Blog for Kevin French at GarageGames.com

Internal Server!

Kevin French — 2007-05-25T14:10:56+00:00

This week has proven to be productive. I finally (after many network issues) got an internal server up and running for team testing. It is currently running 4 zones (1 immortal zone, a starting city and 2 dungeons). All and all it is pretty stable and has been fun to run around in the world. Having some issues with the patcher currently. I hope to have that resolved some time next week.

The wizard's first 12 levels of spells are in game now and are going through some testing. Cleric spells are currently being worked on. The thief and his skills are in place and being tested as well. Including the warior, these four classes will be the main classes used in testing. The other classes will be brought into the game over the next several months leading up to alpha testing.

Here is some information on the wizard's casting of spells: With the exception of the level one spells, almost all spells require a reagent of some sort. Some are consumed and some are not. Since you can multiclass (have more than 1 profession), there are penalties for wearing armor other than cloth while wielding magic. These penalties are offset as you progress in the appropriate armor skill. Clerics, on the other hand, require talisman, sigil stones, and symbols from the various gods to gain access to divine magic. These are obtained via training, questing, and good ol' fashion adventuring. These items have been blessed by the god the item belongs to and gives the cleric his magical abilities. These items are NOT consumed during casting.

The initial human starting quests and several small tasks and side-quests are going to be implemented and tested next week (finally!)

Still Working

Kevin French — 2007-05-17T02:01:15+00:00

As we see the middle of May come round, we see continued progress on the world of Azaria.

This week has seen the Wizard gain some love. There spell lists from 1 - 12 have been implemented. Some are scroll purchases at the local vendor, some are quested, some are researched, and some are drops. And the mob wizzies will use them just the same. So, be wary of those finger wagglers out there.

Another dungeon has been added. This is the Underground of Alhanas. Your typical scum live down in these halls. Also, an ancient graveyard has been added...including some new residents.

No new screenshots this week. I've been busy adding content and some new code. Nothing exciting for you right now; but, it will be in the end.

Until next week!

Another Update

Kevin French — 2007-05-09T02:03:08+00:00

Last week was a little slow in the development side. I spent time adding a small dungeon from Alhanas. It is inhabited by the Bonecracker Clan goblins. Contrary to popular belief, goblins are not vicious in nature. You may be able to befriend these guys. On the other hand, tick them off and they will want your blood for life.
The dungeon is populated and lit. There are a few campfires here and there and that is all that has been finished. I'll post screen shots once the dungeon starts to look more lived-in. Work will continue this week and probably next. The dungeon hasn't been itemized at this point.

This week will see the first 10 levels of the warrior class fleshed out. Once completed, you would be able to play a warrior through 10 levels and be able choose various traits and train in abilities as well as skills.

Alhanas will start to see some tasks and quests put in place. And if my quest guy has them ready, the starting human quests will be added in as well including any zones that are needed for the story(instances).

Sorry for no new screen shots this week. Go ahead and express your rage over on the forums.

May already

Kevin French — 2007-05-01T17:01:38+00:00

Here we are at the end of the first month. Wow, does time fly! Sorry for the late update. Life has been kinda hectic the last few days around here.

This past week has seen Alhanas start to take shape. There are even some NPCs to visit and some snakes to smack upside their reptilian heads. Mike has the first set of starting quests penned. This is for the Inkat race. He has started work on the Humans this week. Each set of starting quests are tailored for each race and in some cases gender as well. The starting quests will lead the player into the main storyline and back to their home towns. This level of questing will be prevalent throughout the game!

The Web site (www.legendary-journeys.net) has not been updated as of yet. The site will start to see some love later this month and through the summer in preparation for our marketing push this fall. We are shooting for a full demo release by the end of the contest.

Here are a few screen shots from Alhanas.
DISCLAIMER: The CHARACTER MODELS that has been used is placeholder art provided by PrairieGames.

[IMG]http://img363.imageshack.us/img363/9426/screenshot02100001ls5.th.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]http://img105.imageshack.us/img105/4817/screenshot02000001gt4.th.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]http://img354.imageshack.us/img354/5913/screenshot02100006gd0.th.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]http://img259.imageshack.us/img259/6471/screenshot01800001iw7.th.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]http://img20.imageshack.us/img20/1331/screenshot01800005qk7.th.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]http://img104.imageshack.us/img104/4452/screenshot02100003lv7.th.jpg[/IMG]

Another Week Down

Kevin French — 2007-04-24T02:15:41+00:00

Well, the first month of work on the game for the contest will be coming to a close shortly. Man, how time flies.

This week has seen the first set of quests for the Inkat race being penned and almost complete. Additional main storyline elements were worked out as well.

Development of the Human city of Alhanas has started this week. Buildings have been raised and a dock constructed. Currently, most of the models in place are mere place holders. But, they allow you to see the general layout of the city. This week will begin to see some life brought into the world. Various NPCs will be added to the area including vendors, bankers, trainers, etc.

Most of this week was spent on design work vs. content building. Discussing various rule sets, story elements, etc. But, I do have some new screenies to show. They are below.

Alhanas
[IMG]http://img20.imageshack.us/img20/1331/screenshot01800005qk7.th.jpg[/IMG]

Ravenshire
[IMG]http://img20.imageshack.us/img20/9476/ravenshire004yq6.th.png[/IMG]

Alhanas Docks
[IMG]http://img259.imageshack.us/img259/6471/screenshot01800001iw7.th.jpg[/IMG]

Here are a few from last week in case you didn't make it to the new web site (www.legendary-journeys.net)

West Elderwood
[IMG]http://img264.imageshack.us/img264/3594/westelderwood02zn6.th.png[/IMG]

Druin Port
[IMG]http://img264.imageshack.us/img264/3726/screenshot01500001eo2.th.jpg[/IMG]

The Work Continues

Kevin French — 2007-04-17T02:21:38+00:00

Well, it is Monday again; so, it is update time!

This week has seen continued work on zones. This work has mostly involved environment design. I'm just trying to get a feel of what each zone looks like based on its location within the world, its purpose, ect.

The living design document was delivered to Dream Games per contest rules. This document lays out the game from its mechanics to the world lore. On that note, www.legendary-journeys.net has become active within the past week. There is a web page up but there isn't much there. As I progress on the game the web site will evolve as well. The forums are up and active. So, feel free to drop by and voice your thoughts. Next week some information regarding the player races will be available on the site.

Head over to www.legendary-journeys.net to see some new screen shots.

Mike has begun work on the initial quests. These quests are designed to bring the player into the world with a purpose and to introduce the main storyline. This storyline will be available for the player to explore. But, keep in mind, this storyline will proceed with or without the player's involvement. This will be accomplished via episodic content which will be obtained via an update grab similar to Neverwinter Night's model.

The episodic content will provide the player with a more dynamic world and progressing storyline.

1 week down, 51 to go -- 4/9/2007

Kevin French — 2007-04-10T04:49:04+00:00

Let's see...I spent the past week setting up the starting zones. Mostly terrain and water work; so, they don't look really great at this time. I have started vegetation work on the Halfling starting zone of Ravenshire. Here are a couple of screenshots of the work in progress.

Back to work! I will update next week.

Legendary Journeys

Kevin French — 2007-04-06T03:19:50+00:00

And so it begins....

OK, I've never done a Blog before; so, this should be interesting.

This will document the development of Legendary Journeys a contestant in the Dream Games' Make A Game in A Year contest.

Work has begun. A design doc has been completed (1st pass).
Currently, I've been setting up the starting areas' terrains. Some art work has also started along with the initial quests and tasks of the starting areas.

I'll be posting here through out the contest.