[MMO] Pokemon Eternity

[Spira]

I'm sure you've seen it a million times before, another Pokemon game. As there are many Pokemon games out there, you are asking yourself what is the difference between this and all the others? I will explain the key differences.

The three main differences from normal Pokemon games are as follows:

• Genre - Most Pokemon games are made as single player games, much like the original games. So a big change is that this will support pure online capability, making this a MMO.
  
• Coding - Obviously we can't use things like RMXP, and making it browser based would be pointless. So it is being coded from scratch using Python (similar to Ruby). Since there is no backbone of code it all has to be created from scratch. However, starting from the ground up will allow freedom in every part of the development. As far as compatibility goes, Windows, OS X, and Linux will all be supported. Also note this will support multiple languages (for now, French and English, and will be separate servers)
  
• Gameplay - The biggest change and key feature is the gameplay, particularly the battles. In most Pokemon games (and RPG's) there is a turn based battle system in a closed off environment. I am sure most of you have wondered what a more realistic battle system for Pokemon would look like. Our difference? Battles in real time. This means you will be able to pull your Pokemon out into the world and use skills in real time to battle other Pokemon.

The story and gameplay will be typical of an MMO, you will be able to explore the world, collect items, Pokemon, badges, friends, and experiences. You will also learn more behind the overall plot and your role in it.

Screenshots and Images

Spoiler

Ingame shot with other players and Pokemon:

Login Screen

Character Avatar Creation Screen

Videos

Spoiler

Ingame with Pokemon!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oAIhifU4BgA
Charmander Scratching and Charging.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p3VEH4wNh6A
Charmander Fire Wheel
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HBizVzW6PIY
Release 4 Pokemon. Pidgey Flies!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fhCyubi82MY
Solarbeam Concept!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F3LeH0FqeW0
Jump Arcanine!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dX0yxcFgWI4
Rattatta shoots bubbles! Lol
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mLuYMXOVpsk
Example of beta Map Editor
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dK6sHKyhsSE

 

[LooseEnds]

HOLY SHIT I JUST JIZZED IN MY PANTS!

Are you serious. I watched all of the trailer things and this looks legit.
How are two-pokemon battles going to work?
Are you including all of the continents?
Is it going to be free roam?
WHEN IS IT COMING OUT?

 

[Spira]

HOLY SHIT I JUST JIZZED IN MY PANTS!

Are you serious. I watched all of the trailer things and this looks legit.
How are two-pokemon battles going to work?
Are you including all of the continents?
Is it going to be free roam?
WHEN IS IT COMING OUT?

Of course it's legit. :biggrin:

Confused here, two on two as in two players vs. two players? Or as in 1 player vs 1 player = two player or 2 Pokemon out at once? Anyways to answer all questions.

1 player vs. 1 player: Yes. Duels will be possible, you will pretty much be able to battle anyone anywhere.

Two players vs. two players: Possible. Just each bring out your Pokemon and go at it. Most likely you will just have to be in a party together. In fact a 6 on 6 is possible as well. Imagine that kind of epic battle. :shock:

One player with Two Pokemon: Possible. You will be able to bring out as many Pokemon as you want. Have your full party out if you choose (refer to release 4 Pokemon video). However you will only be able to select and move one Pokemon at a time (or your trainer). It may seem like a big advantage, however by putting all your Pokemon out at once, they all run the risk of taking damage.

The continents may be different as we need to recreate the maps. With current and existing maps they are much too small. In a regular Pokemon game you would never be able to get away with a wide open battle area due to the small space restrictions. Plus we want the world to feel bigger than the original Pokemon games. As you see the players are no longer as tall as buildings and trees. Anyways, it will most likely be different areas, but I am sure some towns will resemble existing ones in one way or another.

Free roam? Yes, you will be able to explore wherever you want. I am sure we will have some restrictions on secret areas and some others like cutting trees and whatnot, but those details are still developing. However you will be able to travel to any town you want by foot, as long as you can make it there alive. :smile:

The full game is still a bit off, however a beta demo should be out a lot quicker. Maybe in the form of a quick opening demo on the story and character progression plus all I've talked about.

