http://www.viridiangames.com/forums/discussions/feed.rss Fri, 18 May 12 02:19:13 -0400 All Discussions - Viridian Games Forums en-CA http://www.viridiangames.com/forums/discussion/35/question-about-dexterity Sun, 08 Apr 2012 15:30:54 -0400 deathknight1728 35@/forums/discussions http://www.viridiangames.com/forums/discussion/34/yet-another-awesome-indie-game-designer Sun, 08 Apr 2012 15:07:24 -0400 deathknight1728 34@/forums/discussions
I read a few of your blogs and they were heartwarming to read. I wish you all the best with your company, favorited!]]> http://www.viridiangames.com/forums/discussion/29/inaria-spec Fri, 19 Aug 2011 15:42:19 -0400 michellia 29@/forums/discussions Max screen resolution.
16/32/64 bit.
multiplayer?
will you make a mac version?

thanks]]> http://www.viridiangames.com/forums/discussion/28/inaria-update-1-the-insanity-of-a-manatee Wed, 29 Jun 2011 00:36:45 -0400 Viridian 28@/forums/discussions
Fixed a bug where occasionally the larger font would show up as solid colored blocks.

Character creation is now more in-depth. Rather than just obtaining special abilities as you improve your stats, you must now purchase them separate from your stats. The number of skill points you get has been beefed up to accommodate this.

You start the game with five skill points already, so you can start customizing your character.

Better navigation! Roguelike navigation is now supported (IE, you can use either the WADX cluster or the number pad to move). S still moves you down, so WASD is still supported, and so are the arrow keys. Rejoice! You can finally move on the diagonals with the keyboard! The space bar and the keypad 5 pass your turn.

OMG, shadows! This is based on code written for me by Ryan Clark (though I ended up going in a completely different direction from a render standpoint and also did some optimizations). Everyone who's seen it says it makes everything "pop" better without ruining the retro feel of the game, so it's in.

And finally...

The Cube is gone (it was a TERRIBLE dungeon), replaced by...

The Infinite. A dungeon that gets randomly regenerated every time you go into it. You cannot save in The Infinite and you can't go back the way you came once you go in, so it's either fight your way to the exit stairs or die. On the other hand, There are lots of monsters (AKA chunks of XP) in the infinite and also lots of treasure chests. If you can make it out, you can end up several levels higher, with lots of enchanted booty to both use and sell. If you can make it out, that is...

Of course, The Infinite is completely optional.

Needless to say, this is a pretty darn big update, and I don't want to push it out to the many people who have bought the game until I'm sure it's ready. So, any help you guys can give will be appreciated.]]> http://www.viridiangames.com/forums/discussion/25/bug-and-other-thoughts Fri, 10 Jun 2011 16:50:10 -0400 DashOPepper 25@/forums/discussions
As for the game itself it is very charming but also incredibly short, I had my level maxed out and the boss beaten in under 2 hours. As i was just really getting into it, it ended. The game is fun but would benefit greatly from being a bit longer and harder.
]]> http://www.viridiangames.com/forums/discussion/24/the-couple-ideas Fri, 10 Jun 2011 04:39:47 -0400 Viridian 24@/forums/discussions
Star Kittens

This will basically be Dungeon Keeper in space, with cute kittens taking the place of the monsters and the evil, evil, Chaos Dogs playing the roles of the "heroes".

(I've mentioned before that the heroes in DK are the real jerks, right? You're minding your own business, mining your own gold, building a little city for the oppressed minorities to live in, and then these guys come in and wreck it all and try to steal your look just 'cause you look evil. Jerks.)

The kawaii factor will be turned up as high as it can go, and there will be lots of visual customization options for both your Star Kittens and the bases they build.

Target platform: PC, with possible Mac version if I can ever scrape up enough money to buy a Mac.
Target audience: Six- to eight-year old girls (I can't wait to get them saying things like "cryogenic suspension", "FTL drive" and "hydroponics") and anyone who likes to play games with little autonomous people running around. (For some reason, Europe seems to be a big market for this type of game.)

