Thanks for your help, I am currently working out the kinks of the main "game" before I consider a demo version (but first I would like to create the in production thread but before that I would like to have at least over a certan amount done.)
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#62
Adventure Related Talk & Chat / A question about a new game
Thu 06/04/2006 23:32:30
I do not know if this the right form to ask something like this but since it is more of a question for the general AGS community.
The game I am currently working on is basically just pictures, text and the only clicks are the one to move player from Room A to Room B. There is a ton of narration (from a first person prespective) and characters talking and it should take less then ten minutes to "play" through".
My question about the game is where should it propably belong when I release it, non-adventure (do to the fact there is little interaction and linear-pathes like some visual novels) or short adventure games?
Thank you for your time.
The game I am currently working on is basically just pictures, text and the only clicks are the one to move player from Room A to Room B. There is a ton of narration (from a first person prespective) and characters talking and it should take less then ten minutes to "play" through".
My question about the game is where should it propably belong when I release it, non-adventure (do to the fact there is little interaction and linear-pathes like some visual novels) or short adventure games?
Thank you for your time.
#63
Critics' Lounge / Re: Better tuning my background art.
Thu 09/03/2006 03:19:11
Thanks for the help guys, and that tut is going to be a great help.
And thanks on the word correction.
And thanks on the word correction.
#64
Critics' Lounge / Better tuning my background art.
Wed 08/03/2006 07:32:15
I know this may seem stupid or a rather sad rather pathetic attempt to post something every once in a blue moon to keep my account but after disappearing to work on the n00b game a little while ago after asking for C & C on the story idea I had done a lot of practicing and learning to make my first (official) game release a much better effort then needs be as I cannot sleep with a guilty conscious because a crap-game would keep me awake at night for letting it slide.
After downloading, painting over, copying and other things I had slowly learned to create, animate and make my own sprite templates for my games I thought they looked a bit off and cartoony (in a bad way) until I had found a topic here where it mentions using a darker color for an outline insted of the usual black outline which made the character have much more depth and more professional feel to it.
Feeling proud after learning this after a few hours of work (for just one character) I was wondering what else I learn to improve my background art which is seriously lacking. Here is a few samples of my work and how I made it.
Just a few notes.
I use MS paint, which is something I had began with because it is A). it is easy to use and B). Free.
I have no idea what layering, filters or anything fancy mean or how they work.
What I am looking for is basic tips to try out to see what works, like meantioned I am falling in love with the color outline work which gave me a sense of accomplishment.
The "store".
How it was made:
Using the square tool I made one half of the shelf then stacked it on top of each other then filled it in with made objects. The same thing for the counter.
The problem:
Kind of bland and kind of beats the player over the head with the obvivous items need later on, I would like to know how to add some varitity.
The Asylum cell.
How it was made:
Simple lines and box tools, including the door which I cross thrashed the window on the door.
The problem:
Again, bland and beats the player over the head of what to do.
The Asylum Hall.
How it was made:
Like the Cell I used lines and square tools, and carefully cross thrash the glass.
The problem:
It seems very dull, I wanted a desk where a guard and a nurse were stationed where the player would have to give the release papers to but I had trouble making a decent desk and created this instead. Now just a (boring) guard just stands around waiting for you to give him the papers for your pass (which might be cut and replaced with more logical stationed nurse and guard).
The "Old House".
How it was made:
Using mainly copy and past I made the woods first then created this "house" with the square tool because my freehand stinks. The roof was made by straight lines alone with the pourch, the door is copied from the asylum door.
The problem:
It is not atmospheric (not a word) enough for me as it needs to be more forboding because it leads to one of the most important story elements in the game.
The forest.
How was it made:
Starting with one leaf I copied and pasted a lot of them until I had a full tree full of them then made a bunch of trees with straight lines and then copied and pasted it again in reverse (as you can tell I am very lazy when it comes to large scenes) then used the leaves on it then a blue background made the same way which serves as the background to the background.
