FRIENDS FOREVER - Farmergnomes entry

[Farmergnome]

Watch this space damn it, time to start again. Im thinking, I want to do something platformy, as Ive never realy touched platformer before, so why not give it a shot. This game has no relation to the retro64 title, and im playing with ideas with imaginary friends atm, exciting, if I feel bothered ill post up art and shit like that as I go, more soon.

[Dan]

Originally Posted by Farmergnome

if I feel bothered ill post up art and shit like that as I go

Please do exactly that. As mentioned in the FAQ, we're keen to do semi-regular "Shindig Updates" on the site, so anything you want to show-off/talk about would be much appreciated.

[Farmergnome]

Awesome no problems, so had a bit more thought this arvo between dodging real work, trying to lure some friends into the competition too so I can kick there ass (hopefully haha) again. Sounds a cool way of doing it, not many indie games get exposure nowdays hey, I was actually considering kicking the habit of making games in my free time do something that pays the mortgage after hours, but ill stick it out for this competition see how it goes.

Like I said before ill be soloing it, I know im prolly going to get owned by some uber group with mad skillz, but whatever, I think a nice goal to get a bit of exposure, whatever it takes to make small games as a fulltime job one day

Ok about the game, you control a character who is clearly deranged, he sees a variety of imaginary characters all displayed in vibrant colour. The real world hallways of the mental house are all black and white with a realy sharp geometry. Now the character, Leroy, can get assistance from a small group of friendly imaginary characters to solve environmental puzzles that are overlayed on the black and white real world in colour representing that they are all in leroys imagination, lots of swirling shapes, cutesy sort of shit to contrast the grim real world.

Im tossing up 2 player also, but for the sake of simplicity and the imaginary character having most of the fun, I might keep it a solo experience, we will see.

[Farmergnome]

Oky, did some concepting over the weekend between some 360, and i did a few sheets, this one is some of the imaginary characters that I might add, we will see, ive got a few more but ive been realy focusing on locking down how colour plays part with it, so expect changes.

Okay to the characters, these are all in leroys imagination, and oh i should say, im going to make this thing (maybe) mandatory 2 player, you guys think that will be a problem? I could add a tacked on 1 player mode but I think it could turn it from above average idea to pretty lame, time will see.

all these characters are npcs, cept pete, hes player 2, oh, and all these will be 3d renders, these are just speed concepts to get a idea, so say something, I dare you.




still not sure if ill have time to finish, so if i dont, ill release it later and charge you your soul.

[Soyvoyage]

Thats some really nice stuff, if a bit freaky. I do not think 2-player will be a problem because I have friendly friends. I am intrigued by the 3D rendering style, have you done it in a game before so I can see an example? Although I am a rookie pixel-pusher 3D is always interesting.

[Farmergnome]

Ill post up the characters once there done, im realy only doing in 3d because its my main strength, and ive been doing pixel art pretty much constantly for the last year, and thought id try something different. I think animating in 3d is alot easier too, and because alot of the game is silhouettes, I wanted to stick in a shitload of animations to make up for it. That being said, im only concepting because i want to get good at it too, as its one of my weakest art skills atm, but appreciate the props

[Farmergnome]

bleh, quick update, hideous made me do it, got a basic walkaround engine happening, mostly the graphics for the characters is what ive been doing tho, kinda worried about how many frames of animation they are chewing, but ill deal with that later.

Come closer....



Haha, kinda freaky i hope, I like this one, one of the more simple title screen mockups i did, prolly use it for finals.



First screenshot, not much shit happening but its progress right!?

Now I sort of have to focus on the code side of things, cant flash around screenshots forever... thats if I finish at all.

[Muz]

Wow, I admire the artwork, man. It looks like a game I'll keep on my comp just for the freaky art, regardless of the gameplay

[pornaga]

I agree with Muz, love the art style. The imaginary friends roster is great, just the right amount of humorous and disturbing. And your initial gameplay screenshot is actually enough to make me want to see more.

If you can get some moody music to complement the visuals, maybe peppered with a few more shall we say, offbeat or unusual/funny tracks to go with the dark humor (which seems to be what you're going for here), we have a winner here.

[Farmergnome]

realy appreciate the comments man, well see how it turns out, hopefully i have enough time to turn around something im happy with, though I do think im detouring a bit from the colour theme but well see how it goes.