Topics

Hi,

Those of you with EMU10K1 and EMU10K2-based soundcards manufactured by Creative Technology Ltd. and/or E-mu Systems Inc., including the SoundBlaster Live! series, the E-mu Audio Production Studio (APS) card, and the Audigy / Audigy2 series of cards will probably be interested in this link:

http://www.kxproject.com/

Take your soundcard to its full advantages! With this free driver the following is now possible:

DirectSound 2D and DirectSound 3D
Full ASIO and GSIF support
DSP Microcode Loading/Unloading
Full AC97 codec control
AC3 Software Decoding

Enjoy!

Hi,

We received several complaints regarding the interface in Apprentice 1, so we decided to 'fix up' the interface in Apprentice 2 -- even if totally rebuilding the interface was necessary. Well, that is just what I did. Here's the new interface I am proposing, based on advice and ideas from Mr. Colossal and Igor. C&C, please.

http://herculeaneffort.adventuredevelopers.com/app2gui.zip

Personally, I think the new GUI is easier to use. I already have it working and built into Apprentice 2, so if we decide to use this GUI, it's no extra work.

Hi all,

I'm sure most of you heard how I took down the Herculean Effort website due to bandwidth issues. That was because I only get 30 megs of bandwidth a day and a gig a month, otherwise I get charged $4. That's especially bad considering we make free games.

Would anyone be willing to provide about 100 megs of webspace and about 10 gigs of bandwidth? All I need you to host are the downloads -- I can host the pages and images on my own webspace. PM me or email me at geoffkhan@mail2jazz.com if you're interested.

Thanks,

Geoffkhan

I think it would be awesome if we could set up a service which would allow people to donate to AGS game companies. It would handle all the currency conversion issues and transfer all the money for a small percentage of the donations.

That way, for example, you could donate to companies like Screen 7 Entertainment, SOCKO! Entertainment, Herculean Effort Productions, and even CJ himself.

Anyone else thing this is a good idea?

Hey,

It'd be awesome if AGS could use the MOD files (or XMs) to their full extend. Is there any way you could implement a "SetTempo" function? Or maybe even a function to transpose different tracks in the MOD to different keys.

Thanks,

Geoffkhan

[Apprentice II: The Continuation]

Apprentice II: The Continuation

The second chapter in the Apprentice series begins where the original left off. As the story continues, the black horse of war looms over the land, with the ominous Lord Ironcrow at the reins. Because Pib's apprenticeship makes him vulnerable to the military draft, attaining wizardhood becomes imperative.

From ocean diving to winning at the races, this adventure explores the land of Willowbean that lies beyond the Wizard's hill. New characters range from the Book Wyrm, a dragon-like being with a taste for literature, to Seacookie, the puniest contender at the centaur races.
Although we didn't make our Christmas deadline for its release (which turned out to be extremely optimistic, as the game boasts a design triple the length of the original), we managed to put together lots of animation, music, and scripting for this teaser trailer.



Download teaser trailer

Unfortunately, due to our host's strict bandwidth rules, we can only offer this trailer for a limited time. If anyone has any ideas about alternate download servers, please PM Geoffkhan.

[Make a song (or cover of a song) that sounds as realistic as possible without using any live instruments.]

Hi,

So here's the rules for this week's contest:

Make a song (or cover of a song) that sounds as realistic as possible without using any live instruments.

By "realistic", I mean that the instruments in your songs should sound like they were preformed by real players. For example, if you have a guitar in your song, you could add a few fret noises to make it sound more realistic. You get the idea.

Let me know if you have any questions.

Good luck!

Well, here goes:

A function that would return the color of a specified pixel on the screen.

That way you could make those little save game snapshots and other cool stuff like that.

Thanks,

Geoffkhan

Aye, me hearties, today (Friday, Sept. 19) be Talk Like A Pirate Day! So you scalawags smartly head over to this website to see the information:

http://talklikeapirate.com/

Here's my simple suggestion for AGS:

In the dialogs, have an option to flip the visual order of the topics upside-down in the game. That way you can create the "goodbye" dialog option first and so on.

For me, this would be extremely helpful. Let me know if I'm making any sense, or need to explain further.

