TIGSource Forums

UPDATES
[#1] GAMEPLAY GIFS for KICKSTARTER PAGE (http://forums.tigsource.com/index.php?topic=41895.msg1042458#msg1042458)
[#2] INSANE MODE (http://forums.tigsource.com/index.php?topic=41895.msg1042484#msg1042484)
[#3] SCREENSHOT SATURDAY! (http://forums.tigsource.com/index.php?topic=24094.msg1043097#msg1043097)
 [#4] LOCATION ART!  (http://forums.tigsource.com/index.php?topic=41895.msg1043852#msg1043852)
 [#5] INDIE STATIK!? WHAT?  (http://forums.tigsource.com/index.php?topic=41895.msg1044480#msg1044480)
 [#6] INSANE MODE LEADERBOARD!  (http://forums.tigsource.com/index.php?topic=41895.msg1045016#msg1045016)
VIDEOS
[#1] SIBERIANLEMMING PLAYS OUR DEMO! (http://forums.tigsource.com/index.php?topic=41895.msg1042683#msg1042683)
[#2] TIMELAPSE DRAWING VIDEO! (http://forums.tigsource.com/index.php?topic=41895.msg1042899#msg1042899)
[#3] SLVRDLLR PLAYS OUR DEMO! (http://forums.tigsource.com/index.php?topic=41895.msg1045016#msg1045016)  
 [#4] *NEW* GIGABOOTS GAMEPLAY VIDEO! (http://forums.tigsource.com/index.php?topic=41895.msg1046451#msg1046451)


Aegis ("ee-jis") Defenders is a 16-bit tactical action/adventure Metroidvania set in a Miyazaki-inspired world where ancient technology is wielded like magic.

Aegis Defenders (http://www.aegisthegame.com) takes place in a medieval realm where humanity’s memory has been wiped of the original design and purpose of advanced technology. Uncovered and reactivated AI become objects of worship, and tinkering with such technology is a spiritual and magical practice, treated as arcane and forbidden, and commonly regarded as a dangerous at of hubris. Do you dare to uncover what you do not understand?

This gonna be good.

Looks fantabulous.  :waaagh:  :handmoneyR:
The animated gif in the latest post reminds me of Flashback's cinematic.  :handthumbsupL:

The environment work is beautiful and the gameplay looks great!
Can't wait to see more from this thread.

well this looks gorgeous  :monoclepop:

Gosh guys, this looks crazy good!

this looks like it's gonna be great, what a gorgeous art style (the gameplay itself also looks interesting)

game looks quite beautiful.

UPDATE #2
We told Li-fu, our engineer, after many playtests, that the game was too hard.
He said ok.
Then he added an insane mode.
(http://media.indiedb.com/cache/images/games/1/31/30556/thumb_620x2000/InsameModeScreenShot.png)
Granted, he also made a easy mode for noobs like me.  :-[

  :) Thanks! I hope to update it more regularly now...

Your game looks beautiful. Hats off to the artist!

But most importantly, best of luck on the kickstarter.
If you would like critique on the kickstarter page before you launch it, send me an email.
I know I will be looking for help with that too, when the time comes.

Sure! We're still writing up our copy on the Kickstarter so we can definitely see if I can get a draft to you when it's ready. Your game seems like a really unique and fun multiplayer concept! Let's keep in contact through email.

The world needs more Miyazaki games! I love the Nausicaa vibes, looks great!

Ho damn, this looks incredible. I'll be keeping an eye on this!  :handmoneyR:

From the gifs i think you guys really need to work on your player movement, it looks pretty janky, and i think you really need to work out a way to build trees that is animated. Possibly out of chunks. As the jumping on tree's looks really budget currently. They should shake and drop leaves when you jump on them.

If you guys want some active help in the player movement stuff, shoot me a pm and i might be able to help with some specific feedback.  

EDIT:

Actually i'll do a proper writeup in a few hours when i get some time :).