 

[LooseEnds]

Is the story going to be a single character development, like the GB games, or a world development like WOW?

Will there be things resembling quests, other than hunting for badges and pokemon?

Are you using the full, up to date pokemon list?

Are characters like Ash going to appear?

Will your trainer level up as well as the Pokemon?

Are you changing the pokemon's advancement at all?

How will the map maker factor into gameplay?

*Whew* Sorry for all the questions, but this game makes me feel all flustered...
I'll probably ask more questions when I think of them...

 

[Damaris]

Impressive. It looks considerably far into development; a curious couple of questions - How many people are working on this and how far into the project are you at the moment?
I'll be interested to see how balanced the game play is with the new mechanics.
Hoping to get my hands on this - looks like fun.

 

[Jason]

Also, will you be having beta tests or a server strain test, to see how many people you can handle online ?

 

[Frodo]

Yeah, seeing how many people you can actually handle is important. Also, how will the badges come into play? Will you be able to show them off to other trainers and compare?

 

[Spira]

Wow so many questions. Awesome. :smile:

Is the story going to be a single character development, like the GB games, or a world development like WOW?

There will be some character development and story in various ways and of course world development which affects everyone.

Will there be things resembling quests, other than hunting for badges and pokemon?

Yup, there will be lots of quests. We however do need someone to write up some quest ideas.

Are you using the full, up to date pokemon list?

As in up to date details like the moves and element types? Yes. As far as number of Pokemon go, only a dozen or so for the demo most likely. The full game we are still determining but will be much much more.

Are characters like Ash going to appear?

It is unlikely (or unsure) that the time Ash was around will be the time the server is in, but it's always possible. Not to say he'd still be a young kid still, but we'll see. :wink:

Will your trainer level up as well as the Pokemon?

There will be trainer progression, however the details on that shall be released later. We'll keep you in suspense longer.

Are you changing the pokemon's advancement at all?

Not that I recall, should still level up by fighting and evolution will be there.

How will the map maker factor into gameplay?

It doesn't really factor into gameplay, but once we release the map editor people are free to make maps and submit them to us and we may find a place to add them (long as they are good. xD) As far as how map will affect gameplay, you will be able to use world objects to your advantage. Dodging attacks by hiding behind a rock or tree are certainly possible.

How many people are working on this and how far into the project are you at the moment?

I dunno, maybe 2-4 people, including myself. About 50% into the project, maybe a little more for the demo.

Also, will you be having beta tests or a server strain test, to see how many people you can handle online ?

Yup, this will be one of the reasons for the demo. As far as server strain, we've calculated around 1 kb/s per person which scales pretty linearly (100 people = 100 kb/s) etc.

Also, how will the badges come into play? Will you be able to show them off to other trainers and compare?

You will gain badges from gyms. I don't know if we will have the classic level limitations the badges impose but they will also have secondary effects that we'll discuss later down the road. You will be able to show off your achievements to other players. When you right click on a player you may inspect the other player via trainer card.

Trainer Card I made. (Not all the info inputted just yet as you can see.)

Of course money will be hidden from other players by default, but this is the general idea. :grin: Hope that helps.

 

[dadevvtsvre]

Pokemon MMO's have been tried before but this is one of the only ones I've seen that looks solid and well-developed. I'm really liking where this is going and you've got some good concepts going. One of the big problems I have right now though is with those graphics. You have a lot of varying pixel ratios there and it's distrcting to see trees with pixels that look four times bigger than the characters. It seems that you've just taken the resize button and resized all the scenery to different sizes and because of the pixellized look of Pokemon tilesets you've got a bit of a problem.

One solution that would take a lot of work but would be of huge benefit to your project would be to consider custom graphics. Not for the characters since they seem to work well but the tilesets are a tad wonky. Do you see what I mean?

