Programmer wanted

[LDAF]

Hi, I've been working on my first flash game for a while now, and I was hoping that I may be able to find a programmer that would like to help. Now, I know what some of you are thinking: What makes this "Programmer wanted" any different than others? Well, I have one major thing going for me: I've completed all graphics for the game. All that needs to be done is the programming. When you see most other "Programmer wanted", people give you beta examples of the game. But no, the graphics for mine are 100% complete. I don't think it would be too difficult a game too program, it's a platformer with 4 levels, 2 bosses (1 in the second level, 1 in the last level) and 2 playable characters (both are available from the start). I've included below an image of one of the two playable characters, it's his idle sprite. It's just a quick one to show what the game basically looks like. Just in case you are wondering, I'm hoping for a Sept. 10 release, but it's ok if the programmer can't finish in time. You would have all the time in the world. I would happily give the programmer 50-60% of the earnings. The name of the game will be "Frostbite & White Fang", the two main character's names. NOTE: White Fang is also the title of a book written in 1906 by Jack London. The main character is a wolf, but I won't bore you with the details. I decided to name the second main character after the book since the second main character is a wolf, and second, I enjoyed the book, so I thought it would be humorous to include it in my game, almost like a spoof of the book. Well, I think I covered everything, please tell me if I forgot anything and I'll get to it. Thank you!

[LDAF]

At 7/27/09 04:54 PM, AlternativaPlatform wrote: I will give it a go.

Thanks, sounds great! So I guess I'll just stay in contact through pm and email, then. Thanks!

[LDAF]

Oh. Well... thanks anyway, I guess.

[LDAF]

Just in case somebody actually ends up being interested, there's one fact I forgot to mention: I was hoping to put in a mini-game feature (the player plays snake, since I want to keep that feature simple). Based on how many points, you would unlock new features, nothing major, just like concept art and stuff.

[LDAF]

Well... bump.

[Alpharius120]

You might want to show some animations.

[LDAF]

At 7/27/09 07:42 PM, Alpharius120 wrote: You might want to show some animations.

Yeah, alright, here's a quicky of the second character. I know the animation is bad, but meh... it's not all graphics that counts, gameplay is what really matters. Which is why I hope to find a programmer, lets look at the original mario bros. Crappy graphics even for it's time, but fantastic gameplay. :P I don't know why, but DA just shows the animation then stops it, I dunno why. So I guess ya have to refresh a few times to see the whole thing. Description will be under the animation.

http://ldaf.deviantart.com/art/White-Fan g-running-sprites-131141300

[LDAF]

Well, here's a better one from spamtheweb, now it loops:

http://spamtheweb.com/ul/upload/270709/7 9243_White_Fang_running_sprites.php

Same comments as previous post.

[El-Presidente]

Once more, work on your art. A programmer does half the job, but even if you have a well-programmed game, in order for it to do well, the art has to be good and fit the style. Your artwork basically looks like a less-than half-assed job, and could use some real improvement. So keep working and come back when you're ready.

[CraneShot]

dont take what El-Presidente so cold hardedly :).

[LDAF]

At 7/27/09 10:13 PM, El-Presidente wrote: Once more, work on your art. A programmer does half the job, but even if you have a well-programmed game, in order for it to do well, the art has to be good and fit the style. Your artwork basically looks like a less-than half-assed job, and could use some real improvement. So keep working and come back when you're ready.

I fully understand what you mean. Though when I was making the art, that is exactly what I was wanting the designs to be. In short, I'm actually happy with how they came out. I like the more simplistic art style, but I also understand what you mean. Was Pico there much more advanced looking? Yes, a bit, but not much. A character design, in my mind, shouldn't so much be based on next gen graphics, but a character design people can remember. Pico, here, again, has survived 10 years, with a design that people still remember and love. Frostbite & White Fang have the designs I had intended (and by the way, yes, I intended WF to be green, just to differentiate him more from the original character and add some humor). But thank you for the advice.

[El-Presidente]

At 7/27/09 10:22 PM, CraneShot wrote: dont take what El-Presidente so cold hardedly :).

Didn't mean it to be too harsh, but it's also the truth, and sometimes can be harsh.