PROS:

A unique space - nobody's ever made a proper remake/ripoff of Dungeon Keeper. (Why? WHY? WHYYYYYYYYYYY?)
Six- to eight-year-old girls play lots of games. I've got one to prove it.

CONS:

Art heavy, which means lots of money up front (art is way, way more expensive than music).
I would want the game to be in 3D if possible, which will lengthen the development time.
I already tried making a 3D game in the same style (Planitia) and failed pretty miserably - BUT Star Kittens would actually require a simpler 3D engine.

The other game...

Clan Destiny (Possible working title if whoever owns Trilobyte's IPs objects.)

Think for a moment about the first turn of Civilization. It's 4000 BC. You've got a "settler" unit. You click "build city". You hit "end turn". The game time jumps forward by 20 years, and the city is built.

Clan Destiny is about what happens during that first turn. It will be a turn-based 4X game set in the stone age, with several different clans vying for supremacy. It will be completely 2D and sprite-based. It will also play FAST - the biggest game of Clan Destiny (large map, max number of enemy clans) should take no more than two hours to play. While it will be full-featured, with tech trees, different units to build and territory expansion through various means, all of these systems will be simplified and mechanics will be put into play to curtail the late-game, "mopping up" portion.

Target Platforms: The PC and Android phones, with a Mac version if I can yada yada yada.
Target Audience: Anyone who has ever looked at Civilization IV and/or Galactic Civilizations and said, "I'd love to, but I just don't have the time..."

PROS:

If the game is even the slightest bit good, it'll become an Android bestseller. Android users are dying for good games.
Much art-lighter than Star Kittens.
Possibly bigger market.

CONS:

Will almost certainly be harder to make "fun" than Star Kittens - lots of balancing will be required. And we all saw how "good" I was with that on Inaria...
A release of Civilization Revolution for the Android would kill this game. Star Kittens doesn't have that problem.

So, which would you prefer to see first? And do you have any other ideas or suggestions?]]> http://www.viridiangames.com/forums/discussion/27/controls-sorry-about-this-but-im-not-sure-if-theres-hot-keys Sat, 18 Jun 2011 17:04:53 -0400 nthdimension 27@/forums/discussions
Do I have to click the talk button then click on an NCP, then click the talk button then click on an NCP, and keep repeating this process to get them to talk.... or is there a hot key I can press to put it in talk mode? I tried pressing things randomly but I couldn't find one. Or is there a way to switch it to talk mode and keep it there till I'm done?

Have to say the game is looking absolutely awesome. I've been dying for something to play, especially since Basilisk are taking their time to produce anything new.
]]> http://www.viridiangames.com/forums/discussion/26/spoilers-please- Sun, 12 Jun 2011 04:45:30 -0400 Harvest 26@/forums/discussions
Could someone give me a push in the right direction?]]> http://www.viridiangames.com/forums/discussion/23/lets-celebrate Mon, 23 May 2011 20:38:26 -0400 Viridian 23@/forums/discussions
Now, a fair number of you have actually bought the game. While you are a free people, I personally can't understand why, since the game is the same as the last version you tested. If you're doing it to be nice, then that's so sweet of you! Thank you!

Now it's time to hit the pah-tay!]]> http://www.viridiangames.com/forums/discussion/22/inaria-release-candidate-3-do-it-again Sun, 22 May 2011 17:06:18 -0400 Viridian 22@/forums/discussions
We're so close! I'm so excited!]]> http://www.viridiangames.com/forums/discussion/21/inaria-release-candidate-2-while-im-wishing-id-like-a-pony. Sat, 21 May 2011 20:35:09 -0400 Viridian 21@/forums/discussions
Again, I'd like, not only any problems, but actual "yay" or "nay" votes on whether you think the remaining problems (because of COURSE there are remaining problems) should prevent the release of Inaria.

