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Halloween Town

Archive: 36 posts

PSN: Coxy224
Level Name: Halloween Town
Description: An entry for the LCA! Competition on LBPforum. Take a stroll around Halloween Town.

Ok, so I've been working on this non-stop for a couple of weeks now and the result looks pretty good IMHO. I've tried to re-create Halloween Town from the hit film The Nightmare Before Christmas. Whilst I was planning a whole level for it, it all broke on me - so just Halloween Town and a little more.
Mainly one for the eyes, but there is some gameplay in there as well.

I would love feedback and support for the competition it is being entered in, but just rate it fairly and heart if you think it deserves it

Thanks to Morgana25 for some expert advice and putting up for my constant updates!

And some pictures:
http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e56/Snoogyface/005.jpg
http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e56/Snoogyface/006.jpg
http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e56/Snoogyface/007.jpg
http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e56/Snoogyface/009.jpg

Thanks for reading.

2009-06-06 10:02:00

Author:
Coxy224

Posts: 2645

Hey Coxy, thanks for leaving feedback in my thread, heres mine in return!!

+ Love the custom characters, they great.
+ Liked the alternate way in, up the pumpkins
+ The twisted metal fences look ace.
+ The sleigh is'nt safe to fly, but check it out lol! I jumped straight in, but see below!
+ Sticker switch for more points, always like 'em!

- I went back where the ghost dog is in the graveyard, it followed me and knocked the gate post over lol!
- Global lighting tool to add fog might help in the forest area toward the end? Give it more an eerie effect, more details to might flesh it out a little.
- The sleigh would'nt activate or move, I tried all sorts

Let me know if i've done anything wrong with the sleigh and I'll replay, because I really want to have fun with that

I enjoyed the level, it had some excellent characters and nice ideas, I'm not sure of the competition but would have liked more hazards.

****, brilliant and hearted

2009-06-06 10:21:00

Author:
GruntosUK

Posts: 1754

lol, I never thought about what would happen if Zero follows you backwards!

Thanks for the suggestions, next time I get on I'll definately implement them.
As for the sleigh, unfortunately all it could really do was fly off the edge and smash into the end of the level! I've been working on getting it to do something else, but nothing should happen yet.
Thanks for the feedback

2009-06-06 10:37:00

Author:
Coxy224

Posts: 2645

Thats all I wanted to do Coxy, fly it off the end and watch the carnage

I would'nt move though

2009-06-06 10:48:00

Author:
GruntosUK

Posts: 1754

Sorry I cannot play, the PS3 is updating funny...

Looks nice though. I'll be sure to play it, you did mine.

2009-06-06 10:55:00

Author:
dkjestrup

Posts: 672

hey coxy playing it now, some feedback for you (in the same format as grantos becuase it works so well):

+the characters all look great
+music and lighting is spot on and works really well.
+the environment is very nice
+the sticker at the end worked well and made me go back in and take a look at what it unlocked.
+zero was a nice touch

-the global light switch by the forest is visable.
-its a shame the sleigh didn't work I was looking forward to zipping off in it
- I found it a bit hard to navigate past the gravestones becuase I kept jumping and getting stuck, it was maybe a bit cluttered.

otherwise very good level, I call it cute and gave it 4*

2009-06-06 11:36:00

Author:
groble

Posts: 223

Hey. First off, everything here felt spot on to nightmare before xmas. The characters were brilliantly reproduced and the whole scene had the dark but fun kinda vibe with all the scenery being spot on. To well done on that.

The only real problem I had was around the gravestones and I think I have a solution to that. Basically when you plane shift backwards you can end up on the back plane. Its hard to see you aren't supposed to be there and it's not obvious which plane you are on and when you run left you get stuck and can see yourself. so you jump and end up here (hopefully you can see my eyes

):

http://www.lbpcentral.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=493&pictureid=4230

You can get back out again which is good. but you end up back on the back plane. If you run right from this point you end up in some underground tunnel that I guess shouldn't be there.

If you block of the back plane at this point, or play with the ground levels so that the auto-plane shift forces you into the middle layer, I think you will solve the problem.

I rated this 4* and beautiful.

2009-06-06 11:52:00

Author:
rtm223

Posts: 6497

Ok, so the folowing updates will be made soon:

Graveyard section made easier to walk through without being shifted between planes
Hide the GLT by the forest
And the one you all wanted - sleigh carnage will be unleashed! You will be able to jump into the sleigh and watch the carnage!

