Nifflas' Support Forum

Level Editing Support => Knytt Stories Level Previews => Topic started by: utherdoul on March 01, 2009, 21:42:30

Title: [Puzzle/Misc] Fissure
Post by: utherdoul on March 01, 2009, 21:42:30
Full title: Fissure
Updated: 24/5/09

Welcome to the preview page of 'Fissure', a subquest-orientated hub-based level, complete with custom everything. By that, I mean that aside from standard KS objects, these levels will have brand new tilesets, gradients, ambience and music along with new custom objects.

This will be released in parts, each part released as an add-on which will overwrite the previous one level, adding new areas... If that makes sense. The structure will be as follows:

All areas will be accessible from the hub, the starting village (in some cases, chambers beneath the village).

The story takes Juni across a variety of landscapes (each with their own challenges and style of gameplay) in pursuit of a being that has infected her dreams with rage. Juni flees her village after receiving a terrifying vision, seeking a way to protect her village from certain destruction, or to end to her torment...

As Juni travels through each area, the style of gameplay will change, from simple platforming / exploration in one area, to shift-based surreal puzzles in another, to enemy evasion and even perhaps a boss fight.

Category: Puzzle / Misc
Difficulty: Hard
Size: Medium
Completed Custom Tilesets: 5.5
Completed Custom Gradients: 10
Completed Custom Objects: 5.5
Custom Music: All music confirmed, with permission from the artist!
First Chapter Completion: 80%

For a taster of general story-arc, please visit here (http://www.megaupload.com/?d=UP7SWMAJ) for a download of the abandoned project this is essentially a remake of.

Below are a couple of sample screenshots - see page 2 for more screenies (excuse the slight manipulation in #1, it's currently part of a desktop background ;)).
Title: Re: [Puzzle/Misc] Fissure
Post by: Vinterrun on March 01, 2009, 21:48:47
Sounds nice and the screens are good too. Go on =)
Title: Re: [Puzzle/Misc] Fissure
Post by: Kasran on March 01, 2009, 21:53:46
Looks epic so far.

Keep it up. :3
Title: Re: [Puzzle/Misc] Fissure
Post by: Teper on March 01, 2009, 22:29:45
It's lovely!
Title: Re: [Puzzle/Misc] Fissure
Post by: utherdoul on March 01, 2009, 22:45:02
Thank you all!

The leafy tileset still needs some work... I'm considering an uneven edge to the main tiles (and a darker outline). The gradient is still a WIP too.
Title: Re: [Puzzle/Misc] Fissure
Post by: Joozey on March 02, 2009, 09:41:22
This looks great :) keep it up!
Title: Re: [Puzzle/Misc] Fissure
Post by: Saturneo on March 02, 2009, 19:09:42
Beautiful screens. Keep working on.  :)
Title: Re: [Puzzle/Misc] Fissure
Post by: lilmanjs16 on March 02, 2009, 23:24:12
looks amazing.
Title: Re: [Puzzle/Misc] Fissure
Post by: BlackM.1 on March 07, 2009, 22:00:28
I can't wait til it comes out :)
Title: Re: [Puzzle/Misc] Fissure
Post by: Paradox on March 07, 2009, 22:08:32
This looks amazing!
Title: Re: [Puzzle/Misc] Fissure
Post by: Mr_Affu on March 08, 2009, 11:19:51
Looks really great. Youve certainly got the tone, and mood right in those pictures, at least from what we can see. I like the atmosphere and how the backgrounds adds to the scenes : ) Good job so far, keep it up

Title: Re: [Puzzle/Misc] Fissure
Post by: CPW on March 08, 2009, 22:05:15
Guys, download the abandoned project that was the original version of this level. It's great, and playable.
Title: Re: [Puzzle/Misc] Fissure
Post by: utherdoul on March 09, 2009, 10:07:42
Thanks for the plug, CPW!

The abandoned version can be found HERE (http://www.megaupload.com/?d=UP7SWMAJ), if anyone's interested. Work is still going ahead as planned (although a bit slower since I just bought Fallout 3). Garden tileset is finished and underground and caves tilesets are on the way. Gradients still needing some work...
Title: Re: [Puzzle/Misc] Fissure
Post by: utherdoul on March 30, 2009, 01:02:02
S'cuse the double post. I have a question for the masses:

What would be more preferable: smaller (and sooner) releases of the level in chapter form, or a longer wait for one larger, complete release?

