Indie Developer Saying Hello!

[VisionsDeveloper]

Hi all,

I came upon these forums while reading some articles, and thought I would stop in and say hello!

I am currently a full time student and have been working on a game in my free time with a group of highly talented individuals. We recently took our game to GDC and have been working hard in our free time to get the project completed!

I would be happy to talk more with you all, but I wanted to make sure I posted things in the right spot first, and didn't want to feel spammy! :p Any helpful suggestions would be great! I look forward to meeting you all and talking more!

[LemonRising]

Welcome to the forum!
You definitely gotta start a thread to tell us more about this game you're working on!
Just read the rules, browse the forum categories a bit to get a feel for where things go, and post away my friend.

[VisionsDeveloper]

Thank you much!

I read over the rules already but wasn't sure. I'll check them out more and hopefully have something posted soon. :)

[TheGateKeeper]

Hi all,

I came upon these forums while reading some articles, and thought I would stop in and say hello!

I am currently a full time student and have been working on a game in my free time with a group of highly talented individuals. We recently took our game to GDC and have been working hard in our free time to get the project completed!

I would be happy to talk more with you all, but I wanted to make sure I posted things in the right spot first, and didn't want to feel spammy! :p Any helpful suggestions would be great! I look forward to meeting you all and talking more!

Welcome to the forum mate, glad to have a fellow programmer on board. What languages do you know?

[VisionsDeveloper]

I actually specialize primarily in design, however have been working to learn more programming. We have a pretty talented programming team, so I normally work alongside them. I can read and understand code right now better than I can write it lol. Aside from design work, I also know a lot about game art - 3D modeling, animation, texturing, etc.

[TheGateKeeper]

I actually specialize primarily in design, however have been working to learn more programming. We have a pretty talented programming team, so I normally work alongside them. I can read and understand code right now better than I can write it lol. Aside from design work, I also know a lot about game art - 3D modeling, animation, texturing, etc.

By design you mean writing the game's story etc? Sounds like a cool job too.

[LemonRising]

You'll have to show us some of your 3D modelling skills! It's something I want to learn but I don't know if I'd pursue it.

[VisionsDeveloper]

Story, characters, locations, but also game mechanics. Even though our programming team takes care of implementing the mechanics, we will design them and then paper test them to make sure they are fun and operable. We then take that information and break in down so a programmer has all of the information they need, so we'll use spread sheets, diagrams, flow charts, statements etc to get the concept across clearly. We'll also sit down with the programmers while they are implementing the design and iteratively test the working mechanic to make sure it's matching what was originally designed. Any method to prevent the programmer from assuming how something works is what I normally work towards.

But I have also been doing a lot of graphic design as well. Right now our core game is working, so I have been revamping our GUI elements, talking with the programming team about it's functionality, and then implementing it. It's a ton of fun!

---------- Post added at 02:17 PM ---------- Previous post was at 02:15 PM ----------


You'll have to show us some of your 3D modelling skills! It's something I want to learn but I don't know if I'd pursue it.

Sure thing! I can post a few things here. It's a lot of fun once you get going. There are some free 3D modeling programs out there you can start on to get a feeling for it.

[TheGateKeeper]

Story, characters, locations, but also game mechanics. Even though our programming team takes care of implementing the mechanics, we will design them and then paper test them to make sure they are fun and operable. We then take that information and break in down so a programmer has all of the information they need, so we'll use spread sheets, diagrams, flow charts, statements etc to get the concept across clearly. We'll also sit down with the programmers while they are implementing the design and iteratively test the working mechanic to make sure it's matching what was originally designed. Any method to prevent the programmer from assuming how something works is what I normally work towards.

But I have also been doing a lot of graphic design as well. Right now our core game is working, so I have been revamping our GUI elements, talking with the programming team about it's functionality, and then implementing it. It's a ton of fun!

