My first RAGS game

[teremaster]

this seems like the newest bandwagon (I'm a sucker for bandwagons.. and gimmicks, but that's a story for another time) so after sufficient goofing around with the demo version and playing games made by others, I have bought the full version.

 

 

 

another thing I need to figure out is the pictures. I don't know if I should add pictures, because although they do help a lot with the game, they can inflate the size to crazy proportions (as seen in "the verse"). also, leaving out pictures leaves a lot more room for detail (as I have noticed in "cursed").

 

temporary solution: i will leave out picture hunting but i have a picture handy for a fitting occasion i will use it. this means that i will probably try to find pictures for locations and NPCs etc...

 

 

tl;dr please drop some tips, tricks and general advice/requests/ideas.

 

 

progress updates

 

after a long first assault, i have managed to lay out the map for the main area (not revealing anything specific right now)

the time progression system is currently a vivid thorn in my side, i originally went for a cursed-style word-time, but i think a numeric time system would be much easier to pull off.

right now I'm tackling clothing restrictions and laying out all my clothing-related variables.

there are very few objects in the game as of now and probably won't be until the final phase of development when i'm sure i'm not adding any more variables to affect the clothing system.

next thing on the list is working out the dynamic descriptions and populating the world with NPCs

 

 

2

 

so after some more work i have decided to stick with a numbered time system.

IF i decide to add pictures. I have managed to find quite a useful source site and a few models in mind.

a breakthrough with the description. instead of doing it with a singular variable (as shown in the tutorial videos) i am instead going to be dedicating 10-15 variables to the player description, this means that instead of changing one variable, it's just swapping variables most of the time (again, much easier for me)

due to the atmosphere and setting i have chosen, most of the content will be softcore in nature, sorry, but hardcore stuff doesn't really sit with the story

 

 

3

 

after some slogging, i have made huge progress on the project, i have managed to set up a decent elevator-system i can be proud of, nearly got the entire local area finished and i am working on story elements.

i think i might even have an alpha for you guys within 2 weeks.

 

 

4

 

good news everyone! i have found out that by individually coding separate quick action commands for clothing, i can, instead of using one multi-purpose one that i have to additionally code, i can just code out 4-8 different commands now and just add objects at lightning speed later.

 

 

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to-do list

 

• set up a functioning clothing system (started, not even close to finished)
• create a fully self-contained city with multiple areas and environments
  -lay down a semi-permanent world map (1/4 done, leaving that for now, focusing on current area)
  -add detailed buildings and complexes. (started, amount planned still not decided)
• populate the world with interesting (and maybe dynamic) NPCs
• set up a simple and easy to integrate time progression system
• add features and events that bring immersion and realism to the world 
• set up a highly dynamic description system that changes depending on clothing and situation (that's gonna take a while) (abandoned for now, is currently a third-tier priority)

 

current features

 

NPC count: 20

variables: 30

rooms: 60

objects: 25

pictures: 18

random events: 22

 

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news on the picture front, i will have pictures on most things (buildings, rooms other characters etc...) but not the player. i am considering the addition of a system whereby you can change anything about your characters appearance, from hair length to skin colour. (skin colour may or may not be included.)

 

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requests/ story submissions should be PM'd to me and i can decide if i can work it into the project.

[Thulas]

Of course you can collect ideas what you'd like to implement, but you should make up your mind first on what sort of game you'd like to create. From long rpgs to a short minigame everything is doable, if you know how.

 

The second important thing would be a story. After all the best bukkake-scene has to come within a story. This also leads to various other questions, for example if you want a specific hero/heroine and things like that.

 

 

Just ask if you need anything.

[helgea]

Leave out pictures. More detail is always better and hunting for pictures can be difficult.

[Thulas]

Leave out pictures. More detail is always better and hunting for pictures can be difficult.

 

There actually are quite easy ways to get them. Skyrim-screenshots for example are a great (and somewhat amusing) way to make pictures for a RAGS-game.

[alako]

Picture hunting is a pain, but some graphic does help depending on the player. Also, once you know what site to do your picture hunting, things will go so much faster. I also get a lot of inspiration just from looking at random pictures online (not the sexy stuff, just character portraits, background, etc).

 

As for the file size. If you use photoshop, try converting any image you found to jpg around the size of 800x800 pixels. Also, pick the quality of jpg to high only. This will reduce all image to around 100k. So even if your game has 100 pictures, it's only 10mb.  The file size of the Verse is partly cause by gigantic images, and part cause by music file. If you are going to use music, try to cut the song to around 1min in length. You can do that by using freeware like Audacity.

 

If you have any questions about RAGS, feel free to pm me. I wish you very best of luck for your project. ^^

[teremaster]

Picture hunting is a pain, but some graphic does help depending on the player. Also, once you know what site to do your picture hunting, things will go so much faster. I also get a lot of inspiration just from looking at random pictures online (not the sexy stuff, just character portraits, background, etc).

 

As for the file size. If you use photoshop, try converting any image you found to jpg around the size of 800x800 pixels. Also, pick the quality of jpg to high only. This will reduce all image to around 100k. So even if your game has 100 pictures, it's only 10mb.  The file size of the Verse is partly cause by gigantic images, and part cause by music file. If you are going to use music, try to cut the song to around 1min in length. You can do that by using freeware like Audacity.

 

If you have any questions about RAGS, feel free to pm me. I wish you very best of luck for your project. ^^

 

 

thanks for the offer. to tell the truth, you are one of the reasons that I decided to do this.

[alako]

 

thanks for the offer. to tell the truth, you are one of the reasons that I decided to do this.

 

 

[teremaster]

the project is well and truly off the ground now, i will be keeping a little diary of the development as well as setting up a progress tracker in the OP that i will update regularly.

[Thulas]

Have you decided yet what the story will be? Or will you focus on the more basic features that don't depend on lore for now?

[teremaster]

Have you decided yet what the story will be? Or will you focus on the more basic features that don't depend on lore for now?

 

I have a definite story as of now, but I'm not telling until the alpha release.

[Thulas]

 

I have a definite story as of now, but I'm not telling until the alpha release.

 

 

Well, a good way to increase both expectations and interest. But no little hint either? Or maybe a teaser? No? Ok.

[teremaster]

if anyone wants to help well I've run into a problem, not a technical one, but a creative one. 

I'm compiling a bunch of locations that realistically in this situation would be separate, this is to make things easier for me (easier to code and produce) and the player (less walking around)

 

I need a rectangular building, double story. right now the limit is 20 rooms but that can be expanded.

 

for more details please PM me.

[alako]

 

 

a breakthrough with the description. instead of doing it with a singular variable (as shown in the tutorial videos) i am instead going to be dedicating 10-15 variables to the player description, this means that instead of changing one variable, it's just swapping variables most of the time (again, much easier for me)

 

You can actually do whatever you want with the examine action. For example you can break your description into a few display text commands and which to display is base on conditions. 

[teremaster]

 

 

 

a breakthrough with the description. instead of doing it with a singular variable (as shown in the tutorial videos) i am instead going to be dedicating 10-15 variables to the player description, this means that instead of changing one variable, it's just swapping variables most of the time (again, much easier for me)

 

You can actually do whatever you want with the examine action. For example you can break your description into a few display text commands and which to display is base on conditions. 

 

 

that's essentially what I'm going for right now. i'm just trying to make development as easy as possible without sacrificing too much quality.