64DCG - 64Digits Community GameI should come up with at least a working title eventually. But anyway, I'm debating between doing regularly scheduled devlogs and just keeping it secret until I'm closer to release. I'll leave that up to you guys.So we've already got a little interest here. That means this will get further than just an idea. So let's go over some things.GenreThe genre is a shoot-em-up hybrid. The dual-genre I've chosen is none other than the RPG. My two best genres. Why? Well, because it's a little unique. Let me explain.ConceptThink of the typical shmup view. Behind/above the player, shooting shit that comes from the top of the screen. Combine that with levels (IE Fairy/Faily Wars) and a party system and this is what you get.The Party SystemAt the character selection screen, you'll choose your party members, which you can actively switch-between in-game. Each party member has a separate healthbar, special bar, and level. The idea of this is to combine your favorite characters to fulfill roles that one might lack. Plus you get to party with Rez. Won't that be fun?The Level SystemHitting enemies, "grazing" (coming close to a bullet), and doing well on boss attacks will earn the active character experience (each party member has a separate level, encouraging you to switch often). You can level up to a maximum of 30, and each level will upgrade one of the character's abilities. - Shot (basic attack) upgraded at levels ending in 2,3,7,8- Options (supportive attack) upgraded at levels ending in 1,6- Specials (activated) upgraded at levels ending in 4,9- Passive upgraded at levels ending in 5- Ultimate upgraded at levels ending in 0Each character also has base stats that grow with each level. Included are damage, shot speed, health, health regen, and special regen. Static stats include experience gain rate and movement speed.DifficultyAlong with the RPG elements to distract you from the intimidating factor of shmups, I'll have several difficulties. Level 1 is the tutorial difficulty. Dying there is hardly possible, even for people unfamiliar with the genre. Level 4-5 is average shmup difficulty on the middle game mode. Level 7 is my own difficulty.AwardsI think I can work out some badges for people, provided I get permission from admins to clutter peoples' badge pages. However, I'll probably also offer a way to remove the badges from your page, just in case.Hah. Like badges mean a damn thing. I'll work something out. Recommendations welcome.Character AppearancesFor those who took me so very seriously when I joked about your character, I'm sorry. Everyone gets a fair chance at appearance here, but by choosing to be in the game, you automatically accept whatever role I give you. No questions asked. If you want to withdraw because of this (doubt it), let me know.Everyone who plays a normal role in the game will be both playable and a boss character. Thus, I'm going to rework the criteria. Abnormal characters will either make an appearance, or play a major role. I'm not going to disclose this, either, but the less active 64Digits members have a chance at making appearances.Revised Character Submission CriteriaSometime before December, all participants must submit to me via PM or comment (the method is flexible, depending on how much privacy you want) a character sheet, in the following format. If you fill it out halfway, you are giving me permission to do what I want with the character. Now, here is the information I need from each entrant. Fields marked with an asterisk (*) are required in order to make yourself appear in the game. Unmarked fields are optional but highly recommended if you don't trust my judgment.Remember. The character may either be one you made up (all characters will be subtitled with the member name), or it may be a representation of your alias. Both have the same requirements.Name *Gender * - I'll take your own gender if you don't specify otherwise.Appearance * - Either an image or a detailed description.Personality * - If you don't supply one, I'll use the online personality that I determine.Backstory * - A brief character description. Where did he/she come from? etcRole - A role you'd like to play (I'll explain further later). You're not guaranteed this role.Music - A track you'd like to have as your theme. No lyrics, no copyright rules.Shot Style (Player) - Your basic attack pattern (player). Request examples as needed.Shot Style (Boss) - Your basic attack pattern (boss). Request examples as needed.Option Style - Options are objects separated from you that enhance your attacks.Special Ability - Your activated ability. Be creative but keep it in context.Passive Skill - Your passive ability. Be creative but keep it in context.Ultimate Skill - Your most powerful attack style. Be creative but keep it in context.Also, if you want more customization, take some time to decide the character's stats. You are given a limit to choose within. Be honest and balance them out a bit. Imbalance will force me to balance it myself (you don't want to make me do more work, do you?). Any item marked "x/LV" is your base increase of that stat with each level. This is optional, only if you want a little more power over what your character does.Health (100-150)Health/LV (0-10)Regen (0-10)Regen/LV (0-5)Damage (1-5 - decimals allowed)Damage/LV (0-2 - decimals allowed)Speed (1-5 - decimals allowed)Speed/LV (0-2 - decimals allowed)Special (1-5)Exp Gain (50-150%)Move Speed (2-4 - decimals allowed)Current Roster (Member - Character)No character dataCharacter chosen, but info incompleteOnly required info completedCharacter info completedAlert - ag-BotCyrus - JoAnnaDaggerhog - Alexia the RabbitDuckman - The DuckmanFerret - ?F1ak3r - ?Juurian - LyrahKamira - ?Kilin - KaremiMMORPGguy - ?Moikle - ?Panzermancer - Zongra the FallopianPurianite - Rhiannon/AmairaQwilderwibben - ?Rez - Phobos FatboyRob - Pink Flying GoatRolf - RolfSirXemic - Chemical XStevenup - HimselfTaizen Chisou - Taizen ChisouRemember guys, let's make this fun. I don't want any more people getting upset, so I'll stop prodding at you guys. And if you haven't joined but want to, I'll be taking entries until December. Got help to offer? PM me. Other than that, following the instructions saves me plenty of work.Go get 'em!
