Messages

hmmmm?

Hey folks,
I am the owner of MogusLand.com which is a general gaming site. One of the things we would like to do is to develop a division within Mogusland that focuses on creating adventure and arcade style games to then release as shareware. We would also like to take additions from other designers and ad them to our games lists to help promote them.

We currently need artists, but Im not sure how to go about locating quality artists willing to work for profits from the shareware and or small pay. I'm sure many of you hear this all the time.

We are currently puting together the game designing team http://forums.mogusland.com/showthread.php?p=265144#post265144 you can find some discussion about it in that thread. More or less fleshing our ideas. Talking about different programs etc.

If we see that more people begin taking interest, we will create a full blown section of Mogusland.com strictly to showcase indie games along with its own discussion forum etc.

My question to you all is, might there be anyone with the time and ability to create some backgrounds for a game? Right now we are talking about an adventure game with 17 locations. 3 Active PC's and a multitude of NPC's, puzzles etc. Something that will truly entertain and spread through the web.

If anyone is interested in learning more and potentially joining the team, please feel free to post here and or at the forum link provided above.

I'd love to see example works posted there as well by anyone interested.

Whatis typical pay for someone to do background design work? Per background?

Thanks guys, see you soon.

_________________
www.Mogusland.com
Where gaming meets discussion.

Nadda,
I got some emails from people wanting to help, then never heard anything from them again.

I was hoping to spend my time learning and developing rather than trying to hunt people down on a regular basis.

I just figured the only way to ever do this is to have the money to pay professionals, otherwise, nothing will ever happen.

Oh well.

Odd, they dont work for me now either...

Here is his DeviantArt gallery profile.
http://overcome.deviantart.com

Ok, the background artist has been found!

Thank goodness.

You can see some of his work here:

Village Scene
http://images.deviantart.com/i/2003/47/8/e/Guild_of_the_Bear_Clan.jpg

Animation Of a Man
http://images.deviantart.com/i/2003/47/6/8/Sprite_animation_test.gif


So, the game is on.
Those of you who contacted me will soon be contacted.

I am going to try and complete the puzzle/quest list tonight while describing each location etc. Then, we can begin the story and dev/prep.

No no,
you didn't offend me at all.
I could just tell that I haven't been as clear as I should have been and wanted to set everything straight.

As for me being Indie..
That's exactly what I am.

I have been developing businesses for a while now, and in the past, I had gotten lucky a couple times and got to the point that I decided to leave corporate hell and delve into something a bit more exciting, risky and interesting...that was 3 years go. Now, I'm tapped out, broke, hungry, praying for a miracle and loving every second of it!!

Currently we have someone who want's to handle the dialogue/writing and someone to handle the scripting.

I am looking for that one artist who can really grab my attention with regard to the characters and background art.

Feel free to post screenies here of any of your work and I'll check it out.
Make sure to check out the games I linked to above for an idea as to what Im most looking for.

If you would like to make up a concept to show, heres an idea.
Create a scene of a record label office (with comedic themse of course) with a record label executive in the scene and one of the band members as it would appear in the game.

That should give some of you a chance to show your stuff if your other works are old and outdated. (We all get better).  

Thanks a bunch!

Ok, here is a press snippet:
"The Big Creak has returned in full form with their quirky, yet sincere brand of world/roots/funk-influenced pop/rock. Comprised of eleven tracks, Just Left Town radiantly showcases the creativity, depth and maturity of a band in The Big Creak that is really starting to come into their own and is an entertaining, inspiring record that should not only appeal to fans of Ben Folds, Dada, Dave Matthews, John Mayer, Dandy Warhols, and Nada Surf, etc., but can be enjoyed by anyone who truly appreciates good music."

Overall, the band is a poppy/rock foursome with a comedic value on stage and in their songs.

The theme for the game is Just Left Town, of which will be made up of challeneges for the player to control the band members in completing certain tasks enabling them to:
Get management
Get CD's
Sell CD's
Play Live Shows
Get Radio play
Get a Record deal
all of which will end up in giving the band the ability to....Leave their hometown!

