Archive: 22 posts

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BELOW THE ROOT - Chapter 1 : Green-Sky (revisited) VIDEO thanks to Ygg_Barasil <object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/T1-DS4q5IR8&hl=en&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/T1-DS4q5IR8&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object> NOTE: **This is a much cleaner and user friendly upgrade to the original Chapter 1 I made some months ago. Enough has been changed that I feel this warrants a new thread. Not a new spotlight, but a new thread. BACKGROUND: --- This Below the Root LBP series I've made is a tribute to the hit 1984 Commodore 64 computer game. This game was part Platformer and part RPG. Link to the C64 game: http://www.archive.org/details/C64Gamevideoarchive134-BelowTheRoot The game featured a large community of peaceful citizens living in giant trees called Grunds (sounds hippyish, but its not really). MY LBP SPIN: CHAPTER 1 : Green-Sky --- You are an errand-boy/girl who slowly learns, over the course of a few tasks around town, that your tree-top village home (called Green-Sky, in Grund Forest) is being attacked by a strange currosive mist. The forest creatures have turned evil and seem bent on taking down your friends and neighbors. And to top it all off, the Mayor is no where to be found. Why is this happening and what can be done? --- This episodic series (currently at 4 chapters, including the prequel) has been praised by many in the past and the revisions to Chapter 1 : Green-Sky just add more of what the fans of the series have come to love. --- Green-Sky is probably my personal favorite now of the series whereas 2 weeks ago it was my least favorite. "THE CHANGES" : - I've been practicing the cameras in LBP like crazy lately and am officially impressed with what can be done. I use to hate the camera tool but have incorporated it into every nook and cranny in GS-Revisited. - The text has been changed in many places and every mouth hooked up to perma-switches with beautiful and thought-out cutscenes - The story has been streamlined and the direction MUCH more obvious. - Those who did not like backtracking have very little to worry about now. The quests do not have you going back to areas you've already been to get objects you've already obtained for other quests. This makes for a much better flow. - The Mayor's Key is easier to navigate and even plays a greater role in this chapter! - The Spider Queen boss has been improved both in looks and functionality. - All butterfly objects have been updated to the latest standards. - The entire END sequence has been updated in all ways and is now just as beautiful as the rest of the level, IMO of course. - I changed many other things from lifts to lights and everything in between - I focused conciderably on removing the frustrating parts that made chapter 1 less of a level than the others. It was always beautiful and is even more so now. - CY attributes have been taken advantage of in every corner of Green-Sky. - Camera angles, camera angles, camera angles... I know I said that earlier but wow what a difference! And there is bound to be other changes I didn't indicate here but I know previous fans will enjoy this rendition even more. So grab your walking stick again LBP friends for another relaxing and magical romp through Grund Forest and Beyond with this epic series. A game I loved as a kid, and fealt possesed to create in LBP. Here are some pics to entice: http://www.lbpcentral.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=492&pictureid=4221 - Starting out! http://www.lbpcentral.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=492&pictureid=4224 - An elevator! http://www.lbpcentral.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=492&pictureid=4225 - Sweet Nectar! http://www.lbpcentral.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=492&pictureid=4195 - This guy wants his gem back, in this version of Chapter 1, he is the only one who'll need this gem! http://www.lbpcentral.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=492&pictureid=4199 - Endless New Camera Angles!! http://www.lbpcentral.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=492&pictureid=4198 - Visit the Tavern! http://www.lbpcentral.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=492&pictureid=4212 - The Gardens. Tending the gardens is now MAINLY OPTIONAL to explore! Only 1 gem required in the quest here. http://www.lbpcentral.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=492&pictureid=4207 - Even more fun in The Snake's Den http://www.lbpcentral.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=492&pictureid=4216 - Kill half an hour at least in the GRAND HALL (optional area) http://www.lbpcentral.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=492&pictureid=4214 - Do some fine shopping at Star Grund Shops! http://www.lbpcentral.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=492&pictureid=4217 - Track down the cowardly mayor in his mansion! http://www.lbpcentral.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=492&pictureid=4218 - 1 of 3 MATURE Spiders! http://www.lbpcentral.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=492&pictureid=4219 - Revised and totally upgraded like the rest of the level, the end is especially beautiful! MORE CHAPTER 1 IMAGES: Page 1 http://www.lbpcentral.com/forums/album.php?albumid=492 Page 2 http://www.lbpcentral.com/forums/album.php?albumid=492&page=2 See you all tomorrow with a NEW THREAD; Chapter 3 :Temple Grund (is 100% complete, just need to take pics tonight. PS if anyone wants to film either of these 2 levels for me I'd be forever in debt. Thanks everyone for your ideas and inspiration from which these levels obsorbed like a sponge. I love this game. It is the ability to create truly INTERACTIVE ART. This is better than a canvas and oils. PPS - Sorry for the long wait on these everyone, there had been... er... setbacks. Hopefully the levels will come quicker now, no guarantees though.

