From the category archives:

Games

Two More Reasons to Hire a Real Artist

by Jason Surguine on May 7, 2012

Yup, it’s that time again. Time to make fun of my drawing ability… and show what the new title screen for Arvale: TOM, Episode 4 will look like!

Click on the above to see my original layout sketch of the next title screen in all its stick-figure glory

Now, you may be wondering, ‘What the heck is it?!’ So I imagine a bit of explanation is in order.

As I have said previously, the game will branch off into three playable stories. Without giving too much away:

The top-left corner, is Duncan and Noko being chased by a Leviathan.

The top-right corner, has Chev working on something and Sakyra looking at the tools he is working with.

The bottom (uh, corner?), has Cyper up against a wall listening in on a conversation at night-time in the city of Garga.

So… perhaps you can ween some information about the upcoming story or gameplay from that bit of info there.

Oh right, and what it looks like when a real artist works on it?

It looks something a bit more like this:

Click on it see it in in all of its not-stick-figure glory… and Enjoy!

Oh, and if any of my previous posts on title screens are an indication… the release is probably coming up soon

Arvale IV Progress?

by Jason Surguine on March 12, 2012

So, it’s been a looong while since I’ve said anything about Arvale.

So first, some good news:

All of the maps in the game are done.

All of the music for the game is done.

All of the art, barring the Title screen, is done.

All of the major plot points in the story are done.

What have I recently been working on?

Content. I hit a snag recently and wanted more art for NPCs, monsters, tiles, etc. as what I had so far simply wasn’t enough. Luckily, my knowledge of Japanese actually came to the rescue and uncovered several treasure troves of amazing art, sprites, monsters, backgrounds, fog, effects, and tile graphics.

Arvale IV will be a freaking treat to look at.

So what’s left?

Dialogue, lot’s of it. This includes all the NPC’s and the random stuff you click on, including wheelbarrows.

Dungeon Puzzles. Nothing too complex, but without them, it just wouldn’t be complete.

New magic and skill animations. I have the content, I just need to figure out what to do with it and who does what with what groovy new spells.

Balancing. A lot. Not only because this game will be bigger than the previous three, but also because this. is. the. end. And there are more characters than before, yada, yada.

Tying the whole flipping thing together. The gameplay and story is actually going to branch out into 3 different segments, with three separate parties, which you can choose to play in any order; then finally meet up in the end. This involves some tricky bit of design and balancing, so it will actually be quite fun once it all comes together.

That being said, I am still not brave enough to give even a soft date for a release. But I will say things are progressing, and the game is heading towards completion.

Thanks to any and all for your patience and I hope someone else out there is as excited about the game as I am.

In the meantime, here is a rabbit in half a suit to ponder upon.

I Wish You a Merry Xmas…

by Jason Surguine on December 24, 2011

And a new game to play with

Ownzies

No, it’s not the final episode of Arvale, but I’m still quite darn proud of it. This game was put together by the new gaming company, Goroid.

Goroid consists of key members of the old team at PDAmill Game Studios, so I can only assure you that the title is high freaking quality.

That being said, Merry Xmas!

Oh… and if anyone wants a free copy of the game (and is willing to do a written review, you know who you are); you know how to contact me (and please do!).

Cheers!