Ember Sky: Demo Release

[game_maniac]

Another pattern that annoys me is Town-Dungeon-Boss Fight. Not only do I think it's annoying to have a boss fight in every piece of the game that has random encounters, but most of the time they aren't even well made.

But that has nothing to do with your game I guess. Just try to add little twists to your forests/dungeons. Instead of a simple forest, why not a forest inhabited by cannibals? Instead of a mushy old cave, how about a fire/ice cave? Wait, that's cliche as well. Ok I admit, mushy old caves are pretty much twist-proof.

Just some general tips.

Mmmm, vanilla coke... Wait, I don't like vanilla coke. IT'S A TRAP!

[Phayre]

The main twists are realy just the interactions you have with your characters the first time through places. Like, you take Caolan with you through the forest. He's a spaz. He's all like: "Christophe! Check out this tree! WOW!" and Christophe's all like "I have a gun..... why haven't I shot you?" Caolan also tries to make friends with your giant wolfie boss.... before it decides that it it would be more fun to eat him.
When I say RPGs, I mean the typical video game RPGS, not the old school Dungeons and Dragons, or MMOs. There will probably always be something to do in a town, like a fun minigame or whatever.
.....*hands GM yet another coke...... giggle*

[Linkforce]

Read most of the stuff and I like what I see.  And what I see is that you have a great cast of characters so far.  Not too much cliche in them (cause all characters have some, no matter how good you are), and they seem likeable.  Your screens are pretty solid, and from what I can tell, you're a good writer.  As long as you stick with it, I'll check this out and keep tabs on it.  I'm here if you need help at all, but good luck.  Us RPG'ers need to stick together.  ^^'

[game_maniac]

 

The main twists are realy just the interactions you have with your characters the first time through places. Like, you take Caolan with you through the forest. He's a spaz. He's all like: "Christophe! Check out this tree! WOW!" and Christophe's all like "I have a gun..... why haven't I shot you?" Caolan also tries to make friends with your giant wolfie boss.... before it decides that it it would be more fun to eat him.

In that case, I think it will work better. You've proved you're great at writing, so this should be entertaining. As long as there's good dialogue, it can't get boring.

Most of the fun in rpgm games come from the story anyway.

[Phayre]

When exactly did I prove this great writerness? Please tell Mr. Donald Maas, the agent who won't take my novel no matter how many times I revise it, that I'm good. Pleeeeeeeeeeeeeeease?
No, seriously, thanks guys. I'm currently working on sprites, having finally finished my maps. I think. Maybe. *glances around* Maybe. I'm trying to do a sprite with Christophe drinking, that's not coming out well. I've also found that I can't figure out Lyra's sprite. Her hair throws me off, cuz I've never done anything long. Same with Grey..... damn it!!!!!!! *throws something big and hard*

[aboutasoandthis]

I noticed that almost no one really commented on your storyline. After sitting down to read everything, I have to say that it sounds fantastic. Your characters have well thought out personalities, even if they have a wierd "Silent Hill" style vibe to them. You've got a nice introduction, clear motives, and smooth transitions between what happens next.

The only thing I didn't like was the book part. You say that Christophes debts are stacking up, then he leaves to chase someone who stole his book, then he comes back to the bar to first meet Caloan. Did Caolan steal the book or something? It didn't really say. Other than, you're game doesn't have the epic vibe some of the other games here have, but this can change once you release a demo.

I just wanted to say that I am really looking forward to this, and that I will download it when it comes out. Do you need any help on finding poses? I'm very good at posing, and if you need a lot of detailed charasets I know where to get some. If you're interested, PM me about it but don't ask for too much.

[Phayre]

Caolan is sort of hanging out at the bar, showing off his ill magic skillz and conning people into buying him food. When you come back to the bar to tell the bartender that the job she told you about was a bust, an incident is sparked between Caolan and Christophe, leading to you leaving town.
As for epicness, the planned storyline is sufficiently epic, but Christophe remains very oriented on his own goals throughout the entire game. I really hate the heroes who are like "I don't care, unless of course it's the end of the game, my life is in mortal danger, and the world needs saving!" Gah. And yeah, Christophe ends up caring about more than just beer. ^^

[Linkforce]

Originally posted by aboutasoandthis
I noticed that almost no one really commented on your storyline. After sitting down to read everything, I have to say that it sounds fantastic. Your characters have well thought out personalities, even if they have a wierd "Silent Hill" style vibe to them. You've got a nice introduction, clear motives, and smooth transitions between what happens next.

