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The Castlevania Dungeon Forums => Fan Stuff => Topic started by: kaonstantine on December 24, 2016, 01:05:29 AM

Title: Clan de la Luz Project
Post by: kaonstantine on December 24, 2016, 01:05:29 AM
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After years of hiatus, I am resuming the development of this game. Since the original post is now locked, I'm creating this new thread to keep you updated.

What is Clan de la Luz?
A metroidvania game project with influences from Konami's SOTN and AoS.

Is it Clan de la Luz a remake of some kind?
No. The main intention is to create a new game from ground up (original art, graphics, story, music, etc).

Why should i care for another metroidvania game?
Because the world needs a SOTN 2.0. In my opinion, the metroidvania genre is in a point where it needs to evolve, without losing its 2D roots. This is the final goal of the project.

What are the main features of this project? Is there something of interest in it, beyond being another castlevania "clone"?
Well, i can't go into details right now for obvious reasons. In the finished game you can expect to find some of the classics elements, like many weapons and items, inventory, a map similar to that of SOTN, shapeshifting powers, etc. I can tell you that under certain circumstances, you'll be able to perform combos or finishing moves. I want to reserve other features as a surprise.

Will the game be released soon?
Unfortunately, no. This projects demands a lot of work and time (specially on spriting).

Some little captures. Remember: this is WIP  :)
(https://castlevaniadungeon.net/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FaLlQepH.gif&hash=8f21fac1804440bcfd665266c8d2700d)

(https://castlevaniadungeon.net/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FBgGiERq.gif&hash=57d635e1afac2dd00fd26c1b71db344e)

(https://castlevaniadungeon.net/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FcHEj1jf.gif&hash=5a7fe00ad0cc3dba431c7648c6e22f11)

*Thanks to BMC_War Machine for his spelling check services  ;D
Title: Re: Clan de la Luz Project
Post by: ProjectDread on December 24, 2016, 11:24:40 AM
A GameMaker project, I take it?
Title: Re: Clan de la Luz Project
Post by: kaonstantine on December 24, 2016, 12:21:55 PM
Quote from: ProjectDread on December 24, 2016, 11:24:40 AM
A GameMaker project, I take it?

You are right. I'm using GM for this.
Title: Re: Clan de la Luz Project
Post by: darkmanx_429 on December 24, 2016, 01:30:42 PM
Quote from: kaonstantine on December 24, 2016, 12:21:55 PM
You are right. I'm using GM for this.
Nice to see you back on the project Kanostantine!
Title: Re: Clan de la Luz Project
Post by: BMC_War Machine on December 24, 2016, 01:35:34 PM
Looking good dude!  8)
Title: Re: Clan de la Luz Project
Post by: Inccubus on December 24, 2016, 09:59:45 PM
Intriguing. I hope to see more of this.
Title: Re: Clan de la Luz Project
Post by: kaonstantine on December 25, 2016, 04:24:12 PM
Quote from: darkmanx_429 on December 24, 2016, 01:30:42 PM
Nice to see you back on the project Kanostantine!
Thanks darkmanx! Good to see you continue working hard with your projects!

Quote from: BMC_War Machine on December 24, 2016, 01:35:34 PM
Looking good dude!  8)
Thank you, War Machine. It's getting better day by day

Quote from: Inccubus on December 24, 2016, 09:59:45 PM
Intriguing. I hope to see more of this.
I'm working hard to show more of this project soon.
Title: Re: Clan de la Luz Project
Post by: ProjectDread on December 26, 2016, 02:05:26 PM
The animations can certainly use some more work. I notice that the sprites for the skeleton are very misaligned. For example, when the skeleton transitions from Animation_Standing to Animation_ThrowBone, he starts randomly floating about 12 pixels in the air. The main character seems to have the same issue, he snaps a few pixels in the air after recovering from being attacked by the mud men.
Title: Re: Clan de la Luz Project
Post by: Chernabogue on December 26, 2016, 02:46:37 PM
As always, it's nice to see more new fan projects. Good luck!
Title: Re: Clan de la Luz Project
Post by: kaonstantine on December 26, 2016, 04:57:01 PM
Quote from: ProjectDread on December 26, 2016, 02:05:26 PM
The animations can certainly use some more work. I notice that the sprites for the skeleton are very misaligned. For example, when the skeleton transitions from Animation_Standing to Animation_ThrowBone, he starts randomly floating about 12 pixels in the air. The main character seems to have the same issue, he snaps a few pixels in the air after recovering from being attacked by the mud men.
Yes, I noticed those errors too. They will be fixed in the next update. Thank you!

