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

Post by **D-Rock** » Mon Aug 31, 2015 8:46 pm

Good luck with classes, Kingfan. I know, it can get hectic, but wishing you the best.

Nothing wrong with bringing in a new member. Speaking of which, what about that friend that you mentioned a bit ago, Star?

SuperStar · Post by **SuperStar** » Mon Aug 31, 2015 8:56 pm

Eh, I haven't been able to contact her recently. Next time I see online I'll ask.

CHAOKOCartoons · Post by **CHAOKOCartoons** » Mon Aug 31, 2015 9:32 pm

KingFan202 wrote:I'm not gone.

I'm just not here xD

I started my college classes today.

We understand, college is a larger priority than this project. Make sure you can keep your work flow steady, and only work on this when you get the free time.

Amazee Dayzee · Post by **Amazee Dayzee** » Tue Sep 01, 2015 12:53 am

Good luck on your college classes KingFan! I hope they all turn out well for you!

skyd · Post by **skyd** » Wed Sep 02, 2015 1:24 pm

I have compiled a self-extracting archive with my file-size improvements.
Improvements:
Deleted unnecessary audio files.
Changed files from mp3 to ogg
compressed graphics (Don't worry, it is compressed losslessly)
Made self extracting archive (Barely Compressed)
Here it is:https://copy.com/wA4UD4MrNjnp8Pu4/Tails ... download=1
I plan on improving this in the future with linux compatibility, mainly because I use linux.
I also plan on decreasing file sizes even further and possibly make an installer.

CHAOKOCartoons · Post by **CHAOKOCartoons** » Wed Sep 02, 2015 9:53 pm

Oh, well hello there! That was... sudden.

None the less those sound like very good improvements! File size wise it doesn't seem to have changed much, but the game does look a bit better, and the removal of unnecessary sound files is always a plus (I was wondering why there were so many song slots in the original demo's music selector.
The extractor is a little new to me (I assume it's a linux thing), and apparently my computer didn't trust it, but it did seem a bit more handy in the case that the game's resource files could not be accessed (makes it harder for players to copy or mod the game's resources). It not being unpacked into a folder immediately was a bit inconvenient though, we may wanna fix that in the final version.
I'm not sure what the difference is between an ogg. and an MP3, but I can only assume it's better in some way? I've only ever used MP3 and wav when making games so I don't know.
An installer sounds pretty legit! That would certainly be appreciated.

Well done skyd, and welcome to the forums! I don't believe we'll be needing any more improvements in the demo, but it's good to use for practice while we work on the main game.

Post by **D-Rock** » Wed Sep 02, 2015 11:31 pm

From what I understand, .OGG is the native sound file for RPG Maker, though it easily accepts MP3 and WAV. I'm not sure if .OGG is smaller than MP3, but it is significantly smaller than WAV.

I'll check this version out soon. I also have to find a better way to archive these test builds. I have the alpha, beta demo, Cobra's beta, and Star's "second" beta all in their own folder.

skyd · Post by **skyd** » Wed Sep 02, 2015 11:40 pm

The difference is that .ogg vorbis files are higher quality and more compression. More info on ogg vorbis here:https://xiph.org/vorbis/ I just made a basic installer. Like, very basic.
Here:https://copy.com/4UXzOjMpzUKofque
Also, the extractor takes so long because i had to make it into a .7z file.

Post by **D-Rock** » Wed Sep 02, 2015 11:55 pm

Previous build you posted crashed when I tried to open the Biography tab. Seems you accidentally removed the track, A Simple Explanation. I'll look for more things later.

skyd · Post by **skyd** » Thu Sep 03, 2015 12:01 am

D-Rock wrote:Previous build you posted crashed when I tried to open the Biography tab. Seems you accidentally removed the track, A Simple Explanation. I'll look for more things later.

Thanks. Ill update the files when I finish downloading 236MB of stuff (yay

)

skyd · Post by **skyd** » Thu Sep 03, 2015 10:28 pm

Sorry I am taking so long. Had a PC problem last night. making the extracor now.

Amazee Dayzee · Post by **Amazee Dayzee** » Thu Sep 03, 2015 10:47 pm

Just take your time. There is no need for you to rush. There is no schedule for you to keep.

skyd · Post by **skyd** » Thu Sep 03, 2015 11:43 pm

Here is the copy link. it is a self-extracting exe. it has better compression than my first one and should solve the sound fileproblems.
https://copy.com/OuoxQQHYSYPSUWs1

Post by **D-Rock** » Fri Sep 04, 2015 12:37 am

Alright, I'll get to testing the new one in a bit. Thanks!

Also, I'm back, everyone!

Holding Finality concept. After the idea came to my head, I decided to also model it after the M6 Magnum in the Halo series. I will, of course, add in my own touches in the coloring phase. I'll post a remaining design and the Monster in the future. I probably would have done them both now as well, but my brother and I decided to play some Halo 4. In the meantime, feel free to leave suggestions to this design.

skyd · Post by **skyd** » Fri Sep 04, 2015 12:52 am

I like it!

skyd · Post by **skyd** » Fri Sep 04, 2015 1:11 am

How do you draw like that? everytime I try to draw it becomes one of these.