Otherwise this looks great. With some refining I could see this being a fun game. I'm impressed with how much you've gotten together already! :D

 

[Spira]

Pokemon MMO's have been tried before but this is one of the only ones I've seen that looks solid and well-developed. I'm really liking where this is going and you've got some good concepts going. One of the big problems I have right now though is with those graphics. You have a lot of varying pixel ratios there and it's distrcting to see trees with pixels that look four times bigger than the characters. It seems that you've just taken the resize button and resized all the scenery to different sizes and because of the pixellized look of Pokemon tilesets you've got a bit of a problem.

One solution that would take a lot of work but would be of huge benefit to your project would be to consider custom graphics. Not for the characters since they seem to work well but the tilesets are a tad wonky. Do you see what I mean?

Otherwise this looks great. With some refining I could see this being a fun game. I'm impressed with how much you've gotten together already! :D

Thanks. :grin: We definitely think it has come far and has great potential. As far as the pixel quality goes, in short, we know.

Long explanation: Well with the map editor you are able to scale objects as big and small as you want. However as you pointed out the pixels get bigger as you go further up. The trees being different sizes is more of an example. This isn't a finished map, it's a test map. We can't really use the default tiles because they are too small. The character sprites can't even fit in the doorways of most of the buildings released. Like I said we want the world to feel bigger than the Pokemon games could achieve and the result is having to enlarge sprites.

Yes the solution would be to touch up the existing sprites/tiles or just make them from scratch ourselves. However, as stated before, our development team is pretty small right now and we have no experienced dedicated spriter. We don't really have anyone to redo all the tiles in higher res. We do have SOME tiles in higher res from when someone started a project like that long ago, but unfortunately since they quit the project there is not enough to base the entire game off of. Right now we are more concerned with the gameplay and such before the graphics.

However if you know anyone that wants to create these custom tiles and graphics, we'd love to have them contact us. :wink:

 

[LooseEnds]

You mentioned you may need a trainer quest writer.
I am a semi-professional writer (meaning I get payed every once in a blue-moon when my short stories are published), and am looking to help on a few projects.
I would continue with my Soul Bahkti and Dark City, but right now, I'm a bit busy with my summer classes and my Dead Frontier addiction.

But as I said, I would be happy to help in any way I can...

______________________________________

I also said I would have more questions....
1. Will Certain factions be join able? (Like Team Rocket?)
2. How will the TV show mythology fit into the game?
3. Will you be able to become a gym leader?
4. Which Elite Four are you going to fight?
5. Have you considered taking the finished product to GameFreak?

 

[Damaris]

If you're interested in adding another member to your team I may also be interested. Forte' is graphic design, I can produce pixel art but I'm still in the process of learning the art form so the quality isn't top notch. I would; however, be able to accompany other tasks as well, such as writing, music production, advertising and promotion, web maintenance/production and beta testing. Not sure what you need help with, but you'd be welcome to request samples of my work.

 

[Spira]

You mentioned you may need a trainer quest writer.
I am a semi-professional writer (meaning I get payed every once in a blue-moon when my short stories are published), and am looking to help on a few projects.
I would continue with my Soul Bahkti and Dark City, but right now, I'm a bit busy with my summer classes and my Dead Frontier addiction.

But as I said, I would be happy to help in any way I can...

______________________________________

I also said I would have more questions....
1. Will Certain factions be join able? (Like Team Rocket?)
2. How will the TV show mythology fit into the game?
3. Will you be able to become a gym leader?
4. Which Elite Four are you going to fight?
5. Have you considered taking the finished product to GameFreak?

Yeah we can always use help if you can provide it. Just message me with any contact information and when you may have free time.

1. Undecided just yet. If they are part of the overall story, maybe not, but it is something we thought about. However there would have to be consequences for doing so (and benefits). Players will be able to create their own Teams anyways.

