A little sick...
Before you freak out, I do NOT have swine flu. There´s a medical emergency here, with a lot of people dying every week. I´m taking all the needed precautions with my customers and myself, and luckily my life rarely involves being in crowded places.
I do have a regular flu, this makes it harder to do simple tasks, like tiling rooms. After a tough week I´m feeling better now, so things will move much faster.
So, about the misterious lower part of area 4... I already did the basic rooms, there´s a lot of tiling left, and it still doesn´t have any scripted parts.
What I can tell you about it without spoiling too much: It´s not too small, there´s an item to be collected, there might be a miniboss waiting for you, it´s completely optional (so, no Metroids down there).
I read many of the ideas you people posted on the last blog post, there were some really cool ones, but I had to come up with something within the reach of my skills and my free time (I don´t want to spend too much time on a single area).
Thank you for your suggestions!
In other news, this year´s Nintendo Community Fangame Convention has been confirmed for October 26th. There´s going to be some awesome Metroid Fangames this year (incuding AM2R), so be sure to bookmark the NCFC page.
So, I was thinking, there´s still a lot of work left for the project to be finished. In the meantime, would you like to play an updated version of the demo, to be released on the NCFC? I might include the latest engine features for you to try out, and some level updates... but of course that would distract me from the main project.
I still haven´t decided about it, what do you think? Would you prefer to play a new demo and wait some more for the final thing, or simply wait until I finish the game a bit faster?
I do have a regular flu, this makes it harder to do simple tasks, like tiling rooms. After a tough week I´m feeling better now, so things will move much faster.
So, about the misterious lower part of area 4... I already did the basic rooms, there´s a lot of tiling left, and it still doesn´t have any scripted parts.
What I can tell you about it without spoiling too much: It´s not too small, there´s an item to be collected, there might be a miniboss waiting for you, it´s completely optional (so, no Metroids down there).
I read many of the ideas you people posted on the last blog post, there were some really cool ones, but I had to come up with something within the reach of my skills and my free time (I don´t want to spend too much time on a single area).
Thank you for your suggestions!
In other news, this year´s Nintendo Community Fangame Convention has been confirmed for October 26th. There´s going to be some awesome Metroid Fangames this year (incuding AM2R), so be sure to bookmark the NCFC page.
So, I was thinking, there´s still a lot of work left for the project to be finished. In the meantime, would you like to play an updated version of the demo, to be released on the NCFC? I might include the latest engine features for you to try out, and some level updates... but of course that would distract me from the main project.
I still haven´t decided about it, what do you think? Would you prefer to play a new demo and wait some more for the final thing, or simply wait until I finish the game a bit faster?
Comments
Time goes by, no matter the attention spent. If we've steered our attention to something else in our wait, we can continue to do so as long as we must. After an awesomegasm, of course.
That and u do not want to be the only developer without an updated demo
I cant wait to see what you come up with (icebeam would be a cool thing to show off :D)
Now if you did do a demo (I'm still against it), I recommend letting us try our skills on some actual alphas and betas. That would be the best thing to show.
All in all, I feel a video will make us more and more excited than an updated demo. Show us something we haven't seen yet, not let us try what you've done. We can wait for the final product for that. Good luck and I hope everything goes well over there.
Write down new features and use new users to have some good test on gameplay and overall balancing :d
We definitely don't need another demo because the first demo already showed of what the engine can do so take your time and don't release it until you're completely satisfied. You don't have a deadline and you must take advantage of this.
Anyway, I'm all for a demo but if you're not up to it that's no problem either
But we do really care if there is a new demo!
Personally, I'm looking forward to get a taste of those delicious new jumping physics that were displayed in the teaser video a little ways back.
Get well soon.
My opinion goes towards continuing the game. I know you've still got many tunnels and a whole queens layer to complete, not to mention many other things besides maps. I'm still dying to see how the omega's will look like, i'm wondering how much different you'll make them from fusion.
