Topic: New 100% fresh artwork for Castlevania: The Rise of Nosferatu.. Need programmer!

[X]

I will not advocate sprite plagiarism in this game as so many other fan Castlevania projects have done in the past. 

I don't know if all people plagiarize sprites intentionally when it comes to CV. I feel that for a lot of them they don't really have a choice. A person with great ideas but no experience in spriting would find it almost impossible to make a game without borrowing some sprites here and there. I'm like that when it comes to programming though I've never borrowed any form of code since I wouldn't even know where to begin (let alone know how it all works  ). Spriting is all I'm really good for, but even then I'm still a novice who needs to gain more confidence to actually sit down and draw up an original sprite from scratch without using a template of any kind. I'm okay but not really good in this field.

[Nadoovi]

Right you are Corpsecrank. I have completely re-vamped all of this art and will be posting new shots soon. The game has taken a much more true to Castlevania look, but all of the sprites remain original work; I will not advocate sprite plagiarism in this game as so many other fan Castlevania projects have done in the past. 

I have also completed a lot of the music, and done a new composition of Bloody Tears. Can't wait to showcase the new look!

Meanwhile, I am still looking for a programmer or a partner to help me with this project! Please contact me if you are interested!

I am not a programmer, but I can be your planner and give you advices for stages, enemies and bosses.
My messenger is orit5020@hotmail.co.il

[Belmontoya]

Xenocide: I understand that a lot of programmers do not have a choice when it comes to using konami sprites. I fully understand that it takes a long time to make original sprites, as I have been working on the artwork for this game for some time.

However, this is why I am posting on here. I know that a lot of good programmers have made fan Castlevania games with konami sprites. I'm hoping that one of these programmers will take the chance to work with me to create a 100% original new Castlevania game. Perhaps an engine that a programmer has already created could be used and tweaked to make this game.

I have artwork and concepts for a 6 level game. I want to take the best aspects of all the Castlevania linear actions games and combine them to make the ultra CV experience. I have also created sprites that allow the character to ride a horse for parts of the game; this would be something fresh to add to the 2d CV experience.

It's time for a new Castlevania in the spirit of the 16 bit days. Something fresh to look at won't hurt either.

Nadoovi: Any help would be a good thing when it comes to the effort of this game. I'm hoping we can create a buzz to get this whole dungeon forum involved and excited for the chance to have a new Castlevania game and story line.

If there are any story writers, or manga artists who would be interested in helping out with the cinematic sequences of the game, that would be great to!

I have the outline for the story created (which has been enough to create the artwork), but having someone on board who can focus on that and expand on it, would be a welcomed asset.

Help me create the buzz we need to make this game happen! All and any input is welcome.

I will be starting a new thread with updated art within the week. Check back!

[X]

It's just X actually 

[Dracula9]

Bandwagon time, the graphics are too bright and too stiff. As it is now the screens look a lot like the Castlevani ZERO fangames; big MSPaint graphics that have good potential but are lacking in any depth or character. But I'll wait until you post the updates before I really get into detail.

Also, I absolutely LOVE your Vlad and Orlock. They look really nice. If there's anything you specifically want or need in way of graphics, just give me a ring and I'll do what I can.

[X]

Bandwagon time, the graphics are too bright and too stiff.

MontoyaGraphics did mention that the game will get progressively darker as the story unfolds. Think of it as a transition from the age of light to darkness.

[Belmontoya]

You're right on the mark with that comment X. The game has been designed to open in 1476 with Enthu Belmondo hunting down Vlad the impaler to avenge the death of his father (who was impaled by Vlad). After killing Vlad, Enthu discovers that the Prince has made a deal with Death for eternal life, in exchange for the souls of his impaled victims. Enthu realizes the sinister motivation behind the cruel Impaler's forms of torture. Along with resurrecting the fallen Vlad, Death also grants him an undead army of his fallen troops. Enthu discovers that the only hands that can destroy the Dark Prince are the hands that destroyed his mortal body, or a Belmondo family member related by blood. Enthu embarks on a quest to assassinate Vlad the Vampire for good.

