace things that aren't there yet, which makes it even funnier. Once again, this is no crappy fan game, you must try it no matter how short it is!

[Mats Berglinn]

I haven't got so far but it seems quite good so far. The inventory doesn't seem to work. I try to right click more than once but it doesn't work.

Maybe it's just me but I think Guybrush's walking movement is too slow. I know that he is under water but still. Also you should make some animation or at least somekind of thing that shows that Guybrush does open the cabinet (and the drawer also). It only needs a animation of Guybrush reach his hand and then switch over a object for the cabinet and the drawer.

[Secret Fawful]

Press TAB to open the Inventory.

[Electroshokker]

Maybe it's just me but I think Guybrush's walking movement is too slow. I know that he is under water but still. Also you should make some animation or at least somekind of thing that shows that Guybrush does open the cabinet (and the drawer also). It only needs a animation of Guybrush reach his hand and then switch over a object for the cabinet and the drawer.

yup, stuff like that still needs to be added, I was mainly working on adding voice animations, but the other stuff (like pick up, an open closet, ...) are the next thing on my priority list.

as for the:

The inventory doesn't seem to work

bit:

there is a README attached which explains this (I'll probably add a help button to the options screen for those that never bother to read the README, aka everybody (so it seems))

for the options screen, press F1

(I'm NOT using the CMI template, in case you're wondering. It was way too limited by means of interaction with the inventory, and showing messages on top of the gui wasn't possible. => I completely (well, almost completely) rewrote the guicontrol script)

[Candle]

I liked it . keep going .

[Mats Berglinn]

there is a README attached which explains this (I'll probably add a help button to the options screen for those that never bother to read the README, aka everybody (so it seems))

for the options screen, press F1

(I'm NOT using the CMI template, in case you're wondering. It was way too limited by means of interaction with the inventory, and showing messages on top of the gui wasn't possible. => I completely (well, almost completely) rewrote the guicontrol script)

I've finished the demo. Seems quite nice so far. I've read the Read Me but it said that the inventory would pop up on the right click, not on tab. Anyway, try to script so that you can do the interactions with the inventory items (mouth action, eye action and hand action).

[Fribbi AGDI joker]

I am stuck in this game. I have found the knife. Voodoo supplies, rope, Box of chereal.

I used the rope on the but know nothing else what I am suppose to do now.So what am I suppose to do now?

[Mats Berglinn]

I am stuck in this game. I have found the knife. Voodoo supplies, rope, Box of chereal.

I used the rope on the but know nothing else what I am suppose to do now.So what am I suppose to do now?

Check out below:

Spoiler

Have you looked on the cereal box in the inventory? A clue to other thing: You've seen the voodoo underwater explosives but in order to get to the escape way quickly and beat the demon you'll need to detonate it from a distance (something that you've got in the inventory will help).

[close]

[Fribbi AGDI joker]

Thanks for the answers. I have finished the game now.

It need some bug fixes but the game is very great.  It has the right Monkey Island humor alright. Keep on the good work man.

[Electroshokker]

I've finished the demo. Seems quite nice so far. I've read the Read Me but it said that the inventory would pop up on the right click, not on tab. Anyway, try to script so that you can do the interactions with the inventory items (mouth action, eye action and hand action).

the readme should state: "press TAB to enter and exit the inventory" (I've altered the thing 2 times since I put the 0.03 version online, though, so I'm not sure of the old version.)

Anyways, as for the interaction with inventory items with the coin gui: it IS possible to do so, but that'll take a LOT of scripting work.

I'd have to:

- not allow clicks on gui (meaning all clicks will trigger whatever is underneath gui, so an alternate response script needs to be written)

- calculate the positions of all inventory items (the squares), so any click at the right mouse.x and mouse.y activate the right inventory item

...all in all a LOT of work. If you guys (and girls) really want it though, I'll get started on it. Afterwards, once it works properly, I'll make the scripting available to all that want it.

I'd expect the renewed gui to be finished somewhere within the next two days, if other duties don't occupy too much of my time. (which is ok, since the guy doing my backgrounds needs time to make the new ones I asked of him anyways)

It need some bug fixes but the game is very great.  It has the right Monkey Island humor alright. Keep on the good work man.

Great you like it. It's my first game (and the first I've actually begun producing)

As for the bug fixes: am working on it. (the sea monkey kitchen room has been reworked already, but I'll release it after I finish some other, new stuff...)

[Candle]

I would suggest this when you update it .
http://www.clickteam.com/English/patch_maker.htm

[Mats Berglinn]

Anyways, as for the interaction with inventory items with the coin gui: it IS possible to do so, but that'll take a LOT of scripting work.

I'd have to:

- not allow clicks on gui (meaning all clicks will trigger whatever is underneath gui, so an alternate response script needs to be written)

- calculate the positions of all inventory items (the squares), so any click at the right mouse.x and mouse.y activate the right inventory item

...all in all a LOT of work. If you guys (and girls) really want it though, I'll get started on it. Afterwards, once it works properly, I'll make the scripting available to all that want it.

Good thing that you really going to do that because the MI3 Verb Coin that's on Rui Pire's site was too tricky to use and it hindered me a lot for Caribbean Mysteries so I switched it over to the Verb Boxes instead (CM was originally have the Coin because it was inspired by The Curse of Monkey Island).

Also I found an error (not ingame error or programming error but just a regular one): If you look at the cereal box on Threepwood Island while the Welshman is there, he will be there on the journal page. Were you aware of that? Also, Guybrush's front veiw have two versions of it, one correct which points his hair to the right and the wrong, mirrored one which points his hair to the left.

[Electroshokker]

I would suggest this when you update it .
http://www.clickteam.com/English/patch_maker.htm

Thanks! That'll save me a 14Mb upload.

Also I found an error (not ingame error or programming error but just a regular one): If you look at the cereal box on Threepwood Island while the Welshman is there, he will be there on the journal page. Were you aware of that? Also, Guybrush's front veiw have two versions of it, one correct which points his hair to the right and the wrong, mirrored one which points his hair to the left.

Yup, I know of the cereal box error (fixed it). The front view error I hadn't noticed yet. Is now also fixed.

EDIT:

The new GUI system is now ready. Now, a left click will have the same result as normal, and a right click will open up the verb-coin gui on the inventory item. (instead of standard response)

EDIT:

VERSION 0.10 is READY!!! with new, improved animations, backgrounds, ... so check it out!

[splat44]

I must say that I am very impress.

Looking forward to other parts.

I'm wondering, how many parts are you planning?

[Electroshokker]

Standard MI games have 5 parts...

Mine will have at least those 5, but if I find it necessary, I'll split one or two up in more parts.

BTW: part 1 is the SMALLEST of all parts.

[Amrath]

Good game liked what I saw, although I did get stuck

Spoiler

After the Lost Welshman turns up and gives you the compass, I filled it with sea water and not knowing what else to do with it used it on the smouldering tree stump only for the it say the water was heating up then the item disappeared

[close]

[Electroshokker]

HINT:

LOOK at the voodoo pack...

[Scummbuddy]

SOMI: Had 4 parts
LR: Had 4 parts
CMI: Had 6 parts
EMI: I don't care to load up the game to see how many parts it had.

[Secret Fawful]

It's even better than before! Great job redoing the backgrounds storyteller. 

[Electroshokker]

It's even better than before! Great job redoing the backgrounds storyteller. 

That was nothing. The new ones that we're working on are MUCH better.

