Another arcadish game and a poll

[Odin]

Ok, so I had another idea for an arcade game.

You play as two characters, Mr. Icey (an ice cube) and Mr. Firey (a fireball). Mr. Icey is missing arms, and Mr. Firey is missing legs. They take turns being the player, so one turn you'll play as Mr. Icey, and the next you'll play with Mr. Firey. The levels don't scroll vertically, like in Super Mario Brothers, but you are allowed to backtrack. Anyways, they're both on a quest to the Grand Wizard to regain their lost limbs, and must use their elemental powers to overcome the many enemies on their path.

Anyways, because I can't focus on making two games at once (the other being the Tyrianesque game talked about here (http://www.jazz2online.com/jcf/showthread.php?t=14990)), I decided I'd let the public think about what game i'd make. So, people: What game should I pursue?

[Birdie]

:( i want to revote now i want you to make Fire & Ice

[blurredd]

If you made some sprites, it might be easier to choose between the two.

[n00b]

Fire and Ice FTW.

[Radium]

I vote FaI, but I think it should be renamed to IcyHot.

[Odin]

If you made some sprites, it might be easier to choose between the two.

What sprites are there to make? It's just a living ice cube and fireball versus a white blob with some guns attached to it.

I vote FaI, but I think it should be renamed to IcyHot.

It's Fire & Ice, not Fire And Ice ;P

And if I name it IcyHot people'll get upset. I'm running a (small) risk right now by naming my game "Fire & Ice" because some other game is named that as well.

[Risp_old]

Do you mean that you can switch between the two at will, or that there is a specified character you use for each level? The former, I would think, would make it more strategic (especially if there are some limitations on switching), and the latter would more make the levels more varied (or at least if Icey and Firey play significantly different).

[Odin]

Do you mean that you can switch between the two at will, or that there is a specified character you use for each level? The former, I would think, would make it more strategic (especially if there are some limitations on switching), and the latter would more make the levels more varied (or at least if Icey and Firey play significantly different).

I thought about the latter, but the former would allow for more fun gameplay.

[blurredd]

What sprites are there to make? It's just a living ice cube and fireball versus a white blob with some guns attached to it.
I still would like to see what exactly you have in mind though, and judging by your description it shouldn't take long to make.

[Odin]

I still would like to see what exactly you have in mind though, and judging by your description it shouldn't take long to make.

This is why I wish I had a scanner, because I have concept art just to the right of me between the mouse and my seltzer. And yet you can't see it.

And i'd make some sprites, but I'm a horrible pixel artist when I have to use more than 3 colors.

[Risp_old]

I thought about the latter, but the former would allow for more fun gameplay.
In which case, how does the switching work? Can you switch whenever you want, at a press of a button? Is there some limitation (a cooldown time between switches, a limited number of switches, only at certain places in the level, etc)? Do the characters share the same health (or is there even health at all)? Will one character vanish when you switch away from him, or will he just 'go idle' (e.g. the Lost Vikings)? Will levels be made so that you have to use both characters (again, think the Lost Vikings), or will it simply be encouraged?

And as for me, I'm an okay pixel artist (and getting experienced at flash spriting too), but I can't animate fire at all.

[Odin]

In which case, how does the switching work? Can you switch whenever you want, at a press of a button? Is there some limitation (a cooldown time between switches, a limited number of switches, only at certain places in the level, etc)? Do the characters share the same health (or is there even health at all)? Will one character vanish when you switch away from him, or will he just 'go idle' (e.g. the Lost Vikings)? Will levels be made so that you have to use both characters (again, think the Lost Vikings), or will it simply be encouraged?

And as for me, I'm an okay pixel artist (and getting experienced at flash spriting too), but I can't animate fire at all.


Switching will be done via a "rest stop" point at the middle of each level (this "rest stop" also serves as a checkpoint.)
The other chatacter will vanish.
Characters will not share health (3 HP each), so if you're near dead with one, you can simply switch back to the other. Collecting health pickups if you're at full health will not heal your ally, so if you want to use them, you must backtrack to the rest stop.
Some levels will require the use of both characters (hopefully), but most should only require the use of one specific character. I'm not sure how I'll implement it, because I haven't worked out the character's powers yet (Icey may have more "melee" style attacks, e.g. sliding, whereas Firey will focus around ranged attacks, e.g. lava bullets).

[Erik]

i can track chiptunes if you need something. PM me for a demo.

[Odin]

i can track chiptunes if you need something. PM me for a demo.

Yeah, I haven't decided if I wanted it to be in 8-bit style (think Kirby's Adventures), or 16-bit style (like Super Mario World). It may be easier to do in 8-bit, but 16-bit looks somewhat better.

