Given the quality of talent here it would be a sin and a shame not to pool a team(s) to develop cross platform games. If anyone is interested and believe they have the skills to create high quality titles then please comment on the idea here and your thoughts.
My key skill is 2D pixel art. I'm skilled in logo design, hud creation, font creation and background tilesets. I also have skills in animating sprites too although I do prefer mechanical stuff (ie shoot em up) or platformer type graphics. This is not to say I cannot create others but this tends to be my strength. Also happy doing incidental animations, explosions, pickups etc..
As a part-time programmer it does give me the added bonus of preparing artwork that is coder-friendly shall we say lol :)
Anyone else interested?
I think it'd be great to form a dev team, but to do so would require dedication, motivation and volition to get even the smallest things done. Sometimes compromises and tough decisions have to be made.
Communication (or lack of) can be a real killer, as can people's real lives. Interest levels can wain very quickly if productivity levels fall off (as they always do).
Tasks, ideas and workload require sharing and agreements from all parties, otherwise interests wain. Balancing all of these can be almost impossible.
Then you have to decide whether the venture and all the hard work is going to be commercial or freeware. What about the profits of commercial ventures? Who keeps the books etc. etc.
But yeah - these are all minor things compared to the fun and satisfaction that teams bring. I'm game:)
Well I was thinking freeware to eliminate the hassle of ca$h :) As for the other issues yep totally agree but even so I'm sure if an idea can be agreed it's still likely to reach fruition and those that are at the end are effectively the team for the next venture commercial or otherwise =)
totally agree with Ian, but then again, no run no fun, we just have to keep things a little non personal... no fights.
I would say we go for commercial if we can.
I could help out some gfx too.
Having seen a few AMOS attempts on that and a few others, I´d say it´s risky.
I'm game for a collaborative effort. My relative strength is probably complex/creative problem solving. I'm reasonably good with sound & music too so I could help in that area if needed.
To begin with why not get a Dev team together for a minor project, intended as freeware, just to see how that goes? Keep it deliberately small to see what that's like before committing to anything larger.
It would be ideal to use specialised cloud-based framework for this sort of thing. SourceForge (http://sourceforge.net/) or GitHub (https://github.com/) would pretty much cover all that, so long as the project is open source. If there was a desire to go commercial, keep the option open of doing that or simply keep things closed source then we'd need to do everything ourselves. In that case a dedicated cloud-based project management app will be essential for organisation & communication - something like Collabtive (http://collabtive.o-dyn.de/) installed on one of our webservers or a free plan with people like Teamwork Project Management (http://www.teamworkpm.net/). A version-aware multi-user file server for source & media files would be necessary too. Project Management apps usually have basic file servers but there are better dedicated apps for that sort of thing.
Once we've got a show of hands for who wants to try this it would be a very good idea in my opinion to select a primary person whose role would be to co-ordinate the project and a secondary backup to take over just in case. Such a position should be administrative only (to my mind) with no more creative control than other contributors, i.e. purely to help keep things moving along. They would keep tabs on the various roles & assigned tasks, keep everyone informed about what was happening, help co-ordinate ways to resolve problems that arise, etc.
I think it would also be good to have a lead programmer role for orientation purposes. Although any of us could offer code ideas or solutions it would be helpful if one person was concentrating in particular on how it all had to fit together. It doesn't mean they'd necessarily be the most experienced coder, just that they would be the primary tester and concern themselves with the code as a whole.
Anyway, getting carried away here. Can't see how many people would want to join in yet!
I thought it best to start with something free and also quite small to see how it goes as a project. I have a nice idea for an arcade puzzler. I started writing it in BlitzMax a while back. It's a relative simple game concept where level design is what creates the puzzles so no complex algorithms or enemies just simple level layout. I'll post something here to show what I mean later.
As for project collaboration with github or sourceforge I'm happy to use anything for team collaboration. It'd be interesting to see who'd be best suited for co-ordinating the project and candidates for lead coder too =) (not me though lol)
I see from the posts already we can cater for art, code and sound so off to a good start.
