[RELEASED] Donna: Avenger of Blood - PHASE 2 (nudity warning!)

[Dorcan]

Aarr, one of the few games I'm waiting the most!
Oh please, add-me at your beta-testers list  

I would like to comment more about your game, but I'm tired now, and it takes me a long time to write in english, particulary when it's about commenting something.

[Goldmund]

Farlander: Well, you don't seem to remember, but you and me had a day in Sweden when the top joke was to point at completely ordinary objects, such as household items, and ask in a completely serious, wondering voice: "Is this a penis?". We were very smart.

Dorcan: Arr, I'm really glad you want to beta-test! With pleasure I add you to the (yet non-existant) list. When you have more time, write a line or two, I'm curious of your opinion.

[Nacho]

That in-joke has been totally deleted of my mind!!!1! Maybe it's because there's a part of my brain who thinks that those kind of references to penises are a clear demostration that I'm actually becoming gay, which means that Lorena is just an alliby...

The other possibility is that Mittens was so fuc*ing funny that I am unable to recall all the jokes.  

Anyway, I would be pleased to be a beta tester, but you should be patience... I haven't been beta tested before, I won't probably do it very well at the beginning.   :

[fruity in nicaragua]

un-fucking-believable
this game will hit the community like a bomb  

KEEP CREATING!

[Goldmund]

Gee, thanks!

(in fact, I'm only posting this to make the thread go to the first page, as the updating of the "update post" seems to have failed to do this... go on 1st page to read update diary, if you wish.)

[GarageGothic]

Well, it sounds awesome Goldmund. I'm looking so much forward to this game.

About the apparition in the antiques shop (not enough games are set in antiques shops by the way), I think an important part of supernatural effects in games is whether you want the player to make sense out of it or not.

I was reminded of The Dig, where the first "ghost" inside the spaceship came as a total surprise. Then later on, you start seeing them more and more, and slowly you begin to realize that they're trying to help you, and that they might be the ghosts or astral bodies of the creatures who use to live there. It doesn't make it seem any more mundane, but it's the different between "weird shit" and "there's more between heaven and earth than is dreamt of in your philosophy". Repetition makes the player recognize a system, and if used right, this could be very powerful indeed. What makes them appear (or what triggers your ability to see them), what are they trying to communicate.

I love how you drop tiny hints about the content of the game and make us wonder how it all fits together.

[Lazy Z]

I just downloaded the trailer and the music tracks, and I have to say that your game looks great! I love the graphics style, and the overall atmosphere. The story looks very promising too. Moreover,  I'd say that the style of the game kinda reminds me of some commercial adventures of the mid 90's, such as Noctropolis (which is a game I loved, by the way). Donna is definitely one of my most anticipated adventure games, commercial or otherwise.

Could I become a beta-tester? Sadly I'm not a native speaker of English, but I'm an English major so I might be able to help with the language...

[Hueij]

this game will hit the community like a bomb

Just quoting something that says all I want to say.

Your game and Garage Gothic's one are going to show that not only Adventure Games are alive and kicking but also that they have matured in an unimaginable way. We're not talking games anymore, we're talking art...

[Bionic Bill]

Let me reiterate my excitement: EXCITEMENT!

I, and probably a significant part of the community, can't wait.

[Goldmund]

Wow, comments!
Thank you!

GarageGothic:
I skipped the antique shop part for some time and concentrated on later parts, although I'd have to return for this.
It was designed as just one room, but your enthusiastic approach to antique shops makes me think again.
As for "gratuitious" apparitions: then again, sometimes it works nice, if done with a certain self-conscious semi-serious manner, unless your audience is a crowd really hungry for "sense and meaning".
I like sense and meaning, although I don't think its obligatory to have them in a good book, film or a game - correction: I think you should have the meaning, but not necessarily the sense.

LazyZ:
Aha, I'm happy you like it! I've never played Noctropolis, but - as it sounds like an obscure game - you might well be right. I also found my inspiration in obscure games, like I Have No Mouth And I Must Scream or Dreamweb. Rule they do.
Thanks for your generous offer (and you must know it is generous considering the game's length); I haven't started to enroll beta-testers yet - once The Day comes and you're still willing I'll be delighted to ask for your help.
We, English Majors, have to stick together!

