Beginner's Open Game#4: Fangs of the Abyss (former Noobzila)

[torakunsama]

Hello everybody, I rarely start threads here! And although I haven’t got much time, I decided to start an open project to help new comers polish their skills!
The games are very simple and accomplished with as less coding as possible.
I’ll be directing the game dev and putting the pieces together!

If you think you need to learn something (even I do) do enlist. Consider this a training facility.

Here are the places required:

Artists: Concept art, modeling, texture, lighting, sound and animation.
Programmers: Python and logic brick
FX: particles, cut scenes.
Direction: Planning, Art direction, research and game dev.

------------------------------------------------NOOBZILLA---------------------------------------

Noobzilla is a simple game about a sea monster!
You are an ocean explorer and came across a big deep sea crustacean. The team decided to capture one and bring it for studies!
In the lab you discover that the animal can not only live in shallow waters but also on land. Further more it can regenerate it’s limbs quite rapidly (in a matter of hours). Unfortunately you discover this one is just an offspring, and you are all in danger, for a bigger one is making surface to claim it back!

In the game you must escape the lab, and run for your life. Then you also realize that all that came in contact with the creature are pursued and killed!
You need to drive the monster away from the city and make it alive!

We’ll complete the story later…

---

Game style:
Is a sort of a 2.5D adventure game where you run wit the camera in front of you looking towards the monster. Avoid populated areas, reduce casualties, shoot little monsters, if you manage to lose the bigger one (then the cam is facing forward with auto aim).

The set will happen in a small coastal city in …

Rules

You don’t exactly need to be a noob.
Scale 1BU=1m
Textures= 512X512 tga
models = 1k polis max
sound= WAV format
All models , scripts and textures must have the creator’s name on it for credits, add a text file to the models.
Respect the deadlines. Respect one another.

When enlisting choose your role in the team! You may leave when you want, but anounce it first!

This project is quite flexible, so don’t be shy in giving suggestions! Remember , this is not for fame or glory, but to learn.

You are all welcome! Let’s blend!

[Moshanator]

N00b project #1
N00b project #2
N00b project #3
So technically, yours should be #4.

[torakunsama]

Ok then, thanks a lot! I should have done more research… !

[Rorkimaru]

Great plan. I was afraid this was going to be another stary eyed kid trying to change the world of gaming but it looks like this will be a well managed project. Best of luck!

[Moshanator]

Quoting from http://www.blender.org/development/release-logs/blender-250/:

Betas 2, 3 and 4 will add additional UI features, alongside further tool development, leading up to a fully stabilised and production ready Blender 2.6 release in mid 2010.
Mid 2010 is a bit more than half a year away. By the time your project will be anywhere near completion, Blender 2.4x series will be outdated and old. So, since your project is meant for learning anyway, why don’t you make this one a 2.5 project? No point in learning a program that’s already being replaced. Think about it.
Also, a thought: Don’t wait for a team to assemble. Start working right now on your own. People are more likely to help if they see this project developing. Make some concept art - layout of levels, appearance of characters, sketches of HUD, it’ll be much easier to help you if most of the brainwork has already been done.

[torakunsama]

Mid 2010 is a bit more than half a year away. By the time your project will be anywhere near completion, Blender 2.4x series will be outdated and old.

Don’t you worry, take the example of Krum… By mid 2010, I hope to have enough content for the team to feel comfortable and confident about/with blender. In any case I’ll learn to use 2.5 and then initialize a new project!

Also, a thought: Don’t wait for a team to assemble. Start working right now on your own. People are more likely to help if they see this project developing. Make some concept art - layout of levels, appearance of characters, sketches of HUD, it’ll be much easier to help you if most of the brainwork has already been done.

Yes, that’s my intention from the beginning! Unfortunately I’m spending more time at the hospital than at work. Hopefully today, I’ll introduce the main character and more story details! I’ve already opened a folder for the project and already have content in it.
When I start things will grow pretty fast (I hope…)
Thank you for your advise and participation!

[torakunsama]

I drew the 2 main characters to choose from at game start. They are twins, so have the same surname and knowledge. If you choose one the other is NPC.
The first monster trial portrays a shelled mollusk with crustacean members. The shell is use for depth control. But once on surface, it serves as an water reservoir, so it can breath. Also the monster expands due to it’s heart pressure, since it’s from the ocean’s abysses.
The tail is a retractable harpoon used to kill it’s prey (giant skid, blue whales, etc). It lives over 300 years and never stops growing.
This is what I got during lunch time! I’ll try for more ‘correct’ content later!

