[WIP] "The Hub" - Updated Info

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SpiderFighter
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[WIP] "The Hub" - Updated Info

Post by SpiderFighter »

[WIP] - The Hub
Current version:
A WIP featuring puzzles, secrets, new monsters, items, and (hopefully) the spirit of the original.

File: [not yet released]

Teaser Trailer: click here

General:
  • A beta-tested, bug-free experience! (with a special "Thank You" to Ancylus and Mahric!)
    A complete game, with intro, outro, and a plot that features hundreds of lines of original dialogue, NPC backstories and random pop cultural references.
    Progressive gameplay (simple at the start, with more puzzles, secrets, and combat the deeper in you go).
    An estimated 12-15 hours of game time (maybe longer, depending on if you're a collector of secrets)
    Four minigames.
    Approximately 80-100 secrets.
    All character builds are supported.
Custom Features:
  • Illusory Walls
    Custom alcoves, by myself and Neikun.
    Temple Wall Grate by Neikun
    Batty's Ceiling Lanterns.
    Lark's exploding crates.
    Merethif's Throwing Hammers.
    New Shields by Merethif.
    New Tomes designed by Ixnatifual.
    Montis' Custom Lighting.
    Skuggasveinn's Breakable Walls (from his "Flooded Dungeon")
    Skuggasveinn's Secret Doors
    Decorative Beds by scorp29.
    Cougardod's Practice Dummy.
    Asteroth's Rusty Cage and Pile O' Guts
    Daniv's Deep Temple Wallset.
    Asteroth's Corrupt Wallset.
    Phitt's "Cozy Dungeons" assets (table, chairs, bookshelves).
    New Books by Mutman.
    Germanny's equally cozy dungeon assets (bed, square table, carpets, desk (also by Buzzj))\
    Custom locks and Keys by Germanny
    John Wordsworth's QuickBar and Notebook
    Paper Notes by Wanderer
Custom Monsters:
(All monster stats (HP, EXP, sight, attacks, resistances, et. al., have been modified for use in this mod.)
  • The Stone Ogre, by myself.
    Two new types of Slimes (monsters) designed by Neikun.
    The Slug (monster), designed by Wallasaurus.
    The Shadow Archer, designed by Neikun.
    The Slugomorg, designed by Leki.
    Skeletal Warrior (with sword and shield), by Leki
    Mini-Spider, by Xanathar
Additional:
  • Party_Blocker scripts by Alcator
    "Tippy Toe" script by Xanathar
Testers:
  • Ancylus
    Mahric
The Story:
SpoilerShow
The Headless Orc And Cheese is bustling tonight, although you and your companions are bored. Reflections from those newfangled, fancy lanterns bounce around the room as people raise tankards to thirsty mouths and woman swing jewelry-covered arms in rhythm to the so-called band. "Slaves," you mumble as you draw a frothy sip from your own mug.

"What's that, you say?" asks one of your companions at the table.

"Slaves," you answer. "The band. They're all enslaved subterranean creatures. Should've been killed. They'd just as soon throw those poison darts they love so much at us as look at us."

"True, but they play a helluva tune," comes the reply.

"And while I'm on the subject," you announce, feeling the ale kick in, "what's the deal with these lantern thingys?"

Your companions roll their eyes at each other, but remain quiet.

" 'Spossed to be safer? Bah. Give me a good old torch, any day. People are spoiled these days." You flip your mug, now empty, upside down on the table.

One of your companions nudges you with an elbow and nods in the direction of the bar, where a man even more obnoxious and loud than you is making his own feelings known.

"Isss not right!" he slurs. You notice other patrons gathering around him. "Why should their shity be bigger than oursh? They're not even human, for Toorum'sh shake!"

Your interest peaked, you wave to the bar wench for more ale as you struggle to focus on the man as he continues his rant.

"I shay kill 'em all!" He suddenly crouches down on his stool, his voice a loud stage whisper, although you're certain he thinks he's being conspiratorially quiet. "They shay theresh a ton of loot in there. How come no one ever inveshtigatesh?"

One of your companions leans toward you and says, "You know, maybe we should get in on this action, before someone else does. This guy sounds like he's recruiting."

"For what?" you ask.

"I dunno. Just a thought." Your companion leans back. "Wonder if there's any magic gear in there?"

"I'm TELLING you, IT'S A SHITY! A BIG, SHITY where THEY all LIVE!" The drunk at the bar is really playing to the crowd now. The bartender tries to calm him down, but the man waves him off and continues, relishing the attention. As he speaks, you see tiny droplets of froth fly from his mouth. "They even have their own PRISHON! And I HEAR they have their own ARENA, TOO! WE don't have an ARENA! All WE have is thish LOUSHY BAR!!"

With that, you watch the bartender jump over and grab the man, pulling him off the stool and dragging him toward the door. You jump up to intercept, as your tablemates stare at you.

"Hold on there," you say. You turn your attention to the man. "What's your name?"

"Eh?" The man looks at you, bleary eyed, as the bartender gives his arm another tug toward the door.

"How do you know so much about this place?"

"Eashy," he answers. "My coushin went there. He and shome friends. Only he made it back alive, but he found thish amazhing orb down there, and he shaysh there's more shtuff, too."

"If you're so worked up about it, why don't you go?"

The bartender throws his hands up in the air and walks away. The drunk drops his eyes to the floor. "Because I'm too shcared," he replies. "My coushin shays they're exshperimenting on other creatures down there, building thingsh we've never sheen before. Monshtersh."

"You know how to get there?" you ask.

"Shure do."

You think for a moment. "I'll be out in a bit. Wait for me if you want a cut of the loot. You can show us where it is." You flip him a copper piece and head back to your table. After a moment of silence, the companion who spoke earlier says, "We should go."

"We have no gear," you say.

"Sounds like we can get anything we want in there."

You remain quiet, waiting for the offer you know is coming.

"In fact, I'll wager we could go there naked and still come out richer and better dressed than the King hisself."

"And what will you bet, if you're naked?" you ask.

Your companion smiles. "Say, ten percent of my share?"

You look at your companions and see everyone grinning and nodding to each other, the boring evening apparently over.

"You're on," you reply, as you all rise and head toward the door. "But when we get there, you're stripping first."
Screenshots:

The Deadly, Apparating Shadow Archer:
SpoilerShow
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Metal, Stone, and Light:
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A Fiery Trap
SpoilerShow
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A Slug, watching over his kill:
SpoilerShow
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Guarding the Yellow Zone:
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I'm at the 85% point right now, and I'll be looking for people to beta test again when I finish. If you're interested, please PM me. It's important to me that this be as bug-free as possible when it's released, as no one wants to put hours of work into playing a game only to have to download a new version due to bugs.

Thanks for looking, and I hope someone out there finds this interesting enough to want to try. :)

(Old concept:
SpoilerShow
Something has gone horribly wrong. In your haste to get the gold and get out whilst exploring a nearby dungeon, you've somehow managed to carelessly get yourselves separated from your fifth (and telepathic) party member, Thasor.

Oh, and you've been captured. Pity, that.
)
Last edited by SpiderFighter on Wed Apr 16, 2014 4:35 pm, edited 35 times in total.
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Kuningas
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Re: [WIP] "Twelve Rooms"

Post by Kuningas »

Ah, the good old 70's, disco, colorful lighting, skeletons and snails everywhere...

..Huh? Oh, that's right, I wasn't born then. Hrmph, too bad, the music was much better.

On to the topic: I like the telepatic party member idea -- it makes for interesting narrative!

I can't decide what this mod looks like -- it gives me a kind of creepy vibe. I'll try to check it out when you release!

And making a "beta" is up to you -- if you want feedback on teh way, I am sure some people will be happy to give it. I think most people would rather play the final product, though. But keep updating, it will keep the mod on people's minds.
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Neikun
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Re: [WIP] "Twelve Rooms"

Post by Neikun »

Well considering I just read over this post about five times looking for a download, put up the Beta :3
Oh hey I'm in the credits! *blush blush*
Last edited by Neikun on Thu Oct 11, 2012 11:05 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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SpiderFighter
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Re: [WIP] "Twelve Rooms"

Post by SpiderFighter »

Kuningas wrote:On to the topic: I like the telepatic party member idea -- it makes for interesting narrative!

