As an update LOCI has been discontinued but the Mechanics are being ported to another game project. I will be posting regular test builds of the mechanics in a demo scene but as for the game the Working title is being kept a secret until further into production.

The Launch of a studio:
That’s right official and everything Sollex is coming on the scene as a publisher/studio soon so look for this name in the next 3 years because its hopefully going to please.

I have a job:
Yep i have a job as a software engineer for Tournament1 Gaming Corp which deals with gambling games leaving me free to start my studio in other areas

Moved Into Connecticut;
I am now an official resident in Stamford Connecticut woo hoo.

Got a longboard:
Yep just randomly got a longboard.

This is the second to last update I will be making to The Legend of Crystal Island before I switch to my new project which is going to be called “Unheard” That is just a beta title for now until it can be discussed further but it will be using similar mechanics as The Legend of Crystal Island. I hop to be able to make a WebPlayer version available to play soon as I figure out how to host it on word press.

Mechanics Updated:

Added an automatic attacking mechanic.

Fixed some of the rotation.

Additions in next 2 weeks:

Add more Age of Conan Style Combat mechanics into the game. Thats about it and we will see how that turns out.

A webplay version of this game and its creation process will be posted after finals this week but to everyone tuning into my blog because of the convention thank you very much ^^ and know that any suggestions made and noted will be implemented or tried to be implemented within the next 2 weeks with hopefully a webplayer version of the game for you to try out your new suggestions.

Until next time this is Evan McCall signing off.

Lets Get started.

Mechanics Fixed:

1. Fixed the movement of the character he now walks forward and walks backwards instead of turning around when you hit back
2. Rotates Left and Right When you press the left and right keys
3. Added Health Potion fully works
4. Fleshed out the rest of the particle systems
5. Added an in-game Cutscene Feature that can be customized with multiple cameras
6. Fixed the GUI Text so that it is now readable

Features Added:

1. Added a splash screen to the beginning of the game that shows our logo
2. Added a start screen to appear after our logo to play or quit game
3. Added In-Game Cut Scenes
4. Pause Screen which enables you to Quit the Game, set audio level, Graphics Level, See the credits and Version of unity and graphics card

Models:

1. Willhelm is now fully rigged with proper controls and fully skinned and nCloth added to the clothing
2. Base mesh for Spider and Humanoid Spider are Done
3. Bandits are Fully Meshed Out

Level:

1. Entire level mapped out with either alpha assets or beta assets
2. Play Path Roughed out
3. Enemy and Quest placement has been roughed out
4. Boss battle has been placed

What is left to do?

1. Make In-Game cut scenes to progress player towards Play Path
2. Script Out Main Quest Scene and Chase with Bones
3. Fix GUI Placement of skills and items
4. Hopefully enable 2 – 3 combos to be performed through the free form combat system
5. Playtest and Refine Play Path and Enemy Strengths
6. Animations for all the models
7. Create Save Data and Load option
8. Create enemy respawn Points
9. Optional Targeting System
10. Possibly rolling credits when you beat the boss of the game
11. A checkpoint for you to respawn at when you die and exp loss when you die as well

That is about all I can think of off-hand. Loving the new unity 3.3 features in the rendering department.

The schedule is very simple. Stay up as late as possible building this game and get up as early as possible for the same thing. Hooray

Updated in-game trailer Coming soon. Within the next 2 weeks

Time to write a Mid-Review of The Legend of Crystal Island:

Mid-Review

In Development by Team LOCI:

The Legend of Crystal Island is to be an RPG with a real time attack system, Combo’s and Linking Skill System.

Target Audience: Hardcore Gamers or just anyone looking to have a good time really

Development So Far:

ü  Programming: So far we have gotten through mostly all the programming, about 95% of the core is done and combat actually works as well

ü  Modeling: The main character has been roughly modeled and weighted. Zbrush still needs to be used and then the Monsters will be created as well.

ü  Music: The main theme music has been composed and a preliminary sound effects database has been gathered for using but other music to appear within the game is still waiting to be mixed.

Whats going right?

1. Schedule:

So far the production is on schedule even on a college schedule and will be ready for capstone if every milestone and goal can be met.

2. Programming:

Everything programming wise just fell into place because of the unity forums and their great support for new developers.

3. Assets Import:

Working in unity everything magically works together. Maya, Zbrush, FBX and Unity were made for eachother. And cannot forget my dear friend Adobe AfterEffects

Whats going wrong?

1. Technical Difficulties:

Even though everything is going right on the production plan life is just killing the team. From Equipment problems, Lack of budget, and overall college and various circumstances I am surprised we have gotten so far.

