Open-source game

[FreeFull]

Why we won't do an open-source game. Everyone will be able to contribute (add code, fix bugs). The community will add various features. I would make sure it works on Linux (and maybe someone could check if it works on mac). First we need to decide on a name and what type of game will it be.

[Stijn]

I would make sure it works on Linux (and maybe someone could check if it works on mac).
This should have top priority yes

[n00b]

Name- Skitch Possum: Ressurection
Genre- 5d Platformer
http://www.maj.com/gallery/Lijik/DarkJazz/spr.png

[FQuist]

Skitch Possum was not open source, afaik. Even if it was, nobody outside of MetalWarrior or Roaster has it I think, if THEY even have it anymore ;-)

[Stijn]

Any chance the tilesets it was to use will be released so people can convert them to j2t?

[FQuist]

I am not in contact with either Metalwarrior, Gizmo, Noraa or Dino (I wish they would drop by :(). All of them have left and have completely stopped being in contact with the community. You could possibly dig some of them up with some trouble, but I'd think you'd need at least permission from Dino or MW (the leader guys) and also from the tileset artists Noraa and Gizmo.

<small>(I wonder if there's some relationship between working on Possum and choosing to leave in the most definite way. I think I'm the only <a href="http://www.jazz2online.com/J2Ov2/wiki/?Possum#Team%20Members">Possum team member</a> even still involved in any sense with the community. :( A lot of leaving people at least choose to drop by sometimes. Some of these guys were my buddies, too.)</small>

[KRSplat]

I miss them.

[Neobeo]

Would such an open-source game be allowed to steal animations from anims.j2a?

[FQuist]

They were not released under a free license, so, no.

[Bobby aka Dizzy]

If you really wanted to get the tilesets that Noraa may have worked on I can get you in touch with him, FQ, but I seriously doubt that he would still have them.

[ShadeJackrabbit]

Hmmm... if it's gonna be on Linux, I might be in, though I only really am learning JavaScript now... not even at "if" statements yet.

[Erik]

No let's make it for amiga instead and closed source

[FQuist]

If you really wanted to get the tilesets that Noraa may have worked on I can get you in touch with him, FQ, but I seriously doubt that he would still have them.I think I actually have most of his tilesets - it's more his permission that I think would be required. I personally don't intend to spend time on working to get these tilesets released, but others may.

[FreeFull]

No let's make it for amiga instead and closed source

We could do an Amiga version... using UAE (WinUAE on Windows) we could have check and modify the source for it to work. I think we should first focus on Linux and Windows trough (and Mac).

[Stijn]

Why?

[Radium]

I tried making a game with community arthelp a few years back ( http://www.jazz2online.com/jcf/showthread.php?t=6417 ). The thread title is so ironic.

Any idea what language this would be in? The only thing that comes to mind that a lot of people know and that crossplatforms easily is Flash.

[FreeFull]

Stijn: Amiga doesn't have enough users. There are many more people with PC's and Macs
Radium: I suggest c++ but the whole community will have to decide. (btw, Java much is more portable than Flash. Flash runs only on Windows, Mac and Linux)

[ShadeJackrabbit]

The only thing that comes to mind that a lot of people know and that crossplatforms easily is Flash.
Here's some more...
C++
Flash
C
C#
Python (Pygame)
Quake 3 (I checked.)

EDIT: DARN IT! I almost got a post in before you...

[Radium]

Flash runs only on Windows, Mac and LinuxAnyone who uses an OS besides those three is only doing so because they <i>want</i> to complain about compatability issues.

Well, I know next to nothing about C and its variants but I can still contribute some animation if so desired.

[Stijn]

Stijn: Amiga doesn't have enough users. There are many more people with PC's and Macs
I mean why focus so much on making it Linux/Mac compatible? Almost everyone here if not everyone has Windows while only a very minor part of the community runs Linux or Mac. I don't see why multiplatform compatibility is so important.

[FreeFull]

Well, the game will be not only for the community, everyone who wants will play it. And I'm using Linux.

[ShadeJackrabbit]

Using linux here... okay I am when my internet runs...

[Erik]

Jesus

A minority of gamers use linux. And when they use it, it's a dualbooted one.
Hey why don't we put the game in a VIC-20 disk bootsection instead? We have 512 bytes to use and we don't need more!