Attachments

[PadrePioX]

Um… not bad, it looks pretty well organized, I would like to help ( so much time learning now, time to showoff skills )

I would like to take on programmation, and can help with design; tell me what to do, pass art and I will start asap

[torakunsama]

Welcome to the Team PadrePiox!
Since you are taking on programation and are the first to enter, I’ll put you as Head-programmer!
For any new comer who wants to learn programming will probably start with logic bricks, and Padre will give his guidance!
As for design, you can propose a small city layout. The monster is going to be faster that the player on foot. However, buildings will slow it down. The city must allow the player to run, and and some times take a car. The running will be to attract the monster to a specific open are (stadium, open field, etc) where it’s supposed to be vulnerable. The player must gain enough time for the army to prepare!
Simple hand drawn sketches will be much appreciated!

[PadrePioX]

Nice

I guess since actually noone is in we should start with something, no? People will be more willing to join if the base is already laid out

So, how is the gameplay? I mean how the character moves etc? As for the layout of the city, I can try planning something, but before I need to understand better how the game will be structured

And by the way I already have some ideas about how the story/gameplay could develop, but still I would like to understand the idea of the game

[torakunsama]

Well…, ok! The game will have 2 modes : Roaming and escaping. Roaming is you normal 3rd person style when the monste(s) is not attacking. Then, when the monster is chasing, the player changes into escaping, which is like a first Crash bandikoot, Sonic style : camera facing towards the monster.
The moster will be throwing debris, harpoon and destroying buildings, and that’s the reason of that mode.
As for the city, I’m plotting one as well. The idea is to bring forth different ideas (even for story line and game play) and discuss it together. After all it’s an open game!
What can be done now is the city layout, so that different modellers can exercise in modelling different buildings, props, etc.
You can also ask more detailed questions. I’m at work now and can’t summon the whole thing just like that!

[PadrePioX]

Third person roamer/chaser, got the idea

I will start thinkering some with camera and movement logic so I will be ready when the need arises, same goes for the city; if you need me to actually do some work just ask

[torakunsama]

Yep, I’ll keep that in mind! First let’s work on planning! We need to sort out what it’s needed, what can be done, what works and what doesn’t. After that I’ll be distributing tasks, and do quality check! Don’t start putting things together just yet, as the game will depend on possibilities and story line!
You may work on a story line. As detailed as possible, or just your basic vision of the game! Remember to keep it simple!
Thanks a lot for your participation.

[torakunsama]

OK, I’ve started the planning diagram! I’ll be using it as a guide to know how many objects are to be made, and how the game works!
Next I’ll propose a few levels layout, then we must decide on the drawing style (looks of the game). Only then we’ll start building the game!

Notice that the project will advance, even if, anyone with enough courage to consider themselves noobs, don’t enlist.
I’m not asking for help here, I’m inviting ;). I hope that this game may be used as a resource later on. So if you’re experienced with blender, you may also participate for art /production direction!

Let’s blend,… it’s gonna be fun :eyebrowlift:!

Attachments

[PadrePioX]

Nice! I’m intrepidly waiting to start working on

[torakunsama]

Don’t you worry, work will start pretty soon! The sooner people suggest things the faster it goes!
As for me, I’d go with a King Kong style, GLSL with night and day cycles!
Environment would be a bit on the Sepia side. Buildings and cars would be from North America, 90’s.
I also advise to add tutorials as guides for newbies! (Wink is a good tool to make fun tutorials).

[torakunsama]

Ok, since there’s no participation, on the city plan, here’s my idea:

A Floating city, similar to Atlantis on Stargate Atlantis!
This is a good excuse to keep the player and the crowd trapped and surrounded by previously unknown or known creatures (the creature can even just be a giant skid). In any case, one of the arms of the city is used as an airport for medium planes, Boeing 747 type. It has tunnels and underwater spaces. A few submersible bunkers for safety, and it’s own defense system! There are supposed to be barriers on the sides, to break down giant waves. The city is in the middle of the Equatorial Atlantic, and far away (1000 km) from any land mass (just in case it sinks, the tsunami created wont destroy any land). The closest land is the Madeira Islands.

It’s starting :eyebrowlift:!

What ya think?
If you agree, I’ll study this structure a little bit more and then start building the parts… Or, preferably, I’ll give the job to any new comer(s)…

Attachments

[PadrePioX]

Ah, nice! I like a lot the idea, you have my approval

[Moshanator]

I could be wrong, but your city looks somewhat too symmetrical… wings with different size/shape (smaller, wider, bigger, curved) would add life to your city.
Were you going to use GLSL?

[torakunsama]

but your city looks somewhat too symmetrical… wings with different size/shape (smaller, wider, bigger, curved) would add life to your city.

No, you see well, but you’re still wrong.
Must I remind you, Sir, that this is a floating city! So symmetry or at least balance is critical! To add life to the city, I just need to build upon it, with different buildings. Besides, the image you see are just to give an idea.
The game will end up being quite futuristic because of the city! Buildings have to be quite resistant, water and corrosion resistant, the city has to be aerodynamic, and many scientific facilities are to be installed.

Were you going to use GLSL?

My plan is to have 2 setups: GLSL and Multitex materials!