---------- Post added at 02:17 PM ---------- Previous post was at 02:15 PM ----------



Sure thing! I can post a few things here. It's a lot of fun once you get going. There are some free 3D modeling programs out there you can start on to get a feeling for it.

Nice man, sounds like you have a pretty good setup running. How much are you planning to sell the game for?

[VisionsDeveloper]

The game will be free to download and free to play! :)

[Slay]

The game will be free to download and free to play! :)

This makes me wonder if it is "free to play" like runescape is.
Like you can play, but you can only use like 1/16th of the features.
Say it's not so. :3

[TheGateKeeper]

This makes me wonder if it is "free to play" like runescape is.
Like you can play, but you can only use like 1/16th of the features.
Say it's not so. :3

What do you expect? That people spend a lot of hours doing something with no return? I think you should be glad they offered a free version and not complain that it's not the full version.

[LemonRising]

Sure thing! I can post a few things here. It's a lot of fun once you get going. There are some free 3D modeling programs out there you can start on to get a feeling for it.


O: Do you know what they're called? I'd love to mess around with one.

[VisionsDeveloper]

We're doing things a little differently, actually. Our game is, at it's core, a CCG and that is where some of the purchases will happen. Every account will start with a sixty card starter deck, and players may have the ability to obtain more cards for free, but will have to buy booster packs in order to really grow their library.

So we're not limiting the amount of content you can play by any means. It all boils down to how much control do you want over your decks? Here is some small snippets of an interview I did a while back which might explain more.

Each player will be allowed an initial 2 character slots for free. This allows the players to choose an alignment to either Dark and Light realms, based on where their friends are, or personal preference. Deck wise, each deck is aligned to a specific element, and each element to a specific realm. While any card can be used in any deck, certain realm alignments may cause those cards to cost more to play, or have less of an effect.

Every new player will be granted a 60 card starter deck for free. This allows all players to get in and play without having to spend any money. Those who wish to further customize their decks can purchase numerous different booster pack types. A traditional Booster Pack, containing 15 cards, or even Starter Packs, containing 60 cards, will all be available for players to purchase. These Packs will be elementally tied and Realm tied, allowing player to choose between purchasing more cards for a specific element, or more cards for a specific Realm, consisting of different elements.

Hope that helps! :)

---------- Post added at 08:58 AM ---------- Previous post was at 08:52 AM ----------


O: Do you know what they're called? I'd love to mess around with one.

Blender is far and away the most well known free program. Alternatively, Google actually has something of their own as well, called SketchUp. Both are completely free and easy to use! SketchUp might be best initially as it's pretty straight forward to get you into the mind set of working in a 3D space to build something, while also teaching you some very fundamental basics.

[LemonRising]

Thanks man! Once I get my desktop some power I'll definitely start messing around with those. I'll probably take your advice and start with SketchUp.

[VisionsDeveloper]

Good luck! Look around on the web and you can find some good tutorials. Start with modeling..UV unwrapping and texturing is a whole nother subject in and of itself!

[LemonRising]

Will do! Thanks for all your help (:

[TheGateKeeper]

We're doing things a little differently, actually. Our game is, at it's core, a CCG and that is where some of the purchases will happen. Every account will start with a sixty card starter deck, and players may have the ability to obtain more cards for free, but will have to buy booster packs in order to really grow their library.

So we're not limiting the amount of content you can play by any means. It all boils down to how much control do you want over your decks? Here is some small snippets of an interview I did a while back which might explain more.

Each player will be allowed an initial 2 character slots for free. This allows the players to choose an alignment to either Dark and Light realms, based on where their friends are, or personal preference. Deck wise, each deck is aligned to a specific element, and each element to a specific realm. While any card can be used in any deck, certain realm alignments may cause those cards to cost more to play, or have less of an effect.