What i believe would be better, is if you just tweak up the original demo with more beams, map system, start menu, and updated game engine. surely that wouldnt take a while off your project time.
This is "An_Artist" I will now use my google account. pleasure to be at your service DOC.
As for the to have or not to have demo, flip a coin or something. I mean a demo would be really nice to have because all of us who have been following this project for a long time really wanna see and play it. On the other hand, the suspense continues to grow each day, so it may be better to let us sit and wait and when it comes out we can splurge and go crazy. Either way is fine with me and im sure many others feel the same way.
I remember when I was 9 playing the Metorid 2 on my old Gameboy, I can't wait to play your version. The demo works great with my gamepad btw!
-http://www.youtube.com/thegamer201.
By the way, I used your ripped Super Metroid starship sprite, I gave you credit for it.
I think updating the demo would be nice.
I've been playing the demo alot reciently and I have a few ideas on some updates.
1- the boss battles.
It would be nice to get a reward at the end of a boss battle. Like an expansion or an energy tank.
2- maybe include an outside area to start at. Like the surface of SR-388.
3- the ending of the demo. Instead of getting to your ship, you could go deeper into the planet but considering this is a simulation, the idea might not work.
Get well soon and good luck with your project.
My opinion: make a demo so people can tell you if there are some glitches so the main game could be released without any bugs. Awesome job on area 4 btw, be healthy! :D
I'm sure that DoctorM64 has been testing the main game consistently now for such things. If you had played the first two demos released there were no graphical glitches to be seen and I'm more than positive that any critical game killing bug that the Doc/Hyrule Swordsman spotted has been wiped out.
There's no need for another demo at this time considering that Metroid Confrontation was released not too many months ago anyways. Progress on the main game is steady, it looks good, and the guys working on it seem to be highly reliable thanks to the constant updates...I think the next demo idea should be put on the back burner (or better yet just stay an idea) because the last thing any one that wants to play a good 2D Metroid game needs is something halting the progress...it's not like a train that can just suddenly change tracks at will.
The ncfc is a place were ppl submit their fan games to attract interest and/or show off. What you need to decide is "if" you want to show your game again at the ncfc and how you want to go about it.
This game is a manifestation of your hard work and time. How you want to represent it should up to you. In my opinion I think what would give you the most benefit is if you made something new. Whether it be a video, a demo or a few simple screen shots.
Personally... I'd like to see an update to your demo from October of last year.
Whatever you decide Dr.M you have my support and i look forward to playing the finished game.
and dont die of the flu out there! (just kidding :) )
I don't know if it's like that for you, but when you stop a creative process in function of a minor thing, it's usually hard to pick up on the same pace of sprouting ideas and everything. Well...
Wish you good health.
I was also thinking about something when I watched the latest trailer for AM2R. The first time you encounter the Metroid, couldn't you make that a bit more scary or exciting? As it's the first time and all, where you're supposed to get abit freaked out or suprised atleast. :)
And at the same time it will also look and feel more like the old Gameboy version where time froze and you watched the metroid hatch. :)
Hope you get better and cheers from Sweden. :D
Believe me we need a new demo - the last one was a bit more laggy than the first. I'm a dev myself(not saying "cool dev") and I don't say wrong things if we're talking 'bout games. Cheers! ;)
ahh... but a opinion is a opinion, the faster the better, or atleast release a simulation where we can fight a alpha,gamma,zeta,omega and hatchling metroid...
Te deseo que te recuperes lo antes posible para que puedas continuar en tus ratos libres con este magnifico juego.
