[Seventh Shade]

I can't wait for this to be finished. Need any beta-testers?

[Galladin]

Seventh Shade, on Aug 7 2008, 07:41 PM, said:

I can't wait for this to be finished. Need any beta-testers?

At some point, yes. Right now there is still lots of work to do before I'm going to send it to anyone else except the other Finnards, who have been helping by giving ideas and such. What I could do would be someone to do the voice-acting (preferrably British, able to imitate the Manchester accent), I'm not sure if Tecki is still working on that...

According to Tommy, as you may see from the new battleboard screenshot on the previous page, the battleboard is still "full of space", as controversial as it may sound. This is true, but like I pointed out there will be more details and stuff to come, and I might reduce board & viewport sizes, as Tommy also suggested.

[Galladin]

New screenshots.

Now you can throw quick jabs by clicking the left mouse button, or hold it down to perform a heavy left hook. Pressing right mouse button allows you to block the attacks of the enemy in front of you (thus, the other two can still hit at you).

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[Seventh Shade]

The left edge of the arm in the second picture looks like it needs to be widened a little. Those are some skinny elbows.

[Galladin]

Seventh Shade, on Aug 12 2008, 03:38 AM, said:

The left edge of the arm in the second picture looks like it needs to be widened a little. Those are some skinny elbows.

Yeah, I noticed that myself, too. It's where the sprite ends, I'll try simply moving the left arm towards the right one.

I also fixed the "bug" in the Notebook, it now erases the input string before (actually after) writing a new entry to the notebook. Also added some new enemy graphics and so on. Will start working on more actual gameplay and the like tomorrow, I guess.

[Galladin]

+ Added more people to talk with, dialogue and such. Added details to the boards, and slowly but surely started to create playable contents.

+ Brainstorming the plot and puzzles (similar to the ones in Dragonbreed...I'm not really a fan of the traditional MZX block-and-slide-puzzles)

[Galladin]

A preliminary version of the Body Examination system. The player may move the magnifying glass all over the body under examination, and at certain points & parts the info box flashes up with details, from which the player can pick up the most important stuff and write it down to his Notebook.

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[ShloobeR]

wow

that looks amazing :D

[Revvy]

That's quite pretty, but I don't think you actually want to use the phrase "Approximately a month backwards" in the introduction. Maybe ago would be a better choice than backwards?

[Galladin]

Revvy, on Aug 21 2008, 09:08 PM, said:

Maybe ago would be a better choice than backwards?

Maybe. =)

I guess - in addition to betatesters - I'll be needing a grammatic editor, too. =(

I'm in Spain again...this means I've got more time and my own comp to do this. Or not.

[Galladin]

Brainstorming, more brainstorming...done a couple of boards, too. I've noticed I need a bit of pushing, support and extra inspiration to get things done... But hey, it's coming along though!

[T-Bone]

I'm interested in seeing how it all turns out!

[Galladin]

+Reworked the player animations, adding 2 frames to each walk animation. Looks better now, I think.
+Added some items.
+More brainstorming.

[Padz]

I'm really quite looking forward to this game, keep up with the updates mate.

[Galladin]

-Removed the 2 animation frames, I could not synch it with the sound effects.

+Changed some of the enemy graphics and animations, tweaked some boards.
+Fixed some inventory stuff.
+Added one playable board.

I seriously need to keep creating boards and areas, after all, the game map has been finished for a looong time. Also, I am looking for someone to participate in creating quests and random event ideas etc, if anyone is interested *ahemwervahem* =) I would be more than happy to receive an e-mail or PM.

-Markus

[Galladin]

Yesterday I tweaked slightly the roof tile graphics, I was not very happy with them. I also added some small details to the boards.

I also found some screenies of some older stuff, see the last two attached images.

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[Galladin]

Brainstorming.

Jack the Ripper murders, or just some hideous and grotesque slashings with no facts and actual historical base whatsoever? On the other hand, it would be easier base the story on the real murders. However, it is quite challenging to keep the facts and merge it with fantasy and still be original. Watching the movie "From Hell" was both entertaining and depressing - many of the ideas I thought to be new and original had already been used. What do YOU think?

If I stay with the real-life murders, should I include the murders outside the "canonical five"? One of the victims was actually butchered at Osborn Street, which is where Edward Langley's (the protagonist of Devil's Mind) apartment is located.

Oh, the agony.

