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Hash, Inc. - Animation:Master

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zandoriastudios

By zandoriastudios
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zandoriastudios Animation:Masters

zandoriastudios

Posted
Posted

I have this really cheap program called "The Games Factory" that can be used to make simple sprite-based games. But it is pretty limited.

What I am interested in is making a Diablo/Balder's Gate kind of world--the top down perspective running around killing monsters, getting treasure. Not very original, but I like that style of game and I would like to have one that is like that but with MY artwork.

 

What are some options for me to pursue? Is there a program that would let me make a Balders Gate clone out of the box?

Should I pursue a MOD, like the Dungeoun Seige editor? Would that let me replace game elements with my own versions?

 

Are there any game mod tools that would let me replace sprites in an isometric game with my own renderings?

 

Is there anybody out there who would be interested in working with me on a project like this?

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triath5147 Journeyman

triath5147

Posted
Posted

There are actually a slew of game engines out there, that are capable of doing what you want. I am currently working on a game for Romac Studios in Israel, that is using the 3D Game Studio A6 system. It has it's limitations, but if you know very little about game programming, this is the system I suggest. It's commercial version is only $200.00 US and is very complete with a C-script editor, a World editor, and a model editor. The community is very helpful, and the possibilities with it are endless. Don't be afraid of programming with C-Script because it is very easy. I have absolutely no programming knowledge, In fact I could crash a "hello world" tutorial, but I can program in C-Script pretty well, and I've only really tried learning it for about a month now. With the Direct X exporter from Obsideon Games, you can export all models, skins, and animations right out of AM and import them into the model editor to save in 3DGS's model format. It is very easy to learn, it is very easy to use, and it is continuously updated to keep up with proffesional game engine specs.

 

If you are looking for a free 3d engine package, you can also try Reality Factory, which uses a modified Genesis engine, or Doom dungeon crawler engine. With reality factory you can also make isometric games, but unless you can program in C++ and hack the main files, you will not beable to customize your game much, and will be limited to what is hard coded in the engine. It is still a very nice package, and you could knock out a game with no programming at all, but it will not be very original as far as enemy AI or the such, but worth looking into. As far as AM it's the same, with the genesis exporter, you can export skins, models, and animations directly into genesis Actor format for use in the engine.

 

Last recommendation is darkbasic engine. It has a slightly higher learning curve than the other two, and you will either need a programmer, or need to know programming yourself. It uses a form of DOS style programming which is easier than C++ but it is still hard to learn. AM with the obsideon games exporter, will export models, skins and animation directly to darkbasic, as it is a direct x format game.

 

In conclusion and not that I am in any way getting paid to advertise or spread the word, on any software, 3D Game Studio is the latest engine I've been involved with, and although it has it's set backs, as far as quality for the price, and it's ability to be customized to fit your needs, it is the best program for the buck. It's ease of use, and dependability are far above the other indie game systems out there. Reality Factory is also very stable, but like I said, you are kinda stuck as far as what you change about it.

 

My deadline to finish my work for Romac Studios is end of december at which time a publisher will be contracting it. I am also making models for a personal project, It is a kids learning game, for kindergarten and 1st grade children.

 

I am not sure that I could contribute to your game consistently, since I have other obligations, but If you have any questions I can help you out to get you started.

 

By the way I've been using the direct X exporter for AM for some time now, Chris Roy is amazing with his customer support. Just recently I ran into a bone translation problem in the export, I sent him the model, and he had his exporter updated in 4 days...4DAYS!!! absolutely amazing. I just had to plug that, cause I am very impressed by that and think everyone should by his exporter. Maybe Hash can hire him as the exporter guy!

Obsidian Games Journeyman

Obsidian Games

Posted
Posted

First off, thanks for the plug triath5147!

 

As for some game programming packages, here are links to the ones I can think of. I'm not sure exactly what level of programming skill is needed for each of these, so I would defer to what others have said.

 

3D Games:

 

Blitz3D - Uses X, 3DS and B3D (Blitz3D format) models

DarkBASIC - Uses 3DS, X and DBO (DarkBASIC format) models

Torque Game Engine - Uses DTS (Torque format) models. Arthur Walasek is currently working on an A:M plugin for the DTS format, and is posting updates in the SDK forum.

 

2D/Tile Games:

 

The Scrolling Game Development Kit

CDX Library

 

I'm sure this list isn't even close to being comprehensive, but hopefully you find them helpful.

dingo Prolific

dingo

Posted
Posted

Hey William,

 

I have Multimedia Fusion, Clickteam makes a good product with that. I also own their Install Maker Pro, which is great for making installers to distribute your game.

 

 

But recently I found a GREAT 2d sprite game creation software. It is called GameMaker. The full license is only $18. But you can use it for free if you don't mind the "made with Gamemaker splash".

 

Seriously, I like it better than MultiMedia Fusion. It is sooooo easy to create 2d games, and with the ver 6 that just came out it has some rudementary 3d functions. It's all menu driven, or you can open and write scripts, but you can program a whole game without writing a script. Pretty intuative.

