LOK: Rebirth v0.4e (updated July 26th)

[haunter894]

What you have so far looks pretty amazing to me. As for feedback, I'm not sure if this is entirely changeable but the talking animation feels pretty clunky as if Krystal is repeatedly mouthing "a-e-i-o-u" I'm not an animator myself so I don't know how difficult it would be to implement smoother animations but the difference between how smooth her walking/blinking looks and the way she talks throws me off a little. Either way, it still all looks incredible!

Also, quick note, I'd be happy to help if you need it. I've got a drawing pad of my own if you need any help with art or such, I've worked a tiny bit in unity (emphasis on tiny), and if not then I'd love to help out with story/gameplay mechanics

[Abelius]

Time for a little status update here.

I'm working this weekend on NPC integration. That is, the inner workings on which I will depend on in the coming months to create unique (and not so unique) characters as seamlessly as possible. This includes layer ordering logic, so dicks could get inserted into correct places and not between K's hair bangs and her nose... And with models accounting for 80+ slots each on average... yeah, it's a little bit complex.

So, no new animations I'm afraid. In fact I think we have a lot already and more than enough for the intro/demo we have planned. And when I end with NPC logic by tomorrow, I'll start laying out the village map.

As for feedback, I'm not sure if this is entirely changeable but the talking animation feels pretty clunky as if Krystal is repeatedly mouthing "a-e-i-o-u" I'm not an animator myself so I don't know how difficult it would be to implement smoother animations but the difference between how smooth her walking/blinking looks and the way she talks throws me off a little.

You know? I agree with you.

The problem with these animations is that they're frame by frame, which is a much older technique than skeletal animation. I could dedicate only around one hour to making those placeholder talking animations, and I don't actually have many mouth expressions to form a random sequence that feels right.

There's also the problem that I cannot apply any compatible lipsync technology with the plugins I'm using. The main reason being that lipsync is mainly designed for voice-overs, not lines of written text. I know there's always a workaround, but I don't think stalling the project in search for a solution would be a good idea at this moment.

And knowing all this even before we gave you guys the tech demo, I chose to shut my mouth and see if someone raised his/her voice about the issue... and you've been that person.

My personal opinion is that conversations, in lack of an appropriate talking animation as of now, should use static expressions for the time being. I have a good amount of expressions I can use, accounting for mouths and eyes separately. I believe that if I use them wisely, characters will feel more... 'human', instead of robotic talking boxes.

So I'll upload another tech demo with an NPC or two, and let you guys vote on the matter.

Also, quick note, I'd be happy to help if you need it. I've got a drawing pad of my own if you need any help with art or such, I've worked a tiny bit in unity (emphasis on tiny), and if not then I'd love to help out with story/gameplay mechanics

Let me know if you need another coder looking at this. I'm fresh out of college and looking for work...might as well do something to get better at coding. Even if it wont show up on my CV! XD

Thank you guys for the offers. For the artistic department I cannot speak for myself, but if Kuja feels he needs a helping hand I'm sure he will step up on the forum. As for coding, I'm using PlayMaker for everything. That means that anyone who is expecting to see thousands of lines of code would be in for a surprise.

BUT what we need most at this moment are ideas and feedback, though for those to happen we should launch something in the first place!

In any case, thank you!

[Aestral]

My personal opinion is that conversations, in lack of an appropriate talking animation as of now, should use static expressions for the time being. I have a good amount of expressions I can use, accounting for mouths and eyes separately. I believe that if I use them wisely, characters will feel more... 'human', instead of robotic talking boxes.

Gotta agree with you here. The feature itself seemed cool at first, since not too many H-games have talking animations. After a while though, it slowly gets annoying, especially during long sentences. It's probably better to just have a static face with all the expressions you have.

[Ungawa]

I was really going to say the exact thing that Aestral has already said. The talking mouth is just so distracting when you have to focus on either text or the emotional state of Krystal in what she's saying.

I guess it comes (giggity) from where we want to focus in the game. Overall, with no voice, text and emotional output on the sentences should be fine. Less work for you too...

[JJPG]

problem i see krystal with a blue background

[TheLuc]

Is it possible to do anything in the Tech Demo so far ?

Other than that the looks amazing.

[haunter894]

My personal opinion is that conversations, in lack of an appropriate talking animation as of now, should use static expressions for the time being. I have a good amount of expressions I can use, accounting for mouths and eyes separately. I believe that if I use them wisely, characters will feel more... 'human', instead of robotic talking boxes.

Yea I feel like static expressions would convey the idea a lot better than the talking. Considering its frame by frame, I can't imagine you would keep your sanity if you tried to make it really dynamic. As for ideas...

BUT what we need most at this moment are ideas and feedback, though for those to happen we should launch something in the first place!

I'd love to give ideas but I'm not sure it would be too helpful without knowing the direction of the game. Good luck! I love how it all looks right now

[EliteMaster512]

Mwahahaha! I've found a bug.

I'm not much of a bug tester but this happened when I booted the app up in windowed mode (1680x1050):

Right side of the screen has a background clipping error... the spaceship just sorta ends.

[Abelius]

The feature itself seemed cool at first, since not too many H-games have talking animations. After a while though, it slowly gets annoying, especially during long sentences. It's probably better to just have a static face with all the expressions you have.

The talking mouth is just so distracting when you have to focus on either text or the emotional state of Krystal in what she's saying.
Overall, with no voice, text and emotional output on the sentences should be fine. Less work for you too...

I see the dam has burst, just as I suspected. Anyway, I think we still need to make a poll to see if this is the general sentiment.

As I said, this could be improved but yeah, the work involved just don't make sense even before a playable demo.

