Housepets! Tails of Babylon! * Developer's Thread *

[D-Rock]

...eyepatch.

Like how Rockstar Hawk and Steve use.

[Unusuallynamedperson]

We know but you can hardly tell that.

[D-Rock]

Well, going to have to fix it later.

[Buster]

Never actually use solid black on a black object. You can't shade solid black.

look at your own avatar, the visor on the helmet is black, yet it's being rendered in two shades of navy blue and a mess of grays, yet we still know it's black.

[D-Rock]

How's this?

eyepatch2.png (9.02 KiB) Viewed 11692 times

Tried out making different layers of translucent grays and navies. Think it turned out well enough. Also went with an angled look, as I really don't like full frontal views on these things. Also, I remembered we talked about making Frisbees into disposable battle weapons, so I'll make one. This is the only reference that comes to mind, in the third panel.

Also found some interesting info on those things when I did some light research. Seems the name "Frisbee" is going the direction of Aspirin, Q-Tip, Band-Aid, and Popsicle; brand names that have become a general term, which pretty much makes copyrights near impossible to enforce. There's even a trope for the phenomenon. Go figure.

[SuperStar]

Ah yeah, that eyepatch looks great!
Yeah, I think it's the "full frontal" look that tends to make some items look... flat for lack of better word. Only a few really, like said eyepatch. I remember you saying you could only do front views, so it's okay.

[D-Rock]

I do of course want to better my art while I'm at this, which is a partial reason for some design choices. I'll be honest, I've been debating on remaking Peanut's weapons for a good long while now, making them all at an angle. Some will prove difficult, like Viper's Orb or Guardian Spirit.

Also, I've corrected several grammatical errors in the demo, is there a way to export the events to apply them to the developers file?

Anyway, I'll get to making that Frisbee.

[D-Rock]

And Frisbee.

frisbeetest.png (18.57 KiB) Viewed 11642 times

By the way, while I was editing the events in the demo, I discovered that Peanut's bed can be interacted with. Nice callback! Just disappointed that it took over a year for me to find it.

[Unusuallynamedperson]

That is far better then the blob in the comic, nice D-Rock!

I got us an actual database! -> http://computercobra.weebly.com/housepets-database.html <- and this one isn't going anywhere. There's also a comment and reply button at the top to avoid cluster here.

[D-Rock]

First off, what does "echo" mean in the credits? Also, the list is still incredibly cluttered and could also use some polish, especially with some of the descriptions. Still thanks for putting this up.

[Unusuallynamedperson]

echo is a languages printing method, it was just stuck in there, and a navigation GUI will soon be supported.

[D-Rock]

Alright. By the way, what exactly would we use this for, just keeping track of things? Let's hope it's at least more successful than the wiki.

[Unusuallynamedperson]

Same thing we've been using it for, mostly newcomers and the curious. Also helps us keep things straight, and no more file uploads for me. It will be 10x more reliable then the wiki, yes. never deleted either ;p because it is backed everyday. in essence it's like any other database.

EDIT: if we need to update data on it or something http://computercobra.weebly.com/housepe ... discussion <- make a post here and i will see it almost instantly.

[GreatKitsune]

This trimester has been extremely busy, but when my new laptop is set up, I'm going to start the remasters. I'll also probably throw out the more embarassing works. Also, I just thought of something. Should we still make seperate OSTs for each house. In hindsight it seems more excessive than useful.

[Unusuallynamedperson]

We could use extra tracks for special homes then the main track for other homes

[SuperStar]

Well, some should I think. Like...
Sandwich
D'Angelo
Wolfs
Lindberg(Or maybe the Wolfs and Lindberg should share a track)
Miltons(DEFINITELY, it's a mansion)
and then maybe Arbelt. But after that just "generic indoors" music for the remaining houses.

[D-Rock]

I agree, not all need a special theme. A lot of games have indoor areas that share a track unless it was special in some way.

Like maybe one for the mansion, one for the GODC, one for the D'Angelo house.

We can figure out the specifics from here on out.

[GameCobra]

traditionally, all the houses in town use the same theme, but i also like the idea of the main characters having their own house theme, similar to Earthbound. Makes a nice detail.

[Unusuallynamedperson]

I think Earthbound had a larger team Cobra.

[GameCobra]

4 heroes and the neighbours. >.>

[D-Rock]

I'm sure he meant the development team, Cobra.

[GameCobra]

needs more music.

Also: nice frisby. could be seen from the side flat, though... make it look dangerous :3

[D-Rock]

I think I'll redo the Frisbee when I find a better reference. Frisbees are cheap. Also, don't think I'll make it more "dangerous." It is just a Frisbee, after all. Now, if I had made it a full-on weapon, I would, but I've already finished Tiger's set.

