Messages

Hey All, Which looks better?

Any other thoughts are always welcome.

I vote AG. A little short but I liked the concept.

sweet. You guys have really gone out of your way to help me. Thanks I have learned much.

This thread has been very helpful to me, but I am still having an issue. Could someone give me a link to how to scale my door? Thanks.

Thanks that was what I was looking for.

My middle short hallway doesn't look quite right. Little help please?

Sorry it became so long of a piece.

Apocalypse Journal

If you are reading this I hope the world is a different place than it is as I write this short journal. A better World. A healed world. I write this in hopes that it is a help to someone still trying to survive or as a quick record of how we as a world fell. I'll start by telling you that it has been close to a year since the terrorist attach first decimated the world that I knew. It would be hard to give an exact time if I hadn't found a digital watch. But even that luxury won't help me forever because the batteries die. Sorry for the rambling, I am distracted because I have to focus more on the safety of myself and a young girl and her pup. I have been protecting her for a few days now.

Depending on how much time has gone by, people will likely have some misconceptions. Let me clear these up as much as I can with the facts I personally have witnessed and the info from before the mass media went down.

Looking at the cities people will likely think it was nukes that caused the end of our advanced society. That is not the case at all. The nuclear bombardment was a desperate act of a desperate world. People will also think the mutants were a product of the nuclear fallout, yet once again they would be wrong. Although nuclear radiation in high doses will affect DNA, these mutations have affected the entire human genome. These evolutionary mutations happened over days and weeks, not centuries and millennia.

We know that someone at the Center for Disease Control developed the most sophisticated virus ever devised from a highly contagious smallpox strain. In the beginning it wasn’t apparent that it was a two-stage virus. The terrorist/terrorists then introduced the virus into the Atlanta International Airport ventilation system and infected thousands instantly. Within 72 hours the virus went global. The CDC and every disease center worldwide worked none stop, but no cure was found. People wore masks everywhere. I remember the pictures from TV reports and it was the same all over the world. Government closed their gates. Airplanes and other mass transit systems were shut down. Hospitals no longer took patients. It became anarchy. The government tried to use the military to control the multitudes and protect hospitals and business. Commerce broke down within the first few weeks. All monies went defunct. Soon the military even failed as martial law was ordered. 


It was estimated that almost every single human being worldwide was infected by the virus. Yet some people were unaffected by the virus. My wife and son weren’t that lucky. They slowly passed away in those first few months. Imagine caring for your loved ones, but couldn't stop death from taking them. Imagine caring for your sick loved ones and being totally healthy. My heart turned black and cold as I watched my wife and child turn black with ulcers and wither and die away, leaving the pain far behind. No more pain.



Within the first 3 months following the attack 90% of the Earth's population was dead. That was 6 billion lives lost to this horrible act.75 million people were thought to be left alive worldwide. It was the worst mass human near-extinction event ever to face mankind. This virus made the bubonic plague look like the common cold. But as with the bubonic plague, some people survive, whether from partial or full immunity. And just as happened to culture and society during the Black Death, it led to the world into the dark ages.

It was total anarchy. Everyone looted - everyone. You had to eat and money didn't exist anymore. A bartering system took effect. Roving gangs took all that they could carry. They raped and pillaged like Viking’s of old, except they had no honor and bucked all of society’s rules.

The contagious aspect of the smallpox super virus and total die-off ended in about 3 months. Many people also died from the diseases that arose from the decomposing bodies. There were mass burning and burials to try to help with sanitation and contain disease. There were a lot more burnings than burials happening. You never forget the smell and sounds of piles of humans burning. The sickening sounds of crackling fat and the sizzle of hair and skin. The loud pop as the guts bloat beyond capacity and burst will haunt my dreams forevermore. Buildings were stripped of combustibles to fuel the funeral pyres. Gangs of roving executioners roamed the streets and killed the infected to add to the never-ending fires. Many people that realized that they were infected committed suicide finding a quick death preferable to a slow lingering pain-filled death. I hardens a man to see the things that holocaust brings. 