Here we go! And thank you all, yet again.]]> http://www.viridiangames.com/forums/discussion/20/inaria-release-candidate-1-...but-finally-prevail Tue, 17 May 2011 21:37:11 -0400 Viridian 20@/forums/discussions
I'd VERY MUCH like a yay or nay from each of you guys on whether or not you agree, as well as whether or not you think it's worth the asking price of $4.99. Rather than do it in mail, I want to do it here so we can hash out opinions.

Frankly, there's too much new stuff to list and I want you guys to be surprised by most of it, so I'm not going to do a change list for this version.

Again, I can't thank you guys enough. But I'll try! Thank you!]]> http://www.viridiangames.com/forums/discussion/19/inaria-special-effects Mon, 16 May 2011 09:23:54 -0400 Viridian 19@/forums/discussions
The question I'm asking is a simple one. Would modern effects, like particles and possibly fog of war that used lighting effects, hurt Inaria? Or help it?]]> http://www.viridiangames.com/forums/discussion/17/inaria-beta-8-...and-then-die-a-whole-lot... Thu, 12 May 2011 22:33:57 -0400 Viridian 17@/forums/discussions
Very.

Close.


Interface improvements:

All states of the UI ( look, talk, pick locks, etc) now have their own cursors, as well as text that tells you what mode you just entered or left.

You'll now be warned of impending doom with a red, all caps text warning, as well as your current HP turning red.

Friendlies now speak in yellow text, and enemies now speak in purple text. I did this because I found that it was easy to miss what people were saying amidst all the other messages.

You can no longer look at or talk to people through walls, and in order to talk to people you must be less than 3 squares away from them. ARE YOU HAPPY NOW?!


NPC Changes:

Enemies now drop money on death. I didn't want to do this, but you just need that steady trickle of income so you don't have to grind dungeons for money (you're SUPPOSED to be grinding them for XP and enchanted items). So it'll be easier for you guys to stay stocked up on potions now.

The Slorn King, the Evil One, Mandikar the MadMaker and the Oubliette Woman should now be completely scripted. I'd like for you guys to bang on these encounters and make sure they don't break. Slorn King and Evil One are old, but Mandikar the MadMaker and the Oubliette Woman are new. Here's how that encounter should go:

You meet the Oubliette woman in the Oubliette. She is initially friendly, but talks about how she doesn't feel right, that something is driving her mad. She'll then follow you as you try to find the exit.

In the final room you confront a wraith named Mandikar the MadMaker. Upon seeing him, the Oubliette Woman goes mad and starts attacking you. You may then kill her if you wish, but she is immune to Cleave and Smite bounces so she shouldn't die accidentally.

If you kill Mandikar and the Woman is still alive, she regains her senses, becomes friendly again, and gives a final speech before dying. Once you have killed Mandikar, he and the Woman will never spawn again.

Speaking of never spawning again, neither will the Slorn King, the Evil One, or the Baby Dragon if you kill them. The game (finally) keeps track of this information. Also, you can only pick up the Viridian Armor and Sol's sword once. This should prevent the absolute worst of the exploits without making it so I have to save the entire gamestate ( too big an overhaul at this point.


Items:

Warhammers are now in the game. Brain Fart on my part. They're the best melee weapon, too. Unless...

...You get lucky and find something else enchanted with extra damage. Any item in the game can now be enchanted with +damage and +armor. Which is a good thing because you need all you can get, and the indirect damage and dodge from STR and DEX just doesn't cut it by itself.


Spells and Abilities:

Enchant Weapon now lasts 10 turns. These spells come early and can be great for both melee fighters and missile fighters, so don't think that just 'cause you're not a mage you shouldn't get them. Same for Heal. (Especially Heal.)

And that's just what I remember off the top of my head; I've been coding furiously for hours now.

PRIORITIES FOR THIS BETA:

Make sure I didn't introduce any crashers or similar problems with my new code.

Bang on the scripted encounters to make sure they work.

Make sure that the scripted enemies don't come back if killed.

Drink a vodka gimlet.

