There's a Surprise Inside!
by Todd Pickens · 03/31/2007 (12:13 pm) · 43 comments
Or... How is this post like a box of CrackerJacks?
So in my last post I said that the free update for my FPS Environment Pack was coming with "a few surprises". Now that most of those surprises are just about nailed down I thought I would give everyone a sneak peek.
Aside from the spring time version of the original environment...
The new demo environments will include shiny goodness of the Modernization Kit by Alex Scarborough.
I like to try to showcase community resources that I would want to make games with whenever I can, and the Modernization Kit, which is still in beta, is a very cool. There is more to it than just fancy water, but you can grab it and check out the details over on the MK thread.
Tom Feni has been very generous and donated some very cool animated butterflies to the update. They look great and really help add life to the setting.
And last but definitely not least. Thanks to Jon Jorajuria, Tim, Joe, and many others, I am really happy to be able include...
But it ain't done just yet. Its very close, but there is still a little work to do here and there before it's just right. I want to get the butterflies moving around the fields, there are some normal maps to polish, and user docs to update. And if the timing works out I may be able to add a few other goodies.
Thats all for now, I have to get back to work.
So in my last post I said that the free update for my FPS Environment Pack was coming with "a few surprises". Now that most of those surprises are just about nailed down I thought I would give everyone a sneak peek.
Aside from the spring time version of the original environment...
The new demo environments will include shiny goodness of the Modernization Kit by Alex Scarborough.
I like to try to showcase community resources that I would want to make games with whenever I can, and the Modernization Kit, which is still in beta, is a very cool. There is more to it than just fancy water, but you can grab it and check out the details over on the MK thread.
Tom Feni has been very generous and donated some very cool animated butterflies to the update. They look great and really help add life to the setting.
And last but definitely not least. Thanks to Jon Jorajuria, Tim, Joe, and many others, I am really happy to be able include...
But it ain't done just yet. Its very close, but there is still a little work to do here and there before it's just right. I want to get the butterflies moving around the fields, there are some normal maps to polish, and user docs to update. And if the timing works out I may be able to add a few other goodies.
Thats all for now, I have to get back to work.
About the author
#23
04/03/2007 (10:15 am)
Looks Great! you really need to relaunch a version of this using Brushes vs all meshes. So i can use parallax maps on all your nice enviroments.
#24
Thanks very much.
When Constructor is released, I am going to be putting it to good use :O)
04/03/2007 (10:28 am)
T Squared,Thanks very much.
When Constructor is released, I am going to be putting it to good use :O)
#25
Has the update been released?
04/29/2007 (7:26 am)
I have recently purchased this as well. Great work Todd!Has the update been released?
#26
No the update has not been released yet. It should have been, but in the last month I have moved, made an unexpected trip out of state, and had to update the update since TGE 1.5.1 and TGEA 1.0 or was it 1.1 was released. This includes reintegrating the Modernization Kit (massive thanks to Alex and Jon for making that possible).
I have also put in a lot of extra work to make it easier to for the end user to access the content packs docs and other resources from within the demo build. And Jon has done some REALLY nice menu and GUI sound work that adds to the overall quality and provides an excellent example of how to integrate those elements into your own project.
I am still unpacking here in the new place, but hope to be able to finish up the new release and get it done here in a few days.
04/29/2007 (10:28 am)
@ Jeff, Thanks very much for the support, I hope you enjoy the content pack and put it to good use.No the update has not been released yet. It should have been, but in the last month I have moved, made an unexpected trip out of state, and had to update the update since TGE 1.5.1 and TGEA 1.0 or was it 1.1 was released. This includes reintegrating the Modernization Kit (massive thanks to Alex and Jon for making that possible).
I have also put in a lot of extra work to make it easier to for the end user to access the content packs docs and other resources from within the demo build. And Jon has done some REALLY nice menu and GUI sound work that adds to the overall quality and provides an excellent example of how to integrate those elements into your own project.
I am still unpacking here in the new place, but hope to be able to finish up the new release and get it done here in a few days.
#27
05/14/2007 (3:33 pm)
@Todd, Thanks for the info. Looking forward to getting the update and more of your great work! 
