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Finally... => Creative Projects => Topic started by: Cthulhu on February 18, 2010, 03:18:11 pm

Title: Urist's Quest - Dwarf Fortress RPG (Proof-of-Concept Demo out)
Post by: Cthulhu on February 18, 2010, 03:18:11 pm
Been playan some RPGs lately, have a sudden urge to make one.  I've worked on stuff like this before so I'm not completely in the dark about it, although it may be a while before any actual progress is seen as I feel around the program.

I'll be using RPGMaker 2003, unless someone knows of a better version or a better RPGMaker.  If I can figure out how to get it onto a midi file, and Mr. Dunc doesn't mind I might use Dunc's Algomusic for music, which would be pretty crazy.

A preliminary tech-demo/proof-of-concept/thingie is now available.

Download here (http://rapidshare.com/files/353579476/UristDemo.rar)

IMPORTANT:  This is a very very early demo.  Everything is subject to change.  Almost all graphics are placeholders, and will be different in the full game.

Give me feedback, and tell me if you find a bug.

Spoiler: KNOWN BUGS (click to show/hide)

If the font is squished and unreadable, download this (http://rmt.divinelegy.com/utilities/rm2k3_fonts.zip) and extract it into your C:\Windows\Fonts folder.  Back up the folder if you're afraid of something getting broken.

Some stuff I want to know:

Is the game fun?  Obviously as a buggy and graphically retarded (You'll know when you see the goblins) demo I'm not expecting to blow any minds, but I think there should be at least a little fun.

Does it have the DF feel?  One thing I'm afraid of is that it'll just be a generic RPG with "Dwarf Fortress" tacked on as an afterthought.  I'm working hard to make the story very Dorfy, but some concessions have to be made for the game to be fun.  We'll see.
Title: Re: I have another urge (Dwarf Fortress RPG)
Post by: Jervous on February 18, 2010, 03:55:21 pm
Well, if you want to make battlecharsets and stuff stick with 2003.. I personally like 2000 a lot better, even though it doesn't have as much stuff as 2003. If it's going to be about Dwarf Fortress, I'd go with the 2000 battle system.
Title: Re: I have another urge (Dwarf Fortress RPG)
Post by: Cthulhu on February 18, 2010, 08:22:42 pm
Yeah, I'm looking at 2000 and I'll probably use it, not quite as much spritework.

I suppose I could outsource art to someone else, but I'd rather not do that unless I'm sure I'm going through with this, I don't want to waste anyone's time.
Title: Re: I have another urge (Dwarf Fortress RPG)
Post by: inaluct on February 18, 2010, 08:40:53 pm
If you want an example of an incredible indie RPG success, check out:

Tales of Game's Presents Chef Boyardee's Barkley, Shut Up and Jam: Gaiden, Chapter 1 of the Hoopz Barkley SaGa (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8F1cOvZ3nS8)

It is probably the finest JRPG ever created. It has a great soundtrack, too.

As usual, I have nothing helpful to say. If there is some way I can help, I would be down.
Title: Re: I have another urge (Dwarf Fortress RPG)
Post by: Enzo on February 18, 2010, 08:42:08 pm
I'd suggest using placeholder graphics until it starts to take shape, at which point you could probably find a competent spriter on the forums, willing to commit to this noble cause. Although ASCII would be cool.

Quote from: Cthulhu on February 18, 2010, 03:18:11 pm
maybe one good elf in the player party.

I don't see how that would work, considering the only good elf is a dead elf.
Title: Re: I have another urge (Dwarf Fortress RPG)
Post by: Cthulhu on February 18, 2010, 11:01:30 pm
What about Cacame?

Anyway, I'm getting a grip on how this works.

WE'RE DOING IT MAN

WE'RE MAKING THIS HAPPEN
Title: Re: I have another urge (Dwarf Fortress RPG)
Post by: Org on February 18, 2010, 11:02:19 pm
Quote from: inaluct on February 18, 2010, 08:40:53 pm
If you want an example of an incredible indie RPG success, check out:

Tales of Game's Presents Chef Boyardee's Barkley, Shut Up and Jam: Gaiden, Chapter 1 of the Hoopz Barkley SaGa (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8F1cOvZ3nS8)

It is probably the finest JRPG ever created. It has a great soundtrack, too.

As usual, I have nothing helpful to say. If there is some way I can help, I would be down.
AHHHH
ZOMBIE.

...So, whats up.
Title: Re: I have another urge (Dwarf Fortress RPG)
Post by: Cthulhu on February 18, 2010, 11:04:11 pm
Do not converse with Inaluct in this thread, Org.  This is a thread about RPG'an
Title: Re: I have another urge (Dwarf Fortress RPG)
Post by: Org on February 18, 2010, 11:04:56 pm
Buh...
Title: Re: I have another urge (Dwarf Fortress RPG)
Post by: Cthulhu on February 18, 2010, 11:10:03 pm
This isn't a chatroom, man.  If you want to talk to Inaluct, take it to PMs.

