Archive: 24 posts

---

I mentioned my alchemy series idea in the ideas section but now I'm in the process of actually creating it, I thought it'd be worth making a new thread here to use as a log for myself and to hopefully get some feedback too. The Alchemy Series is going to be a collection of 13 levels. Each level hopefully spanning about 10 minutes long. The series will be split up into four elements: Fire, Water, Earth and Air with also one final level known as "Void". So there will be three levels for each element. As you'd expect, each elemental level will have it's own attributes so you'll be seeing a lot of fire hazards in Fire and you'll be flying all over the place in Air etc. I'll be releasing the levels one at a time and they can be played in any order. However, to access the final Void level you'll need to finish every other level in the series. I'm completely open to ideas and suggestions so if you have any I would love to hear them. [9th December '08] Well I thought it over and I decided to scrap my current version of Air I. I just didn't like how it was going at all. So I've started anew with new style and layout, but still carrying over a lot of elements from the first try. It's going much, much better and I'm a lot happier and more inspired to work on it now. I'd say it's already 20% done for sure. I'll try and have it up before christmas. [7th December '08] To RockSauron (lol, you are the only one who reads this): I haven't given up on the series, but I'm kind of taking a break from create mode until I actually feel inspired to create again. I'd just forget about the series for now and I'll advertise any levels I finish. I may finish Air I tomorrow, I may finish it in Febuary. I just don't know. [29th November '08] Finally got some pretty nice characters going. Well, they're the best I could hope for I guess. I'm really liking how the boss is coming along. It should be quite original. My only concern is that it will be way shorter than it should be. It's still going to be a few weeks until it's done unfortunatly. Two at the very earliest I would say. At this pace, I really do question when the whole series will be finished. :S [25th November '08] As always, the progress on Air I is there but as slow as always. One good thing to note is that I've made about 50% of a boss and I'm pretty happy with it. If you enjoyed the lava beetle, you'll definetly enjoy this one (assuming the last 50% goes as planned). I'd say the level is about 40% done. Oh, and it now has a name. Corvus Valley. It'll be out...Uh...When it's ready. EDIT: Oh, I also had a wicked idea for a side-level to the series. A boss run. I plan to have a boss for every level in the series so there will be plenty of bosses to run through. Due to restrictions, I'd have to limit it to about 6 bosses a level so I shall split it into two levels. "Fire and Water boss run" and "Earth and Air boss run". It'll be set up so at the beginning of the level there is a race gate and then you have to run through the bosses in this sort of fashion: Fire I boss, Water I boss, Fire II boss, Water II boss, Fire III boss, Water III boss, end. Should prove pretty fun and hopefully people will compete for high scores. I actually have tons of ideas for mini-levels but considering the level upload restriction, there won't be too many. [24th November '08] Air I is moving along slowly. Very slowly in fact. I'm only about 25% done. I'm struggling for inspiration in a lot of areas to be honest and it's making the whole thing quite frustrating. I thought I'd be able to handle this ambitious project but I spend a lot of time just going into the editor, looking at what I already have, hating it, then quiting and "stuffing it for later". I do WANT to finish the whole thing. It's just that I'm not quite so handy with the create mode as I thought I would be. Especially when it comes to creating characters. Those ants were child's play, now that I need to make birds, it's a whole different ball game. The fact that Fire I has already fallen into obscurity outside of a few select people is not a good sign either. I'm happy it got the plays/hearts that it did but I don't think it's even been played once in the last 2 or 3 days. I'm beginning to question whether putting the many hours into making the levels is even worth it. Well, for now I guess all I can do is try to make progress with Air I. Though if I can't produce a level I think is fun to play, I won't even bother publishing it. [18th November '08] Very slowly progressing through Air I now. The basic stuff is all pretty much layed down but it's still a long, long way from completion. Air I will be set in a grassy hillside region and unlike my previous level, there's a little plot going round and even some key characters here and there. There's a very strong theme centered around birds, I'll leave it at