[Hoof]

Games within reach

Point-and-click game - This one seems likely to arrive. But I don't want to jinx it, either. I'm happy with the game engine (rare for me), I'm happy with the graphics, I'm happy with the plot, I'm happy with the length of the game (not reaching for the stars with this one)

Jumper game - This is one that I was talking about a while back. In fact, it was about 75% or more done at that time, but I haven't done anything to it since. It's cute, but I wouldn't want it to be representative of me and mine. It's a game in the style of knytt and WADF, at least in atmosphere. I like it because it all takes place on one board, but I don't like the control scheme. It's a 1x1 player side-scroller which gives me a headache.

I also have this old game somewhere that should be put out for posterity's sake. It's SO old, like probably around 2000-2001ish. It kind of sucks, but is kind of great. I'll see if I can dig it up.


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Games I've wanted to make, but haven't the time/drive

Typical RPG, recently turned Sideview RPG (ala Ys III) - This could be cool. I have reworked and reworked the engines through various games and have a pretty nice sprite jumper with powerups, etc. I even have the plot semi-fleshed out in my head. But again, I would have to be perfectly happy with all the engines and have plenty of time, drive, and gusto(!) to do this thing. It looks pretty, but isn't likely.

Sidescrolling semi-non-linear metroidvania-type - Again, I've started this thing about half a dozen times with various player anims, plots, weapons and nothing clicked. This is never going to happen, BTW.

Creepy Adventure game - This is based on a story I started to write years ago. The story was creepyish and trippy, but the game was going to be goofy. Then I wanted to try and do horror and atmosphere in mzx. I actually got pretty far with this before I felt that the engines were too loose and PROBABLY were going to be a problem down the line. It takes place in and around a creepy house. The boards are actually mostly complete (shells) which is rare for me. I did something like 17 out of 25 rooms or something like that and gave up. It has some nice features that I will either rework for the future or put into other games. Many of the game engines were upgraded for the aforementioned Point and Click game. And the walking anim is pretty sweet, so I'll use that again. I put a lot of fucking time into this bastard.

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Games that Will Never Be

Underwater Interactive Fiction - This had a couple of plot elements that I like. But it's gone and done for.

Overhead Adventure-RPG - This was looking decent. The sprite sword worked with a bar that would slowly increase and as you used different keys for different sword strokes, it would take from the bar.

The second incarnation of the Adventure-RPG - This was looking even better. I even got a chunk of the game accomplished but I suddenly lost interest in 1x1 games and began focusing on side-scroll/large-char games. It played just like Crystalis (the basis) and I even began to write the plot around the setting of Crystalis. But, alas...

Star-Man Side Scrolly!!! - This was fun. I didn't have the patience to finish the engines or make the enemies. Oh well.

And many more that bit the dust. I even tried a Castlevania half-normal, half-FF-like-RPG that looked great, but again I didn't have the patience to do the RPG portion of it.

So maybe I'll use this journal as motivation. Or maybe the journal will use ME for motivation! We'll see. If I get the notion, maybe I'll post pictures of the games that won't EVER be made. I love to see screenshots and I think they are the best motivation to mzx more.

[Galladin]

Hey hey, these sound great...nice ideas, and I'm glad to hear you're not using only 1x1 chars. Now stop posting and go finish the games. No wait, upload some screenshots first.

[Padz]

I agree, screenshots are wanted!

[Hoof]

I love to see people's screenshots and I encourage more!

In the meantime, here are a few.







Keep in mind that these are games that are most likely never to be. But that doesn't stop me from raping them of graphics and code.

The first one is the horror-esque one. The second was sort of a throw-back game with a bunch of shooting and light puzzling. I think I had played the entire zeux series in a row at that point. The third one I may pick up again. It's pretty well along and cute. The best part about it is that I've got most of the music and sounds done, too, which is rare for me.

[Jester]

Dude, i really like the first and the third screens. you should definately try to make that third game.

[T-Bone]

Those are some sexy screenshots

[djtiesto]

Those look awesome, hopefully you can continue and put one of them out...

[ShloobeR]

3rd screen is BADASS

makes me want to work on Tearaway some more (my long term sidescroller)

[Ando]

I find the second one to be the most interesting. I guess that I'm just a sucker for simplicity.

[T-Bone]

ShloobeR, on Dec 18 2008, 02:53 AM, said:

3rd screen is BADASS

makes me want to work on Tearaway some more (my long term sidescroller)

Same here. It inspires me to continue working on my sidescroller, Side Draft.

[Hoof]

Happy new years everyone! I appreciate all the comments. I'd really like to see a game or two in aught-nine. Until then, here are a few other screens from games that never were.








A couple from a castlevania RPG/adventure game. I was incredibly happy with the graphics, but didn't have the drive to do the rpg engine.

And one of my first attempts with sprites using lego people. It actually looked kind of cute.