Here's the new model for the main character in The Find. We wanted to keep the cartoony look and since he's 3D, we can have pretty smooth animation. (and 8 angles, too)

Tell me what you guys think.

[Reinterpretation of the LeChuck theme.]

Okay, this week's contest rules:

Reinterpretation of the LeChuck theme.

Examples may include a lounge style, or heavy-metal cover, etc.

Good luck!

If you'd like to get some useful functions, you can go to the Herculean Effort Productions forum at http://herculeaneffort.myikonboard.com, in the 'General Discussion' section, under the 'Functions for your consumption' thread.

I update it about once a week, posting new, cool functions that make your AGS scripting easier.

If any of you would like in-depth art advice on sprites or (horrors) even backgrounds, we would be more than happy to help out.
We can help with various styles (like DOTT, or Indy, not so much Sierra).
Go over to our forums at http://herculeaneffort.myikonboard.com
and post in the General Discussion under the sticky topic "Ian's art advice."
Thanks.

After too much work...

Apprentice is out! You can download it off the brand, spanking new Herculean Effort Productions website, which can be found at the following url,
http://www.sonic.net/~schlae/herculeaneffort
Be sure to check out the screenshots and concept art on the site!

Have fun with the game!

In honor of CJ, I have made this little song.

Dig that slap bass groove!

http://invis.free.anonymizer.com/http://www.freewebs.com/thefind/CJsong.mid

I got the idea from something I read on the net a while ago. The following are tips for any character that finds him or herself in a horror film. And if you do happen to find yourself in a horror film someday, use these tips wisely.

1. When it seems that you've killed the monster, never check to see if it's really dead.

2. When you have the benefit of numbers, never pair off or go off alone.

3. If you're running from the monster, expect to trip or fall down at least twice, more if you are female. Also note that, although you are running and the monster is merely shambling along, it's still moving fast enough to catch up with you.

4. If your companions suddenly begin to exhibit unnormal behavior such as hissing, fascination for blood, glowing eyes, increasing hairiness, and so on, get away from them as fast as possible.

5. While in a horror film, never bathe, especially when in the house alone.

6. If any animals, such as birds, pirahnas, spiders, etc. begin to exhibit behavior that seems a bit more hostile towards mankind than normal, immediately call the authorities, get out of that town, and do not try to talk to any scientist who specializes in that animal (ornithologists and the like) for they will not believe you.

7. In terms of weaponry and general equipment for fighting the monster, never rely on any tool more complicated than a pointed stick. Generators will inexplicably run out of power, just as the nasty space-vegetable climbs onto your jury rigged electrical grid. Just when you've got the ghoul lined up in your sights, your gun will invariably jam.

8. Ask why the estate is being sold so cheap.

9. If you throw away some possession of yours (antique dolls and ventriloquist's dummies in particular), and you find it again in your house/car/pockets/etc. move to another country IMMEDIATELY! Of course, it will be waiting for you in the car as you go to leave.

10. If you're being chased by a monster and you think it's behind you, chances are it will appear in front of you (and if you're a girl, this will happen right after you trip and fall, and then stand up and look behind you).

11. When you fight a monster use fire, electricity or acid whenever possible. Prefferably use all of the above.

12. ALL atomic weapons cause normal creatures to grow huge and carnivorous. As do all chemical and germ weapons.

13. Stay away from 'quaint' hotels and inns. Go for the brand names.

14. Never say, "It's over", "It's dead", or "I killed it".

15. If you notice that the camera is slowly zooming in from behind you, GET OUT OF THERE IMMEDIATELY.

Hi all,

We at Herculean Effort Productions are mere weeks away from completing this game, so I thought it'd be only proper to post a screenshot and maybe generate some enthusiam.

(For the record, "The Find" project, due to circumstances beyond our control, has been temporarily delayed. Sorry.)

This short game, "Apprentice," stars the young Mortimer "Pib" Pibsworth in his neverending quest to attain wizardhood.

The game will sport the always popular 320x200 resolution but with 16 bit color.

Be prepared for lots of humor and animation in this one!

We will release it at the same time we launch the new "Herculean Effort Productions" web site. (Hopefully early July)

Hi everybody,

The Find Demo is available for download!
Check it out at http://www.freewebs.com/thefind

Have fun!

Geoffkhan