[Electroshokker]

First off: sorry for double posting, but it's been a while and there are updates, so I thought I'd bump it up. (I've edited the opening post too)

Second: yes, after all this time there's still no finished demo of part 1.

Main Reason: we've got precisely 1 person working on the backgrounds, and since we want them to look really great it takes a lot of time.

That being said, everything else of part 1 IS finished, so as soon as the backgrounds are finished it'll be released.

Further, parts 2 upto 4 have seen a lot of progress story/puzzle-wise, so basically it's gonna be a question of when will those backgrounds be completed too.

=> so should anyone want to help out with backgrounds...

But just check out our forums, and you'll know a lot more.

[splat44]

Storyteller,

Thank you for showing progress report.

I don't think voices are important. But it up to you.

Good luck in finishing series.

[Electroshokker]

Storyteller,

Thank you for showing progress report.

I don't think voices are important. But it up to you.

Good luck in finishing series.

1) No prob (it was about time too)
2) voices will be added, but aren't priority n°1
3) this game won't finish the series, this is in no way MI5.

We're all still hoping LEC will see the light and produce an official sequel to properly finish the series. (that and the legal issues)

(and besides, our game will feature a choice-dependent ending, with 2 possible outcomes, both making you interested in what would happen next...)

[splat44]

Storyteller,

What is LEC?

I presume it is the original owners and I mean the ones who owns copy rights.

In the event that LEC doesn't see the light by producing series, don't let it stops you in producing however!

The classical example: What VU did to KingIX.

Regards

[Gilbert]

Lucasart Entertainment Company I presume...

[Electroshokker]

Lucasart Entertainment Company I presume...

indeed

In the event that LEC doesn't see the light by producing series, don't let it stops you in producing however!

The classical example: What VU did to KingIX.

LEC has been very lenient to MI fangames in the past (and fanventures in general, they even made a deal with star wars fans so they could produce their own movies)

so we have good hopes of finishing the game. In the event they should ask us to stop using the MI name we're gonna rework the names, etc. (we could add parody elements (hell, there are parody elements in there already), and then we'd fall under the parody laws)

since we're using our own graphics style and originally remixed monkey themed music (we don't use anything directly from CMI or the other MI games no more), we could also turn our game around and make an entirely new one out of it.

But we'll cross that bridge should we ever come to it.

[splat44]

Storyteller,

Thank you for your reassurance.

Cheers

[Electroshokker]

Storyteller,

Thank you for your reassurance.

Cheers

Sure, no problem.

by the way, I uploaded something new today: our very own redone Guybrush look. You can check it out at the website, or at the screenshots in the first post here.

note: we might change his look a bit as to make him look a little less skinny.

[Mats Berglinn]

note: we might change his look a bit as to make him look a little less skinny.

I hope that will make him also having bigger feet since Guybrush has redicoulusly small feet in MI3 compaired with the other three games where he had "normal" feet. Sure Guybrush wears shoes or boots in the others but in MI4 after being moroned on Monkey Island (Is that actually a spoiler because the game IS called "Escape from Monkey Island", which does hint that it will happen somewhere, like in J.R.R Tolkien's "The Return of the King"?), he's barefeet and they're not so small as in MI3.

And also... (possibly big spoiler risk)

Spoiler

If LeChuck is going to come back (which he does in every other game so far) and if he will be able to use the zombie form, then PLEASE don't follow MI4's horrible look for him because I hated and still hate that style for LeChuck's zombie form, especially compaired with his zombie form in MI3 which is great. Pretty please with lots of sugar and cream on the top, don't do that!

[close]

[Electroshokker]

note: we might change his look a bit as to make him look a little less skinny.

I hope that will make him also having bigger feet since Guybrush has redicoulusly small feet in MI3 compaired with the other three games where he had "normal" feet.

We're currently deciding on the new look (do we want him smaller, less skinny, ...)

check out the first post here and tell me if his feet are big enough for you. (he's wearing boots)

and I'll take whatever you think on that into consideration

if you want to have a vote: the poll (it'll be closed after a month)

as for the hidden request:

Spoiler

LeChuck will be in ALL forms he's ever been in (though not switching like in EMI, in enhanced CMI style, with the addition of his human form...
Oh, and he won't be the evil running the show... that's someone else's job. LC's lost most of his powers...

[close]

[Secret Fawful]

Ah, those screens are awesome, I love the character sprite a lot. =D Great job storyteller. =D

[Babar]

[Giggle] Guybrush's gone Amish [/Giggle]

[Mats Berglinn]

note: we might change his look a bit as to make him look a little less skinny.

I hope that will make him also having bigger feet since Guybrush has redicoulusly small feet in MI3 compaired with the other three games where he had "normal" feet.

We're currently deciding on the new look (do we want him smaller, less skinny, ...)

check out the first post here and tell me if his feet are big enough for you. (he's wearing boots)

and I'll take whatever you think on that into consideration

if you want to have a vote: the poll (it'll be closed after a month)

as for the hidden request:

Spoiler

LeChuck will be in ALL forms he's ever been in (though not switching like in EMI, in enhanced CMI style, with the addition of his human form...
Oh, and he won't be the evil running the show... that's someone else's job. LC's lost most of his powers...

[close]

Well, the feet looks not so small as in MI3 but maybe slightly bigger would be better. If you ask me I think that he should have a different outfit and get rid of the beard. One of the things I didn't like about MI2 was that he has a beard because it doesn't suit him. Maybe if you would remake MI2 you could have that sprite but not in a fansequel.

And about LeChuck...

Spoiler

If he's not the actual villian like the previous games, then maybe he is going to have problem with the actual villian and have to cooperate with Guybrush in order to rid of the other villian. Seems a little bit like when Bowser "helps" Mario in Super Mario RPG or in Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga. I have been thinking sometimes "What if LeChuck have to help Guybrush and be his temporary ally?" and though that would be an intresting concept.

[close]

[Electroshokker]

Well, the feet looks not so small as in MI3 but maybe slightly bigger would be better. If you ask me I think that he should have a different outfit and get rid of the beard. One of the things I didn't like about MI2 was that he has a beard because it doesn't suit him. Maybe if you would remake MI2 you could have that sprite but not in a fansequel.

A slightly bigger version of the boots is already in the make (as that comment has been made more then once), but as for the outfit change and beard removal: It was hard enough to get him into that outfit in the first place, and so far everybody seems to like the new look. If you want further changes, you'll have to convince the majority (here) and either sign up as a developer and remake the +- 120 Guybrush frames yourself or find someone else to do so. (Hey, be my guest!)

And about LeChuck... We already had similar plans... (If you check out the progress status you'll note that the story is the one thing that's developing fastest)

*WARNING: MAJOR SPOILER*

Spoiler

In part 2, Guybrush and LeChuck get both tricked into a voodoo-curse, which binds them together for (almost) the entire game. Part 3 ain't called 'Brotherly Love' for nothing...

[close]

[Darth Mandarb]

This is getting a little out of hand ...

Please take all further discussions/revisions of the sprite into the Critics Lounge!

Keep on talking about the game ... but take the art work revisions into the CL please, thanks (or PMs if you don't feel like starting a thread in the CL).

PM me if you have any questions!

[Scummbuddy]

Did you ask Paco Vink if you could use his Crackers and Guybrush images on your website?

[Electroshokker]

please post all further artwork discussions on this game here

Did you ask Paco Vink if you could use his Crackers and Guybrush images on your website?

See the same link.

(short version: no, I made a rookie mistake when building and publishing the website)

Latest news:

In order to prevent further mistakes such as this, everything is now under wraps 'till we're further along with the production. The current working title is no longer Return To Monkey Island (again), but RMI untill further notice.