That's assuming the rumors are false.
Title: Re: I have another urge (Dwarf Fortress RPG)
Post by: Org on February 18, 2010, 11:12:09 pm
cool
Title: Re: I have another urge (Dwarf Fortress RPG)
Post by: Org on February 18, 2010, 11:19:54 pm
Sure
Title: Re: I have another urge (Dwarf Fortress RPG)
Post by: Cthulhu on February 19, 2010, 03:30:32 am
If you're finished...

I've gotten the hang of things, and am working through the first mission, learning and testing the various functions as the need arises.  The speed of creation should increase exponentially over the next few days.

The protagonist will be Urist Cogpulleys, a dwarf in a mountainhome I have not named yet.  There will be journeys to other fortresses, some possibly abandoned.  Giant cave spiders will be fought.  Cannibal elves and slaves to Armok will make a high-profile appearance.

If I put in the aforementioned good elf, he'll probably be comic relief of sorts, an elf who desperately wants to be a dwarf and constantly seeks the approval of the dwarves in the group.

It's gonna be awesome.
Title: Re: I have another urge (Dwarf Fortress RPG)
Post by: Org on February 19, 2010, 09:53:25 am
okay?
Title: Re: I have another urge (Dwarf Fortress RPG)
Post by: Org on February 19, 2010, 10:06:15 am
Quote from: Cthulhu on February 19, 2010, 03:30:32 am
If you're finished...

I've gotten the hang of things, and am working through the first mission, learning and testing the various functions as the need arises.  The speed of creation should increase exponentially over the next few days.

The protagonist will be Urist Cogpulleys, a dwarf in a mountainhome I have not named yet.  There will be journeys to other fortresses, some possibly abandoned.  Giant cave spiders will be fought.  Cannibal elves and slaves to Armok will make a high-profile appearance.

If I put in the aforementioned good elf, he'll probably be comic relief of sorts, an elf who desperately wants to be a dwarf and constantly seeks the approval of the dwarves in the group.

It's gonna be awesome.
THE DWARF IS A SPAH
Title: Re: I have another urge (Dwarf Fortress RPG)
Post by: Armok on February 19, 2010, 01:47:34 pm
Quote from: kinseti on February 18, 2010, 08:42:08 pm
Quote from: Cthulhu on February 18, 2010, 03:18:11 pm
maybe one good elf in the player party.

I don't see how that would work, considering the only good elf is a dead elf.
"Hey, is that elf sparkling?"
Title: Re: I have another urge (Dwarf Fortress RPG)
Post by: Org on February 19, 2010, 01:48:47 pm
Quote from: Armok on February 19, 2010, 01:47:34 pm
Quote from: kinseti on February 18, 2010, 08:42:08 pm
Quote from: Cthulhu on February 18, 2010, 03:18:11 pm
maybe one good elf in the player party.

I don't see how that would work, considering the only good elf is a dead elf.
"Hey, is that elf sparkling?"
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
Title: Re: Urist's Quest - Dwarf Fortress RPG in preliminary development
Post by: Jervous on February 19, 2010, 04:00:38 pm
If you need any help with making the game, I'm pretty good with it, and if you need help lemme know.

also wats with all the 1 word posts :B
Title: Re: Urist's Quest - Dwarf Fortress RPG in preliminary development
Post by: Org on February 19, 2010, 04:02:43 pm
Quote from: Jervous on February 19, 2010, 04:00:38 pm
If you need any help with making the game, I'm pretty good with it, and if you need help lemme know.

also wats with all the 1 word posts :B
huh
Title: Re: Urist's Quest - Dwarf Fortress RPG in preliminary development
Post by: Cthulhu on February 19, 2010, 04:06:46 pm
Seriously, Org.  I know you know what you're doing.  Quit it.

Anyway, I'll remember to ask if I hit an impasse.

Adding a poll for a mechanics question.
Title: Re: Urist's Quest - Dwarf Fortress RPG in preliminary development
Post by: Org on February 19, 2010, 04:10:09 pm
Save points
Title: Re: Urist's Quest - Dwarf Fortress RPG in preliminary development
Post by: Cthulhu on February 19, 2010, 04:16:18 pm
Oh, I have a question.

Is there an easier way to make map transitions than lining map edges with events?

It doesn't take that long, but since he won't activate the event unless it's on the same level the transition actually occurs before you reach the edge of the map.
Title: Re: Urist's Quest - Dwarf Fortress RPG in preliminary development
Post by: Jervous on February 19, 2010, 04:27:10 pm
I think there was actually a tutorial I read somewhere that allowed you to do that..I'll see if I can find it.

