Multiplayer LBT RPG game

[action9000]

Yes it was me who put "would not play". No interest, and my schedule is full the way it is.
 

That's fine, Petrie.

This game is also on top of another project I am working on with some friends around where I live so I am juggling time between the two projects, full-time job, looking for a new job, life, socializing and yet more projects!  
so bear with me!
I work on stuff like this as a hobby, to pass the time and build my skills/knowledge, as well as for fun and interest.  I'll try to work at a steady pace but I can only work when I can spare the time.

[landbeforetimelover]

Hey Action, perhaps we could use a simple program that will randomize imputed sets of data so we wouldn't have to fight over who gets to play each character.  As for adding our own characters, wouldn't that be extremely difficult, if not impossible to do with all of the special characters that have been generated from the RPG's?  As for the randomizer, I understand that you can even write a small program that could do the trick in javascript if done correctly.  It could work like this:

you run the randomizer, and if anyone likes who they were randomized to, then they can be put on "hold" and the remaining people who didn't want to be the characters they were given will be randomized again.  It's a simple process and if we used only the 5 characters, I'd say 3.5/5 times you'd be satisfied.  That is 70% of the time.  That's good enough for me and it would save the need for putting in new characters all the time.

[action9000]

perhaps we could use a simple program that will randomize imputed sets of data so we wouldn't have to fight over who gets to play each character.

I like that: a "Random" button when choosing characters on the "character select" screen.  Sure, I can do that.

As for adding our own characters, wouldn't that be extremely difficult, if not impossible to do with all of the special characters that have been generated from the RPG's? As for the randomizer, I understand that you can even write a small program that could do the trick in javascript if done correctly. It could work like this:

I had no intention of letting the user create their own complete character.  I would just have a few 3d models of other dinos not known to be LBT characters.  These models could be resized or recoloured a little bit using sliders or something in the program on the character select screen.  Other than that, no real customization - too much 3d modelling required to do a lot of customization...we can always expand this later.

[Littlefoot Fan]

Action did you think up all that on your own? I'm kinda shocked how much time and effort you're putting into this game.

[action9000]

Hey, our game development is kinda stuck because we lack graphics.  If anyone wants to help make graphics, be my guest!

In order to get this game off the ground, we are in desperate need of 3d graphic designers.  I am fine with handling the programming and the audio but so far we have but a single member on the graphic design team: Aves.

Looking to fill the following positions for this project at this point:
3d modellers
3d map designers
Concept artists (for maps, NPCs, objects, locations)
Texture artists (2d)

3D Modellers:
Create 3d models of characters (no need to animate if you don't want, I can handle that part if necessary) and any objects in the game (trees, rocks, etc.).  
PRIORITY Right Now: 3d Models of the Gang.

3D map designers:
These people will be using a 3d world editting program (or even 3d modelling program if they choose) to produce the vast maps that are to be found in the world.  For starters, we will only need a Great Valley map but this will be expanded as the game gets further into development.
These people may also be considered concept artists for maps, designing locations based on locations from the films, as well as creating some brand new locations.
Priority right now: a Great valley 3d map

Concept Artists:
They will be designing any potential graphics to be put into the game.  Concept artists may design maps from scratch or by compiling information from the films together into a cohesive format which can be made into a 3d map.  Concept artists may also produce artwork in any format which may be converted into a 3d model later, as a character or object in the game.
Priority right now: Map design and Non-player character design

Texture Artists:
Every 3d object in the game will have a texture of some sort applied to it, to bring it to life.  Texture artists will physically draw the 2d images that will be glued to the 3d graphics to make them look realistic.  Grass, mountains, sand, everything in the game will have a texture on it.
Priority right now: Anything


I can supply limited software resources to complete any of the above tasks but I don't have very good software.  If you have your own that you like to use, please do.

[Nimrod]

I can¥t do any of these 3D projects, cause I haven¥t got any 3D program

[aabicus (LettuceBacon&Tomato)]

Isn't Malte working on designing a map of the Great Valley?

[Malte279]

Recently I resumed work on a map I begun years ago but never finished. The main reason is that it might be helpful in the online RPG project. I don't know if all landmarks from all movies could be on it, but at least some of the "mysteries" from LBT can be solved (e.g. how could Chomper's egg in LBT 2 be brought back to the Valley even though Littlefoot and the others had to leap over a canyon on the way to the eggeaters cave).

[aabicus (LettuceBacon&Tomato)]

Ah. Thanks for clarification.

I'd like to help, but I'm not sure what 3D systems or programs are compatible. What format or code must the objects or maps be in?

[action9000]

I'd like to help, but I'm not sure what 3D systems or programs are compatible. What format or code must the objects or maps be in?

I can accept 3d graphics in any of the following formats:
.b3d
.x
.3ds

If you cannot produce 3d models in any of these formats, let me know and I'll see about converting.

[DarkHououmon]

I think I can volunteer for the concept art. Is there anything specific I would need to do?

[Threehorn]

Sounds like you got all the plans going wonder how the LBT RPG game itself is going if there any progress on that line, something like this is going to take a server or two or even more and most likely a huge about of data to just create the AI programing, graphics and all the other interfaces.

