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[Pishtaco]

This looks really impressive. But without textures, I think the different surfaces do end up looking a bit too similar to each other. For a different kind of shading, have you thought about reducing the shadow effect on some surfaces? For example the strong shading looks good on the trees, since it brings out their uneven, knobbly shape. But it can look a little distracting on the hills and the clouds, especially when they are far away. Maybe more even lighting would make them look smoother?

[wollay]

Thanks. I tweaked the shading to be brighter and sunnier and added a secondary directional light. I hope the different voxel colors are better distinguishable now. But you don't need to  mine those blocks anyway to get materials or the like - so you don't need to distinguish them.

About the shadow effect: I tried to reduce the overall effect but that made the scene really flat, or pastel-like. I could do it locally at the hills but I actually like the effect which emphasizes that the world consists of cubes.

I also changed the cloud shading by simply giving them a very shiny light blue color.

Here are new screens:

[Cunnah]

much better, I still feel there's something missing (bloom or what not can't really say) but those clouds a real improvement.

[e-dog]

Looks much better with new shading, and your voxel sprites are nice!

I usually use smoother shading for things like clouds to simulate subsurface scattering effect.
That is, instead of

Code:

saturate(dot(normal, light))

I use

Code:

dot(normal, light)*0.5+0.5

It gives the same 0..1 range.
A simple trick, but looks really nice sometimes.

[wademcgillis]

CONGRATULATIONS!!!

http://kotaku.com/5811678/green-blocks-an-open-world-and-a-sword-in-your-hand

[Destral]

Looking really good, can't wait to play this one. 

[wollay]

@wademcgillis: Thanks. I'm really stunned to see it there (and on RPS). And it's interesting how they rip it (not sure if you can say that in english) in the comments. But I guess they think it's already a full game and not one which one indie developer started 3 weeks ago. oO But I also get lots of positive feedback. That's nice!

@Destral: Nice to hear that!

@e-dog: Thanks I'll try that.

[knight]

Ignore the youtube comments they do even understand that this game isn't finished. The RPS comments look positive though. Anyways keep up the good work. I won't be surprised if you beat out both minecraft and terraira before long.

[Nugsy]

The majority of comments on both Kotaku and RPS are retarded.
Yes, the game looks a bit like Minecraft, theres no need to be ridiculously sarcastic about it.

Besides - this is purely voxel based, and far prettier. It also seems to draw more inspiration from 3D Dot Game Heroes than Minecraft.

[Conker534]

Nope, if a game uses squares it copied MC, because Minecraft invented it, oh did you know Minecraft also invented Mining and it invented and copywrited 3D.

[wollay]

I guess you guys are right. I'll just try to continue as before.

[poe]

I guess you guys are right. I'll just try to continue as before.

They complain and complain until they get what they want, which is a release. When they get it they shut up.

But don't cater to them, release when you're ready!

[Rumrusher]

I'm just hope for this to beat Skyrim with the ability to jump and what not.

[CoreDumped]

Nice.  I see you have Ambient Occlusion.   Is this AO faked in vertex colors or is it calculated in each frame as a post processor filter?

[_Tommo_]

Nope, if a game uses squares it copied MC, because Minecraft invented it, oh did you know Minecraft also invented Mining and it invented and copywrited 3D.

It's that after the huge success that Terraria had mostly for jumping on the bandwagon, those who seeked originality in Indie Games are a bit upset at this trend of exploiting trends.
So... if the OP can prove that he has a solid idea behind all of this, and that it could exist without being a quote of minecraft or worst a "3D Terraria", it's ok.
Else I'm with the sarcasm, because I too hate "minecraft clones".

Btw the graphics are exceedingly neat 

[wollay]

@CoreDumped: It's faked in vertex colors.

As RichMakeGame suggested before, I have now experimented with the voxel resolution. I found that increasing the resolution by 2x2x2 still gives good frame rates and that everything looks more detailed. I'd love to hear you opinions about it, screenshots below:

[poe]

Man I can't wait to play this game...

[Conker534]

Beautiful

[Nugsy]

The smaller voxels definately suit the style better.

I still feel as though the world should be more vibrant, it looks very grey at the moment, what with all the rock!

[RichMakeGame!]

awesome

totally agree on the colours though.

If I could recommend an exercise for you, search out google images, getty images, flickr etc for terms like 'amazing landscape' 'crazy landscape' 'beautiful landscape' and create yourself a reference folder of far out and awesome landscape pictures, then see if you can replicate some of them in your engine.

at the mo it's a bit: rock, that should be grey, ok: .5,.5,.5. sky, it's blue isn't it.. 0,0,1. trees are green! 0,1,0 etc . It definately has heaps more potential!