Tale of the Cursed Lantern - Alpha Available

[Simon D. Aelsi]

It's been a long, painful and trying journey. I am very pleased to announce that the game's outline is complete. One of FIVE planned endings is already written completely, and I am now working on the rest.

I'm... actually quite emotional right now. Crying would be an understatement. This has been the hardest year of my life, and seeing my project finally, finally coming into existance in a concrete story form I can actually see is just...  mindblowing. I can't believe I'm actually here.

When I am able to put myself back together again, I'll start on drawing busts to revamp the thread and make it all pretty.

Thank you, all who support me through this journey.

 

[Ms Littlefish]

Having something as massive as a story complete is going to be a huge load off your shoulders. I think so many people struggle with figuring out what is going to happen, that they lose focus on other things. So now that you've gotten that, believe it, you are ahead of the game! I'm happy for you. ^_^

 

[slimmmeiske2]

Glad to see you are continuing your IGMC entry. I didn't play it, but I did love the idea behind the game. I'll definitely play this when you get a demo out.

Congratulations on finishing the story writing. I know how rewarding it is to just (from time to time) read through your story, even if you haven't gotten to that point in-game.

Keep up the good work and if you need help with something (sprites or something), feel free to PM me. ^^

 

[Simon D. Aelsi]

Thank you, Slimmmeiske and Littlefish.

EVERYONE. I HAVE A BIG ANNOUNCEMENT TO MAKE.

After six of the most difficult months of my life, thanks to the great people here, I was given the strength, courage and inspiration to continue. Many times, during these trials I didn't think I was going to make it.

At the time, many people in my family were deathly ill and I didn't know what I was going to do.

Here, right now before you, is concrete proof that I have a game outline/flow document. AS WELL AS A STORY.

I present to you, many of the forty-six pages in the SIX-ENDING game.

Thank you all. More hands on work will begin tomorrow.

Thank you all.

 

[Simon D. Aelsi]

Guys! I have a mini update to prove I'm not dead! I started drawing busts!  This is a very crude WIP.  (I've been practicing. ^__^ )

Take a wild guess as to who this is??? (And yeah it's a little big for now. I'll make it smaller later ^_^ )

This is the NEW bust for Julius...
Erm... Yes, I always start drawin' them without clothes on. It gives me good body practice! <_<

What?!?!!

Stop looking at me like that!! .__.;

But yeah. I'm reeally excited for this.   My first ART stuff here!!

 

[Kes]

Actually from everything I've heard/read it is actually a good thing to start with an unclothed body.   You get the basic shape right and putting the muscles in means that when your clothes go on, they fall in a more natural way.

 

[Simon D. Aelsi]

Thank you KJSP.

As my musical skills grow, I'm going back and revamping old music to be even more emotional.

This was the result of a tough day, but I like it so much I may use this in the game. The organ was opened up a lot more and I just went to town on the thing, like there was no tomorrow. Some new pipes were used (string pipes love) to make it sound more... eerie? No idea.

https://soundcloud.com/dlsea/im-still-here-angry-version

Here is Julius' Theme, redone. More pensive. More melancholy. More somber.

 https://soundcloud.com/dlsea/tale-of-the-cursed-lantern-ah-my-aching-memories

As for other things, I am working hard to get more updates. I am currently training rigorously in mapping and eventing so I can fully realize the dreams I've had of, about, and for this beautiful little game.  Thank you to my few but faithful followers.  Your loyalty will not be in vain.

EDIT:  I'm changing the support banner for TOTCL (as CorneredCosmos calls it).  I got inspired by Silver Town's little dealy and I'm changing the banner to a button. A button simply featuring THE lantern.  People will be intrigued, maybe... They may be like "What's this?" Who knows...

 

[KanaX]

Any plans for a demo?

 

[Simon D. Aelsi]

Yes! There are plans in the future for a demo. Hopefully in a few weeks. I'm just so overwhelmed with tackling a larger project all on my own,  it's a lot more challenging than I thought it would be.

 

[KanaX]

I feel you. I started with a humble idea and 2 years later I'm still in development. I'll stay tuned for any updates.

 

[Simon D. Aelsi]

I'm very pleased to announce that I have my FIRST GAMEPLAY TESTING! It was a success!  After FINALLY getting over a creative hump, I managed to finish mapping the bare bones of the castle as it will appear in the playable prologue of the game. The carne con papas of the prologue will come later.

I'm so happy! Rejoice with me! 

And I'm showing you all! (NOTE: Title Screen is TENTATIVE)




I'm looking forward to moving ahead full-tilt boogie from here on.

 

[Simon D. Aelsi]

A bit of sad news...   My lantern monster (Statue by day, monster by night) and my prince were both lost when I factory restored my PC and I will have to redesign them.

And now, for another update.    I bring you pretty visuals.

The central garden of the castle, as it appears in the prologue in game.

Spoiler

The garden in the editor.

Spoiler

The 116 person dining hall. Look! No more floating food!

Spoiler

The grand hall where the main part of the ball will take place. Sprites and mini game to be added.