Hueij, Bionic Bill (and Fruity) - ............
You know I started worrying recently.
That expectations are too high. I'm afraid I'll turn unable to satisfy them.
After all, I've only given you a very scarce glimpse of the game.
I like it, but I don't think it will be that revolutionary.
This is my first one.
I hope the second one will be better, and I will be able to fulfill all my hints and desires exposed in my MA thesis.

[Bionic Bill]

I'm not expecting a genre-breaking tradition-defying monolith in the history of interactive art. I'm expecting an intelligent, interesting game. That's all.

[Lazy Z]

Cool, a fellow English major! Trust me, I'll always be delighted to help with the beta-testing of a game which features dear ol' Humsky.

And as Bionic Bill said, don't worry about satisfying expectations, I'm sure your game will deliver. I'd say more on this but Bill phrased it perfectly already.

[GarageGothic]

I'm not expecting a genre-breaking tradition-defying monolith in the history of interactive art. I'm expecting an intelligent, interesting game. That's all.

But c'mon, it's gotta be a monolith. You know, like the one in 2001, that makes everybody kill each other with bones and stuff when they get too close. I hope that Donna will be just like that.  

Goldmund said he was inspired by Dreamweb, that's all I need to hear. And, oh yeah, it has an antique shop. This will be a monolith, ya hear me?

[Goldmund]

Right. I've decided to put a quick update since today I started to see the light at the end of the dreary tunnel that making of Donna:Avenger of Blood was during last two years.

There are 116 rooms (most animated! kabazz shazzdrum!) now and I have everything planned up to the very end. I have to make yet 8 locations, which translates to around 25 rooms.

Of course, the only reason why I was able to make this much is that I rush through the game, making only room graphics, puzzles and key conversations; when I have everything ready, I will sit down to filling them with peripheral hotspots, conversations, character animations, sounds and other glitter. A plot re-vamp is also in order, as most of the time I was improvising.
The dimensions of this game made me feel that I need to know if I'm going to finish it, so having this basic skeleton ready will give me much comfort. I advocate this technique to anyone who aims at making a long game.

I still trust that I'm able to finish it before this year's end, if nothing comes in the way (job, anyone?). I still have to write my MA thesis (second in my life... nobody really knows why I'm doing the second faculty - it's one of life's mysteries...)

Also - if I knew how long it was going to make, I don't know if I'd go for it. But hey, isn't it the case with most big projects.

[BerserkerTails]

Whoo! It sure feels nice to see long games starting to come together. I'm really glad you stuck with this Goldmund, because it sure does look nice. Donna's been on my waiting list for a while now, and I'm glad to see that it's still under-production.

[simulacra]

I am very excited by this project - I really like the style!

[Goldmund]

Eh, the production is rather slow these days, actually it's nil for about 2 months.

The thing is, I finished my second studies and on 20th I defend my MA diploma... and it occured to me that it's time that Goldmund found a real job (my age and recent engagement to Dominika [!!!] were two deciding factors).
Bitten by this conscience I find myself uncomfortable working on something that -- at least on the monetary level -- is a hobby and won't repair my financial situation, not to mention securing my future...
Damn this life!
I've sent about 10 applications without a reply so far (unemployment being one of the biggest problems of Poland) but as soon as I get my boring cubicle and start to write some stupid promotional texts for cosmetics or the like, I'll complete this love-child game of mine... fast.

[FruitTree]

don't worry about the expectations Goldmund, this game's got style, and nothing beats a game with style.
even if it's filled with bugs it'll be a great play!
it's on top of my "most expected" list.

[Helm]

I am eagerly waiting for this as well. Seems like the project is heading towards the last 100 meters so to speak, exactly when real life decides to essert it's "realness". Well, good luck with life, engagement and making this, Glodmnu.

[GarageGothic]

Can't wait to beta test it