If you're up for doing some graphics for a game that is already nearing completion, I could certainly use a helping hand.
It's not programmed in GLBasic though - it's in BlitzMax, but it IS a freeware game.
It's a shooter controlled using the mouse only and not that much graphics are needed (15 enemies, all 32x32, some animated...but not all, plus misc).
I can PM you the details if you'd be interrested?
Quote from: Sokurah on 2011-Jun-07
If you're up for doing some graphics for a game that is already nearing completion, I could certainly use a helping hand.
It's not programmed in GLBasic though - it's in BlitzMax, but it IS a freeware game.
It's a shooter controlled using the mouse only and not that much graphics are needed (15 enemies, all 32x32, some animated...but not all, plus misc).
I can PM you the details if you'd be interrested?
Yeh PM me ;)
Here's my lil demo of the game Idea I had, logic isn't implemented but you can see from the demo the style of art etc... Still very much work in progress but easier to see than sketches and text sometimes :)
Download:
http://www3.zippyshare.com/v/98781464/file.html (http://www3.zippyshare.com/v/98781464/file.html)
Keys are:
Q - Up/Left
S - Down/Right
P - Up/Right
L - Down/Left
Space - Deletes tile below you (my testing of changing map data)
Screenshot
(http://www.spicypixel.net/dump/fuzed-mock.png)
Include in the ZIP file is a tiny mock up in 2D with some brief info about the idea too. Thoughts appreciated ;)
It looks amazing, but then again - I'm a sucker for isometrics. :)
I love the robot - very cute. And everything is very crisp too. Lovely.
I'm noticing that that you don't walk behind scenery anywhere - only those bomb-like thingies. Is that because you don't want to obscure anything or because the engine doesn't clip the scenery correctly if you walk behind a wall?
That does look very cool but I suggest the idea needs more development before any prototyping.
For me, creating something like this is easier in 3D because the animated models and textures are simply easier to generate quickly regardless of user graphical tastes.
Quote from: matchy on 2011-Jun-07
That does look very cool but I suggest the idea needs more development before any prototyping.
For me, creating something like this is easier in 3D because the animated models and textures are simply easier to generate quickly regardless of user graphical tastes.
Noooooo 2D looks cool lol =) It was only a game idea suggestion that could be playable based on the main sprite and bombs on a level causing the player to think. Similarly the feel of a nice physics engine makes you think oooh could be a good game here. Rather than spending ages working on a concept that could be flawed from the start I was thinking something like this has good groundings to be playable from the get-go so ultimately it can only improve with features. I agree it needs much more game elements included to have a complete game idea mind :)
Quote from: Sokurah on 2011-Jun-07
I'm noticing that that you don't walk behind scenery anywhere - only those bomb-like thingies. Is that because you don't want to obscure anything or because the engine doesn't clip the scenery correctly if you walk behind a wall?
Both really but mainly because I haven't gotten a separate layer for walking behind :)
a picture can say a thousand words...and also bring a thousand ideas.
It looks neat, I took a look at your plan within the file download.
That front-face isometric type looks good to.
One thing is that each of the forum guys are probably researching different areas, 3d, net connection and so on.
If the game is to be a test drive and free, then we could group what people are currently developing/studying into it.
Yeh I was originally gonna do the chaos engine perspective style (although the pic is a quick 10 minute mock up). I think its a great idea involving people who are working on various aspects as it keeps things modular and assists in dev time.
How about some show of hands who'd be interested in getting involved? Not necessarily my idea I just thought I'd start off by throwing ideas into the pot.
Quote from: spicypixel on 2011-Jun-07
Noooooo 2D looks cool lol =)
Let me clarify; it is easier and faster for ME to produce in 3D, for example; there's no need for designing each walking frame. This could be reproduced in 3D with the pixel graphics as wall and floor textures without any new concept or bitmap artwork. I don't think 2D iso pixel is more popular that 3D for gamers unless they are a hipster. ;)
Spicypixel you have an interesting concept there. It reminds me of Bombuzal a bit. That was a great puzzle game.