Thanks for the feedback guys

2009-06-06 12:09:00

Author:
Coxy224

Posts: 2645

And the one you all wanted - sleigh carnage will be unleashed! You will be able to jump into the sleigh and watch the carnage!

christmas has indeed come early

2009-06-06 13:05:00

Author:
groble

Posts: 223

Added the updates I promised (meaning you can now mess around with the Sleigh) along with some more polish issues sorted.
Thanks to everyone who has hearted or given feedback, much appreiciated

2009-06-06 14:04:00

Author:
Coxy224

Posts: 2645

that slay is everything I hoped it would be. I crashed straight into the wall and 2 of the reindeer exploded. good times. thanks coxy and good luck with the competition

2009-06-06 14:13:00

Author:
groble

Posts: 223

ok here's some honest feedback...

Some great character objects.
the level is short but visually great.
The graveyard is top notch visually but really needs some eerie lighting/fog as does most of the level. in my opinion, its too bright for halloween town.
When your jumping along the pumpkins, they light up, but not very visibly since its bright anyway.
in the graveyard, i fell below the main level (mentioned in a post above..)
zero follows you i run away from him, i pull the switch across the hole, run back and he follows me but nothing really happens when he reaches the end...(i was expecting something to happen since there was a lever which raised platforms but it was kinda useless)
anyway the forest is great, not half as good as the graveyard, but still needs more eeriness.
the sleigh looks really cool. but flies out of control badly and crashes into blank canvas. maybe if it were to crash and explode into scenery similar to that of the rest of the level? (just a suggestion)
i liked the level but it didnt stand out for me. i rated 4 star cos of the detail in the graveyard.
good luck in the competition...

psn megablob feedback me please honestly

2009-06-06 17:32:00

Author:
MegaBlob

Posts: 291

Hey Coxy, I played your latest creation today.
Here are my thoughts:

Pros:
+ The characters were great, Sally was especially well done!!
+ Great scenery
+ Sticker switch for replay value
+ The sleigh made me really laugh, see below*

Cons:
- Perhaps a little bland in the forest area, there is room for some more scenery here and there.

Misc:
It did remind me a lot of RE_pulse's NBC level, wich I think served as your inspiration.
Wich isn't a bad thing, btw

I gave it 5 stars, it really made me laugh the second time around.
Tagged it fun and hearted it. Well done Coxy!!

Good luck in the competition as well!!

*Sir Sackboy's adventure in Halloweentown:
http://www.lbpcentral.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=323&pictureid=4274
Awesome, authentic skeleton reindeer!!

http://www.lbpcentral.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=323&pictureid=4275
Hey there!!

http://www.lbpcentral.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=323&pictureid=4269
I'm king of the world!!

http://www.lbpcentral.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=323&pictureid=4270
OHMYGOSH, I'M FLYING!!

http://www.lbpcentral.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=323&pictureid=4271
No, wait....

http://www.lbpcentral.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=323&pictureid=4272
help....me

http://www.lbpcentral.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=323&pictureid=4273
Also, I ate your reindeer

THE END

2009-06-06 23:12:00

Author:
Zwollie

Posts: 2173

lol, thanks a lot for that.... inspiring bit story!

The sleigh has been thrown in for people to have a laugh and I'm pretty sure it's as unpredicatable as in your story. Thanks for the laugh though

2009-06-07 06:41:00

Author:
Coxy224

Posts: 2645

Can't play it...but it looks good! Have you tried RE_Pulse's Nightmare Before Christmas level? It looks so, cuz you have the costume, but just curious

2009-06-07 06:44:00

Author:
Theap Pleman

Posts: 670

Yes I have, and I've probabley played it dozens of times through as well because it really was excellent. I used it pretty much as an inspiration for this level as he really captured the feel of the movie

2009-06-07 06:50:00

Author:
Coxy224

Posts: 2645

Hey!

Okay, so I've played it.

Now, I have to admit, it has been interesting watching you constantly improve as a creator. Your first levels, to be honest, were quite rubbish

but I can definately see you've improved a lot. I was a BETA tester for Coastin' in the Jungle. At first, I hated the level. I gave it 3 stars. Coxy then got proper feedback from other people here :embarrassed: and the level improved greatly, getting into the spotlight, so I gave it another go, and liked it a lot, changing my rating to 5 stars, and I believe I hearted it. Mine cart Madness was also interesting (played it today actually, after Halloween Town). I liked the mechanic, but unfortunately the wheels kept braking, so I gave it 3 stars.