That's it, and again, thank you all for your help. We're almost there, people. Almost there.]]> http://www.viridiangames.com/forums/discussion/18/the-new-viridian-games-website. Fri, 13 May 2011 08:44:12 -0400 Viridian 18@/forums/discussions http://www.viridiangames.com/forums/discussion/16/inaria-beta-7-...one-hero-will-rise... Wed, 11 May 2011 01:46:38 -0400 Viridian 16@/forums/discussions
Features:

Again, a complete combat rebalance.

Death's Coil has been cut. I always hated that map and according to the feedback so did everyone else. The Oubliette is now the map that leads to the Slorn King's castle.

Speaking of the Oubliette, it's been extensively reworked, along with the Passage to Apocalypse and Passage to Doom. Part of this rework involved creating some new enemies!

You can no longer teleport through walls. This should prevent people like Seth from beating the game in two freakin' minutes.

You can now accept the Evil One's offer. The other ending, where you defeat him, hasn't been scripted yet.

Various bug fixiness.

Code put in to allow female main characters. This will be in the options screen when I have time to code it.

As we get closer to the project, your feedback becomes more and more important. I'm hoping this is the last time I'll have to touch the maps and that once I get all the special NPCs scripted and any remaining bugs fixed, the game will FINALLY be ready for release.

Again, thank you all for all your help.]]> http://www.viridiangames.com/forums/discussion/15/inaria-balance-update Mon, 09 May 2011 11:17:23 -0400 Viridian 15@/forums/discussions http://www.viridiangames.com/forums/discussion/14/inaria-beta-6-...where-darkness-reigns... Sat, 07 May 2011 00:00:21 -0400 Viridian 14@/forums/discussions
What's new in this version:

The triumphant return of the Mountain Trial and correct scripting for the Mother Dragon at the end!

More balance tweaks!

The Cleave and Smite abilities work again!

Armor actually works! (This was what made necessary the balance tweaks.)

The "Quit Game" entry in the Options screen has been replaced with "Main Menu". If you die with no save, you can now return to the main menu and start a new game. Or quit in a huff, if you so desire.

A lot of the easy loot exploits have been fixed.

And some surprises. You'll like some! Others....

Again, thank you all for taking the time to help make my game better.]]> http://www.viridiangames.com/forums/discussion/10/inaria-beta-5-in-a-world... Mon, 02 May 2011 20:45:24 -0400 Viridian 10@/forums/discussions http://www.viridiangames.com/forums/discussion/13/inaria-beta-6-is-on-the-way... Fri, 06 May 2011 10:42:49 -0400 Viridian 13@/forums/discussions
And yes, Lorenzo, the messages now explicitly tell you if it's health potions or mana potions that you can't buy any more of. Pedant.

I've also made a decision on Hide Your Children - I'm going with type 2; they are there but un-attackable. I did this because I realized that if I made "friendlies" attackable in the overworld, the player could just kill those two Slorn guards and "free" Sapphire and I didn't want that. So no attacking friendlies on the main map; that includes kids.

Release should be tonight, and this one should be very close. I'm hoping that with some good feedback, I can wrap this up this weekend.]]> http://www.viridiangames.com/forums/discussion/12/inaria-hide-your-children Tue, 03 May 2011 10:27:08 -0400 Viridian 12@/forums/discussions
For a long time, NPCs flagged as friendly would go hostile if you attacked them, attacking back (usually futilely). No big deal, right?

Except that Inaria has several children in it. Which means for a while you could attack and kill the children. This would get the game an AO rating from the ESRB.

The easiest thing to do, of course, is to take the children out.

This phenomenon is called Hide Your Children.

Lots of games get around this in different ways. Play any Grand Theft Auto game and you will notice that there are no children anywhere. This obviously is not realistic. Fallout 3 has children, but makes them un-attackable (the worst you can do is knock them out). This is also unrealistic.

So do I put killable children in my game?

This reminds me of a story. (Collective groan from the audience.)

Back when designing Ultima V, Richard was running through his tileset looking for monsters to populate a combat room and stopped on a curious choice - children. He proceeded to build a room full of little cells, each of which contained a child. Pulling a switch would free the children, who would then - since they had monster AI - promptly attack the party. He actually lost a tester over this, who claimed Richard was promoting child abuse. Even Richard's parents got into the act, telling him, "It's just this one little room, why are you fighting so hard to keep it?"

