The addition of bones has made things much more efficient but it somewhat complicates my current setup. I may actually begin using 3D models. My biggest fears is that they’ll look terrible or outdated as this would be my first time doing a real 3D model. I know I was suppose to be cutting back but things  have gotten so messy it may be easier to bite the bullet and move forward with 3D.

I’m going to attempt this and most likely I will end up using models in 3D but this is definitely one of those things that will dampen spirits if it doesn’t go right. It’s to early in the project to have a loss on my record. Even at its worst, I do think I could figure out some way to make this work.

This really was suppose to be my last day of design but I ordered a book which hasn’t arrived yet and I really don’t want to proceed without it. I’ll probably begin some technical documents instead. The engine will require extreme focus on characters executing commands verbatim. From my standpoint, I can truly say this is in fact an adventure game.

To commerate the day, I think I’ll finally reveal the plot. As you may have guessed, it heavily revolves around Karina.

Using only words, Felix triggers a dark side of Karina he never knew was there. In deep despair, she secludes herself in the dreary city of Lithodora where her wrath aims to leave a heavy impression on the city and everywhere around it. Felix finds himself in Lithodora attempting to dissuade Karina from the dark tyrant she’s becoming.

 That’s probably a bit vague but, as usual, I try to leave a lot to for the player to discover. Unlike every other game where Felix isn’t dreaming, you will see the entire plot as opposed to starting in the middle of the action.

I’m often surprised how useful concept art is. You always have an idea of what you want in your head but it can be incredibly difficult to translate that into physical form. I decided to try and get a quick and basic idea of what Lithodora might look like. While it does have sort of a dreary feel, I don’t think I went far enough. I was looking for more of a gothic feel. As long as it outlines the fundamentals, I think it does what it need to to get there later on.

Beginning in February I will be exiting the design phase as planned and begin work with the character creation tool. I’m trying to be very relaxed right now, but time is always something I’m concerned about. One of the new features I don’t think I’ve discussed will be random character generation. I probably won’t use random character generation directly where the characters change every time, but each and every character should look unique.

The more I design, the more it seems like I’m doing an overhaul rather than an extension.  Here is an overview of what has changed thus far.

• The character models will be attached to a bone system, increasing the speed and smoothness of the game
• Character models will be completely updated to use linear textures and blend in with the background
• The level editor will have dozens of new functions to speed up level creation as well as provide better graphics
• The collision system will be updated to allow dynamic objects and attaching to dynamic objects
• The combat system will be completely reworked
• The camera system will be reworked to quickly produce camera placement and allow use of special cameras
• The cinema system will be reworked and recycled to produce dramatic cinematic play

From there on, is simply a list of new gameplay elements and elements that need to be reworked. I don’t think I was planning to push myself that far, but I’ve seen the quality went into some other upcoming Xbox-Live games.  Although these games are developed in teams I can’t help but pale in comparison. This subpar stature is bringing out another side of me, which strangely enough, I’m enjoying.