In the meantime, I've done a little bit of work. Nothing of any bulk or significance. I may try and push for that unnamed platformer's completion. We'll see.

[Tixus]

I love your style of graphics. Always simple, but used in such a way that makes something that's extremely pleasant to look at. I think you might do best by making a game that's somewhat simple in design, and using your graphical talent to emphasize mood and atmosphere over complex gameplay. It doesn't have to be primitive, but I think in some cases it's easy to lose motivation in the engine building, and getting everything to work right.

[Galladin]

All of these screenshots look very, very, VERY good. I would love to see one of these or pretty much any game of yours to be finished. Tix pointed out a good methody, try it out - it just might be the key for VICTORY!

[T-Bone]

LEGO!

[Hoof]

Tixus, on Jan 6 2009, 11:56 AM, said:

I love your style of graphics. Always simple, but used in such a way that makes something that's extremely pleasant to look at. I think you might do best by making a game that's somewhat simple in design, and using your graphical talent to emphasize mood and atmosphere over complex gameplay. It doesn't have to be primitive, but I think in some cases it's easy to lose motivation in the engine building, and getting everything to work right.

I agree. This was my plan for the project with the aforementioned sidescroller (above). It's simple, cute and short, but that didn't stop me from putting it on the back-burner for- oh- several months. I do appreciate the enthusiasm from the dmzx crowd here. I know most of you guys are in the same boat.

It also doesn't help that I only get to work on these things in 15-20 min. bursts.

And here's another couple of screenshots of games long gone:


Of course, megaman. My sprite skills were a little lacking then. But the animations were superb.


Ah. This was fun for a while. But I REALLY like making custom graphics and I limited myself too much here.

[KKairos]

I also like Tix's idea, especially if it means you finishing one of these.

[Hoof]

New Game

It's a new game! On top of the other two strong candidates for release in the distant future, I've set to work on another, more retro or "typical mzx" game. It's a shooter that makes use of a few default characteristics that I haven't messed with in awhile.

These include:

- Default player controls (use directions to move player, use space+direction to shoot!!!)
- Shoot Seek!!
- Spitfire!!
- Seekers!!
- Explode 5!!!

And this is just a taste! This actually sprung from a discussion about .mzm vs. swap world vs. gotoxy that inspired me to play around with .mzms. In doing so, I've put together a rockin' little gem that makes me just want to kiss a rainbow!

It's in the vein of Metal Gear for the nes.

Based on comments I've received, I'm doing my best to "keep it simple." I have urges to stray from this path, but I keep reminding myself that this is the kind of game that can end at just about any point. The plot is fairly shallow and the gameplay is simple enough to last any length. But I'll keep the masses informed on this one.

EDIT: I shouldn't really compare it to metal gear, I suppose, because I don't want to limit myself. The atmosphere is similar. How about that?

This post has been edited by Hoof: 19 January 2009 - 10:28 PM

[T-Bone]

Your Mega-Man sprite sure looks a hell of a lot better than mine.

[KKairos]

Rock on, Hoof. Rock. On.

[T-Bone]

Hoof, on Jan 19 2009, 05:26 PM, said:

New Game

These include:

- Default player controls (use directions to move player, use space+direction to shoot!!!)
- Shoot Seek!!
- Spitfire!!
- Seekers!!
- Explode 5!!!

I've put together a rockin' little gem that makes me just want to kiss a rainbow!

The player can shoot seekers? That's pretty interesting. Do they go after the enemy? I was thinking about creating an engine a while back for making shootable seekers that will actually seek the nearest enemy. Are you using the seekers for enemies to use or the player?

Hoof, on Jan 19 2009, 05:26 PM, said:

I've put together a rockin' little gem that makes me just want to kiss a rainbow!

Best Line I've Read, So Far, For The New 2009!

[Hoof]

T-Bone, on Jan 20 2009, 11:03 AM, said:

The player can shoot seekers? That's pretty interesting. Do they go after the enemy? I was thinking about creating an engine a while back for making shootable seekers that will actually seek the nearest enemy. Are you using the seekers for enemies to use or the player?

nah, just enemy seekers. I've done player weapons before, but i'm limiting myself this time. maybe next time i'll give it a go. this time you get a gun, throwable/placeable grenades and a knife.

[Hoof]

Guys guys guys, I'm making a different game. BLAH! FUCK!

I'm okay with this, though.


Game

I have a premise. It's a fan game, but I won't say of what. Let me just say that is fun to make mzx representations of gangs, specifically badass black guys. It will hopefully resemble a fast-paced, low-depth rpg of sorts. Like Sonny (Sonny 2) sans the amount of gameplay depth. If it ever gets finished, I don't expect everyone(anyone) to call it a masterpiece.


I had a notion, I ran with it, now it's out of control!
Unfortunately, life makes it really hard to spend any time with any of these games at all. I use mzx as stress-relief.