[GameCobra]

If it helps, i'm thinking along the lines of the frisbees being painted differently to make it look like they are more dangerous than normal frisbees.

Of course, a neat idea i came across: We can make 2-3 frisbee upgrades. one is magical and one is painted to look more dangerous and is simply a upgraded frisbee.

[D-Rock]

Well, I'm not entirely against that idea. I've played Mystery dungeon, and it had thrown weapons, and some were tiered, like a Stick, Iron Spike, Silver Spike, and Gold Spike, each with a different strength stat.

Anyone else have input for this idea?

[GameCobra]

Also, just as a percaution: when i say dangerous, i don't mean like make the frisbee have spikes or needles on them or make them sharp - i mean make them more solid or heavier ~ like they would hurt more when they hit someone. x3

[D-Rock]

Those actually exist, too. They're for official disk tournaments.

[Buster]

you should have one named "strange Frisbee" with the description "it tastes like rocks", that's actually a target disk from a skeet shooter.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Skeet_shooting

[FancyHat]

I can't help but say I got an idea for an enemy for this game since I noticed someone brought up a reference to skeet shooting. Poachers/Hunters, An enemy for any forest areas that might be in the game. Specifically inspired by this picture below.


Basically a rare enemy type you could encounter by random chance, who pack a mean punch but are extremely weak. And by a mean punch I mean an absolute bang(Pun intended). I'd imagine if you could defeat one which I would expect to be a rare variant which would technically be two in one which I kinda nicknamed "Bubba and Jeb" (Two stereotypical rednecks.). They would drop either a special hat, "Jebediah's Kap" or just a nifty little tool to use in the game, "Bubba's Bangstick" (which would be either this, or This.)

I mean you don't have to do it, It was just a suggestion as I noticed most of the enemies were animals, and not really any human enemies. I just thought it'd be fun to throw a little difference into the mix for those hardcore players who search for 100% or such. The Poachers would basically be an enemy that acts as a glass cannon, extremely powerful, yet also quite fragile.

[GameCobra]

Now that's a great idea! I never thought about the skeeter disks. :3

[D-Rock]

Okay, the clay disks are an awesome idea, Buster!

Fancyhat, weirdly enough, I'm torn on implementing poachers like that. It would be a good change, and good use of a rare enemy, but glass cannon? Not sure. I recall Persona 3 and 4 had rare encounters with Death. ULTRA powerful, attack and defense-wise, so it's practically a boss. Beating it rewarded major XP and money, and occasionally a rare item. Thankfully, it always had some weakness, so at least there was something to exploit.

[FancyHat]

Hm, Honestly I was just thinking of Glass Cannon as for the base poachers, Bubba and Jeb are basically "You encounter us, you're gonna wish you read that walkthrough on Youtube." I mean Bubba and Jeb are basically optional bosses. I was just trying to think of a way to implement poachers as a way where they're not TOO deadly for new players as ya know, they got firearms and such. Bubba and Jeb are basically like Death in Persona, a very deadly, but very rewarding boss. That was why I came up with those special drops. I was acutally trying to decide whether both should have a variant of one drop like Bubba having a variant of the "Kap" and Jeb having a variant of the "Bangstick" which would be opposites of each other, (I.E. bubba's kap would be a Union Kepi, as Jeb's is a Confederate Kepi, and Jeb's Bangstick would've been a lever action rifle.). I'm okay on helping work out the idea if you're interested.

[D-Rock]

Well, what would the drops do?

[FancyHat]

Bubba and Jeb's drops

Item 1
Name:Bubba's Bangstick
Base Image: (I've settled on a engraved real world Remington 1879 12 Ga. Double Barrel Shotgun as a base image)
Description: "Bubba's trusty ol' 8 Gauge scattergun could probably take out a charging Rhino with a penny loaded in. It also seems a bit of a hair trigger, so lets hope we don't end up blasting our own rumps."
How it Works: A special variant of the Poacher's Gun(A significantly weaker version), would be a powerful alternative to the average small arms used by Fido. It packs a good wallop, and has the ability to strike multiple foes at once, however to counteract this, Only the Chosen target receives the major strike while the others lose at most 15 Health on critical hits, anywhere to 3-5 on regular hits(Again, this is late game when you should be getting these weapons as you would not stand a chance lower level to even TRY and fight these fellows.) . It also takes atleast one turn to charge as it fires only once before needing to be 'charged'(Loaded). It basic attack is "Scattershot", which has no limit nor cool down to use but is significantly weaker than its special, the 'Silver Slugs' which are an uncommon drop for average poachers after you have defeated Bubba and Jeb, but Bubba and Jeb both drop 30 Silver Slugs each when defeated, consumes two each use, effectively giving you 30 blasts before you're out if you have not collected more from Poachers. It lowers your defense however during said charge, as you would be occupied with loading the weapon.

