I love monkeys
by Mark · 01/18/2007 (10:23 pm) · 7 comments
I decided to go for my childrens game again. I got a bit carried away when I came up with the Retravoid idea, so now it's back to the simple stuff. Basically a few blogs back I posted about Ike, where you run around collecting stuff. Very simple, repetitive (kids love repetitive stuff).
He looks like an Ewok. EEP EEP!
Still a few things I want to fix with him...
He doesnt look like a monkey shape right now mainly because he's going to be a little cartoony. Once I get the real textures on him it will click instantly.
I'm really happy that I'm starting to get a hang of modeling characters now, it was so dreadful to me when I was in my teens, now I think I had an evolutionary bump or something and I can actually model stuff decently now.
I can't wait to get the real textures on him tomorrah. I was thinking about adding small little triangle spikes on his body to simulate fuzzy hair... I tried it once in Torque and it worked really well, also did a great job of concealing any noticeable polygons edges when in the game. I'm not sure how much of a performance hit it would be, but if I don't go bananas with it (ha, bananas) it could work out nicely..
I like the 'monkey running around collecting stuff' idea because it's kind of simple to make with Torque, plus when the holidays come around again I think a few themed sequels would be a great idea as well.
Only thing I'm concered with is the controls, I don't know how a 3 year old can move Ike around.. Possibly a point and click option to go along with a full control setup depending on the kids age.
Not all that exciting of a blog post, but I'll be sure to post a video of him running around ingame real soon!
He looks like an Ewok. EEP EEP!
Still a few things I want to fix with him...
He doesnt look like a monkey shape right now mainly because he's going to be a little cartoony. Once I get the real textures on him it will click instantly.
I'm really happy that I'm starting to get a hang of modeling characters now, it was so dreadful to me when I was in my teens, now I think I had an evolutionary bump or something and I can actually model stuff decently now.
I can't wait to get the real textures on him tomorrah. I was thinking about adding small little triangle spikes on his body to simulate fuzzy hair... I tried it once in Torque and it worked really well, also did a great job of concealing any noticeable polygons edges when in the game. I'm not sure how much of a performance hit it would be, but if I don't go bananas with it (ha, bananas) it could work out nicely..
I like the 'monkey running around collecting stuff' idea because it's kind of simple to make with Torque, plus when the holidays come around again I think a few themed sequels would be a great idea as well.
Only thing I'm concered with is the controls, I don't know how a 3 year old can move Ike around.. Possibly a point and click option to go along with a full control setup depending on the kids age.
Not all that exciting of a blog post, but I'll be sure to post a video of him running around ingame real soon!
About the author
#2
01/19/2007 (1:21 am)
Look forward to seeing the in game video, love anything thats made for children, my litle sister and brother love computer games, and its the perfect gift from their game developing big brother. thanks a bunch =)
#3
Keep up the good work. You're doing more with MilkShape than I ever had the patience to do. :)
If you haven't tried an organic modeling app or a subdivision modeler yet, you should give one of them a try.
I use Sharp Construct (open source and free) for quick organic character work and Silo 2 ($109) for subdivision, organics, and a bunch of other stuff. These two apps have really changed the way I model nowdays. Sharp Construct is free, quick and easy to learn. Silo 2 is inexpensive, amazingly powerful and fairly easy to learn.
Anyway, here are some links to the apps . . .
Sharp Construct (free from SourceForge) . . .
sharp3d.sourceforge.net/mediawiki/index.php/Main_Page
Silo 1.4 (with free upgrade to Silo 2 Beta) . . .
www.nevercenter.com/
01/19/2007 (7:59 am)
Mark,Keep up the good work. You're doing more with MilkShape than I ever had the patience to do. :)
If you haven't tried an organic modeling app or a subdivision modeler yet, you should give one of them a try.
I use Sharp Construct (open source and free) for quick organic character work and Silo 2 ($109) for subdivision, organics, and a bunch of other stuff. These two apps have really changed the way I model nowdays. Sharp Construct is free, quick and easy to learn. Silo 2 is inexpensive, amazingly powerful and fairly easy to learn.
Anyway, here are some links to the apps . . .
Sharp Construct (free from SourceForge) . . .
sharp3d.sourceforge.net/mediawiki/index.php/Main_Page
Silo 1.4 (with free upgrade to Silo 2 Beta) . . .
www.nevercenter.com/
#4
01/19/2007 (10:26 am)
Possibly the worst programmer art Ive ever seen.
#6
01/19/2007 (2:30 pm)
I look forward to see them textured! 
#7
01/20/2007 (6:06 am)
Looks like something out of Silent Hill rather then for a future kids title. At least it can only get better huh ;) Keep at it!
Torque Owner Max Thomas
None the less, it's a good start man, I wish you well with the texturing. The performance hit from adding some fuzzy hair to him should be minimal, just keep the texture sizes as small as physically possible. I messed with the idea a while back, barely had any performance hit on the engine at all, I'd say go for it. I'll be looking forward to seeing him in his true monkey form.