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What YOU can do to help develop BIONICLE Fighter!

Katuko

Entry posted by Katuko

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Shortening development time is good!

 

Those of you who have been following my work-in-progress fan game already know that programming games is a lot of work. It's insanely fun to piece together a game, but it's still work, and work takes time. Now, I've got a lot of time on hands, sure, but sometimes I wish I could spend more time on some things and then have someone else to do the rest. So far I've been working alone on my game, because I am quite frankly the only one with enough insight into my own head to know how things should end up.

 

Still, I can't do it all myself. I might be a jack-of-all-trades of game-making, but I am not perfect. I could use some help in several places. That's where you come in.

 

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DISCLAIMER: I will be asking for some creative input on things such as map design in the list below. A natural process of game design is to brainstorm ideas, and there is always A LOT of ideas. Tons of them. So many that they can't all be used, and some are flawed from the get-go due to game balance, technical feasibility, etc. You are all free to post comments, critique and ideas; but please remember that I am in charge of this project, and as such I have the final say in what goes in-game or not.

 

I can say right off the bat that I will be sticking to the main Matoran Universe (the setting of BIONICLE from 2000-2008) and thus not include any direct Bara Magna references, alternate dimensions, crossover content, and so on.

 

Also note: This is a completely free game. There is currently no development cost, and there will be no income from the game even after it is 100% done. Therefore, I can't offer any payment to those of you who wish to contribute, but you will have my gratitude, a spot on the credits list, and the knowledge that you helped develop an awesome BIONICLE fan game. I hope that's enough. :)

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Now, for the list of what I do need help with. I will keep the list updated and cross off items as they get done.

 

 

Stuff that is needed:

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IMPORTANT: All sprites must be made in the same style as the Rayg 2.5 sprite kit. Size, proportions, the amount of color shades, etc. are all vital. Even if you're not able to make that perfect sprite, though, your half-finished sprites can also be useful as a starting point for some other spriter!

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Characters and item sprites

  • Animation: Toa "hurt" pose, falling forwards and getting back up.
  • Animation: Rahkshi "hurt" pose, falling forwards/backwards and getting back up.
  • Animation: Rahkshi walking/running. (Proper leg poses, more Mask of Light styled)
  • Some Kanohi do not have rotated views.

    [*]Basic melee weapons such as swords, axes, and so on. Please, nothing extravagant here.

    Just basic equipment, such as this.

    [*]More shields, preferably with rotated views.

    [*]Nuva armor fitted to Rahkshi poses. This will require some reshaping of the armor itself since Rahkshi have wider torsos. Armor fitted to Vortixx and perhaps Skakdi would also be nice.

    [*]An arm motion for any character, where it looks like they are putting something (ammo) into their gun-type weapon.

    [*]Skakdi walk animation for the triangular feet (Used by Zaktan, Thok and Avak).

    [*]Improved version of Hahli Inika's Laser Harpoon. The available sprite is not really set-accurate at all.

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Graphical effects

  • All sorts of energy beams and spheres, for use as attack graphics.
  • Small sprites and graphics for use as particles: flame bits, smoke, ice crystals, laser bullets, etc.
  • Imagery for use around the screen edges when you get hurt.
  • Regular red "hurt" pulse.
  • Frozen solid: Sheet of ice, like a frosted window.
  • On fire: Flames.
  • Poisoned: Green liquid glow of sorts.