The only thing I didn't like was the book part. You say that Christophes debts are stacking up, then he leaves to chase someone who stole his book, then he comes back to the bar to first meet Caloan. Did Caolan steal the book or something? It didn't really say. Other than, you're game doesn't have the epic vibe some of the other games here have, but this can change once you release a demo.

I just wanted to say that I am really looking forward to this, and that I will download it when it comes out. Do you need any help on finding poses? I'm very good at posing, and if you need a lot of detailed charasets I know where to get some. If you're interested, PM me about it but don't ask for too much.

I said I did!  lol

[aboutasoandthis]

  Originally Posted by Linkforce
 

Originally Posted by aboutasoandthis

I noticed that almost no one really commented on your storyline. After sitting down to read everything, I have to say that it sounds fantastic. Your characters have well thought out personalities, even if they have a wierd "Silent Hill" style vibe to them. You've got a nice introduction, clear motives, and smooth transitions between what happens next.

The only thing I didn't like was the book part. You say that Christophes debts are stacking up, then he leaves to chase someone who stole his book, then he comes back to the bar to first meet Caloan. Did Caolan steal the book or something? It didn't really say. Other than, you're game doesn't have the epic vibe some of the other games here have, but this can change once you release a demo.

I just wanted to say that I am really looking forward to this, and that I will download it when it comes out. Do you need any help on finding poses? I'm very good at posing, and if you need a lot of detailed charasets I know where to get some. If you're interested, PM me about it but don't ask for too much.

I said I did! lol

But I talked more about the plot than the characters though.  

To stay on topic, I responded to your message Phayre. Just send over the charasets and I'll see what I can do tonight.

[Phayre]

YESSSSSSSSSSSSSS
Time to make a drinking game! Wheeeeeeeeeeee!
Today, I rehauled the opening cutscene so it makes more sense and isn't buggy. I also finished the charsets for Lyra and Arin, and edited the facesets so they don't have the border around them. So far, out of the really important chars, only young Christophe, Grey, and Athair have generated charsets, which were what I was originally using before deciding to sprite some myself.
Oh, and a minor change. Arin is only 22, not 24. His crazy abilities are explained in the storyline, so don't worry about the weirdness of someone so young being so skilled.

[Vidian]

It's Past june 16th...
Wheres the Demo, Miss?

[Phayre]

It was postponed, due to some finals that my teachers threw at me and some major bugs I missed, as well as some complete scene rehauls due to bad music, weird lookin' sprites, and the switch from 2k to 2k3. Earliest release will be the end of the month, depending on how quickly I finish the blackjack cards.
But yeah, I'm a bad person. Should've given more time.

[A Forgotten Legend]

Can I test your demo for bugs and other things? Please? Please?!?!?!?!!  I need an excuse not to do stuff with my game.

[Phayre]

Right now, due to a major error with variables, it's unplayable at parts. You get hopelessly stuck. And it's Caolan's fault. There are a few interesting event bugs where Caolan will be in two places at once, one version of him always walking through you. It's odd. If you're willing to deal with this, I'll send you a PM, AFL.

In Progress:
Blackjack cards: 20% done
Blackjack game: 0% (but I have a tutorial, so it'll be easy)
Enemies: 90% (the system switch destroyed all the custom moves)
Battle animations: 80%
Cutscenes: 80% (just 2 more! and one quick dialogue)
Maps: 90%
Drinking game: 10% (I have the sprites, just need to do the programming)
I may end up saving the card pics for the full game and just giving you numbers, because I want the demo out, and in order to complete the cards I need to do an FE face for each char. Why? Uhhh.... I'm not sure. But it'll be cool, cuz you'll go back and be like "Oh! That's Caolan! And there's Arin! Wow, I know these people know!", since when you first play, you only have Christophe. But.... yeah.
This, folks, it what happens when your process involves no planning. For some reason, it works for me (I've written a novel off this no-plan formula, since it jkeeps me from thinking too far ahead and getting bored). You think you're done... and then, no, wait, wouldn't that be cool? Yeah! That'd be cool! Wheeee......

[A Forgotten Legend]

Eagerly waits at pm. (Or just goes to pm box)