Posts : 2312 Reputation : 175 Join date : 2012-07-22 Age : 28 Location : Canada
Subject: Re: Microbe Stage Progress Report Sun Nov 04, 2012 8:17 pm
Ok everyone, work is being done on making a first test scene for the Microbe Stage. This is a huge step forwards, and we are going to need to support our coders as much as we can. The links on the OP should supply them with what is necessary after the coding is done. For that reason, everyone who can needs to help out now. I will list all of the different tasks for the different skill sets. Really the only current needs are for artists, but more should pop up soon.
- Artists -
Details for the artists to read:
Spoiler:
Firstly, art for the background and a list of artists in general. I want to know who here is an artist, and if you are one that can help out post here and I'll add you to the list. Please specify whether you are a concept artist, or if you can actually model and texture the cells for the game. For any concept artist, we are currently working on creating backgrounds for the Microbe Stage. If you want to learn about how the Microbe Stage will look, I highly recommend you read this thread.
Secondly, cells. Basically the most integral component of the Microbe Stage are the microbes themselves. Both concept artists and model artists are useful for this. If you are concept, draw out the different proposed appearances of the cells. If you are model, actually make it. I know this had been discussed before, but we need to specify for the artists what the cells look like. From what I know, there is a preset list of cells that start the game with you in the primordial soup. The list of cells I found was from a very useful thread that I also recommend you read. On this thread there is a lot of art and models already made for the Microbe Stage.
Spoiler:
1) Wrigglers - Worm-like creatures that move quickly around the screen; assimilating them grants the player a flagellum 2) Writhers - Small globular creatures that move quickly around the screen by rippling cilia on their body; assimilating them grants the player cilia. 3) Squirmers - Crescent-shaped creatures that move by undulating themselves up and down like a pair of wings; assimilating them grants the player lamellipodes. 4) Squishers - Glob-shaped creatures that move in an amoeba-like fashion, by wriggling their cytoplasm; assimilating them grants the player the ability to move in this way and engulf other cells. 5) Shiners - Small spherical creatures that drift and emit a pale colored light whenever they absorb amino acids; assimilating them grants the player a bioluminescent dot that shines when they feed. 6) Clone-Stickers - Tiny globs with a hollow spike (like a hypodermic) that inject their reproductive material into other cells, causing them to die and be replaced by another sticker. Assimilating them grants the player a pilus (hypodermic spike) that can create clones of the player cell in this manner. 7) Poison-stickers - Tiny globs with a hollow spike (like a hypodermic) that inject toxic material into other cells, causing them to die and dissolve into edible material. Assimilating them grants the player a pilus (hypodermic spike) that injects poison. 8 ) Defenders - Tiny capsules that resist being absorbed by cells; assimilating them grants the player an antiphagocytic capsule which defends them from being absorbed by other cells by producing an outer coating of enzyme "slime" 9) Producers - Blobs that cluster around rich regions of the soup, transforming the amino acids into proteins. Assimilating them grants the player double nourishment from absorbing Amino Acids, and allows damaged cell components to be replaced. 10) Dissolvers - Blobs that cluster around proteins and reduce them to amino acids. Assimilating them grants the player double nourishment from absorbing Protein, and allows cells with Walls to be consumed. 11) Eaters - Small globes that absorb proteins and other cells, converting them to energy for reproduction; assimilating them grants the player Mitochondria, which allows them to "eat" carbohydrates. 12) Light-eaters - Small discs that reproduce automatically while exposed to light; assimilating them grants the player Chloroplasts, which transform light into nourishment (carbohydrates) 13) Heat-eaters - Small blobs that reproduce automatically when exposed to heat; assimilating them grants the the player Thermoplasts, which transform heat into nourishment (carbohydrates) 14) Cookers - Small spheres that release enzymes which break down proteins and cells into amino acids; assimilating them grants the player Lysosomes, which give double nourishment from consuming Cells 15) Holders - Hollow membranes that encase whatever molecules they come in contact with; assimilating them grants the player Vacuoles, which can store material to be digested, or compartmentalize harmful substances (like poison or injected reproductive material). 16) Platers - Solid "plates" that reproduce by absorbing proteins; assimilation grants the player Cell Walls, which form a protective barrier around the cell. In silicone-rich environments, these may be 1.5x as hard to puncture/engulf (as they utilize silicate crystals). 17) Gluers - Globs that create a sticky enzyme that can glue cells together. Assimilating them grants the ability to bond with other cells of your type.
