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[Thomas Finch]

Great news! We now have an artist on the team! Hopefully soon I'll have something to show you guys!

[Thomas Finch]

Devlog Update #10 - 10/14/13

I'm still in talks with composers at the moment. We'll see what comes of that. As always I'm looking for testers, so if you're interested, email me at [email protected].

Version 0.0.1.1a: Patch Notes
1. Fixed issue of extra tracked variable not updating dynamically.
2. Pressing "Tab" will now open both debug menu and console at the same time. Pressing "~" still only opens the debug menu unless pressed twice.
3. Added some code commenting.

Version 0.0.1.2: Patch Notes
1. Improved Debug Mode to require less code in order to work properly.
2. Replaced all sprites with orbs. The center of the orb's color shows what state its in. This is for debugging purposes.
3. Spooking will now scare humans, causing them to run away and cower in fear.
4. Added a distance check to Spooking. You can only Spook a human if they are within a certain distance.
5. Implemented new, custom-made animation system.
6. Combined sprites into one sprite file to work with the new animation system.
7. Fixed bug where player's sprite would be constantly cycling through animations.
8. Fixed animations to use much smoother transitions.
9. Fixed issue where humans would stay spooked forever.
10. Made 9 more variables track-able in the debug menu. Using ?vars or /vars in the console shows the full list of track-able variables.
11. Known Bug: In some cases, when the player collides with a Squeamish Spirit he'll be thrown upward rather than the direction he came from.

[karlozalb]

1. No updates to the game client (FFXIV distracted me).

 

I want to be a tester of your game!

[Thomas Finch]

I sent you an email!

1. No updates to the game client (FFXIV distracted me).

 

I want to be a tester of your game!

[Thomas Finch]

We now have a composer for the game! That means we have a full team. This means I'll have more stuff I feel comfortable showing you guys. Maybe soon I'll even have a screenshot or two!

[Thomas Finch]

Devlog Update #11 - 10/17/13

As I said in the last post, we have a composer now! In fact, he's already finished the title theme for the game (aptly named "Ethereal"). Here it is: http://www.despawn.net/audio/titletheme.wav
I'll be putting that in the main post as well.

Version 0.0.1.3: Patch Notes
1. Fixed an issue wherein occasionally when colliding with Squeamish Spirits the player would be thrown upward.
2. Changed the way that collision with Squeamish Spirits is detected.
3. Made Energy Bar immersive. It shows up only when being drained or filled.
4. Made the Energy Bar fill up gradually rather than suddenly.
5. Made the Energy Bar fade away, rather than disappear suddenly.
6. Fixed issue where Energy Bar would continue fading out even when in use if it had started to fade before use.
7. Known Bug: Rarely when colliding with Squeamish Spirits if at a certain angle and falling, you will collide twice rapidly.

Version 0.0.1.4: Patch Notes
1. Added movement between rooms via doors.
2. Fixed issue where movement, misting, etc did not continue while transitioning into another room.
3. Added background music!
4. Added looping feature that plays intro, then plays music looping without intro.
5. Fixed issue of sprites looking low-framerate despite framerate being high.
6. Added limits for where certain npcs can walk, so they don't wander into certain areas and complicate things.
7. Completely revamped the input (key input) system, making it both more reliable and more versatile (allowing a key configuartion menu!)

[Thomas Finch]

A little concept art for you guys!

EDIT: The following is outdated concept art done by a previous artist. I'm leaving it here for 'history' sake, but it does not reflect the game's art. To see the latest art, go to the first post.

Human


Main Character



These are just rough concepts the artist did, but it's the first art I've been able to show you guys. Enjoy!

[ITS_Mike]

Oooo, I like it   Can't wait to see an in-game screenshot

[karlozalb]

Really nice 

[Thomas Finch]

Thank you guys!

Devlog Update #12 - 10/21/13

HUGE Update today! I changed and added so much in the latest version of the game, that I jumped from 0.0.1.4 all the way to 0.0.2.0!

Version 0.0.2.0: Patch Notes
01. Added Possession. By pressing 'E' you can now Possess a nearby human until your energy runs out.
02. Re-Optimized and completely revamped a lot of code to make it faster and more functional.
03. Fixed a lot of issues that came from re-optimizing code.
03. Fixed issue where player would not be thrown back by Squeamish Spirits.
04. Started adding statistic tracking capabilities. (ie you died __ times!)
05. Adjusted 'True FPS' to only change every couple seconds so its actually readable in the debug menu.
06. Added a pause feature! Now when you press 'Esc' the game pauses and specific music plays.
07. Adjusted how music is played and paused in the game and adjusted volume levels to be less ear-numbing.
08. Added options to the new pause menu including Save Game, Load Game, Settings and Exit Game.
09. Added functionality to the 'End Game' option. It shuts off the game. Later, I will add a confirmation.
10. Added functionality to the 'Settings' option. It brings you to a menu with Return, Gameplay, Graphics and Audio as options.
11. Adjusted some controls and adjusted how some controls work.
12. Fixed an issue where if you opened the pause menu while moving, after a second the player's sprite would disappear.
13. Fixed an issue where the player's fall movement wouldn't pause when opening the pause menu.
14. Added a few options to the game's settings menu:
    a. Graphics Settings:
       1. Fullscreen Toggle: Allows the player to toggle whether the game is in fullscreen or windowed mode.
    b. Audio Settings:
       1. Pause Music Toggle: Allows the player to toggle whether music plays in the pause menu.
       2. Volume Adjuster: Allows the player to adjust the general game volume.
15. Known Bug: When the pause menu is open, the clouds (and any other foreground) are shown in front of the half-transparent black pause screen.

