RPG Update

Hey. Remember that 3d game I was making? I've been working on it, and made quite some progress. There are several changes in its design.
First, it's going to be an RPG. The name will no longer be City Scoundrel, but the game will probably still be focused on an urban setting.
The game will have a Final Fantasy style combat system, although I'd relate the general feel of the game more to Earthbound (in both style and gameplay).

Here's some screenshots:



The new re-textured character. The earlier model with the suit just didn't fit the game. Hopefully this will do a better job.



The Final Fantasy style combat menu.



Torching a zombie.

More info can be found on Gamecog.

Annoying Forum Habbit #83

I absolutely can not stand it when people use a centered alignment on most, or all of a post on the Game Maker Community (or any other forum).
First of all, it's simply harder to read, because our eye has to find the beginning of each new line, whereas a normal left alignment has a clear start to each line.
Because of that, it's incredibly amateur, sort of like making your whole post bold, or some crazy font. Doing this doesn't make you cool, it just makes your post harder to take seriously.

Argh, can you see what I mean?
Tell me the truth, this is way harder to read.
Seriously, is this supposed to be some sort of poem?
Posting like this simply makes me go insane.

But enough with my ranting. Progress on my games has been going great. I'm spending the weekend catching up on some exercising, finishing up my math homework, and programming, as well as playing another awesome freeware game made with gamemaker, by the name of Gang Garrison 2. It's a remake (or, according to the manual, a demake) of Team Fortress 2, in a great retro platformer style. It's all online, and unlike many online games made with gamemaker, you can find a consistent amount of players online. Sometimes you can even fight matches with up to 25 players! It's a very impressive little game that I'd recommend you to play.

City Scoundrel

I know there are health hazards (physical and mental!) when you start programming two games at once. However, I did it. I started a new game, by the name of City Scoundrel. Not that I've give up work on Island. I'm trying to keep my work time fairly balanced.
So what is City Scoundrel about? Well, you'll have to see for yourself.

Here's our lovely scoundrel after whom the game was named. He is the protagonist of the game, standing in the lovely peaceful city street.


Then...



OH NO! Zombies!


Well, it's not Shakespeare to tell you the truth. I'm going for a more simple game. Look out for more info soon!

Island Devblog 3... and then some

Finally, I've got a pro version of gamemaker up and running on my computer. Now I see why so many people dislike Vista. So I've had some time to work on Island. I've got the basic mechanics of walking and shooting down, as well as a couple basic enemies. Now I'm working on the more advanced gameplay mechanics such as NPC interaction (conversation, bartering, etc...) and survival mechanics (hunger, thirst, exhaustion, disease, etc...).
Here's an early screenshot:





















I've also been playing the addictive freeware game Spelunky, which is amazingly addictive. I highly recommend it if you've got some time to spare.
Also, I'll be going on vacation for the next few days, so don't be surprised if I don't respond to communications. See you soon!

Island Devblog 2

I'm still waiting on that pro-version of gamemaker unfortunately. In the meantime, I've been creating some graphics and artwork for Island. I've been having some great fun designing some sprites, animations and tilesets. I also created this rough map of the island from which the game gets its name. While it didn't come out perfectly, it's a nice sketch of the general terrain. Yes, those green splotches are forests.