64DCG - Devlog 1 - Character Details and Briefing
Posted by Castypher on Nov. 15, 2011, 7:35 p.m.
Comments
I'll pm to you so we can chit chat.
Id be willing to do some additional sprite work as well
Give me dimensions and frame numbers, and also, image speeds.
I can make my sprites for you :)Kind of.You know how I am with spriting.You needFacing forward, tilting, shot style, option shot style, options, special style, and ultimate- is that it?Also if you're doing character portraits I can't do that.Unless I had a scanner. Which I may or may not have.I do plan on doing portraits, which I'll do myself unless there's a particularly dedicated artist who's interested. One of the reason I'm waiting is because I'm investing in a tablet, which I'll have soon enough.
But if you still want to go for it, and this applies to everyone else who wants to do a character sprite, here's what I'll probably be working with. It's all tentative, though, so don't feel rushed.Dimensions: 48 x 64 max (likely 24 x 32)Number of Frames: 4-8 (8 for idle, 4 for tilting)Image Speeds: 0.25-0.5 (at 60 FPS)Sprites required:- Idle (from behind and front)- Tilting left/right (behind/front) - 4 frames, additional 4 frames for the idle animation once at full tilt- Casting (behind/front) - optional, quick 4 framesThat's about it, if you want to do some extra work to push this along. But I don't really care either way. I'm putting you all to work just making your own characters.So everyone's aware, I'll of course be throwing in or referencing popular 64Digits members, too. For those who are perfectly confident, if you don't want to go through the trouble of making a character, fear not. These people don't have a guarantee like those who sign up, but it might be fun seeing what happens with them.Easy enough.
What's 'casting,' though?You mean like using specials?Name: The Duckman
Gender: Duck-MAN!Appearance: Kind of like Pigsy from "Enslaved: Odyssey to the West" but instead of pig-styled, duck-styled.Name - ag-Bot
Gender - no genderAppearance - Robot body with an "ag" logo as the headPersonality - selfish/arrogant; always wants to be leaderBackstory - Created by the community of AG net before the system collapsed and died, leaving it to carry on the legacy.Role - Not the main character, but one of the sub characters who always tries to act like a leader. Somewhat irritating.Music - Inception horn lol. not sureShot Style (Player) - an electric, non-physical style with a decrease in speed when attackingShot Style (Boss) - Spits out spikes, saws, electricity, and light beams.Option Style - batterySpecial Ability - power surge. a wide-range electrical attackPassive Skill - sparks people with electricityUltimate Skill -BlueRed ring of death. pretty cool effect with great damage, but a little self-inflicting?random contribution. basically makes a distinct character whether it be a boss or player or whatever.Yeah, casting would be the use of specials and ultimates. I guess option sprites would be another thing worth doing if you feel like it.
This is good progress, guys. Hoping to see some entries from more members, else I'll have to BS some stuff. I'm seeing some fun mechanics coming from people that ought to make characters much more interesting.Name: Lyrah
Gender: FemaleAppearance: