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Messages - Joseph DiPerla

#41
I admit, I haven't made any games in past few years because I am really bad at art. But, I have been practicing on many different tools lately. For starters, if you are not good at art at all, check out the list of assets I personally like that are good for adventure games on Unity's page: https://assetstore.unity.com/lists/2d-pixel-art-assets-for-point-and-click-adventure-games-171509. Some of the assets are 2d pixel characters. I find the one that matches best what I want if its not there already and I draw over it and use it as a template.

First off.. There are a lot of tools out there available that I like. I like using blit paint(https://pixelburner.itch.io/blitpaint-beta/devlog/149435/blit-paint-v042) to use textures as a brush to paint onto the scene. Then I use an online pixelator(https://onlinepngtools.com/pixelate-png) to mimic the pixel effect. Also what I do is take a 3D object, run it in the pixelator(Better to use objects than whole scenes as the pixelating algorithm might mess up the detail) and then paste it into the scene piece by piece giving it a truly detailed and pixel adventure style.

Mind you, all of this takes time and patience and fine tuning. But it doesn't really require that you have a lot of art talent. Itch.io has a lot of great tools to work with as well.

This here is a 2D character creator that creates cartoony style characters with tons of animations: https://mochakingup.itch.io/cc2d
Mr Easy Sprite animation (https://misterm.itch.io/mr-easy-sprite-animation) very reminiscent of the character walk cycle generator that was made in AGS years ago(https://www.adventuregamestudio.co.uk/forums/index.php?topic=47818.msg636448359#msg636448359).
Pixel Room Generator(https://lovebirdsnest.itch.io/pixel-room-generator) can create simple iso rooms.
If you are looking for 3D... Assetforge is a great kit-bashing toolkit that allows you to develop models easily. https://kenney.itch.io/assetforge-deluxe
Flowscape(https://pixelforest.itch.io/flowscape), also great for medieval 3d environments that have been used by AGS creators as well.

You can also check out other AGS threads such as here: https://www.adventuregamestudio.co.uk/forums/index.php?topic=21021.msg636621044#new and here: https://www.adventuregamestudio.co.uk/forums/index.php?topic=32234.0 and also here: https://www.adventuregamestudio.co.uk/forums/index.php?topic=14864.0 and another here: https://www.adventuregamestudio.co.uk/forums/index.php?topic=5644.msg67916#msg67916 and the last one: https://www.adventuregamestudio.co.uk/forums/index.php?topic=56164.0

Hope some of this has helped.
#42
Future Wars would be cool too.
#43
Quote from: CaptainD on Fri 19/06/2020 14:29:22
Quote from: Joseph DiPerla on Fri 19/06/2020 14:22:03
I also want to see a remastered edition of Zak McKracken with improved graphics, no dead ends and deaths and the bus being able to fly to and from the moon.

Weren't you involved with a Zak remake project at some point in the distant past?

I was and I had a small team. But it just never worked out unfortunately.
#44
I also want to see a remastered edition of Zak McKracken with improved graphics, no dead ends and deaths and the bus being able to fly to and from the moon.
#45
A Classic Tex Murphy Game called Mean Streets had shootouts from time to time and vehicle flying: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BxiTED-ZQW8
#46
Excellent! XAGE is developing nicely.
#47
Part of the reason I originally created adventurestockpile.com and then scrapped it was for that very same reason you outlined in your revised description. AGS Archives even tried this to a less elaborate extent. The fact of the matter is that there is a lot involved to make it worth it.

For one thing, it may need to be more than just AGS based games. It would need to be adventure games related in general. The reason for this is because many developers are trying different engines to develop adventure games such as Wintermute, Visionaire, Bladecoder, Adventure Creator, AGE, Etc. Some even try creating their own variants using Unity, Godot, etc.. Then there are upcoming engines such as XAGE. AGS is still the engine of choice I think to make Adventure games. But Visionaire for some reason is not to far behind. Adventure Creator is probably the closest in regards to games developed now and may soon surpass AGS as far as games being actively developed at one time. I think the reason for this is not so much that AGS is outdated or lacking in features. Not at all. Crimson Wizard and team have done a tremendous job to enhance AGS. However, some people like the ability to make 2.5D or 3D games. Others prefer the easy portability of these other engines so that they can create games for mobile and console.