-------------
To all current artists, please post any work you do here. To sciocont and rorsten, please specify which artist you are (both is an option). Please post your 2D images or 3D models as download links, so the coders can use them for the test scene. Post them as jpgs, pngs etc., preferably with transparent backgrounds. I will compile a list of all the links on this post and the original post.
US_of_Alaska Wriggler Model Animated Wriggler Texturemap of Above Model Textured + Animated Wriggler Partially Transparent Version of Above
Theusfilipe Cell Models
For all concept artists, here is the link to the sample backgrounds. Don't copy this, we didn't create it.
Really big link that was spreading the page
As sciocont said, E, F, G, and H are good candidates.
More concept to work from here, and here. -------------
decelis93 Newcomer
Posts : 18 Reputation : 2 Join date : 2012-10-30
Subject: Re: Microbe Stage Progress Report Mon Nov 05, 2012 6:04 am
so, there is a wrigler model, Do I post mine too for download? or is better to use the one you post? mine is not animated so maybe is better the other... well you say, I will continue doing models with the conceps that you have on there. and what format should I use for the 3D models?
Daniferrito Experienced
Posts : 726 Reputation : 70 Join date : 2012-10-10 Age : 30 Location : Spain
Subject: Re: Microbe Stage Progress Report Mon Nov 05, 2012 9:44 am
decelis93 wrote:
so, there is a wrigler model, Do I post mine too for download? or is better to use the one you post? mine is not animated so maybe is better the other... well you say, I will continue doing models with the conceps that you have on there. and what format should I use for the 3D models?
For the models, the one that ogre accepts are .mesh
If you look at the ogre page there are tools for converting many other formats into .mesh, so you should be ok, Just make sure you are using a format that can be converted or make the .mesh directly.
The Uteen Sandbox Team Lead
Posts : 1476 Reputation : 70 Join date : 2010-07-06 Age : 28 Location : England, Virgo Supercluster
‘This link will only last for a week, so if anyone knows of a good (i.e. permanent and confirmed scam-free) file hosting website, we could use that for future uploads. ’
Any solutions? This will be necessary for the models, too, I presume.
I think we could use Dropbox, it's a good system but I don't know what limitations has it. It let's you share files and docs online, and appears in your PC like a normal folder, but everyone that has the permission can modify it.
Doggit Regular
Posts : 444 Reputation : 36 Join date : 2012-04-28
I finished the music of the loading screen of stage microbe. What do you think?
Wow that's just... I can't even find the words for how perfect this is it sounds like Carbon Based life forms mixed with epic-ism and maybe a bit of spore? Btw did you sample spore a little because at some parts it sounds familiar (Not that that's bad that's actually very good because if there's anything spore got right it was the music.)
NickTheNick Overall Team Co-Lead
Posts : 2312 Reputation : 175 Join date : 2012-07-22 Age : 28 Location : Canada
@The Uteen: Only a week? Why do they still work then for links I found a long time ago, such as all of the mediafire links I gave for Alaska's models?
Doggit Regular
Posts : 444 Reputation : 36 Join date : 2012-04-28
Subject: Re: Microbe Stage Progress Report Tue Nov 06, 2012 7:04 am
You really enjoy? I saw someone put a negative vote. If there is something that does not fit so you have to tell me to improve
The Uteen Sandbox Team Lead
Posts : 1476 Reputation : 70 Join date : 2010-07-06 Age : 28 Location : England, Virgo Supercluster
Subject: Re: Microbe Stage Progress Report Tue Nov 06, 2012 11:49 am
decelis93 wrote:
I think we could use Dropbox, it's a good system but I don't know what limitations has it. It let's you share files and docs online, and appears in your PC like a normal folder, but everyone that has the permission can modify it.
Dropbox is okay, but the fact it appears as a normal folder is also the downside - if you move the file on your computer, the link breaks. Versions of the research tree hosted on Dropbox by Alaska currently aren't working, presumably due to this problem. There is also the problem of not everyone being willing to make an account when it requires an email address, due to risk of spam, transferral of the address to third-parties, etc..
Although, in my case, I don't have the folder on my computer - I only use the website feature of Dropbox, and even that I only use rarely. That's my solution, then.