Item 2
Name: Jebediah's Kap
Base Image:
Description: "An authentic Civil War cap used by Confederate soldiers, and in good condition too!"
How it works: It increases your agility and gives a 20% chance the enemy will lose attack power by anywhere from 3-5 for large enemies, and 1-3 for small enemies with a special ability called "Rebel Yell"(a reference to the infamous hollar given by confederates going into battle). Gives a slight defense boost when low on health with an ability called "Stonewall", giving you a decent boost to keep you from being knocked out of the fight fast.

---

Poacher Drops:

Item 1

Name:Poacher's Gun
Description: "A single shot scattergun used for hunting small to medium game."
How it works: A slightly better attack than the average small arm you'll have by the midpoint of the game, a balance between the Handcannons you'll get later on and the earlier smallarms. Balanced stats for a decent but not too overpowered midgame weapon.

Item 2:Irishman's Flat cap
Description: "You'll get the luck o' the Irish with this dandy newsboy cap!"
How it works: Give you "Luck o' The Irish" which has a 15% chance of giving you less common drops from enemies defeated in battle.

Uncommon Drop:
Name:Silver Slug
Description: "A silver slug, and no not Gary without his shell, the other slug."
How it works:Used as ammunition for Bubba's Bangstick.
---

If there is anything that may be improved on do say so and it shall be worked out. If you wish for an example of inverted drops, I shall do my best.

[D-Rock]

okay, how do I go about this...

Here we go. So are you saying that the rifle should be an equippable weapon? Problem with that; every character can only use a specific type of weapon, and Fido already has all of his weapon set finalized. We ended up dropping the idea of giving Fido an ammo slot a long time ago, though I wouldn't be surprised if a script allowing such a function existed.

[SuperStar]

This is all seeming nice and cool, Honestly I'm surprised no one has objected yet considering how on edge we were about speaking of fur farms.
My only concern is...

"Bubba and Jeb" (Two stereotypical rednecks.)

Are we really gonna have stereotyped rednecks?

[D-Rock]

Star, keep in mind that I was seemingly the only guy not having issue with the fur farm idea.

Also, can't believe I forgot to mention that, stereotypes likely wouldn't be a good idea to involve. I also wasn't sure on the Irish cap thing, either.

And now the personal dilemma to arise from that; I need to check to see if I've previously submitted anything of that sort. It'd be messed up to discourage that in the chance of me already doing so. I'll look over everything later, it's late.

[FancyHat]

I only did the two Stereotypical rednecks on account of the fact I am actually southern, live in such a place, and most of us still find the "sterotype" funny. Mostly because we all know at least 3 different people that actually fit it to a T(Minus racist tendencies). Most southerners actually find the southern sterotype funny minus the racism part of the sterotype. Sure not all of us are like that, but we still laugh at it. I don't really see what's wrong with Stereotypes as long as we don't actually judge that group of people BY said sterotype and instead use it as a joke. Kinda like how Bugs Bunny did a joke on Hillbillies with a McCoy and a HATFIELD character at one point.(if ya don't already know that was a rather bad blood fued In the Southern US between the Real life Hatfield and McCoy clans.)
I just used 'Stereotypical Rednecks' for how they would look, they're Actually Cohees/Tuckahoes, A cultural group referring to, and nickname for, an independent farmer of Scottish-Irish descent now..And they're also nowhere near stupid(Well Jeb is, Bubba's actually quite intelligent.)

Also on note of the Irish cap, that's literally what the hat is called, The Irish Flat Cap(One of its nicknames is 'Paddy Cap', and is widely called the Irish Flat Cap in markets.) I'm just happy no one made a fuss about a Confederate army hat being in the game. I haven't really thought out the second set of drops that these two will pop down since they're meant to have two little fights, one a random encounter, the other a lovely little side quest to stop 'em again and send 'em behind bars.

I also didn't know Fido'a weapons got finalized, I haven't really check up on this thread except for about 4 times, so I'm sorry if I'm a bit behind. The ammo thing is basically just there to stop spamming of the special attack in all honesty as I couldn't think of anything else. After all these are just suggestions and doesn't need to be carried out if it is too inconvenent, the Irish flat cap in itself can be removed if wanted.

[SuperStar]

I'm actually mostly okay with stereotypes, it's just I know so much people love making fun of rednecks because they're "racist, backwards thinking, Christian, gun wielding" and all that stuff.

[FancyHat]

They have the Gun Wielding and Christian parts right..I've yet to meet a Redneck who does not own a gun. However in the words of a wise man in regards to the backwards thinking. "If it's stupid but works, it's not stupid." Just drop the racist part of the sterotype and it's pretty decent sterotype that isn't exactly too off of most real life rednecks.