The other thing is hosting. This can become costly and time consuming which is what lead AGS archives to abandon it's great site. A site like this most likely will require a lot of bandwidth and a database hosting. Most hosts nowadays provide "unlimited" storage, bandwidth and database data. But I noticed that many have a fine print to these details. In other words, unlimited is not really unlimited. And while the databases may allow for unlimited data storage... they have restrictions too. For example, almost all hosts have a MySQL database restriction allowing for 20 connections at a time max. Once that max is reached, your website will throw an error. Then there are hosts that truly do offer "unlimited" such as hostdepartment.com, but after a while, if a site is too large and has too many visitors.. performance is greatly affected. What you would need is a VPS or dedicated server host to properly run a site like this. However, even if you find an inexpensive host, you will face restrictions in bandwidth and storage. In addition, if you would like cpanel and additional support, it gets even more costly. With a VPS or dedicated server you also need to do a lot of maintenance and need to have a lot of technical knowledge regarding using said servers unless you opt to pay an additional $20 for cpanel every month. You can also host reseller services, but that is also expensive and will not meet your requirements most likely. Any way you are looking at it... to host the site you are looking to host, you are looking at spending $150 to $300 minimum every month.

If you want my suggestion... start simple. Grab hosting from hostdepartment.com. The only reason I say this is because for $7 a month, you can get unlimited everything with very little to no fine print. You also get unlimited concurrent database connections which believe me is very important. You can start by being a simple AGS news and review site. Maybe have simple community based features. Host a Discord chat, etc.. Slowly move into non-AGS adventure stuff. All the while you can run adsense ads on your site to gain some revenue and when you get a decent user base you can even start using patreaon for subscription based payments to help fund better hosting. I would even do Youtube videos and gain some recognition that way.

All in all, it would take time and patience. But if you start off with less ambitious goals, eventually you can reach the big goal.
#48
I had thought about doing this years ago.. But the costs and work to maintain such a site would be high. Such a site would require a lot of collaboration and a lot of money. A general hosting site would not work for this and there are tax and other legal considerations involved. I think Itch and Steam are the best way to go.
#49
You would have to write an AGS plugin that exports to Godot project files.
#50
One more tool. Blit Paint. Great for making backgrounds:
https://pixelburner.itch.io/blitpaint-beta/devlog/149435/blit-paint-v042
#52
A new sprite animator was released on Itch that is pretty cool. I think it would work great with AGS games and is very reminiscent of the Character Animator that was created for AGS years ago. Try it out: https://misterm.itch.io/mr-easy-sprite-animation
It is called Mr Easy Sprite Animation.
#53
I have to say that what i have tried is very impressive and very reminiscent of AGS. I havent tried the conversion yet. But if it wasnt for the fact that it has a commercial license(Not complaining about it, but the current AGS project license wouldnt really allow for commercial charge i dont believe) attached, i feel XAGE would make the ultimate successor to AGS.
#54
Freeing animals from their captive robot bodies can be another puzzle to solve.

Meeting Tails and Knuckles and making them a switchable character. Each with attributes of their own that helps solve puzzles. EG: Tails can reach high places.

Working your way out of mazes can be something to achieve in the game.
#55
I suppose all good things take time. My Star Wars MMORPG sim has been in progress for 7 years and counting. Looking back at what I originally had and seeing how far it has come is like night and day. The same with XAGE, AGS, etc.. all good things take time.
#56
Very cool. That seems very reasonable. I always thought Visionaire had a decent piece of software, but their licensing options were insane especially considering that AGS and adventure creator are far better. I downloaded Awakener for Android. Works smooth and 100%. Keep it up!
#57
Have you determined yet if you are looking to make XAGE commercial, license based or free yet? Visual Studio is a requirement? If so, free, ent or pro?
#58
I didn't want to post this in it's own thread, but I felt it was important to post. I posted it in other sites and called the article/post; Reject a healthcare worker, reject hope. I Also called it at times "Reject a nurse, reject your hope".