[Erik]

(i can track something else too ;()

Oh and 16-bit games use chiptunes too. See PC Engine games.

[DanYjel]

i can track tunes if you need something. PM me if you feel to.

[Fawriel]

Fire&Ice
Is also nice
And would suffice.

...I'd volunteer to make sprites, but I have a horrible history in voluntary jobs like that.

[Radium]

I could make sprites. It's a fireball, how hard could it be?

[Odin]

I could make sprites. It's a fireball, how hard could it be?

It's a fireball with hands.

[Birdie]

Are the hands attached with thin little arms or are they just floating there like rayman's or does he have like 2 chevey sized arms?

[Radium]

Are the hands attached with thin little arms or are they just floating there like rayman's or does he have like 2 chevey sized arms?
I'll only help if it's B or C.

[n00b]

Really I'd say it's up to the pixel artist.
Remember how much Jazz changed when Nick converted most of the game's animations into his own style

[Odin]

Icey and Firey's limbs are Rayman-style.

[Risp_old]

Should icey be a tough icecube or a speedy one?

[Radium]

Icey and Firey's limbs are Rayman-style.
Aw. Risp and I were talking about how he would look and this (http://foxmage.com/ICY.jpg) came up.

[n00b]

Aw. Risp and I were talking about how he would look and this (http://foxmage.com/ICY.jpg) came up.
Add some cartoon snow on top and a face, and thats how I imagined he'd look.

[Odin]

Okay, apparently I didn't explain Icy's appearance enough:

Icy is basically an ice cube with brown boots (rayman-style limbs, remember) and a face. Icy has no facial expressions.

And while i'm at it, Firey's description:

Firey is a fireball with blue hands (again, rayman-style), and a face. Unlike Icy, however, Firey is always in a "happy-go-lucky" demeanor, almost always wearing a =D face.

Pretty simple, no?

[n00b]

So something like This? (http://www.maj.com/gallery/Lijik/Scans/fireice1.png)
With the limbs in their normal places of course.

[Odin]

Icy is more cubluar, and Firey is more rounded. The mouth doesn't protrude as much. Otherwise, spot on.

[Odin]

Sorry for the thread revival.

Anyways, I decided that Icey's main attack is jumping, like Mario, while Firey's main attack is punching, like Rayman (except the hand doesn't travel far). Enemies with spikes/armor/beaks/etc. on the sides will damage Firey when he punches, while enemies with spiky helmets and such will damage Icy when he jumps on them.

More advanced attacks (shooting?) will come soon.

[n00b]

Sorry for the thread revival, but since Odin is banned, he has requested I post the first official Fire & Ice Screenshot (http://www.maj.com/gallery/Lijik/WinampPiming/fiscreenie.png)<Lol, hoax. What? you don't like the word-things spewing out of my mouth-hole?>

[Sonyk]

Viva la Steamboat Willie

[Sacrush]

Sorry for the thread revival, but since Odin is banned, he has requested I post the first official Fire & Ice Screenshot (http://www.maj.com/gallery/Lijik/WinampPiming/fiscreenie.png)<Lol, hoax. What? you don't like the word-things spewing out of my mouth-hole?>

Looks alright, can use a little color though.

[n00b]

You miss the point of a Steamboat Willie themed area then.

[Sacrush]

You miss the point of a Steamboat Willie themed area then.

I guess I do then.

[Birdie]

Why is it monochrome?

[n00b]

Birdie, you lose.

Good day sir.

[Risp_old]

At least I get it =D

[Fawriel]

Awesome! =D
I mean it, the graphics are great!
...where did you get those from?

[Ae]

I vote for Fire & Ice.

[Speeza]

i vote for something else

[n00b]

Too bad, F&I is already in progress of deveolpment.

[Gavie]

There already exists an old dos platformer called Fire & Ice
http://independent-software.jareks.net/pc/archive/screens/fire_and_ice.gif
Released in 1993

[n00b]

Let me ask you this: When was the last time you ever used the old game in normal conversation? It's not likely there's going to be confusion between the two.

Plus, Odin already adressed this issue at the Apogee fourms.

Potential T-Shirt Design (http://www.deviantart.com/view/33769936/)

[Strato]

Sounds like a Lost Vikings clone to me. I'm all for it.

[n00b]

Gameplay-wise sure, but attitude-wise I sincerly doubt it.

Considering I've never played LV, I can't really be influenced by it when designing characters and animating them.

[Strato]

I meant gameplay wise, of course.

[n00b]

I guess we have different definitions of game clones (http://perso.wanadoo.fr/rogue/images/machines/oric/liste/dinky_kong_small.jpg)

[Strato]

You're my hero.