I ask because I'm quite eager for people to see what I've done (though I don't want a beta release) and get feedback (especially as I've got a new idea brewing). Then again, it'd be nice to wait until Knytt Levels is finished and upload it properly there... I'm not really a fan of the temporary forum.

So what do you think?
Title: Re: [Puzzle/Misc] Fissure
Post by: googoogjoob on March 30, 2009, 01:46:51
I'd prefer the chapter format, because feedback on one chapter could then be used to the betterment of the next chapter(s).

Also, I think it would be neat if the chapters were released as expansions upon the existing level, rather than as standalone levels. (Unless the chapters are huge.) All chapter-based levels I know of have been released in discrete installments, rather than as one unit. (This gets really frustrating when I have to go back through the pages of levels to open the next installment in a series like Cube.) As long as each new release doesn't have tons of new music, the size wouldn't be much of a problem. (Even if there were this sort of size problem- the music could be packaged in the first chapter, say, and then each subsequent release wouldn't have any music, to save space. The new releases would overwrite the map and world files, but wouldn't overwrite the music from the original level.) In the short term, for chapter-based release, the individual levels would be more convenient, but in the long term the expansions-upon-a-single-level thing would work better, especially as it would make players play the chapters in order.

(Sorry if this suggestion seems a bit complex. It's just that chapter-based release hasn't been done much, and what has been done hasn't been particularly efficient- like letting players skip ahead to the next chapter if they don't feel like beating the one they're on.)
Title: Re: [Puzzle/Misc] Fissure
Post by: Teper on March 30, 2009, 16:20:27
I too prefer chapter format  :)
Title: Re: [Puzzle/Misc] Fissure
Post by: Strange Darkness on April 18, 2009, 11:36:48
Quote from: Teper on March 30, 2009, 16:20:27
I too prefer chapter format  :)
Ditto  :D
Title: Re: [Puzzle/Misc] Fissure
Post by: utherdoul on April 22, 2009, 14:17:48
Well, it's decided, it will indeed be released in Chapters. The first of which is about 40% done. The basic area structure and puzzles / challenges are planned, but I'm still working on some tilesets and gradients. There's a 'village' tileset that's giving me trouble at the moment.

Quote from: googoogjoob on March 30, 2009, 01:46:51
Also, I think it would be neat if the chapters were released as expansions upon the existing level, rather than as standalone levels. (Unless the chapters are huge.) All chapter-based levels I know of have been released in discrete installments, rather than as one unit. (This gets really frustrating when I have to go back through the pages of levels to open the next installment in a series like Cube.) As long as each new release doesn't have tons of new music, the size wouldn't be much of a problem. (Even if there were this sort of size problem- the music could be packaged in the first chapter, say, and then each subsequent release wouldn't have any music, to save space. The new releases would overwrite the map and world files, but wouldn't overwrite the music from the original level.) In the short term, for chapter-based release, the individual levels would be more convenient, but in the long term the expansions-upon-a-single-level thing would work better, especially as it would make players play the chapters in order.

So... From what I understand, I'd essentially release the level containing just the first chapter. Then, once the second chapter's ready, I'd re-release it as a larger (but still the same) .bin file which would overwrite the previous one on the player's computer and they can continue from their last savegame to play the next chapter. Is this what you mean? Would that work alright? What drawbacks would there be to this other than the player possibly removing their install / savegames on completion of the first chapter(s)... I like the idea of this.

Expect a new screenie before the week is up.
Title: Re: [Puzzle/Misc] Fissure
Post by: googoogjoob on April 22, 2009, 14:35:27
Quote from: utherdoul on April 22, 2009, 14:17:48
So... From what I understand, I'd essentially release the level containing just the first chapter. Then, once the second chapter's ready, I'd re-release it as a larger (but still the same) .bin file which would overwrite the previous one on the player's computer and they can continue from their last savegame to play the next chapter. Is this what you mean?

Exactly.

Quote from: utherdoul on April 22, 2009, 14:17:48
Would that work alright? What drawbacks would there be to this other than the player possibly removing their install / savegames on completion of the first chapter(s)... I like the idea of this.