Please read:

Last week I began my week being told that my hours would be reduced at work as a result of the Coronavirus. By Friday, 4 days later, I was furloughed before the reduced hours began as a result of the state I live in shutting down non-essential businesses.

My sister in law is a healthcare worker as well. She unknowingly contracted Coronavirus. Now her husband, my brother also has it. And my my mom.

During all this time, while we are dealing with the same stress that everyone in the world is probably facing(Such as having my two little girls at home home-schooling), my wife who happens to be a registered nurse in an hospital emergency room is working tirelessly to take care of patients with limited supplies and excessive patients. She had already exposed herself to multiple dangers at her hospital as a healthcare worker such as disease(Other than Covid-19), dangerous Psych patients that inappropriately touch her and threaten her, patients who are just plain old jerks that have no patience for wait time and that berate and accuse my wife constantly. Remember that car that crashed into the ER two years ago intentionally and then the person setting himself on fire? Well, that is where my wife works.. Right behind those same doors. You know your 8, 9 or 10 hour shift that you work at your office or job, well my wife works a 12 hour shift. If that wasn't enough... despite my wife having a to be exposed to this sickness, to this hatred and lack of appreciation, my wife also has the same 5 days of sick time that all of us get and God help her if she happens to be sick just one more day over that time period. She is bound by HIPPA laws, constantly threatened to be sued... It is not a glorious job.

Would you like to know what my wife has to encounter now with this Coronavirus? Imagine a fire fighter going in to a burning building but only having a face mask and fire hose. Not much protection because of the lack of supplies and face masks or coverings. You know what risks she takes? Like a fireman who puts himself at risk of death, my wife puts herself at risk of death too. From patients and illness. My wife caught both Flu A and Flu B this year from taking care of two different patients that forgot to tell her they had the flu. Yet, do you know one difference between a firefighter and a nurse? A firefighter does not bring back the fire to his home. My wife can and does at times.

Do you know what my two little daughters and I go through every day that my wife goes to work? We wait and hope that she comes home safe and that some patient who daily says he will shoot up the ER or stab her, etc.. Actually fails to fulfil that desire. You know what else? We have to wonder what we are going to catch this week or next week. With this Coronavirus my wife has practiced social distancing from us all and that means that I or my daughters haven't been able to properly hug, snuggle, hold or kiss my wife in weeks. My wife hasn't been able to visit her very sick dad who has Parkinsons disease or even be in the same room with her own 75 year old mother.

But you know the worst thing about all of this? Besides that my wife's husband(me) lost his job and she now has to be the sole provider until this all settles down, besides the fact that she exposes herself to all this and has to be apart from all of us and friends because she is a nurse??? It is the fact that my wife is not allowed to pump gas at a gas station without being harrassed, threatened or assaulted because she is recognized as a healthcare worker. Or she can't go into a store to get necessities that we as a family need because they know she is a nurse. What is really sad is that this has been happening to a large percentage of nurses and healthcare workers worldwide.

You know what? If you have done this to a healthcare worker, please realize something: You are not just a coward. You see, it is OK to be afraid. But It's NOT OK for your fear, though, to treat others badly. No, you instead are a jerk. You are denying giving people what they need just for risking their lives to help you. Next time, before you do something like that ever again, just think: It may be you with Coronavirus walking into a hospital possibly infecting the staff and other patients and... my wife.

If you are a healthcare worker, do not stand for this. Walk out of the store or gas station. Call the police. Shame the business on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, Reddit, Instagram and Nextdoor.com and even report to your local news station. Do not stand for that injustice. It is OK to be afraid. It is even to an extent OK to be a coward. But it is not OK to turn people away when they are in need and it is far worse to assault them because you "Think" they are infected. Please Pass this message on!
#59
I figured they must have ported the game thru unity.
#60
Will Xage port to mobile?
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