Cheers, guys. Thanks for understanding why I want to do this.
Things are progressing quite nicely, so I'll try and put some screens or something together soon.
But aside from that: how in the world are you going to create an original, good looking protagonist who fits into this story better than Link does?
I can't promise I've come up with as iconic a character as Link
but he should pretty interesting. Unlike Link he's a character rather than a cipher for the player, he has a name (i.e. you won't be able to re-name him) and he will have a big speaking part. Plus, he already fits in better than Link because I've been streamlining the story and he's become much more a part of events and less the only kid who can do anything about them. I've also merged some of the main players' roles. For example, Zelda and Impa have become one character and consequently there is no damsel in distress anymore. So it's already much tighter because I don't feel I have to shoehorn all the familiar Zelda motifs in. If you like what you already know, you
should like where I'm taking it...
Secondly: a tiny little wish of mine: please don't make it too dark please? Nice and happy colours at day-time, and dark-purple colour in the dream realm.
The mood will be the same. Majora's Mask was always the mood I wanted to capture, and I'm still going for that slightly creepy, darkly whimsical mood. Toon Link, however, is no longer an influence on the art style...
Are you still going to post updates in this topic about the IP or will the topic be canned as well? Because of what I understand is that you are going to move with the entire project.
I'll start a
new topic here, sure.
I'm just curious as to how you're gonna translate all the Zelda-esque enemies to an original style without people saying "Hey, I'm playing Zelda with different graphics!"
Well, I think there's gonna have to be an element of that - it's almost unavoidable. I can superficially change them (for example, the octoroks have become spitting toads which get around by hopping) but the enemies in 2D Zeldas pretty much cover all the attack types and movement patterns in the book and coming up with entirely new ones might be tricky. But I'm certainly going to try.
Why not release the source of the original Shadowgazer to see if someone can continue with what you have? It's an absolute shame to see what's there now just up and end as what it is and turn into something entirely different
Because I don't want somebody making a game with a virtually identical premise? Nah, I plan on releasing all the Zelda assets (ripped/custom sprites and tilesets) though, which will no doubt help in your rip project.
It might sound a bit selfish, but you really had some wicked custom sprite work in your game. It would be sad if those that are going to be replaced or changed, due to being to much Zelda-ish, got wasted. Are you going to release that work to ZFGC resources at one time or another (maybe after you finished the IP), for others to use?
See above.