2009-06-06 02:03:00 Author: mindphaser74 Posts: 349

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Any chance you could upload the first version? I've never played it, and I'm curious to see what exactly you changed.

2009-06-06 05:30:00 Author: ConfusedCartman Posts: 3729

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Very cool! Went through the whole thing, and it's beautiful! This is an incredibly unique level, and I would suggest everyone give it a shot. I could definately see improvements from the original, and the design and platforming are spot-on. This was EASILY a 5-star level.

2009-06-06 05:52:00 Author: CCubbage Posts: 4430

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I just got through playing the level, as promised, heres my thoughts (I'll finish them this time!!!!). + Looks beautiful as always, great materials, lighting and details. + Nice platforming + Like the butterfly enemies + I like the tasks, and how the level changes to allow you access to the different parts, the branchs dropping etc. + Lots of prize bubbles to distract you and increase playing time. + You seem to have removed the obstructing tree branches covered with leaves, this was one or my major gripes with the first level + I love the feeling of exploration you get in your levels, its excellent. + The gardens looked fantastic + Loved the great hall, really good fun + Good coin hunt + Liked the boss, but got beat with one brain to go - None really, everything ran really well, and I like something to gripe about!! You can definetly see the improvements you have made and it makes the level a whole load better. It beautiful, great to play, and you really enjoy the whole exploration element of it. Unfortunatly I never saw the ending, the spider got me, but I'll be back to finish in a bit (promise this time). Really really good job, I loved it. *****, beautiful and hearted

2009-06-06 10:05:00 Author: GruntosUK Posts: 1754

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Any chance you could upload the first version? I've never played it, and I'm curious to see what exactly you changed. Sorry Cartman, as soon as I determined that the new version worked online, I deleted the old to make space. Very cool! Went through the whole thing, and it's beautiful! This is an incredibly unique level, and I would suggest everyone give it a shot. I could definately see improvements from the original, and the design and platforming are spot-on. This was EASILY a 5-star level. I just got through playing the level, as promised, You can definetly see the improvements you have made and it makes the level a whole load better. It beautiful, great to play, and you really enjoy the whole exploration element of it. Unfortunatly I never saw the ending, the spider got me, but I'll be back to finish in a bit (promise this time). Really really good job, I loved it. *****, beautiful and hearted Thanks so much CC and Grantos, I put so much into all these levels, I'm glad the changes didn't disappoint. I'll be going through Ch 3 pics today that I took last night. So I hope you're ready for a little more BTR. PS. I left my sackboy in the Ch 1 level online while I slept last night because I've heard that this can increase the plays. But when I got up this morning, I only had 9 plays, 5 of which were from me or my wife. I was still online too when I got up so am I missing something. How do people get 100 or even 1000 plays in 1 day, it never works for me

2009-06-06 16:34:00 Author: mindphaser74 Posts: 349

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I've never actually heard of leaving yourself in the level working. Intresting though, but it obvioulsy does'nt work!!!. I don't know how people get so many plays either, I'm not doing to bad with the lastest level though, 174 in around 15 hours Can't wait for part 3. I'll keep an eye out!

2009-06-06 16:38:00 Author: GruntosUK Posts: 1754

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Getting the plays is easy - just make small changes in your level and republish. Each time you republish after slightly changing your level it goes into cool pages for a bit and picks up plays. (if you republish without changing anything this doesn't happen). As soon as you publish your level fresh for the first time, it goes into a REALLY REALLY far down page in cool levels - in 7 days it disappears from cool levels. So, you have 7 days to climb as high as you can go based on plays, ratings, and hearts. The first day I publish a level I make sure I constantly do little changes and republish to keep it visible until it picks up enough plays to be further up in cool pages and people see it regardless. (by the way... the way the bomb levels and H4H levels get so high is the creators spam publish every 5 minutes for days to keep their level in the front of cool pages constantly until they get way up there).