that. It won't play quite the same way as Fire I either in the sense of it not being a straight left to right platforming dealie and there will be tasks within the dialouge to complete. There will still be a great amount of platforming too of course. I also concluded today that I'm going to need 2 levels for my plans with Void. I may be getting in over my head but I think it will all be done in time and there will eventually be an entire series ready to play. My only concern of now is I won't have enough upload slots to fit in all the stuff I want to make. :O [15th November '08] Thanks to anyone who played my level. Seems a lot of people had trouble finishing it though. I didn't think it was THAT hard. o__o I'm working on Air I and Earth I now. Air I should be up by the end of the month. I've also decided on something I think will be cool. The rewards you get from making use of the element signs won't just be prize and score bubbles, but keys to side-levels in the alchemy series. These will mostly just be little mini-games in the same sort of style as the story levels. [14th November '08] Phew. For such a short level, it took me a hella long time to make it. I'm not even sure how it'll go down but please check it out and gimme some feedback as it is now published. Full name is "Alchemy Anthology: Fire I - Antlands". ;P [13th November '08] Finally nearing completion. Just adding script and some decorations here and there and I shall publish it tomorrow. The level is less than 5 minutes long but that could just be because I know it back to front. I'm gonna get a friend to test it and see how long it takes him. Important: I'm really not sure how well this level will go down. This series is quite a big one and if no-one likes 'em then it's not worth investing the time. So I've decided that I'll continue the series if and when the first level receives 10 hearts. If you play it and enjoy it and want to see the rest of the series, you know what to do. ;P [12th November '08] I've spent a lot of time on this level. A lot of that time has just been getting used to how the creation tools work. But now the fruits of all that effort are starting to appear and all the major aspects of the level are complete. There's still plenty of touching up to do, but I really hope that I've made something enjoyable (even if it's only 5 minutes long!) and a worthy first edition in this long running series. Now that I've really got the hang of the tools, the next levels should take half as long to finish. [11th November '08] This is taking longer than I anticipated, but I had a playtest with a friend and I ironed out a lot of niggles he had with the level (remember, this is my first ever level so I'm not the most seasoned level designer). I added a fully functional mini-boss that's probably a little too tricky for it's own good as it flails all over the place and it's either way too easy to strike the weak points by accident or incredibly hard to do it on purpose. I think I'll keep it as it operates quite nicely and if I get a lot of complaints about it then I'll make necessary alterations. Anyway, I don't want to make any commitments about it being released for anyone that actually cares, but I can safely say it'll be out by this weekend for sure. [10th November '08] The level keeps breaking, dangitt! Not to mention other problems. I really shouldn't have made my first level on a scale like this. Well, it's coming along okay I think but if you run through the level without exploring then you can finish it in about three minutes which is not what I was aiming for at all. I'm going to try add a mini-boss but I have a feeling that it won't go down well. Anyway, expect the now named Antlands to be published within the next day or so. [8th November '08] Level is progressing fairly nicely. I've kind of got mind block with some really empty areas but I'll think of some stuff to put in there. Level should be done and published in about 2 days I reckon. [7th November '08] Well I haven't had a great amount of time to get to grips with the create mode fully, but after a few hours something clicked in my head and I was finally on a roll making my first level. The first level in the series in the fire collection and is set in a mountainous region. I managed to finish a very large chunk of it today and I'm quite happy with it. The Levels: Fire 1 - Antlands: This saga begins in volcanic, barren Antlands where the local inhabitants are under constant threat due to the blazing volcano. Status: Published! Fire 2: Not yet begun! Fire 3: Not yet begun! Air 1 - Corvus Valley: 20% complete. Good start. Air 2: Not yet begun! Air 3: Not yet begun! Water 1: Not yet begun! Water 2: Not yet begun! Water 3: Not yet begun! Earth 1: Not yet begun! Earth 2: Not yet begun! Earth 3: Not yet begun! Void: 5% complete. Basic stuff layed down. Void (Finale):

