World: Colozen

[Polaris]

Impressive... how did you come up with all that ? I mean setting up a new world...

[DarkOnistar]

Originally Posted by Polaris

Impressive... how did you come up with all that ? I mean setting up a new world...

When I started creating Colozen it was just 1 island with the vague possibility of another.

I challenged Rincevent about map making; expecting making maps to be near impossible he convinced me it was simple. Once I made some layouts it looked cool to see LBA content where I placed it, then when it was made live it made me feel more motivated.

Dtech Island was just 2 sides against each other, however after talking with Mazaka151 I started to consider a plot; fractions were formed and I started to get ideas of how the world would take shape based on what I wanted people to do.

I want to create an open world with perhaps an open storyline to Colozen, but unlike LBA1&2 which decide who are good or bad, I'm making it so that it is you who decide who is considered good or bad and depending on which quests you complete depends on which bonus areas you have access to because of your erm.. respect for that fraction.
Because you start off as a clone your looked as bad/neutral to all until a point where you as your character is trusted.

I got inspiration from a range of places; Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask (Nintendo), Deus Ex (PC), LBA2 (PC) and Lost Magic (DS).

To do list:

*Re-arrange file system for Colozen (folder per grouped outdoor zone - instead of having Colobee Mountain + outdoor Tech Island)
*Create important NPC characters names (eg. Dtech president, Mtech president, Mia, etc.)
*Create indoor isometric maps - starting with Tech Island (after all it can be ported later)
*Decide music per indoor map (Also perhaps music changing in outdoor map dependant on where you are - eg. Entering town or leaving town)
*Create 3D outside zones - starting with Tech Island & Mystic Island
*Link zones together - Teleports and scripts.
*Add npcs - starting with fixed locations to moving npcs.
*Add new items/rewards & currency - links into the quests.
*Add quests - world is practically complete, so that is an extra.

[Kobold]

I can't properly enter the Solidarity Park, I have to jump in order to pass below the bridge. Is this caused by the new LBANet engine?

[DarkOnistar]

Yes it is unforunately. I'm sorry the trouble this has caused.
The reason for this is the hitboxes on the characters has been increased in the new engine and the original maps I made were designed for the height of the character.

I plan to replace all the outdoor zones with a fully 3D island, however if you see any problems with indoor zones then report it as that can be easily rectified and should be fixed as the indoor zones will remain the same (with maybe a few bug-fix tweaks).

[DarkOnistar]

Thread Revive!

The errors are bugs with Colozen were to do with the hitbox being too high, however I had already fixed this and an old version was uploaded in the recent release.

I've gone through my folders and I've got the fixed versions of the grids and converted all of them except 1 which won't convert (may be corrupt).

I need to speak to Rincevent about the editor, because its not the most stable of programs and I'm trying to figure out what is causing it to crash so I can replace the old files with the new ones. The map spawns and links need to be connected.
-----

While I wait for Rincevent to get back to me, I'm going to work on the new grids and pay closer attention to my naming schemes which started off appalling because filenames are case sensitive and space sensitive which is what crashes most of these programs Rincevent uses.

If you want to see what the new grids are like before release, simply leave a message and tell me who you are and add me to one of your circles and I'll add you (allowing you to see my 'MagicBall Network' posts containing grid images).

https://plus.google.com/109304191138556304790/

Also I've created a blogspot for any updates in detail, but at the moment I'm going in circles fixing recent problems; most of which is editor crashing issues.
(The formatting has gone weird for copied posts, but should be a problem in later posts)

http://Colozen.blogspot.com/

[DarkOnistar]

I'm not dead, just unemployed; so I've been busy lately with job hunting and help on writing a CV.
I thought that since its coming up for Halloween I should give an update on what I've done so far.

Colozen progress

• Tech Island fixed (server has outdated alpha maps; there was a mix up on the new engine update. Fixed further issues by using SVN instead of pure uploads to Rincevent)
• SS_Astaroth grids done (Was inspired by Pokemon SS_Anne to make the grids as I can't easily make a nice hull)
• Artificial Island docks complete (I may release Artificial Island docks and have the checkpoint closed while I fix up the rest of the island, so at least it gets released)

Christmas grid?
Anything planned for the next Christmas event? I was considering making a Christmas grid for an event; which can be put together quickly, but its more a case of imagination and what people want in that map.
- Preparing ahead of time means we can have it added for the Christmas event; perhaps as a teleport option in the menu so as to not effect other grids.

[Polaris]

I hope you'll find a new job soon

[Kitarii]

Haven't really been following this but it looks great. It looks like you're doing this for LBANet but have you considered releasing this island as a playable map with a standalone story? The island itself looks excellent and you've got loads of potential for a great little story!

[DarkOnistar]

I did have a story idea in mind.
When creating the maps I've been thinking about story concepts and one game-mechanic I was going to have was perhaps an item requirement for going to new places; eg. A ferry ticket or an access pass.

Plot idea
Spoiler:

toggle spoiler

You start off as neutral to all factions (Techlones, Magilonies and Colobees) and through quests you can get items that unlock areas with quests letting you progress down each route or faction.
Ultimately though regardless of which faction you pick (that sort of defines your choices as a character) you follow a plot to save Colozen from an unknown threat. The secret lies on Bluerock Island which is made very hard to get to; so you have to go around the world to find a way there.