We want to be able to finish our game, so we're considering major changes (maybe even altering everything and turning it into a new game)

[stee-v-boy]

Hi there. Project looks good - I'm probably being thick but is there a demo? If so where is it?

[Electroshokker]

Hi there. Project looks good - I'm probably being thick but is there a demo? If so where is it?

There WAS a demo once... it featured not-so original graphics (though some were original), and was made for the sole purpose of showing the potential of the project. (aka recruitment)

UPDATE:

Right now the game development is improving and speeding up, with plans for an actual decent design document  :o   
We tried that earlier, but it never really took off... mainly 'cause we were still 'inventing' the project... untill now, that is.

Now the stage is basically set, and concept art, finished (!) art and more are starting to take off, thanks to the welcome addon of two new teammembers.

While I'm (sad to say) not gonna be available for quite some time (exams), the development will continue under the care of Captain Raptor untill I'm back.

as for the new demo, featuring wonderfull and exciting stuff, it won't be finished 'till sometime in february, at least.

That reminds me, I still have to update the first page to current status!

[Electroshokker]

UPDATE:

whoa... forgot about this place for a while.

time for an update:

you're probably wondering: why isn't there a demo yet?

well, the reason is the project got bigger, better and more ambitious.

that and the fact a few of us (me for one) had exams.


current status and plans:

sometime in March/April the first part + full intro (with avi movie bit) will be finished.

We'll then seek out a few select betatesters to give us feedback on it.

We won't release it public after that, though. This is not an episodic game, so that would be pointless.

The testing is only to see if we're on the right track and to correct it early on should it prove necessary.

Then we'll continue with the next part, once that's ready, another round of testing (and a new betatesting group), then the next, etc. upto part 7.

Then finally we'll release the whole thing when it's finished.

So stay tuned, check up on us once in a while, and who knows? Maybe you'll be on time for the betatesting of one of the parts. Maybe not.

Once we're ready I'll let you know when the first round of testing will begin and what kind of people we'll be looking for.

note: if you want this game to be finished sooner, we could still use a hand or 2 with the artwork... see the first post here or the website.

and to conclude, here's an appetizer:



see the website for more.

[ildu]

well, the reason is the project got bigger, better and more ambitious.

That sounds painfully familiar.

[scourge]

hey guys. Your project looks nice.

That bg looks exactly like the room in MI 1 on the ship to Monkey Island in the kitchen. Will we visit that ship again in your game?

[EDIT] Did i say it looks nice?? I meant it looks awesome!

[CosmoQueen]

Oh I know I'm gonna have fun with this one.

Please finish it!!! LoL

[splat44]

storyteller,

It great and now I understand what you are planning doing.

I do recall playing a demo of similar thing.

I would certainly like to be included among those beta testers. So be free to PM me.

I will track replies.

Regards

[Electroshokker]

I would certainly like to be included among those beta testers. So be free to PM me.

I'll let you know when the time comes.


For now, we've had a setback.  yet another artist quit on account of having too little spare time for us, which means we're now down to only 1 person who's coloring the pre-made background sketches. (and she hasn't exactly got tons of spare time either)

As a result, things have slowed down immensely.

If anyone feels interested helping out, contact me.

[Steel Drummer]

WOW :o this game looks promising. Keep up the bad work 

[Electroshokker]

WOW :o this game looks promising. Keep up the bad work 

Zyndikate just joined up 2 days ago as a background/animation artist, and is hard at work.

Things are looking up...

[WD-40]

it most certainly is!! I can give my personal guarantee that the game project is moving right along. 8)

[Mordalles]

are we gonna have to find the key in the cereal box again? haha, i remember being stuck there for a long time all those years ago when i first played monkey island 1.

[Electroshokker]

are we gonna have to find the key in the cereal box again? haha, i remember being stuck there for a long time all those years ago when i first played monkey island 1.

no. sorry, the puzzles are completely different. (what dya expect, this ain't MI1, and besides, the ship has been sunk to the bottom of the ocean)

the game's moving along... here's another little thingy for you guys:

[Scummbuddy]

The ship was not necessarily sunk to the bottom of the ocean...

[DanClarke]

all looks interesting! I'd just be wary of Lucasarts for something like this. Can you post some bigger versions of your art? It's really hard to tell what's what on the smaller ones.

[Electroshokker]

The ship was not necessarily sunk to the bottom of the ocean...

quite right. but ya have to make choices: sunk - not sunk... well, we already made the backgrounds, so sunk it is.

all looks interesting! I'd just be wary of Lucasarts for something like this.

Should LEC bother to ask us to stop (and no negotiating possible), we stop. Using MI names 'n stuff that is. We'd have to rework some of the art as well, but hey, that's life.

It's not impossible for us to remove all direct references to MI. It would then turn into a semi-parody piraty game about a former bigshot game hero and his fans vs the game industry, rather then an homage to the MI games (past, present and future).

But we'll cross that bridge should we come to it.

Can you post some bigger versions of your art? It's really hard to tell what's what on the smaller ones.

Yes I could. and no, I won't. Currently most backgrounds finished are of part 1 (with an exception or two, the grog stand for example is of part 2), and I don't want to reveal all before it's even finished.

You want to see bigger versions? Sign up for betatesting when the time comes.

Yes, it's coming all right. Only 1 more background, a bunch of animations, and some finishing touches needed. If we decide to finish the complete intro first, it's gonna take a little longer. (but it'll be worth it, trust me!)

Oh, I almost forgot:

We need MUSIC COMPOSERS!

The game's really shaping up, but we still don't have any (well, ok, we got 1 original piece) music to go with it!

[Electroshokker]

Another little goody for you guys:

The inventory. (note: the items are NOT the final in-game items, those are still in the make. I ripped these of CMI)



Any thoughts?

Post them in our thread at the critics lounge.

[Electroshokker]

another update for you guys:

all our backgrounds are being reworked (once again) in order to get uniformity in style. Right now our backgrounds have all been made in very different styles (because of the many different background artists), which is really annoying.

Our lead artist now, Zyndikate, will now do all the sketches in order to get uniformity. (+ his style is really what we've been looking for, see the example a little lower.)

in other news, part 1 puzzles have been finalized (no more changes)

also, the GUI is now entirely finished, with everything in full working order.

Here's a screenie to show what we've been doing: (that's the verbcoin on which the mouse is resting)

[.Sklate.]

I must say, I'm really impressed with the new inventory screen shot. It even looks like when you hover over an item, it gets enlarged?  :o Wowee!

This project is looking good! I honestly hope that for whatever reasons, this project doesn't encounter any legal issues.

[Hammerite]

no thats not an enlarging item, thats a verb coin.

[.Sklate.]

Oh yeah Silly me...

The screenies still look good though! Hope to see more posted.

[dsg_charly]

Looks great, the inventory bag looks better in 2D cartoon  style than the 3D one.

Seems the graphics will catch the CMI visual essence, to my mind it's the most achieved regarding others Hi-Res adventure game.

Just a suggestion regarding the verb coin, as it is a golden or somethin' shinny coin, the black paintover (dreadlocks and other stuff) makes it a bit crappy to my mind.

Keep up the good work, hope your team won't reduce again.