The problem:
It is not forboding enough, this is one of the pathes that leads into the hidden parts of the area to reveal a major story element and it looks like a bunch of popicicles sticks stuff into the ground. I had a good puzzle planned for here too.
And those are the samples I had made, what I need is not paint overs because I want to learn some basic tips to try (really try) to better myself. But if you do use a paint over please tell me how it was done so I can learn.
And I need help in learning to create better:
Furniture (I really have trouble with this).
Doors (the examples are enough to explain why).
Anything to do with the outdoors (it all looks flat to me).
Thank you for your help, I just want to make sure my game is as best as it came be for my first time.
And if I had made any mistakes I am sorry as it is almost two am and I am very tired.
After downloading, painting over, copying and other things I had slowly learned to create, animate and make my own sprite templates for my games I thought they looked a bit off and cartoony (in a bad way) until I had found a topic here where it mentions using a darker color for an outline insted of the usual black outline which made the character have much more depth and more professional feel to it.
Feeling proud after learning this after a few hours of work (for just one character) I was wondering what else I learn to improve my background art which is seriously lacking. Here is a few samples of my work and how I made it.
Just a few notes.
I use MS paint, which is something I had began with because it is A). it is easy to use and B). Free.
I have no idea what layering, filters or anything fancy mean or how they work.
What I am looking for is basic tips to try out to see what works, like meantioned I am falling in love with the color outline work which gave me a sense of accomplishment.
The "store".
How it was made:
Using the square tool I made one half of the shelf then stacked it on top of each other then filled it in with made objects. The same thing for the counter.
The problem:
Kind of bland and kind of beats the player over the head with the obvivous items need later on, I would like to know how to add some varitity.
The Asylum cell.
How it was made:
Simple lines and box tools, including the door which I cross thrashed the window on the door.
The problem:
Again, bland and beats the player over the head of what to do.
The Asylum Hall.
How it was made:
Like the Cell I used lines and square tools, and carefully cross thrash the glass.
The problem:
It seems very dull, I wanted a desk where a guard and a nurse were stationed where the player would have to give the release papers to but I had trouble making a decent desk and created this instead. Now just a (boring) guard just stands around waiting for you to give him the papers for your pass (which might be cut and replaced with more logical stationed nurse and guard).
The "Old House".
How it was made:
Using mainly copy and past I made the woods first then created this "house" with the square tool because my freehand stinks. The roof was made by straight lines alone with the pourch, the door is copied from the asylum door.
The problem:
It is not atmospheric (not a word) enough for me as it needs to be more forboding because it leads to one of the most important story elements in the game.
The forest.
How was it made:
Starting with one leaf I copied and pasted a lot of them until I had a full tree full of them then made a bunch of trees with straight lines and then copied and pasted it again in reverse (as you can tell I am very lazy when it comes to large scenes) then used the leaves on it then a blue background made the same way which serves as the background to the background.
The problem:
It is not forboding enough, this is one of the pathes that leads into the hidden parts of the area to reveal a major story element and it looks like a bunch of popicicles sticks stuff into the ground. I had a good puzzle planned for here too.
And those are the samples I had made, what I need is not paint overs because I want to learn some basic tips to try (really try) to better myself. But if you do use a paint over please tell me how it was done so I can learn.
And I need help in learning to create better:
Furniture (I really have trouble with this).
Doors (the examples are enough to explain why).
Anything to do with the outdoors (it all looks flat to me).
Thank you for your help, I just want to make sure my game is as best as it came be for my first time.
And if I had made any mistakes I am sorry as it is almost two am and I am very tired.
#65
Critics' Lounge / Avoiding bad love cliches like "I love you".
Fri 10/02/2006 15:31:32
Currently there is a sub plot in my series of games where the two main characters (Isuka and Karasu) are attracted to each other but I do not want to use bad harliquin/fanfiction-esque romance of making them instantly fall in love and all is well and right in the world and this is where I need help in, avoiding making it cliche and bad. Well, I'll taking avoiding making it bad.
