This is a long read, but at least read the introduction.
I'm starting work on
this again, and it should really be complete this time. If you don't have any art/programming/music editting skills, that's fine, you're a part of this community, and what I need are suggestions. If you're an artist, especially if you're a pixel artist, actual help would be VERY appreciated.
If you have no idea what this is about, click the link to the thread that appears above. Most of my thoughts on the project are there.
For now, I've made a checklist of things I need to do. If that plan is followed through, we should have the game ready for use in no time. Don't think you have to do any of this, eventually, even if no one helps out, I... might hopefully be able to get it done, but I'll try at least. Most of it is for my reference, and maybe yours, so you'll know how far along I am.
A. 'Predreaming'
....1. Decisions
........a)Map layout
........b)Avatar appearences
....2. Avatar drawing: 8 minimum
....3. Object/wall patch collection & editting
....4. Map Design
B. 'Dreaming'
....1. Patch Merging
....2. Map/Programming creation
....3. Marbled/buttons for interface
....4. Sound
C. Completion
....1. Instructions on how to get there and what to do
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Explanations / How you can help:
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1. Decisions: Map Layout
This is always the toughest decision I face when making a dream... Oddworld is a big place, there's no doubt about that. Furcadia has a limit on map size, so I can only include so much. I was thinking, a small section of Rupture Farms, a small section of desert and forest, and a tribal Mudokon area? That's about what could fit. There's another important factor that needs to be taken into consideration: would that part be used? I could construct a bathroom, but would anyone actually roleplay in it or sit there to chat?
If you have another area to suggest other than the ones I listed above, and area you think would be used a lot, please suggest it.
A. 'Predreaming'
1. Decisions: Avatar Appearences
This is a relatively simple decision to make; it doesn't mean what the avatars (walkabouts) will look like, but rather, which ones will actually be available. Furcadia currently gives you the option to become eight sorts of animal: feline, canine, bovine, rodent, equine, squirrel, musteline, lapine. That's all fine and dandy if you like animals that much, but there will be nothing furre-related in the Oddworld dream. Upon character creation, Furcadia prompts you to choose what race you want to be (this can be changed at any time.) Because the game can be patched, this might mean that when you choose Equine and walk into the Oddworld dream, you'll turn into an Elum (that's what I have planned, anyway.)
Furcadia also has 'digomarket items' you can purchase with actual money, special avatars that are... quite costly for pixels. If I'm not utterly mistaken, there are around 48 digo avatars available right now... However, there are not that many known creatures in Oddworld that people might want to be, and I don't want to force anyone to actually purchase anything, so we're sticking to eight for now-- the eight that you don't need to pay anything for.
The question is: what eight?
I was brainstorming, and I tried to fit in eight creatures that people might actually want to be... Mudokon (Male), Mudokon (Female), Slig, Glukkon, Paramite, Scrab, Elum, Slog. That makes eight.
There are also Gabbits, Vykkers, Fleeches, and Steefs... This is where you guys come in. Should I make any substitutions on the suggested avatar set above?
2. Avatar Drawing (8 Minimum)
I've already started on this. I have a Paramite avatar that you can see in the old topic, though I might remake it, and I recently started work on a Mudokon avatar (which will appear at the bottom of this post.)
How can you help? If you're a pixel artist, that's wonderful, because Furcadia works with pixel art. If not, it would be really helpful if I could have a sketch artist who could try to figure out what the proposed avatar creatures would look like from behind, facing the Furcadian 'north' positions.
I can't just draw a picture in profile view and flip it because things in Furcadia are skewed roughly 28 degrees, and rather than left and right, the 'northeast,' 'northwest,' 'southeast,' and 'southwest,' directions appear.
Here's the difference.
If I receive no sketchers, it's not the end of the world, don't feel utterly obligated to contribute. I'll get to everything eventually, it will just take longer.
3. Object/Wall patch collection & Editting
This is normally a very easy part. There are two sites where most Furcadia patches can be found:
http://www.furcadia.com/patches, and
http://archive.roamheart.com/ . Roamheart is great.
How can you help? Browse those sites and see if you glimpse any object sets you think might fit in on the map, or ones you think you can edit to fit in (of couse, if the artist has allowed permission for editting.)
4. Map Design
This is a part that can use all of everyone's help. You don't have to be an artist to help out, and I'm particularly bad at map design (I favor the programming side). I saw the map of the W@RF RP, and it looks like a good idea to use if no one minds, though I'll probably only use a small part.
What might the dream's Rupture Farms look like? Its desert and forest if there will be one? The tribal ground?
What I'm looking for are maps like this:
http://i17.tinypic.com/6bkv9rc.png
They don't have to be extremely detailed, just enough for me to understand. If it looks logical enough, you'll see your room/area in the dream.
B. 'Dreaming'
1. Patch Merging
This is where I take the patch items that were collected and editted and choose which ones will be in and which ones will not.
2. Map/Programming creation
I'll be really busy here, and I'll probably be asking for the most suggestions at this time and posting regular updates.
3. Marbled/buttons for interface
This is where I put together an interface that looks more Oddworldy. If I find good artists, they can really help with this.
4. Sound
Clipping MP3 files and fitting Oddworld music to the dream so it sounds good but doesn't make the upload size too large. I'm also considering recording wav files of the character's footsteps; Sligs will sound mechanical when they walk by and turn and they can make the BS noises, Paramites and Scrabs should have their game speak; I'll do all that I can fit in without making the file size too huge, I'll try to limit everything to being less than 3 MB.
C. Completion
1. Instructions on how to get there and what to do
I'll write these up when it's done.
So here's where I am... I started a Mudokon avatar because I was bored, and I'm looking for suggestions:
Keep in mind:
- Zoom in if you really want to see it.
- I'm going for an 'expressionless' look, because avatars just can't have expressions. If you're roleplaying and your Mudokon is depressed, you don't want it grinning.
-Unless you can draw better feet, don't ask me to try. I'm sure it will look fine in the animation, so don't worry about it. It's not that I'm lazy, I tried a ton of times, and I just couldn't do it. :P
So... Reply with thoughts, suggestions, maybe map designs already if you're really interested. Again, for more information on what the dream will be like-- or what a 'dream' even is-- check the old forum
here.
Oddworld MMOSG