#28
05/20/2007 (2:53 pm)
I simply drool every time I see your screenshots, so will it be possible for us that bought Barnyard Mini Pack to buy this update stuff, or do we need to chew the whole pack ?
#29
Thanks very much! Honestly I had not given it much thought. The new content for the summer/spring time setting is new content and could make a Mini Pack on its own.
I hate to leave you hanging, but I will have to wait and see how it all comes out before I could answer that question.
05/20/2007 (7:42 pm)
Christian S.Thanks very much! Honestly I had not given it much thought. The new content for the summer/spring time setting is new content and could make a Mini Pack on its own.
I hate to leave you hanging, but I will have to wait and see how it all comes out before I could answer that question.
#30
05/25/2007 (8:18 am)
This looks really good. I am currently working on a TGEA project and would love to pick this pack up. Any idea when the update will be completed?
#31
07/09/2007 (6:51 am)
Todd?
#33
09/13/2007 (11:00 am)
Any further progress on this or are you too busy super-secret GarageGames "Employee" stuff... :P
#34
Actually yes, there has been progress and even more free content added. But I am currently working with a coder to resolve some Shader water problems that appeared last week in my latest build.
I will be posting as soon as I can move forward with the wrap up.
On the up side, having to wait has caused me to add to the content :O)
...and yes, very busy super secret GG projects.
09/13/2007 (6:42 pm)
@ Adam,Actually yes, there has been progress and even more free content added. But I am currently working with a coder to resolve some Shader water problems that appeared last week in my latest build.
I will be posting as soon as I can move forward with the wrap up.
On the up side, having to wait has caused me to add to the content :O)
...and yes, very busy super secret GG projects.
#35
11/20/2007 (10:18 am)
You're doing awesome Todd. Keep it up.
#36
Just got home from another long but productive day in the GG studio. I have made good progress wrapping up the free content pack update, but with the hours I have been working, I was not able to get it ready for release before I taking off for Turkey day.
When I get back my schedule at work will be pretty crazy, but I am managing an hour or so a night on the content pack regardless.
Can't wait to get it out there for everyone so I can move on to the others I have in development.
Happy Thanksgiving eveyone.
11/20/2007 (8:27 pm)
Thanks very much Ben.Just got home from another long but productive day in the GG studio. I have made good progress wrapping up the free content pack update, but with the hours I have been working, I was not able to get it ready for release before I taking off for Turkey day.
When I get back my schedule at work will be pretty crazy, but I am managing an hour or so a night on the content pack regardless.
Can't wait to get it out there for everyone so I can move on to the others I have in development.
Happy Thanksgiving eveyone.
#37
01/20/2008 (6:28 pm)
hmm... missed this altogether! looking forward to the upgrade!!
#38
waiting with excited anticipation for the update. will the completed update be posted on the GG store on this blog?
03/03/2008 (1:48 am)
Hi Todd, this really pack really is a life saver for time and quality content.waiting with excited anticipation for the update. will the completed update be posted on the GG store on this blog?
#39
The updates is still "Almost done". But Legions development ...
...Is taking all of my time and attentionright now ...but that's quickly coming to and end :O)
Anyway, give me a little while longer and I will get it out as well as a bunch of other goodies.
And thanks again.
03/03/2008 (8:34 am)
Thanks Anthony! I am really glad you are enjoying the content pack.The updates is still "Almost done". But Legions development ...
...Is taking all of my time and attentionright now ...but that's quickly coming to and end :O)
Anyway, give me a little while longer and I will get it out as well as a bunch of other goodies.
And thanks again.
#40
07/18/2008 (2:51 pm)
Hey Todd! Now that Legends is out, and you're foot loose and fancy free, have you had a chance to look at this? 
Torque Owner GregM
If I use all your super-professional, shaderized, Modernization Kit having, normal mapped goodness how will I ever show my indie street cred? I mean, if people don't look at my work and go "OMG LOLZ he used MS-PAINT" how will they know I'm an independent developer? There gonna think I'm all high class and know what I'm doing.
We can't have that now, can we?
Greg
P.S. Very nicely done.