[MYKAYEL]

Great work! CMI has allways been my favorite of the series.
Now about the music, why dont you download the FAN MUSIC off the SCUMM BAR website. They have some great work done belive me. "MONKEY ISLAND ROCKZ" is a rock version of the MONKEY ISLAND ORIGINAL THEME. They also have remixes of a lot of background music from the games in MP3 format. It's all free and it if Fan Music so there souldnt be any copyright problems. Here is a link to the site :

http://www.scummbar.com/community/fanmusic/

[Mr Flibble]

If you use fan music, ask the creator first.
I'd say they would almost definately let you use it, but asking first avoids possible resentment and feelings of "ZOMG I've been robbed" on their part.

[n3tgraph]

Hey maybe I can help you with some music??

I made a tune so you can hear my style:
Click me

This tune is based on the picture in the first page of this topic where guybrush says: "Murray" on the very small Island!

This is a quick recording, it's quite poor quality, so don't bite me on that fact.


Greetz
n3tÃ, 

Oh btw, if the file won't play, try changing the extension to .mp3
I changed it to mpg, else my file server wouldn't upload... :/

[MYKAYEL]

I JUST CANT WAIT TO PLAY THIS GAME!!! I hope you think of an awsome storyline for it. I can help you there if you want. But I can only give you some ideeas because I want to be surprized by the plot twists.

[Electroshokker]

Hey, guys.

We're still breathing... things have been kinda slow lately. (exams coming up/passing by for a lot of folks, I'm only a month away from graduation myself, so very busy...)

Well, here's an update on the features:

1)- We've got a kick-ass story. (the basics were written quite some time ago, and we've never stopped improving it.)

2)- We've got the best CMI type graphics ever now. (all scenes are being revamped...again. but => WORTH IT!!!) (the inventory bag screenshot hints the style)

3)- We've got puzzles that will make you pull your hair out...

it's the countless possibilities! you'll have tons of inventory items, and not a clue how to use them all (in fact, you can't use them all...)

(In order to make sure the game stays fun, the betatesters will have a say in the puzzles, to prevent them from being too hard/easy)

4)- We're also making that little extra every game needs... movie cutscenes!!! (maybe we'll release a teaser trailer to part 1 in a couple of months)


Status report:

Part 1 of the game has actually reached pre-alpha stage. Ok, what does pre-alpha mean anyways, you might say. Well, it means we're only a few steps away from full alpha, and that the real beta is finally in sight. I won't say when, though. Too much could happen, and I don't want to dissapoint people by setting a deadline.


Oh, before I get back to working on my thesis,

@n3tgraph: that sounds great! I send you a PM.

@MYKAYEL: good games take time to make. It'll be a while before we finish this one, but we'll do our best at creating the best damn all-monkeys-allowed game ever.

@Mr.Fibble: quite right. actually, using the fanmusic has been considered, but we've decided not to go there. (it's more fun when it's newly (re)composed)


EDIT: well, it's time to remove the "musicians wanted" sign for us... 3 able folks have expressed they're interest, and I say they're in. (includes n3tgraph)

Now you can add baddass music to the list of features 

[skullkid22]

hi, this is looking great. If you need a beta tester(when testing begins obviously) please PM me, i'll be glad to help.

[Bai Karl]

When the RMI will be finnished?

[dsg_charly]

...
it's the countless possibilities! you'll have tons of inventory items, and not a clue how to use them all (in fact, you can't use them all...)

(In order to make sure the game stays fun, the betatesters will have a say in the puzzles, to prevent them from being too hard/easy)
...

Just questionning, what the point of tons of inventory items, with some useless, and without clue for some ?

[ildu]

Just questionning, what the point of tons of inventory items, with some useless, and without clue for some ?

Yeah, it's a huge departure from CMI and other traditional and successful adventure games.

[dsg_charly]

Just questionning, what the point of tons of inventory items, with some useless, and without clue for some ?

Yeah, it's a huge departure from CMI and other traditional and successful adventure games.

Then... great.

[Electroshokker]

Time for another update:

Exams are over for most people, so production has sped up again.

We're currently busy with bugfixing, re-writing dialogs, finishing up the music and of course the graphics of part 1.

Oh, and tweaking the GUI for a more complete MI experience.

The way things are going now, I'd say we're only a few short months away from the betatesting of part 1.

We've decided to release Part 1 as a game demo after the betatesting. That way everyone can see what we've been up to without having to wait another year or so before the entire game is finished.

I've updated the screenshots in the first post. Have a look.

[Haddas]

Great work guys. I haven't really been eager to play anags game for a long time now. And this is the game to change it. This and "The Oracle".

I love what you've done with the game sofar. Promise to finish it. Soo many times we've been let down, so many hopes crushed. Don't you dare have a "Harddrive crash".

[Electroshokker]

Great work guys. I haven't really been eager to play anags game for a long time now. And this is the game to change it. This and "The Oracle".

I love what you've done with the game sofar. Promise to finish it. Soo many times we've been let down, so many hopes crushed. Don't you dare have a "Harddrive crash".

Well, if my harddrive + the harddrives of several members + my server crashes, THEN we'd have a problem. Otherwise we're cool. 


Oh, and we still need someone to do animations (the 1 thing we're still lacking)

[Electroshokker]

Ok, time for another update.

We started using Webcollab, so this time, I can give an actual percentage of finished stuff.
Don't let some of these figures fool you, though, read the explanation.

Revival Of MI Part 1:

GUI: 100%
Coding: 80%
Puzzles/Dialogs: 70%
Animations: 0%
Characters: 0%
Backgrounds: 50%
Movies: 10%
Music: 70%

animations and characters: we decided to dump our old crappy stuff and start afresh using sketches and vector graphics. While this is a temporary setback, it will increase the development speed by a lot. There's still an opening or two on our team if you know how to work with vector graphics...

movies: we got the project files for the old ones, but need to be updated with new graphics

As for everything else: going strong.

[sergiocornaga]

Wow, sounds great! Hope to see it completed real soon.

[Electroshokker]

It's gonna take a while longer.

We just had a major overhaul of the entire intro and part 1 script, and turned it into a nice moviescript-like file. (currently we've got 40 pages of moviescript for the intro and part 1, with the major dialogs not yet included)

This ensures the game now has a decent story and puzzle line
(in which you can find your way, rather then going 'Huh? What do I do next?')

So now the game script (hopefully) matches the quality of the art and music. This game is gonna be something...

Too bad we haven't found anyone to do animations or character design in the quality we want it to be yet. But we will, sooner or later.

[Electroshokker]

Bump.

Well, like in most game developments, we're all waiting for the art guys to do their thing. Pretty much everything else is settled.

So the only question remaining is:

How long will it take...

...the lead sketch artist to draw all sketches and animations
...the colorist to color those sketches
...the detail artist to finish up the details

Answer: As long as they need.

[Nikolas]

I hope all the best to your team and say that I'm really looking forward to the game

Also thanks for keeping us updated It means a lot...

[CosmoQueen]

The game looks fantastic! I can't wait to try it!

[calacver]

This is just about the best looking adventure out there. You make bill tiller proud!

[Electroshokker]

The game looks fantastic! I can't wait to try it!

This is just about the best looking adventure out there. You make bill tiller proud!

thanks guys! We really appreciate it.

