April Goals & Progress Thread

[Dream3r]

 

My day's update:  Pretty much spent the majority of yesterday and today getting ready and then pitching the business to some potential investors.  Though they liked my presentation (and did the usual old man thing of thinking I'm super informed about my industry) they said I need to go crowdfund instead because the $2,000 wasn't worth their time.

Which I guess I expected, they want a business they can put in a million and get out twenty but I just can't offer that right now.  $2,000 will take me months to save up and that's if I work a full time job, which would mean not being able to work on the project much at all and it needs my full attention.

Over all it was a good experience as I provided a better pitch than I have in the past, my ideas were portrayed correctly and my presentation was strong, but in the end it's just disheartening to hear you won't be able to take care of your team like you should.  I've been doing this for two years now...you would think I'd find some way to do things right by them...

Oh well.  With every issue I face I grow stronger.  I may be torn today but like a muscle I will grow back into something more than I was before.  I just hope that something I become can get this project and my team where we need to be.

__________________________________________

On the positive side, look...an inventory system so you can eats all the blackberriez

Spoiler

 

[Marquise*]

Dreamer.... Don<t let the Dragon Den eat you raw. Please!

 

[Dream3r]

Thanks @Marquise, means a lot

 

[VideoWizard]

Translation: They weren't really interested. Oh well.

Tue 4.7.15- Nothing to see here.

Wed 4.8.15- Mapped the Swamp of Disappointment- West. That means I only have a few maps yet to make before I'm caught up with the next part of the story. In fact, the next part leads back to the Lakeside Cliffs before the party tries taking the long way around the lake, because they lost their hang glider in the swamp.

Screenshots are on the way later in the week. Losing Tuesday kind of threw me for a loop.

 

[EternalShadow]

I'm really happy with my progress today. About six hours straight of bug fixing, balancing, setting up encounters/bosses/rare game properly, creating sidequests and so on. There is still a lot to do, but it is really small stuff that's basically just "press this button here, press backspace over there, toggle that switch". The largest two bits by far at this point are making the graphics and music, but if I make a single graphic in about twenty minutes, that gives me three an hour - and I can simply resize the high-res images for the other resolutions. I only have about ten images to make (world map, magazine article, game over EDIT: Forgot menu images). Also, the music won't be THAT time-consuming - I'm using premade tracks that are commercially-usable, and that means all I have to do is assign it and have testers comment on if stuff sounds right or not and if not, to suggest fixes. Usually, that means only up to 20% of music is even changed from what I originally chose.


So essentially, all I have to do is:


- Event the entire final battle and ending (it's basically one long cutscene after the battle so that will be relatively easy to bug test anyway)


- Create graphics


- Implement music


- Balance again (very important to get right)


- Modify some scripts aesthetically


And that's it, and it's all off for beta testing @_@


I reckon if I get the giant cutscene finished in a day or two, I could finish the entire game within this month o_o


Woohoo! \o/

 

[Kes]

@Tuxedo Leila

Both sets of goals look pretty important, but in the grand scheme of things, I expect the exams are the most important, so good luck with them.  btw, saw your post with the new version of the tree.  Looks very good.

@imascribble

It's nice to see a laying down sprite that actually looks like it's laying down.  Well done on that.  Did you sprite it?

@marquise*

Taxes, yeah, not a joy and a delight to the heart.

@Dream3r

Sad to hear that the pitch didn't result in anything.  Trying to get small capital sums can be harder than something substantial.  What investors don't seem to realise is that for the small entrepreneur, 2,000 is the same order of importance as 2million to an established enterprise.  Keep your head up.  Illegitimis non carborundum.

@VideoWizard

You seem to have got yourself back on track after losing a day.  Looking forward to those screenies.

@Hotfirelegend

Finished this month?  That would be great.  It means you could go into the IGMC much less stressed as you'll have had time to recover.

My day has been very bitty.  My RL job is always pretty demanding, and today was heavy going as an unexpected deadline had to be met.  I managed to get some eventing done, and some playtesting specifically to proof read a long section.  I hope to get back into the usual rhythm tomorrow. 

 

[imascribble]

@videowizard: Can't wait to see the screenshots. Your game sounds like a load of fun!

@hotfirelegend: Way to go!

@ksjp17: Thanks! It's just an edit and a recolour, so I can't take credit for the pose I'm afraid, but I'm really glad it looks okay.

@everyone: Yay for stuff! ^^

Today I continued working on my database and maps... even though I was in a study group for my upcoming exam. I'm probably going to have to reluctantly take tomorrow off so I can actually study. RPG Maker is too addictive

 

[bgillisp]

@Dream3r: Bummer about the presentation! Hopefully you find another route to earn the needed money.

@videowizard: Sounds like those maps are coming along. Any screenshots?