Spoiler

Princess Isa's room.  Rather tiny, isn't it? And why is there a guard in her room?

Spoiler

The northernmost corridor in the castle. In case you may not  know, the castle is a very showy place. Who else would have indoor lakes for a desert castle?

Spoiler

Looking ahead, I recorded a scene of the game when things get more dicey. The awakening of the fire spirit!

Mura Wehi: Iron Croc. Roughly Translated, he's saying "You're dead!"  https://soundcloud.com/dlsea/voice-demo-3-transfer-of-power

Looking further ahead, NEW MUSIC!!!!! New bonus extra music.  This will be for a town. Yes, the game now extends beyond the castle itself! This music makes me wanna dance.

https://soundcloud.com/dlsea/the-green-and-blue-dragon-arrangement

Well, that's it for this update. Thank you all for following. If you like what you see, spread the word and support me! I'd be most grateful. 

 

[Simon D. Aelsi]

I was interviewed by broadcaster Keniisu Gaming. Check out the podcast here!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TOyNTQImdlk

 

[Simon D. Aelsi]

Hello everyone!  I bring you ARTWORK.  The following is lineart only, and will be colored soon.

Julius (Out of Uniform) :

Prince

More to come later! Time to smexify this game!

 

[Simon D. Aelsi]

ANNOUNCEMENT TIME!!!

Totally stole this idea from Kyuukon and miraculo island

I'd like to see if I can get the community involved.  Much of Tale of the Cursed Lantern involves collecting items that do things, or that you give to 'people' or use to make things happen.

In one part, you throw certain items into a furnace and some..thing..   might happen.

I'd like to see what you the community can come up with.

See if you can come up with items with short descriptions. These items might be bartered, traded, given,   thrown into a fire   used in special ways...

Make sure said items would work well in a fantasy world AND in medeival times.  Some items might be usable only by certain playable characters even...

PM me your ideas for items, and if I like them well enough I'll use them in the final versions of the game!

Also...

Watch this space.  A demo will appear here soon. Very soon...  Some of you will have been waiting for this for a long time and I thank you for your patience.  Your patience will be rewarded!

 

[Simon D. Aelsi]

It's time for an update...

I have three things for you. The SHOW:

New voiceover work.

This is the spirit of the lantern.  Wait a minute...  . . .?

Yup.  It's sentient.   Ooookayyy.

https://soundcloud.com/simon-dlsea/lantern-spirit-beckoning

New maps!

What does a tropical island have to do with a fantasy medeival setting?  Heh heh heh... more than you'd think.

We meet again, Lantern...

What was once one lantern chamber is now an entire maze.  Easy, of course. This IS the beginning of the game.

NEW MUSIC.

https://soundcloud.com/dlsea/tale-of-the-cursed-lantern-tombs-and-chambers

Now that I can draw again, I will be spending some hours into busts.

More to come soon.

Spoiler

That... darkened quickly.

 

[Miss Nile]

Interesting premise and I can see a lot of work put in this game. Good luck with it. I just want to comment on your inside maps. Your outside mapping is beautiful and I like the atmosphere in it, but your inside maps are a bit too large. I understand that it's a castle and of course needs to be bigger in size than normal rooms but unless that large space is going to be divided into more rooms or be filled with items (which won't really work out well . . . ) it's not going to be pleasant either just looking at it or playing in it (I can imagine myself holding the shift space to go through that large space XD.)

So I suggest shrinking down the maps a little and filling it with more items. The princess' room for example could have more closets (a princess would have a lot of dresses), maybe a fireplace and more books?

The artwork is very nice as well but I have a problem with the eyes. They just don't look right for some reason. XD

Again, good luck with your project. ^^

 

[Simon D. Aelsi]

I wish I could say I have some huge updates for you all, but alas. I do not.  However, I have been working very hard.

I also have some news. Big news. For me, anyway. Thanks to the generous offer of a certain individual (Who shall, for now, remain nameless) I now have a PLAY TESTER! Once I amass enough to launch that demo I may start recruiting. (NOT counting the voice actors, which will be done externally. If you want to audition when the time comes, keep your eyes peeled)

 

[Simon D. Aelsi]

Update... Proof that I'm not dead. SOMETHING!

Buenos Dias, mi amigos!  (Good morning, my friends!) 

A little Spanish lingo for ya...

I am taking a different approach for drawing characters. I'm going to sketch them out roughly, so people will have an idea what they look like. 

I think I have drawing males down pat.  A kind artist has agreed to take me under her wing to learn how to draw females, so I'm grateful for that.

Here is JULIUS, in his armor. I am working on more animated expressions as well. 

And here is some ending credit music I decided to write. I personally HATE sad end credit music.  I'd rather go for happy or even neutral mood credit music.

https://soundcloud.com/dlsea/in-the-silence-of-it-all

In the future updates, if you like what you see, tell a friend and share!   If not... I am always accepting feedback or suggestions.

Until next time, ladies and gents!

 

[Simon D. Aelsi]

More updates are here.

Why tell you about them when I could just...