Charas-Project
Off-Topic => Really Old Stuff => Archive => General programming => Topic started by: Drighton on August 12, 2005, 05:56:44 PM
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I was surprised to find this place. 2D artists are kinda scarce.
Well, I'll get to the point. I'm programming an RPG in Visual Basic 6 using DirectX 7. I've chosen to use a 32x32 tileset, and a 32x64 characterset, since it will allow for more detail in the graphics.
This project is mainly for my own education and not intended to make any profit, however i don't want it to look like crap either :)
I have seen some nice work done by the many people contributing to this utility, which I must say has inspired me to ammend my character creation procedures (luckily, I've just started making them, so only my theories changed).
Currently, as placeholder graphics, I'm using character sets from RPGMaker 2k that have been doubled in size to meet the 32x64 set, which you can imagine looks like crap (1 pixel before = 4 pixels after).
Basically, I'm looking to acquire the assistance of an artist, though not at this exact moment. I am starting my search now because I'm beginning the character creation process, and will soon move onto the battle system, for which I have no enemies.
Here is a little insight to the game so I know what I'm looking for:
This game will be playable by either a single player, or multiple players over a network. The game is made of multiple large maps (about 1000x1000 is as big as I plan to make a map). I am opting for a live combat system rather than the fizzle/dissolve-to-battlescreen used in Final Fantasy or RPGMaker, so the mobs will be similar to the character sets (bad guys are people and animals (bear, lion)... none of the minotaur stuff).
The player will customize the skin and eye color, and hair style of their character, and the armor they wear will change their appearance (clothing) accordingly.
If your interested, send me an email. I will post some screenshots of what it looks like currently, hopefully tomorrow.
Just for info, I have the Map Editor semi-completed (it updates as the game does), and the game (currently untitled) loads a map and npc file. The npc's move randomly will execute a script upon activation (Enter key). I just finished the item editor and I am now moving onto the character file (made during character creation) and inventory screen.
Hopefully I can find some help in this community and give some as well. I've been playing around with VB (VB3.. lol) since I was in 7th grade (long since graduated highschool and moved on to VB6) and have taken a course or two in C++ (though I'll admit its VERY rusty).
Still I'll offer any help I can. Also, I wasn't too sure where to post, so I will be linking to this post in other Charas forums. Sorry for any irritation.
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I was experimenting last night with a screen capture utility that would make an avi file that I could put on my website for viewing. It didn't work too well, and I messed with it a little longer than I should have...
So, I'm just gonna go with good ol' still screens. When I get to work I will upload them to my site. I'm waiting till then because the maps I currently have are for testing and debugging purposes, and nothing too fancy.
So I'll be putting something together to show the work I've done. Keep in mind that this is just a demo map and probably won't be included in the finished product, and that the graphics will look familiar, and pixelated (due to the scaling).
I certainly hope to get some response afterwards.
P.S. I'm settling in for a long stay. :)
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Hmmmm, do you know anywhere that has a good tutorial on sprite operations in DirectX, any version (though preferrably above 6 :P). So far all the ones I've found assume you have prior experience with the different methods and such. So far the only graphics method I know in VB is bitblt, and bitblt is nice for some applications, but directX is just way more flexible.
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The BEST site I found for DirectX was Lucky's VB Gaming site, which he has since stopped updating. He provides a link to another site on his which serves the same purpose, but thats not what you want.
You want Lucky's tutorials. The best I've ever seen. This first version of my game was made with the tutorials (i later redid the game after I became comfortable with DX, and again when I wanted to organize my code), and I'll even be using a DirectDraw/Direct3D Hybrid tutorial there to add some nifty alpha blending to my game.
Enough chat, heres the link: Lucky's VB Gaming Site (http://rookscape.com/vbgaming/)
The new website he created, Game Programming Wiki (gpwiki.org) is like Wikipedia in that people can edit the site and upload their own tutorials. I haven't visited it myself, but it sounds cool.
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Ok, here are the screenshots I promised.