Un pequeño apunte sobre la demo si piensas hacerla ten en cuenta la Nintendo Community Fangame Convention si crees que puedes sacar algo positivo, además así nosotros los que estamos pendiente de tí podemos ver los defectos o cosas que se podrían arreglar en el juego y comunicartelas para hacerlo aún mejor. Pero como ya he dicho si tienes pensado hacer una nueva demo, todos la recibiremos muy bien, pero dependemos de tu esfuerzo para que nos llegue a nosotros. Leyendo como te encontrabas en esta ultima noticia de tu blog, me ha entrado un poco de miedo lo de hacer una demo nueva, pero si te encuentras bien y con fuerzas adelante se que será mejor que la anterior y la jugaré. ^^
Salu2s y recuperate pronto. ^^
if anything... the doc would prob let us as far as the first area if he did not feel like cooking up a new demo from scratch.
I personally want the demo if you just upgrade the engine and leave the rest same except maybe make like a couple new rooms and put like ScrewAttack in one of 'em and at the end(Like in the place of the ship) you find SpaceJump. Then you SpaceJump your way out of the big creater and you find you big ship up top and then get in it. That would be very cool.
As for the NCFC, if possible, try creating a video where you personally comment your game. Otherwise make a nice portfolio.
Try to dissolve most common worries of your target audiance.
-Will it be as good as (or better than) the original?
-Would it be possible to incorporate different styles of play into it (speedrunning, sequence skip, pacifist run, no % run)?
-How loyal is the game to the main franchise and will the player be familliar to your game (storyline consistency, no contradictions)?
-Why the player should even play your game?
-What new features your game will have (abilities, multiple engings, achievements, gameplay elements)?
-Will it be edifying or benefitial to the player in any way?
By addressing the fans' worries you will make your game more appealing to them. If it is indeed the best metroid game out there then them so. If it's not then make some improvements or present your game's strong points.
Show them that you're a professional and they will take your game seriously (it will not be disscarded as just another fan game). But try not to boast about it or you may be taken for just another jerk. Take care!
May the God of Israel, Jesus Christ the Messiah, bless you and show He's mercy, through He's salvation, unto you!
step 2: finish the game.
...
it's that simple.
the more ive thought about this, i dont think we need another demo. another preview video would be good enough should you feel like doing another one. that might be better for the NCFC than an updated demo. clearly there is more going on in the full game itself that what we can see in the demo.
eager to see/play the full version, but patient enough to wait for the well developed, thought out, and planning that you've put into this.
oh and as someone else mentioned.. i hope it is possible to still have save points.
or just the first metroid
Like the first aera with the first three metroid fights. if the lava goes down, you jump down there and there is a to be continued shown and the demo ends...
As far as the other question, it is a tough one to answer. While half of me yearns for something to play the other half of me wants you to stay focuses and working on the final game. So I am not sure but I guess if I had to pick one, I would say make an updated demo.
Reason is because it will allow you to get more feedback from more people and show some new people your work. Also just *in case* it doesn't get finished, at least we will have something to have fun with.
Either way thank you very very much for all your work and effort. Much appreciated!!
If you won't do that, get the project back on its feet and keep going so it can be done as reasonably soon as possible.
If you cant get it done,try a tiny demo release...
Or for the hell of it, a area 4 beta relese, just submit a beta, you can get people willing enough to spend hours, just looking for glitches and other misc things...
Finish it, demo, or beta...
Rooting for ya!
that would be awesome
Instead of getting a little taste that reminds me how hungry I am, I'd much rather just wait and be satisfied by the full mean.
Good luck.
And I'd love if you can make a new demo with the new stuff.
:D
i think...
if you put a demo for the convention
more people will like it and you will have much feedback.
maybe is ok but if you finish the final product After the convention the same feed back will like it
i am not saying you need more feedback but, it wiil be awasome for more people who doesn't know your project play a better demo and wait a bit more for the final game.
well thats what i think a good luck with your sickness.
Sorri for mai bad inglish aim meccican.
I felt a small bump Special Advent and invisible to fight the master object Scopex radius "(which can see through the walls as in Super Metroid on Super-sized) and a set with item you can see the invisible bump and killed.
If his work takes tros achieved, program a little every single boss.
Thank you for your wonderful work set for completion.