I want people to be sucked in by the quality of the game enough that they will actually laugh through its play.

Nothing in the music business happens as it should, and as such, living the life of a musician in a band trying to get out of their hometown can only mean one thing...cooky chaos.

Quirky puzzles that make you slap your head after finally solving them. Jokes hidden in puzzles all a result of the way the band actually is or based from things they have done.

What details would you like?
You can view the bands online EPk (with downloads) here:
http://www.sonicbids.com/TheBigCreak2

In Feb, the band will be performing for 6 different record labels in NY,
all of which have expressed serious interest in the bands new album.

I'm not sure exactly what all your looking for...

Just ask.

Here is another game engine that is used to make cartoon like games such as the one linked above.

http://www.hungrysoftware.com/tools/sludge

It's pretty darn neat!!

Too bad I know no programming at all..

A couple other gams I like, also made with SLUDGE tool.
http://outoforder.adventuredevelopers.com

Look at this!!

http://www.jeffpaige.com/adventure.shtml

This is EXACTLY what I would love to see in this game...

May even be very easy for the right person..

??

Ok, let me set a few things straight.

First, I never expected the game to be completed by January. But, due to the CD being released everyone just assumed this was the case and it is my fault for not being more clear.

Second, it has not been my intention to expect everyone involved to give me their best efforts for nothing. I am not personally looking to make any money from this game. What I had planned was to get a team of a few people who could offer their skills to complete the game and split any profits generated from donations of appreciative gamers amongst them. Myself not taking a cut and merely benefiting from the marketability of the game.

As for the 17 BGs etc, I could probably cut this into 9 or 10 backgrounds if someone were willing to offer their utmost in quality and skill.

Overall, what I am offering you is the chance to have someone like myself as well as a PR team of which are the PR team for some of todays most well known bands (They cost me $1,500 per month by the way) pushing the game along with the CD to press outlets outside of the outlets otherwise intending to be pushed overall.

I understand that many of you are mere hobbyists and I myself would love and actually plan to make a hobby ouf of this myself (hping to learn some things during the development process), however, I also assume there are a number of people here looking to be a part of a project that will accomplish more than random downloads from one website while becoming a part of something that could certainly exceed even my own personal expectations.

As for me getting paid by Opulent Records, I own Opulent. I started Opulent 3 years ago and have yet to make a dime. My first two artsits broke up and I was lucky enough to find The Big Creak a year ago and have spent well over $5,000 of my own money and over a year of my time to complete their new album and preparing for the release coming up in January. Basically, I can sum everything up by saying, it is my faith and belief of The Big Creak that enables me to move forward at risk to myself in hopes that there will be a day when the reward outweights the expense.

I am a risk taker. I am also known to make big things happen as many of you will see in the near future. I have contacts, connections and the ability to offer a great deal of support to those who work hard.

All in all, I'm doing my best and I hope to find other like minded people who can believe in me as I believe in the band.

Thank you.

Hmm, one email so far...

Is it something I said? heh

For the record, I do not expect this game to be completed prior to January. Regardless of when the game is completed, it will still serve its purpose although the closer to January the game is completed, the better off it will be as it will be more relevant to this CD release.

PLEASE, the most important part is for me to find a skilled background designer....

This game does not have to be done by January.

I wanted to start a new thread regarding this game to keep it the discussion clean.

This is thread is to define the layout of the game, and explain the specific job titles required.

For those of you that have sent me emails, PLEASE resend those emails explaining specifically the role you wish to play in the development of The Big Creak - Just Left Town (The Adventure Game).

In the link to the right, you will see the full layout breakdown of each of the locations within the game. http://www.opulentrecords.com/TBCgameLayout.jpg

Needed Developer Titles:
Background Designer - This individual must have a truly skilled ability to create high detailed backgrounds. We are looking for a higher end cartoon feel much like that of Runaway if at all possible.