The only drawback would be possible size issues. If every chapter has 20MB of new music or something, the .knytt.bin size will balloon. If a player uninstalls the level before the next chapter release, I don't know. They could always play it straight through once it's finished.

I can't think of any released levels in this format, but I've beta-tested a couple levels wherein I got the revised level, with the new area to be tested, once the new area was finished, and it worked pretty well.
Title: Re: [Puzzle/Misc] Fissure
Post by: 4a on April 22, 2009, 16:14:39
That second screenshot looks really Nifflas-y.
Title: Re: [Puzzle/Misc] Fissure
Post by: StaticRomantic on April 22, 2009, 21:26:13
This looks incredible. Keep it up, can't wait to play it  :^^:
Title: Re: [Puzzle/Misc] Fissure
Post by: utherdoul on April 25, 2009, 13:40:00
Thanks, chaps!

I'm still working on the village / town tileset and it's coming along... slowly. Here is a new screenie. The tileset is definitely NOT finalised, and the gradient is just borrowed from another area in the game until I've finished it, so it's very much a work-in-progress screenie.
Title: Re: [Puzzle/Misc] Fissure
Post by: Kasran on April 25, 2009, 15:14:29
Very nice. :3
Title: Re: [Puzzle/Misc] Fissure
Post by: chipset on April 25, 2009, 17:57:07
Excellent screen :D
Title: Re: [Puzzle/Misc] Fissure
Post by: googoogjoob on April 25, 2009, 19:49:11
Excellent tilesettry.
Title: Re: [Puzzle/Misc] Fissure
Post by: Evil on April 25, 2009, 19:49:43
so good!
Title: Re: [Puzzle/Misc] Fissure
Post by: utherdoul on April 27, 2009, 06:50:38
Thank you all very much, but actually that tileset has been dumped in favour of the following one, and two new screenies of it in action...

EDIT: It might just be the computer I'm using, but the colours are all messed up. The cloudy sky should be a few shades of gloomy grey, and have no hint of purple to it at all. If there is a purpley tinge to it on your computers, then imagine it greyer and rest assured the actual in-game colours aren't nasty and purpley.
Title: Re: [Puzzle/Misc] Fissure
Post by: Emeraldfire7 on April 27, 2009, 07:19:11
nice screens
Title: Re: [Puzzle/Misc] Fissure
Post by: googoogjoob on April 27, 2009, 08:15:47
Quote from: utherdoul on April 27, 2009, 06:50:38
EDIT: It might just be the computer I'm using, but the colours are all messed up. The cloudy sky should be a few shades of gloomy grey, and have no hint of purple to it at all. If there is a purpley tinge to it on your computers, then imagine it greyer and rest assured the actual in-game colours aren't nasty and purpley.

I see no purple.

Also, the sign in the first screenshot is epic.
Title: Re: [Puzzle/Misc] Fissure
Post by: Kasran on April 27, 2009, 13:25:50
Ahh, very excellent good. XD
Keep it up.
Title: Re: [Puzzle/Misc] Fissure
Post by: utherdoul on April 27, 2009, 14:06:55
Great news:
#1 Just got an email from the music artist giving me the thumbs up to use his music. Therefore, ALL custom music confirmed and ready and waiting for me to finish the damn areas to use 'em in!

#2 Using a different computer, it seems the strange purpley tinge to the previous screenshots wasn't an issue after all - it was the monitor's colour setting, I think. (Okay, so that's not exactly great news, but at least it ain't my laptop!)

p.s. As another shameless plug, check out the link in my signature (or the first post) for a download of the abandoned version of this project and let me know what you think - I'm reusing some ideas from it in this, and feedback would be great!

Edited for typos...  :oops:
Title: Re: [Puzzle/Misc] Fissure
Post by: Kasran on April 27, 2009, 14:11:42
Quote from: utherdoul on April 27, 2009, 14:06:55
giving mew the thumbs up to use his music
Better ask to give Mewtwo permission as well. :crazy:

Nah, I'm joking. XD
That's great news!
Title: Re: [Puzzle/Misc] Fissure
Post by: utherdoul on May 01, 2009, 17:18:50
Here're a couple of custom objects that were in place from the start. I'm not overly happy with the sun, but I can't be arsed to change it because it took a while to do...

