Showing signs of life

I´ve been with a lot of work lately. Life is eating my time away, but I manage to find time for the project once in a while. I even drew a tileset while I was recording voice actors for a documentary.

I retiled most of the breeding area 3, I had to add more variety to the tileset, it was too repetitive. Changed the tiles of the tunnel connecting area 3 with the main shaft, instead of a recolor of existing brick tiles, I´m using new original tiles.

The Gammas were tweaked yet again. Some fights are in very closed spaces, and some gammas were moving too fast.

Zeta Metroids are coming out pretty well. Both HyruleSwordsMan and me are working on animating a wireframe sketch of the zetas with all the required actions, before he starts drawing the details. This gives us an idea of how many frames each animation will take, and how many positions need to be drawn for every part.We´re trying to make things look as fluid as possible. For example, the current sketch for the walking animation has 21 frames.
The Zeta sprites will take more time to produce than the past Metroids, but it´ll be worth the wait.

A lot of people asked me to show screenshots or videos of the Gamma Metroids. The way gammas are drawn, they use sprite rotation much more than the Alphas. Rotation is applied subtly to give the body a more "floaty" sensation, and to each limb to create the animations in real time. The thing is, that most screenshots look distorted in at least one part of the Gammas. That´s why I want to show it on a video, instead of images.
Now, I still have to redo some of the animations. Most of them look very mechanical right now. Whenever I find time to redo them in a more natural way, I´ll post a video showing a fight.
Only if you want to spoil the surprise of running into them in the game.

Do you want to see the Gamma Metroids?

EDIT: I almost forgot to mention: Lee Evans of Downwards Compatible closed a series of great Metroid related articles with an interview with me. I cannot recommend his blog enough, it´s a great read.

Comments

Dudeman said…
AWESOME!!!

good to hear from ya. my friends and I are cheering you on
xCYBERKIDx said…
I would love to see them even though they ruin the surprise, i've never played this game so i have no idea where that area is.
Dark Master said…
Great is the doc!
That feels good to hear good news about the great progress of the project.
I think it would be very cool to see the metroids gamma action in the video. Thank you for not forgetting their fans. We look forward to more news!
most definately want to see the Gammas
Anonymous said…
DEFINITELY WANT TO SEE THEM!!!
Anonymous said…
I really want to the gammas in action too. The people who don't want to watch it, because of ruining the surprise. Can simply "Not" watch it.
Anonymous said…
Well if it's basically following the same thing as the original then I doubt it would be much of a surprise to be honest, although the way the morphing/looks of the gamma metroid might be quite the surprise(amazing and such)
Jaap said…
I would like to see the gamma's in action.
kenji imatake said…
though I would love to, that goes too far for me =) I'd rather wait for the final game because it will be EPIC... though I wouldn't mind seeing the omega metroid =P anyhoo for the people who don't want to see it, perhaps have a link to the video instead? in the next update that is...
Anonymous said…
Keep up the Good Work :)
Anonymous said…
DEFINITELY WANT TO SEE THEM TOO!!!
Anonymous said…
Mehh I particularly don't give a pooh. But it would be to see them I guess.
GrieverSoft said…
Okay, if he were to stop to take the time to produce a video or post some screenshots, then that would ultimately slow the project down. I say just finish the damn thing, let these impatient lapdogs wait. That's the problem with most fangames, they just wanna give as many updates as they possibly can, posting on their forum when they tweak a line of code, make a video whenever they add a new sprite. They slow down and ultimately give up because of lack of progress...
Just finish it, Doc. That's my suggestion.
Anonymous said…
i think you should release a vid of the gammas, everybody can decide for himself if he wants to watch it or not ;)

go on!!
Axion said…
I would love to see your Gamma remakes. Although I am more interested to see what you did with the environment of that area .. The things in your last preview video looked amazing as it is, so I can't wait to see more. Keep up the awesome work!
An_Artist said…
Thank you for hearing us and saying why you prefered not to show us screenshots.

In that case, I look forward to another video. I really enjoy hearing the music and the animations you've had made. And YES i do wish to see the gama metroids.
Anonymous said…
Depends on how long the game will take to complete. I'd gladly wait for the surprise if we were only a month or 2 away from playing this baby, but I imagine it'll take a bit longer.

So yes, just show the videos. We've all played Metroid 2 before, so it's not like there's 'that' much you can spoil for us.
Drago2012 said…
SPOIL US PLZ!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
:p
David said…
I have to agree with GrieverSoft on this.

