Satan Sam.co.uk

Sorry for the lack of updates. I’ve pretty much allocated the final 2 hours of my day to Team Fortress 2. I’m finding it worlds of fun, but most importantly the commentary makes me think Valve are geniuses. After an ungodly number of years we’ve been given around 6 maps and 9 classes. That’s all it takes. It’s made me step back and think about Tormishire – I’m putting so much content into this game, but is it really needed? That said it’s a different game altogether.

You’ll find me on the Wireplay.co.uk servers as either a pyro, medic or spy. Or a heavy if there are enough medics! My Steam ID is Shelderslow so add me if you want.

But! To the lands of Astrada we go. Tormishire is going well. I’ve completed the first of many sidequests. It’s designed as such to give newcomers a sudden attack of difficulty. There’s a save near the exit/entrance and one after a very difficult run, so if you make it that far then you’ll be able to finish the rest of the area and eventually making your way out of it.

I’ve also added a new lighting system which took a long time to implement. Simply put – the further away from a light you get, the darker it gets for the player. This had to be balanced out with adding light sources to all frames but adds so much to the underground atmosphere and looks superb in motion. Torches, explosions, fire etc, all add to the lighting surrounding the player. As demonstrated -

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Other engine tweaks include the ability to arrange held items, force stop player 2 commands, tweaked effects to go easier on slower computers and new (likely "release candidate") menu screen.

I was also going to release a little demo, but the time isn’t right for that yet. I think another trailer is around the corner though.

A little status update, we’re now sporting-

• 111 rooms
• 22 bits of music (it’s to be very musical! Lots of variations and the likes)
• 5 "levels" or dungeons, call them what you will.
• Online features complete
• I’ve thrown in some new enemies too, and soon to be a little challenge room of sorts.

Making quite a bit of progress now. I’d actually estimate this being finishing mid 2008. As a side note the complete non-linear design is really starting to take shape now!

Boom!

That’s all I suppose!

Concept art piece for a port town Tormishire. Now to get making it fo’ real like!

You’ll be seeing a few of these in Tormishire, around 1 per region.

These chaps are made from a metal found deep in the planet and don’t move around. Like a giant statue of sorts. They have no name yet, but are discussed by various characters in game and like any giant block of metal it has its own cult following! Some folk say they helped build the planet and died eons ago, becoming part of their life’s work.

I snuck one into that concert art pic many months back too -

Caroline went and bought some blank postcards for some competition and to deplete the remaining stock she’s offering to do you a picture and and post them. Just put your name down! I think there’s a few remaining so grab ‘em before they go!

http://www.ninjascribbles.co.uk/blog/?p=131

Got a little interview over at Indygamer! I can’t remember if I go into any detail over my game. But I dooo know that I’ve recently overhauled the graphics (overhauling… not done yet!) so I should have waited before doing this.

Click it!

I love this song!
By Tormi’s musician and an old friend – Mr. Pineapple!

I post because more people should listen to this guy.

Just a quick update before bed.

Done a little interview for Indygamer, that should pop up soon.

Course I’ve been working on the big game. Been adding in some new rooms and areas and the likes. Got my Midi keyboard working too! It’s been under my bed ready to replace the keyboard section with for weeks now. I just wire it up for no real reason and all the keys worked again! Stroke of good luck that.

Updating all the previous areas too with new graphics and some enemies and the likes. It turns out it might take up to 2 hours to reach the 2nd village (it’s sort of a big milestone) for new players, which blew me away! Only takes me ~30 minutes, course I know all the short cuts. Still crazy to see how big this game is getting despite being less than 10% complete.

Lovely little house where you meet a peculiar character, and the house has a little mystery to solve too.

Got that new Zelda Phantom Hourglass too, didn’t like it at first but it’s growing on me. Whereas Halo 3 just isn’t too hot at all.

The J-K.

Finally got round to updating the initial menu for Tormishire.

Everything is as you’d expect from a game like this. It displays a screenshot of when you saved the game, game time, health bonuses, stats etc. A little internet connection icon pops up in the corner that tells you if you’re connected to the server.

The online menu simply gives you a bit shiny button to push that will force an internet connection (even if the option is turned off) to speed up the connection moments ingame, also lets you choose from various other servers. A manual update button of sorts. In the future it will also show highscores and a leaderboard of achievers. Like Xbox Live only it’s free with the game. This setup will also be available on that secret shooter that comes with Tormi.

Still not finished either, check out the funky game clock text! Think I’ll switch all them numbers to bars too since.

I haven’t been able to do any pictures since the marvelous Vista doesn’t have drivers for my tablet, unlike XP. So here we are on XP again. With drivers! And 2 new pics-

Is a birdy thing, just up to the base colouring bit but I’m bored of it so, fin?

Is an odd one of Carolines little character Mokko. A fan art!