People realized that the contagion was over and it was time to rebuild. Slowly people began to organize in small communities and defend themselves against anti-social gangs. They thought the worst was over. We had lost much but we could begin to heal. But they were wrong. A new pestilence erupted into the populace lucky enough to survive the “first” apocalypse. It soon became apparent that the virus was a two-stage virus. People began to mutate. They got large tumors and their bodies and began to contort into horrid shapes. Their hair changed on their bodies, especially on the tumors and head. They lost most head hair and grew hair on their tumors. Their speech became imbecile, immature, and primitive. It was like they retro-evolved. The mutated humans soon became antisocial and they started to change. They began to attack people and eat the human victims uncooked with their bare hands.

Once again some humans remained human, not mutated and entirely unaffected by the virus’s impact. This time there was no global information flow, so I really have no idea how many of us were unaffected and left alive. It appeared that this second stage of the virus wasn’t infectious. I noticed that people that were injured and escaped didn't become infected. At around 6 months I didn’t see any more transformations from human to beast. All I saw was death and disaster. The outbreak of flesh-eating beasts was so devastating and threatening to humans’ new precarious rule on earth that governments launched a full-scale nuclear assault on all major cities of the world. For those keeping count, that is 3 life altering holocausts in 6 months.

The transmissions that were heard gave people 24 hours notice to exodus. There was no way that I could make it out of the city in that time. So once again many humans died during the initial blast or in the fallout that came after. I used my 24 hrs to stock and prepare my humble abode. It was/is a janitor/maintenance closet at the below ground, bottom level of a parking garage. Luckily I wasn’t at ground-zero or no planning whatsoever would have helped me survive. I only left the closet a few times during the first few months after the nukes went off to avoid the main effects of the fallout.

I emerged once again and like every other time some people survived. Sadly a lot of mutants also survived. Soon after I reemerged normal folks thinned out here in the city, hopefully they left the city, but I am afraid most died to the mutes. I still see the occasional person, but they are usually being pursued by the mutes at the time or are so antisocial that I cannot interact with them.

There seems to be different species of these mutants. I gave the different types that I have witnessed names that remind me of their characteristics. Here is an inventory of the types of mutants that I have encountered and their characteristics and other thoughts I have on them that I feel might help:

Zombies: There are more of these than any other type of mutant. These guys are slow and lethargic. You can merely jog past them as they slowly turn and begin following in your direction. They don't use weapons. They are only dangerous in mass or if you dead-end yourself. Even then a strong man with a weapon can kill a dozen and still get away. They moan constantly so it is hard for them to sneak up on you.

Toads: These mutes are extremely fat to say the least. They are usually just squatted in the middle of streets. They are like lazy jackals as they sit and wait for other mutants to kill prey. At that point go and eat on the kill, often fighting off other mutes for a larger portion of the kill. I really named them toads because as they breathe their throat puffs up in the front and then collapses back down. Luckily this gives them a weak spot. Their tumor-adorned heads and fat bodies are very hard to bypass to get to the vital organs. You would be wasting your time with a blunt weapon. Everyone I saw has huge tumors on their heads and necks. They would never catch you as you leisurely pass by, yet miserably they scream the most horrid ear-piercing shriek the moment they see animals and humans. Then, as you likely guessed, all mutes in earshot come-a-running. Once again go for the throat; it pops easily while inflated. It seems to be more skin than muscle. I would say that you don't see these too often, but when you do, hide or kill them quickly or you are going to be up to your eyeballs in mutes.

Batters: These don't really look any different than Zombies but they wield weapons. They also are faster than the zombies. They move at a jog-like gait. Luckily they are very stupid and don't have much skill with their weapons. When they get into range they use a constant lumbering overhand swing. They don't seem to tire; they just keep swinging. There is not a lot of power behind their swings, but if you get knocked down you are likely done for. They are the most dangerous with bladed weapons or edged metal pieces. I didn't categorize these as bladed mutes and blunt weapon users because they don't seem to have a preference. I have knocked a large knife from a batter before and had it pick a forearm-length plank of wood when the knife and plank were side-by-side. I would estimate these guys to be the second most populace type of mutant I see. Don't corner yourself goes without saying, but I have to say it anyways. If you get too many batters after you at once you better look for an exit or you are likely mute food. The best way I have found to deal with theses mutes is to run at top speed until you are out of visual and audible range. They forget what they were doing quickly and go back to roaming.

