Secrets of Mystic Castle progress thread

gyroscope

Hi, I've started work on my sixth iPad app and it's an adventure game called Secrets of Mystic Castle.

I bought images from Content paradise some while ago now so have all the images ready. Just have to put them in some sort of order and weave a story through them. Going to be interesting for me creatively-speaking.

I've already made an intro up to the Menu card. Please note that 3 of the images are photos and need to be photoshopped heavily to make them look right. Apart from that, the intro is almost there. The Menu card is a work in progress.

The two tracks I've used are by the excellent Kevin McLeod of Incompetech. I'll be using more of his excellent music in the actual gameplay, as well as some of my own tracks.

As i mentioned, all images were purchased from Content paradise and were created by Designstudio. This is going to take me a year to do, I'm estimating.

So here's the intro for your interest. Hope you like it as a start. Any comments appreciated, thanks:

SLOCM3Z

Got me interested!

Braydon_SFX

Snap that looks great! Love the art!

Socks

Looks and sounds great ! Agree that the photos don't look nearly as good as the first shots . . . looking forward to playing this one !

gyroscope

@jdlcrater @Braydon_SFX @Socks

Pleased I've peaked your interest and you like the look of it so far, thanks for comments.

I've found a more appropriate image to replace the three shots at the end so it'll blend better now - I'll upload another vid. soon.

Thanks for your interest!

gyroscope

Hi, here the second progress video for the adventure game Secrets of Mystic Castle for your interest.

I've replaced the three photographic interior shots with one interior shot,, more appropriate - and made it seem like an illustration to match the other CG - rendered images. Added a few more sound effects. Also added buttons to the Main menu. Hope you like it.

Braydon_SFX

Really like it! It would be cool if when the camera moved in the cut scene, it smoothly interpolated and came to a smooth stop. Right now maybe you're using Move or Move To? It looks good now, but the sudden stop pulls me out. Not sure why. Just a suggestion!

gyroscope

@Braydon_SFX Thanks Bray, good thinking. I have used Interpolate - I'll try Ease Out instead of Linear to make it not so much of a jolt.

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Added Skip Intro buttons to the intro scenes; added 9 gameplay scenes (some of which need to be amended in Photoshop); sorted out the dialog system.

I've got to apply the latter to all the 9 new scenes, then I'll start work on the Inventory system.

Here's a few more screenshots to wet your appetites (hopefully!) (Please note again the images were created by Designstudio, not be me).

jamie_c

Looks great!

gyroscope

Glad you think so; thank you, Jamie.

Dues

Sweet stuff! This looks really good!

gyroscope

Cheers, @Dues !

gyroscope

Progress report: tonight I've added spooky music to the nine screens of the first section (planning on 4 sections in all).

Also added fade in and fade out.

And added Inventory graphic, as well as the Pick Up, Use Item, and Inspect buttons (I like the "old-school" style of adventure games!) as well as a Menu button.

Here's a screenshot with those on, hope you like (this particular image needs Photoshop work to delete sky, & add opaque gate and castle walls left and right):

Socks

Looking great !

Shattered Box

Wow looks astonishing!!

gyroscope

@Socks @Shattered Box

Thanks guys; pleased you're liking it so far.

gyroscope

Thanks, @Two.E and cheers for the encouragement.

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Today and tonight I did some work on the first scene image in Photoshop, making it lighter and adding background wall; also filled in the gaps in the door.

Also changed design of the buttons and inventory frames; added touch circles too.

Started work on the inventory system.

Here's an updated screenshot of the first main scene, for your interest:

The_Gamesalad_Guru

Elegant!

dapion

wonderfull!

gyroscope

@Lost_Oasis_Games Thanks, Dave, & @dapion too.

jamie_c

The renders are nice. Are you building and rendering those yourself?

gyroscope

@jamie_c No, Jamie, as i mentioned, they were bought from Content Paradise (some time ago. Each one will need varying degrees of Photoshop work though.

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Update: getting the inventory system running smoothly; should be ready today. Sorted all the images needed for the game (30 scenes).

gyroscope

Here's Another progress video of the menu and first scene for your interest. Have now sorted pick up of inventory items (and deletion from inventory too, so they all shuffle up if picked from between the beginning and end of the inventory).

Amended the main castle image in Photoshop - less cluttered now with stone walls. Added ivy. Plus I updated the title with a glow surround to the type too. Also cut out the gate/door so it opens when user can get through to the next section.

And changed the buttons style on the menu card to much the new style in then inventory. Hope you like it.

jamie_c

@jamie_c No, Jamie, as i mentioned, they were bought from Content Paradise

Opps, I missed that bit...

gyroscope

@jamie_c No worries, of course, Jamie! I've still plenty of photoshop work to do to them though (like the image above amended) - adding, taking away, putting in doors, puzzles, etc.

Lot's to do! That's why I estimate this is a year long project...

jamie_c

It looks great, I love games like that and would love to make one. The best part I think would be being able to really tell a full story. But I'm not certain I could dedicate the kind of time needed consistently to ever have a chance of completing it!

gyroscope

I know what you mean, re: the time needed, Jamie- I've wondered if I've "bitten off more than I can chew" but I'll persevere all the same! The storyline is important - mine's quite straightforward really - the user gets taken to another dimension and you have to find your way back home.

Right, time to plough on.