The Island

More Stuff

2011-10-05T14:15:00.000-07:00

The worst kind of pipes.

Watch out for the Spikes! You wouldn't want to get them stuck in you!

Hey, where's my sword? This is an incomplete set!

It's a budding romance between Ralph and that bubble.

'S' stands for Save Spot, of course.

Also, here's a screenshot of something I was experimenting with: a sidescrolling Roguelike. There's not much to see, though.

Testing out the Grid based Movement, including a Jump action.

Scripting in Game Maker

2011-06-30T19:00:00.000-07:00

"It needs more work to be playable..."

Most of the work thus far has been making scripted events, and assets for said events. I suppose I could speak of how I'm doing scripted events in Game Maker, in case it'd be useful for other Game Maker users.

Because I'm not really a programmer, I wasn't sure about how to go about scripted events at first. I considered using Switches to do it, and it worked! However...

So I scrapped that form of event. I knew that some people used Lua for scripted events, but I've never worked with it before! I wanted to attempt something else before trying to learn it. So, through some experimenting, and some help from Chris P. Bacon (dude who worked on Gang Garrison 2), I went went with this solution, and am still using it today.

Game Maker's built in timelines! If you don't know, when you start one of these they go through a list of actions at the frames you specify. (Step 56 would run on the 56th frame after you started the timeline, for example.) All I needed to do was to force the timeline to stay at any particular step I wanted, and...

Voila, it's a scripted event in a tidier fashion than using switches! Whenever next_action() is run, it'll automatically go to the next Step of the Timeline.

On the downside, I still have to type more than, say, making a program that outputs scripted events for me. On the plus side, I have plenty of control since I can code stuff on the fly.

Boss Test

2011-06-22T01:42:00.000-07:00

Tech Demo

2010-11-08T19:36:00.001-08:00

Hey! I've put up a tech demo. Why don't you have a run through my Debug Room and tell me how it feels?

http://forums.tigsource.com/index.php?topic=15742.0

2010-11-06T15:05:00.000-07:00

Dropping in

2010-10-28T22:44:00.000-07:00

I haven't forgotten about this blog. Here's a screenshot from within my debug room.

The Scripted Event system feels pretty good now. With some help from Chris P. Bacon, I'm implementing some more gameplay mechanics! Meanwhile, I'm working on the script and the graphics again. Here's a nice bunch of Face graphics I'm going to be using.

Even more Progress

2010-06-27T23:44:00.000-07:00

Hey I switched to Game Maker

2010-05-26T10:46:00.001-07:00

After a crippling bug in my level editor showed itself to me, I decided that I simply had enough with MMF2 and switched to a different program.

I have to say, it's been a lot more fun of a transition-to-a-new-program than I thought it would be! I've even gotten my first taste of real programming, due to Game Maker's GML language. Things are looking up for once.

More Progress

2010-05-18T19:40:00.000-07:00

...The Level Editor is coming along really well!

Let's try this again

2010-05-12T14:31:00.000-07:00

I have to say, this is getting kind of silly. Due to... lost of contact with the person helping me work on this level editor stuff, I've had to resort to starting from scratch and making my own level editor.

It's somewhat dissapointing, but I've been making an incredible amount of progess on this thing, since I only just started like two days ago. I'm actually surprised that it's working so quickly, and it's making me think I didn't need help in the first place...

Nevertheless, there's no excuse for The Island taking this long to even have a first map done! I've really gotta get my act together... and I think I might be doing just that, finally.

The TMX Manipulator

2010-01-10T16:22:00.000-08:00

We're using a generic Tile Level Editor called "Tiled"- It's a nice program overall, but the way it handles objects isn't very good for a project like this. That's why we're making this.

The graphics shown are merely for testing purposes.

It'll streamline the process, thus making development easier ...It's also been the reason as to why it's taking so long to make the game. Go figure.

Because Development can be boring

2009-12-27T02:10:00.000-08:00

Here's a mockup using graphic assets.

While I may not be the most able programmer, I at least feel a little capable with the graphics.