Now this. Firstly, I will say it is very short, although I appreciated you had problems with it, so this didn't affect the rating I gave you. The level looks fairly nice, and plays alright. I realise the idea was a visual experience. Regarding this, I think I know why I didn't like your earlier levels that much. You see, the level feels, a bit flat. Don't get me wrong, the character design, material choice, and the shaping of materials is very good, as good as I can do infact. You are missing in the detail. This level wasn't bad, but I've realised what could make it so much better. Lighting. For your next level, I suggest you practice and practice at lighting. Lighting is a vital part of a level, and really adds to the atmosphere and visuals. I'm sure you will agree on this. If you want references, try "Takelow" and his levels, or Morgana25s, as they both use it superbly. Not to toot my own horn, but my Maui level (unfinished, but still playable) and Sonnet of the Gargoyle use lighting fairly well too.

In conclusion I give this level 5 stars and a heart. I'm in a good mood today, and I may have given you a four on another day, as I'm about 4.5 on this one. It is a quality level, and I can see you have put effort into it.

I hope in future that you use lighting better, and you may find yourself with a very nice level. I will look forward to your next

PS. Hope this helps you!

2009-06-07 06:59:00

Author:
dkjestrup

Posts: 672

Ah DK, never one to like my levels first time out

But I like that in you - I've always got something to work on whenever you've played it, and I like to work on what you give me so next time I can show you! Yes though, the lighting is pretty feeble in most of my levels so you have a very good point again.
Thanks for the feedback and I'll see what I can do

2009-06-07 07:15:00

Author:
Coxy224

Posts: 2645

Ah DK, never one to like my levels first time out

Good to see you took it the right way. Lol I guess I can be mean :hero:

I just played an awesome level, "Bear Grylls: Born Survivor - The Jungle" by "BlahYourHamster". It was really beautiful, and had decent lighting, although I believe he used someone elses waterfall in one point. Worth looking at imo. I was really surprised!

2009-06-07 08:23:00

Author:
dkjestrup

Posts: 672

Ah, don't worry about being mean - all the best critics do it

On-topic, I just published a major update fixing the sleigh, adding in some better lighting and putting in more hidden secrets!
Thanks for the feedback from everyone as usual

2009-06-07 11:48:00

Author:
Coxy224

Posts: 2645

I`m not sure what the rules if the challenge were so not sure if you did it, but good luck anyway.

As a level, it`s a step down visually fom RE_Pulse`s Halloweentown level. Of course that level is one of the best looking levels around so there`s no shame in that. What I was more disappointed in is that the challenge was much the same too. I was really looking forward to getting a proper level with those wonderful visuals.

I dunno if the competition allowed that right enough.

Anyway my only suggestion for the visuals would be to add more lighting in the town part. A few hidden LEDs can make a huge difference.

Gets 4 stars and a 'beautiful' tag from me.

2009-06-07 21:17:00

Author:
Matt 82

Posts: 1096

Yes, lighting has been known as a problem in my levels in general. I may darken the whole level slightly so I can put in some proper lighting. I did add some in other places though, and tried my best to add some sort of gameplay whilst maintaining some sort of graphics.
Thanks for the feedback though and I'll try to improve on it

2009-06-07 21:38:00

Author:
Coxy224

Posts: 2645

Got to play the published version a few nights ago and really liked it! Your characters are great and I think you have the only Sally on any Nightmare Before Christmas level I've played. Major points for that!

The idea of the sticker to get to the sleigh is cool too. It will drive replay to the level which is cool - although I can't help but think if the sleigh delivered you to a Christmas themed scoreboard that would be cool too.

I think my favorite part is the graveyard. Nice job on the stones and setup. Zero is adorable! He knocks over stuff if you go backwards though. lol.

If you have thermo left I'd like to see more interaction with the environment too - stuff to move or swing from - like the gate wheel.

I know you had big time, time constraints on this and to have created so much with so much detail in such a short time is impressive. If you decide to revamp/revisit it I think you could have a 5 star level easy - as it is I rated it 4 stars and tagged it beautiful! Hearted it too - how could I not! Thanks for letting me give suggesstions and for the early sneak peek!

2009-06-09 17:22:00

Author:
Morgana25

Posts: 5983

Yeah, I didn't think about the christmas themed scoreboard - that would be really cool though, next time I get on I'll definately implement that

I expect that I'll revisit this one after the contest is over and judged and just pad it out a bit and add more interactivity. I knew that by making you test it I'd have to give you something in return aswell Morgana - so I had to add Sally! She was actually pretty fun to make as well.
Thanks again for testing though Morgana

2009-06-09 17:48:00

Author:
Coxy224

Posts: 2645

Looks good, ill check that out soon...hopefully today.
See ya then!