Screenshots (http://www.geocities.com/llvllerlin/)
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I know you like proggraming with VB and all but this would be so much easier if you use RPGMaker 2003.
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Agreed.
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Think of this as a 2D MMORPG, though not MMO... more like Lan-RPG. Skills, classes, and item fabrication included, and a Diablo-esque battle system. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't think you can acheive those things with RPGM2k3 (I started doing this project before 2k3 was out)
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Yes, you can't do that in RPG Maker.
Anyway, good luck. I don't think I have time to help you with the graphical part of it, unfortunately. Know any Visual Basic tutorial sites, ones which are good? I'm working on a remake of Charas.EX (downloadable on the site, under Charas.EX, or just follow the link given below), and I don't really know a lot about Visual Basic. Oh, and it would be nice to know a PNG module, preferably not using any DLL (if you don't know any, I'll just stick with FreeImage).
Charas.EX:
http://charas-project.net/charas_ex.php?lang=en
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Well Gary, perhaps we could come to an agreement concerning Charas.EX and my graphics problem. I don't know anything about PNG files off the fly, I will need to look through some resources before I can give a definate answer on that. :D
and about VB tutorials:
Originally posted by Drighton
The BEST site I found for DirectX was Lucky's VB Gaming site, which he has since stopped updating. He provides a link to another site on his which serves the same purpose, but thats not what you want.
You want Lucky's tutorials. The best I've ever seen. This first version of my game was made with the tutorials (i later redid the game after I became comfortable with DX, and again when I wanted to organize my code), and I'll even be using a DirectDraw/Direct3D Hybrid tutorial there to add some nifty alpha blending to my game.
Enough chat, heres the link: Lucky's VB Gaming Site
The new website he created, Game Programming Wiki (gpwiki.org) is like Wikipedia in that people can edit the site and upload their own tutorials. I haven't visited it myself, but it sounds cool.
Ever see someone quote themselves? :p I sure feel weird doing it.
Anywho, Lucky's original site is great. I haven't tried his wiki site though, but his reputation is high with me.
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I hate to double post (I'm a heavy Edit Button user), but I updated the screenshots with captions so you know exactly what I'm showing you. Sorry, won't so it again.
Screenshots (http://www.geocities.com/llvllerlin/)
I'm thinking of actually creating a sort of journal at this URL (i usually just use if for storage) about my progress.
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Originally posted by Drighton
Well Gary, perhaps we could come to an agreement concerning Charas.EX and my graphics problem. I don't know anything about PNG files off the fly, I will need to look through some resources before I can give a definate answer on that. :D
and about VB tutorials:
Ever see someone quote themselves? :p I sure feel weird doing it.
Anywho, Lucky's original site is great. I haven't tried his wiki site though, but his reputation is high with me.
Well, I've been to the site, and it isn't really for intermediate users. So... meh.
Anyway, I think I might use VisualBasic for Charas.EX.
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Originally posted by PyroAlchemist
I know you like proggraming with VB and all but this would be so much easier if you use RPGMaker 2003.
For shame! Only a fool would run to RPG Maker because it's so much easier when they have the resources to make something way better than that horribly limited program themselves with some more work.
And thanks for the link.
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My website (could you call that one page a website? :p ) has been completely redone.
The Conecpt and Design page will explain EVERYTHING I am planning to do with my project, including all concepts for each system/engine.
The Development page will keep visitors caught up with my current progress, and how each individual element of the game is coming along. It also serves as a sort of schedule for me, though certain elements may be shifted around or new ones inserted if necessary to the development.
And, of course, the Screenshots page will provide the visual element to my progress, so I can actually show the changes as I advance through the game.
(Forgive the shoddiness of the website. I'm a programmer, not a webdesigner :) )
Take a look! (http://www.geocities.com/llvllerlin)
Originally posted by GaryCXJk
Well, I've been to the site, and it isn't really for intermediate users. So... meh.
Anyway, I think I might use VisualBasic for Charas.EX.