Character Designer/Animator #1. - Someone with the ability to model 4 player characters after photos provided of the band members in a cartoon feel.

Character Designer #2. - This person will design the NPC's of the game, small twitch animations. Approx 15 NPC's will be needed. All of which will play large roles in the game.

AGS Programmer - Someone very familiar with the tricks and workings of not only the GUI interface but the scripting elements of the program as well.

Overall, the goal for this game is to try and develop something that doesn't look like it came from an AGS system while giving credit solely to AGS. We are looking for a profile piece. Upon completion of this project, we will then coordinate all who wish to aid in the marketing of the program in conjunction with my own efforts.

One thing is for certain, assuming this game turns out to be a high quality product of which people will truly enjoy (I have no doubts) I will make certain that the level of exposure for this game as well as the band through use of the game is extremely high.

In summary, this game will help in obtaining write ups by trade magazines that will hopefully tap into the gaming markets the likes of which may not otherwise get exposed to this group and their music. I feel strongly that the creative energies involved in this title will evolve into something of great value, not only to the band, but the creators and the AGS community as a whole.

I am very excited about this venture and I welcome all who have any interest in participation to email me with their interest.

Please describe the specific job function you would like to take on as well as a brief list of either URLS of example work, screenshots or the like.

Contact me at: bimmer@seidata.com
or, AIM me at: Opulent Records

Even if you plan to AIM me, PLEASE send an email as well...this way we have something to chat about.

All who participate must have AIM (AOL Instant Messenger) due to its ability to allow users to form their own chat rooms, perfect for initiating real time discussions and meetings.

Lets make some magic!!

Im open to 640 rez.

You have to understand, I dont know anything about this stuff qute yet, so if you say we can get something great in 640 rez, lets do it.

Im used to playing games at 1024 or higher..So, I just kinda thought..

All fine with me

I am thinking the best way to get the game out is to offer the fulle game free of charge, however, offer an option to make a donation of which will be filtered through those that help create the game.

If a great team is put together to create the game and money isn't an issue for them then by all means, I'm not looking to make a profit from it. However, I would like to make sure that those that help create this game have more to gain that simply a completed project.

I want this to benefit everyone involved as a whole.

When I say trade mags, I mean Computer gaming Trade mags.
The band has an industry PR rep handling music press etc. The game may also play a role in some magazine reviews from a music standpoint.

Overall, this game stands to get quite a bit of exposure.

hehe my apologies.
I didn't want everyone to have to read through a book unless there was actual interest.

As for the game, there are 17 locations within the game setting currently mapped out. The theme of the game is Just Left Town, the title of their new album.

The plot is simple, leave town.

Seriously though, the game begins with each of the 4 members in a living room of which can be used indivudually for specific functions. The object of the game is to wonder through the city streets while building up the bands fan base and cash so as to better market their new CD and ultimately land a record deal so they can leave their hometown.

The game will be filled with little comedic puzzles mixed in with specific missions needing to be accomplished. You have to get or fix instruments, pay people off for airplay, perform shows, buy flyers and get someone to distribute them, get a manager etc etc. All the things that make up developing a band with a cooky twist.

The game should be high color 16 bit at 800x600 rez (better if possible) and should be truly visually appealing. Something that could be marketed and respected by gaming industry folks as once the game is completed, all trade mags will be sent copies of the game as well as the full album as I try and convince a handful to write about it in some manner.

I am looking for a cartoony type feel to things. Fun, hilarious and challenging.

If you have any other specific questions, Im happy to answer them.

Utterly impressive screens!
Truly the best I have seen so far.

Check my thread in this Cat, I would love to have you involved in my project although Im sure your time is limited as it is.

I thought I should say,
if someone is only interested in the design of the background work, this may be of interest to me as well.

I am getting into the guts of this program and may be able to put the game together myself.

I'm kinda dumb so we shall see.