P.S
If you dont mind, check out my thread 'Can You Think Of Something Cooler? (https://lbpcentral.lbp-hub.com/index.php?t=t=12373)'
Thanks!
BlackHairedGoon.

P.S
Im making a book soon, right here, on LBPC. Check it out once its up...IF its up.
Im not sure if I should.
=

2009-06-09 18:57:00

Author:
BlackHairedGoon

Posts: 160

It looks really nice and the sleigh's random misfires are fun. More of an art exhibit than an actual level. I didn't really see anything wrong with it.

2009-06-09 21:10:00

Author:
Loius

Posts: 342

Hey,

Just played your level a second time (because of the sticker). Nice touch, btw.

I liked the detailed characters. Also the nice details on the graveyard.
Cool ghostdog, btw

(At the end, try to fix the mouth on the last lady. It kept popping up. Maybe a permanent switch with one-shot setting can do the trick?)

OK, second time. The sleigh. Hm... That went wrong

It broke and I fell off in the "pit". Restart: now it worked, but I couldn't reach the price-bubbles. New restart: sleigh worked again. When I tried to jump off in front of the sleigh, the rockets started and lifted me high up in the air. And no other way to return then dying..?

Based on the first experience, I'll rate it 4* with a fun-tag.

2009-06-09 22:26:00

Author:
Ygg_Barasil

Posts: 58

I got to play this level a bunch last night and I can see that you?ve fixed up some spots since my last play through.

I?m really happy with the fixing of the sleigh and now we don't fly off the end of the level. It is a bit odd that you cannot jump onto the stone table from the ground. Possibly that increases the challenge by forcing the player to get up there while flying the sleight bit it is a hard thing to do.

I searched all over and found another secret that I hadn?t found the first time through but my score is still much below the highest few on the scoreboard so I?m sure that there are a few more out of the way or hidden bubble caches somewhere. Good work on hiding them so well.

I agree with the comments of the other posters, you have done a very good job on your Sally construct and I?m happy to see that someone is finally giving Sally some time on the stage.

The lighting in the forest is good with the blue highlights and dimmer light settings. The Zero bubble cache is a clever one and took me a while to figure out. It is obvious in hindsight however.

This level is mostly a set piece with some playable elements and some puzzles to solve. It is fun to play through and the quality of the constructions make me want to play more of this level when you are able to add onto it.

Here are some issues that I noticed during my plays.

-You have one of the collectible prizes on this level using something from the Monster Pack DLC and since I don't have that pack I get an error message/prompt saying that I cannot get that prize from your level as I don't own the pack.

-As you move left from the starting point the camera pans over and up to see the mayor of Halloween town. You are able to see a part of the orange light above him. You can also see these orange lights pretty easily if you jump onto the tops of the pumpkins to the left of the mayor.

-The mayor himself isn?t glued down and can be knocked over. This may or may not be a bad thing depending on your preferences as a creator.

-There is a hole in your level just at the gates to the cemetery. If you walk up the hill and change layers to pass through the gates to the cemetery, move to the back layer and then move right so that you are now behind the right pillar of the gate you will fall down a hole. From this underneath area you can walk around underneath the tombstones and the only way I've been able to get out of the hole was to suicide out.

-In the cemetery in the front layer is a small cross shaped tombstone that is not glued down. This one can be knocked over though I don't think people will jump down to this front layer often.

I look forward to seeing more of the level as I want to get a notch or two higher on the scoreboards before this competition is all over. Good work.

Cheers

2009-06-10 16:29:00

Author:
Trindall

Posts: 297

Wow, some really good in-depth feedback there so thanks a lot

I'll make sure I change some of the camera angles and glue people (and tombstones!) down so thanks for showing me them.
I realised that there was problems with the back layer - but I totally forgot to get rid of the random tunnel that appeared!

I'll be fixing those problems ASAP

2009-06-10 18:38:00

Author:
Coxy224

Posts: 2645

Liked this a lot.

2009-06-10 18:41:00

Author:
BasketSnake

Posts: 2391

Care to elaborate on that?

Anything in particular you liked/disliked about it?
Any suggestions?