Runners: These mutants are quite tall and muscular. Runners are fast and seem to have a berserker rage. The only real positive with these mutes is that they are dumb and don't use weapons. Once again, they are fast. They have the normal mutant flaw of a short-term memory. If you get out of range they lose all recall. They randomly wander searching for food and once they see a target they go into full-speed charge mode. You better hope you see them first because they come running at top speed. They tackle first and pummel and rip you apart. If they spot you, likely in the end, you will have to deal with them, because it is just too hard to get them out of your sight.

Gollum: These are likely the most dangerous mutants I've met. They are smarter than the other mutes and don’t forget about you the moment you walk out of their sight. Luckily they are the rarest mutes that I have encountered. They have skinny wiry bodies and they run in a primate like gait, using their arms to walk just as much as their legs. They aren't very fast using that odd jog-like gait. Their hands have long razor-sharp claws that they use to rip their prey apart. They also have pointy needle-like teeth that are in rows like a shark. I have witnessed Gollums ambush victims by hiding up high and jumping onto the victim's back reminiscent of a large cat.


I am going to ramble a bit here and wind this journal up so I can prepare for our long dangerous journey. Once you are out of visual sight or earshot most mutes start to randomly wander again. They seem to forget about you. Weird short-term memory issue, but great for survival. Animals have invaded the city now that the population has dropped so low and there is no car traffic. At least it gives the creatures something else to eat besides humans. They are all cannibals or more like opportunists. If it is editable they will eat it. They will chase humans and animals until the end, then and only then, will they turn back to eat any of their own dead. Mutes are fairly evenly male and female. Males on average seem stronger, while females seem a bit quicker. They have no goals but to eat. This is Darwin's theory on natural selection in overdrive. Mutant Types hopefully they are sterile or this is going to get real ugly. I would hate to for this to be how our species meets its end.

Some radio communication still exists. There is a message looping that tells of a colony to the north of the city.

I leave you now to fight my way to get this little girl and her dog to the north human colony. It is amazing what we took for granted: food, water, safety, sociality, culture, technology and on and on. The world had become decadent in our majesty. We were jacked-in; communication and gourmet food and drink in an instant. But all that is gone now.

I couldn’t help my family but I can help jenny. I already saved her from becoming a snack to a batter that had her cornered. She deserves more. She deserves better than the life I have chosen to live. Jenny deserves going to sleep safe and secure, knowing she will awaken to a fresh meal to fill her belly. So it is time for me to quit my self-loathing and get this little girl and her pup to the colony.

I leave you now to fight my way to get this little girl and her dog to the north human colony. Come and find a better life. We are going to try.

Wishing you well, Dax

I hope we start getting some stories. I love Sci Fi and need my fix.

I have one on the way, but I have to work out a few flaws and finish typing it up. Finger-pecking takes time.

Scuffy

sweet, thanks a ton.

OK, I added the light overhead and I think I have the shading down now.



Any help moving this door to a 45 degree wall in paint.net would get many thanks.

Are my colors right for the angles?



How do I get the door to OK on side wall?

Any other ideas are welcome.

I loved this. I am just getting started and this is the kind of help I need. I have a few questions though if you don't mind.

1 - the doors are smaller than the characters are. Do you use scaling for this room?

2 - do you save your rooms with this large black outline?

I wrote this for my wife last year. Aptly named:
15 Years

What we've had;much good and some bad
yet joy and love far outweighs tears
as we continued to tack on the years

I still recall our first date
we were running behind and got there late
I don't remember anything about that show
but my thoughts racing and the sticky floor
"The Body Guard" on the ticket stub mattered not
we were so into each other that I forgot the plot

we tried for kids and got wed
digesting "how to books" and lived in bed
after many terrible losses God blessed us
two beautiful children that are a meshing of us

you are a model mother and devoted wife
keeping us all whole and settling strife
pampering us when we are sick
encouraging us when we are weak
mending us when we are sore
we truly could ask for nothing more

when our kids have matured and gone
we will still not be alone
there will be no empty nest
because the friend I have left
has always been my best

No matter what comes we will weather
continued happy years as we grow old together
I love you deeply
Your loving husband

Spummy (worst name ever, btw)

^^^ First of all, laughed my ass off. That made my day, really. You should get in debate class and start out a rebuttal with that very phrase.

Calvin, I loved the game. I thought it was well executed and enjoyed the experience thoroughly.

