Vagrant Euphoria: Revised

[Roxas]

There will be many more posts. Don't worry, the game's not dead. I'm kind of, working out a strategy, right now. If that makes sense. Basically, I don't want things to start this time the way they started the last time. Uncertain, unfinished, undesigned, and undecided. I want things to be set in stone before I start, so that I can actually GET THINGS DONE. While I said I'd have the new thread up by the 12th, I think postponing it and getting things right is the best way to go. But, like I said, don't worry. Things will be ready soon.

 

[Scooby Snack Six]

The look and even the names of your protagonist feel like FF12 rip-offs. Just saying...

 

[Roxas]

Um, while I appreciate your input, I don't really see how. The only name close to FFXII(that I know of, I didn't finish that horrible game) is Vance/Vaan. Lenne, Beiru, Trent(a name in the real world) and Brande don't sound like any of the other characters. And only Brande's, maybe even Trent's, could be considered looking like something from FFXII. But, I think I said in an old post that Brande's design IS being redone. Also, I might actually be redoing everyone's design to make it more rock/anime ish. If anyone else agree's with Scooby, please let me know, and I'll fix them up. Though, I do like their names. And Scooby, if you could elaborate?

 

[Scooby Snack Six]

This really isn't much of a stretch:

Vance looks and sounds like Vaan (poofy white/blond hair, vagabond appearance, main character). Brande looks and sounds like Basch (scruffy-looking, blonde ex-soldier with shelled armor on one arm... Hell, he even has broken shackles on his wrists). For Lenne, her armor and face look very similar to some of the NPC women running around Rabinastre, and her name (like all your names) fit a FF12 motiff of short, one syllable, almost gutteral names (Vaan, Reks, Ashe, Fran, Kytes).

Whether you liked the game or hated it, I'm seeing it all over your character names, drawings, and even backgrounds. I'm not accusing you of stealing ideas. In fact, parallel development happens all the time in the world of video games, fiction, movies, etc. However, I highly doubt that I am the only one seeing this similarities, and it only works against you, not for you.

 

[Roxas]

Well, like I said, if anyone else agrees with you, please feel free guys. I'm not impartial to criticism, tell me what you think.

Now Scoobs, I see your point about Brande, which is why I redesigned him, and since the story of the game is changing, parts of his background are too. As for Vance, He looks like a vagabond because he is, all vagrants in the city are. Thats just the style. That ties in with the new storyline though. The actual design of him and Vaan look completely different if you look at both at the same time. And his hair isn't blond, its black. Black hair, tan skin, and red eyes. (Note, all vagrants have red eyes, but thats more of the symbolism in the game). And I'm sorry, it might just be me, but I really don't see resemblance to Lenne's design and the NPC design in the game. It might be hard to tell because it isn't colored. Remember, her shirt isn't cloth, its black leather. She's a spy. And as for her name, SE used in in FFX-2, of which I'm guilty, but I just heard that name and really loved it. About the design, if you could post a screen as an example, that might help me see what you're talking about. If anything, I first started designing them when I was learning the middle east, which is why the styles might seem different. But I assure you, the architecture is more towards South East asia-ish then anything.

But, like I said, you guys are going to be the ones hopefully playing the game. If ANYONE else has the same opinion as Scoobs, or has something else to add, please, please let me know. Criticism is very welcome here. Thanks guy.

Roxas.

EDIT:: Dammit Scooby Snack Six, why must you inspire me. Well guys, I've decided to redo Lenne. Scooby, while I still think Lenne's design doesn't look like FFXII, I need to thank you. You have inspired me to create something ten times better! Thank you very much sir.

 

[Roxas]

alright everyone, here's the news. I have finally decided on a battle system. the base anyway, the core system. its going to be a active battle and its going to be in real time. but, its not going to be like the ABS scripts in the RGSS section. This ones gonna have a bit more...razzle dazzle? Also, the character growth system is also almost ready. They both have a base to grow from, I just need to fine tune them and what not. The story is also almost ready. Once all three are good and done, I'll post the new thread. Also, the game will be in sprites. I might have already said that, but I wanted to be say it again. 2D everyone. Still, they'll be some nice sprites.