Here's some information if it helps:
Setting: A bit dark but in a more "noir" kind of way, if you want to know. Picture the elements of many dystopia Tokyo films mixed with real life Tokyo and now add creatures that people are unaware of then you have the setting.
The (main) characters:
Isuka: A slacker, speaks with a tone that nearly boarders on sarcasim(sp?), laid back a bit and never really wants to fit in, does his hardest to keep his solial standards low as possible from a subconcious cue that "he does not want to be bound to something". Speaks with a Kansai accent (does not accually appears in the game but just wanted to point it out.)
Karasu: Lazy, an outcast from being mix haritage (being African-Japanese), never quite serious, a bit energentic and tries to be "different", afraid to admite his crush on his friend for fear of what will happen.
General Notes: both characters are naturally social outcasts, one by choice other by fate. Isuka's parents are traditionalist (sp?) and barely tolirate his actions now but Karasu's are more open minded. And most importantly both characters are male.
The goal: to bring these two together, just without saying "I love you, blah, blah, blah and something with the moonlight" and I am trying to develop it slowly over the game.
If you have advice for keeping it a horrible mess that would be apprated.
Thank you for your time.
Here's some information if it helps:
Setting: A bit dark but in a more "noir" kind of way, if you want to know. Picture the elements of many dystopia Tokyo films mixed with real life Tokyo and now add creatures that people are unaware of then you have the setting.
The (main) characters:
Isuka: A slacker, speaks with a tone that nearly boarders on sarcasim(sp?), laid back a bit and never really wants to fit in, does his hardest to keep his solial standards low as possible from a subconcious cue that "he does not want to be bound to something". Speaks with a Kansai accent (does not accually appears in the game but just wanted to point it out.)
Karasu: Lazy, an outcast from being mix haritage (being African-Japanese), never quite serious, a bit energentic and tries to be "different", afraid to admite his crush on his friend for fear of what will happen.
General Notes: both characters are naturally social outcasts, one by choice other by fate. Isuka's parents are traditionalist (sp?) and barely tolirate his actions now but Karasu's are more open minded. And most importantly both characters are male.
The goal: to bring these two together, just without saying "I love you, blah, blah, blah and something with the moonlight" and I am trying to develop it slowly over the game.
If you have advice for keeping it a horrible mess that would be apprated.
Thank you for your time.
#66
Critics' Lounge / Re: Story and puzzle ideas.
Mon 30/01/2006 18:08:07
Because I want to.
And I am shot for using a bad joke. But truthfully it is because when I started I was going to do a kind of a cruddy/beginner game based on a piece of fanfiction that I was happy with to begin with then I kept on deleting it then changing it then going back and recreating over and over again.
Back again to the basic drawing board I am wondering if I can create a brand new little world cause it could work if I just keep some facts like the main character's name rhymes with "Robin" like Robert, that could work out better then I thought.
It would be better that way if I just kind of made my own world and characters as it would be easier, thanks for pointing that out guys. Of course I am hoping it will turn out alright for my first game ether way.
And I am shot for using a bad joke. But truthfully it is because when I started I was going to do a kind of a cruddy/beginner game based on a piece of fanfiction that I was happy with to begin with then I kept on deleting it then changing it then going back and recreating over and over again.
Back again to the basic drawing board I am wondering if I can create a brand new little world cause it could work if I just keep some facts like the main character's name rhymes with "Robin" like Robert, that could work out better then I thought.
It would be better that way if I just kind of made my own world and characters as it would be easier, thanks for pointing that out guys. Of course I am hoping it will turn out alright for my first game ether way.
#67
Critics' Lounge / Re: Story and puzzle ideas.