WOAH. Woah.

2009-12-22T22:09:00.000-08:00

I'd like to apologize for hiatuses and any and all lack of care to the blog.

But that's all I apologize for. Anyway! As I've implied, the unofficial hiatus is over. The project is moving again. My programmer friend was, apparently, stuck on a feature for the editor I didn't quite need. When I discovered this, I went "aaaaAAAAAAA" silently and now we're gonna do that thing manually and stuff will get done now.

Man I hope making the SCRIPTING system won't pull any shit on me

Monster: The Wimp

2009-07-27T18:57:00.000-07:00

The Wimp

These violent creatures cause nothing but trouble! They've been seen wielding different kinds of weapons and light armor. Weak and non intimidating, they're more of a nuisance than anything.

Monster: The Puff

2009-07-27T18:30:00.000-07:00

Sorry about the prolonged silence. Here, have some info.

The Puff

The puff is one of the most common sights found in the caverns of The Island. While most float about helplessly in the air, There are species that have stuck to the walls and grew spikes, large pushy ones, and who knows that else.

Puffs that have a pink hue have a concentration of Soul Drop in their body. Bust them apart and you can use the Soul Drop to heal yourself!

Character Concepts 1

2009-05-02T21:37:00.000-07:00

I'm always thinking about people who could live in the world of The Island. Here's two characters who you might meet when you play the game...

(click it for the full picture.)

Art!

2009-04-18T19:26:00.001-07:00

I drew a really big picture.

(click it for the full picture.)

2009-04-16T17:14:00.000-07:00

Don't you worry, everything's going fine.

Once the programming stuff is done with, some real progress will begin!

When there's real progress, there's things I'll be happy to show to you all.

Status 2

2009-03-28T00:06:00.001-07:00

It gets pretty quiet, huh?

Popping in to say that the game is going fine, and the reason updates suddenly stopped is that I ran out of things that I think is safe to show!

Maybe I should have update bi-daily instead?

Power up: High Jump

2009-03-20T13:44:00.000-07:00

HIGH JUMP

After getting this power up, you'll have the ability to charge up power. When you've charged up to full, press the jump button to do a High Jump! The added height should make previously inaccessible areas... accessible!

Power up: Dash

2009-03-20T13:40:00.000-07:00

DASH

After getting this power up, you'll have the ability to charge up power. When you've charged up to full, press right or left to start dashing! When dashing, you can damage enemies by running into them, and you can break through fragile walls.

Power up: Stomp

2009-03-18T18:17:00.000-07:00

STOMP

After getting this power up, tapping down twice in the air will shoot you downward with great speed. The added oomph will damage enemies more than jumping on them, and can allow you to break certain things.

Tripping!

2009-03-17T21:32:00.000-07:00

Seems like you tripped while carrying that expensive glass goblet!

TRIPPING!

Tripping is a wonderful feature where, while walking, your character will fall down! This could happen while you're running away from savages, carrying a cure for the cold, or while standing over a neatly built card house!

Status

2009-03-16T19:11:00.000-07:00

So far, the engine is waiting to be fitted with an external map system.

Our plans are to use Tiled, a generic tile map editor. Pretty convenient, but we need to get it's map format loading into MMF2. That was easy enough, except for the objects. Right now we have an idea what to do, so hopefully that won't take much longer.

Also, Tiled's handling of objects sucks. We're going to make another application to place objects in tiled's maps, but making sure that the objects are saved into the map itself.

Shad wants to keep the whole thing simple enough so that this could be used in other games. I suppose that would be nice, but I've never thought about open sourcing it myself.

Engine Video

2009-03-16T19:07:00.000-07:00

Here's an old video showing the engine for the game. A LITTLE outdated, but oh well.

The Goddess' Protection

2009-03-15T20:41:00.000-07:00

If you asked a man who ventured into unknown territories and dangers how he survived, he'll probably say, "The Goddess protected me, of course!"