 

I'm working on a platformers, shooters, etc. I recommend this. It also has built-in network capabilities, to make networkable games.

 

Heres the link:

 

http://www.gamemaker.nl

 

Peace,

dingo

gschumsky Mentor

gschumsky

Posted
Posted

Man you guys are fast!!

 

Okay, here's what we're going to be using for our game. It's sprite-based isometric, inexpensive, easy to learn, etc. etc. You make your models in AM, render, bring into Director, use the Director xtra to export to the engine, start building.

 

The engine is called Isoworld, and you can build games for Mac and Windows with it, plus, the system requirements for finished games are pretty low. The developer also has a newer 2D side-scroller engine called Sprite Studio.

 

You can find it here:Spritec Software

 

Isoworld alrady has built in AI functions as well for characters, and we're working with him to add some new functionality as well.

JohnArtbox Mentor

JohnArtbox

Posted
Posted

I built a test isometric engine using Multimedia Fusion about a year ago and it worked perfectly. Another point in it's favour is the recent release(in the free bonus pack two) of an isometric object designed specifically for this sort of game.

zandoriastudios Animation:Masters

zandoriastudios

Posted
  • Author
Posted
I built a test isometric engine using Multimedia Fusion about a year ago and it worked perfectly. Another point in it's favour is the recent release(in the free bonus pack two) of an isometric object designed specifically for this sort of game.

Thanks, John I think you just made a sale for Clickteam! :lol:

gschumsky Mentor

gschumsky

Posted
Posted
I built a test isometric engine using Multimedia Fusion about a year ago and it worked perfectly. Another point in it's favour is the recent release(in the free bonus pack two) of an isometric object designed specifically for this sort of game.

Thanks, John I think you just made a sale for Clickteam! :lol:

Let us know how it works out and if you can make cross-platform games with it.

 

Thanks William!

zandoriastudios Animation:Masters

zandoriastudios

Posted
  • Author
Posted

:unsure:

I cracked open my copy of the Games Factory, and resolved that I should make some actual games with it before I spend any more money.

So I will try a platform game or two and post them here B) I have a pro version, so I can make stand alone .exe files, if anyone would like to give them a try.

Many times, I will spend the money, and not follow through...So now I'm thinking I will go a little slower. <_>

gschumsky Mentor

gschumsky

Posted
Posted
:unsure:

I cracked open my copy of the Games Factory, and resolved that I should make some actual games with it before I spend any more money.

So I will try a platform game or two and post them here B) I have a pro version, so I can make stand alone .exe files, if anyone would like to give them a try.

Many times, I will spend the money, and not follow through...So now I'm thinking I will go a little slower. <_<

I know that feeling...the excitement of having to have the new toy, then not getting enough time to play with it.

onikaze New User

onikaze

Posted
Posted

A really good 3D engine with flexible licences is the Truvision3d engine.

I used it to do a quick demo for a power company last year.

 

check it out at http://www.truevision3d.com/

 

 

the current version (6.2) supports DX8 , ver 6.5 will be DX9 compliant.

It also supports many different programming languages (vb6 , vb .net, c++ , delphi , and c#)

 

The full current SDK is available to download for free and can be used for free for freeware programs (there is commercial licences for single titles and unlimited at VERY affordable prices)

 

Version 6.5 is available to current licence holders to test (it's very usable at the moment).

Version 6.2 feature page This is the version that B. Marcos used to make the freeware Star wars games Battle of Endor and Battle of Yavin. Check out his homepage for more info. www.bruneras.com

 

Version 6.5 info page

 

Check out the forums from the main page.

 

btw : Somebody on their forums saw the latest demo on the web by Greg R (the one where Alien song is looked at and modified), and there was some question about making an import/export plugins for the engine, nothing has come from it though.

onikaze New User

onikaze

Posted
Posted

You can check out the disscussion on their forums concerning A:M

 

I chime in a couple of times with the same forum handle (Onikaze).

Be sure to read the whole thread.

 

If there are a few people from these boards who are interested we could probably revive the topic on the TV3D boards.

JohnArtbox Mentor

JohnArtbox

Posted
Posted

MMF is currently a pc only environment, which is why SkyCast is only available for the pc.

MMF2, due early next year sometime, is supposed to be a PC Mac et al environment

onikaze New User

onikaze

Posted
Posted
What do you need to know to use Truevision?

 

 

I'm not sure what you mean :huh:

 

 

since it's an SDK you will need to know one of the supported languages.

the full sdk download has sample/example programs to show how some of the features are used.

Sacman Craftsman

Sacman

Posted
Posted

I am not going to say that this software is great but I have the A4 version of 3D Game Studio. It is the non-pro Standard version. Since I live close, if you want to use it to trial let me know. I wanna borrow all your Siggraph DVD's anyway. I am sure that if you like it we can find an equitable trade.

 

Also, here is the website in case you haven't looked

 

Let me know.

