Ghost of A Tale Blog Posts

[evilkinggumby]

Just wanted to make a simple thread for folk to comment and discuss anything posted in the blog. I know the last post seems to have the comments section broken (at least for me it won't work).

So if you wanted to comment or ask question, please go for it. I was psyched to see the screenshot Seith Posted of the lil mouse carrying a bucket type thing. Makes me wonder what kind of puzzles that's tied to.



It almost looks like chuggin a giant stein of beer.. lol.

[KwisatzHaderach]

That's a great idea evilkinggumby! I thought about posting about this myself, the comments seem to be broken for that blog post. I was just picturing poor Seith hitting the refresh button on the blog post again and again and noone commenting on his awesome post

Concerning the little screenie: I think the animation might be part of a drinking animation of some sort. The way the mouse lifts the barrelthingy (or wooden stein ) seems a little inefficient to just move the thing around.
I also like to think of the pink vectors at the fingers of the mouse as nail polish .

[david]

Hi folks, I fixed that borked blog post... please let me know if you have any more issues

Sorry for the delay, I had a week of food poisoning and been travelling too (now in Thailand).

I too am intrigued by that barrel animation. Perhaps it is some kind of potion or herbal mouse energy drink?

That rat skeleton in Zbrush is simply mindblowing.

[Pulsar]

On the topic of program pipelines from the post, I am curious as to what people think of Blender?

[evilkinggumby]

On the topic of program pipelines from the post, I am curious as to what people think of Blender?

I only know it from a number of years ago, and at that time it was still pretty rough as a tool. It was very capable and had tons of features, but both the initial setup/install and the learning curve/interface were rough. I am guessing it has improved a lot over the years, but I can't say much for first hand experience anymore.

[david]

I haven't used Blender at all, but it is a bit like EvilKing says... I think it still has that reputation for being powerful but difficult to learn.

Most pro game studios favor Maya a bit more for animation, and use 3ds Max (I use this for my own stuff, not GoaT) for modeling static assets. But as you know, both can do both perfectly well. Seith uses Maya for both building assets and animating.

[Seith]

He he. Animation-wise that frame is what you call an inbetween; it's not very sightly and meaningful in itself, but it belongs to a set of animations that I think you guys will like. I can't say much more, as it's actually related to a puzzle...

Regarding Blender, I have attempted to tame it a couple of times in the past but I've never managed to get the hang of it. Over the years I've worked with several different 3D applications (both on the animation and rigging side) and I believe that if after 15mn I'm still incapable of navigating the interface there might be a slight problem with user-friendliness...

I think I'll give it another try in a year or so.

[evilkinggumby]

The newest blog is amazing. I absolutely love seeing the original rough mesh of the 3d geometry and then seeing the quick render and a final 'in game' shot with the lighting and animations going. My brain explodes when i think of how simple things start, and somehow through sheer creativity and magic you get this realistic GORGEOUS scene.

I know we've talked about how Seith's work as an animator is awesome, and we all know the movement and character animation will be better than most AAA titles but I have to say what he's accomplishing with the visual side of things is no slouch AT ALL. I just hope he doesn't get burned out or abandons it because it's taking too long

Thanks to Seith and David for putting that new wallpaper up. great image.



Happy Holidays to all! does the hero mouse get a festive xmas (xmause?) costume?

[david]

Happy Holidays to all! does the hero mouse get a festive xmas (xmause?) costume?

...and Happy Holidays to you, EvilKing, and to all our forum members and IndieGoGo supporters

[evilkinggumby]

Happy Holidays to all! does the hero mouse get a festive xmas (xmause?) costume?

...and Happy Holidays to you, EvilKing, and to all our forum members and IndieGoGo supporters

ok we totally need a christmas mouse at some point for this game. even as a $1.00 dlc.. hehehe Complete with a sack of goodies on its back bouncing around during combat hehehe. maybe an animation of diggin in the sack when you go into inventory screens.. hehehe...

[Seith]

I just hope he doesn't get burned out or abandons it because it's taking too long

No risk of that ever happening! If if feel a little burned out once in a blue moon I just take one or two days off and come back with a replenished enthusiasm.

Basically it's the secret to bringing any long-haul effort to fruition; choose something that is very close to your heart. Not just some cool idea or flashy stuff. Because during the process there WILL be times where you feel tired and doubts about the validity of the whole enterprise may creep in the back of your mind.

And it is in those very moments that your motivation may vanish to never come back IF the project was not truly important to you in the first place.

In my case Ghost of a Tale is something I've carried in me for a very long time. Since the time I started playing a new game called "Doom". My mind was blown because beyond what was there I realized the sheer potential of video-games as an immersive experience.

I just took a very long detour making movies and learning my craft with some of the best mentors in the world without ever losing from sight the technological progress games were accomplishing in parallel.

Believe me when I say that making Ghost of a Tale is a kid's dream come true. I'll never give that up because it is a part of me.

Will it take more time than I had anticipated? Maybe. But it will get done in the end. And I want to be happy and proud of the result. And I certainly hope that you guys will be as well!

Let me join David in wishing a Merry Christmas to all the forum's members!

[evilkinggumby]

Basically it's the secret to bringing any long-haul effort to fruition; choose something that is very close to your heart. Not just some cool idea or flashy stuff. Because during the process there WILL be times where you feel tired and doubts about the validity of the whole enterprise may creep in the back of your mind.

I think thats one of the most important, amazing things to point out. I've started a number of projects based on having a kool idea, but they usually stalled eventually. I think it was because of what you said, I was not passionate and it was not as close to my heart.

That gives me some food for thought to chew on for a while. I may need to go back to one of my projects I've returned to over and over and really ask myself if it's needing completion.

I am glad you are so determined and in love with this work. We're all eager to see the game, but I am betting everyone is more than willing to wait and see it done right and complete, then done fast and sloppy. Just try to get it out there before I turn 80 and develop alzheimers hehehe...

(that gives you 40+ years to go!)

Happy Holidays to you too!

[KwisatzHaderach]

I am glad you are so determined and in love with this work. We're all eager to see the game, but I am betting everyone is more than willing to wait and see it done right and complete, then done fast and sloppy. Just try to get it out there before I turn 80 and develop alzheimers hehehe...

(that gives you 40+ years to go!)

Happy Holidays to you too!

Ghost of a Tale Forever!

Na, I agree, take all the time you can afford. The screenies look absolutely amazing and I still can't believe that you almost single-handedly achieved this. Your boldness should be a beacon for all of us, holding back on realising our soaring dreams. I will now go and start that rockstar career! Roadie, BRING ME MY GUITAR!

I hope you enjoyed your holidays and goat some rest