-Markus

[T-Bone]

those screenshots are great

[Jester]

Use a mix of real life and fantasy. BUT LESS REAL LIFE SINCE I DEMAND ESCAPISM!!

althought i'm still waiting for you to add that feature when you can TASTE THE PEE OUTSIDE THE HOTEL I WANT MY REALISM!!

use real life murders where it seems appropriate and made-up stuff where it would serve the game. i don't think you should limit yourself to ONLY use one approach.

[Funktion1]

wow.. where do you find the motivation to keep working on something as sexy as this?

[Galladin]

Funktion1, on Aug 31 2009, 08:51 PM, said:

wow.. where do you find the motivation to keep working on something as sexy as this?

For me working on the game is a way to put my ideas and the small amount of creativity I possess to some use, at least. I like the Victorian era setting and I feel like this is a combination that could work as a game. And working on it is fun. My main problem is that I quite easily change the target of my creativity / interest. Luckily this project is something I always want to return to.

[Funktion1]

Galladin, on Sep 2 2009, 07:00 PM, said:

For me working on the game is a way to put my ideas and the small amount of creativity I possess to some use, at least. I like the Victorian era setting and I feel like this is a combination that could work as a game. And working on it is fun. My main problem is that I quite easily change the target of my creativity / interest. Luckily this project is something I always want to return to.

Cool. Well I hope it gets finished, keep it up!

[A-Guymzx]

Galladin, on Sep 2 2009, 08:00 PM, said:

My main problem is that I quite easily change the target of my creativity / interest.

I've got the same problem...

[Jester]

Funktion1, on Aug 31 2009, 08:51 PM, said:

wow.. where do you find the motivation to keep working on something as sexy as this?

i bet at the moment markus is wondering the same thing...

[Galladin]

Jester, on Sep 3 2009, 08:23 PM, said:

i bet at the moment markus is wondering the same thing...

I do, actually. And like I admitted before, it is not always very easy to find the motivation - especially when you are working on your project alone.

[Galladin]

Update

So, I've been working on Devil's Mind lately, mostly brainstorming and changing things.

The plot has gone through quite a facelift, as I removed all the Jack the Ripper stuff. Rest assured though, mystery and savage murders are still included. However, I found out that this plot change/tweak really fired up the motivation and made things a whole lot easier - the process can now continue without being stopped by some hulabaloo facts etc.

Oh, another thing. The game will be divided in Chapters, or "days" (Chapter 1, Chapter 2 and so on), which will be triggered when certain criterias are met, ie. victim's house visited for clues etc.

All in all, I will be now focusing on creating more boards and pushing the plot towards to what will hopefully be an enjoyable Megazeux experience.

Things to be done

-divide the current Notebook into Journal and Taskbook, as follows:
a) somewhat "baldursgatish" Journal, where solved issues and clues will be displayed once triggered
b) "Taskbook" (if you come up with a better name, feel free to suggest ), where the player may see the main tasks he has been given to solve at the moment

-finish the Body Examination board, allowing the player to take a closer look at the victims mutilated bodies for clues and grotesque pleasure

Needed

-an editor/revisor, someone to check the (British) English language (not urgent though, maybe something that could be done in phases?)

[Galladin]

First off - a huge thanks to Padz, an honourable Englishman who is revising Devil's Mind on the linguistical side when he's got extra time at his hands and has already been a major help and motivator.

This week, while finishing university assignments and whatnot, I was able to do some new stuff on DM too. I was working on the Baldur's Gate style journal suggested by Jester quite a while ago. The Notebook with the write-erase options will be included (but it will no longer use up item space) and new Tasks option will be added. The player will be able to access Journal, Notebook and Tasks through the Inventory.

I added some new faces too, if you are curious see the screenshot for the current facepack.

I worked up some new boards and added content to the boards, NPCs, yet another public-house etc. Next up: interiors of the Leman Str. Police Station, Cable Street, Commercial Street, Pharmacy interiors.

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[Risu2112]

Those necks look a little beefy, would it look worse to drop a pixel on each side?

[Galladin]

Risu2112, on Oct 20 2009, 11:45 PM, said:

Those necks look a little beefy, would it look worse to drop a pixel on each side?

I like beefy. d:{D

I was going to leave it there, but I figured I'd give it a go. I cut off the pixels, it looks okay. Some necks will stay beefy though. This is purely esthetical and not my biggest concern at the moment.

[Risu2112]

Heh, didn't mean to nitpick, it is looking nice