Seregon Regular
Posts : 263 Reputation : 37 Join date : 2011-08-10 Location : UK
Subject: Re: Microbe Stage Progress Report Tue Nov 06, 2012 11:52 am
You don't necessarily have to share the dropbox folder to use it. You can also use it to host downloads by placing a file in your dropbox/public/ folder, right clicking and 'copy public link'. That way people can download the file, but can't actually change your folder. All the Thrive files I've linked (mainly images) are hosted that way.
The Uteen Sandbox Team Lead
Posts : 1476 Reputation : 70 Join date : 2010-07-06 Age : 28 Location : England, Virgo Supercluster
You don't necessarily have to share the dropbox folder to use it. You can also use it to host downloads by placing a file in your dropbox/public/ folder, right clicking and 'copy public link'. That way people can download the file, but can't actually change your folder. All the Thrive files I've linked (mainly images) are hosted that way.
My point was: I'm fairly certain the link it gives you breaks if you move the files from Dropbox, and I'm bound to end up doing that eventually. That or deleting my account from lack of use.
NickTheNick wrote:
Very good work Doggit.
@The Uteen: Only a week? Why do they still work then for links I found a long time ago, such as all of the mediafire links I gave for Alaska's models?
Becaus I hosted them on one of the first websites I found with a keyword search. A week happens to be the length of time they will keep a file available. But it doesn't matter now - I replaced the link with one to Dropbox.
Seregon Regular
Posts : 263 Reputation : 37 Join date : 2011-08-10 Location : UK
My point was: I'm fairly certain the link it gives you breaks if you move the files from Dropbox, and I'm bound to end up doing that eventually. That or deleting my account from lack of use.
That much is true. Perhaps a revolutionary games dropbox would solve the issue, but I'm not sure how else we would do it?
NickTheNick Overall Team Co-Lead
Posts : 2312 Reputation : 175 Join date : 2012-07-22 Age : 28 Location : Canada
So would anyone be able to host a dropbox for our project?
nziswat Newcomer
Posts : 40 Reputation : 1 Join date : 2012-06-29
Subject: Re: Microbe Stage Progress Report Sat Nov 10, 2012 1:14 am
NickTheNick wrote:
So would anyone be able to host a dropbox for our project?
How many gigs u need?
NickTheNick Overall Team Co-Lead
Posts : 2312 Reputation : 175 Join date : 2012-07-22 Age : 28 Location : Canada
Subject: Re: Microbe Stage Progress Report Sat Nov 10, 2012 1:40 am
Idk, but I was offering this to a team lead with more authority than myself to decide. I think we would need quite a lot of space, as this game, even in its first stage, will ultimately have tons of models and themes and sounds and stuff.
nziswat Newcomer
Posts : 40 Reputation : 1 Join date : 2012-06-29
Subject: Re: Microbe Stage Progress Report Sat Nov 10, 2012 10:25 am
NickTheNick wrote:
Idk, but I was offering this to a team lead with more authority than myself to decide. I think we would need quite a lot of space, as this game, even in its first stage, will ultimately have tons of models and themes and sounds and stuff.
Okay heres what i found We can get 2-3 gigs free for 100 gigs someone has to pay about 9 bucks a month And then theres teams where we can get 2000 gigs but someones gotta pay 1420 a year, and only 10 people can accsess it.... The second option seems the best, we just need someone whos willing to pay
Seregon Regular
Posts : 263 Reputation : 37 Join date : 2011-08-10 Location : UK
Subject: Re: Microbe Stage Progress Report Sat Nov 10, 2012 10:31 am
Keep in mind that we're hoping to procedurally generate many of our models, which means we don't need to store them. I'd hope that we can get the cell stage in at well under 1gb, probably around the 200mb mark.
For the time being atleast 2gb should do fine. I pay £2/month for 100gb, so perhaps their prices have gone up? I suspect that the response to this will be the same as always, we have no money, so we'll have to make do with the free option for now. If we really get moving, and end up needing the bigger option, I'd consider paying for it myself though.
edit: having pointed out the difficulties, I still think its well worth getting one fairly soon, as I'd rather not have to hunt through the forums every time I need an asset to use in the code.
Holomanga Newcomer
Posts : 83 Reputation : 3 Join date : 2012-04-01 Age : 26 Location : Earth
I tried my best, it could work while no proper graphic designer shows up...