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Interface elements

  • Icons representing various skills, such as using a weapon or shield, or being affected by a certain power. Will be used for perk selection on the character menu, and in-game for representing your status. Size should be 24 x 24 pixels and 32 x 32 pixels. Providing higher resolutions would of course be fine as well, as I can scale them down when necessary.
  • A set of buttons for the main menu, preferably blanks so that I can have whatever text added as needed (for settings, menu selections and so on).
  • Icons that can be used for representing team affiliation. Providing various sizes for different uses (menu, HUD, floating over someone's head, on the scoreboard...) would be nice.
  • Improved HUD elements such as energy bars and weapon icons.
  • Health bar (Around 200-300px long, horizontal, not too thick compared to its length): Regular (red), poisoned (green goo), burned (orange glow) and choking (light blue fade/bubbles). Shape should be rectangular, but can have some elements such as a slight tilt to the shape or rounded corners; whatever looks good.
  • Energy bar (Same style as the health bar): Regular (some form of swirly pattern, preferably provided separately so the bar can fade between blank and animated pattern); will be glowing in the element's color, but make it whatever base color you like).
  • Kanohi/special power bar: Similar to the health and energy bars (some form of light pattern on it) but a bit thinner. This bar's color and purpose may also vary a bit.

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IMPORTANT: Map design should seek to allow a variety of different characters. (A sky-based map with no ground to stand normally on is a bit limited, for example.) Sketches work, but a Photoshop-file with a finished map would be crazy awesome.

 

GIMP can export to PSD format, which is for Photoshop. If you export to this format, I can open it, but any layer groups you have made will be flattened to a single layer. Thus, make sure that you use single, visible layers for the finished stuff you want exported to PSD.

 

Otherwise, I'd like one big image of the entire map as it should look, and then separate files for the individual objects. Ground/terrain as one, background elements like trees/rocks as their own files, etc. For stuff I already have, such as teleporters, just make a mark of where they should be. They are objects in my game project file, and thus should not be included as part of the background graphics.

 

Brickshelf cannot handle the PSD format (or most other special formats, for that matter) unless you ZIP the files first. If there is a problem, you can send uncompressed files to me via e-mail or Skype (PM me about this), but a ZIP would be the best solution even then.

 

If you have any ideas for map elements I have not programmed yet, you may include notes about them as well. This could be something like a geyser taking the place of gravity jump pads, mud or quicksand that slows you down, periodic bursts of lightning from damaged machinery, etc.

 

For reference, Karda Nui in full is roughly 5200 pixels wide and 3600 pixels tall. The Codrex is 520 pixels in both directions, and the small fort on the ice map is about the same width. Mangaia is 3000 × 1000 pixels.

 

A character is about 45 pixels tall, with Exo-Toa about 75. Any tunnels or low ceilings should be at least 50 pixels tall to ensure that the character doesn't get stuck somehow. Add a bit more if the ground is uneven, so about 60 pixels room then.

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Map graphics and map design

  • Karda Nui: Improved graphics (swamp water, vegetation, vast cavernous backdrop, etc.)
  • Kini-Nui: Mountain background, fores background for parallax scrolling, trees and vegetation.
  • A sketch for the interior of the missing Ta-Koro fortress.
  • Map layout sketches for other maps you might think of.

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Sound

IMPORTANT: Sound effects must be free of noise and scratches!

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Current contributions:

 

Sprites

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Sound

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Maps

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Big thanks to all of you!

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38 Comments

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Katuko

If you still need female vocalizations, I would be cool with providing some. :)

That would be great. :)

 

What I need is mostly just generic "fighting game sounds", such as attack yelps, but potentially some short lines such as "all right!" when getting a power-up, winning a round etc. might be good to have in stock. If you'd be willing to record some test clips and send 'em over, you can do so whenever you please.

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Hahli Husky

Sounds fun! If you have a specific list of sounds you'd like, just drop me a PM. Also I'm pretty sure I could ask Janus and maybe a couple other guys (and ladies if different character variation is needed) to provide vocalizations if you can't find anyone else interested. I do need to test my mic (and possibly get a new one), so I'll work on that.

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Katuko

Also I'm pretty sure I could ask Janus and maybe a couple other guys (and ladies if different character variation is needed) to provide vocalizations if you can't find anyone else interested.

Voice variation is actually exactly what I'm looking for. I got some sounds already, but since this game is big on letting users customize their character, I've found that one voice does not fit everyone. Gali Nuva needs one type of voice, for example, while someone's custom Kakama-toting Toa of Air needs a different type of voice.