An old legend on Sol goes like this:

"If thou wish to cross the mountains,
the rivers, the plains, the deserts, and the sea,
The goddess will watch over thee.
For if you seek to find the Promised Land,
The Goddess will guide you with her hand."

Any adventurer can recite this by memory. They believe in it very strongly. After all, they haven't been maimed yet!...

Item: Soul Drop

2009-03-15T20:03:00.000-07:00

SOUL DROP

How do I put this simply...? This is a soul, trapped in a drop of some sort of otherworldly liquid. They float about aimlessly, or maybe towards the nearest sharp pointy thing. The souls inside want to escape, and I bet if you help them, they'll use some of their otherworldly powers to heal a cut or three.

Character: Jeremy

2009-03-15T17:48:00.000-07:00

JEREMY

Jeremy, the faithful servant of Lady Elena. Completely loyal to her family, he shall do anything to protect Elena.

Occupation: Butler
Favorite Snack: Peaches

Character: Lady Elena

2009-03-15T17:15:00.000-07:00

LADY ELENA

A beautiful and wealthy woman who's fiance vanished 10 years ago, without a trace. She enlists in the Hero's aid to find him.

Despite him being gone for a decade, she seems rather confident that her love is still alive, somewhere.

Occupation: Retired
Favorite Snack: Sunflower Seeds

Item: Magic Berry

2009-03-15T12:27:00.000-07:00

MAGIC BERRY

This strange fruit has been popping up in the oddest places on Luna Island! It's peculiar color and alluring smell are not recorded in any field books, but give it a taste... if something goes wrong, maybe they'll name it after you!

Their seeds also like to travel about. If you happen to find one, plant it in special soil and it'll grow!

Character: The Hero

2009-03-15T08:36:00.000-07:00

HERO

The hero of the story. A budding adventurer, he takes up the task of finding a vanished person without much thought. But, will his experience be enough?

Occupation: Adventurer
Favorite Snack: Strawberry Jam

Plot Synopsis

2009-03-15T07:02:00.000-07:00

So, there's this continent called Sol. And it has a smaller sister called Luna. Luna Island, they call it.

The largest settlement on Luna is a city fondly named St. Astrol. At least, it was, before it up and disappeared over night.

The strangeness of situation sent all of Sol in an uproar. ...But, despite incredible efforts, nothing is found.

A decade later, the island of Luna is mostly uninhabitated, save for a continuing investigation led by the government and some crack-pot conspiracy theorists/tourists. Despite a yearly remembrance day for those who vanished, life went on.

Another item has taken over the news: A young adventuring pilot has been scouring the unknown world, slowly filling in the blanks of the increasingly growing world map. His brave efforts have been recognized, and a spot on the telly is being broadcast across Sol. The brave pilot has been given the nickname, "The Discerning Aviator."

You, the pilot, are eating out in a diner one rainy night when you are given a summons to head to Lady Elena's mansion across town post-haste. When you arrive, she reminds you of the strange occurrence many years ago, and makes a request.

She asks you to find her fiance, who disappeared along with St. Astrol. He had been on a business trip, and when he returned, they were to marry.

The next morning, You, Lady Elena, and her butler, Jeremy, depart in your airplane for the island.

Alright then!

2009-03-15T06:52:00.001-07:00

This blog is a place for me to record milestones in the development of The Island.

I'd better record some of this.
As of right now, I'd say...

The graphics are going smoothly.
The programming is having it's first hitch, but it's getting dealt with.
...We have no musicians.
But I DO have a level designer!

That makes a grand total of... 3 people.

Those three people are...

Me, Marty, who's doing programming, graphics and design (but mostly graphics)
Shadoku, who's helping with programming I'd never figure out myself
The coincidentally named Marty Chang, who has experience in Level Design

I don't know what I'd do without you guys!
Alright, that should be enough...

EDIT: Oh whoops, I forgot about Garnavis, who's a musician.
That's a big blunder on my part. Sorry!

First post

2009-03-15T06:42:00.000-07:00

Alright then!

Testing, one, two...