Bust a Save

Busting a brain valve trying to decide the best option for a save/checkpoint system in 'Lylian'. I'm thinking the more automated the better, So as the player doesn't need to bust a brain valve of their own in case of forgetting to save on exit or requiring a bail out on short notice (like, if the game just gets way to scary/cute/obsurd/intense/mother calls dinner ready).
So, at this time I'm thinking an autosave on each checkpoint fitting. Now to work on exactly what information needs to be saved...

Enlightenus Released

Blue Tea Games have released their new game Enlightenus. Pixelpickle Games animated a character for the game. It looks very tidy indeed, have a look see at Big Fish Games.

Remove the negative space!

You'll notice a new title image on the blog. Rough concept art for Lylian, created by the talented Dan Hee, an amazing artist and friend.

Dan Hee has been kind enough to take some time out of his rediculously busy schedule to draw up some images to be used in PR and help visualise the character in a slightly more realistic approach.

Contract Shmon...tract

The bills have started their vicious cycle once again!
Therefore, a big boost in the contract work department has come into play.
Which, in turn means delvelopment of Lylian has slowed down once again.
Meaning, more delays.

But it's not all bad, development is still on, and I can keep confortably feeding the family!
Hopes of release by October is looking a little slim now though.

In other Pixelpickle news...

Latest animations reel is now up in the animation section.
Check it ouoooot.
Pixelpickle animation

1,2,3 4 5 suweeet!

Another stage complete

Made it through another milestone on Lylian today. Base mechanics of player, enemies, and 'Bob' have been finalised and working smoothly. All that's left on those is polish when time permits.
Initial music and sound effects going well also.
As we get closer to the second (and more important) playtest, I've charged myself with the duty of dreaming up something enticing to draw your interests a little more. I've got a few ideas, reckon you'll like them.

Foley

Recording Foley today, mostly footfalls and some wooshing sounds.

I Heart Optimization

Today a lot of time was spent on optimizing some of the art asset, specifically player character animations. I’ve never felt so warm towards the word ‘optimization’ until today, as each level now uses 18mb less memory.

I’m sure that’s exciting… isn’t it?

Lylian Newsletter now available!

Well, us developers don't tend to have much to chat about what with our eyes glued to our fave drawing tablets or calculators. But Lylian seems to think she does, she's promised that she'll share any info she can find from within the childrens' ward of the Hackluster hospital to any subscribers, whenever she's free of her bed restraints.

Next time you're over at http://www.pixelpickle.com/games.html . Feel free to sign up.

It's April already?

Well I blink and look what happens... the dev blog gets denied a few months. I'd love to keep adding to this, but priorities have been on the Lylian project, and client contracts that I just love doing so much, I can't help but take more on. There really are some awesome indie games being developed out there.

Lylian is coming along swimmingly however, and taking a step back to see its progress from time to time provides me with the awareness that I really am a little bit odd. I'm just hoping there's enough equally odd people out there that are willing to step into their oddcozzies to play the game and understand what the hell is going on.

Heads up!

'Lylian' development has been put back in full swing over the past few weeks. Although it's mostly been on core mechanics and hardly anything visual, I'm looking forward to being able to share some new screenshots with you in the near future.

Pixelpickle fundraising

No posts for awhile you may have noticed. Lylian has been put in the brewing pot while contract work has been taking place to raise new funds for the game. Booked up until Jan 16th now, after that work will resume on Lylian fulltime.
A positive thing about this is it has allowed for extra 'thinking' time. Already a few things in the design have had some tweaks that may have otherwise been overlooked.
At this time I guess it's safe to say that Lylian will be "ready when it's ready" ;)

More screenshots

There's quite a few new screenshots on their way soon. For now, two new ones have been added. Showing one of the various enemies in two of his forms. :)