You need to understand the reason you have gotten so much feedback with many views deeply critical was your pick of genre. You picked a genre with hard core fans with strong dissenting views on what exactly film noir is. A lot of people think solely of Robert Mitchum, while others contrast towards darker, near invincible, protagonists of Sin City and The Spirit archetypes. You cannot and will not totally satisfy many Film Noir fans; it is a cult genre. So understand to origin of the critiques.

I give you credit for tackling it your first time out. Hell, my first project currently is slated to open a door with a complex 4-way locking mechanism with minimal story line or background story.

You are obviously a very talented artist and performer. (Possibly the well sought after “triple-threat”. ha ha. Do you know how to pop-n-lock or Riverdance?) I feel that you are far more critical of yourself than anyone else is critical of you or your work. This is usually the trait of a gifted person and is the catalyst that drives ambition towords ever-increasing skills, development, and ventures. 

With the sheer amount of feedback, you are getting great insight into what different people like or expect out of a game. Whether you agree or disagree with someone’s assessment, still take it as honest criticism, because it is that person’s opinion of what that person does or doesn’t like. That shortens-up your learning curve on all aspects of game development and entertainment in general. Just stay positive, digest everything, and hook us up with an even sweeter gaming experience next time around.     

I’m going to be difficult and tie the votes up again. Sorry SSS but it is back in your lap because I really enjoyed the lodge. My vote goes to AG this fortnight.

I have just finished my entry with two days to spare.

The Plight of the Neanderthals

I am the Keeper of the Rules.  I am the second Chief of all the Clans to hold this honor. My father was chosen to bring order to the Clan. He passed on to me the Rules of the Gods. No longer did the fiercest among us eat first to bursting and mate with any woman in the Clan merely because he was strongest and killed more beasts. Following the Gods, we now lived as a true Clan.

I was only a child when the Gods Ra and Horus descended from the Sun in a cloud of smoke and flame. They walked among us, their skin glinting like the sun, and killed our Clan Chief with rods of colored light. The next to be Chief stepped forward, happy to seize the opportunity, while beating his large hair-covered chest in triumph. He too was struck down, without even a scream, in these beams of light His black bones fell to the dirt beside the first Clan Chief. No one after stepped forward to lead of the Clan.

The Gods chose my smallish father as the new Chief for reasons only they understood. They told the Clan of the evil God Set and his hate for all upright walkers. They gifted my father with the knowledge to make fire. This fire was to be lit every night to keep the Lord of the Dark and his beasts from taking the weakest among us. Our meat was forever more to be cooked with the tree and the flame. No more did we have to tear and gnaw our meat like the sharp-toothed beasts. No more did we have to huddle together with the hair of beasts just to survive the night’s chill.

We lived well for many cycles as the Rules were followed, but then came the Tall-Thin-Ones with the teeth of beasts around their necks. These new upright walkers also had the ability to make flame. They came from the warm south, with no hair covering their bodies, and showing a deep malice towards our people. We tried to fight for our caves, but their tipped spears were able to fly while our charred sticks could not. Even worse, with the Tall-Thin-Ones came the lung sickness. Whole Clans died as they coughed blood and drowned in throes of pain. I could no longer pass on the Rules of the Gods to the other Clans or bring them in to build our numbers, for fear of the sickness.

Slowly we have moved northward into the eternal winter to stay away from the dying Clans and the Tall-Thin-Ones. The water is frozen and the herds are few. We have to melt the ice to drink and the berries and roots are no more. Our bellies no longer stay full. The leaves are now gone and green-needled trees, that burn with soot, now huddle in small copses on the barren drifts.

But not all is bleak. We have been given a sign from the Gods. After a score of cycles the Gods of the Sun have returned to us. The sky dances with their colored lights. The winter’s night shines like the day with bouncing and swirling Rays of Ra. They bid us to come onward north and live among them in their land. I am the Keeper of the Rules and shall lead the Clan north through the barren drifts. Although we shall trudge through the cold wastes with the last of our food, I pray that the dancing lights portend a great future for the Clan. Only time will tell. Only time will tell. 

Thanks for the suggestions. I downloaded sound club and I am happy with that at the moment. It has some pre-installed sounds and instruments.

I hope this is the right forum - I'm still new!

I'm working on my first game...learning how to put my ideas together and technically do everything. I would like to tinker with the background music aspect. Could someone point me to a free download that is kinda noobie-friendly. One that already has different sounds/instruments that I can work with.

Thanks for any help or tips.

Next: Good Cop/Bad Cop