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[Scut Fabulous]

http://scutanddestroy.files.wordpress.com/2010/09/revised-debris-001.png

I wasn't really feeling the way I drew the dust storm debris from earlier, so here's a revised version.  One thing I wanted to show visually was how debris could get a little below the surface level via little vortices that curl off exposed outcroppings.  Overall I think this revision makes the dust storm look more violent and high-velocity.

[jethrolarson]

I like the storm. It looks alien and threatening. Definitely something you don't want to go out in.

[Chris Whitman]

This looks fantastic. I hope you have the technical resources to pull this sort of thing off!

[tim-bo-jay]

The more I come back to check out this the more I love if...you do know if this game turns out even half as awesome as it looks I will be having your babies...like it or not

[Scut Fabulous]

it looks I will be having your babies...like it or not

Bold move, have you even got the requisite junk available?

Thanks for the vote of confidence though.  Thanks to everyone who's enjoyed seeing the project thus far.   

[Ant]

I have a folder on my desktop called Gamespiration and I've pretty much saved every damned image from this log. I really, really, hope this becomes a playable game because it will be unbelievably awesome! 

[Dom2D]

Dude, seriously. AMAZING.

[Scut Fabulous]

http://scutanddestroy.files.wordpress.com/2010/09/salvage-walls-001.jpg


http://scutanddestroy.files.wordpress.com/2010/09/salvage-walls-002.jpg


http://scutanddestroy.files.wordpress.com/2010/09/salvage-walls-003.jpg


http://scutanddestroy.files.wordpress.com/2010/09/salvage-walls-004.jpg

Some sketch ideations for modular walling.  I don't think any of these are strong enough to use but they're helping me work out ideas and forms.  One thing I think would be cool is to have an initial shell wall that's cheap, quick, but weak.  That shell can act as a form for a concrete-like substance that makes for much sturdier structures.
I'm not sure whether I should just do basic corner and span modules that can be rotated and banged into place, or whether to do something a bit funkier, like a snaky chain which the player can custom-shape and then later pump full of 'crete.  There will need to be more sketching on this, I need to be in an 'architectural' mood I suppose.

[Scut Fabulous]

http://scutanddestroy.files.wordpress.com/2010/09/salvage-suspensor-ideation-001.jpg



http://scutanddestroy.files.wordpress.com/2010/09/salvage-suspensor-ideation-002.jpg



http://scutanddestroy.files.wordpress.com/2010/09/salvage-suspensor-ideation-003.jpg

I need some sort of flight mechanic in The Salvage, but I don't want it to be like jet-pack whizz-bang.  The notion I'm going with is that the player's suit has some sort of counter-gravity suspensor available.  It won't be able to launch you, but you'll be able to traverse vertical passages comfortably.

I've sketched 3 concepts, the first is the most 'active', and probably looks too much like using a jet-pack for my liking.  The second concept is more like a buoyancy system, the player would 'float' on a pool of energy.  The third concept is the one I think I'll translate into pixel art.  It will be some sort of device that the player grabs hold of and carries you aloft. 

[McMutton]

 You could have a device similar to the one used for Snake's B+Up in Super Smash Bros. Brawl.

[Scut Fabulous]

I'm pretty unfamiliar with console games, but from my youtube research Snake can grab hold of a little rotary vtol thingie?  Looks pretty cool.

[Scut Fabulous]

http://scutanddestroy.files.wordpress.com/2010/09/salvage-terraintexture-update-001.png



http://scutanddestroy.files.wordpress.com/2010/09/salvage-terraintexture-update-002.png



http://scutanddestroy.files.wordpress.com/2010/09/salvage-terraintexture-update-003.png



http://scutanddestroy.files.wordpress.com/2010/09/salvage-bg-texture-test-001.png

I whipped up a few more terrain textures based on my previous sketch ideations.  This brings me up to 5 tiles in total.

I also did a super-rough experiment texturing the first background layer behind the player.  I think if I want to implement something like this it will take more colours and a fair bit more work.  Probably the biggest issue with it now is the contrast is too high.

[Javilop]

Pure awesome!

[pla1207]

your style is purely awesome, the last ones remind me of the Shadow of the beast on Amiga ...how about your coding efforts so far ?   i could contribute pointless one level demos, if you like  

[Scut Fabulous]

your style is purely awesome, the last ones remind me of the Shadow of the beast on Amiga ...how about your coding efforts so far ?   i could contribute pointless one level demos, if you like  

Getting compared to Shadow of the Beast is more of a compliment than I deserve, but it's definitely a sign I'm getting better.

I'm not a programmer, I just do art/concept/design.  My friend jkd will be programming this.  We were discussing some workflow strategies last night actually.  When any kind of playable demo or prototype is ready it will be released.  Until then I'm going to keep plugging away at assets and game design.



http://scutanddestroy.files.wordpress.com/2010/09/salvage-suspensor-pixel-variations.png

Some variations on the suspensor sprites.  I think the top-left or bottom-right are what I'll go with.

[Scut Fabulous]

http://scutanddestroy.files.wordpress.com/2010/09/stevedore.jpg



http://scutanddestroy.files.wordpress.com/2010/09/salvage-tug-001.jpg



http://scutanddestroy.files.wordpress.com/2010/09/salvage-tug-002.jpg

Sketch concepts for Stevedores and tugs.  These contractors will lift precious artifacts off the surface of the planet to be loaded into galactic freighters.

[Chromanoid]

Some variations on the suspensor sprites.  I think the top-left or bottom-right are what I'll go with.

i would like to see the flying device in motion. imo the device makes the whole suit look lightweight and like princess peach ...

are you sure that a plain jetpack/jetboots/"jetchair"/"jetbutt" wouldn't do it? maybe a barrel/"spray can" like jetpack that can be used up?

i love the sketches.

[Scut Fabulous]

i would like to see the flying device in motion. imo the device makes the whole suit look lightweight and like princess peach ...

are you sure that a plain jetpack/jetboots/"jetchair"/"jetbutt" wouldn't do it? maybe a barrel/"spray can" like jetpack that can be used up?

i love the sketches.

Glad you like the sketches.  

I want some of the tech in the game to have a slightly mysterious feel about it.  'Byzantine' is a word that keeps popping into my head.  A lot of it is derived from the sorts of artifacts that you search for, hence their value.  If the suspensor makes the player seem suddenly feather-light, that's a good thing to me.  Some of your character's tools are analogous to a street urchin from a Brazilian favela using a cel phone to magically contact someone on the other side of the planet.

(edited for punctuation)

[Dozer]

I am going to eat the right hemisphere of your brain in hopes of gaining your powers... 

Seriously though, I could live with this not turning into a game... I love just seeing the art.

Oh, and I guess this says something... "Indies don't care about art." Hah.

[PsySal]

Seriously though, I could live with this not turning into a game... I love just seeing the art.

No this needs to be a game.