Quote from: spicypixel on 2011-Jun-07
I think its a great idea involving people who are working on various aspects as it keeps things modular and assists in dev time.
Keeping things in a modular task based structure will keep things flexible. Flexible is good. :) Its especially good given that people's desire or capacity to contribute could vary a lot. If one person can't do something assigned to them for whatever reason then the task can be re-assigned and its easy to get an overview of how things are going. It also fits well with typical PM tasks & milestones.
Quote from: spicypixel on 2011-Jun-07
How about some show of hands who'd be interested in getting involved? Not necessarily my idea I just thought I'd start off by throwing ideas into the pot.
OK. If I may be so bold, we need a place to officially sign up for the dev group and a good platform for discussing proposals & making decisions. We need it right now since important ideas are already being floated. I've set up a Wiggio group to help. Wiggio is a free cloud-based collaborative software app that's designed for this sort of thing in particular. Please click here to join the Wiggio glbdevteam group (http://wiggio.com/group_open_join.php?groupid=796101&password=addme272YIP).
Would everyone be OK with trying this out? It only takes a couple of minutes to sign up but if there are reasons why you'd rather not then that's OK. Its just an idea but I also hope its a good idea.
Just joined it buddy and uploaded the gfx from my project just for reference, experimenting, deleting lol etc..
Bumpin' for attention. Click here to sign up (http://wiggio.com/group_open_join.php?groupid=796101&password=addme272YIP). :)
I just signed up too.
I'm not committing anything, but I can help out with programming and project organizing.
I'm already part of a 'team', a company I registered to sign up for Apple Dev.
KodeSource: it's me and my three nephews, all programmers and no artists! dang!
So I'm more committed to them, but I'm always willing (and bored) to help.
I'd be good for libraries / types, something modular that doesn't depend on the game code.
I can probably donate some of my library code if needed, we (KodeSource) have no secrets!
The only problem is that my libraries usually depend on another library of mine.
(Such as my GUI lib needs my FONT lib to work, my FONT lib needs my SPRITE lib, my SPRITE lib needs my FILE lib, etc)
Not that I wouldn't be great at the game code too! But this is something I could do in parallel to game code.
I have my own home team consisting of one dev, one musician/artist and multiple critics. No problem belonging to a cloud team too. :)
I'd love to join, but I have so many projects in development already and I'm going grey(er) just by thinking of them.
I'm actually quite desperate to get into iOS development, but all my WIPs already represent A LOT of work and I'm not letting it go to waste, so my focus is on finishing at least 3 or 4 of my remakes before getting into iOS games. Really annoying but I really only have myself to blame. :-[
...on the plus side - most of them are quite far along so none of them will take huge amounts of work...I just need to prioritize my time better and get cracking. :whip:
However, once all my remakes are done it'll be iOS all the way. =D
getting some work out to a shop is always high priority. Programming feels so much better with (physical) appreciation.
If you'd like to partake in the modular library aspect of things SlyDog then that would be cool. I will present myself as lead artist unless anyone would prefer to do that and I'd be happy to assist. How do you feel about taking lead role Ragnaril or would your prefer to see how things progress? We still need someone who would be willing to co-ordinate with members to ensure milestones are met and work is being done. I presume you're uber busy Gernot but would you be interested in co-ordinating a team hell bent on pushing your baby =) Subtle as a housebrick I know lol ;)
Quote from: Kitty Hello on 2011-Jun-10
getting some work out to a shop is always high priority. Programming feels so much better with (physical) appreciation.
Well, some of the stuff that gets released are so FU CKING shitty and people should be ashamed to clutter up the marked with it. It may be earning them money, but I'd rather release a good freeware PC game than a piece of sh!t commercial game. That's just my opinion of course.
iOS?
When I do it I'll it good. Then I know I can live with myself.
