Tag: News
“Starborn: The Fallen” (SMILE GAME BUILDER Game) – Video Showcase #1
The game I’m working on for SMILE GAME BUILDER – for those who don’t already know – is entitled Starborn: The Fallen.
Its current game dev home (for now) is on Gamejolt. You can follow the project there if you want to keep up-to-date with its progress and development.
Showcase Video
Here’s a game dev showcase video for the game’s intro scene.
The video is hosted on DailyMotion, but you can also view the YouTube version if you prefer.
Game Development Notes
Game development will continue with fleshing out the story first before focusing on graphics, 3D models and animations, so will use many default models for now. Over time, I’ll add more custom assets (including models) and will showcase them in future videos.
Book of Stats Showcase (for Starborn: The Fallen)
I’ve been experimenting with a new Stats Log for SMILE GAME BUILDER. Here’s a screenshot. I’ll add more stats as time goes by.
This is the base template from which to work.
This is the in-game image (fleshed out a little), although the latest image has changed slightly.
SMILE GAME BUILDER Update 1.12
SMILE GAME BUILDER has a new update! I will do a tutorial or livestream (probably the latter) on Friday. We’ll continue game development the Tutoria maps created for the Campsite tutorials, utilising the new updates, including some tips and tricks.
New Features
- You can now create events that operate under specified conditions during battles. (Battle Events)
- You can change equipment forcibly. (Event Panel: Change Equipment)
- You can leave memos in event sheets. (Event Panel: Note)
- You can change battle damage formulas. (Weapons and Skills)
- You can specify motions when characters use their skills.
- You can call common events when characters use their skills.
- You can specify skills for item effects.
- You can call common events when characters use items.
- You can change the window image in the battles.
- You can use 8 directions for 2D animation.
- You can edit colors, bold and italic for messages and dialogues.
- You can display strings as images on the screen.
Bug Fixes
- We’ve fixed an error: sometimes it doesn’t import FBX models properly, when you use the automatic optimize importing.
- We’ve fixed an error: even if you make items of "Recover from KO" and "Recover HP", you can not use it unless a member is in the state of KO.
- We’ve fixed an error: it does not remember the last skill used during the battle.
- We’ve fixed an error: if the data size of Data-pack exceeds 1GB, an exception error of "system out of memory exception" occurs when launching the "Export Public Game File".
- We’ve fixed an error: an error occurs when pasting maps between projects with different terrain materials.
- We’ve fixed an error: some event panels are not completed when composing complex events.
- We’ve fixed an error: the images of the East and the West on the compass common event were opposite.
UPDATE: Conflux – Change of Theme and Direction
However, while writing the main plot, its overall theme changed.
I ended up adding some fantasy elements to it. I can’t help it: I just love those types of games where Old World meets Modern or ancient technologies are interwoven into fantasy realms. The clincher is that this change of theme seems somehow more appropriate.
Original Concept
I turned 50 in July, so Conflux’s original concept was born from the depressive state I found myself in. I guess it was some kind of existential crisis, wherein I started reflecting on my life, questioning the choices I made to end up where I am today.
Filled with what-if’s and if-only’s, my mind transported itself back in time to those key points in my life when I was presented with tough choices.
What would have happened if I’d taken the other path? Would things have turned out differently or would they have remained the same? These are valid questions, ones we all ask ourselves at some point in our lives, but there are no valid answers because we won’t know the answers once that decision has been made. There’s usually no backtracking.
And this became the premise for Conflux, where all choices matter!
At its core, Conflux is a philosophical view about these choices and their consequences, and why each decision we make matters in the grand scheme of things. Those choices – whether our own or others’ – determine our future decisions and shape our future, putting us on the paths we take in life. We’re often presented with two or more paths, each with their own perils and rewards, and each with a different outcome and consequences.
Choices Matter
Much of the content in Conflux – the events, incidences and influences – are based on my own life experiences. I intended it as a kind of autobiography from the start but from the perspective of addressing the what-if questions.
That means that there is no right or wrong path, no real success or failure. However, since choices matter in the game, whereas some decisions you (the player) make results in more successful outcomes but less propitious consequences, others might result in unavailing outcomes but profitable consequences. It all depends on those decisions, taking one path over the other.
The game also subtly focuses on the notion that Destiny is a fixed path, predetermined, along which you travel – and stray – but you always return at some points to its path. You either return to it on your own or certain events push you back onto it, often forcefully. You’re allowed to stray again and again, of course, but somewhere, somewhen, you’ll return to this path.
The end goal, your final destination, your death, is also a fixed point in time, except we don’t know when that is. The ultimate destination at the very end of the path is more open and malleable, shaped and formed by all the decisions you made, the consequences that arose and a combined measure of successes and failures.
Continued Development
Although development is slow, and updates are sporadic, I am still working on Conflux in the background when I have the time.
Actual game development stagnated for awhile and I couldn’t determine why until its theme changed from modern to fantasy-modern.
At the moment, I’m mostly focused on creating the models, especially now that the plot and theme are established. And with that in mind, I’ll continue working on it and try to post more regular updates on it, mostly on Twitter.
TUTORIAL: New Tutorial #62: Campsite Redux (Part 2)
A new SMILE GAME BUILDER tutorial, #62: Campsites Redux (Part 2), is on schedule for this coming Sunday, further expanding the campsite idea started in Part 1 – Setting Up.
