What I have been mostly up to...

General Discussions
#1

…will begin to unfurl here on me blog.. I expect there’ll be a playable alpha in “a few weeks” once Chaz has filled in the vast amount of graphical holes that currently detract from the gameplay. Hope to see some of you playing it and making an appearance on my hiscore tables!

Sadly I’ve got a contract to go and do for the next 3 months so my part of the development will slow to a crawl. Fortunately I’ve done 90% of the coding now, mostly it’s graphics that need to be done, and lots and lots of sound effects and music.

Cas :slight_smile:

#2

Very cool looking tower defense-ish game. I’d maybe make it so that the cities generate money less often, though, as that seemed like it could get irritating always going back to them.

#3

It’s a sort of 50/50 between RTS and TD.

The factories are purposely irritating :slight_smile: You have to choose between defence and harvesting. Markus had a good idea that you can click on them at any time to harvest whatever they’ve produced so far until they reach a cap.

Cas :slight_smile:

#4

this looks pretty good princec, good job.
I like how the enemies can sneek up behind you
I like that there isnt the usual herding of guys by making a wall of towers.

gl with that last 10%

#5

Playing those TD games, I always get the feeling of ultimate hopelessness, which is mainly caused by the fact that you have only building - no movable units. It really feels frustrating when the enemy decides to attack you from the left, and your defense is not quite strong enough, while the defense on the left is totally idling, and unable to join the effort. If only I could just move a few units around, it would feel much better, even if I only postpone the slaughtering for like 2 minutes.

If total freedom is a bit too hard, maybe you could put weapons on rails…? Just a thought.

#6

As it happens… we’ve got factories that produce little tanks and soldiers in the works too :slight_smile: But they’ll be entirely autonomous. And a bit rubbish :slight_smile:

We’ve intentionally made blasters really cheap so you can build loads of them. It’s not going to be a hardcore difficult game. It’s got to be winnable with just a little bit of planning and strategy. How much strategy and planning you do will ultimately more likely affect your score than your absolute chances of success.

Cas :slight_smile:

#7

It looks like fun. I’ll try the demo once it’s out. And congratulations on getting a contract - I hope it’s something you can enjoy! ::slight_smile:

#8

That sounds like a red line to me. Haven’t played it, just saying.

#9

It should come as no surprise that there is are some upgrades to factories that make them a lot easier to manage - there’s a Collector building, that automatically collects from factories in range; and a Warehouse, which increases the production capacity of factories in range by $50 each. Likewise we’ve got an Autoloader building that automatically reloads turrets for you when they run out of ammo. However this stuff won’t get revealed until later in the campaign and it’ll be a bit expensive.

Cas :slight_smile:

#10

This is looking really nice, cas. =)

#11

Looking good. Can’t wait to try it.

#12

I’m really enthused about this game :slight_smile: It’s turning out to be so much better than I could have possibly hoped. It’s going to end up not far off what AAA titles were in the not too distant past. I’m even considering getting some voice actors for the story screens.

Cas :slight_smile:

#13

[quote]I’m even considering getting some voice actors for the story screens.
[/quote]
Whoa! Taking it to the next level! Go Cas!

#14

Looks really cool - cant wait to try it!!

Have you thought about making an Android version?

#15

Yes, but I don’t think there will be any phones powerful enough to run it for a loooong time.

Cas :slight_smile:

#16

I’d do a character for free! I’m pretty good, have some acting experience etc. I can “audition” for you if you’d like. I find voice acting and sound effects making (via mouth) lots of fun so I’d be really happy to help out.

#17

Oooh, same here. Although I have no experience, I would be willing to record lines for free and you can use them if they work.

#18

Unfortunately you’ll need to be in Newcastle where all the pro audio equipment and friends I have that do that stuff :slight_smile: Thanks for the offers though.

Cas :slight_smile:

#19

Aw, bummer dude. I really need to get back to making my own games so that I can record sounds for them. :stuck_out_tongue:

#20

I just put in these little tiny soldiers with little tiny guns - they’re just soooooo cute! They swarm out of a barracks and start shooting at the advancing gidrahs. Who then trample on them.

Cas :slight_smile: