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81

Entertainment / GOG.COM Atari sale - Weekend Only

« on: March 22, 2013, 10:11:52 pm »

A few Atari branded PC games are on sale on GOG.com.  I picked up Roller Coaster Tycoon Deluxe since it was a $1.59(lost my cd years ago :/  ).
That's the only thing I grabbed, however, when I glanced, it looked like some 25 or so titles.  You guys might want to check it out

82

Entertainment / Path of Exile - Come join, open-beta, free, free after beta, etc :D

« on: March 07, 2013, 04:54:42 pm »

As some of you may know, I love a RPGS - Diablo, Diablo 2, Titan Quest, Torchlight, etc.

Last week, I signed-up for a free account for Path of Exile (pathofexile.com) and am loving the game.
It's being developed for Grinding Gear Games and is their first indie-endeavor as far as I know.
The game is amazingly deep in customization.  Thought Diablo 3 was shallow so you quit?(I know some of you did as I have your real IDs and you played the game through once )Give PoE a try.

The skill/magic system is awesome.  Picture the materia system from Final Fantasy 7 but in a Diablo game...not only that, but your gear can link 6 slots...6 SLOTS.  That means you could do anything:  Flame Arrows that split on impact, chain after impact(means hit 2 more times after first hit), shoot faster, give life on hit, and have increased critical damage.  Don't like that?  Then you could have Poison Arrows and Flame Arrows both supported by chain, crit chance, increase item rarity, and attack speed.

Only your imagination is the limit.  Weapons and armor can roll 6 slots, everything else can roll 4.
This is NOT an arcade style aRPG like Diablo 3.  Try building for all DPS and you WILL die alot.  That's where the passive tree comes in.

Ever play Final Fantasy X?  Remember that pretty cool skill tree everytime you leveled up?  Path of Exile has a similar system for the passive tree.
Everytime you level up(upto level 99) or complete some specific quest, you get passive points.  These passives can be used on the tree to advance a class into anything.  DEX, STR, INT, Attack, Speed, dam with specific weapons, increases to crit, specific abilties get boosted, take away your mana and instead use hp to cast, increase minions, summon totems that cast your spells for you but now you cant cast the spells directly, etc.

So many choices. it's !@#$% awesome.

Seriously, you guys should really give it a go.  It's free for life(only cosmetics or extra stash tabs and such can be bought but you get 4 tabs that are huge) and none of that your-gear-is-your-own !@#$%.  Whenever a skill gem or rare or higher is dropped during team play, it has a timer on it.  You don't pick it up after 3 seconds, it's free for all.   Be on your toes

Anyway, it's only 5gb or so and they run ladders for the season every day it seems, so the game is never dull.

tl;dr
PoE is amazing.  Come play
Add me InMemorium or just look for someone named Noob Saibot in some variation in global chat(yes GLOBAL, not that retarded 99 people !@#$% like Blizzard did with Diablo 3 and it is moderated) in Hardcore or in the ladders.

Hope to see you guys soon

83

Coding / Developer Journal - C# and SQL

« on: February 28, 2013, 10:07:42 am »

I have not programmed anything with my full attention for some time.  I have been looking at job postings for C# since that is my language of choice as most of you know.  Alot of them prefer some sort of SQL experience and I have zero knowledge in sql.  So, I started learning some sql and how to use it with C#.  Since I also know nothing about asp/ado(online C#), I am writing a simple WPF program.

Here is the goal:
Generate 50 users in a database.
Randomly generate numbers that are added to each user in the form of posts/likes/dislikes
Add a search to look up an user
Once you select a user, graphically(text or whatever) show the number of posts-likes-dislikes

Simple enough.  Since I don't know anything about sql, anytime I do something bizarre, let me know .  I won't release an application to run until there is something solid, however, I will post my code here.   Not trying to get too serious into it right now.  Just looking to get my feet wet and provide an example if it is needed by a potential employer.

Current Code(latest update will always be here):

Code: [Select]

using System;
using System.Collections.Generic;
using System.Linq;
using System.Text;
using System.Windows;
using System.Windows.Controls;
using System.Windows.Data;
using System.Windows.Documents;
using System.Windows.Input;
using System.Windows.Media;
using System.Windows.Media.Imaging;
using System.Windows.Navigation;
using System.Windows.Shapes;
using System.Data.Sql;
using System.Data.SqlClient;

namespace sqlWPF
{
    /// <summary>
    /// Interaction logic for MainWindow.xaml
    /// </summary>
    public partial class MainWindow : Window
    {
        SqlConnection sqlConnection = new SqlConnection();

        public MainWindow()
        {
            InitializeComponent();
            try
            {
                sqlConnection.Open();
            }
            catch (Exception e)
            {
                textBlock1.Text.Insert(0, e.ToString());
            }
        }

        private void generateButton_Click(object sender, RoutedEventArgs e)
        {
            //Will be used to generate 50 users onto the database
        }


    }
}

84

Entertainment / Why Zelda II is awesome

« on: November 21, 2012, 08:52:33 am »

http://img.neoseeker.com/v_concept_art.php?caid=14511

Click if you don't want to go through images.  I cut/paste Link from several pictures.

Show content

All the art that is dark in tone is the concept art.  All the cartoonish stuff is what went into the manual.  Tell me that is not some sexy artwork as far as the concept stuff is concerned.  It could be part of the reason I love AoL almost as much as Ocarina of Time.  The game feels like I am playing an adventure that is dark an adult but still Zelda-esc.  I also loved that about OoT when I played as an adult Link.

Hell, even the artwork in the original manual for Link to the Past has Link pretty close to being an adult.  I hated that stupid !@#$% when Nintendo gave Link a kid's voice in the GBA remake.  Totally ruined it for me.  Majora's Mask is supposed to be dark but the presentation of Link doesn't make it dark to me at all.  I beat Majora's Mask and maybe it's just me, but when I was 13 playing it as a child Link, it felt childish again.  Maybe there is a difference in child Link dark and adult Link dark.

However, TP just tried too hard or something.  Can't quite place my finger on it.  It was a good game, but I never immersed into it like I have all the Zelda games upto and including OoT.  Even Link's Awakening in-game art at the intro and end portray him as a teen or young adult.

Anyway, I went off-track of the point of the thread.

I been looking over the old concept art of Zelda II and I think it is amazing stuff in contrast to what was released in the US manual.

85

Entertainment / Anime recommendations?

« on: November 19, 2012, 09:29:02 am »

I exhausted my anime and movie library.  I need something new to watch.  I am looking for anime that is pretty serious(doesn't mean realistic, but serious/deep story plots).  Looking for freely available anime as in youtube since FUNIMATION and a bunch of other companies have anime legally available at the cost of a few commercials.
    To give you an idea of what I enjoy here are animes I really enjoy:
Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam
A New Mobile Report: Gundam Wing
Turn A Gundam
Code Geass
Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann
FLCL(yeah, not that serious )
Robotech:Macross Saga
Eureka 7
Elfen Lied
Dragon Ball Z
Mobile Suit Gundam
Mobile Suit Gundam SEED
Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Destiny
Mobile Suit Gundam 00
(totally not a pattern or anything but continuing onward)
Full Metal Alchemist
Full Metal Alchemist Brotherhood(much better)
Trigun(Vashu!!!!)
Tower of Druaga
Xenosaga
Devil May Cry
Mobile Suit Gundam:War in the Pocket
8th MS Team


Can't think of anymore off the top of my head.  I have been itching to watch Mobile Suit ZZ Gundam and Mobile Suit Victory Gundam but they have yet to be released via youtube and I haven't been bothered to order them yet.  I do have a soft spot for mecha anime as they are usually deep in plot with most silly elements tossed out such as Gundam franchise.

Any good suggestions?

86

Graphics / Random doodle

« on: November 19, 2012, 05:09:37 am »

Downloaded Autodesk Sketch onto my Android phone to see how feasible it is to draw on a 4 inch screen.  Well, the results should be in the attachments.  It's a nice little app.  Makes me want a tablet to use for sketching now as a phone seems a bit too small to use fingers to draw.

Hell, just typing this out on my phone sucks balls. 

87

Entertainment / Shallow people and entertainment industry

« on: November 18, 2012, 08:03:00 am »

Is it wrong to think that people who dismiss a movie because there isn't an explosion every 5 seconds or dismiss a video game because you aren't shooting someone every 5 seconds are shallow?  Most people that I have become acquainted with in life enjoy most varieties of movies and video games.

However, in recent months, I am starting to meet people who blow my mind because they think Lord of the Rings was boring because there wasn't enough action but Harry Potter was fine since there was always something fast going on.  Or that Metal Gear Solid was a "decent" game because it punished you for trying to go commando instead of sneaking around and that there is too much talking but yet they say Assassin's parkour is a fantastic game as well as Call of Duty(insert number).

Am I missing something?  I am not saying that their likes are bad.  Call of Duty is fun in its own way for multiplayer(offline and online).  Action movies are great as well.

FFS, I work with people who claim to be into videogame freaks but never heard of Chrono Trigger... really?  They have never played Kingdom Hearts...  They either never played a MGS game or think they aren't action oriented enough(even though it is a cinematic sneaking game per the damn box/instructions).  They never played a Dragon Age game.  Never heard of Baldurs Gate.  Scoff at Starcraft and Diablo as "nerd" games.  Couldn't get into Resident Evil(any of them).  Think the Megaman franchise was too hard so quit playing.  Final Fantasy has too much text.  etc etc etc



I must be missing something.  I guess all I have been hearing is the best games are apparently the flavor of the day Assassin's parkour III, Halo 4, and Black Ops 2...

To be honest, my mind is still blown that these "gamers" never heard of Chrono Trigger...and it's not even in my personal top 5 favorite games but damn near every game magazine/website usually places it in their top10-20 lists.  Seriously...I heard these words at work "What's Chrono Trigger?  Some kind of time shooter?"

I thought they were trolling...They weren't.  That started the entire discussions on game and movies.

88

Graphics / Zelda II Side-Scroll Link WIP (currently looking for feedback/help)

« on: November 18, 2012, 07:24:26 am »

I started this update to the side-scrolling sprite of Link from Zelda II.  I felt content with the face and sword.  The body lighting seems a bit off and the legs are just :X.  I can't quite figure it out.  I think it has something to do with the original sprite and how the legs appear ambiguous because they are the same shades so I don't know which leg is in front and which is in the back :/

Anyway, I'm no spriter anyway.  I chose my palette from a 9-bit color range image.  I like it, but if you have a better color for something, I am open to it.  I really want to get the legs/feet figured out then try to smooth out the body lighting better and work on the arm.

Any ideas?

Current Animation Sequence:

89

Feedback / Reporting resources is broken

« on: November 15, 2012, 04:03:47 am »

A PHP Error was encountered

Severity: Notice

Message: Undefined variable: topic

Filename: libraries/Reports.php

Line Number: 76
An Error Has Occurred!
The board you specified doesn't exist

I was reporting a resource since global moderators do not have permission to delete resources. The resource was supposed to be a tileset that ended up being a zip with an html for megaupload.   We all know what happened to them, so the resource is completely useless.

90

Coding / Master Engine Release 0.0.1.12

« on: November 14, 2012, 02:29:16 am »

Nothing probably awesome to the advanced programmers, but no one has ever seen my code except for maybe a gmk here or there through-out the years.  I figured I would toss up what I had come up a while back reading xnaresources basic tile engine.  This release uses some of the code from there as what is the point in reinventing the wheel.  I added filters, changed some stuff, and added a filestream(which was no where in the article that  read so yeah, I did something without a tutorial ) which will read txt files to load into the mapping system.

Minimum Software Requirements to compile: VS 2010 C# Express, XNA 4.0, .NET 4.0

An exe is in the debug folder.  I think you still need .net 4.0 and XNA 4 redist to play it.

On my end, I have a fully animated custom Minish Cap Link walking around and such.  It isn't pretty right now, so I won't release that yet.

Also, completely forgot to add Try Catch blocks .  I know I need to start using them as well as some bools to make sure !@#$% is loading properly but alas, I always forget :/

Anyway, have fun and rip me a new one with the critiques.

91

Discussion / Shadow of Liimina Programming Discussion

« on: November 13, 2012, 05:49:24 am »

Well, if you only have a couple hours a day on a pc and you know very little about programming, then my best advice is to find a good programming book.

C++ is the global accepted language for programming games(as far as I know).  You should look into getting a book that you can read in your spare time.  Have a notebook with you so you can write down your thoughts on what you have read, it'll help you remember better since you won't have the computer to play with the code as you read.  A normal C++ beginner's book would be best.  Just browse on Amazon and look for beginner's books that have at least a 4 star rating and have been written or updated within the last couple years or so.

It doesn't have to be C++, though.  Java is easier to get into, and is fine to use.  C# is easier than C++, but some argue against it as it isn't "compiled".  There's also Python.  You could even look into Visual Basic these days.

My two cents would be C++ or Java.  Read the book and formulate ideas in your notebook on how to take what you are reading and translate them into game programming.  Like using variables to store rupees, arrows.  Using variables for speed, position, etc.

Some people will say to start with making a Pong/Tetris game first.  That's up for debate.  IMO, Legend of Zelda(NES) is pretty basic by today's standards and gives you a good foundation to build from if you pursue fan-gaming.

But yeah, get a book and whenever you can use the computer, spend a little time coding what you have read if you can.  You could also look into saving some money.  Laptops are relatively cheap these days.  You can get a decent starter laptop that can handle SDL/DirectX/OpenGL/Game Maker/etc for around $400.  You won't be able to play today's AAA title games like Call of Duty or Battlefield or Skyrim on them with graphics settings maxed out. 

You'll be able to get your designs, ideas, and such together.  You can also program most 2D ideas on it as well.

Might be a bunch of info, but that's where I would've started if I could do it all over again(I miss the 90s ).

92

Graphics / Courage Chronicles (Zelda II Map Project)

« on: November 06, 2012, 02:13:02 pm »

This is the second attempt at converting the overworld map in Zelda II into a map that would be playable for a normal 2D over-head Zelda game.  This time around, I opted for Minish Cap tiles as the overworld is easier to pull tiles from and there are fewer varieties(aka easier to remember where tiles are).  SOme areas will be changed due to a lack of tiles in Minish Cap and due to the presentation.  Examples of that are the caves that you enter going south in Zelda II.  The perspective would be extremely odd if done the exact same way in an other Zelda format(except obviously 3D) since all other Zeldas do not use a straight-down bird's-eye view.

Also to note:  I have not placed any bushes or such yet.  I have no desire to place bushes.  I will however go back and place more detailed tiles in to fill all the "empty" space along with some trees/rocks/etc.

Bushes would be placed at the end of the project.  Just he way I decided to handle things.
Same can be said of most temples.  As there are lacking any real temple tiles in Minish Cap, I am saving most of those areas for last as I will have to make custom sets(unless someone wanted to do this for me.)

Towns will be restructured as well.  Most of the useless(IE unenterable in Zelda II) will probably be removed.  This will make the towns seem more like scattered villages.  If the area where the town is to be has alot of open space, then I will place more "filler" houses to accommodate.

One last thing: battle areas/forests.  I have decided for now to just tile forests out completely.  It may change in the future.  The two ideas I have is to either:
A. Off-overworld the forests - that is make each forest area into a separate map with entry points.
B. Tile the map areas inside the small spaces.
Just looking for suggestions on that.

One more "one last thing":  If you see funky tiles, they are most likely meant to be there as I could not find a precise tile to smooth out sections.  One example is the mountain corners in the desert areas.  Believe it or not, that tile actual does not exist except for right next to water and not other desert tiles.  I redid some colors on the fly and left it for now. 
Those kind of tile miss matches will be fixed with custom tiles once everything is laid out completely(IE the entire overworld is tiled).

Whew /walloftext.

Hope you enjoy!

Current WIP image:

93

Audio / Getting my feet wet, looking for some CC

« on: November 03, 2012, 08:00:12 am »

Decided to get into some light composing using some easy programs.  I am slowly shifting towards the indie market so I figured it would be good to get a feel for everything involved in a game at least a little bit.

I came up with a simple 4 channel 8 second loop.

Just wondering what you guys think.  I don't really know the feeling I was going for, I just kept adding/adjusting notes and such.
Maybe some music theory reading might help me out but I am not trying to go hardcore into it tight butthole.

Anyway, it's in the zip attachment.

94

Feedback / Forum Search Broken?

« on: November 02, 2012, 10:49:55 am »

I always get this error regardless of whatever I search for...even the word zelda.

Your search query didn't return any matches.


Is search broken? Or is it just my Firefox since I got internet again?

95

Feedback / Small site bug

« on: October 25, 2012, 10:38:01 am »

Or it could just be an oversight.

If you are on any section of the website excluding Projects and hover your mouse over Projects, there is no "Teams" link.
If you click on Projects, then the "Teams" link becomes available if you hover over Projects.

At least it is like that for me.

