Castle Paradox

[Harbinger]

I used to be heavily involved with the OHR project back around the time it started, and I still check back here about once a month out of nostalgia, and to see if any major updates have taken place. I occasionally get the bug and create half a game then let it drop as well

I'm really glad to see the open source turn and all the activity -- it's awesome. It also gives me an idea for a game engine that I've had in mind for quite some time.

About 3 years ago I began a rather ambitious project to create an RPG from scratch – it began as an OHR game (a damn good-looking one, I might add), but it quickly became clear that OHR couldn’t handle what I had in mind. At that time I had the ability to make the graphics, but I needed support on the programming, which I sort of got. However, the "lead" programmer was inexperienced and unmotivated so all the other programmers never really got on the ball, and thus nothing happened... except that I have large documents about the game and about 5 gigs worth of graphics and other game resources.

The reason I bring this up is that the engine wasn't anything particularly complex -- 2D isometric, 16-bit color -- and I see that there are several people who can program game engines here.

It's clear to me that making this engine on a $0 budget solely for the game I had in mind isn't going to happen, but maybe I can help spark the development of a humble windows/linux isometric game engine. I love the simplicity of the OHR, and I feel like that ease-of-use would be the guiding principle for this as well.

I am a graphic designer, artist, and I also do web programming professionally, so maybe with some mentoring I could break into programming the game engine as well. What I could do is sort of spearhead the overall project, create a web site for it that could act as a CVS and a resource to the user base, as well as using the engine-in-progress to create a flag ship demo based on the graphics I developed for that RPG.

I see the project progressing by first planning the scope of it, then laying down some simple, achievable goals: maps with maptiles, then Player Characters that can move around maps, then doors to other maps, etc, and just build slowly with scalability in mind but no earth shattering features "planned" necessarily -- to my mind, that's what always kills a project... trying to do too much at once.


Anyway, if any programmers are interested, I'd love to hear from you. I probably won't see this thread in the near future, so you'll want to get ahold of me by:

AIM: Opini
MSN: theharbinger777@hotmail.com
Email: michaudp at gmail dot com

[Moogle1]

Hey, wow. I was going to ask if you were the same Harbinger that popped up back in the Zant RPGBoard days, but looks like you answered that question. It must be a good time for people to reappear after five years' absence.

Your project is interesting and within my realm of capability, but my plate is currently more than full. I wish you well, though, and it may be that one of the other programmer-types is willing to give you a hand here.
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Slime Salad :: Independent Game Design

[Harbinger]

yeah, I totally understand the "full plate" thing... this project is something I'd have to make time for. Maybe it would help if I dug out some of the old graphics I was working on... they're pretty damn good.

[Moogle1]

That would certainly help generate interest.
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Slime Salad :: Independent Game Design

[PlayerOne]

Yes, I like the isometric viewpoint, and have thought about doing an engine a few times, but getting the graphics right is tough, particularly animated characters.

[Kizul Emeraldfire]

[Setu_Firestorm]

Meh, you could always manipulate OHR's tile system by making angled corner tiles and shaping your map like a diamond. That's one way you can simulate an isometric experience.
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[Battleblaze]

When it comes to OHR the lazy way usally works the best. Games that rely on plotscripting tend to be buggy ( I made one such game called the adventures of Battleblaze, it was pretty badass until I realised the zelda sword slice just couldent make good games :/ )
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Indy OHR! and National OHR Month Contest going on now!

"Aeth calls PHC an anti-semite; PHC blames anti-semitism"
-squall

[Moogle1]

Uh, speak for yourself, man.
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Slime Salad :: Independent Game Design

[jabbercat]

Argh, you've just inspired me to start plotscripting OHR games again.
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Moogle no longer owes prizes.

[dbpro2006]

Hey, i'm working on a 3D engine, thats better then isometric (right?)

I would be glad to help out with your engine. (The only down side, is , my engine is for win32, and uses directX 9.0c) Now think about this for a second. a 3D FREE game engine. Can build any game (by choosing a category at start) I'm sorry about it being win32 and all, but thats the only way i can get it to run. If youre on a $0 budget, then, eh... Well... I dont know. I guess we can work on the DOS part or something.

I'm sorry if this isnt what you had in mind...

Well, dont be too mad if this was insulting, it was my first post here.
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(note to self* Get a better signature)

[The Wobbler]