Yes! That is definitely a similar concern/feedback from some of our playtesters as well! Any guidance would be great! Also your idea for responsive environment would definitely enhance the experience of the game as well.

Decided to send this post as a PM instead.

Looks very cool! First gif also reminds of "Children Who Chase Lost Voices"

Great job, looks awesome!

VIDEO #1
SiberianLemming did a video of our DEMO if you'd like to check it out:
(http://i.imgur.com/USp4zPt.png) (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ojjKsbXgfUQ)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ojjKsbXgfUQ (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ojjKsbXgfUQ)

Looks so beautiful  :o

VIDEO #2
Bryce Kho, our artist, had uploaded a timelapse video of a sketch that may or may not be in the kickstarter page:
(http://oi59.tinypic.com/9iwbk4.jpg) (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7cWg-vvGQcA)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7cWg-vvGQcA (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7cWg-vvGQcA)

Oh wow, He draws like Kim Jung Gi! :O Awesome!

 :monoclepop:  :waaagh:
Wow, those backgrounds are amazing!
In general, everything looks amazing. I don't think you'll have any problems reaching your funding once you launch your kickstarter. Keep up the good work, I'll definitely be following you guys.

Thanks! Not gonna lie, we are so worried about our kickstarter... :concerned: but I think that if following your dreams scares the hell out of you, you owe it to yourself to try! I mean, I'm new to this forum but I'm loving it! It's super inspiring seeing creative people making things they love and believe in!

Bryce says you are right on! BTW that is a compliment of compliments. Kim Jung Gi is godlike.  :'( That was totally Bryce's inspiration-- he has two of his artbooks and was watching Kim Jung Gi's videos for DAYS. DAYS.

Thank you! We hope it's fun to play too.  :)

Right on! We were inspired by the fantasy/medieval-like world. The huge insect creatures are a definite intentional tribute to the movie we love, but if you can believe it, the bad-ass girl in a blue cape was entirely coincidental and when we finished the sprite we were like damn. Nausicaa lives in our subconscious :crazy:...

Thanks! I personally have not seen that movie but it is DEFINITELY something I should check out.  :coffee:

Damn, another amazing game.
I cannot compete with this :'(

Wow  :o
This is perfect. Seriously, those cinematics in pixel art, the characters, the gameplay! Oh my god!
I don't even know what to say!

No! We will all make great games!!!!!!!

Thanks! We love Kasuo Oga and were going back and forth on thinking about ordering that art book one time... we ended up being super cheap and passing on it :(

Oh man! Glutton Mash guy! Thanks for coming by and checking us out! I love your game!!!
Wish us luck, we're launching Greenlight and Kickstarter in a week!

Loving what i'm seeing here.  Also your artist is nuts, drawing without any construction lines - definitely influenced by Kim Jung Gi.  Crazy bastards ;p

Keep kickin butt, your game is looking super solid!  :wizard: :handmetalR:

UPDATE #3 Kind of?

Apparently, SOMEONE from my team *cough* ALREADY MADE AN OLD DEVLOG like months before I did and DID NOT TELL ME!!! I have been dutifully updateing on a game that is already on here! So embarrassss :-[ Lol. However, it did die a while ago, and we'll seek to merge the two. Here's some location art from that devlog. (It's in a small animated gif on our first post)

---

VIKING GHOST GUY!!!  :handmetalR:
Yeah we were watching that King Jung Gi timelapse stuff for days like  :crazy:
Thanks so much! Much respect to you too!

The game looks great! (Personally love the Miyazaki, Ghibli movies, especially Mononoke) The building thing is really interesting. Goodluck with the kickstarter  :beer:

Artwork is gorgeous and the game looks incredible as well! I'm a huge fan of Ghibli myself and I can definitely see the inspirations.

Ah, wow, following. This art is delicious!

comment for subscribe. :)

Just want to say (again!) how much I love the visuals! I recall the fantastic-looking animated version posted earlier, it is absolutely breathtaking. The KS campaign will be a success for sure and I'll vote for this on Greenlight!  :) :handthumbsupR:

Just chiming in to say it looks amazing so far.

