jack1974
May 03, 2011
Ah sorry you didn't know, but I'm going to use Ace also for the "evil" version, since some developer friend (female, probably more sensible to such stuff) said that by making the BLIND character the evil I would imply the association that someone blind=evil
I think will just use one name and just put "evil" on it, or perhaps just add a good <--> evil indicator like in those Bioware RPGs (KOTOR), also because since Undead Lily is going to be in the game's title, should be a major character... having two names for the main character... don't know, doesn't sound right.
About the skills, yes, that won't be hard at all. This game is going to be much easier to code than Planet Stronghold, also because will be easier. I mean, will have more gameplay variants but nothing really complex like that game (for example the "inventory" part only consists of different weapons, not armor or anything else). I might change that to weapons indeed, since is the only equippable kind of item!
SpectralTime
May 03, 2011
Hey, long as I get to play as the guy, it's coo! Honestly enough, I actually do like Aces & Eights for both too, though something like Dead Man's Hand might work too.
Anyhoo, I'm glad you're going to have an easier time of it. Good luck.
jack1974
May 04, 2011
A WIP of the battle system:


http://pics.brizzly.com/4G8B.jpg" style="max-width:100%">
I am not sure yet how I'll do this. I want to do something less tactic than Planet Stronghold, in semi-realtime, something I believe would work better with the game theme. Still have some technical difficulties so not sure yet what the final result will be

jack1974
May 20, 2011
An update. Got 4 of the 12 characters battle pose done. Still long way to go, but getting there (I'm talking only about art, then I still need to write the plot and the game!).
I also commissioned animated backgrounds

The image below really doesn't make justice to it, so will post a video on youtube once I have fully implemented all the animations:


http://pics.brizzly.com/4HLX.jpg" style="max-width:100%">
fleetp
May 20, 2011
The artwork is very attractive!
very respectfully,
fleet
Moonstruck Muse
May 23, 2011
The art is just gorgeous! Can't wait for this game. :D
Moussey
Jul 09, 2011
Hiya. :3
I just wanted to say that this game looks seriously awesome. I am so looking forward to it.
I was just wondering on what the estimated release date is? I know that you're working on Spirited Heart first but I'm not entirely sure what your project line up is after that. It kinda looks like you'll be juggling Loren and this game at the same time once SH is done.

jack1974
Jul 10, 2011
Spirited Heart Girl's Love is basically done, I'm only waiting for some last art and ending voiceovers. So now I'm effectively working on Loren RPG and waiting for the writing for Undead Lily, but is still missing all the romance CGs which are quite a lot.
So yes I'll be working on Loren and Undead Lily at same time depending how quick are the respective artists/writers. Undead Lily combat and rules are easier than Loren so it's likely that in the end I'll finish this one first (though you can't never know).
In any case, is very unlikely that any of the two will come out before next Christmas. I know previously I said Loren could be out by September but that was before I decided to have a full featured RPG (inventory, classes, skills, map, etc).
jack1974
Jul 14, 2011


http://pics.brizzly.com/4M1Q.jpg" style="max-width:100%">
I think this will be the final look of the game, speaking of the interface layout. It's simple UI but I think fits better for this kind of game/mood

