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GDW Issue 7
Contents |
Information
The Game Dev Weekly Newsletter is managed by Avatar at PokeCommunity it is geared toward bringing more popularity to the games in the Game Development section.
Alternate format can be found here.
This issue, Issue #07 was posted Saturday, February 25th, 2006
News
Makeover
The Game Dev Weekly has had a makeover with an approach on more simplicity. This should also add even less loading time for dial-up users than before.
Games
There are no games featured this week.
Interviews
If you wish to be interviewed refer to the Contact Information section.
Pokemon Garnet interview
Platform: Sphere
My Rating: N/A
Thread Rating: 4/5
Information:
Beyond the regular experience of a Pokemon game, Garnet promises to have intensive plot, with various RPG elements.
Everyone is important to the story itself.
Interview by: Avatar
Interviewed: Sylph
Avatar: For how long have you been developing games?
Sylph: I started around this summer. I had previous contact with ROMHacks, back in February/March 2005, though.
Avatar: Any particular reason why you chose to move into the game development scene rather than the ROMHacking one?
Sylph: Since little kid that I dreamt of making my own games. ROMHacking didn't give the freedom I desired to do what I wanted, so I moved on to Game Development.
Sylph: ROM Hacking had limits of space, and there not was much one could modify. As soon as I found out about Game Development, I immediatly tried, again, to pursue my childhood dream, creating my own games. I was quite satisfied with it, and kept on working on games.
Avatar: Which was the first program that you tried?
Sylph: I was firstly introduced to RMXP- Translated Version. I tried making a few games with the DBS, and were complimented but some, but the majority didn't much like the use of the RTPs and Default Battle System and Default Menu System. So, that's how I moved on to Pokémon Shadow Dancer, to be worked on a few months before it being... "Kept in a box", so to say, due to details in its past needed to
Sylph: be revealed, and it couldn't be in the game.
Sylph: with these past experiences, I improved in game making, now moving to my current project, Pokémon Garnet.
Avatar: Why the name Garnet? What made you choose to name it as such?
Sylph: Well... I am very fond of precious stones, such as Opal, Saphhire, Emerald, Topaz, Lapiz Lazuli, etc. The advanced generation games also used gem-related names (Ruby/Sapphire/Emerald), due to its relationship with a gem of that sort. (Blue Orb, Red Orb. Don't know the one in Emerald)
Seeing much of my favorite gems' names were already taken, I chose Garnet, do to its vivid red colour, a colour
Sylph: good for its task in my game.
Avatar: In retrospect, what do you feel you have learned by working on your previous project?
Sylph: Various things. On my first game, I learned the basics of game making, like events and variables. On Shadow Dancer, I learnt ways of mapping better (mapping is what I like doing the most), imroved on my knowledge of events, variables, arrays, booleans, and learnt on how to make good use of them all together... I learnt the base on how to make games.
Sylph: I then spent some months "training" or so to say, to improve my skills.
Sylph: Something I couldn’t do if it wasn't for the help of constructive criticism
Avatar: What do you have planned for your game?
Sylph: beside the regular pokémon things (like CBS, CMS, Pokédex), the game will also feature many important characters to the story, and an intensive plot, more like a RPG like Final Fantasy instead of the regular Pokémon one. Everyone will be important. Besides, more on the system side, the game will feature a real time Day/Night system, similar to the one in Gold/Silver/Crystal,
Sylph: Card Collecting and Battling (Pokémon TCG), a more intensive relation with your pokémon (like you must cherish him, pet him, giving him food for him to like you more), many special events and mini-games, a more complex Pokédex and PokéNav/Gear, and you can befriend or hate your rivals, relate with them (in a friendship way :P), and more. You shall be able to be in various regions:
Sylph: Hoenn, Kanto, Johto and mine: Talya are confirmed, being the first two already mapped fully.
Sylph: You will also posess new TMs and HMs, as other new Items, Key Items essencially.
Sylph: These are the currently planned functions, many already made. Some may be added later
Avatar: Of all the current Pokemon games in production, what do you think makes yours unique?
Sylph: Intensive storyline and plot, and the ability to the player, for once, to really make the choices himself, and being able to befriend people.
There are some new functions that are also unique, but I think that's the most important. Oh, and teamwork! I couldn't do this without all the help that my friends give me :)
Avatar: Do you have an estimate on the progress of your game thus far?
Sylph: Well... if I go seperately...
Systems- around 25%
Mapping- Can't really say due to the amount of regions still being able to swap, but currently 47%
Storyline/Plot- 100% in paper, still 0% in game.
Graphics- 38%
I think that it's about it...
Sylph: Forgot to mention previously that the game will also feature some new Pokémon.
Avatar: Do you have any closing words?
Sylph: Well, I just want to say that none of this could be done without the aid of my friends, that help and support me all the way. And a special thanks to Dawson in introducing me to the Game Development community. Also would like to tell something to all game makers out there: Treasure your friends, because without them, you could not do your games.
Sylph: Do never forget that friendship is also one of the tools in game making. And an important one!
Sylph: if not the most important
More Info
Demo Unavailable
Pokemon Legends (working title) interview
Platform: RPG Maker XP
My Rating: N/A
Thread Rating: 4/5
Information:
Pokemon Legends was reviewed last week, if you would like to read the review click here
Interview by: Avatar
Interviewed: scompi
Avatar: When did you start making games?
scompi: I started about 1 year ago. And i learned more as i used more programs(rm2k3, rmxp, gm6, sphere)
Avatar: Which was the first program that you tried?
scompi: RPG Maker 2003
Avatar: What do you have planned for the game?
scompi: i am planning on putting in a rep. system and i am setting a goal for my self to make a move storing system(when you have four moves, the move learned goes into the Moves PC)
Avatar: How much progress have you made so far?
scompi: Well not much really, i have mapped 2 towns, 3 routes, and 1 cave. and i have fully finished town 1, with events and objects.
Avatar: In your own eyes, what makes Pokemon Legends unique?
scompi: Well, probably the battle system because there arent many fully working battle systems out there and also the name.
Avatar: Do you have an expected release date?
scompi: no, well guranteed summer 2006 or winter 06
Avatar: Do you have any final remarks?
scompi: Yes, i have finally gotten my new pokemon sprites, tell me what u think of them! they are on my site. Also i'd like to thank all the fans and support.
More Info
Download Demo
Website
Contact Information
Wish to be interviewed? Have any questions? Got news on your game?
Contact me on PC.