[aabicus (LettuceBacon&Tomato)]

I can accept 3d graphics in any of the following formats:
.b3d
.x
.3ds

If you cannot produce 3d models in any of these formats, let me know and I'll see about converting.

Well, I looked online, and found a place that sells 3D models and stuff for games or RPGs. While you have to pay for most of it, some models are free, like this one, which, if purchased (for free), gives you several boulders of various sizes and shapes: Turbosquid-Boulder for sale. There might be more time-savers there as well.

Does this help?

[Jasper]

I mean I'd do it cause depending on what day it is I'm available most of the time,but I haven't asked yet cause I'm nervous when it comes to RPG games and other internet games.

[action9000]

Turbosquid-Boulder for sale. There might be more time-savers there as well.

Does this help?

Hmm, I'm having an issue with this model, unfortunately.  It is in .max format, which doesn't open with any 3d program I have on my computer.  I will work at this problem though.

I think I can volunteer for the concept art. Is there anything specific I would need to do?

The game starts off with the player in the Great Valley.  The player then seeks out a non-player character (NPC) in the world to get his/her first task or two from.  As the player explores the world, they will meet new and interesting NPCs.  If you have any interesting ideas for NPCs that the players could meet up with in the Great Valley to get tasks from, that would be awesome.  The great valley is rather large and we will need characters other than just the few well-known grownups to get tasks from, eventually.  No rush on this but if you have any ideas for interesting NPCs for the player to meet in the GV, go for it!

We're also looking for creative ideas for tasks.  If anyone has any interesting ideas for things that the player can do in the game, please throw them out!  

While you have to pay for most of it, some models are free, like this one, which, if purchased (for free), gives you several boulders of various sizes and shapes: Turbosquid-Boulder for sale. There might be more time-savers there as well.

Does this help?

Indeed it does! Good spotting!
The more "background models" like this we can find, the more work we can save ourselves.  There are some LBT-specific graphics that we won't be able to find anywhere else but many of the background elements probably do exist as "generic" 3d objects somewhere online, if we can find it.

I'm really trying to avoid spending much money to develop a freeware project (if I had a better job I may consider it, but not now).

wonder how the LBT RPG game itself is going if there any progress on that line, something like this is going to take a server or two or even more and most likely a huge about of data to just create the AI programing, graphics and all the other interfaces.

It will be a lot of work but it should be very possible.

something like this is going to take a server or two or even more

Do you mean for developing the game or for hosting it?
My computer is powerful enough that I can do all of the necessary work on the game elements.  3D model work can demand a decent video card but it's not absolutely necessary.  The more RAM you have, the better but you can get away with any *fairly* modern computer, no problem.  The workflow may just be a little choppy as the computer tries to handle all the 3d stuff.
If you're referring to running the game once it's designed, I was going to let players host games while playing them.  Other players connect to this "host" player.  In a perfect world I'd have a dedicated server running the game all the time but I can't afford the computer, nor the bandwidth to leave it hosting an online game (the bandwidth being the larger of the problems.  I have an older computer I could use to host).  That won't be an option.

likely a huge about of data to just create the AI programing, graphics and all the other interfaces.

It will be large like any computer game, though it won't be large on the scale of the brand new games coming out today.  Some games nowadays install to 5GB or more and require monster computers to play.  This LBT game uses DirectX 7 technology and limited amounts of AI/physics calculating, therefore the game won't be nearly as demanding on a computer as a modern game.  I will also be sure to allow the user to choose a game resolution and detail level so the game runs optimally on the player's computer.

[action9000]

Okay, I found something interesting for anyone who may be interested at all with helping with the 3d stuff:

Behold, BLENDER:
http://www.blender.org/download/get-blender/

Blender is a Free 3d-modeling/animating 'And more' program.  It can import and export to a variety of file formats.  I will definitely be taking the time to learn it; if anyone wants to try their hand with 3d work at all, this is one way to do it.

Be aware though: the HELP menu is your friend.  This program is a little on the complex side.
http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Blender_3D:_Noob_to_Pro
Here's a free "book" that talks in detail about Blender, from beginner to advanced.  Have fun!  B)

[Kor]

Thanks, I"m sure some will find the program useful, and or fun.

[Serris]

No rush on this but if you have any ideas for interesting NPCs for the player to meet in the GV, go for it!

We're also looking for creative ideas for tasks.  If anyone has any interesting ideas for things that the player can do in the game, please throw them out!  
 

NPCs: Mr. Clubtail, Mo, Ducky's Mom, Petrie's Mom.

Tasks: Return lost egg(s), "escort mission", find (specific item) etc. . Pokemon Mystery Dungeon tasks could work.

Sierra, Rinkus, Ozzie, Strut could work but if this is a non battling RPG then I don't know how.

[Malte279]

Finding a hidden place / entrance / passage etc. It would be tricky though to make such a task in a computer game more than mere "walking around".

[Kor]

One could get ideas from some movie scenes or tv episodes.  Like the one where Mr. Threehorn's mate has a pile of different types of stones.  Maybe some of the player characters gathered some nice looking stones for her.  

Find and return lost young ones.  

Help clear an area that has gotten messy due to a storm, perhaps.  

The Great Egg Adventure could perhaps be a quest or task also.