Carmentis
Jul 16, 2011
Indeed! While it does look very nice with that area of the world I dunno if it would quite look as well with say the Earth world or say Water.
Also I was just thinking, you basically start off as 'good/angel' Lily? I mean I sorta thought you started off as neutral like your slate was wiped clean. I know that would require a lot more CG art so I can understand why you wouldn't want another Lily but it kinda irks me that even though I would do more good things my appearance wouldn't change when evil decisions get a really cool change. Sorta like Fable, you start off neutral and your decisions change you from both good and evil.
jack1974
Jul 16, 2011
Hmm well I was actually thinking to let the player choose at the beginning if she wants to be good or evil. The battle animations are all done with those two characters so can't add a neutral one now, and it would be basically used only for the short intro. So probably will just let the player choose at the beginning of the game which "side" she wants to play.
This way, or either she starts good by default and then can become evil, but at this point I'm not sure it's a good idea anymore to use this system!
pysali
Jul 16, 2011
I'll toss my two cents in.
I think letting the player decide if they want to be good or evil is a nice option. It would require you to have two separate intros (unless everyone starts in the same place regardless of orientation and then branches off to their side after some starting combat/conversation). It could be as simple as Welcome to Undead Lily choose your affiliation. Will you be chaotic or evil and desire to rule limbo with an iron fist or will you be ordered or good and try to keep the balance/bring about peace?
Or more complicated and involve running a character creation screen kind of like in Spirited Heart where the player can either instant create and randomly get good or evil or more intensively create with background perks (I don't know if you're doing stat raising or anything in the game though). Like: In life Lily was (poor and struggling, from a rich family, self made) okay you've got this perk. Next Lily ran into a Bullying situation and she (did nothing, helped the bully, helped the victim) now you've got that perk and then you died and let's get this rolling.
jack1974
Jul 16, 2011
Yes your second suggestion is interesting, and is fun because I was thinking the same thing just today, how cool would be to have a character creation (optional) like Spirited Heart. I'll make optional because I'm sure that some people will prefer to choose the perks/stats manually.
I am not sure yet about the perks but there will be stats since the game is also light RPG, but you could get starting bonus stats or even some items.
In the game only the two leaders can use special items to fight that give bonuses (daggers, whip, maces, etc).
pysali
Jul 16, 2011
With the stat raising it could be as simple as if they run character creation they get stat changes based on their decisions and it can also influence their slide to good/evil. Or they can option to skip creation and then get a pool of points to choose from to adjust their stats (say like ten so they can make their Lily better at magic, physical combat, charisma/charm or something) and manually choose their alignment.
jack1974
Jul 16, 2011
Yes, I plan to do exactly as you described indeed

sort of character creation of old-school RPGs!
pysali
Jul 16, 2011
That's what I was thinking and like DnD. :D
jack1974
Jul 16, 2011
Since the characters in the game are after death, I could simulate (quickly) the earthen life with choices reflecting some key moments of the life (and that would also shape the personality good/evil). It's an interesting idea, I'll think to make it this way

Carmentis
Jul 16, 2011
If you didn't want to go into to much detail like that I had an idea. Sorta like what pysali said with the Spirited Heart intro but it could be more like a personality test. Like:
When I was alive I saw an old lady struggling to pick up her bags, I proceeded to:
1) Definatly go help her!
2) Think about helping her.
3) Smirk at her struggling.
4) Push her from behind as I passed her and laughed to myself.
and each decision could be like
1) +2 good
2) +1 good
3) +1 evil
4) +2 evil
and at the end you could total up which way they would end up as.
Moussey
Jul 17, 2011
So once the player chooses an alignment at the beginning of the game, does the player have to maintain that same alignment for the entire game? Will there be any chances for the player to go into the other alignment if they choose? Or if not, will there be different degrees of evilness or goodness within their alignment?
jack1974
Jul 17, 2011
If you didn't want to go into to much detail like that I had an idea. Sorta like what pysali said with the Spirited Heart intro but it could be more like a personality test. Like:
Yes could be something like that indeed
So once the player chooses an alignment at the beginning of the game, does the player have to maintain that same alignment for the entire game? Will there be any chances for the player to go into the other alignment if they choose? Or if not, will there be different degrees of evilness or goodness within their alignment?
Change alignment no, about several degrees well that could be done. Already in the romance dialogue you can behave more or less friendly even in the "good" alignment. Of course nothing very bad as whipping Humus' ass (lol) but you can be very harsh in some situations.
This game since has also the strategy part is more different from my other ones, though there is still the romance subplot. The endings will mostly (if not exclusively) be influenced by who you romance during the war.