New RPG Maker Times Livestreams Page (Facebook)
I created a new page, RPG Maker Times Livestreams, for my live-streams.
I will mostly live-stream SMILE GAME BUILDER game dev, including my own game, Conflux, as well as games – Skyrim, Witcher, Fallout 4, and other games (including indie games) – which will usually videos from previous live-streams.
In the beginning, however, I’m going to start test-streaming various games, classic, indie and new to see what works on my mid-spec rig. Details will follow.
We’re looking at streaming from this page. It’ll be either here or on YouTube. Stream themes and times are yet to be decided.
NEWS: Hi-Tex Megapack Vol. 2 – Terrains: Walls Release Date
The Hi-Tex Assets Megapack Vol. 2 – Terrains: Walls is scheduled for release next week (earlier than anticipated).
Megapack #2 Contents
It contains 206 exterior wall terrains and variations, as well as their corresponding stairs and slopes, comprising 41 different types.
This will be available on the Gnome Treasure and Itch.io†.
† Prices on Itch.io are slightly higher to offset deductions from Revenue Sharing and PayPal fees.
Note About the Megapack #1
The Hi-Tex Assets Megapack Vol. 1 – Terrain: Ground is available for purchase for $12.99.
I’m redoing the stairs and slopes for the megapack, so anyone who purchases – or has purchased – the pack before they’re implemented will be able to upgrade at no extra cost.
And, since this megapack contains the previously released terrains volumes 1 and 2 (and the unreleased volume 3), those who have already purchased them can buy this pack for 3.99 (saving around 75%). Simply use the Contact Us form on the Gnome Treasure Store and select the subject Product Re-Request. I will then send an email directly and, once payment has cleared, will give a link for the complete megapack for you to download.
NEWS: Live-Streaming Smile Game Builder
At the beginning of this week, I started live-streaming SMILE GAME BUILDER. And I’d like to make it a regular weekly occurrence.
Tutorials Live-Streams
The initial idea behind the live-stream was that it would be a means to return to the video tutorials, especially as it’s been quite a while since my last tutorial.
You can watch the video below or at YouTube.
More Smile Game Builder Tutorials
I’m certainly going to continue live-streaming the SGB tutorials, scheduling them every Sunday at 10pm GMT/2pm PST/5pm EST.
I had planned on making these live-streamed videos "official" parts of the Tutorials & Showcases Playlist.
This will probably not apply any more, since I’m inevitably getting back to the tutorials soon. And I’ll be able to draw on materials from the live-streams, as well as other sources, for them.
NEWS: Hi-Tex Megapacks
The Hi-Tex Megapacks are high-textured assets I’m creating for SMILE GAME BUILDER. Each pack contains at least 200 base terrains and/or models and, for terrains, additional stairs and slopes terrains are also included.
Scheduled Release Dates
These are the scheduled release dates of all the Hi-Tex Megapacks:
Vol. 1: Ground Terrains
$12.99
This pack superceded the previous volumes because I’d initially planned on having three separate terrain packs, each with around 60 terrains. However, the third was never released. Hence, all three are now combined into a single megapack.
An add-on pack will follow some time in the future to include things like cave entrances, blood stains and fire burns.
Vol. 2 – Wall Terrains
This megapack, scheduled for release in August 2019*, contains all kinds of wall terrains, from brick walls to stone walls.
¶ The way development has been progressing on this pack, it’s likely that its release date will be brought forward.
Vol. 3 – Buildings Wall Terrains
Scheduled for release in September 2019*, this megapack will contain various exterior walls for buildings.
¶ I’m also looking into adding some unique matching wall "attachments" models for inclusion in this megapack.
House Pack Megapack
The original "House Pack", intended for release some time ago, was to contain interior wall terrains only: Stucco, Brick and Stone textures, including their corresponding lintels.
This new megapack will also include some wood panel walls, aged walls and wallpaper (at least that’s the plan).
After some consideration, I’m entertaining including additional generic household items (models) in this pack. Time will tell whether these are added or no depending on the resultant filesize.
¶ I have no release date in mind for this megapack.
* These dates are subject to change.
† Prices on Itch.io are slightly higher to offset deductions from Revenue Sharing and PayPal fees.
Hi-Tex Terrain Megapack Coming Soon!
This is an announcement for my SMILE GAME BUILDER Hi-Tex Terrain Packs.
New Terrain Megapack
All three previous volumes are now merging into a 200-terrain megapack for $12.99 (available soon on Gnome Treasure and Itch.io).
Those who already bought Volumes 1 and 2 will get a special price for Volume 3. I’ll work out the details nearer the time of release.
¶ There are actually 203 terrains in the pack!
Included Extras
Included in the megapack for your convenience are two duplicate folders: One for stairs and one for slopes.
The files have been slightly altered with an added ST_ is for stairs and SL_ is for slopes – what else would they be, right?! – to easily distinguish them from the main terrains.
And all $5-tier or above patrons (subscribers) on my Subscribestar account will receive a discount and a copy of the purchased megapack at least a week before its official release. Can’t argue with that!
Pricing
The price for the entire megapack will be $12.99 (slightly more on Itch.io to offset their fees and PayPal’s fees), as opposed to around $15.99 for all three individual packs. Although Volume 3 was never "officially" released, it was scheduled for a $2.99 (ish) price tag.
Combining all three volumes is a win-win. You get a great deal and I get a complete assets pack released.