2009-06-06 17:11:00 Author: CCubbage Posts: 4430

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Ive just been adding in a sticker, publishing, waiting until the level slips from view, removing the sticker and republishing. The plays are picking up, but my eyes are burning and my ears are sick of the **** pod music

2009-06-06 17:32:00 Author: GruntosUK Posts: 1754

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wow, that was a level and a half, talk about epic. loved it. my only gripe would be that I found it quite fiddly and kept getting stuck in bookcases and stuff. but the level of detail was just mind boggling

2009-06-06 18:09:00 Author: groble Posts: 223

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wow, that was a level and a half, talk about epic. loved it. my only gripe would be that I found it quite fiddly and kept getting stuck in bookcases and stuff. but the level of detail was just mind boggling Yes if I knew when I first made the level months ago all about invisible matter, I probably would have sealed up some of the nooks and crannies. Maybe I can work some more on that down the road. And Grantos and CC, great explanation of what I need to do. I just republished 2 hours ago and already have 4 more plays. A little tedious but once my series gets known I should be able to stop doing that all the time. PS I have made an album showing Chapter 3 PICS, Here is the link (until I get the thread made). The pics aren't in order though and didn't turn out exactly as they should have because I had been playing with global lighting and forgot to set the lighting back to what it was supposed to be before I took the pics: PAGE 1: http://www.lbpcentral.com/forums/album.php?albumid=494 PAGE 2: http://www.lbpcentral.com/forums/album.php?albumid=494&page=2 Thanks all!

2009-06-06 18:27:00 Author: mindphaser74 Posts: 349

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If DV-quality is good enough, I can film it. (Don't have capture-card, so you wont get it in HD).

2009-06-06 18:29:00 Author: Ygg_Barasil Posts: 58

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If DV-quality is good enough, I can film it. (Don't have capture-card, so you wont get it in HD). At the moment I'll take any offer. Trickster was the guy I turned to in the past but he has been missing lately. Thanks do it when you can and if you want and I'll be forever in your debt as well. Thanks Ygg

2009-06-06 18:32:00 Author: mindphaser74 Posts: 349

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OOOoo This series looks fantastic! The pictures amaze me! I'll come back later to report on what I think but so far I'm impressed!

2009-06-06 19:57:00 Author: Noroibito Posts: 211

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wow, that was a level and a half, talk about epic. loved it. my only gripe would be that I found it quite fiddly and kept getting stuck in bookcases and stuff. but the level of detail was just mind boggling Thanks I'm very glad you enjoyed it You should try the other 3 in the series (start with the prequel). Level 2 needs some more polish but many really liked that one too. And level 3 was published today!

2009-06-06 20:30:00 Author: mindphaser74 Posts: 349

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Oh wow! This has got to be one the longest and well thought out levels I have played. The sheer size of the level astonished me. The visuals were definitely quite astounding and a chock full of variety. I really wonder how you accomplished this level without killing the thermometer. Well the quests Majorly worked except of the bottle of nectar one. The ramp leading to the woman's house is quite steep. I had to try multiple times before I got the bottle in. Could you lessen the steepness just by a little. Of than that, The level was fresh and a blast to play. I wish I could talk about the improvements but I was too late to play the original. Well I'm of to play the next in this series and I expect it to by great! 5 Stars/ Complex/ Hearted! :blush:Oh and can you do some F4F with me please? I'd like you to play my level Siren: The Lost World [Episode 1-New Arrival] in exchange for the feedback I gave here. I'd also ask you to do F4F for the 2nd episode but wait a bit until I give feedback on your Chapter 2! Just keep an eye out! Thanks! I really appreciate it!