Mon 30/01/2006 16:26:48Quote from: Kinoko on Mon 30/01/2006 09:53:00
Not an original idea?? o_o That's one of the most original ideas ever. Or weirdest, anyway.
I kind of smashed the idea together through other cliches and old legends, main sources are Japan, manga, anime, urban legends, games and good ol' dose of learning about things.
Quote
Can't say I really like it all that much, but I dare say that's because saying I was a fan of KotH would be an understatement, and I'm a purist when it comes to these sorts of things.
I gotcha, of course I'm not really a purist but I REAALLLY try to keep things within a set archetype I create in my mind. But of course hopefully I can effectively explain the hows and whys over the course of the series, especially in the very beginning when I get around to making Chapter Zero. Of course I do have a nasty habbit of being saddly OOC, but I try to make up for it.
It is just who I am
.Quote
I sure hope you don't kill off Hank.
*Climbs into a sound proof booth, plugs both ears before putting on ear muffs and writes down the answer."
Sorry, he dies in this chapter.
#68
Critics' Lounge / Story and puzzle ideas.
Mon 30/01/2006 07:30:46
Hello there, my name is Edward Tomoe Pepelovski Hurricane Trigun Woodwolf Hao Manador Ren The fourth, I made it up, and I am here to ask for some minor help for making better storyline and puzzles for the future in my game.
If it helps here is a little background behind the story.
Inspired by my own fanfiction I had written a long time ago for King Of The Hill, it started out as a simple n00b/test game to dip my big toe into the AGS game making as a single thing I would call a "Fan Video Novel" which is a fancy name for fanfiction with pictures but it get out of control and taken a life of it's own.
I had chose to make a KOTH fangame was it is kind of a long running gag of that one story has almost several remakes (the orginal was based on screencaps I had seen of Excel Saga, the remake was based on Splatterhouse, the third remake was because I was frustated and the fourth and fifth were because I went insane) and it would kind of be funny that it would be my first game published.
In the orginal fanfic (which the game is the closest to) Bobby Hill was changed into a petite (or is it spelled ptite) cute girl in an explosion caused by a bomb planted by Bill (the insane neighbor), s/he adjusts to life until a mutated Bill cames back to get her with the help of an insane Luann and Joseph.
Long story short Hank, Luann, Joseph and Bill were blown up and Bobby leaves as Robin.
Now as I look back it really did not make sense to me, but I still loved it as it was one of my first completed long stories.
This brings about the new "series" I am working on which started off as a gag, just something to get into the community.
Blame my need to have something to show for my efforts as it was not quite good enough for me. I just kept on adding on a little bit more and morphing it until I got this idea:
Robbin Platter barely escapes the insanity of her insane neighbor and arrives at the hospital she was born at to find out what she is and why is this happening to her.
Which happen to be:
Yes, I know it is not logical but it is more logical then again this an illogical story to be with 
.
cliched
And that, in a nut shell, is the background of the first two chapters. Not orginal by a long shot but hopefully I can make it somewhat enjoyable in some way, now I just need to get the creative juices flowing.
This is where I need some critic's help, while I have a good idea of the story and many of the puzzles I need to keep the ideas flowing and perhaps I can bounce some ideas off of this forum to keep them going and perhaps steal, er, borrow some of your ideas.
The puzzle I have in mind that plays a very important role in the story is three coffins that have small Mexican skeleton dolls, Calaveras, that tells you a little important information and offers a sealing item. You can finish the game without them but you would only get a "so-so" ending where you don't die but you don't learn anything about yourself, and I was thinking of that you cannot get to a good half of the hospital without it (a cheap way of extending the game I know but I am trying to give a little extra bang for my first game). These sealing items can be used against the main bad spirits and learning more about the main character.
Another thing I have been thinking about is giving the game a special "secret" which would open up the next chapter, a special diary explaining what is happening before a "see you soon" or such and such. It might be overkill but there is still a mad doctor running around.