Just keep going, making demos and releasing videos and screenshots takes time away from developing the game. I know that you want to take your time with this project and all (as you stated in the interview with Downwards Compatible), but I think it would be wiser not to spoil the game. The more stuff you show us, the more dull our reaction will be when you release the actual game. I'm not saying ignore the fans, but you shouldn't let us get in the way of your development. The choice is yours, good luck.
Anonymous said…
Show the gammas, or I'm not going to play it.
GrieverSoft said…
On the other hand, you're working alone, and if you show us what's going on, we can give you constructive criticism or suggestions and you could improve/change things it there is a negative reaction.
Anonymous said…
Although making a video will slow down production you have to play parts of the game in the process of making it, thus giving you opportunity to playtest and find any glitches.
And as Griever said it allows us to give input on the progress and what might need to be changed and so forth.
Anonymous said…
I also agree with GrieverSoft About posting videos on how we can then ask questions and comments.
R2 said…
I know I just won't resist. If you post a new video, I'll watch it, but I'm not sure if it's the best idea, as it will slow the project. But then again, it's always good for the project to have some feedback.
Your choice, but I have a feeling this will happen again, people will also want a video of the Zetas, Omegas and who knows what else... maybe you can show them all in one video? It depends on how long it takes you to make those videos.
Anonymous said…
Personally I don't have a great desire to see Omega's
And I sort of have an Idea of what zeta's might look like due to vonricters version and as for the queen? well I won't even bother asking for something that far along in the game because by the time the queen is done the game probably will be too.
As for gammas? Well I have never personally seen a form of it remade. At least zeta had vonricters version and omega had fusions version.
So it's quite exciting tbh lol.

I still remember when I was super surprised when the gamma first appeared. I ran for my life because I had no idea what to do against the new form.

Ah good times I must say. Good times indeed.
Anonymous said…
I don't really care about, if you put up some screenshots, vids or demos... of course i'd be jumpin in cicles to play another, or (even) better demo, but as the others already said, makin such things takes ages. But of course, don't forget, 'we' could criticize such demos, vids etc.
Palamon said…
Screenshots are quick to take and post, but Doc's reasons for not doing it seems right considering it wouldn't do the gamma justice and thus would produce not very useful comments about how to "fix" it.

I say only go to the trouble of making a video of the gamma only if you want our feedback on it. If you like what you have already and don't want our input on it because it's pretty much set in stone, then don't waste time making a video.

I think screen shots and videos posted on this site should help the developer as much as it satisfies everyone else's curiosity about the game.
rhodos said…
Saw the second trailer, looking good. I've only got two problems/complaints/concerns.

The music seems to be too much of a happy trancy type. The music in Super Metroid fit the game well and really set the tone of the game without sacrificing music for atmosphere (like much of the Prime series). The original Metroid and Metroid II had their technical limitations to work within, so they're not quite comparable in terms of sound design, but within their capabilities they were atmospheric. The music in the second trailer felt too much like a generic happy colorful platformer with a hint of newb dance music, not fitting Metroid at all. Not to diss the project, just that imo the current music isn't gonna do the franchise justice.

My other concern is the mac one. Dunno if the engine is cross-platform, but it'd be great to have this available on mac and other unix OSs.
Anonymous said…
Just to let you know...

I can't identify who we are, but there are indeed people within the professional gaming industry who are watching your product as well, and I don't mean that in a legal threatening way. I've been watching you make this since this blog began and I'm extremely impressed with your efforts.

Keep it up. Even with everything that's going to be up and coming at E3 this year, this is one project I look forward to the most.
JasonsJewelry said…
I'm voting "yes" to a video. :) Keep up the good work. You're awesome!
Anonymous said…
As far as fan games are concerned I believe most video game companies pull out the legal card when they think they need to defend the quality of their product. I've seen many fan games stopped that I thought were crappy...

Dr.M I must say this is the most promising fangame I've seen... ever.