Post by **D-Rock** » Fri Sep 04, 2015 1:46 am

Years of doodling. And while I don't have the same level of skill as other artists, it was still something that took time to develop. It's one of those things that takes practice, and a lot of it. Also, I get inspiration from some of the more random sources. This also had the benefit of having something I could reference. Next two gun designs will have that same benefit.

And don't worry, I've had things come out wrong, too. Trick is to either use it as a stepping stone to improvement, or find a way to use this "failed" design. A small handful of rejected designs did become something else. Also, one time I got a penguin from an axe

Amazee Dayzee · Post by **Amazee Dayzee** » Fri Sep 04, 2015 2:07 pm

So what you are saying is that your imagination is so gifted, you can make something out of anything. :3

skyd · Post by **skyd** » Sat Sep 05, 2015 5:55 pm

Pretty neat. I like to make things IRL, but I suck at art.
I am also recompressing the pictures for the new extractor. Wish me luck!

Post by **D-Rock** » Sat Sep 05, 2015 9:17 pm

Skill takes time. We may all have different starting points, but we can all achieve a level of greatness if we really try.

New concept!

Falling Army. Modeled after the Colt Python, with my own touches. Next sketch will be the Monster.

SuperStar · Post by **SuperStar** » Sat Sep 05, 2015 9:19 pm

It might just be me, but the barrel:handle ratio looks sort of off.

Post by **D-Rock** » Sat Sep 05, 2015 9:31 pm

Huh, I'll see what I can do about that. Even with a reference, I had a hard time with the dimensions.

skyd · Post by **skyd** » Sat Sep 05, 2015 10:41 pm

It reminds me of the gunblade from final fantasy.

Amazee Dayzee · Post by **Amazee Dayzee** » Sat Sep 05, 2015 10:49 pm

I think it looks pretty cool! I believe that you can make it work!

Post by **D-Rock** » Sat Sep 05, 2015 11:11 pm

I see that, too, now. I was actually envisioning something akin to the Brute Pistol. As for dimensions, colts are relatively small- barreled guns, but this seems too small. I'll lengthen the barrel in the coloring phase. Probably end up looking like some sort of Colt/Smith & Wesson hybrid.

skyd · Post by **skyd** » Sat Sep 05, 2015 11:31 pm

I see you use graphing paper. Does that help?

Post by **D-Rock** » Sat Sep 05, 2015 11:46 pm

For the most part. I can keep things more even that way and helps with round shapes and keeping things symmetrical. Of course, the lines turn out to be at a small angle when it comes to coloring, but it's never been that big of a deal

skyd · Post by **skyd** » Sun Sep 06, 2015 12:36 am

How do you recommend I start to learn how to draw?

Post by **D-Rock** » Sun Sep 06, 2015 6:55 pm

Well, only way to truly start is to grab a pen, pencil, crayon, paint or what have you and start to draw. Maybe freehand something, maybe grab something and use a reference, look up a tutorial, heck, while it's looked down upon, trace a picture. You could use lined or plain paper. Let your choice of medium flow. Get inspiration from something, whatever it may be. It may not be to your ideal on first try, maybe not second, maybe not third. But it could, or it could be any subsequent attempt. Just don't let perceived failures get you down! I was aiming for this one time, but ended up with this at one point, so I ran with it, and I like how both turned out.

...huh, never wrote something that looked like a motivational speech, before.

Anyway,

Monster's Pistol, everyone! Modeled it after thisdon'tyoudarejudgeme.Just need to color these, and I'll be done with Fido and finally move on to Bino. I'll see what I can finish today, as I have work in the morning. Labor Day buffet for club members.

SuperStar · Post by **SuperStar** » Sun Sep 06, 2015 7:20 pm

Hrm... why does that look familiar?

Post by **D-Rock** » Sun Sep 06, 2015 7:23 pm

Well, yeah, I did show the American toy in the link

Saturn381 · Post by **Saturn381** » Sun Sep 06, 2015 7:25 pm

Great job, D-Rock!

SuperStar · Post by **SuperStar** » Sun Sep 06, 2015 7:25 pm

The link is broken actually.

And I wanted an excuse to post that dance GIF...

Post by **D-Rock** » Sun Sep 06, 2015 7:28 pm

The heck? It's working for me.
Odd...

Anyway, thanks, guys. I'm actually still pretty iffy on the bayonet. Could justify it as a sickle-shaped knife that clips on rather easily. Or should I remove it?

SuperStar · Post by **SuperStar** » Sun Sep 06, 2015 7:34 pm

It looks a little over-done, yeah. Maybe remove the sickle and redesign the teeth to resemble it.

Post by **D-Rock** » Sun Sep 06, 2015 9:17 pm

Alright, got one done.

Song used; "Waiting for the End" by Linkin Park https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5qF_qbaWt3Q

Amazee Dayzee · Post by **Amazee Dayzee** » Sun Sep 06, 2015 9:25 pm

Looks really cool! I wouldn't mind using it myself in the game!

Post by **D-Rock** » Mon Sep 07, 2015 12:32 am

What do you know, finished Holding Finality and Falling Army already.

Song used; "In My Remains" by Linkin Park https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T_w0aWwEFmI

CHAOKOCartoons · Post by **CHAOKOCartoons** » Mon Sep 07, 2015 1:10 am

hOLY HECK dude! That's fricken rad to the max!

Well done dude!

skyd · Post by **skyd** » Mon Sep 07, 2015 9:55 am

HOLY... Yeah that looks pretty neat...