 

Wade

zandoriastudios Animation:Masters

zandoriastudios

Posted
  • Author
Posted (edited)

Well, I gave in and bought a copy of Multimedia Fusion Pro! :o It is getting near christmas, so I want new toys! :lol:

[edit] Just got it and all the bonus packs installed! This thing looks great--I can't wait to get started (I printed out the beginners guide, and I see that they have a huge forum full of tutorials), this seems just what I was looking for :)

Edited by zandoriastudios
  • 2 weeks later...
dingo Prolific

dingo

Posted
Posted
Well, I gave in and bought a copy of Multimedia Fusion Pro! :o It is getting near christmas, so I want new toys! :lol:

[edit] Just got it and all the bonus packs installed! This thing looks great--I can't wait to get started (I printed out the beginners guide, and I see that they have a huge forum full of tutorials), this seems just what I was looking for :)

William,

 

How's that going for you? with Multimedia Fusion?

 

peace,

dingo

  • 2 weeks later...
Sharky Craftsman

Sharky

Posted
Posted

Hi Mr William Sutton!

 

I'm intersting in the game editing and so I would like to ask you, please write me your opinions about Multimedia Fusion Pro!

Where can I see this application's tutorials?

 

Cheers...

 

Sharky ;)

Heiner Craftsman

Heiner

Posted
Posted

Ok,

since i am also deep into games making, and since i am allways looking for "the holy grail" of making games whithout programming (i tryed it and i can not even programm to save my life) i came acoss a couple of possible solutions, which are not mentioned here till now.

 

There is one nice thing coming from the netherlands called Quest3D (www.quest3d.com) which look nice, but is in fact quite confusing when you really use it. It also unfolds its real power only if you can script c++.

 

Then there is a prog called "Cosmos Creator" which is also interesting. In the beginning they seemed to be a very customer oriented company and the chapest version of CC was about 99. In the meantime they got aquired by one of these companys, which are doing plugins for 3DS Max and other apps for a hell of a lot of money ... and the first thing they did, was rising the price for about 800%. Aside from the fact, that here also scripting is required to really unleash the true power of the app, this is in my opinion the major backdraw here. By the way ... for scripting they are using a certain Lisp like language. Who is still interested may risk a view under "www.radishworks.com"

 

Finaly there is another, very promissing tool coming up, which is called "FPSCreator" which is short for "First Person Shooter Creator". It is done whith the core stuff coming out of Dark Basic, it supports all DX9 Shaders. It is highly dedicated for FPS games, but in this genre ig gives the user quite a lot of freedom of what can be done. They plann to have an "early adoper" version ready this month (january 2005) and the price is announced to be significantly below 100 €, even below 100$ which makes quite a difference these days. Unfortunateley there is not much info on this yet, but what there is you may access under www.fpscreator.com

 

In my opinion the FPSCreator is the most promissing programm of the three i mentioned, especialy because there are allready huges plans what is going to be included in the version 1.5. Anyway ... i think i am going to buy it.

 

cheers,

Heiner

  • 2 months later...
Mr MM Journeyman

Mr MM

Posted
Posted

Someone here knowing about some game making program that can save the game as Java?

 

My belief is that Java-programs are the ones coming on the mobiles or is there any alternatived?

;)

  • 4 weeks later...
gschumsky Mentor

gschumsky

Posted
Posted

If any of you Mac users out there are looking for an awesome solution for cross-platform side-scroller/platformer game tools, check out Sprite Studio. If you don't have a Mac, this is a great reason to consider getting a Mac mini!

ragtag Craftsman

ragtag

Posted
Posted

I should probably add a couple here.

 

BlitzMax is a 2D game programing language that just came out for the Mac. www.blitzbasic.com and the Windows and Linux version are just around the corner. Supposedly it lets you use one code base to compile on all three, though you do need to actually have a Mac and a Win/Linux box to compile on each. Of course, it does requier coding, but it's much easier than digging around in C++ hell.

They also make Blitz3D, which I own, for making 3D and 2D Windows games. It's easy to use, very stable, fast and reasonably powerful. Though it's getting slightly dated. I've also managed to get animated models from AM working with it (through the Obsidian plugin AMxTex and Ultimate Unwrap).

 

Since the original poster asked about an RPG maker it might be worth it taking a look at http://www.ambrosiasw.com/games/coldstone/ Mac only (for a change), but is supposedly able to make both Mac and Win games.

 

Ragnar

  • 3 months later...
Emilio Le Roux Prolific

Emilio Le Roux

Posted
Posted

Just walked in this old thread...

 

So, how is the game going, Will?

 

I just got GameStudio extra edition, and what impressed me the most is the huge community and resources. Name it, and probably you will find tutorials, scripts and resources for any style you want.

 

For instance, I found:

 

"how to make a diablo-style game"

 

:)

zandoriastudios Animation:Masters

zandoriastudios

Posted
  • Author
Posted

It is going well!

Wade Sacca and I have teamed-up on this MMF project. I used CafePress to get us some 525page manuals printed from the .pdf that comes with the program. So I am happy with the direction we're going. I will probably update my website with a WIP page for the "Inferno" (working title) game soon.

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