2. WorkFlow:

Everything in maya translates into unity. So if your not organized or do not have a good labeling system a file can become quickly jumbled and find it hard to find a simple part of the IK or a node within sub folder’s. In some cases a file can explode into a million pieces making it hard to put it back together again.

3. Environment:

Even though the team talks at least once per week we never are able to coordinate a meeting over Skype or in person thus never giving us the opportunity to develop together which is important in a lot of aspects to realign the team on what the current task is. In my opinion

What do I hope to see in the future?

1. Well for starters I hope to have a working computer within the next week so I can start working with the engine again. I don’t like my technology giving out but atleast it happened after midterms and during spring break…
2. Better communication because we need to be more pungent in the future
3. A game I can be proud of!

That’s it for now. This is my Mid-Review

EMM

Well back to work.

Author: Evan M McCall

Your only source of hope, comfort and ability to stay alive is a single torch light, guiding you through the endless caverns of darkness with monsters of old and new creeping down your every step as your lights go out. Keep the light ladies and gentleman for it’s your only hope to avoid extinction.

Our Lead Designer “Cory Harrell” came up with the idea for Global Game Jam. The team as a whole helped to cement the idea and build the emotion and experience of the gameplay. There were a total of 9 of us on this team.

Team Keep the Light wanted to keep the scope of the project minimal but wanted the immersion into the game to be the pulling factor that keeps a person playing. We wanted to portray the feeling of claustrophobia and a little helplessness.  It was really fun just pounding out this game in 48 hours a lot went right but a lot went wrong, but there is a lot of love in this idea.

What went right?

• 1. Design:

Well the design of the videogame went absolutely flawless. The atmosphere of the environment and the feel of the character within it were just stunning.  It’s basically a time limit to get from point A to B but the main goal of this was just bring the player into the game make them feel the pressure. Within 48 hours minus the time to sleep, relax and meet together it was rather successful in my opinion.

• 2. Work Flow:

Believe it or not it is very important to have a good workflow within a team of 9 people. So that no bottlenecking was created we had meetings between each other twice a day to note our progress and divvy up tasks that need to be done. Cory and I thought of the tasks that needed to be accomplished and in what order so that we maximized everyone’s efforts towards the game and no one was left with “idle hands”

• 3. Teamwork:

Everyone knew what they wanted to do and they did it. As long as we gave them tasks they were happy to accomplish this and the fact was we all shared our experience with each other so not only was it enjoyable but the amount of learning done in these two days is enough to cover  1 semester college to me.

What went wrong?

• 1. Playtesting:

Not enough of it, we had so much to do within the 48 hour period we paper tested for the most part the design of the level and how to would execute it within gamemaker. O man a lot of stuff within the level stopped working , certain mechanics just would not go right.

• 2. Crunch Time:

Even though the 48 hours to make the game was crunch time enough there was crunch time upon that crunch time. Last minute additions to the game and whatnot just had me bugging out trying to get everything perfect the last hour before submission.

Out with a bang.

All in all not a lot went wrong in my opinion. The process was smooth, we really worked well together and it was a fun experience. With the team and time we had it was just amazing and I would gladly do this every month if given the opportunity.

And here is a link to the game.

http://www.globalgamejam.org/2011/keep-light

to start the game press esc at the main menu screen after the introduction credits.

Well now with this new experience I am actually trying to get into blogging. Thank you Liz.

Anyway from now on I’ll try to keep a once a week journal of stuff that i have learned and things that are interesting to me.

So Global Game Jam 2011, it was very awesome. I felt like I used every bit of knowledge I had to make a complete game which doesn’t happen very often. Programming, Photoshop, after effects, techniques just a whole plethora of information I was able to use and share with my peers I was very pleased.

So our game is called “Keep the Light” which this year’s theme is extinction.

http://www.globalgamejam.org/2011/keep-light\

I was the technical artist of the group. To me that meant sharing what knowledge I have accumulated over my career of making videogames and making everyone’s lives easier by showing them techniques and tricks to easily obtain a feeling or outcome of a certain asset. Also helping make assets and just churn out an awesome videogame.

Helpful hint:

What I told everyone who was trying to design out the concept of the level was to focus on feeling first and then visuals with those feelings.

To me when you know what kind of feeling you may want with your videogame the visuals and idea’s for the game flow better within your imagination. It’s worked for me many times before.

Hmm I really don’t know what else to write about. This was a truly amazing experience like the last time I participated and hopefully I may test my skills like this again soon.

I also many the intro screen ^^