That is all I can write clearly as it is almost one o'clock in the morning and my hands are tiring.
Thanks for your help in advance and reading this.
If it helps here is a little background behind the story.
Inspired by my own fanfiction I had written a long time ago for King Of The Hill, it started out as a simple n00b/test game to dip my big toe into the AGS game making as a single thing I would call a "Fan Video Novel" which is a fancy name for fanfiction with pictures but it get out of control and taken a life of it's own.
I had chose to make a KOTH fangame was it is kind of a long running gag of that one story has almost several remakes (the orginal was based on screencaps I had seen of Excel Saga, the remake was based on Splatterhouse, the third remake was because I was frustated and the fourth and fifth were because I went insane) and it would kind of be funny that it would be my first game published.
In the orginal fanfic (which the game is the closest to) Bobby Hill was changed into a petite (or is it spelled ptite) cute girl in an explosion caused by a bomb planted by Bill (the insane neighbor), s/he adjusts to life until a mutated Bill cames back to get her with the help of an insane Luann and Joseph.
Long story short Hank, Luann, Joseph and Bill were blown up and Bobby leaves as Robin.
Now as I look back it really did not make sense to me, but I still loved it as it was one of my first completed long stories.
This brings about the new "series" I am working on which started off as a gag, just something to get into the community.
Blame my need to have something to show for my efforts as it was not quite good enough for me. I just kept on adding on a little bit more and morphing it until I got this idea:
Robbin Platter barely escapes the insanity of her insane neighbor and arrives at the hospital she was born at to find out what she is and why is this happening to her.
Which happen to be:
Spoiler
Years go before Harlen was created a rovering band of spirit foxes were captured by other foxes and as punishment they were chained to a priticular spot as their crimes were not sever enough to kill them but too devivious to let them go with just "a warning".
In some legends foxes do not like to be restricted by any means, which kind of made them even madder as time goes one while the other side (the human side) grew around them.
Eventually the hospital was built around them, this lead to an idea in one fox's mind even though the others had warned against it. She would slip away in a new body and be free again, only problem foxes can only posses those that fit their shape and sizes and taking one over that did not match up would cause compacations. Not listening anyway she hidden away in a unborn child anyway and manage to get away, too bad it was born a boy. After some years the explosion at the propane expo was the perfect oppitunity to finally change the body to the spirit's will.
In some legends foxes do not like to be restricted by any means, which kind of made them even madder as time goes one while the other side (the human side) grew around them.
Eventually the hospital was built around them, this lead to an idea in one fox's mind even though the others had warned against it. She would slip away in a new body and be free again, only problem foxes can only posses those that fit their shape and sizes and taking one over that did not match up would cause compacations. Not listening anyway she hidden away in a unborn child anyway and manage to get away, too bad it was born a boy. After some years the explosion at the propane expo was the perfect oppitunity to finally change the body to the spirit's will.
[close]
.Spoiler
Back to the foxes, while Bobby/Robbin/fox was enjoying life the remaining foxes waited for the perfect host to come along to free them. When the hospital closed the foxes just wound up waiting for another chase to come along, then Dr. West bought the land. With his
[close]
Spoiler
expriments the spirits latched onto the foxes and slowly driven them nuts until they were just as bloodthirsty and crazy and the good doctor. The foxes decided to use the spirits to break the chains on their own with the spirits.
[close]
And that, in a nut shell, is the background of the first two chapters. Not orginal by a long shot but hopefully I can make it somewhat enjoyable in some way, now I just need to get the creative juices flowing.
This is where I need some critic's help, while I have a good idea of the story and many of the puzzles I need to keep the ideas flowing and perhaps I can bounce some ideas off of this forum to keep them going and perhaps steal, er, borrow some of your ideas.
