Charas Community Project Thread

[Shady Ultima]

It wasn't really a 'secret meeting' aboutaso, it wasn't to do with the project at all. It was just an issue that happened between me and mid that reaches back to when we were still new members. Don't worry about the fight, it will not have any effect on the project.

I'm not sure when we can have the meeting. I'm available all day today, until 5 tomorrow (server time), all day monday, etc.

And to Fox, I'd like every meeting to start with every one together, then each teams splits off from the big group chat and works together in the smaller groups. So, at the beginning, anyone not involved in the story team will be able to leave and do whatever they want, but when the story is complete and the game starts really moving, every team will work together to do what needs to be done.

[Shady Ultima]

Is tomorrow at 3 (server time) good for everyone?

[Prpl_Mage]

Sounds good to me.

[Red Fox]

Going to be late (I think), but I can try to be online then.

[CoolZidane]

Just some music I'd like to throw in. It's based on an old villain theme I had written for one of my first games, but I went back to it and touched it up and added more to it.

It doesn't necessarily have to be a villain's theme, but whatever use you find for it, go ahead.

[Shady Ultima]

Ok, so we had our 'meeting' today, and only Prplmage and red fox showed up.

Everyone who is involved so far, give me your msn/aim/yahoo information so that for the next meeting i can contact you on there before hand to make sure you already remember.

I already have :
Phayre
Red Fox
PrplMage

People I've added who have no appeared online so far:
Aboutasoandthis
CoasterKrazy

People who need to give me their contact info
Drenrin
Coolzidane
Anyone else who is interested in the project!

[coasterkrazy]

I'm generally not on MSN. I went on to accept your add, and saw you on but away.

I'm always on AIM though, but you probably have my old sn. My new one is in my profile now.

And one last thing, I doubt I'll be able to make many of these meetings. If you need to tell me something important, though, please PM me or email me at coasterkrazy@yahoo.com.

[Shady Ultima]

I'm always set to out to lunch on my msn, just so people I don't like won't talk to me lol.

[aboutasoandthis]

I'm out of town. Didn't you get the PM I sent you?

[Shady Ultima]

Yea, dude, don't worry I got it. I know that was why you couldn't make the meeting. I was just saying that I added you to msn, and you haven't been online as of yet.

And btw, as for your proposal, I'd prefer if the story team comes up with something on our own, so me, you and Phayre will write something together.

And I can do sprites pretty well too.

[aboutasoandthis]

I'd much rather have us already start with a base project. It's your call. I cannot use MSN right now though. I'm actually in my hotel on my mom's laptop, and it's for government use only. Come to think of it, they may be reading this message right now. lol. No downloads.

So what did you manage to come up with with Red Fox and Prpl_Mage? I have some free time now. Until maybe noon. There are two giant pools here that are calling my name. I'm only sitting down because I just ate.

[CoolZidane]

When it comes to music, I think one very important thing to do is to establish themes or motifs. That is, a musical phrase that is linked with a certain character, place, etc.

If you've played Final Fantasy 6, you'll notice that each character's theme plays when you get the chance to name them. If you listen to music throughout the game, you'll notice the themes crop up in different styles in scenes pertaining to the characters. Similarly, in Final Fantasy 7, Aerith's theme can be heard in the final dungeon, representing part of their motivation to continue on.

This is very important for a game because it can add depth to the game. Let's say, for example, the hero and villain are brothers who split down the two paths years ago at a literal split in the path. The music in the flashback could contain a musical theme, which is heard more noticeably with the hero's theme later. However, the same theme goes with the villain, although his version is probably in a minor key with some other slight variations.

To score a game, it's best to work in this order:

1. Character themes (Important NPC's and villains included)
2. Themes for important story elements (Like a theme for the mystical jewels that the characters collect, if you'll pardon the cliche)
3. Location music
4. Battle Music
5. Scene-specific music (background music for a certain scene)

Character themes can be written once the characters are planned out, making them the first pieces of music to write. Themes for important story elements go with this, I suppose.

Once locations have been established and the composers figure out the feel of the areas, then music for those places can be written.

Battle music should wait until the battle system has been established so that the music fits the battles. The other advantage is that with special boss music, you can work in the villain's theme that has already been established previously with the character themes.

Scene-specific music in a game is best left until the scene in question is well-underway in production so that the composer can really get into the feel.


Overall, music can be as complex a department as some of the other parts of the game, but if it's done right, it can not only enhance the game, but the story as well.

[Shady Ultima]

I agree 100% with you entirely CoolZ, and that's how I think it will be best to do it. I believe that the basic ideas will be completed by Phayre and myself, and then we will have the community vote on the sample ideas, and then, when aboutaso returns, we will work together to complete the actual storyline. At this stage, the most important thing is the storyline, no matter what.

[coasterkrazy]

Originally posted by CoolZidane
This is very important for a game because it can add depth to the game. Let's say, for example, the hero and villain are brothers who split down the two paths years ago at a literal split in the path. The music in the flashback could contain a musical theme, which is heard more noticeably with the hero's theme later. However, the same theme goes with the villain, although his version is probably in a minor key with some other slight variations.

I completely agree and love that idea, but you, dren and I will need to agree on something. I also love how games do that, such as FF6, how Terra's theme is worked into so many different situations (emotional, gallant, horrific). Nice suggestion!

[Moosetroop11]

Feel free to use my town people I made for the last attempt if they'll fit. I wouldn't mind making more charsets if you need them.