[Rincevent_123]

Nice update dark.
By the way, you should let me know when you want me to release your work to everybody. (for instance if you want i can already correct the old maps that are currently on the server with the new one you have). You just need to let me know.

Concerning the christmas event this is a good idea. The more time we prepare in advance the better it could be. We could actually also prepare a small story and a few quests to do in order to receive a present. I am open to suggestion in there.

I am also a little bit behind currently on LBANet as I have to prepare for a few conference for my PHD but I hope to resume work in middle of November.

PS: Kitari, I am not sure what you mean by playable, but Colozen is already a standalone worl on lbanet. And I would say the engine is now rich enough to be "playable" as a real game. We have got almost everything ready in there ( NPCs, inventory, quests, monster and fights)

[Kitarii]

I just meant a downloadable mod, something like Inventor did a while ago but probably on a bigger scale.

[DarkOnistar]

Originally Posted by Rincevent_123

Nice update dark.
By the way, you should let me know when you want me to release your work to everybody. (for instance if you want i can already correct the old maps that are currently on the server with the new one you have). You just need to let me know.

The only thing that is causing me problems at the moment is the editor and restructuring folders. (The editor doesn't like me altering locations of maps without crashing - I'm going to be careful on what I alter to try and determine the cause ~ It might be my naming scheme again.. aka spaces and such)

I want to place maps in folders based on all the islands; so any updates can easily be added to the relevant islands.
Spoiler:

toggle spoiler

• TechIsland
• MysticIsland
• SSastaroth
• ArtificialIsland
• Colony Island

etc..

Originally Posted by Rincevent_123

Concerning the christmas event this is a good idea. The more time we prepare in advance the better it could be. We could actually also prepare a small story and a few quests to do in order to receive a present. I am open to suggestion in there.

I can make a few maps (perhaps 2 or 3); I'm thinking an icy map to symbolise winter with items/models of christmas to brighten the mood up.
I'm not entirely sure about quests atm or which world it will be added to; if we were being ambitious it could be a holiday world where the maps are specificity for yearly events. ~ I'll update when I have any ideas (or if anybody else has).

Originally Posted by Rincevent_123

I am also a little bit behind currently on LBANet as I have to prepare for a few conference for my PHD but I hope to resume work in middle of November.

Don't worry. I've got real-life issues too regarding job hunting. Spoiler:

toggle spoiler

Job-seekers, job-centre, Student-Finance and My-Bank are messing me over with interviews and long phone calls to switchboards. (I'm also receiving Chinese whispers, with incorrect details being forwarded on; making every process take twice as long)

I'm looking round for my first job while currently being denied any job-seekers money (due to lack of evidence which is made increasingly hard to get hold off) and I'm paying a fair amount to visit the job-centre (have to pay rail fare because there isn't one locally) which is made compulsory.

Having something to take my mind off it while I wait for any results is nice to get rid of stress.
___________

Update

*Found a few 'Mystic Island' grids (They are ready to be added in the next update like the rest of the upcoming content)
*Finished bricking all my maps on my PC, so I just have to have them all converted and added via the editor.
(Bricking is a term I made up for where grids need invisible blocks added so players don't fall through the map accidently or on purpose)

ToDo list

- Convert all grids into .osg format. (sounds easy, but I've already encountered a few grids that refuse to convert)
- Use LbaNet Editor and remove all Tech Island maps, then re-add the fixed version in the right folder structure; followed by the new maps.
- Use LbaNet Editor to add teleport/entrance/exits to maps.
- Test everything works okay and then sync to Google Code using SVN (so Rincevent can sync the changes to the server)

[Rincevent_123]

Ok sounds good.

- concerning the crash of the editor. The best would be that you give me your new map and describe the exactly each step of what you did before it crashed so that I can reproduce it on my side.

- concerning the maps that dont convert just send them to me I will have a look at it

[DarkOnistar]

*Takes out the crash-cart and revives the thread.
LBAnet Thread: http://forum.magicball.net/showpost....&postcount=736

I've set Sunday every week for a day of development for Colozen.
You should find me on LBAnet on Sundays where you can discuss any updates, suggestions or anything on your mind about LBAnet and Colozen.
_________

Last updates:

*Christmas event 2011 was added (disappears after the event; appears next year)
*Artificial Island docks has been added. (The rest of the island is in development)
*Mystic Island outside has been added. (Inside zones need to be created)
*SSAstaroth has been added. (needs a few fixes in a few places; namely a few entrances being 2 bricks bigger than needed)
*Tech Island has been completely fixed. (Uploaded correct version)
*Folder system has been updated allowing easier management of maps.

To-do-list

*Add NPCs to every island
*Artificial Island
-- Add crossroads
-- Add residential district
-- Add MTech Industries
-- MTech Manor
*Tech Island
-- Research Portals
*Mystic Island
-- Create hallways
-- Create Fire zone
-- Create Ice zone
-- Create Life zone
-- Create Shadow zone

Ambition list

*Create 3D version of Tech Island (To look like the LBA2 style)
*Create more player models with default twinsen animations attached