Quote from: Chernabogue on December 26, 2016, 02:46:37 PM
As always, it's nice to see more new fan projects. Good luck!
I agree. New fan projects are like fresh air.  :)

 
Title: Re: Clan de la Luz Project
Post by: kaonstantine on December 31, 2016, 11:13:39 PM
Time to work on a more interesting look for the main character, since his current outfit is too plain.

(https://castlevaniadungeon.net/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FDdFTiVi.jpg&hash=668d1d63e1501503edc39b9bf087eff8)

(https://castlevaniadungeon.net/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2F1Mg7pyE.jpg&hash=9bdc9d279376e14d0064dee61cf185ad)
Still unsure about what to pick.

Name: Nil Fernandez.
Age: 21.
Location: Spain.

Nil lives with his grandparents and his sister. He lost his parents in a car accident, at the age of 10.  Following his father's footsteps, Nil studies archeology. He is interested in mythology and rituals of ancient cultures. Nil's other passion is music. Along with some of his classmates, he formed a band called "Numen".

Strange circumstances surrounded the 'death' of Nil's parents. Their bodies were never found at the scene of the accident. This has disturbed Nil from long time ago. Sometimes he feels his grandparents do know more about the accident, but they seem to avoid the subject every time he tries to talk about it.

School/classes are ending and Nil is preparing for his recital tonight. He ignores how much his life is going to change very soon...

I used these designs as references:
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Title: Re: Clan de la Luz Project
Post by: ProjectDread on December 31, 2016, 11:18:46 PM
It's hard to say which I like better, but I think they both look pretty good. Definitely liking some of the hand-drawn art you have on here, though.
Title: Re: Clan de la Luz Project
Post by: kaonstantine on January 01, 2017, 03:59:36 AM
Quote from: ProjectDread on December 31, 2016, 11:18:46 PM
It's hard to say which I like better, but I think they both look pretty good. Definitely liking some of the hand-drawn art you have on here, though.
Thanks. It's nice you like both. I can be very indecisive sometimes, specially in things related to graphics. What seems certain is that he looks better now... i  guess. ,
Title: Re: Clan de la Luz Project
Post by: kaonstantine on January 03, 2017, 06:18:40 PM
Succubus is bored. Do you want to play with her? I promise she won't throw the game controller at you ;D. This is part of the Puase screen. I'm currently working on GUI elements and menus.
(https://castlevaniadungeon.net/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FM37JqlD.jpg&hash=ff7024c06b0a95ad2f6dff8987059a64)
Title: Re: Clan de la Luz Project
Post by: darkmanx_429 on January 03, 2017, 06:19:41 PM
Quote from: kaonstantine on December 31, 2016, 11:13:39 PM
Time to work on a more interesting look for the main character, since his current outfit is too plain.

(https://castlevaniadungeon.net/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FDdFTiVi.jpg&hash=668d1d63e1501503edc39b9bf087eff8)

(https://castlevaniadungeon.net/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2F1Mg7pyE.jpg&hash=9bdc9d279376e14d0064dee61cf185ad)
Still unsure about what to pick.

Name: Nil Fernandez.
Age: 21.
Location: Spain.

Nil lives with his grandparents and his sister. He lost his parents in a car accident, at the age of 10.  Following his father's footsteps, Nil studies archeology. He is interested in mythology and rituals of ancient cultures. Nil's other passion is music. Along with some of his classmates, he formed a band called "Numen".

Strange circumstances surrounded the 'death' of Nil's parents. Their bodies were never found at the scene of the accident. This has disturbed Nil from long time ago. Sometimes he feels his grandparents do know more about the accident, but they seem to avoid the subject every time he tries to talk about it.

School/classes are ending and Nil is preparing for his recital tonight. He ignores how much his life is going to change very soon...