[Thomas Finch]

So, I love games with a lot of options in the Settings Menu. So I'm hoping to have as many options available to the players as possible. So far, I have fullscreen toggle, master volume and a toggle to turn off/on the pause menu music. I am planning to put a Screen Resolution option next update, but other than that I'm blanking on options. I'm sure there will be a lot of game-specific ones I'll come up with as I make the game, but I'd love suggestions for options, so:

What are options you'd like to see in the Settings Menu or that you enjoyed having in any other games?

[Thomas Finch]

New concept art to show you!

[Thomas Finch]

We have room for one more tester if anyone is interested.

[Thomas Finch]

Mini-Update:
The last few days and today I've been working on my design document, designing puzzles and writing parts of the story. I'll be done with another update in a couple days though.

[Thomas Finch]

Devlog Update #13 - 10/30/13

Another big update, jumping from 0.0.2.0 to 0.0.2.5. My favorite part is that I added gamepad support! We still have room for one more tester if anyone wants to join.

Version 0.0.2.5: Patch Notes
01. Changes to the Options Menu:
    a. Graphics Options:
       1. Resolution: Currently the options are 1024×576, 1280x720, 1366x768, 1600x900 and 1920x1080
       2. Anti-Aliasing: This turns AA on or off. Unfortunately, that does nothing at the moment.
       3. Vsync: Enables/Disables Vertical Synchronization.
    b. Gameplay Options:
       1. Controls: Added Keybinding options for "Misting" and "Haunting".
       2. Language: Options to change which language the game's text is written in. Currently this doesn't do anything.
    c. Audio Options:
       1. Now while in the audio settings, with the Volume Adjuster, you can press Enter to instantly mute/unmute.
02. Added a help text feature while in the pause menu.
03. Added help text to each option in the pause/settings menus.
04. Ironed out a lot of kinks in the code for the pause/settings menus.
05. Added a switch on the ground that is triggered if a human runs (not walks) past it.
06. Added a switch that only stays triggered as long as a human is on it.
07. Added gamepad support!
08. Fixed issue where the player could pick up an object through a wall or platform if landing on it.
09. Fixed many issues surrounding the addition of controller support.
10. Fixed issue where the energy bar was not visible while possessing.
11. Fixed issue where after possessing a human, they would be stuck walking forever.
12. Fixed issue where debug menu would be open-able during pause menu.
13. Fixed issue where humans would trigger the switch even if they weren't running.

[Thomas Finch]

Devlog Update #14 - 11/03/13

Version 0.0.2.8: Patch Notes
01. Cleaned and Optimized all of the game's code. Game is now much smoother.
02. Changes to the Options Menu:
    a. Changed how the settings are selected and drawn on the screen.
    b. Graphics Options:
       1. Resolution: Added a new resolution: 1440x810.
       2. Anti-Aliasing: Now partially functions. Not finished yet.
       3. Brightness: Adjusts the game's brightness. (Currently does nothing)
       4. Contrast: Adjust the game's contrast. (currently does nothing)
    c. Audio Options
       1. Added a % to the end of the volume number.
       2. Set the Volume toggle to revert to your previous volume when unmuted.
03. If Squeamish Spirits are cornered when bounced on, they will no always run away from the wall/cliff.
04. Implemented the translation system to go along with the Language option.
05. Simplified debug mode.
06. Fixed a major issue where the framerate seemed choppy despite having perfect framerate.
07. Fixed the issue of left and right gamepad presses not working properly in the pause menu.
08. Known Issue: The keybind settings need a lot of work still.
09. Known Issue: V-Sync sometimes causes massive slowdowns.

[Thomas Finch]

Devlog Update #15 - 11/05/13

Version 0.0.2.9: Patch Notes
01. Added rain weather effect with randomized wind direction and droplet speed.
02. Added night filter.
03. Added a check for when the gamepad axis is released.
04. Fixed issue wherein the player would get stuck when moving to another room.
05. Fixed issue where players were unable to apply changes in the Video Settings.

[Thomas Finch]

Sorry that hasn't been any screenshots, concept art or any art at all to show off for a while. We've been working on multiple assets at the same time and getting the game's exact style down before we get anything done enough to show. Soon!

[Thomas Finch]

Devlog Update #16 - 11/08/13

No update to the game today because I've been working on the game/studio's website! I'll be putting my devlog posts on the website as well, but don't worry I'll keep updating here. Check out the website and tell me what you think: http://www.toastymuffins.com www.despawn.net
It's very simple, but that's what I wanted.

[Thomas Finch]

I'll have a big update soon with a lot of patch notes and some art. Stay tuned!