At 7/27/09 10:26 PM, LDAF wrote: I fully understand what you mean. Though when I was making the art, that is exactly what I was wanting the designs to be. In short, I'm actually happy with how they came out. I like the more simplistic art style, but I also understand what you mean. Was Pico there much more advanced looking? Yes, a bit, but not much. A character design, in my mind, shouldn't so much be based on next gen graphics, but a character design people can remember. Pico, here, again, has survived 10 years, with a design that people still remember and love. Frostbite & White Fang have the designs I had intended (and by the way, yes, I intended WF to be green, just to differentiate him more from the original character and add some humor). But thank you for the advice.

While you make a small point, think about how much better Pico would have been if it had great graphics? Even though it's a great game, one reason it's played so much is because it came out at a time when Flash games like what were not as often found, and it became well-known that way. After that, it was played on and on. If your art isn't as good, it's highly unlikely it will give people a good first impression, and will be down voted in the Flash Portal. It's kind of sad, but once again, it's true. I'm just giving you my opinion, though!

[LDAF]

At 7/27/09 11:44 PM, El-Presidente wrote:

At 7/27/09 10:22 PM, CraneShot wrote: dont take what El-Presidente so cold hardedly :).

Didn't mean it to be too harsh, but it's also the truth, and sometimes can be harsh.

At 7/27/09 10:26 PM, LDAF wrote: I fully understand what you mean. Though when I was making the art, that is exactly what I was wanting the designs to be. In short, I'm actually happy with how they came out. I like the more simplistic art style, but I also understand what you mean. Was Pico there much more advanced looking? Yes, a bit, but not much. A character design, in my mind, shouldn't so much be based on next gen graphics, but a character design people can remember. Pico, here, again, has survived 10 years, with a design that people still remember and love. Frostbite & White Fang have the designs I had intended (and by the way, yes, I intended WF to be green, just to differentiate him more from the original character and add some humor). But thank you for the advice.

While you make a small point, think about how much better Pico would have been if it had great graphics? Even though it's a great game, one reason it's played so much is because it came out at a time when Flash games like what were not as often found, and it became well-known that way. After that, it was played on and on. If your art isn't as good, it's highly unlikely it will give people a good first impression, and will be down voted in the Flash Portal. It's kind of sad, but once again, it's true. I'm just giving you my opinion, though!

Yes, you do have a good point. First impressions are often the difference between a 0 and 5. Thank you for your advice, I will take it to mind, and try to think up a way to grab the player right away, and show them what I mean by gameplay over graphics. Thanks for your advice, I think if I use it to tweak an entrance, it may make the difference between passing and blamming. Thanks again!

[LDAF]

Another quick one, I've taken El Presidente's advice to mind and started working on "level transition scenes". They're little images you see transitioning between levels. For example, in most games, after completing level 1, you see a blank screen which then changes to level 2. In Frostbite & White Fang, after completing level 1, you see a quick image either telling what is happening in the story so far, or a humorous one. Here's just a sketch, it's not done, it's just for the basic idea. In case the picture ends up being too small, I'll explain what's going on: Frostbite finds a gun for the first time, and has absolutely no idea what it is, or what it does. White Fang, being the more intelligent of the two knows, and simply sits there smiling, thinking in his head "hand+trigger=Frostbite-his eye". Again, not finished, a sketch to present the basic concept. For example, if anyone could provide a tip on how to make the snow look better that would be appreciated. Thank you.

[LDAF]

I also did the music themes, so I don't need to worry about that, here's the loop for fourth level:

http://spamtheweb.com/ul/upload/280709/4 9072_music.php

[LDAF]

Here's the idle animation for White Fang...

http://spamtheweb.com/ul/upload/280709/5 1231_White_Fang_idle_sprites.php

If anyone needs to see anymore graphic images, like enemies, other character animations, bosses, level tiles, etc. feel free to ask.

[FlashtooREV]

Idle animation

He's obviously dead, as he isn't breathing.

[LDAF]

At 7/28/09 02:18 PM, FlashtooREV wrote: Idle animation

He's obviously dead, as he isn't breathing.