2008-11-07 04:29:00 Author: UmJammerSully Posts: 1097

---

This sounds really interesting. I'm looking forward to seeing just what will be in the "Void" level. Speaking of which, how are you going to make it so Void level can only be accessed once all of the other stages are completed?

2008-11-07 04:36:00 Author: Cloud Posts: 74

---

Speaking of which, how are you going to make it so Void level can only be accessed once all of the other stages are completed? Thanks to someone's suggestion on the original thread, I was given the idea of having four switch triggers at the beginning of the Void level. The switch keys will all be obtained through the element bosses.

2008-11-07 07:12:00 Author: UmJammerSully Posts: 1097

---

Thanks to someone's suggestion on the original thread, I was given the idea of having four switch triggers at the beginning of the Void level. The switch keys will all be obtained through the element bosses. So keys are taken through all levels? They aren't destroyed when you finish a level? Odd but it would create a lot of opportunities like this

2008-11-07 07:17:00 Author: Tomo009 Posts: 274

---

I wonder how long it's gonna take... Well.. I can't wait to play the first level.

2008-11-07 07:17:00 Author: TheArmedReaper Posts: 1543

---

A question: I read in the other thread that, I believe, there will be "stickers" that have elemental powers, s when you place them in the right place they solve puzzles. Is this true, and if so, AWESOME! Great idea there.

2008-11-07 13:43:00 Author: RockSauron Posts: 10882

---

Never thought of that Rocksauron... Great idea Chaz... *writes in notepad- notes:eek:*

2008-11-07 15:52:00 Author: TheArmedReaper Posts: 1543

---

A question: I read in the other thread that, I believe, there will be "stickers" that have elemental powers, s when you place them in the right place they solve puzzles. Is this true, and if so, AWESOME! Great idea there. Mm hmm. I've already begun incorporating this in my first level. I don't want to spoil too much but I'll say that there's a plant that needs watering. :hero:

2008-11-10 22:05:00 Author: UmJammerSully Posts: 1097

---

Mm hmm. I've already begun incorporating this in my first level. I don't want to spoil too much but I'll say that there's a plant that needs watering. :hero: Yay! You're doing it! that's EPIC! So, that will either be the plant being on fire and you use the sticker switch to turn off the dissolve which is on fire, which makes the dissolve go away and thus what it on fire- or to turn on a piston to make it grow. hm, cool, cool.

2008-11-10 22:09:00 Author: RockSauron Posts: 10882

---

Yay! You're doing it! that's EPIC! So, that will either be the plant being on fire and you use the sticker switch to turn off the dissolve which is on fire, which makes the dissolve go away and thus what it on fire- or to turn on a piston to make it grow. hm, cool, cool. Heh, thanks. I decided to keep it simple though so there will be just one elemental sticker for each element and it will always be found in the second level of each element. There will be tons of secrets to be found with the stickers so hopefully it'll add some replay value. They will always be used on a colour sign respective of it's element: Fire: Red Water: Blue Air: Green (Nope, not transparent. ) Earth: Brown Sometimes the signs will be right out in the open but sometimes they will be tucked away in secret areas.

2008-11-10 22:18:00 Author: UmJammerSully Posts: 1097

---

Heh, thanks. I decided to keep it simple though so there will be just one elemental sticker for each element and it will always be found in the second level of each element. There will be tons of secrets to be found with the stickers so hopefully it'll add some replay value. They will always be used on a colour sign respective of it's element: Fire: Red Water: Blue Air: Green (Nope, not transparent. ) Earth: Brown Sometimes the signs will be right out in the open but sometimes they will be tucked away in secret areas. Second level... Will we need to do the first level to do the second? Or would we be able to choose in which order? Beause if we do the first before the second, and you get that sticker in the second one, then it obviously will get some people to replay the first one... Are you adding in those features that require stickers to the first level? Cause then it means replay value, which is good... isn't it? Of course. Anyway, will you have stickers from different elements mixed together, like a fire sticker needed in an air level, or something? And will you build those into the levels before hand, so they can't be completed without another sticker? Man... these ideas would be epic enough for a REAL platformer. =D