Mwahahaha! I've found a bug.
I'm not much of a bug tester but this happened when I booted the app up in windowed mode (1680x1050):
Right side of the screen has a background clipping error... the spaceship just sorta ends.

Spoiler (click to show/hide):

Clipping errors are supposed to be fixed in the v1.1 tech demo version I've uploaded some posts ago:
https://mega.nz/#!48VEjRTA!kbG4ycbxIUU80Vj6ycoO0IrWCgQTsGWT_J1vQ5MxvCg

Try this one please, and tell me if you still have problems. Problem is that the original post still contains the 1.0 version and I forgot to tell Kuja to update the post.

problem i see krystal with a blue background

Oh? That's even more weird... Do you mean you get that just as you start the demo? Or you do something special for that to happen?

Is it possible to do anything in the Tech Demo so far ?

Not yet. I'm expanding the map now, after more or less having made all the basic systems for NPC interaction, but we're still several weeks before we can show you the demo proper.

[Totemist]

My personal opinion is that conversations, in lack of an appropriate talking animation as of now, should use static expressions for the time being. I have a good amount of expressions I can use, accounting for mouths and eyes separately. I believe that if I use them wisely, characters will feel more... 'human', instead of robotic talking boxes.

Yea I feel like static expressions would convey the idea a lot better than the talking. Considering its frame by frame, I can't imagine you would keep your sanity if you tried to make it really dynamic.

I actually disagree, I don't mind the frame-by-frame talking animation at all and think it looks fine.

[JJPG]

problem i see krystal with a blue background

Oh? That's even more weird... Do you mean you get that just as you start the demo? Or you do something special for that to happen?

as soon i start the demo everything is blue except krystal

[Totemist]

problem i see krystal with a blue background

Oh? That's even more weird... Do you mean you get that just as you start the demo? Or you do something special for that to happen?

as soon i start the demo everything is blue except krystal

Weird, I didn't even get that on Linux. Could you get a screenshot for the gang?

[Abelius]

I actually disagree, I don't mind the frame-by-frame talking animation at all and think it looks fine.

A poll it is, then.

In fact I did another angry animation. You'll see it when I upload a test demo.

as soon i start the demo everything is blue except krystal

Weird, I didn't even get that on Linux. Could you get a screenshot for the gang?

Yup, that would help.

In Unity, a blue screen is consistent with the BGs not being rendered at all, because that's the default Skybox color.

I'm at a loss here, as you've been the only one reporting this issue. Could you download the v1.1 again and try? Something in your computer is definitely not common for this to happen, as Unity apps doesn't need special runtimes in Windows.

[JJPG]

as soon i start the demo everything is blue except krystal

Weird, I didn't even get that on Linux. Could you get a screenshot for the gang?

Yup, that would help.

In Unity, a blue screen is consistent with the BGs not being rendered at all, because that's the default Skybox color.

I'm at a loss here, as you've been the only one reporting this issue. Could you download the v1.1 again and try? Something in your computer is definitely not common for this to happen, as Unity apps doesn't need special runtimes in Windows.

Spoiler (click to show/hide):

maybe this would help
http://answers.unity3d.com/questions/89 ... ck-mo.html

[Abelius]

Spoiler (click to show/hide):

Portapapeles01.jpg

maybe this would help
http://answers.unity3d.com/questions/89 ... ck-mo.html

Oh, I see. So I understand you have an Intel video card? Great job at troubleshooting the issue. I'd never had a clue.

I'll indeed deactivate occlusion culling in next builds. This is a 2D game and it didn't make sense that I had it activated at all. As soon as I finish remaking the navigation system, I'll upload a new tech demo so you could test it.

Thank you!

[Abelius]

Just one quick word to say that we've updated the project description on the Patreon page.

You'll find out what our plans are if you don't mind some minor spoilers.

[Totemist]

Looks good, nothing you haven't revealed in the thread. I have to say I'm liking the story, and it's sort of similar to a story outline I wrote a long time ago for a CYOA project that never got off the ground. If you guys actually give us strategy/upgrade elements in a good porn game I'm literally going to cum diamonds and retire early. Can we eventually get the option to upgrade the villages technology, sort of like what we saw in the actual old Starfox Adventures game? Because I'd love some Safehold in my dino-dicking.

[porne]

Maybe instead of static faces for dialogue, they just do emotional expressions?

[Abelius]

Maybe instead of static faces for dialogue, they just do emotional expressions?

Actually, there are facial expressions but it seems I didn't included any in the preview pics on Patreon. My bad.

Spoiler (click to show/hide):

We were also discussing this matter some posts ago: animated vs static expressions. We'll upload another example tech demo with the difference between both, so people could vote which one do they prefer.

Can we eventually get the option to upgrade the villages technology, sort of like what we saw in the actual old Starfox Adventures game?

I will be honest here and admit I've never heard about that game... and now I can picture you desperately crying in your seat at how a LoK game developer could not have played all Starfox games in existence.

Thing is, from what I've been capable of grasping about its gameplay, there are definitely some mechanics we could use. LoK:R will still lean toward a classical graphic adventure instead of an action-adventure game, if only for the fact that it's in 2D. So for the combat mechanic I'm thinking about Legend of the Twin Orbs. It will take time though, because a good deal of animations will be needed and the hit logic coded properly.

Anyway, I know what you mean with 'adding porn to a good game' and viceversa. It's very rare to find an actually entertaining porn game that doesn't focus entirely on shaking boobs and swinging dicks. Not that I'm saying we've come to save the world from game smut mediocrity... I'd never dare to claim that.

So yeah, anything that turns the game into a fun interactive experience (with porn) is absolutely welcomed.

[SquallLion]

looks like interessing but Krystal can't go the clearing .. inactive