[GMC Jam #9] SBX:Invasion

SBX: Invasion:

  I decided last minute to participate in the GMC Game Jam #9 and my entry is SBX: Invasion.  It's going to be a base defense game and I have spent the past 8 hours tonight (until 6am) programming some of the core features and designing new art assets.

  The game will feature a new ship modeled after the 3d model I made earlier.  Here is a little sample:

  So far I have the auto resolution for the screen size working ( i think ), I have programmed the initial stages of the building functions, I have got some zoom features for the view port to give better versatility and range on looking around, and a bunch of other small things I have got done so far (Like a particle system for the boosters)

The big things left are:  Enemy AI, Base System and graphics for all the items available to build, A Wave system to sent out enemies periodically and the GUI.

Some other things to note:  The Ship has 2 modes:  Long and short range, the graphic changes for the ship on each one and your maneuverability changes as well.

The contest ends Monday at 5PM so you can expect a working demo by then.  

I'm now completely and utterly exhausted and need to sleep some, but tomorrow I hope to get another large chunk of the game done.  

Kind of a last minute decision to join the Jam, but I had the weekend off so:  Why the heck not?

Also the Topic for the Jam is:  Science gone Wrong

and the handicap is:  You cant use any humans or humanoids in the game

So I'll leave out the characters from SBX2 and focus on game play and make a little tutorial or intro scene to explain the controls and the game.

Time to crash,

Peace,

WakeskaterX

 

[SBX3] Fighter Concept Art

SBX3:
  No, that isn't a typo.  Although SBX2 is far from completion, I have been playing around with Blender and have been practicing making 3d images and objects.  SBX3 is going to be a 3d game and it'll be made in Unity, and I have some ideas about it so far, but I drew out some 3d sketches and schematics for creating a 3d model for one of the fighters in SBX3 that I'm planning to make, SO I thought I'd share it.

  SBX3 is far, far down the project pipeline so this is just something I did in my spare time that I'll come back to later.

  Here are four sketches on graph paper of the A-Class Fighter for SBX3 (tentative title).

  The first sheet here are the dimensions and design of the main frame of the ship.  This includes:  The Frame, the Cockpit, the Shield Core, the Generator, the Jet Engines, the Cargo Hold and the Wing Mounts.  Also there are corridors between the segments of the ship  (and some landing gear).  A side, top and front view are shown here.

Design 1:

  The second image is the design for the lower wings.  The ship will have four wings total, two upper and two lower wings.  Each wing will both be useful in atmospheric flight as well as space flight.  Small boosters are tacked on to the bottom of each wing to enable them to be useful in space flight maneuvers.  This design sheet includes a top view of the fighter + the wing overlay and then a flat view of the wing for dimensions.

Design 2:

  The third image is the second wing layer.  The upper wings provide additional maneuverability and protection for the core of the ship.

Design 3:

  The last image I have made at the moment is the top armor layer.  This sheet of armor sits on top of the frame protecting the core, generator, hold and corridors.  It isn't added to this drawing yet, but the armor will also have a mag-lev mounting system for magnetically levitating weapons that will float above the ship.  Think fifty caliber machine gun turrets floating in mid air.  I also have to add the bottom layer of armor but that'll be fairly simple and I just haven't made the drawings yet.

Design 4:

  Well that's all for now, I'll start working in Blender on this project both to help me practice working with blender and to help get some things done for SBX3 when I finish SBX2.

  Thanks for reading!

~WakeskaterX~

[SBX2] Level 3 Secret Area

Personal:
  Well I've spent a little bit of time lately working SBX2.  A midst all of the things going on I actually set aside some time to get a few things done.  Work is boring still but pays alright, the wedding coming up soon is taking a lot of planning.  A lot.  That's... fun.  Sorta, exciting for sure but there is a lot to get done.

  Other than that still trying to get a job in the game industry, but I've not been applying as much because of the wedding soon.  After I get married I'll be putting in a lot more work into trying to get a job in the video game industry.

  I've picked up a book on blender and have been working through it to start making 3d models.  Once I finish the book and start working on a few of my own projects I'll post them up here.

  Also I've got quite the guild started for Topia online and eagerly await the upcoming beta to push this thing to the limits.  Our guild has scripters ready to see what we can do with the game.

  I also plan to take out the Japanese Text and make a new blog in Japanese and update it a little less frequently than this one.  I don't like how it clutters posts up.  I might provide a link to the Japanese Version for posts that have a parallel post on my Japanese blog.  This will be done at some point in the next few weeks I think.  (edit:  I have moved all the Japanese posts to here:  sbxJapan.blogspot.com )

SBX2:
  Some new things have been added!  I have a new area that you can find in Level 3 that is a platforming area and added the graphics for a new character.  His dialogue / what he does for you is not in the game yet and when I add it you'll see what happens!