Anyways, here's the latest news:

- new name: The RMI Project (revival of), the project's codename, now has transformed so much we decided on the official name. The new name will be revealed in due time.
- website in the works: It's been ages since we got time for it, but there's actually been some progress in designing our website. I can't say when it will go online ('cause I ain't got no clue when it'll be finished, much like the game itself), but I can say it will sport nice progress report stuff and easily updatable.
- background graphics going...slow. as usual. (current rate of progress: 1 background in about 2 weeks. (damn that's long! and that's provided they got enough time to work on it!), BUT on the plus side, the new backgrounds will look even better then the old ones. (which are also scheduled for some minor updates)
- character design and animations: nothing, nihil, nada, zip. Recruiting a decent character concept artist and animation artist is hard, so it seems. (especially if they gotta work for free) I tried contacting a few who seemed to be passionate about Monkey Island stuff, but no luck so far. (haven't had a single reply yet)

If you know anyone who can design really nice characters (which fit the game style) or are one yourself, please do not hesitate to let us know!

- some 'special surpises'... have been made as well...

All in all, looks like we got ourselves a really, really, really long road ahead of ourselves. But a new beginning's been made, and the future looks shiny now!

[Electroshokker]

Well, guys, this is it: the new (and final) name revealed:

MI - The Lost Years

we also got ourselves a small website now (of decent quality)

check it out!

[dsg_charly]

More MI, this is nice.

Keep up the good work, I know how hard it is to make decent graphics (since I'm alone making my game).

Please add more screenies and artwork, the website seems a little empty.

[Electroshokker]

Please add more screenies and artwork, the website seems a little empty.

I added some new ones on the first page at the first page of this thread (note that the main character is currently being revamped)

as for the website: Once we've got enough backgrounds, sketches, screenshots etc. made to create a gallery it will be displayed in the media section.

For now the website's bare bones only. We're still focussing more on making the game itself then the website, after all.

[fentongames]

This looks really good! Much better than before!Ã, 

Maybe when the game is done, it can go head to head with the Fountain of Youth project.Ã, 

[Daniel Thomas]

I would like to add that none of those backgrounds in the screenshots are used nor final.

[ShadeJackrabbit]

This is more exciting than... anything to do with monkey island. It looks really good. You guys should be paid money for this!

[boojiboy]

Is there still a demo of this for download?

[gypsysnail]

Wow Electroshokker! Those are gorgeous screenshots!!! I want to ask you, did you draw the graphics on paper and scan to computer, trace the lines and then do the rest of work in photoshop? I am asking this as I have not done backgrounds for a game before even though I am an artist and paint on canvases, and I am currently doing my first background this way, drew it on paper then scanned it and so on. Let me know and anyone else who reads this thread too and is working on or has done a game too, how you have done your backgrounds? I realise it is a much easier way than drawing from scratch on computer .
Cheers, Snail

[buloght]

The game graphics are brilliant. I always like it when the talented folk like the loominous-people do the backgrounds (make a game you talented freak) and this would be what I would have in mind, so thank you guys, this is nothing short of professional, zyndicate (just realized you did the amazing zeppelin bg for the blitz).

[Daniel Thomas]

@gypsysnail: Yes, they're drawn on paper and then edited(almost always needed) in photoshop. The coloring is then done in layers below the lineart in photoshop.

@buloght: Thanks, hopefully the new backgrounds are even better (atleast I think they are), but Im not doing the coloring. The first background in the first page is not colored by me, but our former colorartist who left (we got a new one).

And yes, loominous, do a game now!

[joelphilippage]

Do you have a tutroial for those backgrounds?

[Electroshokker]

Do you have a tutroial for those backgrounds?

No, it's all Zynd's work. Maybe if you ask him nicely he can make you one...

You might also want to take a look at How to Draw Monkeys the Lucas Arts Way: An Analysis of the Funny pictures in the Curse of Monkey Island by William 'Bill' Tiller (there's a pdf floating around somewhere with the same text + pictures) as it is a big inspiration.

This is more exciting than... anything to do with monkey island. It looks really good. You guys should be paid money for this!

Nah.

- Exciting? => wait 'till we finish it, THEN get excited! 
- Get paid for it? => Just the fact that a lot of folks like it is reward enough. We actually like making this game. I just hope that our puzzles, witty dialogs, music and other stuff will get as good a review from you folks as our art.

Speaking of which, we've still got a lot of work ahead of us. Better get back to it.

[Da_Elf]

i hope this is of some sort of use to you

EDIT opps forgot to add the link
http://www.scummbar.com/games/index.php?game=1&sub=info

[Scummbuddy]

(there's a pdf floating around somewhere with the same text + pictures) as it is a big inspiration.

http://lucasstyle.com/tutorials.htm

[Electroshokker]

@Scummbuddy: yep, that's the one. thx for the link.

News update:

1) We've decided to recruit an experienced dialog writer to help us out and speed things up a bit. If you feel a sudden urge to write monkey island dialogs coming up, check out this thread.

No-one on our team is a native english speaker, and while we do have our moments of brilliance, good dialogs don't come particularly easy or fast.

(And with me having a day-job (since last month) scriptwriting has slowed down enough already)

2) Backgrounds however are coming along nicely. With rush having joined our little band as a color artist, things are looking up.

3) I'm planning to update the website sometime soon by uploading new stuff you can look at and listen to... hope you got the ogg codec installed.

[Electroshokker]

News update:

Not 1, but 2 dialog writers have offered their services, and send me a sample of their work.
Therefor the 'dialog writer wanted' sign is removed... for now.

Let's hope one of them matches our high standards...  

[andy256]

Hey Electroshokker, this looks fantastic i'm a big mi fan myself, would like to help out, but would not know where to apply myself, please email me if u need an extra helping hand.

[Dan_N]

Yes yes yes yes yes yes yes and words to that effect. Electroshokker, this is a great ideea and quite brilliant. I saw that you've got the story almost finished... I wanted to add to that bit... even if it was just a little. I'm a big MI fan, although I've played only the first two games and half of the third. I must admit, I liked Ron Gilbert's style better. I also like what you've done with Guybrush. Given him his cool look I see, beard, coat. Brilliant, I really hope you guys'll finish it and I really hope LucasArts won't come down on you guys with the hammer of lawyers... Brilliant ideea, I'm behind it 100%! Keep up the good work!

[Daniel Thomas]

We're not using that guybrush, our will be cooler ;P

[Dan_N]

How much cooler?

Will you like give a big bushy beard, make him bigger, give him a pirate hat?

Frankly, MI2 Guybrush is the coolest Guybrush I've seen so far...

We can only hope then. And wait. Yeah, lots o' waitin'.

[ildu]

Just a word of warning, when you're designing the new Guybrush sprite:

In CMI, the scaling of Guybrush was handled in a good way. When Guybrush was in the main walking areas of any background, he didn't scale at all and was basically kept the same size so that the pixelation wouldn't look crappy. Scaling would only occur where it was really obvious, most of time time when Guybrush was either entering or exiting the main walk area (or background). This is one reason why most of the backgrounds in CMI are portrayed from relatively the same high camera position.

I'm saying this because you've apparently used heavy scaling in the two screenshots you have in this thread. And, although the camera positions are perhaps a little lower than in CMI, you probably don't even need scaling in them. It's another issue entirely when the distance between the room and the camera differ, because then you have to automatically have a scaled sprite in one of them. If you'll notice, CMI very rarely had varying camera-target distances, and it was a smart directional move from them, since it added consistency and polish to the game.

So, here's some suggestions regarding pre-production:

Bgs (hope it's not too late ):

- Try to keep the distance between the camera and the target consistent. Study the CMI bgs and imitate what they've done.
- Study CMI bgs to measure perspectives and vanishing points and see how they relate to your bgs.
- Try to keep the walking areas relatively the same throughout production.
- Play with the sharpening tools to see how the sharpness of the linework affects the visual quality. If you look at CMI, they used penciled and scanned outlines, which were sharpened and contrast-leveled. And if you study it a little, the linework and paintwork have a nice equilibrium going on. You can't really say that either is any more important than the other.