96

Graphics / Unamed Fan-game Overworld Concept 1

« on: October 25, 2012, 08:50:49 am »

Figured I could use some C&C.  Please note that there are some tile errors.  I am aware of them.  This overworld is something that I have been touching off and on since the character competition was started.  My entry eventually turned into a single-spaced 6 page fan-fiction.  I started this overworld idea back then.  I needed a break from 0 Engine to clear my head from some mathematics so I decided to finish this overworld.

Now, for some info on how this overworld works:
The letters are the transition locations.  However, unlike LttP with its transition locations,  my overworld is designed more for a AoL approach.  Say you want to go to A to get into the forest.  Well, you are going to have to go through a small battle area first(with possible cutscenes) then you will end up at the other A.

The transition areas are not done yet.

The overworld was designed with a focus more on openness in a confined way.  There are only three main dungeons.  The focus is on rpg system (like AoL) than puzzle-solving like the overhead Zeldas are usually known to be.

The overworld would have quite a bit of enemies to deal with as an invasion is looming on the player the entire game.  You cannot leave to the south due to the invasion.

The area to the bottom right may or may not end up with a desert themed area for optional content.  I really do not know if I want to add that or not.

Anyway, the view size would be a SNES standard 256 x 224 with a hud similar to LttP mixed with some AoL(updated to 16-bit).  If it looks like an area is missing tiles, it probably is not.  The view would never go there, so the player would never see the cut-off of tiles.  The view engine would be built on scripts to have different scrolling and following code based on what zone you are in, so you would not see the weird cut-offs of like the mountains right next to the castle and such.

Well, I don't know what else to add except thanks if you gave some suggestions

97

Entertainment / Forward Unto Dawn

« on: October 24, 2012, 07:38:38 am »

Not a huge Halo fan personally, but I am enjoying the live action mini-series Machinima has put up on Youtube.
I was expecting something really cheesy but it actually looks somewhat professional and has some decent acting.  The chic with the English accent kinda sucks at her character IMO.  Some parts are played well; some make me want to say "ACTING!" because they seem to be trying to hard.

Anyway, anyone else caught the first 3 episodes yet?  First two were slow but #3 got it going

98

Entertainment / New York Yankee Fans

« on: October 19, 2012, 02:05:11 am »

What happened?  Your team totally died.  I know I am in the minority here as I love professional sports but... GO TIGERS!!!! !@#$% yeah.
Wish I had the money to get World Series tickets.  Anyway, congrats to something nice happening to Detroit for once.

I am predicting right now that it will be Tigers and Cardinals and the Tigers win the WS in 6 games.

99

Discussion / 0 Engine(Megaman X SNES)

« on: October 17, 2012, 05:06:23 am »

I am back from the dead to bring you some videos of my projects that I have been working on the past month or so.
0 Engine.

Megaman GB Engine Download: http://zfgc.com/forum/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=40129.0;attach=11807
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7dhlRTZ7m54" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7dhlRTZ7m54</a><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eQGzjB5p5Ng" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eQGzjB5p5Ng</a>
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tvE_GaohDBs" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tvE_GaohDBs</a>
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RhT6AZmsp4o" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RhT6AZmsp4o</a>
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8jrG9gIW0C0" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8jrG9gIW0C0</a>
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4n4dmsa4sig" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4n4dmsa4sig</a>


BioHazard -temp name-.
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c1X5LR4WhVs" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c1X5LR4WhVs</a>
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=43TtNQ4lIXQ" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=43TtNQ4lIXQ</a>
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ErUvHGE3VLY" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ErUvHGE3VLY</a>
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=foO9paAS8cw" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=foO9paAS8cw</a>
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ft1-P9_7wvs" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ft1-P9_7wvs</a>
Both projects have more content in them on my end.  Just waiting on a good time to record some more. 

100

Other Projects / [Tech Demo 1] Forgotten Legends

« on: July 26, 2012, 12:24:53 pm »

Forgotten Legends

An 8-bit homage to the Final Fantasy franchise

Download Link : https://sites.google.com/site/zfgcstuff/FLTD.zip
Tech Demo 1 Release:
Contains some mp3s, complete walking mechanics, and the start of the battle system.
Alot more is going on than what you see.  Attack and ATB algorithms are working flawlessly.  The plans for how the battle scene will play out is already being set up.


Please read the included ReadMe file for more information at this time.  Anything is subject to change at this time.

Next tech demo should include: first town, completed inventory data, more monsters, leveling system, and one quest.

Created with Game Maker 8.0