JDogindy's Thread

[JDogindy]

Hey, guys.  Since I completed Fire Temple, I'd like to try and work on another stage to help with finishing this game.  I have two stages I tried to start, but have failed to finish over and over again: Capital of Science and Hydrocity Zone.

There is one problem: while I remember Hydrocity Zone vividly, I have a hard time translating it into a Mario-style platformer.  I am aware of making different paths, but all I can think of is one path above the water, and another beneath it.  Creativity doesn't work well with me.

I also have to look at it this way: while bottomless pits appear in water stage, every character (even Sonic with the life preserver) can swim, it sorta negates that.  Therfore, I would like to consider this: if I do the "two path" option, would it be alright if I did it like this?

*The "upper path" would have basic platforming functions with enemies and various platforms that ensure if you didn't want to end up in the water, and the harder path.
*The "lower path" would be a labyrinth-like gauntlet, with mini-mazes, chambers with aquatic enemies from all three Genesis games, and navigating various hazards.

However, if any of you guys have any suggestions on "templates", such as EMB, I would appreciate it.  I work best when I have something to follow with.

[Magnemania]

Eh-eh-eh!  Not so fast!  Me and Amatsu are already pretty far along on Capital of Science-all the bosses are done, if you can tell by the signature-so I'm afraid that it might not be in your best interest to tackle it.

Also, here's a suggestion for Hydrocity Zone: DON'T USE THE LIFE JACKET.  It seems that there aren't any big underwater levels in MKF where we get to play with Sonic's underwater physics or the huge jumps of the Megaman characters.

Oh, and that type of level layout, with water below and normal platforming on top, is actually a common theme in the Sonic games.  Aquatic Ruin had it, Hydrocity had it, I'm positive some of the Rush games had it, Chemical Plant sorta had it...it is quite fitting to the stage.

[Del]

That's right, Capital of Science was taken already by Magne and Amatsu and a lot of progress was done already.

As for Hydrocity, I made a tileset for it already when Riverroad was gonna make it, but he's not gonna do it anymore however he still has the tileset (I hope, I lost it when my hard drive died, just ask him I guess).

And there are already various water levels with no life jackets- Bubble Man's level, Artificial Reef (first room), T'Leth and Ecco's Ocean, but it wouldn't hurt to make the layout clearable for non-swimmers in Hydrocity either. Just make it like a regular platforming layout but fill it with water later so the non-swimmers can jump on the platforms to go through while swimmers just.. swim lol. There are various underwater Sonic enemies you can use already, but you'll need to ask Gladia for his Freon Ice Zone source, and Ecco's Ocean's.

[Slit_Zurifa]

You made Fire Temple? Awesome! Could we see some screenshots or even a video of this stage?

[EvilMariobot]

You made Fire Temple? Awesome! Could we see some screenshots or even a video of this stage?

He posted some in my thread.

[JDogindy]

Eh-eh-eh!  Not so fast!  Me and Amatsu are already pretty far along on Capital of Science-all the bosses are done, if you can tell by the signature-so I'm afraid that it might not be in your best interest to tackle it.

Also, here's a suggestion for Hydrocity Zone: DON'T USE THE LIFE JACKET.  It seems that there aren't any big underwater levels in MKF where we get to play with Sonic's underwater physics or the huge jumps of the Megaman characters.

Oh, and that type of level layout, with water below and normal platforming on top, is actually a common theme in the Sonic games.  Aquatic Ruin had it, Hydrocity had it, I'm positive some of the Rush games had it, Chemical Plant sorta had it...it is quite fitting to the stage.

Well, I'm glad somebody is working on Capital of Science.

Anyway, I did make some progress on my stage, and finally used external BGs for the first time.  But I want to make sure that the topside portion of the stages at least have their fair share of challenges, and not just the aquatic part.  I have a lot of familiarity with the Sonic games, and remember all of Hydrocity (the original, not my version) by heart.  I don't want to make it look half-hearted, that's all.

I won't be using the life jacket, which means I can now add bottomless pits.

[JDogindy]

That's right, Capital of Science was taken already by Magne and Amatsu and a lot of progress was done already.

As for Hydrocity, I made a tileset for it already when Riverroad was gonna make it, but he's not gonna do it anymore however he still has the tileset (I hope, I lost it when my hard drive died, just ask him I guess).

And there are already various water levels with no life jackets- Bubble Man's level, Artificial Reef (first room), T'Leth and Ecco's Ocean, but it wouldn't hurt to make the layout clearable for non-swimmers in Hydrocity either. Just make it like a regular platforming layout but fill it with water later so the non-swimmers can jump on the platforms to go through while swimmers just.. swim lol. There are various underwater Sonic enemies you can use already, but you'll need to ask Gladia for his Freon Ice Zone source, and Ecco's Ocean's.

I did make my own tileset for Hydrocity.  I was surpised at how little space was needed for the main tilesets to be needed, and I even made a few tiny edits.  Once I finish a room I'm proud of, I'll show you all some images.

[Chaos.Tiki]

You can always make some small pieces of the top part of the stage go underwater.  Also holes that will drop you from the top to the bottom underwater part.

[Del]

maybe you can ask evilmariobot for help drawing sketches, just look at the Ecco's Ocean level to see sone of the water badniks already coded, and Gladia made a few more for Freon but we haven't shown a video for that one yet, but it has some spike balls and sharks and other ristar ones you could reuse maybe, he's almost done with the boss so we can make a video

[JDogindy]

maybe you can ask evilmariobot for help drawing sketches, just look at the Ecco's Ocean level to see sone of the water badniks already coded, and Gladia made a few more for Freon but we haven't shown a video for that one yet, but it has some spike balls and sharks and other ristar ones you could reuse maybe, he's almost done with the boss so we can make a video

I think I might have EMB make a rough sketch of the stage.  Thanks for the input.

[EvilMariobot]

Well, I had this done yesterday, but forgot to upload it. Anyway, here's the first room

This is a very rough sketch, but it does give a general idea of things. Feel free to make any changes you see fit. I'll leave things like enemy placement up to you. However, one idea I wanted to run by you is: You'll notice two exits in room one, one above and one below water; I was thinking you'd be more or less "stuck" either above or below water in room two depending on where you exit. Room three with either the goal or boss would have an item or something at both the above and below water entrances. The underwater part, being the more challenging, would have a better prize.

[Lars Luron]

That looks remarkably large. We're not trying to make another Mushroom Hill, are we? I optimized the crap out of that level and people are still getting lag problems with it.

[JDogindy]

That looks remarkably large. We're not trying to make another Mushroom Hill, are we? I optimized the crap out of that level and people are still getting lag problems with it.

I think I might streamline it and minimize the middle portion to minimize lag problems.

But I do like the layout so far.

[EvilMariobot]

That looks remarkably large. We're not trying to make another Mushroom Hill, are we? I optimized the crap out of that level and people are still getting lag problems with it.

I think I might streamline it and minimize the middle portion to minimize lag problems.

But I do like the layout so far.

I'll be sure to pull it back on the second room.

[JDogindy]

I'm about halfway done with the first phase of Hydrocity.  Of course, it's merely laying out the platforms, so there is no aesthetics involved yet.

I'm going to ask a pretty dumb question, but if the spritesheet was edited, how would you guys feel about an Agent M skin for Link?