Sun:   (http://clockworkpixel.files.wordpress.com/2009/03/suncorona.gif)
Moon: (http://clockworkpixel.files.wordpress.com/2009/03/moonrotating.gif)

Also note, the background of the sun.gif isn't what will be in-game. It's just that it makes the corona easier to see...
Title: Re: [Puzzle/Misc] Fissure
Post by: Razor on May 01, 2009, 17:31:10
The tilesets shocked me they are awsome !!
Spoiler: (click to show/hide)
Title: Re: [Puzzle/Misc] Fissure
Post by: utherdoul on May 02, 2009, 11:50:58
Quote from: Razor on May 01, 2009, 17:31:10
The tilesets shocked me they are awsome !!
Spoiler: (click to show/hide)
Thank you, that's appreciated. However, these tilesets are NOT for public use... yet. I'll let you know if / when I want to give them a public release, but at the moment, they aren't.
Title: Re: [Puzzle/Misc] Fissure
Post by: Teper on May 03, 2009, 02:04:08
This is great artwork. I love the crooked chimeny, that's original
Title: Re: [Puzzle/Misc] Fissure
Post by: utherdoul on May 24, 2009, 12:01:34
A shameless bump with an update. The first area is now fully finished with the exception of an fisherknytt CO which I'll work on when I get home. The second area (still part of the first chapter) is around 50% complete. See the first post for updated details.

It's feeling like if I keep working on it as much as I have done this weekend, the first chapter would be finished in a week. However, I was planning to wait until the Knytt Levels archive was updated, so you might have more of a wait than anticipated. I guess that does mean I'd perhaps be able to work on the second chapter and who knows, the whole lot might be finished by the time KL is done.
Title: Re: [Puzzle/Misc] Fissure
Post by: farik on May 24, 2009, 18:42:20
sounds cool. when is the archive supposed to be changed anyway? does anyone even know when thats happening?
Title: Re: [Puzzle/Misc] Fissure
Post by: googoogjoob on May 24, 2009, 18:59:19
It will happen when it happens. 9_9
Title: Re: [Puzzle/Misc] Fissure
Post by: Dandelion on May 24, 2009, 19:26:47
Those screens are beautiful! This looks like a work of art! All-new everything, and you're making all of this yourself? sounds ambitious, but awsome! I love great environments in levels.
Title: Re: [Puzzle/Misc] Fissure
Post by: Evil on May 26, 2009, 04:04:06
Juni was on a boat because...

she was a fissure

get it fissure> fisher?  XD
Title: Re: [Puzzle/Misc] Fissure
Post by: Purple Pineapple on May 26, 2009, 07:09:02
*groan*
Quote from: Razor on May 01, 2009, 17:31:10
i may make a level with those tilesets X-P
They're released?
Title: Re: [Puzzle/Misc] Fissure
Post by: utherdoul on May 26, 2009, 14:20:49
Quote from: Purple Pineapple on May 26, 2009, 07:09:02
They're released?

Nope.
Quote from: utherdoul on May 02, 2009, 11:50:58
...these tilesets are NOT for public use... yet. I'll let you know if / when I want to give them a public release, but at the moment, they aren't.
Title: Re: [Puzzle/Misc] Fissure
Post by: 4a on May 26, 2009, 18:27:20
I just noticed something... O.o

In the first screenshot, there are these tiny black dots that look like they're coming out from beneath Juni's dress. ...what are those?
Title: Re: [Puzzle/Misc] Fissure
Post by: Feline Monstrosity on May 26, 2009, 20:28:26
I assumed they were a line to show here movement path.
Title: Re: [Puzzle/Misc] Fissure
Post by: Purple Pineapple on May 27, 2009, 04:31:43
That is so wierd.
Title: Re: [Puzzle/Misc] Fissure
Post by: utherdoul on May 27, 2009, 06:06:47
Indeed, they are. In the first post, I mention that that image is manipulated slightly as it's part of a desktop background.
Title: Re: [Puzzle/Misc] Fissure
Post by: Nat225 on July 02, 2009, 11:46:01
I'm Really Looking forward to this, It Looks Brilliant!.
Title: Re: [Puzzle/Misc] Fissure
Post by: Hmpf on July 07, 2009, 00:55:55
Wow, this looks great. Can't wait! (I hope it's not super-difficult?)
Title: Re: [Puzzle/Misc] Fissure
Post by: Evil on July 07, 2009, 02:59:46
Quote from: Hmpf on July 07, 2009, 00:55:55
Wow, this looks great. Can't wait! (I hope it's not super-difficult?)