Sorry, I can't find it. Here's one that might come in handy though:

http://www.rpgrevolution.com/tutorial/better-teleport_98.html
Title: Re: Urist's Quest - Dwarf Fortress RPG in preliminary development
Post by: Cthulhu on February 19, 2010, 05:14:17 pm
Alright, I'll see about putting something like that in.
Title: Re: Urist's Quest - Dwarf Fortress RPG in preliminary development
Post by: Diablous on February 19, 2010, 05:15:19 pm
Seems interesting. I wonder how this RPG works out.
Title: Re: Urist's Quest - Dwarf Fortress RPG in preliminary development
Post by: Cthulhu on February 20, 2010, 12:29:33 pm
I may have a short playable demo of the first mission released in a day or two to see if it's worth continuing.

Mission is probably the wrong word though.  Like a lot of games, I'm opening with a heavily scripted prologue which will set up for the hopefully more open main game.
Title: Re: Urist's Quest - Dwarf Fortress RPG in preliminary development
Post by: Diablous on February 20, 2010, 12:30:18 pm
Can't wait to see it.
Title: Re: Urist's Quest - Dwarf Fortress RPG in preliminary development
Post by: Sean Mirrsen on February 20, 2010, 12:44:28 pm
I think to delete poll options you just leave them blank.
Title: Re: Urist's Quest - Dwarf Fortress RPG in preliminary development
Post by: Cthulhu on February 20, 2010, 10:06:27 pm
Oh, look at that.

Anyway, demo's finished, I'm uploading it to rapidshare, I'll test it on a different computer to make sure it works, and then give the link.

The download's a bit larger than I'd like, 20mb, because for some reason you have to include all of the resources, not just those your game uses.  There's a lot of stuff in there that shouldn't be there, basically.  Maybe when I finish the game I'll see how much I can prune for the full installer.
Title: Re: Urist's Quest - Dwarf Fortress RPG in preliminary development
Post by: Org on February 20, 2010, 10:07:08 pm
Schweet
Title: Re: Urist's Quest - Dwarf Fortress RPG (Proof-of-Concept out)
Post by: Cthulhu on February 20, 2010, 10:42:25 pm
It's up.
Title: Re: Urist's Quest - Dwarf Fortress RPG (Proof-of-Concept out)
Post by: Jervous on February 20, 2010, 10:53:08 pm
Downloading now...I'll edit this give you some feedback once I've run through it.


Alright. Were you trying to make the goblins you fight respawn or something? If not, you didn't need to do all the coding you did, you just needed to make the graphic null and put the start condition to push key with no script on the second page. Once you teleport out, then teleport back into the map you'll have the goblins still there, same level as player, and their script doesn't start. This is the same for a lot of the events you did, like the trap door and the kitten meat roast.

Also, for the UristFailed thing, go onto skills and look for that Slime skill. Change the failure message to dodges or something.
Title: Re: Urist's Quest - Dwarf Fortress RPG (Proof-of-Concept out)
Post by: Cthulhu on February 20, 2010, 11:43:38 pm
Buh, I thought I got all of those.  I knew how to fix it, I guess I just missed some.

The problem with the Urist failed thing is that the slime ability isn't supposed to work.  It's like Magikarp's splash.  For some reason it doesn't count it as a hit and puts that message.  They're not supposed to dodge either.  It should hit and not do any damage.

Also, the problem with the trap door is that there is no trap door graphic when I go to change it.  I can make it null but I can't make it back into a trap door, mainly because it's not actually a trap door, it's part of a long table, and the long table tile isn't in the list of graphics when I go to change it.  A trap door charset will be made, that operates via turning, similar to chests and doors, and that'll be the end of that.  It will just wait until the rest of the graphics are being made.  Some of them I can make, by modifying existing stuff, but whole cloth stuff will be tougher.

EDIT:  I see now, I was overcoding with getting rid of monsters.  Thankfully once the prologue is over there won't be scripted encounters.  It'll all be regular random fights like normal RPGs.  The scripted encounters are just for this and climactic scenes like bosses.
Title: Re: Urist's Quest - Dwarf Fortress RPG in preliminary development
Post by: Chutney on February 21, 2010, 12:55:41 am
Quote from: Cthulhu on February 20, 2010, 10:06:27 pm
The download's a bit larger than I'd like, 20mb, because for some reason you have to include all of the resources, not just those your game uses.  There's a lot of stuff in there that shouldn't be there, basically.  Maybe when I finish the game I'll see how much I can prune for the full installer.
No dude, you can select an option somewhere which says "include RTP?". uncheck it, and import ONLY the resources you need. that way you don't need Lizard001 and Bat002 chillin' out in your resources folder.
Title: Re: Urist's Quest - Dwarf Fortress RPG (Proof-of-Concept out)
Post by: Cthulhu on February 21, 2010, 01:10:34 am
I tried that first, it didn't import any of the RTP at all.
Title: Re: Urist's Quest - Dwarf Fortress RPG (Proof-of-Concept Demo out)
Post by: Chutney on February 21, 2010, 03:40:09 pm
you have to import it manually, like you would a custom resource.