Every new player will be granted a 60 card starter deck for free. This allows all players to get in and play without having to spend any money. Those who wish to further customize their decks can purchase numerous different booster pack types. A traditional Booster Pack, containing 15 cards, or even Starter Packs, containing 60 cards, will all be available for players to purchase. These Packs will be elementally tied and Realm tied, allowing player to choose between purchasing more cards for a specific element, or more cards for a specific Realm, consisting of different elements.


I see. This model works good for a lot of games because most people will start playing because it's free and then end up buying because they become addicted :). Kingdom of Loathing is one such game, it's 100% free but people can donate to get in-game items, and it actually grew into a company. Check it out.


Thanks man! Once I get my desktop some power I'll definitely start messing around with those. I'll probably take your advice and start with SketchUp.

Graphic rendering is like video rendering and requires a really powerful PC lol. You should get an otto-core.

[VisionsDeveloper]

Right. We obviously want to be able to reach out to as many people as possible and give them the opportunity to play the game without having to feel a commitment. We are confident our game mechanics will keep players interested in continuing to play. :)

[Slay]

What do you expect? That people spend a lot of hours doing something with no return? I think you should be glad they offered a free version and not complain that it's not the full version.

I completely agree.
However, a little deceitful to say it is free.

[VisionsDeveloper]

If you're restricting most of the content for those who pay only, then yes, I can see that as being deceitful. We don't have plans right now to restrict any content, simply the number of cards you own (and how fast you accumulate them). :)

[TheGateKeeper]

I completely agree.
However, a little deceitful to say it is free.

I guess you could say that, but people do that all the time. No big deal :)

[VisionsDeveloper]

Hi everyone!

I wanted to let you all know that we are currently looking into running another Kickstarter campaign for Visions of Zosimos. Stay tuned and I will give more information as it becomes available. In the meantime, feel free to join us on Facebook. We are currently holding multiple community "events" for possible Beta keys!

Visions of Zosimos | Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/visionsofzosimos)

If you have any questions about the project, feel free to ask and I would be more than happy to answer your questions!

[LemonRising]

I liked the page and am having fun looking through the game artwork, there's some cool stuff in there.
Will keep an eye out for beta keys : D

[VisionsDeveloper]

Awesome! Thanks so much! You'll be seeing a lot more each week. Stay tuned, we have another Beta chance coming up. :)

[LemonRising]

Sweeeeeeeeeeeet I'll keep an eye on facebook

[VisionsDeveloper]

Hey again everyone! We've been busy working away, and just recently started our Official Visions of Zosimos Podcast! Feel free to check it out!

Forever Interactive: Visions of Zosimos Podcast 01 - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uwJDSZkHLds&list=UU5dIdBRv9nSgLtgkIk0oJbw&feature=plcp)

---------- Post added at 01:58 AM ---------- Previous post was at 01:49 AM ----------

LemonRising, did you ever pick up any of the modeling programs? Any luck with it yet?

[LemonRising]

Podcasts? : D I like podcasts! Will check out for sure.



@vision - Not yet, life has become very .. busy lately lol Moving this sunday and don't know where I'm moving yet lmao

[W1CKEDTW1STED]

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Please be sure to read the rules (http://gamers-forum.com/showthread.php?t=16470), and enjoy your stay. Also, be sure to check out Gamers-Forum IRC (http://www.gamers-forum.com/showthread.php?t=13264)!

[VisionsDeveloper]

Hi again all! Just giving a quick update here! Here is one of our latest promotional images for Visions of Zosimos - meet the Hell Spawn Minion!

1472

[VisionsDeveloper]

Just announced..

We are pleased to announce that we are heading into our Alpha phase of Visions of Zosimos and will be opening testing opportunities within the coming months! As a way to say thank you for your continued support, everyone who has Liked our Official Visions of Zosimos Facebook page before testing begins will receive access to our Closed Alpha Testing period!!

http://www.facebook.com/VisionsofZosimos

Stay tuned for more information over the coming months on how to secure your spot!! Thank you all again, and we'll see you in the Afterlife!!