[FreeFull]

I don't use Windows at all (exept on IT lessons). I have no need for a drive full of needed antimalware software. And I'm a gamer.

[Erik]

You're not most gamers.

[Stijn]

I have no need for a drive full of needed antimalware software.
Neither do I. What's your point?

Is it that using Windows automatically means being infected with lots of viruses and malware? I hate to burst your bubble, but that's not true.

This is slightly off-topic though, apologies.

[n00b]

I don't use Windows at all (exept on IT lessons). I have no need for a drive full of needed antimalware software. And I'm a gamer.

A minority of gamers use linux.

GREAT FREEFULL! WELCOME TO THE LOWER PERCENTAGE!
What did you just do in support of a Linux/mac port? NOTHING!!

[ShadeJackrabbit]

What did you just do in support of a Linux/mac port? NOTHING!!

Uh... pointed out that he uses linux? I dunno...

Point is, as long as we give out the source, it will run in linux, k? So let's actually MAKE an open-source game, then worry about porting it.

BOB: Holly shade! That was a smack-down!
SHADE: Shut up Bob! *gives bob the smack-down*

[n00b]

Point is, as long as we give out the source, it will run in linux, k? So let's actually MAKE an open-source game, then worry about porting it.

But why not also port it to Amiga, and make that a top priority as well? Since according to the first post, the second we decide on the game, Freefull begins making sure every step past that works with Linux

[DoubleGJ]

Shade, you've got a point. And if someone is good enough to actually use a Linux OS, compiling the game should be a piece of cake. ;)

[FreeFull]

n00b:Because we are too lazy to install an Amiga emulator?

Edit: AAAAA!

[Erik]

Um, I have a working amiga setup.

[Stijn]

n00b:Because we are too lazy to install an Amiga emulator?

Edit: AAAAA!
I'm too lazy to install Linux and why would I if it also works on Windows

[ShadeJackrabbit]

Okay, SHUT UP WITH THIS ARGUMENT. Since it's going to be Open-source game we don't have to worry about porting! Just make the (-)ing game already! THEN we can port, okay? Move your stupid fight into another thread...

[Sonyk]

lets make it msdos compatible
i for one, use primarily msdos
i am also a gamer
i feel that msdos would be a great contribution to this project
i won't actually do anything to support msdos, but i'll tell you when it won't run on msdos

now make me my game


Who decides on a name before they've gotten any ideas about the game itself, anyway?

[ShadeJackrabbit]

<sarcasm>You forgot the sarcasm tags.</sarcasm>

Right?

Now, my idea for a game is that we make an adventure game. The members of the JCF must go on the great quest to get the source code of Jazz 2. It would be called:

Jazz Community Forums: The Quest for the Code

That's my idea.

[Erik]

My idea is that we make a game where Jazz is a pimp and his (-)es are stolen! So he's got to get them back

[Stijn]

Okay, SHUT UP WITH THIS ARGUMENT. Since it's going to be we don't have to worry about porting! Just make the (-)ing game already! THEN we can port, okay? Move your stupid fight into another thread...
But that's a wrong assumption. Making the game open-source will not automatically make it portable to Linux or MacOS or whatever, contrary to what you and FreeFull seem to be thinking. Therefore this issue has to be sorted out before anyone actually starts coding the game.

Of course it is still stupid to decide that it will be open-source before actually coming up with a first concept.

[Radium]

But that's a wrong assumption. Making the game open-source will not automatically make it portable to Linux or MacOS or whatever, contrary to what you and FreeFull seem to be thinking. Therefore this issue has to be sorted out before anyone actually starts coding the game.

Of course it is still stupid to decide that it will be open-source before actually coming up with a first concept.If I was an admin you would receive a "Stupidity catalyst removal" edit. Shade is right, let's presume this will magically work made a (-) game. Worst comes to worst, we package some free emulator with the game and call it the Linux version.

I propose an Uberbob adventure game. We'd already have a plot, characters, and a number of animations.

Though a possum game would be fun too. Possum has been playing dead for too long.