Basically level 1 will be brighter, and you will only face natural living enemies until Vlad the man is destroyed. After that, the game takes a dark turn as the world of Castlevania unfolds. Even still, I have darkened and remade all of my level tiles for level 1.

Dracula 9, I check out Castlevania Zero and cringed when I saw it! I can see why people would be weary of a CV fan game being made of original sprites after that monstrosity. But I promise my game will look nothing like that! If my original posts brought that to mind, I promise you the updated material is a far cry from that game. It's understandable that my screen shots may look stiff, but you really have to look at them with the context of knowing how everything animates before you can fill in those blanks from a still shot. The animation is smooth and detailed, unlike the rigid Frankensteinesque animation of Sonia Belmont in the Zero game. It also bothered me that they went to the trouble of creating all new sprites for their game, but did not bother to create an original protagonist. In my opinion, new art is the opportunity for new everything, and that should be utilized.
 

[Inccubus]

Quick question. Why are you using the unlocalized (and likely mis-romanized) form of the Belmont surname? Just curious.

[Belmontoya]

I was using that for a few reasons. 1 reason is that in Castlevania 1 on the NES that is how they spelled the name in the credits. I thought it would be cool to use it for Enthu because it separates him from the official Belmont name by a degree, and it offers a cool story element later, for example; He changes his family's name to avoid Vlad's assassins.

The last name is still up in the air though. In all honesty just the name Enthu would suffice for him. The Belmondo thing is just an idea I have been experimenting with.

Thanks for the question. I should mention that I'm open to story ideas too!

[Inccubus]

That's a good reason. I was just wondering. I think it fits well with the first name and sounds more Romanian-ized as well. I'd say keep it like that.

[X]

To me the name 'Belmondo' comes off sounding more Spanish then Romanian. I have to wonder if there is a Romanian translation for Belmont...

[Belmontoya]

I agree with you X. Being of Spanish descent, that makes it appeal to me all the more.

[Corpsecrank]

There really is nothing wrong with using existing game sprites to make a new fan game. Original artwork is better but for a fan game and for most people who are not artists or spriters it is fine. I actually find spriting to be harder than creating smooth HD graphics. The problem with a sprite is that it must be exact. One misplaced or miscolored pixel and it shows like a sore thumb. With full color smooth hi res graphics you can get away with a lot.

I would like to see a gif animation or something though. Right now all you have posted are stills.

[Belmontoya]

I have made significant changes to the graphics since I posted these stills. The HD look has been abandoned for a more retro 16-bit era pixelated look. After doing comparisons and getting some feedback on here I feel that it's a better fit for the game. I want it to vibe with the Castlevania world, while still being an original work. That's proven to be a difficult task, and it pains me to see some of the little details get lost in the pixel translation. But it's worth it to give this game have the look and appeal it needs. I will be posting new screens and most likely some gifs this weekend.

I really would like to include people from this forum in the development and programming. I am aware that there is a lot of talent on here and I think it would be really cool to get a good group of people to collaborate on something fresh and new.

I also could use help with level tiles, and more frames for the enemies.

I don't think there's anything wrong with re-using Konami sprites. I just think that since there are so many people who have made decent fan Castlevania games with re-used sprites, there must be some programmers out there would like the chance to create something with it's own unique and original look.

I already have the groundwork for the engine laid out. I just need to make some adjustments and add the programming for diagonal whipping, floor slide attack, and stairs. When and if a programmer wants to join me, they will have a good start on things already.

Ideally I would like to have a team consisting of the following:

2 Programmers
1 or 2 more sprites artists
1 artist for the cinematic sequences

Anyone who is interested in being a part of a truly new Castlevania game should contact me asap.

[Belmontoya]

Here are some new shots. I placed in a false health and stats bar just to give it more of a in-game look. I'm still working on editing colors and what not so the gif animations will have to wait a couple days. I don't want to post the old animations because so much has changed since then.

But anyways, this is a taste of the direction I'm headed in with it now.

The Countryside shot with the horse is brighter because this takes place before the undead are unleashed (level 1).

I've decided to let you all take a glimpse at Death (still in the works)..