Ha, thanks for pointing that out, I wouldn't have noticed that. The new version is a little bit stiff, but it's not horrible.

http://spamtheweb.com/ul/upload/280709/5 3722_White_Fang_idle_sprites.php

[LDAF]

Well, I've covered the absolute basics of each major part, I believe. I might as well cover the story now, I guess: This game takes place in present day. A powerful political leader tires of his current life. For the past 30 years, it's been politics, day in, day out. He needs something new to revive his interest. He soon realizes he should move to an Arctic region, that will surely be an interesting new life. So he packs his bags, and leaves for the Arctic alone. Well, alone as in himself and a legion of robotic drones. Can't be too careful! After a few days in the Arctic, he is again bored with nothing to do. As he looks out his window, he sees a snow rabbit hoping along in front of his home. He grabs his rifle, takes aim, and fires. He knew what to do now for entertainment. For long months, the slaughter went on...and on... and on... until 2 individuals couldn't stand it any longer. Frostbite, a polar bear, and White Fang, a wolf who just happens to be green (because that's the way I designed him :3). The two get a move on, knowing they will have to scale dangerous mountains, scour dark caves, and make their way through their enemies base. And how? Well, the player will help too.

I'm running out of ideas on how to keep bumping this thread.

[Apple-Juice]

At 7/28/09 02:56 PM, LDAF wrote:

At 7/28/09 02:18 PM, FlashtooREV wrote: Idle animation

He's obviously dead, as he isn't breathing.

Ha, thanks for pointing that out, I wouldn't have noticed that. The new version is a little bit stiff, but it's not horrible.

http://spamtheweb.com/ul/upload/280709/5 3722_White_Fang_idle_sprites.php

It's a little horrible. (the breathing)
When i see this i think frog.
Subtle movements are your best friend! That's far too dramatic

[LDAF]

At 7/28/09 07:47 PM, Apple-Juice wrote:

At 7/28/09 02:56 PM, LDAF wrote:

At 7/28/09 02:18 PM, FlashtooREV wrote: Idle animation

He's obviously dead, as he isn't breathing.

Ha, thanks for pointing that out, I wouldn't have noticed that. The new version is a little bit stiff, but it's not horrible.

http://spamtheweb.com/ul/upload/280709/5 3722_White_Fang_idle_sprites.php

It's a little horrible. (the breathing)
When i see this i think frog.
Subtle movements are your best friend! That's far too dramatic

Alright, I've been trying to get in a motion tween for that, so I set the neck line as a symbol, and had that line recede, and go back out again. The breathing animation looks nice, but one major problem is that when the line recedes, the colors go outside the line. I tried to fix this by erasing the colors not needed individually, but then that just leaves a big white space in the chest. It's hard to explain orally, so here's what I mean:

http://spamtheweb.com/ul/upload/280709/8 0533_White_Fang_idle_sprites.php

Anybody know how I should fix that?

[Anamethatworks]

try using a shape tween instead. that should keep your fill neatly inside the lines. (or totally pull it inside out.. which case add some shapehints)

[LDAF]

I tried a shape tween too, and... oh Jesus the hilarious results can only be expressed visually.

http://spamtheweb.com/ul/upload/280709/8 2209_White_Fang_idle_sprites.php

[Anamethatworks]

yeah that does tend to happen sometimes, I suggest putting the parts you want to shape tween on a different layers so it doesn't mess with the rest. and if that still doesn't work, use shapehints.

[Foshizz]

There's one main thing you need for your drawings:
SHADING.
It will definitely help out. Remember to have a light source.

[Afro-Ninja]

At 7/28/09 10:42 PM, Anamethatworks wrote: try using a shape tween instead. that should keep your fill neatly inside the lines. (or totally pull it inside out.. which case add some shapehints)

you need to totally separate that part of the chest and put it on its own layer, either as a raw vector to be shape tweened, or a symbol to be motion tweened. You can't tween just the line, and you can't motion tween with other stuff on the layer

honestly I think you had the right idea before with the frame by frame approach. the reason it looks like a bullfrog is because you only animated the throat/upper chest. If you watch someone breathe, a dog even, notice that the entire upper body moves. fixing this to be correct isn't an easy thing to do, I'm just trying to help you understand why it doesn't look right.

[LDAF]

Hey, sorry to bump an old thread, but the old programmer (FlashStorm) decided to quit, so I'm in need of a new programmer. Not much has changed graphic wise, but I have an engine put together now, but it's very glitchy, so you can try to work with the current engine, or make a whole new one. As said before, this is not a very big game, nor is there anything extremely hard to program.