I used these designs as references:
(click to show/hide)
(click to show/hide)
Very Devil May Cry Ish.. love it.
Title: Re: Clan de la Luz Project
Post by: kaonstantine on January 14, 2017, 01:57:22 AM
Quote from: darkmanx_429 on January 03, 2017, 06:19:41 PM
Very Devil May Cry Ish.. love it.
I knew it, haha!  ;D Thank you. I have just made some tests (sprites) to decide what look suits him better. I like the long coat more (sprites 2 & 3). Now he looks more bad ass and I think the coat bears a resemblance to some Geralt's armor in the Witcher 3.
(https://castlevaniadungeon.net/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FJ0aSSIQ.png&hash=b37fd0cf866d141dddec49b96a3e9302)
Title: BMC_War Machine
Post by: BMC_War Machine on January 14, 2017, 02:23:35 AM
Dude I'm diggin the blue jeans sprite actually lol its just different enough to stand out better
Title: Re: Clan de la Luz Project
Post by: X on January 14, 2017, 11:04:52 AM
Quote
Dude I'm diggin the blue jeans sprite actually lol its just different enough to stand out better

Second. More colour variations help to bring out the character sprites.
Title: Re: Clan de la Luz Project
Post by: darkmanx_429 on January 14, 2017, 01:24:47 PM
Quote from: kaonstantine on January 14, 2017, 01:57:22 AM
I knew it, haha!  ;D Thank you. I have just made some tests (sprites) to decide what look suits him better. I like the long coat more (sprites 2 & 3). Now he looks more bad ass and I think the coat bears a resemblance to some Geralt's armor in the Witcher 3.
(https://castlevaniadungeon.net/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FJ0aSSIQ.png&hash=b37fd0cf866d141dddec49b96a3e9302)

Yeah, I also like the blue jeans as it makes the rest of the outfit pop better. I am not a big fan of the black on black color scheme, even though it does work for your sprite. You should try the red , blue, and black color scheme but with a different colored shirt (not black) maybe white or another color..
Title: Re: Clan de la Luz Project
Post by: kaonstantine on January 14, 2017, 06:28:35 PM
Quote from: BMC_War Machine on January 14, 2017, 02:23:35 AM
Dude I'm diggin the blue jeans sprite actually lol its just different enough to stand out better

Quote from: X on January 14, 2017, 11:04:52 AM
Second. More colour variations help to bring out the character sprites.

Hmmm I see.... Definitely the first one stands out more, but i don't know, the second one has a cyberpunk touch i like. The good thing is that the two versions are an improvement over the original outfit. Maybe I can use both versions in the game, and let the user choose between them, that means a lot of work though, since Nil is going to have many animations.

Quote from: darkmanx_429 on January 14, 2017, 01:24:47 PM
Yeah, I also like the blue jeans as it makes the rest of the outfit pop better. I am not a big fan of the black on black color scheme, even though it does work for your sprite. You should try the red , blue, and black color scheme but with a different colored shirt (not black) maybe white or another color..
Do you mean the first or the second sprite? It depends, but i love black on black schemes sometimes. I know i can have some issues with sprites too black and some backgrounds. I'll try another color schemes. Really appreciate the feedback, people.

BTW, I' have tested many fonts for the main menu and i still can't decide. Dou you have any idea what would be the best font style to use? I want to use pixel/bitmap fonts for this game.  Any suggestion is welcome.
(https://castlevaniadungeon.net/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FjsOL4KN.png&hash=a6a8405196aba270509d848ed5068259)
Title: Re: Clan de la Luz Project
Post by: BMC_War Machine on January 14, 2017, 07:08:49 PM
Font #5 has my vote  8)
Title: Re: Clan de la Luz Project
Post by: darkmanx_429 on January 14, 2017, 08:02:06 PM
Quote from: kaonstantine on January 14, 2017, 06:28:35 PM
Hmmm I see.... Definitely the first one stands out more, but i don't know, the second one has a cyberpunk touch i like. The good thing is that the two versions are an improvement over the original outfit. Maybe I can use both versions in the game, and let the user choose between them, that means a lot of work though, since Nil is going to have many animations.
Do you mean the first or the second sprite? It depends, but i love black on black schemes sometimes. I know i can have some issues with sprites too black and some backgrounds. I'll try another color schemes. Really appreciate the feedback, people.

