Topic: MMX: Variable Zero

[Dracula9]

Kinda wondering why I never put a thread about this up here.

Anyway, this has been my project baby for some five-odd years now, going back when it didn't have a name or really even know what it wanted to be. Been a slow slow going to get it where it's at, but I'm okay with that as the current result's not too shabby.

So, where to start. I suppose I should give the standard briefing in that this is a MMX fan project, and as per the title is centered on Robot Jesu-err, I mean Zello Zelatin Zops--err, I mean Zero, with gameplay and a campaign arc exclusive to his route of things.

Plot helps, so let's divulge a bit of that. There's a TL;DR version and the full version, whichever is preferable.

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Following the defeat of Lumine, the world breathes safely.

Sigma's body had been destroyed outside of the Earth's atmosphere, where
the Virus couldn't spread and propogate itself. The new-gen Reploids no
longer seem to go Maverick as frequently with the Sigma Virus dissipated.

However, that peace was to be short-lived.

Sigma had long planned for a way to ensure his continued existence, a plan
which went unnoticed by all. Through a series of defeats and reappearances
he strategically made the world grow accustomed to his ongoing presence
and attacks, all the while using a spy network to remain informed about any
and all plans regarding handling of his Virus.

He eventually learned of the plans to create a new generation of Reploids,
ones that would be built to be immune to the Virus and unable to be turned
Maverick by its effects. However, such a system would contain parameters
which would be blacklisted within the system itself; meaning, Sigma's own
electronic DNA would be contained in tiny amounts of each Reploid's
systems, so that the electronic brain would know what to resist and delete.

Once information of this new system reached Sigma, he laid the foundation
for his ultimate plot.

By allowing himself to be destroyed on the moon, Sigma ensured that his
DNA could not repopulate itself as it would on Earth. However, his DNA
and consciousness would remain preserved in all the new-gen Reploids.

Sigma let himself to be defeated, biding his time and letting the world
upgrade all of its primary systems and technology to accomodate the
new-gen Reploids and their enhanced internal data.

Once the world's systems were compatible with the new-gen Reploids, Sigma
sprang his plan into action. Re-activating himself through the online network
of all the new-gen Reploids, Sigma spread throughout the planet like a
parasite, at a speed which devastated any chance of pre-emptive action.

By using the new-gen Reploids as a conduit to the rest of the Earth's
technological systems, Sigma had effectively gained complete and utter
control over all modern systems on the planet.

Strife and pandemonium ensued, as Sigma's now almost-universal forces
wreaked havoc all over the globe, with every unit of Maverick Hunters
struggling to even match their enemy's pace.

Sigma himself, now a global stream of digital consciousness, set up his main
base of operations, from which he could rule the world. Knowing full well he
would encounter X and Zero once again in their seemingly-eternal battle,
Sigma plotted a location suitable enough to be worthy of the final round of
their perpetual "game."

Caring no longer to bring X under his wing, Sigma's witnessing of Zero's
"awakening" during the Eurasia incident caused him to abandon his desire
for X, and focus solely on acquiring Zero and his power into his ranks. This
desire for Zero's loyalty made Sigma's choice in a fortress an easy one.

He unearthed, rebuilt, and set up his base of operations in the antiquated
and derelict structure he first found Zero in so many years before, and with
an eagerly twisted delight invited Zero alone to join him there for the final
moves on the board to be played out.

With X's skills being enlisted in other heavily-assaulted areas around the
world, it rests on Zero's shoulders alone to undertake this mission.

It will all end at the place where it all began.

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Sigma's wrecking shit again, only this time he's Skynet and X is too busy to help you with anything.

(I feel it somewhat necessary to put it out there that the amount of canon-digging I've done for the Megaman series to write this plot (including the elements I've not posted) might very well give Umbra a run for its money. Shit's got more holes than the Castlevania continuity, yo.)

Now for the fun stuff. I could link to individual things, but posting the playlists where everything's up is much more pragmatic.

So here's the (publicized) OST thus far:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLBdL0iJj-imbyvzo7EiZ7z_3ediMLJ3xW

And the gameplay/showcase playlist, though it should be noted that most of the videos in said playlist are dated in quite a few ways compared to the current build.
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLBdL0iJj-imaZnG7yk_2fkE23VH8-iyDc

Blaggggh, what else...a few screencaps! Some of them are older, though, and it'll be rather obvious which ones those are.

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A showcase of the main bosses and a few sprites of those which are done:

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And lastly, some .gifs of various stuff.

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And now some .gifs that can only be described as "shenanigans I make when stuff breaks and/or I get bored.

So that's the flashy stuff I've got to show for it. I could do other things like post code or whatever but that's selectively interesting to I think like maybe five or six people on the entire board.

I'll update this thread of course, but if anyone's interested or cares enough for more "official" channels, I have this:

https://www.facebook.com/MMXVariableZero

Also, feel free to check out Jason Applegate and ToastieMan on dA, as they've been cranking out the conceptual art for a lot of the project so far and doing a damn fine job at it (though bear in mind some things posted might not be "in" anymore, or may be altered in appearance and storyline importance from the time in which the art was uploaded).

Anywho, that's all for now. 

[VladCT]

A couple questions:

• Does this game consider Command Mission, which happened sometime after X8 as canon?
• If so, does this game take place between X8 and CM, and is Axl currently busy recovering from Lumine's attack? If not, is Axl dead or going to die some time in the game?

[KaZudra]

About time you posted this...
I am greatly looking forward to it

[VladCT]

Also something I just noticed: you seem to have some sort of Omega Boost mode in the works. Will that mode have adverse effects immediately or in the long run?

[Dracula9]

Command Mission isn't counted insofar that there are plot details directly referencing the events of it, but if it did this would take place after. Axl's off in another part of the world fighting, same as X.

Omega Mode is a lategame ability/password mode for subsequent playthroughs.

[ProjectDread]

I had no idea you were a programmer. This was built in Game Maker: Studio? Looks awesome, can't wait to try it out!

[Dracula9]

I don't like Studio. This is being built in 8.

[BMC_War Machine]

As an avid MM fan, this looks killer dude! I'm sure you got it covered but if you ever need some metal remixes let me know! 

[Dracula9]

I'd never have a use for them in-game, but don't let me stop you if you want to cover any of the tracks.

[Dracula9]

Oh hey an update woop woop

So this stage is being constructed at last, much to my enjoyment. Nothing like killing things WAY UP IN THE SKY RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF A MOTHERFUCKIN' LIGHTNING STORM, right?

[Dracula9]

Say hi to everyone's favorite bald antagonist!

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[theplottwist]

How long to animate the green effect and how hard will be to animate it while Sigma moves?

And why does his cape "flash"? Is it like an hologram?

[Dracula9]

Just a scrolling layer underneath lines rendered transparent--not very difficult at all.

Yes. This body isn't entirely physical.

[Eric Roman]

DISCO FLAMENCO.  Dude, this fan game looks fucking boss!!!  Also, that zombie holographic data Sigma looks DOPE!  Undead and virtual, it's totally in line with our current sentiments.  You definitely have something you can work with outside of this fangame. 

[Dracula9]

I got bored.