[ShadeJackrabbit]

If I was an admin you would receive a "Stupidity catalyst removal" edit. Shade is right, let's presume this will magically work made a (-) game. Worst comes to worst, we package some free emulator with the game and call it the Linux version.
(-INSERT LINK TO WINE-)
Besides, if it's done in C or equivalent, or python, you can just recompile it in linux using diffferent packages. Or, make a build using wine.

I propose an Uberbob adventure game. We'd already have a plot, characters, and a number of animations.
Sounds good to me!

[Torkell]

(-INSERT LINK TO WINE-)
Besides, if it's done in C or equivalent, or python, you can just recompile it in linux using diffferent packages. Or, make a build using wine.

Depends on the choice of graphics and sound interfaces. I'd suggest using OpenGL for the graphics, and some similarly cross-platform interface for the sound.

[Erik]

OpenGL + SDL keyboard/mouse wrappers + FMOD = heavenly combo

[ShadeJackrabbit]

OpenGL + SDL keyboard/mouse wrappers + FMOD = heavenly combo
Agreed.

[n00b]

I propose an Uberbob adventure game. We'd already have a plot, characters, and a number of animations.

Though a possum game would be fun too. Possum has been playing dead for too long.

Uberbob game with Possum as a main/secondary character shoehorned into the already existing plot.

[ShadeJackrabbit]

Yeah, that would make sense...

[Radium]

He could replace L33tz4n. I never liked L33tz4n much anyway. I don't think anyone did.

[Erik]

L33tz4n sucks

[Birdie]

L33tz4n is awesome.

[Torkell]

I dunno, I quite liked L33tz4n.

Offhand, I can't think of any ToU characters that I disliked.

[ShadeJackrabbit]

Same here.

[Radium]

She was loads of fun in battles, but I always thought her character was boring. I could've done her better if I was writing the story now.

Personally, though, if I could do it all again I'd reduce the main travelling cast to just Uberbob and Araches. Fawriel and Shuriken could show up for one island/plot arc and leave at the end like Furious and Fooruman did.

In doing ToU I learned that it's far too hard to effectively develop six characters. I wanted to keep the character's personalities, but after a while it felt like a chore; like I had to have Araches hit on Shuri every so often, or have Uberbob make a remark about fish or kleptomania. It didn't help that so many characters lacked goals in the first place (the alignment system in my 48 Hour Fangame is a subtle parody of this).

Throughout the story, the strongest interactions were consistantly between Uberbob and Araches (and one of the most fun parts to narrate was when it was from Araches' point of view but Uberbob was executing the actions). There was potential to develop their characters a lot more, since they were in some ways such opposites (Uberbob's enthusastic zeal for adventure compared to Araches' pessimistic feelings of hopelessness at the whole situation) and in other ways so similar (filled with lust and complete indifference towards most their allies' feelings). Fawriel, L33tz4n, and Shuri were all okay at first, but after a while they were just "developed out".

Characters that were central to their own plot arc, like Fooruman and Furious, were not only easier to write for but fit better into the story as a whole. Fooruman especially - you find him starving in a ditch, he does nothing but get in the way for most of the island, but ultimately helps you thwart every one of Unfooruman's defenses and saves you in the boss battle.

I could see Fawriel being with you on Pandora's Island, since - if I recall correctly - he's the one that brings up Blackraptor and really initializes the plot, and Shuriken could join for the duration of Placespot. It could also place more emphasis on the reunion at the Perfect Solstice battle: I initially wanted to have someone from each island you saved show up at that battle, but kind of ruined it when I noticed the only people you really met on Pandora and Placespot had been travelling with you the whole time.

But... no, there was definitely a lot of mistakes in character setup I made. I wouldn't advise completely ditching L33tz4n's character (it's important that SOMEONE likes Uberbob, and the game would get boring if everyone was an extrovert), but I'd probably want to chop her up and distribute her character traits to more developed characters.

[FreeFull]

I think an Uberbob game would be perfect. Do you? What name should we give to the game? Maybe The Uberbob Tale?

[ShadeJackrabbit]

Sounds good to me! What genre though? Be cool if we could script a battle system like in ToU, and have an adventure game the rest of the time.

[Erik]

I think an Uberbob game would be perfect. Do you? What name should we give to the game? Maybe The Uberbob Tale?

nah

[n00b]

What name should we give to the game?