BTW, I' have tested many fonts for the main menu and i still can't decide. Dou you have any idea what would be the best font style to use? I want to use pixel/bitmap fonts for this game.  Any suggestion is welcome.
(https://castlevaniadungeon.net/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FjsOL4KN.png&hash=a6a8405196aba270509d848ed5068259)
The first sprite.

And I like #5
Title: Re: Clan de la Luz Project
Post by: Shiroi Koumori on January 14, 2017, 09:55:06 PM
Font style 5 is also the best for me.
Title: Re: Clan de la Luz Project
Post by: X on January 15, 2017, 10:11:40 AM
Number 8 is nice and fancy without being unreadable.
Title: Re: Clan de la Luz Project
Post by: BLOOD MONKEY on January 15, 2017, 09:22:41 PM
I'd recommend making your own font.
Title: Re: Clan de la Luz Project
Post by: kaonstantine on January 16, 2017, 02:07:00 PM
Quote from: Bloo on January 15, 2017, 09:22:41 PM
I'd recommend making your own font.
I tried FontStruct the other day. It's a nice tool, but the result was... unsatisfactory. I want to try again, but there's no guarantee i can make a decent font (i have no experience and maybe also lack of the talent to build nice fonts). With many things i need to do, i'm leaving the creation of custom fonts as a possibility for the future.

Quote from: X on January 15, 2017, 10:11:40 AM
Number 8 is nice and fancy without being unreadable.
Yes, i like it too! Also liking number 4 , but it's too small for the main menu. Seems the decision is between #5 and #8

Quote from: Shiroi Koumori on January 14, 2017, 09:55:06 PM
Font style 5 is also the best for me.

Quote from: darkmanx_429 on January 14, 2017, 08:02:06 PM
And I like #5

Quote from: BMC_War Machine on January 14, 2017, 07:08:49 PM
Font #5 has my vote  8)
Thank you for your votes!
Title: Re: Clan de la Luz Project
Post by: uzo on January 18, 2017, 03:21:25 PM
That is the most emo looking Castlevania protagonist I've ever seen.

I say that but oddly the all black pants works way better than the blue jeans. Blue jeans version looks like a high school nerd cosplaying on a low budget. White pants looks too fancy for the rest of the design.
Title: Re: Clan de la Luz Project
Post by: kaonstantine on January 18, 2017, 06:55:15 PM
Quote from: uzo on January 18, 2017, 03:21:25 PM
That is the most emo looking Castlevania protagonist I've ever seen.
Lol! In fact, my initial intention was to give him a totally androgynous appearance, based on Visual Kei bands. But my guess is that most of the Castlevania community is not prepared for that (probably in another project i'll go 100% VK). So the result is this 'emo' look.  ;D

Blue jeans version has something that i find... not good. "cosplay on a low budget" could be the reason. I find the white pants and the black boots give him the appearance of a member of the Napoleon army. I'll be tring more variatons in a few days, for now i'm busy with the menu system, attributes organization and data saving.
Title: Re: Clan de la Luz Project
Post by: uzo on January 18, 2017, 07:54:01 PM
Quote from: kaonstantine on January 18, 2017, 06:55:15 PM
I'll be tring more variatons in a few days, for now i'm busy with the menu system, attributes organization and data saving.

You got your priorities right. Keep chugging along.

Oh, to answer the poll, aggressive. Mainly because the exploration titles usually have such slow enemies you can gib them before they even get a chance to hit you.
Title: Re: Clan de la Luz Project
Post by: kaonstantine on January 22, 2017, 02:33:21 AM
Quote from: uzo on January 18, 2017, 07:54:01 PM
Mainly because the exploration titles usually have such slow enemies you can gib them before they even get a chance to hit you.
That's precisely one feature i want to change. I'm trying to create faster and more agressive enemies (not too much, because i love exploration). I didn't expect the prefference for offensive play style were so high. :o

I managed to implement button binding in the game, however, i can't assure it will work fine for anyone. I don't know how well Game Maker support gamepads. People having an Xbox 360 compatible controller or PS3 compatible controller should'nt have problems. I suspect the button detection will be different for some other controllers. D-pad lovers are welcome (providing you have a supported controller  ;D)
Title: Re: Clan de la Luz Project
Post by: darkmanx_429 on January 22, 2017, 10:57:15 AM
Quote from: kaonstantine on January 22, 2017, 02:33:21 AM
That's precisely one feature i want to change. I'm trying to create faster and more agressive enemies (not too much, because i love exploration). I didn't expect the prefference for offensive play style were so high. :o