I am looking forward to the finished product
Unknown said…
When the game is coming out?!? ^^
DarkPhazon said…
hey doc if you finish this project and becomes a hit. you think you can work on a project for super metroid?
DarkPhazon said…
oh and yea i would love to see it please
Neocrypter
theres already a Super Metroid remake happening...

its almost to demo stage, too

http://z13.invisionfree.com/FSMR/index.php?act=idx
Dark Master said…
This comment has been removed by the author.
Anonymous said…
COME ON! POST A VIDEO OF GAMMA! WE ARE WAITING!!!!
DarkPhazon said…
SIGH... i just hope they dont miss it up cause im not happy with it...... super metroid is my best game in the metroid section
kenji imatake said…
@Neocrypter: how can you say I or octohunter can mess it up? he can program dang good. I am the official spriter for the project, and trust me... the graphics are turning out so good they'll make your eyes blow up! I wonder when he will release the demo though...?
DarkPhazon said…
hmm... well ... ok keep up the good work then. if you ever get the chance tell octo im sorry
DarkPhazon said…
oh and I WANNA WATCH THE VID TO!!! (im so impatient...)
@Neocrypter
i can personally garantee, as an assistant spriter for FSMR, that you will not be dissapointed
Anonymous said…
trust candy man and kenji one that one. i have seen the trailer and have seen some of the sprites they have made. so disappointment will be the very last thing on your mind when their game finally does come out. also plz refrain from the double posting.
The Ant said…
Hows about, the doc only shows up to zeta, and keeps omega and queen on the down low until the game is out. This way we get to see some metroids, and still get a suprise in the game.
assassin said…
I AM WAITING FOR THE VIDEO MAKES A LOT! I'm bored waiting for! YOU ARE VERY SLOW!
Anonymous said…
Quit your complaining >.>
I'd rather wait for a quality product than get crap because the maker was in a rush.
Same with food.
DarkPhazon said…
... i know how you feel of the impatients... but you gotta be patient... and so do i... im freakin impatient like hell COME ON DOC I CANT WAIT.... see? i know its boring. but there more in life then just video games....and that doc hurrying up finishing that vid... doc is taking his time... ok? so gammas should have more attacks as my prediction and show more interesting cutsence :b
if youre too impatient, find multiple projects to watch
actually this is the only one i watch
all the others im helping with
(FSMR, MP2D, FoZ, M5F, and a few others)
i also have my own project
(Evolution)
kenji imatake said…
and hey, we are getting a better bargain then Nintendo. does Nintendo release this much stuff to the viewers before the game? even some demos? I don't remember any MZM demos, videos, or a bunch of screenshots of the game before it came out. I mean, sure there were some... but not as much as AM2R has produced so far. I think we are pretty lucky to see this much stuff from such a great fangame... dontcha all agree?
SM_RAVAGE said…
ON TOPIC: i dont think a Vid would slow things down that much IF the gammas and a few of the general areas they are in are done. Or even if you took the test room idea people have mentioned b4, and chucked a gamma in for a lil 1 on 1 time with samus ^_^

BUT a big thing is, are you going to give too much away like in terms of surprise and mystery and other such things? i know of a project that is at that point, no pic or vids atm :( thats a hard place to be in alot of ways for them and fans, but i think its a good anticipation builder!

OFF TOPIC: Hmm, just look release dates for example, 94 for super metroid.... 2002 for fusion. I liked prime 1 an 2. 3 was kinda meh in alot of ways, but hey they are better than nothing. but wait... where is the next 2D metroid title, the style that from what ive seen ALOT of fans luv? The big N is!... nope no more 2D metroid titles on the foreseen road ahead that i can see(unless im blind and have not found any news on them). im not having ago at anyone with that, just a lil rant. The Doc here is doin what alot of fans want and what the metroid universe NEEDS! and we will prolly see it way b4 anything offical :P

im done too much typing >_<

-Peace
nintendo has directly said
"there is not a new 2-d metroid in the works"
so we have to keep waiting
(also they didnt deny a 3-d metroid)

and holy hell ravaga, thats a helluvalot of typing for a comment xD
Unknown said…
Hi DoctorM64

Have You read my e-mail about the rest of the glitches I found in confrontation 1.1. I also uploaded a video to show them, the link is in the e-mail. It had 20 possible glitches, not all of them are glitches.

Don't hurry with the video or updates! We can wait. Thanks.
Anonymous said…
Here's to hoping a video or screens is available before May!
McHazard said…
...you know what? I've decided I'd like to wait for the game to see the Gammas.
GrieverSoft said…
There is a reason professional developers don't release multiple demos and videos all the time. What's the point of playing something if you know what everything is (remakes notwithstanding)? Just finish it, Doc. That's my advice.
^^^
wut

also i made some Omegas that are now on Metroid Fan Mission
if you want to use them, thats cool
if not, eh, whatever xD

probably have your own style in mind ;D

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