So I don't know if this has been brought up, but what are the special stages going to be like? Also, are you still working on your GM engine or halting progress?
I haven't thought of the special stages yet, but I'm not limiting them to 3D. As for the engine, I'm waiting until something better comes along, as I'm starting to think GM isn't a great idea unless mega mega optimised. Also: Extra creative details.
So pretty. So, so pretty. Also, I scribble in class regularly and eventually I randomly spawned something that resembles a forest/grassy level. If you're interested, I could probably scan it.
Are you doing different art for each act ála Sonic 3 & K? In that case, you could use one of them for Act 1 and the other for Act 2!
I can't wait to see everything come together in one mock-up. You've got me super pumped, man. Mind if I draw up some zone ideas too?
How about a special stage similar in style to the gameplay (camera angle inclusive) of Sonic 3D Blast/Flickies' Island? Perhaps it could be a little like the Special Stage in Sonic Robo Blast 2 as well as being a little like the one in Aquaslash's Sonia and Silver: The S Factor. No actual Flicky collecting though, or (ignoring that last remark) there could be a handful of Flickies, Pickies, Pockies, etc. scattered throughout the stage that can be collected to earn a continue for your character. (Though as to what they would be doing trapped in the Special Stage [I.e. as to how they got there], I have no idea.) Or this could just be a Bonus Stage. Alternatively, you could go a more SegaSonic Arcade level gameplay route for Special or Bonus Stages. Differently themed gauntlets to run through to get to the emerald in time and/or with enough rings. Though obviously whatever you do make sure the stages look phantasmagoric, littered with abstract shapes and various color themes. Obviously.
The lamp post... It looks rather nice, but on the top (the lamp), I can't figure out what is that. I mean from the classic games, I've always thought that was a flat surface, like a cookie or a watch, etc... But the shading that you did makes me think that is a spherical object, like an actual lamp (which isn't bad, I actually prefer that way, like Sonic Advance or the 3D Sonic has). And why are the highlights on the lamp right on top of it, like it recieves light from the top, while the rest of the post is clearly recieving light like the sun is at the left of the screen?... Not in a diagonal position as well since it doesn't creates almost any shadows at all. There is actually three light sources on this lamp post, one that is coming from the left that illuminates the post, one that is coming from the top, that illuminates the lamp, and another one straight in front of the blue thing on the middle (due it's pillow shader). And from which material is that lamp made of? Because glass is a little bit more reflective about it's highlights and it bounces light all over the surface, specially if it is a rounded surface like this: Also, don't commit the same mistake that S2HD did, having barelly any texture to its objects. Ignoring the materials which they're made of and having almost the same shading for everything. Not trying to be an ass or make your work seems bad, btw... Just beeing nitpick like I usually am.
To me it looks likes it has the same shape of the bumpers used as a shield by the badnik in Casino Night.
I think in the English translations, Sonic 1's checkpoint is called a "lamp post" while 2 and 3s are called "star posts". I imagine the original idea is that the star ones have special stages/bonus stages attached to them, while the blank ones don't. Probably a concept lost in post-Sonic Adventure games. Star posts struck me as flatter objects... but that's mainly because of Sonic the Comic
I imagined it as a kind of flattened sphere, made out of a plastic that isn't particularly shiny. I'm not sure how well I did that. I'd love zone ideas to be drawn, but I don't really want people criticising other's ideas (like perhaps Project: Sonic Retro if I remember correctly), if I like it I'll perhaps use it.
Well, I'm just asking for Ideas, no actual art. Does that count? How about you lot PM them to me instead. Then thing will be more of a suprise! :v:
Sure it counts. The community is being encouraged to provide ideas that may or may not be used in the product, ideas that you may not have even thought of yourself. In other words, the community is involved with this project :v: I like to see these ideas though. I don't think they should just get pm'd to you. Especially since that'll blow up your inbox.
Why not? The best ideas come from critcism. Take a look at the Walljump discussion, even though you still don't want to implement it, a small idea ("Let's put walljump") turned out on a polished version of wall jumping. With momentum based jumps and lenght, etc... Even though some times these stuff may get off track and some people feel vaguely offended, that's where concepts gets polished and ideas get implemented. Honestly I do want people criticising my ideas, like the lamp post thing, etc... I believe that's better not just for me, so I can rethink my ideas and elaborate new and better concepts that I was once incapable of because I wasn't able to see the other face of the coin in here. But for you and the game as well. And even if some sparks flies and people have different opinion, I don't believe that this will result in any sort of fight between members. For example, I wanted the wall jump, AerosolSP didn't, now watch me agree with him: Agreed, good sir. See? That's amazing. (Now speaking seriously, I do agree with him and I do believe that S4AYII should be considered a community project from now on. After all, it's Sonic 4 as I/we/you/they imagined it to be... But this is like, Sonica's choice).
Hmm. I really didn't want a community project crawl out of this, but I also don't want to say 'No Help!' And, yes you are right, I'm not sure how to stop this from bloating into a mass thing now. I guess I'll get some S4AYII forums up elsewhere for these things.
Be very careful though; patrons of this forum tend to go UTTER FUCKING BATSHIT when the name 'Sonic' is combined with the number '4' in any way, be it the initial genesis or the sharkery that is the 'tarded twosome of Sonic 4 general threads. Keeping the idea submission somewhat closed-off to feedback will be the best thing you could've done, and I mean that sincerely. In this place, everyone with access to a computer keyboard will pipe up with their own stupidfuckdumbarseholewank ideas and nobody wants to back down. Result is, you've got Sonic running around with a shield that makes him invulnerable to spikes (may as well hand the ending sequence to you on a plate covered in ketchup and with a note saying "EAT THIS OR EVERYONE YOU LOVE DIES FROM ANAL BLEEDING") running through Canadian Canada Zone in Canada. Because nobody wants to admit that sense flies out the window when their pubescent dreams of "OH MY RIM-JOBBING GOD I CAN HAVE SOME INPUT IN A SONIC SEQUEL" are in sore danger of being met with a project. The art is coming along nicely for generic and shared assets, and makes a good cohesive goal -- a big plus when only one guy is doing it all. However (and this is aimed at Sonica. Squarely), when it comes to zone ideas and people submitting them, don't be afraid to be bloody-minded when someone PMs you with CHOCOLATE MUFFIN ZONE and you think that's the worst idea since a feature-length animated Star Wars riff starring the Family Guy cast. Or something. It's all your call, Sonica, don't let others royally fuck this up because you look like you've got a damn good thing going on.
I think it's enough for us to consider it a community project, without it actually being one. Keep it low key, just the way it is. I was just making a note of how involved the community is in this already, without it turning into bikeshedding bonanza.
We're on the same page, at least. I'd love to be involved in this somehow, and might be at a later date (pretty cool that Sonica's a fan of the first two Sonic games - we can chill, dadio) but I'll need to see that it's not going to become such a thing. 'Bikeshed bonanza', I love it.