I managed to implement button binding in the game, however, i can't assure it will work fine for anyone. I don't know how well Game Maker support gamepads. People having an Xbox 360 compatible controller or PS3 compatible controller should'nt have problems. I suspect the button detection will be different for some other controllers. D-pad lovers are welcome (providing you have a supported controller  ;D)


That is a real pretty controller menu.
Title: Re: Clan de la Luz Project
Post by: ProjectDread on January 22, 2017, 11:11:49 AM
I think the menu is a little confusing. Having a visual representation of the controller is a good idea, but it can  have complications. For example, the "X,Y,A,B" buttons have different mapping locations depending on which controller you're using.

Here are some examples I found online which might be a good reference:
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(click to show/hide)

My two cents would be to go with a more generic "Action -> [KEYBINDING GOES HERE]" layout. I think all of the examples I posted above share this style. It's simple and easy to read, I think your menu has a lot going on which makes it harder to understand.

Title: Re: Clan de la Luz Project
Post by: kaonstantine on January 22, 2017, 01:36:01 PM
Quote from: ProjectDread on January 22, 2017, 11:11:49 AM
I think the menu is a little confusing. Having a visual representation of the controller is a good idea, but it can  have complications. For example, the "X,Y,A,B" buttons have different mapping locations depending on which controller you're using.
Yes, I'm aware of that issue. I need to get more gamepad models to continue the testing. With a little more programming, i believe i can handle the mapping locations problem. If i can't solve it, then i'll use an scheme similar to that shown in the images you've posted.

Quote from: ProjectDread on January 22, 2017, 11:11:49 AM
I think your menu has a lot going on which makes it harder to understand.
At the end, i think the procedure for binding is simple:
1. Select a button from the left panel (1-8)
2. Select the action for the button from the right side.

Quote from: darkmanx_429 on January 22, 2017, 10:57:15 AM
That is a real pretty controller menu.
Thakns! I admit i have kind of an obssesion for fancy, beautiful graphics elements, even if they affect the ease of use.

Maybe there is too much visual information, but that is what i had in mind. However, i appreciate all of your feedback. I'll see how this can be improved.

Title: Re: Clan de la Luz Project
Post by: kaonstantine on January 26, 2017, 10:50:44 PM
More color variations. Still liking the black on black scheme, but the red coat looks good too, i guess.
(https://castlevaniadungeon.net/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2F6ZS2P5G.png&hash=5741bc9da03a08fa61a3e6571880b15e)
Title: Re: Clan de la Luz Project
Post by: uzo on January 27, 2017, 04:49:23 PM
Black on black still looks the best. Red on black is totally Alucard from Hellsing or Vash the Stampede.
Title: Re: Clan de la Luz Project
Post by: X on January 29, 2017, 10:39:25 AM
The Red on white (Third on the bottom) reminds me of Alucard wannabe- Oops sorry, Juste Belmont  ;D
Title: Re: Clan de la Luz Project
Post by: Shiroi Koumori on January 29, 2017, 11:41:48 PM
Black on black is the best for me.
Title: Re: Clan de la Luz Project
Post by: kaonstantine on January 30, 2017, 01:46:48 AM
Quote from: uzo on January 27, 2017, 04:49:23 PM
Red on black is totally Alucard from Hellsing or Vash the Stampede.

Quote from: X on January 29, 2017, 10:39:25 AM
Black on black still looks the best.The Red on white (Third on the bottom) reminds me of Alucard wannabe- Oops sorry, Juste Belmont  ;D

(https://media0.giphy.com/media/JOxmaT9Wzobg4/200_s.gif)
Not the only thing in common wth Juste: being a descendant of the Belnades family, Nil is (or will be) capable of using elemental magic.

Quote from: Shiroi Koumori on January 29, 2017, 11:41:48 PM
Black on black is the best for me.
Black on black it is then!

Thank you for your input! All his sprites have to be re-done now. Aaah... :s