I can't decide what this mod looks like -- it gives me a kind of creepy vibe. I'll try to check it out when you release!

And making a "beta" is up to you -- if you want feedback on teh way, I am sure some people will be happy to give it. I think most people would rather play the final product, though. But keep updating, it will keep the mod on people's minds.
Thanks, I'm trying to drive a bit of a story using Thasor...hopefully it will be effective. Creepy is good, I'm going for that quite often, especially with the lighting and pacing. I wasn't sure if I should even post an announcement or just wait until the whole thing was ready to be done, but the truth is I have a bit of scripting ahead of me, and I'm not a code warrior by any stretch of the imagination. So, putting this up was just laying pipe so I could ask for help with certain problems that may (alright, probably will) arise. :)
Neikun wrote:Well considering I just read over this post about five times looking for a download, put up the Beta :3
I'll probably throw one up tomorrow; I have to finish setting up a puzzle as well as take care of some scenery things. I'll be looking for balance of items/clothing/weapons mostly, as well as overall flow (does it hold your interest throughout; are the puzzles too easy/difficult). The narrative sections with Thasor will, for the most part, NOT be present yet. If you're volunteering to beta test, Neikun, I'd be most appreciative. And you can count the number of times I've used your alcove scripts, too! :D

Of course, anyone else who wants to take a peek and shout out their comments and/or criticisms are more than welcome to, as well. And my eternal gratitude to anyone who does!

Cheers!
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SpiderFighter
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Re: [BETA TESTER CALL] "The Hub" (Formerly "Twelve Rooms")

Post by SpiderFighter »

Ok...first cluster (4 maps) are done, if anyone wants to give it a spin. :)
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SpiderFighter
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Re: [WIP] "The Hub"

Post by SpiderFighter »

Version 0.1.2 is up. I would greatly appreciate any comments I can get, as I have no one testing this yet. :)

FIXES/CHANGES:
0.1.2 - Increased XP possible per level without needing to grind
- added/changed some items for better balance
- Design change: Made all areas within each cluster re-accessable after completing that cluster.
0.1.1 - Initial release

C'mon, pretty please? Spidey needs a hug. :)
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Neikun
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Re: [WIP] "The Hub"

Post by Neikun »

I've been at work mostly, but I've got the weekend off. I think I'll give it a try
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SpiderFighter
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Re: [WIP] "The Hub"

Post by SpiderFighter »

Just a note (because someone asked): I pulled this file a few days ago (temporarily). I was initially trying to do something with small, tight areas, but it wasn't working in terms of xp and item distribution, and it wound up being more puzzles than combat (in other words, imo, boring). I've since expanded each area quite a bit and added a lot more puzzles, effects, and critters. Loot/items are now balanced, and there are secrets galore if you're into that sort of thing. Also, Thasor has been integrated into the dungeon, and he couldn't be happier about it! Or miserable. Depends on his mood.

While the first zone is completed, and I'm deep into the middle of the second zone, I think I'm going to ask for a few people who are willing to give this a run through once it's complete (rather than releasing a public beta after each zone). So, if anyone would be interested in volunteering, please raise your hand (or send me a PM). You will, of course, receive credit in the accompanying info file upon release. :)

Thanks for looking!
Szragodesca
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Re: [WIP] "The Hub"

Post by Szragodesca »

*pokes the Nexus* I was gonna download it, but it is hidden. . . :cry:

I'll test for you, just let me know when, where, and how I can acquire it. I'll have a bit of time Sat/Sun to test various maps and I've been picking a few up to do just that with.
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SpiderFighter
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Re: [WIP] "The Hub"

Post by SpiderFighter »

Szragodesca wrote:*pokes the Nexus* I was gonna download it, but it is hidden. . . :cry:

I'll test for you, just let me know when, where, and how I can acquire it. I'll have a bit of time Sat/Sun to test various maps and I've been picking a few up to do just that with.
I can give you a copy whenever, but just know that it's not completed yet...the red zone is, however (and I'll probably be finished with the first section of the yellow zone within the next hour or two). If you'd like to wait until the whole dungeon is finished, that's more than fine.

Thanks for the help; I can't tell you how much I appreciate it!
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