Looks lovely so far! Loving the vibrant 'alive' Ghibli feel, but I'm also excited for the gameplay!

I really like how you have brought two very different ways of playing together, the building and the shooting through Bart and Clu instead of having it combined in one central character. Also love Bart's beard! Very bushy!  :)

Thanks so much for the kind words! It's great to see that we've communicated the Ghibli inspiration clearly!  :handmetalL:
And yes, Bart's my favorite character to draw because of his enviable facial hair.

Glad to see you guys show up here. With Nausicaa being tied for my favorite Ghibli film (other being Mononoke Hime), I am really looking forward to Aegis Defenders. I'm curious if you guys have anything planned for in-between levels (such as a village hub or worldmap) or is the plan to have the player go from level to level linearly? As I've said before, good luck with the Kickstarter!

o boy. I'm following this one. Great work.

UPDATE #5

*fangirl squeal* We're featured on Indie Statik!
The writer did critique our keyboard controls. They are kind of clunky! We recommend an xBox controller, but our engineer is currently working on making the keyboard controls feel better. PM me if you'd like to try out our demo and give us some feedback!

(http://i58.tinypic.com/inqs9e.jpg) (http://indiestatik.com/2014/07/22/aegis-defenders/)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------^^^LOOK LOOK LOOK!! :-* YAAAAYY!!!

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Yeah! We're HUGE Ghibli fans!  :handmetalL: (Lol I guess it's pretty obvious.)
We huge map planned that the player will explore. It's one connected universe. We do have a resting area between levels but it isn't a village. As you explore the lands the player will just have to set up camp in between! As the writer I don't know if I want to reveal the significance of the campfire sequences as they are very integral to the story as well. As a hint-- Bart the engineer is not only traversing to find and reactivate Aegis, he is trying to seek forgiveness for something in his past he feels tremedous guilt from... aaaahhhhh I really want to tell you but I don't want to spoil it!
I also reeaally want the artist to finish making that world-map concept art (won't be an in-game function, more so just a map) so I can share it, but he's super busy. :P
Maybe our kickstarter trailer might hint at it.


Yay thanks!  :gentleman:

It was just too beautiful...  :addicted:
I really love running with birds scene. It feels very 'Miyazaki'.  :addicted:

Thanks! If any of those locations were real places, I'd go there first.

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VIDEO #3
EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE SLVRDLLR PLAYS OUR DEMO!
We love you SLVRDLLR!
(http://i61.tinypic.com/2ppmpaf.png) (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tHpJhcC7tEQ)
Go watch the video!  (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tHpJhcC7tEQ)

---

UPDATE #6

Our engineer Li-Fu, added a leaderboard for INSANE MODE! If you'd like to try our demo, please PM me.

I showed this to my girlfriend last night and she said "I'd play this game". She doesn't like any games. Good job, good job.

Aw yay! Thanks, it means a lot!
If we reach our stretch goal for Local Co-op on Kickstarter you two can play it together! ;)

I'll make sure I throw a few bucks your way! Good luck with the kickstarter.

This is pretty damn awesome! The environments look great, and the gameplay sounds interesting; I'm quite fond of having multiple controllable characters with different playstyles, as well (Though I'm a bit biased  ;))

And those cutscenes...  :epileptic: I can barely comprehend making a sprite, let alone an actual, fully animated scene.

woah, wow. this looks amazing! I love the art and animation, and the way the characters are designed!

We love the concept and the art is absolutely gorgeous!
Looking amazing guys  :)

I love the visual style, especially when it's snowing. Characters look great, too!

VIDEO #4
Yay! Gigaboots plays our game!
We have a demo build that we sent out to some youtubers. If you'd like to get an idea of our game, please watch these hilarious people play the game.

(http://i60.tinypic.com/akemo7.png)
Watch the video! (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7EEe2OxjU3U&feature=youtu.be&a)

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Thanks! I'm proofreading our copy right now for typos! lol


Aw thanks! Those cutscenes took a while  :screamy:


Thank you so much!