I found two source examples that use DLLs (i think one is a specialy made DLL). I've been meaning to read up on them, so I will see just how easy it is.
BUT (big but), I found an example that loads a PNG file without DLLs, a class constructed by the person themselves. I'll look at it and see if PNG files can be created with this class as well. The least you might have to do is give the guy credit for that portion of the code if cannot be used without plagerizing. I think from here on out I'll just PM you with updates. :)
Keep your fingers crossed.
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You could try using RMXP charsets. They're larger than the RM2K/3 sets, so they might work.
Since we don't have much to do with RMXP on this board, you'll have to Google it for the RTP and such.
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I don't really like the RPG Maker sprites for home-brewn games. I think a 100% custom is best, in case you want to sell it, plus, to avoid legal issues.
Meh, maybe I'll give it a shot. I'm a spriter myself, so it wouldn't be too big of a deal. Well, maybe it will, but still. Worth a shot.
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See development section of my website for details.
LMAO I'm having to create my own function that will do what a simple textbox does so the player can choose their character's name (and ultimately chat over LAN). Well, I'm not doing it yet, I'm still looking for a simple way out. One method worked well except for the unexplicable beep everytime you pressed a key afterward... hmm.
EDIT: I should point out that upon review of the graphics last night, it seems that the 200% scaling of the charsets doesn't look so bad after all. I will, however, still require custom graphics when the time comes.
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Well, yesterday an idea popped into my head, and it just started snowballing (at work none the less... luckily no customers interrupted my creative process). After writing it up I showed it to my coworker, who I have been keeping up to date with the game's progress (i've promised to name a character after him) and to my best friend (who I will most likely hand the story over to after I have the background and characters setup... and to whom I have promised to name a character after... :p ) and they both say it is good.
I've decided that I'm going to keep the plot under wraps for now, at least until I get close to release.
But just so you know: This RPG is not like the ones your used to playing. The story/plot does NOT center around your character. Instead your character will be revealing the story, kind of like living through history (not literally). This game is NOT linear (meaning you don't have to follow the storyline to enjoy the game and can indulge in whatever suits your interests) which is what most RPGers are used to playing. If you think of Final Fantasy or Chrono Trigger when you hear RPG, yes this game will have that look, but not that gameplay or feel.
Thus, when I refer to the plot, I'm really referring to the game-world's history: how things became they way they will be when you start playing. Interesting thing is, I may be able to advance the plot/timeline later on.
This is not updated on my website, since its a secret. *insert spy music*
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So I've been lazy the last few days. I think I put in like 10 lines of code.
Anyways, this is not unusual. It happens when I'm either A) Tired, B) Avoiding many hours of work instead of just getting them out of the way C) Contemplating a more effective method to get my goal acheived.
In this case its a little bit of B and C. More B than C. I'm basically having to mess with graphics and split a file into two sperate files for efficiency.
I know this means crap to most of you and your waiting for more screenshots and possibly for me to spill a little bit of my story.. or you just don't care at all. I mean, God, there are tons of games on here.
Anyways, after I finish the inventory, there will be screenshots of my oh so cool inventory window and the alpha blending I implemented, plus the character creation screen inspired by the Charas website. Maybe by the end of the week.
Also, I'm going to open a new thread (I'm sure this topic is confusing) which will feature the title I've settled on for the game.
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As soon as I get out of class I'm heading home for some crunch time.
Tuesdays and Thursdays seem to be the only real chance I get to sit down and program for hours uninterrupted.
And just as a heads up, I'm going to open my new thread in the Games forum, seeing as I'm not really posting code and more posting updates on my game.
Also, it might help to enlighten you to the basis of the story, or at least enough so you know what the setting is of the game. For creative rights, of course. :D
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I have opened a new thread for this in the games section entitled Drighton (http://charas-project.net/forum/showthread.php?threadid=13409&forumid=11&catid=4)
Please continue discussion there, as I will. And yes, those screenshots are up. ;)