Sprite:

- Determine the common size of the sprite. See what the relation of the common Guybrush sprite in CMI is to the bgs. And if there are clear differences in the camera-target distance between bgs, create another common size for those rooms.
- Try and keep the Guybrush sprite as simple as possible. Don't have too much specific detail, like you have now. It'll make it easier to distinguish the char from the bg, easier to animate, and it'll scale a lot better.
- Your outlines looks pretty good, but I'd advise that you don't use solid black pixelled outlines. The best way would probably be drawing the outlines on a tablet with a black hard brush with size and slight transparency pressure variation. After that, you could play with the sharpening tools and finally cut the AA from outside the char with the lasso.
- Don't use any shading, unless it's really needed, and even then only use cel-shading. The CMI Guybrush is not shadowed, and it worked perfectly well with him. It'll help distinguish chars from the bgs, it'll help with scaling and again it'll be easier to animate.
- Instead of shadowing, distribute the effort into choosing the right colors. Color combination can be a very difficult thing (although some may think not), and when you get it absolutely right, the result is priceless.
- Use the engine's atmospheric lighting on the sprite (it looks like you've already implemented this).

Reference images:




I look forward to seeing the new bgs and the sprite in action . Great looking game.

[Krazy]

I understand what you're saying there, it did look a bit poo whenever Guybrush was scaled down in COMI since the outlines would break up and such, but with AGS anti-aliasing system this old adventure game problem is more or less fully resolved so I see no reason not to try all sorts of crazy camera angles .

[Dan_N]

Why are these people arguing about graphics?

Sure, a new Guybrush would be cooler, but hey, NEW MONKEY ISLAND GAME (:o) and IT'S FREE !!!

I would like to wish you guys working on Lost Years another warm good luck! So, good luck! 

[Electroshokker]

Well, time for an update:

- in the background area we're doing well, things are moving forward slow but steadily (good backgrounds take time)

- in the animation area we're still starved for a good animator. (both character animations as regular ones)

- in the story/script area we're ok, but the script/dialog still need that little extra (ok, in some areas a lot extra) MI humor. While both Trovatore as well as Strange Visitor eagerly joined us for a brief moment, they unfortunately soon realised they didn't have the time needed to spend on this project. So we need fresh blood. Who's up to the challenge?

All in all, not much progress, mostly due to only a handful of people working on this game. Once we've got ourselves a complete team, though, things should really kick into overdrive... (So let's hope a few good people feel the monkeys calling out to them... and join us in our quest)

I would like to wish you guys working on Lost Years another warm good luck! So, good luck! 

Thanks!

[Da_Elf]

i know exactly how you feel on all those points keep it up i cant wait to see it when its done. what kinda of animation are you looking for other than the character animation?

[Cyrus]

Wow! :o It is excellent and looks very much like CMI, one of my favourite games in adventure genre.

[Dualnames]

Well, time for an update:

- in the background area we're doing well, things are moving forward slow but steadily (good backgrounds take time)

- in the animation area we're still starved for a good animator. (both character animations as regular ones)

- in the story/script area we're ok, but the script/dialog still need that little extra (ok, in some areas a lot extra) MI humor. While both Trovatore as well as Strange Visitor eagerly joined us for a brief moment, they unfortunately soon realised they didn't have the time needed to spend on this project. So we need fresh blood. Who's up to the challenge?

All in all, not much progress, mostly due to only a handful of people working on this game. Once we've got ourselves a complete team, though, things should really kick into overdrive... (So let's hope a few good people feel the monkeys calling out to them... and join us in our quest)

I would like to wish you guys working on Lost Years another warm good luck! So, good luck!Ã, 

Thanks!

I  again offer my services in dialogs/in-game messages/story-plot section of this game.
Pm me or send me a mail at JustLedZep@mail.gr.
i hope I get the job

[Cyrus]

Well, where can I get the demoversion?

[Da_Elf]

i can only offer services for voice acting if you want someone with a caribbean accent

[Electroshokker]

I  again offer my services in dialogs/in-game messages/story-plot section of this game.
Pm me or send me a mail at JustLedZep@mail.gr.
i hope I get the job

I send you a PM.

Well, where can I get the demoversion?

There isn't any atm. Once (a looong time ago), I made a demo (when the game was still called the revival of mi project, with different story) to attract other developers. It wasn't much to look at (frankly, qua graphics it was an embarassment compared to current backgrounds)

Currently, we're not thinking about demos. We're thinking of getting the first part done alltogether and releasing it. (and depending on the critics we'll decide if we want to make parts 2 upto 7)

i can only offer services for voice acting if you want someone with a caribbean accent

Unfortunately, we're not looking for voice actors at this time. If part 1 is well received, and as a result we've made all the other parts, THEN and only then will we be looking for voice actors, to make a "deluxe" edition with full voice-overs and tons of extra little goodies. (so people who played the individual parts/sets would want to play it all over again)

But thanks for offering, I'll be sure to remember that offer if and when the time comes...

[Cyrus]

Well, when is it going to be released? In the first or in the second half of the year 2007?

[Electroshokker]

An update:

Well, things are looking good. The team's almost complete, just 1 person short: the animator.

The story's ready, the part 1 script is almost complete (only thing still being discussed are the dialogs), the background lineart/coloring is coming along nicely, character concepts are looking good, ... 

It seems like *gasp* there's a chance we'll actually might finish making this game someday!

Well, when is it going to be released? In the first or in the second half of the year 2007?

When it's done.  (depending on how fast we find an animator, as that's the only field that's been lagging waaaay behind)

[Bai Karl]

VERY NICE!!!!!

[Da_Elf]

come on animators, give them a hand. i want to play this game

[Electroshokker]

*bump*

new screenshot. see first post of this thread.

the character in it is not 100% finished, though. gives you a little peak at what we're doing, though.

[Dan_N]

That's great, you gave him his MI2 look! \o/

[Cyrus]

It will be just great if you can combine MI2 style and MI3 graphics! We're waiting!

[Electroshokker]

Here's another sneak peak at what we're doing...
(warning - work in progress)

(work by our character concept artist, Fawfulhasfury)

note: you don't have to point out the flaws, we know and we're fixing them.

[Rui 'Trovatore' Pires]

Heh. Funnily enough, what you're getting is a MI game that graphically is starting to look and feel like Discworld II.

[Dan_N]

Fawfulhasfury is good.

[Cyrus]

make a "deluxe" edition with full voice-overs and tons of extra little goodies.

What kind of goodies? Easter eggs?

[Electroshokker]

From now on I'm only give an update once a month and share some thoughts about our progress and answer any outstanding questions. There will be no more graphic updates.

June 2007 - Good times and free grog all around!

Celebrations all around as we've actually managed to get a full core team assembled! (geez, I wonder how long that'll last...  :)

Finally, after all this time, we now got everyone we need busy helping create a great game!

...and that's all I'm saying this month 

Q&A

What kind of goodies? Easter eggs?

At this point in time I will not reveal any such details. Let's just say that once (IF  ) the entire game is (GETS) finished you're going be able to figure it all out...

[Regun]

i am a big fan of monkey island so i have to play this game!!!

how soon do you think that the game is avaible???

[SuperDre]

The screenshots look amazing... keep up the great work...

[Cyrus]

Well, you've found an animator. Do you now have the release date of the act 1?

[WD-40]

Wow, this is looking really great. Can't wait to play the finished product. Keep up the good work!

