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[alwex]

Just finished the light system optimisation, now light that are not in the active room (purple) are not calculated and lights entities are fully destroyed.



This way the engine goes faster on slow PC

I also start working on the official website, here is the first header concept



I think I may design a pixel art title with some more decorations. If someone know some good examples or have ideas, please let me know!

[alwex]

Just a new environment test to mix with the lake effect. I quite like the blue light reflecting on the water. Need to add more crystals of different colors.

[and]

I like the style of the header image but it'd probably work better if you did a pixel version, like you said

[alwex]

I have just finished to read this 2 excellent articles:

http://subtractivedesign.blogspot.fr/2013/01/guide-to-making-metroidvania-style.html
http://subtractivedesign.blogspot.fr/2013/01/guide-to-making-metroidvania-style_16.html

Combined with paper and pen I will be able to continue the level design process.

Thanks for the links!

[longshorts]

Hey Alwex, love your work so far! Just a quick question for ya; I'm also developing in LibGDX and I was wondering how you powered your lighting effects? I'm currently using Box2DLights, but am always on the lookout for some kind of method with a little more flexibility. Cheers

[alwex]

Hi longshorts, I use box2DLight to. I have a static box2DWorld (I never update the box2DWorld as I have my own physic engine). In my map loader system I use a castShadow attribute to create a box2DBody that will stop the light and cast a shadow when needed. Each light in the game is an entity with a LightComponent with the following attributes:

Light light (the box2DLight)
Float sparkling (the sparkling factor)
Float distance (light power)
Color rgba (color rgba channel)

Then the lightSystem update this values when alterations are needed.
If the main character want to use an torch I simply add a lightComponent to the main character entity.
For the moment, box2DLight is enougth for my needs.

In a previous prototype I made a custom light engine using vignette effect and raycasting:





I quite like the shadow using this technique.
 

[and]

Hey, thanks for those links they're interesting articles. Makes me want to make a Metroidvania!

[alwex]

Found it on pixel prospector website (you gave me the link ).
I am stil not sure about the kind of game tikotep will be, I would like to make it a metroidvania like, but the design will be much more difficult than a full action adventure game.

I would prefer to make it metroid like as it involve the player deeper in the ambiance, history.
I have to list the power/artefacts/bosses Tikotep will face during his journey.
The base story is already ready !

[alwex]

Another level art done !



This look like some sort of final stage

[Voltz.Supreme]

Woah... Looks like things just went sci fi!

[alwex]

@Leo J, you are totally right, the game will have some sci fi background at some stage, but I can't say too much about it if I don't want to spoil the story, maybe some ancien and forgotten alien civilization.

[lobstersteve]

Love the colors in the last one

[alwex]

Taken the time today to work on my alien worm.
The worm generate little worms if Tikotep is to close, the little ones will then follow Tikotep to attack him if they can.
I will add more bloody effect latter and perhaps change the color (what about a white/green blood flowing from the worm?).

Here is the fight

[alwex]

@lobstersteve I try to make it feel like sci-fi/alien, I think I will add some green soon ! Beware the tommyknockers

[and]

Love the animation on that shelled slug thing. Can almost hear it squelching as it moves!

[alwex]

You are totally right, there are multiple sounds, one fleshy explosion when the little worms get out from the big one, and the big one doing some slug sound while it slide.
I just bougth the awesome piece of software called deshumanizer dehumanizer to record some terrible screams. I think I can do some very scarry stuff with that.

[Orun]

really love how this game looks. I'm a java dev too. Posting to follow this. Can't wait to see more

[alwex]

Here is Grandpa smoking his calumet.



Grandpa will serve as a guide and close friend for Tikotep during is adventure, he will give hime advices and some help.

[alwex]

Today I worked on an alien brain boss firing laser. For the moment the brain himself shoot the lasers, I think he will control some laser turret with his mind and will try to follow the player with various guns/gears.

I still have poor quality with licecap, sorry for that.

here is the first design of the boss (remind a lot from metroid of course) enjoy!

[alwex]

Today worked on a new boss.
The pattern will be spitting some acid saliva, then go back to his shell and roll on all the screen trying to kill the player.