2008-11-11 01:20:00 Author: RockSauron Posts: 10882

---

Second level... Will we need to do the first level to do the second? Or would we be able to choose in which order? Beause if we do the first before the second, and you get that sticker in the second one, then it obviously will get some people to replay the first one... Are you adding in those features that require stickers to the first level? Cause then it means replay value, which is good... isn't it? Of course. Anyway, will you have stickers from different elements mixed together, like a fire sticker needed in an air level, or something? And will you build those into the levels before hand, so they can't be completed without another sticker? Man... these ideas would be epic enough for a REAL platformer. =D Initially, Fire I, Air I, Water I and Earth I are open. You unlock Fire II by finishing Fire I and Water III by beating Water II etc. etc. I also confused myself a little there. The elemental stickers are awarded on the THIRD of each element series by beating the boss. They'll be all epic-like on a pedestal. ^_^ Also, yes the element stickers will be used throughout all the levels. I'll tell you that in Fire I there is one fire, one water, one earth and one air sign post. Finding most of them isn't too difficult but neither are they out in the open. ;P I just finished a very large portion of Fire I: Antlands. It should be up tomorrow with any luck.

2008-11-11 05:49:00 Author: UmJammerSully Posts: 1097

---

I playtested the first fire level, and I'll tell you, it is looking to be a great set of levels.

2008-11-13 17:33:00 Author: Unknown User

---

I playtested the first fire level, and I'll tell you, it is looking to be a great set of levels. Cheers bruh, I didn't even notice that you signed up here. ;P

2008-11-14 09:58:00 Author: UmJammerSully Posts: 1097

---

Ok, two, no, three things: One: I hearted you and your level. Two: You may want to tell people in the level description about how this will work, because you just have an air sign in there and don't explain how it will work, because not everyone who'll play it is from here (hopefully), and thus won't understand why they can't get anything or the genius of the idea. Three: PLEASE, just put a checkpoint after you have to do that fall into the volcano and before you have to ride the bubble up to the top, I couldn't beat the level because of that part, and yeah. Also, you may want to extend the lifespan of the bubbles at that point... Just saying.

2008-11-15 00:09:00 Author: RockSauron Posts: 10882

---

Ok, two, no, three things: One: I hearted you and your level. Two: You may want to tell people in the level description about how this will work, because you just have an air sign in there and don't explain how it will work, because not everyone who'll play it is from here (hopefully), and thus won't understand why they can't get anything or the genius of the idea. Three: PLEASE, just put a checkpoint after you have to do that fall into the volcano and before you have to ride the bubble up to the top, I couldn't beat the level because of that part, and yeah. Also, you may want to extend the lifespan of the bubbles at that point... Just saying. One: Thanks very muchly. Two: I'll think of something. Three: Yeah, I've got a fair list of complaints actually. I'm going to tackle them all at once and then re-publish.

2008-11-15 03:28:00 Author: UmJammerSully Posts: 1097

---

Um... when we gonna get another update?

2008-11-23 17:11:00 Author: RockSauron Posts: 10882

---

I have faith in your character making skills! Those ants are two of the 20 items I keep in my community-objects area.

2008-11-25 05:45:00 Author: whatisnarwhal Posts: 164

---

The fact that Fire I has already fallen into obscurity outside of a few select people is not a good sign either. I'm happy it got the plays/hearts that it did but I don't think it's even been played once in the last 2 or 3 days. I'm beginning to question whether putting the many hours into making the levels is even worth it. I feel the same way... My next level will decide whether I continue Creating or not...