...but that's the problem of course...people has different opinions of what's good. ;)
Quote from: spicypixel on 2011-Jun-10
If you'd like to partake in the modular library aspect of things SlyDog then that would be cool. I will present myself as lead artist unless anyone would prefer to do that and I'd be happy to assist. How do you feel about taking lead role Ragnaril or would your prefer to see how things progress? We still need someone who would be willing to co-ordinate with members to ensure milestones are met and work is being done. I presume you're uber busy Gernot but would you be interested in co-ordinating a team hell bent on pushing your baby =) Subtle as a housebrick I know lol ;)
Erico is also a talented artist, which is good. We'll need plenty of pretty to make a hit for iOS. :)
I could take the lead, although until now I had imagined myself in easier roles, like co-ordinator or music & sound design. I feel a little intimidated but yeah, I'm also more than willing to do it too. I'd love to see this project do well. Time wise I could put about one full day a week into it as well as some less intensive evenings. Anyone in a better position and/or wants to put themselves up for consideration? Don't be shy!
I was thinking earlier that being a freeware game the aim should obviously be to reach the top of the free app charts :P. Related to the last thing you said, if we achieved something close to that it would be a great opportunity to promote GLBasic. The more people who know about it and use it the better for Gernot and all of us. :good:
Yes, I'm slightly busy. But I'd like to watch the progress and give my .02$ about it.
I will sure help, I just can´t take a lead responsibility these days as work / life / personal projects are taking the biggest time I have. I´m signed in too as I want to be able to watch it closely. I believe we should also be posting here reports and requests so we count on helps from everyone, specially those that wanna help but don´t have enough time available to daily follow it.
Lots of talented programmers here, lots of people with sincere helpful opinions and critique. This has all chances in succeeding!
Quote from: erico on 2011-Jun-10
I will sure help, I just can´t take a lead responsibility these days as work / life / personal projects are taking the biggest time I have. I´m signed in too as I want to be able to watch it closely. I believe we should also be posting here reports and requests so we count on helps from everyone, specially those that wanna help but don´t have enough time available to daily follow it.
Lots of talented programmers here, lots of people with sincere helpful opinions and critique. This has all chances in succeeding!
Ok. *Thinking* That makes sense.
So, basically, people want to contribute but would like to do so in an open & flexible way. Circumstances are such that, for most, having a fixed role & responsibility would be a commitment that they don't know could be guaranteed. No one wants to say they'll do something and then not be able to deliver.
Quote from: Ragaril on 2011-Jun-10
So, basically, people want to contribute but would like to do so in an open & flexible way. Circumstances are such that, for most, having a fixed role & responsibility would be a commitment that they don't know could be guaranteed. No one wants to say they'll do something and then not be able to deliver.
This is understandable as people have RL stuff going on too and obviously don't want to commit and not to deliver, something which I respect. Fortunately the present game idea is simple enough to work with more limited dev resources yet still should provide an addictive little puzzler as the game qualities will be defined by level design and not multitudes of features so hopefully a smaller team can still deliver a quality fun product. Thanks to all the people interested in seeing progress and offering input within their own determined capacity. As it stands I feel it is still a GLB community supported project by the forum comments of help and interest.
<3
When my workload decreases a little and I find my way around some of the more advanced commands (I would say im currently using 5% of GLB commands :( ) I would be in for helping out.
Great idea
QuoteWhen my workload decreases a little and I find my way around some of the more advanced commands (I would say im currently using 5% of GLB commands :( ) I would be in for helping out.
5% of the commands is more than enough for some games.
You could make a game with just IF, THEN, PRINT and SHOWSCREEN. That's far less than 5% of the commands.
I should have replied earlier, but I'm way too busy with RL and really don't have time for large/long projects at the moment. I'm trying to build up my own portfolio - I've given myself a year as a commercial dev and if I haven't made enough to cover the costs of my Mac by April 2012 then I'm going back to freeware. I'm nowehere near that point at the moment, but I have several projects to get onto iOS and WebOS.
So my answer: I can't at the present time, but who knows.
Have you been looking at my source code :)