But for now you can meet:  Ol' Ray 

Here is his Dialogue Portrait:

And here is his sprite in the level:

  Talking to Ol' Ray will open up a new area after you beat level 3 with a special Mini Game!

  For now it's gonna be a secret but you should enjoy a fun side game in the game once I release it.

Also I have added new collectibles in the Secret Area of level 3 and you will be able to start looking in the explorable platform sections with items you acquire in other areas.

I will probably touch up Ol' Ray's portrait, there is some work left to be done on it, but hope you like!

Look for new stuff soon, my unofficial resolution is to get more work done on my projects.

Cheers!

~WakeskaterX~ 

[Video Game] Topia Online Kickstarter

Game: 

  This post will just be in English as it is specific to people here in the USA.  Well I have news about a new Sandbox style MMO.  Their kickstarter has just 11 days left and I figured I'd give them a shout out on my blog.

  I first discovered these guys while browsing reddit and they are a cool group of indie devs trying to make something truly interesting.

  Topia Online is a cutthroat sandbox style MMORPG that lets you really build and do whatever you want.  From assassins to wolves, every NPC and player and enemy is controlled by the players.

  Players are given full scripting ability to create NPC shops, guards, and build and create their own world.  But it is not without risk!  Death is permanent and devastating.  When you die, your character is gone.  For good.

  But the leveling and progression is unique and should be fun and feel fresh.  The beta will start some time Q1 2013 but if you want to support them, you can check out the kickstarter here:  Topia Online Kickstarter

  One of my favorite teaser screen shots so far is this one:

The game has classic SNES style graphics and it is a nice refreshing colorful break from the over realistic worlds that MMOs tend to push.

  Also I have started a guild on the forums.  It is one of the first few guild before the kickstarter drew in a bigger crowd and I really hope it takes off.  You can check out the guild forum post here:  The Assassins Guild

  Yes I started a cutthroat guild of assassins and mercenaries.  We'll control the underground and strike in the night.  It should be a fun way for people to get together and enjoy the cutthroat style of the game.

  If you haven't checked out the kickstarter, go do so!  And pledge, these guys are really awesome for trying to make such a big project and I really hope they succeed and do well.

  Cheers for Josh and his crew for Topia Online!

  ~WakeskaterX~

[Design] Nanowrimo End, Starbound Hat Contest

Design: 
  Well NaNoWriMo is coming to a close this Friday and I am at 47,000 words!  I was at 30,000 before the weekend and had a power weekend and wrote 17,000.  My main story is pretty much finished and I just need to write the conclusion / epilogue section and add some intermittent chapters to beef up the story a bit.

  Also I entered in a hat-design contest for Starbound.  If you haven't heard of Starbound it's like Terraria in space and you can check it out here:  http://playstarbound.com/

  Here are some of the hats I designed, and I was bored so I made a bunch of them.

Entry:

The Red Fang Helmet:

Other Hats:

The Crown of Flames Helmet:

The Bubble:

The Blood Demon Mask:

The Twisted Mind Mask:

  I'll probably make some more, but I enjoy simple pixel art like this.  After this month I'll be working to review and edit Un-alive, my novel and hopefully I'll be able to publish it!

Thanks for reading,

~WakeskaterX~

  

[SBX2] NaNo Progress, SBX2 L3 addition

Personal:
  NaNoWriMo has been going well.  I have written over 17,000 words already and am only slightly under par.  I have been trying to get some programming done aside from writing too, so here is a sneak peak of some new stuff in level 3.

SBX2:

  I have added electric nodes in Level 3 that blast electricity between.  It's dangerous so be careful around the hallway area.

As you can see in the bottom half of the picture, lightning is zapping between two nodes. 

Electricity will jump all the way down the hall and then start over in a few seconds.

I'll work on adding the boss and some platforming areas you can explore when I get some time.

Cheers,

~WakeskaterX~

[SBX2] Level 3 - The Fortress

SBX2:

  I've added new content to the game!  Level 3 is now open and there are some new things to see.
  A few additions are:

  -  A new character

  -  New upgrade items (that restore HP and Shield Power)

  -  A new Turret Enemy

  -  Layer removal in the level so you can uncover new parts of the level as you progress.



Let's take a look at some screen shots:

When you enter the level you start out in the upper right corner of the base.

Enemy Turrets are nearby defending the entrance.

As you travel around searching for a way to open the gate be sure to look for items to acquire.

After destroying something ^_^ the gate is open and the roof layer is removed allowing you to see inside!

Inside the fortress are more enemies and new gates to open!

Also here is the new HP recovery item!  Collect them to restore HP.  You will find them scattered throughout the levels.

Well, that's just a sneak peak at the third level of SBX2!  If you want to download it and play it you can download the file here:  

http://sandbox.yoyogames.com/games/187914-sbx2---return-of-the-fuscians

Stay tuned for new updates!

~WakeskaterX~