[scalad]

Is there still a demo of this for download?

I would also like to know if there is a demo. I have tried looking but can't find one.

[Cyrus]

As Electroshokker already said, an earlier  version of TLY was planned: The Reveal of Mi project, which looked a lot different and had a demoversion. But this version is not going to have demo.

[Electroshokker]

Monthly update: July 2007 - The wheels are starting to turn.

Not much to mention this month. A roadmap was set up, goals were set and we're now slowly moving forward.
Some of our teammembers are on holiday, so in some fields progress is a little slower then in others.
I've been rather absent-minded of late, due to increased work pressure, but with my 2-week holiday starting monday, I can finally put my full attention back into game development.

Q&A

Do you now have the release date of the act 1?

Short answer: Before 2014.

Long answer: No. This project isn't about setting a release date and working towards it, it's about creating someting of excellent quality, and using as much time as is needed to get it done. It's very hard to predict when that'll be. I updated the main page of our website to display where we are in our roadmap. Check there to see how much closer we are to the completion op part 1.

Is there still a demo of this for download?

There never was a demo of MI - TLY. Waaaaay back, I wanted to build a small MI fangame, (hence the demo of which people talk at the beginning of this topic), but frankly, was quite a mess, and wouldn't have been very fun to play. That project, called RMI, was discontinued. The entire story was re-invented, the game puzzles re-designed, so that in the end you would be able to play a quality game, rather then a quick and poorly constructed one.

Once part 1 is completed and released, the reviews will help us decide whether or not to continue with The Lost Years.

[Cyrus]

Of course, you shouldn't sacrify quality for speed, we can wait as long as nesessary. By the way, I've seen some screenshots of this game's inventory... Are you going to use the plot line of the snake from MI3 and different objects eaten by her (including cereal, secret materials, etc.)?

[Darth Mandarb]

Cyrus ... since you obviously aren't willing to listen and take the question after question (after question after question) into PRIVATE MESSAGES as you should ... how about you wait for a few days, accumulating all your questions, and then ask them all in one post rather than cluttering up this thread.

It's not that difficult a concept to grasp ... really it's not.

[Electroshokker]

Monthly update: August 2007 - Filling in the missing pieces.

Things have been rather slow this month, with the main focus turning back to the script, puzzles and dialogs. While the main puzzles etc. were already written, many of the minor, detail stuff was still missing.
You know the kind, where you can try to interact with EVERYTHING and there's (at least) a witty comment for trying. So I've been filling in the blanks.

[Electroshokker]

Update: December 2007

Eghm, right, I was supposed to update this thread... :

Anyways, the good news is, all is going well, we got a full team and we're working very hard to get this game ready;

Still no expected betatesting date, since our animation team is still busy catching up.

...well, can't reveal any more... you're just gonna have to wait and see. 

Got tons to do...

EDIT: oh, yeah, our main character's new look is finally ready, but I'm not showing him...just yet. I can tell you he looks very little like the previous versions. But this new one can actually walk around already...

[Cyrus]

I'm very glad to see you keep moving on. By the way, are you going to release a real trailer instead of the "Monkey Wars"?

[Da_Elf]

whoo hoo. this is great news. glad to hear things are heading in the right direction. i believe my project is stuck waiting at the bus stop and isnt going in any direction

[Electroshokker]

After a long silence I'm proud to present our brand new website and reveal what has been brewing in our development team chambers.
-----------------------------------------------------------
from our brand new FAQ:

What happened to MI - The Lost Years!?

"MI - The Lost Years" is now called "Picaroon - The Lost Years" In order to prevent copyright infringement, we've decided it was for the best to rename the game and characters, so nothing can ever prevent you from playing this wonderful game we've worked so hard on (and still are). "MI - The Lost Years" was inspired by the popular Monkey Island Game Series, but didn't have too many direct references, so it was easy enough to "convert" to a whole original game.
-----------------------------------------------------------
Ohnoes! Will this delay the game even more?

Don't worry (really), this won't change the game that much. We already had designed our script and story so it wouldn't interfere with the 'old' MI reality (we had a new one, in a different time zone no less), so no worries there.

It's sad that we can't call our game an MI fangame anymore but we'd rather not risk getting shut down after all the hard work we've put into it.

Instead, we keep it at 'MI - inspired' and keep true to the spirit of MI as much as possible.

Check out the first post in this thread for some brand new screenshots (or just go straight ahead to our brand new website )


P.S. Did I mention our new website has LOADS of new content for you to check out?


(oh, and ignore the Picaroon logo in the screenshots. They're actual screenshots with the picaroon logo added afterwards)

[Cyrus]

Will the plot be ABSOLUTELY new or contain only some changes?

[Peder 🚀]

This looks sweet 8).

The new website looks really nice!
I dont think ive posted in this thread during its life but this game is looking really good!
And I can now officially add this game to my "games I'm looking forward to" list.

I had a listen to the music to, which also sounds really good!

Peder.

[Electroshokker]

Will the plot be ABSOLUTELY new or contain only some changes?

No, the plot won't be absolutely new compared to MI - TLY. Since the stage was already set to be on new islands with new characters, there aren't that many changes, actually. (Other then all direct references to MI being scrapped, so no old MI jokes. Only new jokes. Which seem hauntingly familiar somehow. Hmm...)

All original content © 2006-2008 Pirate 'n Mojo Studios. All art, music and all other parts of "Picaroon - The Lost Years" is fully original. If any of our characters shows any resemblance to any existing character (fictional or otherwise), this is purely a coincidence. Really.

This looks sweet 8).

The new website looks really nice!
I dont think ive posted in this thread during its life but this game is looking really good!
And I can now officially add this game to my "games I'm looking forward to" list.

I had a listen to the music to, which also sounds really good!

Peder.

Glad you like it! It took a lot of hard work to get the new website up and running (and all our old content converted to fit in there).

[Mordalles]

i love that cover/title art! looks great! love the colour mixing and matching!
good luck with the project. 

[Ubel]

Lovely poster indeed! And the game looks and sounds excellent! I like the simplicity of the basic plot.

[Da_Elf]

picaroon , MI, no big difference. the game looks like its going to be awsome none-the-less

[BlueGrot]

Looks great! I have applied!

[Matti]

Wow! Seeing this I think I should browse a bit through the games-in-production thread..

It started quite a while ago, but it's good to see that there's still progress.

[xelanoimis]

Looking wonderful! Very professional.
Can't wait to play it!

[CosmoQueen]

Wow this looks quite amazing. Incredibly professional.

[Electroshokker]

Always nice to get positive comments.

Anyways,

we're still looking for animators, as there's lots of stuff that still needs to be done.

We only need a few more character animations, it's mostly "action" animations (tiny cutscenes) and possibly some ambient animations that need to be done.

We've got pretty much every other angle covered, so:

If any of the following applies to you, please do not hesitate to contact me. (via PM or email, mailadress is on our website)

- If you love Monkey Island games
- If you like to work on a bigger than average community project
- If you like adventure games made in stunning 2D graphics
- You just got waaay to much time on your hands
- You got a little time to spare and like to share your experience

Any help you can give is appreciated. The only requirement is you show something you've recently made.

[Cyrus]

Post that in "Recruit a Team" thread in "Adventure-related talk & chat".

[Ghost]

I must say, I'm quite happy to see the change from a MI-fangame to something original. Apart from the legal issues, your game has so much potential- so much quality, too- and style that it seems a waste to stick the Monkey Island label to it. Let's face it, who'd live up to all the nostalgy-tinted memories we use to have when it comes to the Mighty Pirate... now, Picaroon can prove its worth on its own.

