[ACTIVE] Another Story in Halcyon

[Dashe]

Kinako's back! Oh, wait, it's just JMC.

Jokes aside, that looks awesome. I'm rooting for you. And yes, I still act.

Heck if you drop in on an iscribble session you might be able to convince us to come up with some concept stuff if we aren't already doing something.

[MayImilae]

You think with me as the composer, I get to see every bit of ASH so far...

That's because your computer is a piece of crap.

[Dash]

Dashe...wow, that was uncalled for. o.o

...But still very much funny. Major, shut up. D:

[JMC47]

Jul 19, 2011 23:57:34 GMT -5 Dashe said:

Kinako's back! Oh, wait, it's just JMC.

Who's Kinako?

That aside thanks for the kind comments. I've been debating what to do with the next update; I was originally going to demonstrate basic combat in ASH's dev area, but, we also have tons of story, artwork, and other graphics we could spotlight. If anyone has any suggestions or preferences, please let me know, we have a lot of options on the table.

EDIT: Special thanks to MaJoR and MLT for the title card

[Tau]

Glad to see we're emerging from the shadows with this. I just wish we had more to show.

Jul 20, 2011 0:02:55 GMT -5 Dash said:

Dashe...wow, that was uncalled for. o.o

...But still very much funny. Major, shut up. D:

Says the guy responsible for this...

[Dash]

...Is it my fault that ended up being true? ^_^;

[JMC47]

Actually, Tau, I have plenty of things lined up for next week, just need to figure out which to feature. I have more than enough ready to do a character bio, the next gameplay demonstration and even a small spotlight on the first island; though it wouldn't be in quite as much detail. And if people seem to want something else, we have enough prepared that I'll find a way to meet expectations.

[Trege]

Wow fan projects just keep getting more and more epic It's making me want to kick into gear on my projects instead of lazing around.

I love the lighting effects it really gives the ruins a creepy mysterious feel along with that music.

[MusashiAA]

This thing needs more attention. If I read correctly, this game is already far enough into development to be considered fully playable. Can I suggest updating the OP with more info about what the game actually is? Or spreading the project into other forums?

I sincerely believe this is one of the most jaw-dropping fangames I've seen, compared to many other MM-related fangames. Nay, amazing.

EDIT: Cheesus Gouda on a pogo stick! Seven years in development?! Isolation from propaganda and the community just to work on the engine?!

Why can't Classic fangame developers be more like you?! You're my hero <3

[JMC47]

Thank you for the kind words, let me be a little more specific on this particular projects origins.

This particular incarnation of the project was founded in late 2008 after the true end of MMLEx (It died like... 4 times... I just didn't want to give up.) After a few weeks away from the scene, working on other small projects, but really, making games is where my heart is, and this is the game I want to make.

The engine is further along than the rest of the project, because we tried to make it ourselves, basically, resources like models, textures, and anything else that took a lot of time to do were skimped on. We have the bare necessities to make it play. I'll spotlight some actual combat in the next video, to show just how playable it is.

As for spreading the word, that's what these videos are about. I've never made a real video like that before, and it probably shows, but at this point I need more help if I'm going to take ASH to the next stage of development, a proper demo.

If you have any suggestions on where I should post this, I'll gladly listen, the more attention this gets the better my hopes are of completing the project. If you have any other questions, feel free to ask.

[MusashiAA]

Well, obviously RPM. There's also MMFF, but that place is dead most of the time. You could also try to get your own forum for the game, where input and opinions can be easily taken.

Your best choice is to probably get more attention a series of videos, describing in general words what's so special about the game, while showing in vids each little thing that makes it special.

How about a teaser trailer? Nothing too fancy, maybe 15-30 secs? Maybe some beta-testing promotion after word has spread upon most MM-related fangame forums and sites? Does the game have any special modes/features that appeal to gamers, like online co-op or stage customization? Or is it just a single player experience?

[JMC47]

I'll look into RPM and MMFF, as well, we're working on our own pages for the game, but, our specialties aren't exactly in web design. It's taking a while to get everything organized, don't expect anything until at least next week.

As for a teaser trailer? The game isn't ready for that; it has a long ways to go for that; this is just the beginning. Beta testing was something I did a lot with MMLEx, but, I don't plan on doing it again for ASH. It just ends up being a big mess most of the time, with people unable to run it and complaints about things we haven't even started working on. The time for beta testing is a long ways off, the game would have to be 100% complete and going through bug testing before I went after public testers.

As well, the game is designed to be a single player experience, but, the engine has some other abilities that could be put to use if we so desired.

[MusashiAA]

Oh, so it's a single player game. Well, beta testing isn't really needed, then.

You could ingeniously prepare an online mode that would enable a selected few to test the gameworld, and find certain exploits, while you and the other devs supersive. Direct beta-testing feedback. Of course, you would need to explain them what is and what isn't in that test build. Also, it would require to see what are the minimun specs requirements to run the game.

You could go to indie gaming communities and make a thread about this online build and it's beta testing phase. That is, if you want.

The fangamedom could use a breeze of fresh air, after so many Jump-N-Shoot games tht aren't even finished, and this looks like it.

[MayImilae]

On the contrary, beta testing will be a part of our future, in some form. But it will be a long time before we reach that point, cause we are adding too much stuff too fast. If we spend a ton of time fixing bugs now, when we add something new it could just add new errors that would be missed. So we are fixing any bugs we come across and keeping it from being broken, but we aren't going to go bug hunting just yet. Once the features are in and it's stable, then it's a beta, and ready for testing.

As for going online for testing; the game is single player. It will have no massively multiplayer online components required for such online testing. Besides, it isn't needed. If we want someone to test it, we can just send them the files.

[MusashiAA]

But what if someone encounters a bug in an scenario that is hard to reproduce? What if there's a bug that doesn't happen all the time? An online build would help with that.

Well, never mind. It's just that this game seems like it would fit a co-op experience perfectly. Maybe I just secretly want this game to have an online mode

Also, I think it's best to create a forum of your own for public input, so you can amass a community by yourselves. Of course, first the word spreading, then the official project forums in it's due time.

Oh, and I can't blame you for trying to add too much new stuff into the game. I mean, the basic engine looks literally complete, so inspiration and excitement is expected.