SUPER Uberbob the topic the comic the movie the game: Home edition 64

[Radium]

... actually, is anyone actually planning to work on this, or are there simply a lot of people organizing it?

[cooba]

Option #2, of course.

Just like for every other open source project.

[Radium]

Option #2, of course.

Just like for every other open source project.hahahaha

It's funny because it's true

[White Rabbit]

Something that would mean less work for us and more for Radium would be an Uberbob conversion for JJ2. Using JazzSD and new tilesets, we can create a true Uberbob-experience with an already existing game![/thread derail]

[Radium]

Something that would mean less work for us and more for Radium would be an Uberbob conversion for JJ2. Using JazzSD and new tilesets, we can create a true Uberbob-experience with an already existing game![/thread derail]In all seriousness, I was considering this at one time. I thought out how all the bosses could be remade to play completely different via sprite modification (you have to admit that Bilsy is the perfect Solstice).

An adventure game, though, like Shade said, would really fit to Uberbob better. Or at all.

[Krezack]

Coding is fun. Game should be in Linux.

[ShadeJackrabbit]

I love linux, but:

SHUT THE (-) UP ABOUT WHAT OS IT'S GONNA BE ON.

[Neobeo]

The idea is there. Everyone wants to see an open source game of course, but whether it will materialize is ☃.

[FreeFull]

Neobeo: An unicode character looking like a snowman?

It depends upon if we will actually start coding and making sprites. And it would be good to find someone to lead the project

[Ricerind]

ToU! We should rip-off JJ2 as much as we can without making ourselves a sue-target.

Seriously, it would be great if we could convert custom JJ2 levels and tilesets and use then in such a game.

[n00b]

Or how about you just play JJ2?

[Erik]

We should just make a ToU text game, and call it ToU OFFLINE!!

Actually, screw you guys, I'm gonna make that right now. All I need is a parser and a story.

[Radium]

Actually, screw you guys, I'm gonna make that right now. All I need is a parser and a story.

I will love you forever )=

[FreeFull]

What about a {insert character name here} game that works with JJ2 levels and servers but has it's own serverlist and own special level format that allows for much more than J2L? It could have an editor that would edit J2L (maybe the level format should be editable in JCS+...). It could have Fooruman in it.

[n00b]

Hay guyz, Ah maed ah design document for an ub00rb0b gaem (http://www.maj.com/gallery/Lijik/UnreleasedGames/toutgdd.jpg)

[Dermo]

SIEK!1111!!!!!!1111(one)!1111!

[guilt]

guys, um. with things like SDL/Allegro, it should be possible to make it work on Macs, Linux and Windows boxes at the same time.

[Grytolle]

but we dont like heretics

[Radium]

guys, um. with things like SDL/Allegro, it should be possible to make it work on Macs, Linux and Windows boxes at the same time.Wait, people use macs?

[DoubleGJ]

They're not people, they're a statistical error.

[FreeFull]

Some apples use macs. No people do.

[FQuist]

Please stop talking about Operating Systems. :'(
Worry about those if you actually have anything going.

[cooba]

Open source organising sure takes long. :roll:

[FreeFull]

That's because no one actually started making the game.

[n00b]

this project would have actually gone somewhere had the first post been a link to a demo and the post read "LET'S FINISH MY GAME"

Give people a blank sheet of paper, and they'll just entertain themselves with the paper or get bored and move on to something else. If you give them legos instead, they may actually get somewhere productive.

[Marijn]

wish words.

[Neobeo]

Such a project must be kept secret at all costs.

[sedthh]

ignore this post. It's just I had to spam something in order to open a thread, sorry

[n00b]

ignore this post. It's just I had to spam something in order to open a thread, sorry

No, you could have instead posted a productive post or participated in the forum games, "Where spam is welcome as long as its thinly disguised as a game!"

[sedthh]

or whereever flame is welcome right? :rolleyes:

edit: I want to post a new thread about jazz game developement but I still can't create new threads

[Stijn]

Just wait a while.

And indeed, it'd have been appreciated if you had posted something less spammy than this.

Welcome to the forums.

[FreeFull]

Here is the end to the spam and continuation to the thread.
Such a project must be kept secret at all costs.