The puzzle I have in mind that plays a very important role in the story is three coffins that have small Mexican skeleton dolls, Calaveras, that tells you a little important information and offers a sealing item. You can finish the game without them but you would only get a "so-so" ending where you don't die but you don't learn anything about yourself, and I was thinking of that you cannot get to a good half of the hospital without it (a cheap way of extending the game I know but I am trying to give a little extra bang for my first game). These sealing items can be used against the main bad spirits and learning more about the main character.
Another thing I have been thinking about is giving the game a special "secret" which would open up the next chapter, a special diary explaining what is happening before a "see you soon" or such and such. It might be overkill but there is still a mad doctor running around.
That is all I can write clearly as it is almost one o'clock in the morning and my hands are tiring.
Thanks for your help in advance and reading this.
#69
AGS Games in Production / Re: Lucky Mellody Tomorrow.
Sat 14/01/2006 12:50:00Quote from: ManicMatt on Sat 14/01/2006 09:53:36
Sorry, is that a digesting room or a disgusting room? What is it exactly?
Don't be discouraged by the lack of comments, if your gameplay is up to scratch when people play it, word will get round of what it's like to play!
It is disgusting room, sorry for the screw up but I am usually tired after working hard on the game and miss things like that.
I am surprise by the responce I have gotten so far as usual ideas goes ether unheard or looked down upon in fanfiction and I am very happy and just fuels my ego then in turns fuels my urge to make it somewhat better.
#70
AGS Games in Production / New screenshots.
Sat 14/01/2006 03:18:28
The Medical exam room.
The new title screen and name.
The dialog Screen, and Dean Jones.
NEWS.
- Will include a back story to the hospital that will be told through various spirits instead of books (with exceptions).
- Over there, the alternate hospital.
EDIT: Fix a small mistake.
#71
AGS Games in Production / Lucky Mellody Tomorrow. (Now with alpha demo)
Thu 12/01/2006 05:06:02
The opening scenes.
A disguesting room.
Spot the refernce and get a cookie!
DETAILS:
Genre: Cliche-Horror.
View Prespective: First person W/ character frames.
Story:
Robin Platter had just escaped being a forced bride to her demented neighbor and witness the death of her father in a feiry blaze. For monthes she is pleaged with questions before this had happened and now, just after escaping death, she wants answers for the unusual events that surround her and she wants them now.
Heading for the hospital where she was born at she hopes to learn the truth there but is unspecting of the nightmare that will unfold before her.
The Main Characters.
Robin Platter.
Born a boy and lived a normal life until an very horrific explosion had mysteriously changed the boy into a girl. Ever since she has been pleaged by various problems from perverted neighbors and isolation from her friends to a troubled mother and an angry father. She is here at the hospital for answers.
Clive Midwich.
A ghost hunter out to learn more about the world around him he comes to this hospital to study spirital activities.
Dean Jones.
A young "lEEt" member of the internet board "Hell hunters" he came to the hospital in hopes to catch the rising fad of haunted hospitals and take photographes of the place to keep his "elite-ness".
Completed.
STORY: 20%
BACKGROUND: 30%
CHARACTERS: 60%
SCRIPTING: 32%
OVERALL: 28%
TARGET RELEASE DATE(TRD): By the end of the year.
Future plans:
- Clean up (or change) main title.
- Re-draw orginal art work.
- Re-write dialog after grammar and spell check.
Comments:
I have been working and re-working on this game for some time now as I was not happy with the animation effects and how the main characters looked so I just grabbed some anime pictures I have on my hard drive and edited them to fit the game a bit (gotta add a disclaimer at the end like the fanfiction pros doÃ,Â
) and here I am today.And yes, I realize that the title is mispelled. I will fix it when I get a chance (or leave it, like ratphink a booboo).
New comments:
After taking a break I went through the first half of the game finding as many of glitches I can find then decide that I should add onto the game as it fells short and unfufilling, I might add on a second floor and two new wings as well as an actual showdown with the "good doctor".
Official Alpha Demo.
http://www.geocities.com/hellruinkaimaramon/Luck.zip
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