2. If we do decide to do the game in a time where Ash is present we may do some elements from the TV show, but I don't think anything too major. Maybe characters from the TV show discussing the adventure they had. By doing any more than that, we end up putting a limitation where people expect aspects of the TV show to show up all the time. And considering I haven't watched it since the first series arc, I wouldn't know much of anything to put in there. :grin:

3. Yes. Details will be shown as we get closer to release and everything gets finalized.

4. Undecided if the Elite Four will show up, atleast in this area they may have a different name. As well as different Pokemon.

5. Haha good question. I don't think many game companies are very thrilled when you make fan games that rival their own and use their sprites. (Look at the Chrono Trigger fangames that have been shutdown by SquareEnix, even one that was at 99% done.)

If you're interested in adding another member to your team I may also be interested. Forte' is graphic design, I can produce pixel art but I'm still in the process of learning the art form so the quality isn't top notch. I would; however, be able to accompany other tasks as well, such as writing, music production, advertising and promotion, web maintenance/production and beta testing. Not sure what you need help with, but you'd be welcome to request samples of my work.

Definitely could use your help. I sent you a PM on the forum, let me know.

 

[Torai]

Would you be able to buy certain Pokémon? Say you wanted a Bagon, but you wanted to raise it from the beginning of the game at level 5, so it would be raised more properly. Could there be something like that? Could you trade other players items and/or money for Pokémon?

Could you have player-made missions? Say, someone wanted you to help them on a quest or something, but they had less skill than you. You could get a mission statement from that player saying they want help on this quest for a certain reward.

Would there be a guild-like system, too?

I know you probably have plenty of your own ideas, and I wouldn't like to intrude, but it would be nice if those were in this game.

Your game looks awesome, and when it comes out I would love to download it.

 

[silver wind]

Wow, this can turn out better than the original pokemon games.
I've seen your map editor on Youtube, it's pretty cool.

 

[fooder]

I'm gonna keep a close eye on this game in the next upcoming months.

Oh boy!


If you need beta testers I would be more then stoked to help out.

 

[Spira]

Would you be able to buy certain Pokémon? Say you wanted a Bagon, but you wanted to raise it from the beginning of the game at level 5, so it would be raised more properly. Could there be something like that? Could you trade other players items and/or money for Pokémon?

We might have some Pokemon for sale in the similar fashion of the Game Corner in the original games. However trading Pokemon to others and asking for money is something you can do of course. In short, yes, trading items, money, and Pokemon will be part of the game.

Could you have player-made missions? Say, someone wanted you to help them on a quest or something, but they had less skill than you. You could get a mission statement from that player saying they want help on this quest for a certain reward.

As far as making your own missions I'm not sure how we'd be able to control that. However, partying will be possible. We may have missions that may require partying, say braving a dungeon or whatnot; maybe even legendary raid bosses that require a full party. :wink:

Would there be a guild-like system, too?

Definitely.

Thanks guys. Feel free to post ideas or suggestions on things we might of missed. You can expect most of the things MMO's provide which is interaction through trade and competition.

Here are a few more videos made recently. The updates in the last few days have been to item physics (throwing items and Pokeballs) as well as individual Pokemon following and recalling.

Spoiler

Pikachu and Eevee Following. Recall next on things to accomplish.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eZkt9XkDZD0

Eevee Army!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sgx2Q9SMCFE

 

[Jason]

This is looking might impressive, I love the fact that you have to physically throw the pokeball (Well, not exactly physically, but meh), however, I think restricting the player from controlling their pokemon until in battle would seem like a better idea, otherwise you'll see a group of people stood around, with a town infested with flopping Magikarp, lol.

 

[j4kl1ng3r]

This looks amazing.

 

[Damaris]

This is looking might impressive, I love the fact that you have to physically throw the pokeball (Well, not exactly physically, but meh), however, I think restricting the player from controlling their pokemon until in battle would seem like a better idea, otherwise you'll see a group of people stood around, with a town infested with flopping Magikarp, lol.

IMO, that'd be half the fun