I've reached that point in my project, where even though everything is going well and I've been working on it for ages, I'm starting to lose enthusiasm. So, I'd like to show off some screenshots and briefly explain the game, with the hope that some positive comments, some constructive criticism and perhaps some gameplay ideas will get me going again. The game is primarily influenced by the zx-spectrum classics, 'Chaos' and 'Lords of Chaos' by Julian Gollup. Although, really, the games are not much alike any more. You are a wizard. The game is set across a series of islands. You can cast spells like fireball or lightning, but mostly you are quite weak and defenseless. But you can summon creatures to do your bidding by collecting magic spells. You don't just summon these creatures, you possess them. So if you had a 'goblin horde' spell and cast it. You would change into a goblin leader, with 3 or 4 goblin soliders around to help you and follow you into battle. Each creature has its own skills and uses. Giant eagles can fly, crocodiles can swim, dragons can breathe fire and set fire to things, short creatures can be used to get through tight spots, undead creatures can instil fear into the enemy, elves are great with bow and arrows and so on (there are dozens and dozens of such ideas for different creatures). So the game comes from progressing across the island, solving small puzzles and choosing which creatures to cast when (usually there would be several ways to overcome a problem). Ultimately, there is an enemy wizard (or several) doing the same thing as you that you must defeat in battle. OK. Thats a pretty short description, but I'll leave it there. Most of the models are ermm.. borrowed from resources on the net. Check out the screen shots here: http://www.fps.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/screens.html Please, all feedback is welcomed! Both on the game design front and the look of the thing. And I'd be happy to explain any programming techniques I use (it's 100% my own code). I'm looking for artists to help me, so if you're interested, please let me know! Thanks. Muzza [edited by - DaMuzza on May 28, 2002 10:30:36 AM]

nice, but i hope trhere will be some kind of brightness control, it seems it would be a bit dark t control the character

IT looks great and I like the idea of being able to transform into other creatures and gain a certain power.

Please don''t abandon this project

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Owner of GamingW.net and OpenGL programmer in the works

Good work there. Keep it up. Good idea for gameplay makes it worth coming back for more. Let me know when you''ve got it done.

quote: Original post by black_mage_s
nice, but i hope trhere will be some kind of brightness control, it seems it would be a bit dark t control the character

Yes, there is a gamma control. Its just that when I take screenshots, it comes out without the gamma (as it is a gfx card feature and not something built into the actual display if you see what I mean)

Wow, it looks beautiful... certainly puts my 3d engine to shame *trashes half-build portal engine*

It''s hard to comment on game design without playing a demo, but what you''ve suggested sounds a little bit like what you can do in the Dungeon Keeper games, where you can ''possess'' your creatures which gives you a first person view from them, and gives you direct control over them.

How did you do the landscapes? Voxels? Pre-build models?

Superpig
- saving pigs from untimely fates
- sleeps in a ham-mock at www.thebinaryrefinery.cjb.net

Very, very, very nice. And an original gameplay idea too.

Don''t give up on this. You are so close to completion and it looks and sounds fantastic. I realy like the gameplay idea with the wizard taking over various forms.

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Make it work.
Make it fast.

"Commmmpuuuuterrrr.." --Scotty Star Trek IV:The Voyage Home

Hello.
From the screenshots I think it''s a nice game to play (usually, I''m very selective about games I play). One thing you should add to increase the feeling of a game: some sort of ingame UI: icons for available spells, a mipmap, tips.. or what came in your mind and fits the game.
Pet.

Quality finish!

Might I suggest a tiny innovation? Instead of directing the wizard against the enemies, _begin_ captured and direct your league so as to rescue yourself. Introduces a positive story premise...

Whow, fat game, is there a beta available?
Cant wait to play it, you must finish it.

--If you look to the clouds you cant see traps--