All Is Not As It Seems At UnEarthed Games · 242 days ago
Though it appears that UnEarthed Games slumbers, we are working harder than ever.
Something new is in the works.
Something unexpected, but something I hope you will enjoy.
After a brief full-time tour in the armies of Doppelganger, I’ve returned to part-time consulting, with greater dedication to UnEarthed Games (and this time I’ve brought some company).
I started UnEarthed Games with the plan to create a game entirely by myself: Art, Music, programming, everything.
Part of my reason is because I wanted to fill in my knowledge gaps around 3d modeling, animation, game design, composition, level design, audio production, and business in general.
Upon reflection, part of my reason is because I’m crazy. (And apparently don’t listen to sound advice). Everything I read about making a modern CRPG advised against attempting to do it by yourself. The reasons were usually that it was impossible.
After a few years splitting my time between consulting, and working full time on UnEarthed Gods, I’ve come to the conclusion that it is actually very possible to do. The only problem is that it would take another 5 years to finish with the level of quality I would like!
At this point, even one more year working by myself on a single project is too much. Life is short. I’ve got some games to make.
About November of 2007, I began rededicating myself to this mad, mad enterprise. Along with my two co-conspirators, we’ve been making great progress since then.
If you are thinking of taking this path by yourself, I can only tell you that I do not regret my decision. I would not know the things I know, or be where I am today if I had not made the attempt on my own. I am still convinced that you can do it by yourself if you work hard. Just beware of biting off more than you can chew, and do not underestimate the discipline you will need to keep yourself motivated for many years.
I will likely continue to update this website very rarely until we have a game completed and ready for sale, then we will reveal all.
Thanks for all your support and patience over the years!
-Clint
Phoenix rising... The Lich King Strikes Again · 728 days ago
Anonymous said:
“Waterfalls are cool. But let us not forget that graves in the rain, in the middle of the forest, with magic swords inside are cool also.”
The decision to reduce the feature set and complexity feels so incredibly right.
I’m excited about the game again, there is a very clear path to the end of it, the design is much simpler, and I think it will be more fun.
Without giving much away ( let’s just say that vampire bat-women may or may not be involved ), here are the core things I’m planning to focus on with this change:
- core character stats
- leveling progression
- control scheme
- melee combat: weapons
- combat skill progression
- creature ai
- high production values
still full of pumpkin pie,
~clint
Here’s a pic of the workshop:
and here’s a test from Garage Games’ Great Games Experiment G!
I don’t exactly play Road Rash 3 very often these days…
Somebody help me out on that rating, no one has even played the game yet ..although I probably deserve it for taking so long to finish it! :)
Retreat then Flank: Make What I Can With What I Have Now · 733 days ago
Last week I mentioned the idea of making what I can with what I have right now. I’ve been looking over UnEarthed Gods as it stands, going through the story, and seeing all that needs to be done to finish it.
It’s gonna be a while!
I really, really want to release something sooner, and I’ve been dying to release a public demo showing the stuff I’ve been working on, but not in a half-finished state.
I think what I need to do, is work on a smaller game as a stepping stone towards finishing UnEarthed Gods. Not a total departure, something in the same world and requiring the same art assets, but with a smaller, focused feature set.
I can focus on the parts that are particularly fun, get this in front of a lot more eyes, and see how it works. See if it’s as fun as I think it is, or if I’m a complete and utter wanker. (hopefully the former!)
I can create new art and hone the gameplay, keeping it focused towards the larger UnEarthed Gods. It will all go back into UnEarthed Gods in the future. New Creatures, weapons, art, code and I’m sure a thousand other things I’ve still got to learn.
I’ll get to focus on some core mechanics, getting those into a state I’m completely happy with, not being overwhelmed by the larger game. Then pour all that knowledge and work back into future games.
And most important: I’ll get a game to you…to play…sooner!
The new game will be getting some design work over the next week. I’m keeping this simple, linear, focused, and perhaps a little old school. So I can get started developing soon.
Meanwhile…
Here’s another design shot from UnEarthed Gods:
A Shadow Beast modeled in 3D Studio Max.
~clint