@ksjp17: Hopefully the next day is better. Still, some progress is better than none.

@imascribble: I hear you there! Especially when staring out and everything needs to be done.

4.8 and 4.9 Update; Spent a little time in the database organizing a few accessories that needed to be better organized. The good news is I think I did it with only one item being off in current save games, the rest went into spots for items I hadn't handed out anywhere yet. Also wrote the events for the party until they reunite with Josie, and set the stage for them catching up with Sarah. However, this part will require a redraw of an old building map, so it won't be as fast as I hoped.

Next up I'm either going to draw that map, or go back and polish Chapter 3 to this point, as all I did was slap the events into the appropriate order and tweak the two boss fights to make sure they are beatable (one of them I think is pretty easy, but its only because I know the pattern. I figure I'll leave it as is though until someone else tests it). Though, I may have to hold on things for a couple days too, as I do have some RL work obligations to crank out this upcoming weekend.

 

[hiddenone]

Congrats on the progress, everyone! 

I've made a bit of progress on my game's dialogue but my inner cruelty was trying to worm its way into the game, so I've been taking a break from it to write a story where I can be as mean to the characters as I want.  It's working out quite well though, since every once in a while I'll come up with something nice that fits my game so I can pop rpg maker open and add it in.

 

[EliteZeon]

If you guys seen me around, I've been working on my mapping for Chapter 2. I want to say I am 1/3rd-ish done with the dungeon there. Then I need to work on house interiors for the main town. Followed by making all of the events and sidequests... then animating and balancing the battles. I've managed to clean up most of my description text for my items and skills, so that's done... lastly I want that opening cinematic done.

Sigh, still a ways to go, but slowly getting there.

My birthday just hit, and my older brother just got us both a 3 day pass to Megacon down in Orlando... so I'll be working on my RPG again much later unfortunately...

More on RL, I sent in my resume to a major company in hopes of getting an internship... now I need to get my networking down and I should be set with a job this summer.

 

[Otakuhd]

Just got back from a long break, i'm gonna start continuing my RPG again. 

@mlogan

Yeah, the event's aren't really hard, but their really time consuming T_T. It feels really good to finish one event though

@Candacis

Oh, those are really good tips. I've never really thought about editing the tile sets myself, but I'll give it a try

 

[VideoWizard]

@bgillisp: Friday's looking to be the day. That will also be just in time for Screenshot Saturday, too.

Thu 4.9.15- One part of the way back to the Lakeside Cliffs has been mapped. The coastal route is still low-lying, but at least it isn't as gloomy as the Swamp of Disappointment! Enemies are a little stronger, but nothing the party shouldn't be able to handle at that point.

 

[DaveyAlpaca]

This month I intend to finally finish the over world/ stage select for my game. after that is done I will work on town, and dungeon tiles so each selectableentry point can finally be accessed and give the game some extra life.

 

[Marquise*]

Got a small break and reexamining 2do list after being debugged by Dread and Don... And tested 2 RPGMaker games and continued 2 others...


What's left;


-The something nice to Dread (not calling for more bad luck, Dreadshadow in here oh là là!)


-The insertion a page or two to my Tome of Unanswered Questions.


-Peeking a look upon my Custom Housing! to do list. (Altought I added a request in there someone wanted into Restaff!)


On the undefined state here is the animated (talking) bust state test.


Oh and IRL, *sigh* taxations papers and bedbug fight. :x *sigh*


*note to self; must buy one gallon of courage somewhere*

 

[Matseb2611]

I almost forgot to post on here. How are you all doing in regard to your goals?

I'm making good progress. Done all the sidequests for my game and working on the final area now. Everything's going according to plan.

As for my other goals, made a start on ReStaff stuff already and going to be making a lot more throughout the course of this month.

 

[??????]

Wow... All you guys have got so much done compared to me :'(

Congrats though, and keep up the good work!

I kinda forgot I was supposed to post my progress as I uhhh, progress... So here is how its going so far;

- Almost finished a commission that has been 'bugging' the hell out of me, in more than once sense of the term.

- Almost finished my 'Advanced Asynchronous HTTP Processing System'.

- Almost finished my 'Automatic Game Update Installer System'.

As you can tell, I am very good at almost finishing things... Just have to get my head down and get the last few pieces working.

 

[Kes]

@imascribble

rpgmaker can wait, exams don't.  They arrive punctually.  Good luck with your studies.  I think if you try and do revision and work on your game at the same time, neither will get your full attention, because part of your mind would always be thinking of the other thing.  Better to concentrate on your studies (in my opinion) and get it over with.

@bgillisp

fortunately I rarely have to remap completely, but I do know what it's like to go back to an earlier phase and think "nope, that won't do.", so you have my sympathy.  I hope, though, that you get that sense of satisfaction when you look at it and think "yes, that's so much better now."