 

I'll compile a list of more specific noises and post it here (and drop you a PM about it, of course). :)

Could I be allowed to make a map for Pala-Koro? Or must it be canon?

Well, while I want to keep the game in the MU, it's got a fair bit of non-canon stuff already. Besides being there in the first place, Pala-Koro didn't really involve anything that breaks with MNOG canon. It's a village with stone huts and that's it, really. Could be interesting to have a map like it.

 

...And then I could spawn all the inhabitants as a big boss fight. Yay!

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Labouka

On the sound department, for male voices, if you want any help there, I will provide. Once I get my voice recorder fixed, I will send you some samples pronto. :)

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Falcon Lord

I could probably provide a couple of sketches, are there any style requirements for sketches? Also if I were to draw sketches I would have to get them to you in a couple weeks.

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Katuko

I could probably provide a couple of sketches, are there any style requirements for sketches? Also if I were to draw sketches I would have to get them to you in a couple weeks.

I'll be making a map in Photoshop based on any sketches I get, so the style doesn't really matter.

 

No time limit if you were to create one, either. ;)

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Falcon Lord

 

I could probably provide a couple of sketches, are there any style requirements for sketches? Also if I were to draw sketches I would have to get them to you in a couple weeks.

I'll be making a map in Photoshop based on any sketches I get, so the style doesn't really matter.

 

No time limit if you were to create one, either. ;)

 

Ok, thanks.

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Katuko

This might be kinda late, but I might be able to do a sketch of Mahri Nui for a new area.

I haven't got any sketches of a Mahri Nui area, so feel free to do that if you want. :)
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Hexann

Sound, huh? Go on the BMP (Biomedia Project) website. Then go to our music section. It has sound effects and music for a lot of other Bionicle media. Seriously, you should see it.

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Katuko

Here's a link to the brickshelf file, when public:

http://www.brickshel...ry.cgi?f=530167

I took the liberty of sketching 3 other possible levels, and also drew some spawn points, jump pads, death zones, and boss summoning sparkle things. Please excuse my horrid handwriting.

The folder is still not public, so I think it'd be better to deep-link each file, maybe.

 

Sound, huh? Go on the BMP (Biomedia Project) website. Then go to our music section. It has sound effects and music for a lot of other Bionicle media. Seriously, you should see it.

Already been there. ;) I grabbed the BIONICLE Heroes music heard in v13 from there, as well as the MNOG mask-switch sound effect which I have edited to be a bit shorter. It's a very useful site.
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Hexann

 

Here's a link to the brickshelf file, when public:

http://www.brickshel...ry.cgi?f=530167

I took the liberty of sketching 3 other possible levels, and also drew some spawn points, jump pads, death zones, and boss summoning sparkle things. Please excuse my horrid handwriting.

The folder is still not public, so I think it'd be better to deep-link each file, maybe.

 

Sound, huh? Go on the BMP (Biomedia Project) website. Then go to our music section. It has sound effects and music for a lot of other Bionicle media. Seriously, you should see it.

Already been there. ;) I grabbed the BIONICLE Heroes music heard in v13 from there, as well as the MNOG mask-switch sound effect which I have edited to be a bit shorter. It's a very useful site.

 

Ah, should have figured.

 

So, could you give a specific a list of mask that need spinnies and Ect.?

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Katuko

So, could you give a specific a list of mask that need spinnies and Ect.?

They are in the sub-list below the entry that mentions them. Felnas and Matora-styled Adaptive Akaku, for the time being.
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Hexann

 

So, could you give a specific a list of mask that need spinnies and Ect.?

They are in the sub-list below the entry that mentions them. Felnas and Matora-styled Adaptive Akaku, for the time being.

 

Oh, that's it? I'll probably see if I can get Solek's mask in...