I like that, and wish you the best of luck!

[Electroshokker]

Winter 2008

And so, with a (blue) cup of tea in my hand, I review all the events that took place this year, and saw that it was all good.

We've had a number of people join our team, all which have produced some nice, top quality stuff: sound FX, animations, ...

We're not there quite yet, but we're getting ahead. While I dunno when we'll finish this game, I do know we WILL finish this game (well, part 1 anyways) and that you'll love it.

Cheers to the team for all their efforts!
Cheers to Chris Jones for improving the AGS engine further!

-and cheers to you, reader!

[Cyrus]

Are you going to place any new content (music, screenshots, etc.) on the site?

[dirk delshire]

This game look frick'n awesome. I love the whole Monkey Island vibe, hopefully it's as good as the graphics.
Will it have a voice pack?

[chapter11studios]

Holy crap, this game looks absolutely awesome! Keep up the good work.

[Electroshokker]

January 2009

Wow, yet another year passed by... I can hardly believe it's been so long ago since this project was started...

We've come pretty far, I must say. With animation artists joining us only in 2008, it has been a very interesting year to say the least. The game is starting to shape up quite nicely.

2009 promises to become even more interesting...

Are you going to place any new content (music, screenshots, etc.) on the site?

Just put a new screenshot up. I'm too busy adding stuff to the game build atm, so for more content on the site you'll have to wait a while.

This game look frick'n awesome. I love the whole Monkey Island vibe, hopefully it's as good as the graphics.
Will it have a voice pack?

Once we get the game ready to play with no more bugs, we will contact a number of voice artists to make a voice pack, yes. However, this is not our top priority.

[Takyon]

This game looks so good I can't wait to play it. Where's the link to the demo though it seems to be dead on the first page?

[Daniel Thomas]

The demo is of an very old build and it has about nothing to do with the current game we're working on - everything has changed :>

Progress is still made, some animations getting done and alot of code being written by Electroshokker.
So thanks for all the comments so far! We're getting closer :>

[Takyon]

Ah ok thanks. Who makes your character sprites may I ask?

[Thuybrush Greepwood]

Omg i think, this game will be the best one ever made from people of this site! :o (no offense )
dont know how far you are now but i will continue checkin out this site .... (well i´ve done it the last two years ... so np there)
hopefully we´re allmost there^^
Wishyou all the best 

[Marion]

It looks a bit too much like Monkey Island, but I'm waiting for it

[Electroshokker]

November 2009

After a year where development crawled to a halt due to my life getting totally swamped, things are about to change;

Due to recent events in my life, I find myself all of a sudden with a lot of spare time, and a burning desire to continu where I left off, see what the guys have been cooking up while I was away (animations & stuff looking pretty cool), and take back the helm of the ship.

All my other projects are temporary put on hold, I'll finish stuff sequentially, rather then trying to finish everything at the same time, resulting in getting nothing finished.

The only rules that really matter are these: what a man can do and what a man can’t do.

[Bulbapuck]

That sounds GREAT!!!

Thanks for the update, really looking forward to this one.

[Cyrus]

When can we expect new materials?

[Electroshokker]

When can we expect new materials?

For the moment, I'm still digging through everything that's been happening the last couple of months.

I won't post any new materials for a while, instead, focus on getting the game in a playable state. (transforming the raw materials into AGS-friendly stuff, aka the whole 'sprite-size reduction' animation integration stuff; Can't just pump in full 640x480 animations, gotta be clever if I want the game to be playable and not slow down to a crawl when animating.)

I will, however, post more regular updates, and reveal a little more information about the game every time.

(Like: how BIG is this game anyways, how many locations are there, how many characters will introduce themselves, maybe a little more on the background story... how far along are we after all these years, how 'come it took so long and more!)

Now if you'll excuse me for a while, I gotta dust off some old ags project files and boot up the game to see where we were, then compare it to the puzzle outline document, etc;

Less talk, more action!

[Electroshokker]

Update:

- the project's been almost at a standstill for a while (except for the animation department, thanks crew!)
- finally got round to fixing some bugs and getting some more puzzles in.

My TODO list is still freakin' huge, but I'm tackling it one thing at a time. I'll be contacting old friends & crew soon to jumpstart the project again in the other departments.

The project's scope is now fixed, no new fancy stuff until part 1's playable from start to end.

[Jeopardy]

Glad to see you're back on your feet, I've really been looking forward to this game.

[arj0n]

seconded!

[Cyrus]

What's that box on the shelf? Is it LeChuck's action figure? 

[Daniel Thomas]

Uh oh! 

[Electroshokker]

In other news, here's an estimate of our current status:

GUI coding	99%
Puzzle coding	90%
Animations	40%
Static art	80%
Character Dialogs	60%
Interaction dialogs/monologs	30%
Music	90%
Sound FX	40%

Currently main focus is finishing the puzzles and dialogs/monologs, so the game's playable from beginning to end.

Considering the current status and how much work we actually get done each month, I believe that we might be able to have it finished... sometime next year.

Can't be more specific. It all depends on circumstances.

[Fitz]

The screenshots look GORGEOUS. They do have that Curse of the Monkey Island feel to them - but that's GOOD in my books. It's such a shame that huge studios that DO make adventure games have to make them 3D. I liked Sam & Max all lo-res and pixelated so much more!

Aaanyway, fingers crossed for this one! Arrr!

[Electroshokker]

News:

* I'm bringing the t-vandepoele.be website down this weekend, made a full back-up to my hard disk. The plan is to bring it up again in a week or two at the latest. (Changing hosting solution)

* Beta testing will NOT commence, since I got delayed a lot (my job required/requires a lot of overtime the last couple of months and upto the end of februari at least), as alpha testing hasn't even started yet. Alpha testing will commence in the next couple of weeks.

I'll keep you posted. Until the website is back up again, this thread will be your source of news regarding the game.  

[Darth Mandarb]

Please update the first post to include the [now broken] images!

[Tabata]

Good luck for finishing this game!

It looks wonderful! ... and these backgrounds â€" wow â€"  :o
Just the kind of game I really like to play!

. . . go, go, go . . . 

[Electroshokker]

Ok, turns out my subscription is running 'till 16/03 (so deleted everything a little prematurely)

I won't re-upload the entire website, though. This does mean I can temporarily put back some files where needed.

@Darth: I uploaded the images again (shortened the path)

[Cyrus]

Any updates on this? I'm really sorry for bumping it, but the website is still unavailable.

[Darth Mandarb]

You didn't violate the rules.  However; since you seem to think you did, and bumped the thread anyway, make sure you don't do this on any other threads.  Just PM the author as the rules suggest.

Electroschokker - I'm going to lock this as the first post is now broken (no images displaying).  Let me know when you have that sorted and I'll re-open the thread!

[Electroshokker]

Ok, the site's back up and the first post's been updated again. Thanks for unlocking the thread!

This project's still on, with me working on it.

That's all I'm saying for now

[Cyrus]

Sorry for bumping up an old thread, but I would like to say the following. Several years ago I volunteered to beta-test the first chapter of the game; unfortunately I haven't been able to contact Electroshokker (he didn't reply to my email), so now I've put up the demo on Internet Archive:

https://archive.org/details/PTLYDemo01

P. S. Electroshokker, if you're still working on it, and you want it to be secret for now, please contact me, and I'll take it down.

[Dualnames]

This looks really good, back then this looked like nothing else!!