Richard replied that a) it wasn't necessary to kill the children just because they attack you; Ultima had multiple humane ways (sleep and charm spells being the most common) that would allow the player to resolve the combat without harming the children and b) the very controversy that this room sparked proved that it had merit - it made people think in the midst of a dungeon slaughterfest. Ultimately the room was kept in and you can see it today.

So do I keep my kids? Do I keep them, but make them un-attackable? Or do I Hide My Children?

Fallout 1 and 2 would give you the anti-Perk "Childkiller" if you killed a child, which made it almost impossible to complete the game because any time you entered a civilized area, everybody (including quest-vital NPCs) would attack you. I kind of like that.

But, in the end, I DON'T need my first for-pay game to generate controversy. I want Rock Paper Shotgun talking about the game itself, not the fact that one of the sprites in the game looks like a child and you can pretend to kill that sprite.

What say you?]]> http://www.viridiangames.com/forums/discussion/11/inaria-needs-a-logo Tue, 03 May 2011 09:52:51 -0400 Viridian 11@/forums/discussions
Any takers? Feel free to bid; I'm not expecting this for free.]]> http://www.viridiangames.com/forums/discussion/9/inaria-beta-4-this-time-its-personal Tue, 26 Apr 2011 23:20:50 -0400 Viridian 9@/forums/discussions http://www.viridiangames.com/forums/discussion/8/sick-release-delayed Fri, 15 Apr 2011 08:53:21 -0400 Viridian 8@/forums/discussions
Hopefully next Friday.]]> http://www.viridiangames.com/forums/discussion/7/inaria-beta-test-3-poised-like-a-panther-ready-to-strike Tue, 12 Apr 2011 00:32:34 -0400 Viridian 7@/forums/discussions
If you want more timely info about the game's progress, I've basically been using my twitter feed as a bug report:

http://twitter.com/#!/viridiangames

]]> http://www.viridiangames.com/forums/discussion/6/sooonso-very-very-sooon Mon, 11 Apr 2011 05:07:35 -0400 Viridian 6@/forums/discussions
What I’m really concerned about is the level of quality of the content of the game. I’m making another pass over all the maps to do things like fix areas where you can see “off the map” because I expanded the view area, make the geometry more interesting and use the new triggers I’ve created to do interesting stuff.

But we have a hard date now. And when I say hard, I mean set in frickin’ STONE. Inaria WILL go on sale Friday, April 15th.

Oh, lord, I’ve so much to do. Wish me luck.
]]> http://www.viridiangames.com/forums/discussion/5/inaria-beta-test-round-2 Tue, 05 Apr 2011 23:22:29 -0400 Viridian 5@/forums/discussions
While in the last round I got an excellent, excellent roundup of the bugs I need to fix, this time in addition I'd like any thoughts anyone might have about how the game plays. Is there any fun to it? Is it too monotonous in some places? Does the levelling up feel smooth? How about the acquisition of fabulous riches? No opinion is too small to consider!

Again, thank you guys so much for helping me with this.]]> http://www.viridiangames.com/forums/discussion/4/inarias-music-what-say-you Mon, 04 Apr 2011 21:07:45 -0400 cfx 4@/forums/discussions
So I don't hijack the Inaria Beta Testing thread, I'm opening a new discussion here.

I'm interested in hearing your thoughts about the music. I think it's kinda nifty, but I'm biased (because I wrote it).

Viridian seems to like it too, or he wouldn't have put it into his game.

But what are your impressions so far?]]> http://www.viridiangames.com/forums/discussion/3/inaria-beta-test Sat, 02 Apr 2011 22:58:08 -0400 Viridian 3@/forums/discussions http://www.viridiangames.com/forums/discussion/1/viridian-games-yeahhhhhh Fri, 14 Jan 2011 16:35:44 -0500 Viridian 1@/forums/discussions