if you're not good with puzzles in a huge environment then its going to be intense!  :D
Title: Re: [Puzzle/Misc] Fissure
Post by: Hmpf on July 07, 2009, 03:37:13
I'm decent at puzzles, I think, but I'm crap at stuff that requires speed and dexterity. So, anything with lots of evil critters or lots of difficult jumps I will have to cheat a lot on... *g*
Title: Re: [Puzzle/Misc] Fissure
Post by: utherdoul on July 07, 2009, 14:24:39
It won't be super difficult. I'm aiming for [Hard] with a few minor [Very Hard] bits. The puzzles aren't hard so far, just... kind of 'environmental' and secret-ridden.
Title: Re: [Puzzle/Misc] Fissure
Post by: utherdoul on January 31, 2010, 14:33:14
Apologies for the considerable bump, but I have an update.

As some of you may be aware, my laptop committed suicide back in September (http://peribothra.wordpress.com/2010/01/14/all-the-luck-with-the-computers/) and I've not had much of a chance to do any real work on Fissure partly due to much of the source files being lost to the ether, and partly due to no replacement computer. That also partly explains my absence here. Anyway, I've managed to recover a few files from old backups and in theory, should be able to get working on this again in the none-too-distant future.

The concept remains the same; a few things will be altered (such as plot and locations) and perhaps the intended size will be decreased to allow me to get this finished sooner rather than later. Then again, I'd always planned on releasing this when the new KS Levels site was completed, so perhaps I'm still on schedule. ^^;;
Title: Re: [Puzzle/Misc] Fissure
Post by: RunMan on January 31, 2010, 15:21:49
It's great to see, that you will continue working on that. Also welcome back :)

I was worried, that another great level would be abandoned.
Title: Re: [Puzzle/Misc] Fissure
Post by: yohji on January 31, 2010, 15:46:22
This looks very, very promising; terrific to hear you haven't abandoned it! Keep it up  :)
Title: Re: [Puzzle/Misc] Fissure
Post by: RunMan on January 31, 2010, 16:50:44
Btw, I've just finished Wonder. It was so awesome.
Spoiler: (click to show/hide)
Title: Re: [Puzzle/Misc] Fissure
Post by: utherdoul on January 31, 2010, 17:36:58
Thanks. I think you're one of the few people to have played it. Fissure will be similar to The (Incomplete) Wonder in some ways, such as a few locations and some basic story ideas.
Title: Re: [Puzzle/Misc] Fissure
Post by: RunMan on January 31, 2010, 18:56:32
Well, if this encourages someone to download The (Incomplete) Wonder and play it - this level is definitely worth playing! It has RunMan's seal of approval ;)

btw, what happened to the 2D platformer, you've been working on?
Title: Re: [Puzzle/Misc] Fissure
Post by: DesiredRevenge on January 31, 2010, 22:43:00
Looks Fun.
Title: Re: [Puzzle/Misc] Fissure
Post by: Hmpf on February 01, 2010, 00:36:31
Quote from: utherdoul on January 31, 2010, 17:36:58
Thanks. I think you're one of the few people to have played it. Fissure will be similar to The (Incomplete) Wonder in some ways, such as a few locations and some basic story ideas.

Does that mean the project is still alive? Yay!
Title: Re: [Puzzle/Misc] Fissure
Post by: Klämrisk on February 01, 2010, 17:45:40
This is gonna to be epic.  :^^:
Title: Re: [Puzzle/Misc] Fissure
Post by: Hmpf on July 17, 2010, 16:43:34
Yet another thread to resurrect, in the hope that the project it concerns may also be resurrected... (or - insane to hope, I know! - maybe it isn't dead?)
Title: Re: [Puzzle/Misc] Fissure
Post by: utherdoul on July 26, 2010, 10:54:05
Well I saw your comment, Hmpf, and searched the bowels of my computer for the files. The completed part is short, but detailed. I still need to make some tilesets, COs and cutscenes, but it's mainly the actual mapping left.

I'll see if I can get this done before September. No promises, though.
Title: Re: [Puzzle/Misc] Fissure
Post by: Headgrinder on July 27, 2010, 13:52:06
Good work Hmpf.  Way to prod the artists.  :)