2009-06-07 00:54:00 Author: Noroibito Posts: 211

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Oh wow! This has got to be one the longest and well thought out levels I have played. The sheer size of the level astonished me. The visuals were definitely quite astounding and a chock full of variety. I really wonder how you accomplished this level without killing the thermometer. Well the quests Majorly worked except of the bottle of nectar one. The ramp leading to the woman's house is quite steep. I had to try multiple times before I got the bottle in. Could you lessen the steepness just by a little. Of than that, The level was fresh and a blast to play. I wish I could talk about the improvements but I was too late to play the original. Well I'm of to play the next in this series and I expect it to by great! 5 Stars/ Complex/ Hearted! :blush:Oh and can you do some F4F with me please? I'd like you to play my level Siren: The Lost World [Episode 1-New Arrival] in exchange for the feedback I gave here. I'd also ask you to do F4F for the 2nd episode but wait a bit until I give feedback on your Chapter 2! Just keep an eye out! Thanks! I really appreciate it! Thanks for your input Noroibito. I've got your level down to play tonight or tomorrow morning. I've only got a couple of people who want me to check out their levels. I'll adjust that ramp next chance I get too thanks for the advice. PS you might want to check out the series' Prequel level called Sewing Seeds first, it is just an intro to the series but gives you an idea of what to expect. Chapter 2 is probably the longest play but still needs a couple of fixes and CY updates. I'll be doing Ch 2 updates soon. TTYL

2009-06-07 01:09:00 Author: mindphaser74 Posts: 349

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Thanks for your input Noroibito. I've got your level down to play tonight or tomorrow morning. I've only got a couple of people who want me to check out their levels. I'll adjust that ramp next chance I get too thanks for the advice. PS you might want to check out the series' Prequel level called Sewing Seeds first, it is just an intro to the series but gives you an idea of what to expect. Chapter 2 is probably the longest play but still needs a couple of fixes and CY updates. I'll be doing Ch 2 updates soon. TTYL Oh so I should wait till you do another "revisited" of chapter 2? Or should I go for it?

2009-06-07 01:45:00 Author: Noroibito Posts: 211

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Oh so I should wait till you do another "revisited" of chapter 2? Or should I go for it? Well it is a very good level still, it was another spotlightd one, and you should play it now anyways I guess because I'm anxious to get feedback and plays on my newest level Chapter 3. And they tie into eachother.

2009-06-07 01:55:00 Author: mindphaser74 Posts: 349

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just added a great video to this thread in original post thanks to Ygg_Barasil

2009-06-07 20:01:00 Author: mindphaser74 Posts: 349

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Very fun level. -Great Visuals -Good use of back and foreground -Very good use of machinery I can't think of any negatives to be honest, just playing the stage feels great. The difficulty was fine, but sometimes using the springs to maneuver objects back and forth felt a little annoying. It was do-able, just unresponsive at times. Give feedback on my stage Electric Booga, thanks.

2009-06-07 22:41:00 Author: SlyNinja11 Posts: 11

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Very fun level. -Great Visuals -Good use of back and foreground -Very good use of machinery I can't think of any negatives to be honest, just playing the stage feels great. The difficulty was fine, but sometimes using the springs to maneuver objects back and forth felt a little annoying. It was do-able, just unresponsive at times. Give feedback on my stage Electric Booga, thanks. One of the things I was going to experiment with before the next level I do was jumpers. I've seen some PERFECT ones out there and I'm going to try my hand at a similar design. Thanks for checking it out and all SlyNinja, I'll check your level out next chance I get, I have a couple of other levels ahead of ya though. But I should be able to do them all tomorrow at the latest.

2009-06-07 23:23:00 Author: mindphaser74 Posts: 349

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So I played this level earlier today and wrote my comments on another thread. I'll rewrite them here and hopefully in a more helpful manner. First off, I think this level does a great job at recreating the opening town feel at the start of many rpgs that introduces the hero and teaches the game mechanics. Unfortunately, I felt a little lost in a few places in this level. This stemmed from having some of the springboards and sponges obscured behind 3D stickers. Once I got used to looking for certain things, like the flower spring beds, I was able to navigate fairly well. I would have appreciated a little more direction early on, just so I would know what I was looking for. I also would have appreciated some more direction for the backtracking bit at the end when you climb to the top. I definitely liked the coin puzzle and all the secret prize bubbles to find. I spent a while in the great hall and managed to score 2nd place on the scoreboard All in all, I enjoyed the level. I'm not a huge fan of chore based rpg sidequests, but the level was so beautiful that it really kept me playing it and motivated me to advance to the end. I gave it 4 stars, hearted it and gave it a beautiful tag.

2009-06-08 01:52:00 Author: dcf Posts: 468

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