2009-06-10 18:53:00

Author:
Coxy224

Posts: 2645

Okay, let jump staight in.
- You can see green spotlight at start.
+ WOW! So much work into the first character.
+ Nice pumkins dude!!
+ Yellow light has nice effect.
+ Nice ghost dog!
Not bad point: At the pumkin steps, if 1 person goes up the steps, and another goes right into the pumkins, you can see Dark Matter and yellow spot lights. But you cant help that.
- You can see a bit of dissolve material on the back pumkin after the ghost dog.
- A bit short.
-Nice last character! Who gives you sticker.
+ Good secret! Makes you play again.
Not a bad point : sleigh hit first pillar. Lol.

4/5 hearted. No F4F for me look at my sig.
Excellent!

EDIT: Just noticed cever hidden sticker switch after gate. Cool. =D

2009-06-11 22:08:00

Author:
BlackHairedGoon

Posts: 160

I really likes the visuals in this level - it was very spooky and well presented.

The music was great and I loved the pumpkins.

The ghostly dog was brilliant although I did have a bit of difficulty getting past it after I'd picked up the sticker (and was on my way backto the beginning).

Once back at the beginning with my sticker, loved the ride.

Good level - I enjoyed playing it.

Icey

2009-06-13 20:15:00

Author:
IceMaiden

Posts: 1057

Hi Coxy,

just played this one, some feedback...
+ Nice character design
+ love the pumkins
+ cemetary is very well designed

- it's a bit short

- i found the black material in the woods a bit out of place

some tips...
* at the pumpkins where you have to jump, there are some yellow lights above them (which go on, once you land on them) those could be a bit brighter imho because you can hardly see the effect now.
* your moon could use some lightning
(maybe use the moon sticker as well?)

all togheter a nice level, but i would like to have it a bit longer...

oh btw: i was a bit confused when i started this level, because several things at the beginning of the level seem to "move" occasionally, altough i don't think that was your intention? I looks like somekind of bug...

cheers,
misty.

2009-06-15 18:44:00

Author:
Mother-Misty

Posts: 574

Thank you for leaving me feedback!
I tried your level and here are some issues that occurred to me:

- the giant car at the very beginning bounced a bit maybe you have to reduce the strenght of the piston, or the max lenght.

- you can actually pass through the gate without open it, I went to the left, went to the middle layer, rushed to the right and sackboy automatically switched the layer and I was in front of the gate!!!
I guess it's due to the shape of the gate itself...

Other than that I found it really sticked to the original atmosphere of the movie and with my grim-reaper costume it looked great! lol

Rated :star::star::star::star::star: and <3

PS
Also the sleigh was beautyfully made, but the flight was kinda too short... ?_?

2009-07-05 17:00:00

Author:
Miglioshin

Posts: 336

Okay, I'm gonna try this again. I just learned the importance of the "remember me" box when you log in. This will be my second time posting feedback for this level, but the first anyone will see.

First off, thanks so much for your feedback on my level. Much appreciated.

So I played through "Halloween Town" and I was looking forward to it because The Nightmare Before Christmas is one of my all time favorite animated movies.

Fountain Statue - cool looking, like the thin on thick layer relief
Mayor - looked great!
Pumpkins - Cool! - the way they were shaped and lit they looked like they move as you move by them.
Gate Obstacle - Cool iron work - good little puzzler, took me awhile to figure out that the wheel on top actually lifted the gate - weird to see it floating alone on it's own.
Skeleton Tree - Creepy - i expected something to happen if you pulled on them but nothing did.
Cemetary - My favorite part. So cool looking throughout. I love how you split the entrance gate between layers and used the iron work for perspective. Brilliant!
Zero - Well done, made me chuckle out loud.
Curly Hill - The perfectionist in me wants the shape and texture of the curl to be worked on some more since this is such an iconic part from the movie. The player in me just loved to be able to run my sackboy up the curl in front of the moon.

(another perfectionist gripe - you can see the dissolve green on the pumpkin that will end up disappearing - fixable by just enlarging that brown sticker)
Shady Woods - Liked the shafts of blue light - could look even better with a pump up in environmental fog.
Sally - She's great.
Jack finally! - but he's just a sticker, oh well.
Sleigh - Tricky to get back across level to open up sleigh part. Kept running into Zero. Loved the sleigh design and skeledeer! Ride too short, but crash and broken bones fun. Then I got stuck essentially. Couldn't reach score bubble reward and could only continue by jumping into gas and committing suicide. Hopefully this doesn't mean I missed something there.

Fun level to play. Thanks! 4 stars/Beautiful

2009-07-08 07:49:00

Author:
J_THUNDER

Posts: 13

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