This week for Overgrowth (which you can preorder here) I started prototyping the arena in the engine so that I could check the scale and get a feel for it. The process of using a simple blocky prototype in level design is called "gray boxing", and it is a common practice some types of games. This is the first time I have used it in Overgrowth because it's not often used for open levels.
Be sure to watch it in HD!
The next step of prototyping is making sure all the large modular arena pieces I have designed work as intended in the engine. It has been a little bit of a challenge to make sure everything fits together nicely, but I am happy with the results so far!
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I think the blue and red will be nicer then blue and green (imo this two colors doen't fit each other) and also some details in the arena will be good but I think the walls should be 50% higher to make you feel a bit more little and more away from the people. Also a question: Do you plan to fill the arena with npc's that watch you or is the engine currently not optimized for so many npc's (even if they just stand there or wave happy with their hand when something happens)?
Keep up the good work and I am looking forward for the alpha where you will put in the arena :)
This guy raises an important question:
Does/Will the engine support a massive amount of NPCs like that? For a fighting game on its own, it certainly would matter little to have such a feature, but for a game that seems more like actual *war* regarding the story 'n stuff, I would certainly like to see some major clashes - If nothing else, I'd like to experiment with that, as we get to mod with the engine.
So yeah; How many NPCs can the engine steadily hold? Active or inactive.
The engine has not yet been optimized, so the number of NPCs is still pretty limited. Most people seem to really notice the lag around 3-4 at the moment, although I've played some levels with as many as 6. Also ragdolls tend to take up a lot of processing until they "go to sleep" so when fighting multiple enemies in the same area a ragdoll can really slow things down.
Game of the millenium? maybe? :D
so you do everything for this game?, code and make models?
Well its coming together nicely :)
I think you should first choose which factinos arena it will be and then considering the factions color scheme, should you choose the colors which fits to it best.
keep up the nice job, this will be indie game of the century :)
I agree, the colours should fit the owning faction (cats?) theme.
Are the arena walls themselves modular? So you can make bigger/smaller arenas for bigger cities? Or even a really large set to build a walled city.
Would it be too cliche to add scratching posts to cat towns (may already be there I haven't checked).
How are you planning to handle spectators for arena fights?
Really nice!
Looks roman the idea... well, I suggest for the awning/umbrella:
1.- Neutral colors, a light tan will work... this will make more serious the situation, bright colors like green, blue or something like will looks more a carnival or a market.
2.- Add alpha in a transparency of 20%, maybe thinking is a kind of thin cloth, so will be a nice effect.
3.- Will work add some extra textures for decorate the solid color, I dont know, imitate the clouds with basic draws, I dont know.
On the walls, add relief will be a good idea... but I have a question, what kind of "race" are the animals or where is this arena? is for dogs? rabbits? and what kind of style will work? will be a good idea leave the solid color in the relief of the details or incluye extra sweet/low colors on the figures? there is some points need take attention.
Your advances are very nice, but I feel are "randomly", I suggest focus a little more in "this is for rabbits" and "this is for tourism"... you know, sometimes I feel with many videos and WIP is very... how to say? (Sorry my english is very limited) maybe "complicated".
Keep your work with discipline and focus. Congradulations for it.
I definitely agree about the colours. Some gold, tan and a little light brown would be nice. Making Them more neutral is the best choice. Nonetheless GREAT JOB ! Can't wait for the next devlog!
I did a quick paint over the video image to show my idea for the colours, also added some extra cloth. I think it would look better with yellow-green or orange_green.
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@Radu_IceMan
Nice work. However i will say that now i see green and red, it looks too... childish, playful....
Pretty awesome :)
I personally think neutral colours would look good.
Amazing job. One thing: S**t, that's high poly.
I have to say again, if I've not already said it. As real and fastastic as the world looks, the rabbit doesn't seem to fit it yet. It's like he's too static. Especially in comparison to the wolf. I know it's still early build, but I'm having trouble trying to connect with the energizer bunny.
Make what you will of that.
Red and blue would look better with less saturation, and a full palette of colors added from lighting.