2008-11-25 19:40:00 Author: aer0blue Posts: 1603

---

I feel the same way... My next level will decide whether I continue Creating or not... Not ou too... I finally managed to find your TechnoFortress level the other day, and although I didn't finish it, it was really good... I hate those Ramp and Back to the Future like levels. Just ruin the whole experience and leave epicly good people like yourselves on the sidelines except to people who know what they're looking for... They REALLY need to fix up searching. Get rid of the planet set up, for starters. Sure, it fits the theme, but it DOESN'T WORK. EDIT: Hm, a boss run, eh? (your blog- am I the only one that reads it? Someone else say if they do, because right now he's just doing it for me >_>). Anyway, I wish the boss run could all be in one level, but oh well... That lava spider thingie was a good battle, methinks. Hopefully the rest will be too. Do you know what all the bosses will be yet? Like, I would LIKE a dragon boss for Fire 3, but you know how hard making it good would be... Anyway, yeah, make sure the key to those are in one of the void levels. Oh, and also, there'll be a boss to the final void level, am I correct in assuming thaT? Hopefully it will be epic... yeeep.

2008-11-25 20:45:00 Author: RockSauron Posts: 10882

---

EDIT: Hm, a boss run, eh? (your blog- am I the only one that reads it? Someone else say if they do, because right now he's just doing it for me >_>). Anyway, I wish the boss run could all be in one level, but oh well... That lava spider thingie was a good battle, methinks. Hopefully the rest will be too. Do you know what all the bosses will be yet? Like, I would LIKE a dragon boss for Fire 3, but you know how hard making it good would be... Anyway, yeah, make sure the key to those are in one of the void levels. Oh, and also, there'll be a boss to the final void level, am I correct in assuming thaT? Hopefully it will be epic... yeeep. I have a general plan for some of the bosses but not all. I don't even have a theme for some of the levels to be perfectly honest. I have a fair idea of what I'm going to do for the final boss though but it's going to be quite challenging for me to make it. Oh, and Fire III isn't going to be a dragon. :3

2008-11-26 19:03:00 Author: UmJammerSully Posts: 1097

---

Well, I guess that would be a nice Christmas present. :hero: Glad to see it's going better, even if you had to restart everything... Ah well, at least it's going better this time! And all true artists sometimes must start anew for perfection. Anyway, I was looking through the comments of Antlands, and some guy asked what the green signia is for. I REALLY think you should explain somewhere about all that, for people like him not from here.

2008-12-10 20:44:00 Author: RockSauron Posts: 10882

---

To Chaz and aero: Don't create for anyone else but yourself. If you have a vision and you love bringing it to life, nothing should discourage you from doing it. I am not above attention whoring. I love that people like the levels that I make, but don't worry about it. If you work hard, people will play your levels.

2008-12-11 05:10:00 Author: Voltiare Posts: 646

---

Well, I guess that would be a nice Christmas present. :hero: Glad to see it's going better, even if you had to restart everything... Ah well, at least it's going better this time! And all true artists sometimes must start anew for perfection. Anyway, I was looking through the comments of Antlands, and some guy asked what the green signia is for. I REALLY think you should explain somewhere about all that, for people like him not from here. Yep, I'm pretty confident about this one. I've really cut the crap with this one and the main focus is back on platforming. I'm trying my very hardest to keep a good enough difficulty without having any BS moments like the rocks in Fire I. :3 Also, I actually went to go add the sign explainations to the description of Fire I after the first time you mentioned it but there wasn't enough room. I'm really not sure where else I can explain them without spoiling the level. Any suggestions? To Chaz and aero: Don't create for anyone else but yourself. If you have a vision and you love bringing it to life, nothing should discourage you from doing it. I am not above attention whoring. I love that people like the levels that I make, but don't worry about it. If you work hard, people will play your levels. Thanks for the pep talk. You're a good guy Voltaire, you'll go far! :hero:

2008-12-11 19:08:00 Author: UmJammerSully Posts: 1097

Posts: 1077139    Threads: 69970    Members: 9661    Archive-Date: 2019-01-19

Aus dem Archiv wurden alle persönlichen Daten wie Name, Anschrift, Email etc. - aber auch sämtliche Inhalte wie z.B. persönliche Nachrichten - entfernt.
Die Nutzung dieser Webseite erfolgt ohne Speicherung personenbezogener Daten. Es werden keinerlei Cookies, Logs, 3rd-Party-Plugins etc. verwendet.