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Katuko

<Sketches>

I like the Cord. It has a fair mix of tight tunnels and open space, and includes plenty of terrain possibilities. Stone and dirt for most of the area, with some water puddles, air, shadow and light as other elements. Even heat and flame gets in, as part of the leak from Voya Nui's volcanic activity.

 

Clever way of using water bursts as a lift system for non-flyers. I'll definitely be using that idea.

 

 

I also like Mahri Nui, though the surface might not be required. The map would just be cut off above a certain depth level, with the Takea you have noted as a Living Barrier to prevent players from venturing too far. Air bubbles from the weed field, small caves and the underwater village would allow non-water breathers to keep going without drowning all the time.

 

Instant death pit in the form of giant squid tentacles look... splendid. XD

 

 

The Coliseum is interesting. It is indeed a bit barren as a map, but it can have a shifting floor to compensate. In that case I don't know if the central tower will be included as any major platform, except maybe for a flier looking to take a break. A lift could be used to get people up/down, like Dume's platform.

 

 

Le-Koro looks nice. Might need some redesign here and there to be less dependent on jumping platforms. In that case a few more solid leaves and branches to stand on could work fine, and the rest of your map design here looks good.

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Hexann

 

<Sketches>

The Coliseum is interesting. It is indeed a bit barren as a map, but it can have a shifting floor to compensate. In that case I don't know if the central tower will be included as any major platform, except maybe for a flier looking to take a break. A lift could be used to get people up/down, like Dume's platform.

You could also add Vahki Bosses or something like that.

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Arzaki

 

<Sketches>

I like the Cord. It has a fair mix of tight tunnels and open space, and includes plenty of terrain possibilities. Stone and dirt for most of the area, with some water puddles, air, shadow and light as other elements. Even heat and flame gets in, as part of the leak from Voya Nui's volcanic activity.

 

Clever way of using water bursts as a lift system for non-flyers. I'll definitely be using that idea.

 

 

I also like Mahri Nui, though the surface might not be required. The map would just be cut off above a certain depth level, with the Takea you have noted as a Living Barrier to prevent players from venturing too far. Air bubbles from the weed field, small caves and the underwater village would allow non-water breathers to keep going without drowning all the time.

 

Instant death pit in the form of giant squid tentacles look... splendid. XD

 

 

The Coliseum is interesting. It is indeed a bit barren as a map, but it can have a shifting floor to compensate. In that case I don't know if the central tower will be included as any major platform, except maybe for a flier looking to take a break. A lift could be used to get people up/down, like Dume's platform.

 

 

Le-Koro looks nice. Might need some redesign here and there to be less dependent on jumping platforms. In that case a few more solid leaves and branches to stand on could work fine, and the rest of your map design here looks good.

 

Glad you more or less liked them :P

Also, if this is possible, I think it would be a nice touch if the tentacle can't be seen until someone is above the pit, then the tentacle zips out, grabs the poor victim, and pulls him or her to his or her death.

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BULiK

Here's a sketch of a map I thought up of the knowledge towers. In a perfect world, the window-washer lifts would move up and down, etc.

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Katuko

In a perfect world, the window-washer lifts would move up and down, etc.

It's less than perfect, but lifts that move are easily within the realm of possibility. :)

 

Could you provide a few notes as to what certain elements should be? I notice platforms, lifts and huts, but the circle thing in the center and the (background) lines at the top confuse me somewhat.

 

Please shrink any future images, by the way. A full-quality scan at 4 MB may not be much in this modern age, but it's still a bit larger than most images people upload unless they need the max resolution.

 

Glad you more or less liked them :P

Also, if this is possible, I think it would be a nice touch if the tentacle can't be seen until someone is above the pit, then the tentacle zips out, grabs the poor victim, and pulls him or her to his or her death.

Very possible. I could make it poke out ever so slightly - twitching around in the deep, dark, murky depths - when you get close, just to hint at your imminent demise.

 

Or a "plz no" moment for those who remembers the pit but are moving too fast to dodge. :D

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