Now, I need some help. The battle/char system is going to be to massive for events, the lag would be endless, so, I need to learn scripting. While the tuts we have are good for learning the tools of scripting, I need some tuts for applying them to making a script. See, the ones we have now teach you about variables and scenes and methods, but not how to turn them into a script. If anyone has some good tutorials on how to actually create scripts, please send them over.

thats about it everyone. I'll keep updating as much as I can. Later, Roxas.

 

[lethalvisions]

I for one entirely LOVE the idea...

Originally Posted by Roxas
I think I am going to switch to sprites. But, as I said, the quality of the sprites will be the same if not better then the quality that you see in those screenshots. But, less squary. Let me see if I can find a picture that show you better of what I mean. Making a game with sprite quality of FFXII, is very much possible.

And I have actually taken the lag into consideration. It is actually a constant consideration. I can't make a thorough desicion until I actually test it to see how bad it is. I mean, it might not be noticable, or the game might not even be playable. It is something that I'm going to have to test, and afterwards work with.

EDIT: Here, this screen shows the quality of what I am talking about. Picture 2D sprites, that look like this...
HUGEASSPICTURE

Are you sure RMXP can handle that?

Remember everyone, a battler is simply an image that if animated would be say... (well, in my case, one of 44 such images, 4 frames in 11 different poses)

With that said, larger sprites could definitely be a possibility, given the ability to render them... Heck, with the right work, you can even POSER them! And pre-rendered backgrounds? Google Sketchup and a few bump maps in Poser do that as well! RPGXP...WAS geared for the 2d top-view see a million versions of sprites walking around, but I for one actually LOVE the idea of say even a top view that LOOKS 3-dish and is actually 2d, and having SHAPES rather than specific tiles, cutout and placed in (foregrounds)

Tis very Resident Evil-ish in my opinion... and I like the idea...

I WILL be keeping my game top-down, with no mode 7, BUT, my characters WILL be psuedo 3-d, especially in the battlers.

 

[Third333strike]

I love the idea on hand drawn maps and such, makes everything so unique

 

[bradleydfc]

Lovely actually. The world map is particuarly fantastic!
I love the style you've drawn it in. A Demo would be lovely.

 

[Brosek]

....I'd play this game... I'd play this game crazy until she cant walk no mo.

 

[Roxas]

Thanks for all the support everybody. I'm happy to see that there are people who are interested in the game. Keep in mind, a few things story wise are being tweaked, mainly the Council's role in society, but the main plot is staying the same. Also, I just made the breakthrough I was looking for with the battle system, so things should move a long.

I want everyone to know that this game, while it is still in production, is only a side project now. I have a lot going on right now, and this has had to take the back seat. But, don't worry. Things will get done, and the new thread should be coming. Its just gonna take some time.

 

[divine_engage]

nice, i honestly can't wait:D your story is probablly one of the best ones i've had the liberty to read, glad to know it's still being developed, even if at a slower pace. keep it up roxas.

 

[Roxas]

Alright guys, the battle system is really starting to finally take shape. The main thing is that its original. To my knowledge, nothing like it has been tried yet, which is good. Also, I think it will be fun, challenging, fluid, and strategic at the same time. With the battle system done, and the character dev. system pretty .much finished, now all I need to do is fine tune the story, and I can put up the new thread. I don't want to give anything away, but I think I said before how a key element of the game's design is wave mechanics. The battle system and char. dev. system both revolve around the element of waves and how they work

Now, this is something really important. As you guys can tell, I'm a very indecisive person, and I always want to be 100% sure that I'm making the right move with the game. To be Frank, I'm considering about whether or not to stick with the original storyline or go with the new one. So the fact is, until I have decided 100% on what move to make, the ball is up in the air. It'd really like to know what you guys think, and whether or not you like the original storyline. While I'm going to do what I think is best for the game in the end, I'd like to get the forums opinion on it as well.

 

[Roxas]

Hey everybody. Its time for a big announcement. This will be the last time I post in this thread. Why? Because I am currently typing up the new thread night now! The designing is finally done and I can start development. The battle system, char. dev system, the graphics, the story, everything has finally been decided. You'll find especially in the new story that the old hasn't been taken away, it has been tweaked and merged with the new. I hope to have up by the end up tonight, see keep an eye open in the horizon of the early projects thread, though, it should be in the project dev. section soon since there will be plenty in it for all. Later guys. Roxas.

 

[Jetstorm2k]

But what if you don't want to play online? What if you just want to play with a friend?