Blog | About | Contact | Submit Mod | Join Mod DB | Site Map | Media Kit | Desura | RSS
Olvand is a little multiplayer sandbox RPG, where the players live in self-built towns and can go on all kinds of adventures together. Imagine living with your friends in a small town in the mountains, or creating a new group of friends in a pub in the metropole you all live in. There will be several minigames the inhabitants of a server can play together, among which will be combat based games like King of the Hill or Capture the Flag. You will be able to play against other people in your city, or as a city against another city, or as a whole server against another server. The combat works with self-built guns, in which all kinds of powers can be combined to create unique effects. Some pictures of what I want to add in the future:
2 comments by Woseseltops on May 23rd, 2013
Secret sound effects
Hi all. This week I introduce the last new feature that will be included in the next update (which is almost done, by the way), after roads, pubs, lots of new music: sound effects.
I'm that kind of person that often enjoys the 'Making Of' documentary better than the actual movie. One of the things I've learned from watching these things is that the job of the sound designer is to make his work invisible. The best sound effects are the effects that are so natural that you don't notice them. For example, if a character in a 3D-animated movie is walking around, you don't want people to pay attention to the sound of his footsteps; instead, people should believe the characters is actually producing these sounds.
Why LoL isn't boring
Does that mean I shouldn't worry too much about sound effects? To a certain extent, yes. If I don't add sound effects, I can be sure people don't attend to things I don't want them to attend to. But over the last years, I've also learned how incredibly sound effects can be. The most powerful example for me is 'last hitting' in MOBA-games, like League of Legends or Dota2. In these games, to make progress, you should kill as much little creatures as you possibly can. This is a surprisingly dull game mechanic, when you think of it; just do the same thing over and over, and who does it the most often has the biggest chance to win. How come people don't get bored of this - or get less bored than you would expect? I've read quite some articles about exactly this question, and one of the most important things seems to be the sound effect: you do a simple task, you hear a sound (falling coins) that indicates you've done well, and that feels good. Let's do it again.

And when I think of it, I've noticed this in other situations as well. Most noticeably, Olvand's own fishing minigame. It was kind of weird, unclear and not that much fun originally, until I added a sound for when you pull in the fishing line. Suddenly, at least for me, fishing became a fun little activity, it was clear what you was controlling with which button, and it was clear what you were supposed to do. And all that with just a 50ms sound.
Controlling the beast
But the biggest inspiration for Olvand has come from the Simcity GUI: it clicks, bubbles, pops and rattles. Instead of managing some abstract rules, it feels like you're controlling a physical machine, and it's so much fun! As you know, the GUI is pretty large and important in Olvand, so this is a place where I can learn a lot. That's why adding sound effects, mainly to the GUI, has been a mayor focus this update. Here's a short little video of some of the new sound effects:
Note to myself: making a video of system always takes 4-5 times longer than you think. Also, sorry for the bad quality, I don't know what went wrong.
If you want more development, see [twitter] or [facebook]. If you want to be a tester, you can subscribe on [olvand.com].
Highest Rated (4 agree) 10/10
Love the looks of it so far, do continue so. :)
Aug 20 2012, 5:35pm by AnthonyAT33
Latest tweets from @olvandgame
Pubs in Olvand: T.co
May 19 2013, 2:42am
This week's blogpost will be much later than usual; just so you know ;).
May 17 2013, 2:25am
A new blogpost, with two new music tracks for towns: T.co
May 10 2013, 3:22am
T.co Yes, finally: a gun tutorial!
May 6 2013, 4:17am
This weeks blogpost, about a new tutorial, a new font, and roads: T.co
May 4 2013, 11:15am
JoeyXtreme's guide updated: T.co
May 4 2013, 11:12am
Just decided to skip over 70 secs of music... It's best for the game, but it makes me sad :/.
May 1 2013, 1:34pm
Also, a new blogpost about roads, and with some new music: T.co
Apr 27 2013, 11:35am
Awesome, a crafting guide by player YukiaEpin: T.co
Apr 26 2013, 2:07am
Underground on the T.co server... lost the ladder back up. HELP! :P
Apr 25 2013, 4:52am
I have play ovland but i never understand how to build house, can you tell me?
Indiedb.com This will help you :). If you have more questions like this, there are many helpful people on the forums!
Love the Graphics what you using?
To make the graphics, you mean? GIMP, mostly.
I received the Alpha. Thanks mister :)
I'll try to send feedback after an hour of gameplay or so :)
Is a Linux version planned?
Yes, eventually, but I have no idea when that will be.
How do you get in?
By signing up for an invite on olvand.com. I invite new players in groups, to make sure the servers (which are run by volunteers) don't melt.
Thank you for your suggestion, but I have to admit I'm not sure if I understand it correctly; does 'mayoral changes' mean adding mayors of towns to the game? At the moment being a mayor is nothing more than being able to change the laws for towns you founded. How would that relate to IRC?