@hiddenone

oh please keep your inner cruelty on a leash.  I don't think the forum's collective psyche could take another loss like those we suffered in TotLA.  Some of us more delicate souls are scarred for life.

@EliteZeon

I know from the other thread that you've been working hard on those maps, and they have improved greatly.  Best of luck with your internship application.

@Otakuhd

Editing your own tiles is one of the best things you can learn.  It will give you a lot more flexibility about how your maps can look, and it is very satisfying to do.  It takes a bit of time, though, so don't be discouraged if at first they look a bit odd.  You will quickly get the hang of simple edits, and then you can build up to more complex stuff.

@VideoWizard

Looks methodical progress.

@DavidAlpaca

Good luck with those goals.

@Marquise*

Taxation and bedbugs (and let's not forget the door frame).  Make that 2 gallons.

@Matseb

The speed at which you work never ceases to amaze me, though maybe you've got a bit more time each day than I have, dunno.  But it sounds like you're hurtling through your to do list.  From a purely selfish perspective, I am very pleased to read your remarks about REStaff work.

@Deikita

Yeah, it's those last few percentage which I often find most difficult to polish off.  

My update

I didn't do what I had planned to do, instead I worked away in Gimp and I am now the proud possessor of a fully functioning, 4 directional sweeping maid.  I could only find front view behaviour sprites, no matter where I looked, so today I decided that I had to do it for myself.  No doubt a more accomplished artist (i.e. a heck of a lot of people) will pick holes in it, but I think it looks pretty neat.  As she walks up, she's got the cutest wiggle.  And the brush sweeps from side to side whichever way she's facing.  I just have to tweak the handle a bit more.  Also busy expanding the number of tiles for my black fire cave.

 

[bgillisp]

@hiddenone: Inner cruelity? Maybe I need to take lessons from you, sometimes I feel like I'm too nice to my characters.

@EliteZion: How many chapters does your game have? Mine has 12 planned out, though there is a chance that I might combine Chapters 10 - 12 into one longer chapter and go with 10. Depends on which flows best.

@Videowizard: I shall await the screenshots! And, maybe I need to find a few of my own to post too?

@Masteb2611: Last area? Congrats on almost being done! When do you think yours game will be released?

@Dekita: That makes two of us. I have to spend this month finishing a book that is 'almost' done, but it has been 'almost' done for 10 months or so now. Ugh. What was that saying, the last 10% takes up 90% of the time?

@ksjp17: Thankfully, it is an interior map that needs to be redone, mainly because floor 2 needs to be redrawn to add in some rooms that are needed for the plot. And I have to add a floor 3. Floor 1 is still good as is, though I may change my mind on that once I sketch on paper floor 2.

4.10 Update: Spent today going over my economy some, and trying to decide how much potions should really cost. I decided to open up a side project and play around with numbers in it to get a better feel for things (and this way I don't wreck the main project). I think what I need to do is add a new tier of HP and MP potions somewhere between a couple of my current tiers (I currently go 150/500/1500/all for HP, but 1500 HP is a full heal also until about lvl 30 - 35 for all classes).

 

[Marquise*]

@Marquise*


Taxation and bedbugs (and let's not forget the door frame).  Make that 2 gallons.


My update


I didn't do what I had planned to do, instead I worked away in Gimp and I am now the proud possessor of a fully functioning, 4 directional sweeping maid.  I could only find front view behaviour sprites, no matter where I looked, so today I decided that I had to do it for myself.  No doubt a more accomplished artist (i.e. a heck of a lot of people) will pick holes in it, but I think it looks pretty neat.  As she walks up, she's got the cutest wiggle.  And the brush sweeps from side to side whichever way she's facing.  I just have to tweak the handle a bit more.  Also busy expanding the number of tiles for my black fire cave.

Aww thank you I guess I received some of those gallons from you via positive energy.


Now... Fixed the lock,


Got halfway gathering all papers,


Found a city housing emergemcy papers to fill last month >.< (Go figures those are to be send once you have copy of your taxes etc...)


Found yet another pesky bedbug asking asylum to my animal loving daughter cats on her paw first thing I woke up in the morning


RPGM related, tested 3 games and commented all 3 where I was in the game. (AND THEY ARE COOL ^^! Blade Of Rage, Friends and Intergalactic Traveller).


Must now resume my other semi-creative parts.


And ksjp17? erm... You know you'll have a collision of demands for thoses maids?

 

[Dream3r]

Today's Update: Let's just say making a tree be able to have a snare placed on it proved to be a lot more hectic than it was supposed to be.  I'll try to figure it out more tomorrow.

Also been keeping a week check list for the last month or so.  It's going pretty well.  Cutting it close each week but it's good to have a challenge but still keep it within the realm of being possible.

Spoiler