Thanks!


Yay so much love! Thank you everyone!

OUR KICKSTARTER IS LIVE! SEE OUR TRAILER HERE!
(http://i57.tinypic.com/vfdn37.jpg) (https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1798022489/aegis-defenders)

Just learned your Kickstarter was live from Rich Lemarchand's facebook post(didn't realize you were former students of his - we're friends. small world :))  I just backed your game on KS!!  Can't wait to play it and best of luck to your team!

Wow! Richard is awesome! Thanks for supporting us!

You guys just got a mention on RPS.
http://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2014/07/31/aegis-defenders-tower-defense-platformer-kickstarter/

Wanted to post a few development updates here! Now that we're back in full production, its nice to get out and talk to the community again!:

INTRODUCING THE NEREIS DESERT & OUR PROCESS

(https://s3.amazonaws.com/ksr/assets/002/741/134/802f0d2a2dc0f2b1cab4068c4c8d2554_large.gif?1413324086)

We got some interesting advice from game designer & entrepreneur Jordan Weissman- Start your development in the middle of your game. That way you know where you have to ramp up to from the first level and you know what the pace is to get to the end. And so we started with our 3rd level, the Nereis Desert. You may have seen this level in the Kickstarter promo materials, where Bart was nearly eaten by one of the Desert's fiercest foes, the burrowing, ravenous Ragworm.

(http://)
Our development process works like this- First, Bryce draws out the level as an expansive, huge sketch in Photoshop. This gives us time to actually "play" the level on paper, design the puzzles and make sure every part of the level is packed with unique interactions and things to find. Already this process has revealed annoying puzzles and empty stretches that we were able to tweak and remove now as opposed to wasting time building it.

(https://s3.amazonaws.com/ksr/assets/002/741/161/29949e4a2cefe9f8e1d0fceb0eb81f90_large.png?1413324397)
Then we lay out 'grayboxes', untextured platforms, in the actual game engine to test the flow of the level. We build the whole level this way and then move on to internal playtesting. Meanwhile, Lifu programs new features- elevators, Ragworm AI, new turrets. Finally, Bryce will begin the process of creating temporary artwork to define the colors and feel of a level.

(https://s3.amazonaws.com/ksr/assets/002/741/153/328cd1d2b8e8c83e9724e43de959920e_large.JPG?1413324285)
Right now, we've begun the process of grayboxing the desert and already I can't wait to play it! If you've played the demo, I think you're going to be really amazed and how much those concepts and gameplay expand over a larger space.

Interesting idea with the starting development in the middle idea! That's one I'll definitely use for my longer story-driven games. Can't wait to see more progress made in the coming months!

It's been pretty quiet as we've been hunkering down to work. One of the biggest changes we've made was shifting the perspective on the ground blocks:

(https://s3.amazonaws.com/ksr/assets/002/814/683/b64988283323b5986031c3455a8ca0ae_large.png?1414523027)

We also re-worked Clu's explosive trap so that it's a little more, well, explosive:

(https://s3.amazonaws.com/ksr/assets/002/934/007/a1b26f8355a2402acfc83f42f60663ac_large.gif?1416348105)

Aside from that, it's mostly greyboxing for flow. One of the unique things about our levels is that Bryce actually handpaints the levels as opposed to using tiles. This gives us a chance to really build those levels and test them for flow before we committ. Unfortunately, it also means that our development screenshots are pretty gnarly. We've been talking about getting a co-op demo ready for sometime early next year- We'll keep you updated!

Your game is here! I am so excited for this. Some of the most beautiful pixel art I've seen,  really inspiring stuff for me! Gameplay looks pretty damn unique as well. Keep it up!  :handthumbsupL: :handthumbsupL: :handthumbsupL:

Thanks, Grog! Dash and Atlas looks great- You had us at Blaster Master.

Anyway, we're hopefully moving our first level into Alpha testing next week and we'll have some cool gameplay footage!