Spoiler:
Spoiler:
I will move to another thing, then I will try to improve it, tell me want you want in or out!
This might be a bit late, but I think wrigglers (and all the other proto-cells or whatever they're called) are supposed to be Prokariotes so I think you should replace the nucleus with some squiggly bits floating around.
NickTheNick Overall Team Co-Lead
Posts : 2312 Reputation : 175 Join date : 2012-07-22 Age : 28 Location : Canada
Okay guys, let's get back to the topic. Also, please realize that this is important. This is one of the best chances for people who feel unproductive to get involved. Remember, every task you complete on this list is a tool or asset you are providing for the coders once they need to implement the models and sounds and art. Therefore, please read below attentively, and don't feel afraid to speak up, I know there are a lot of good artists and modellers out there.
As a last note to any unregistered guests reading this post, we know you are out there and we know you are reading this. We want anyone amongst you who can do models, art, code, or sounds, so please if you are reading this consider joining to help out.
Ok everyone, work is being done on making a first test scene for the Microbe Stage. This is a huge step forwards, and we are going to need to support our coders as much as we can. The links on the OP should supply them with what is necessary after the coding is done. For that reason, everyone who can needs to help out now. I will list all of the different tasks for the different skill sets. Really the only current needs are for artists, but more should pop up soon.
- Artists -
Details for the artists to read:
Spoiler:
Firstly, art for the background and a list of artists in general. I want to know who here is an artist, and if you are one that can help out post here and I'll add you to the list. Please specify whether you are a concept artist, or if you can actually model and texture the cells for the game. For any concept artist, we are currently working on creating backgrounds for the Microbe Stage. If you want to learn about how the Microbe Stage will look, I highly recommend you read this thread.
Secondly, cells. Basically the most integral component of the Microbe Stage are the microbes themselves. Both concept artists and model artists are useful for this. If you are concept, draw out the different proposed appearances of the cells. If you are model, actually make it. I know this had been discussed before, but we need to specify for the artists what the cells look like. From what I know, there is a preset list of cells that start the game with you in the primordial soup. The list of cells I found was from a very useful thread that I also recommend you read. On this thread there is a lot of art and models already made for the Microbe Stage.
Spoiler:
1) Wrigglers - Worm-like creatures that move quickly around the screen; assimilating them grants the player a flagellum 2) Writhers - Small globular creatures that move quickly around the screen by rippling cilia on their body; assimilating them grants the player cilia. 3) Squirmers - Crescent-shaped creatures that move by undulating themselves up and down like a pair of wings; assimilating them grants the player lamellipodes. 4) Squishers - Glob-shaped creatures that move in an amoeba-like fashion, by wriggling their cytoplasm; assimilating them grants the player the ability to move in this way and engulf other cells. 5) Shiners - Small spherical creatures that drift and emit a pale colored light whenever they absorb amino acids; assimilating them grants the player a bioluminescent dot that shines when they feed. 6) Clone-Stickers - Tiny globs with a hollow spike (like a hypodermic) that inject their reproductive material into other cells, causing them to die and be replaced by another sticker. Assimilating them grants the player a pilus (hypodermic spike) that can create clones of the player cell in this manner. 7) Poison-stickers - Tiny globs with a hollow spike (like a hypodermic) that inject toxic material into other cells, causing them to die and dissolve into edible material. Assimilating them grants the player a pilus (hypodermic spike) that injects poison. 8 ) Defenders - Tiny capsules that resist being absorbed by cells; assimilating them grants the player an antiphagocytic capsule which defends them from being absorbed by other cells by producing an outer coating of enzyme "slime" 9) Producers - Blobs that cluster around rich regions of the soup, transforming the amino acids into proteins. Assimilating them grants the player double nourishment from absorbing Amino Acids, and allows damaged cell components to be replaced. 10) Dissolvers - Blobs that cluster around proteins and reduce them to amino acids. Assimilating them grants the player double nourishment from absorbing Protein, and allows cells with Walls to be consumed. 11) Eaters - Small globes that absorb proteins and other cells, converting them to energy for reproduction; assimilating them grants the player Mitochondria, which allows them to "eat" carbohydrates. 12) Light-eaters - Small discs that reproduce automatically while exposed to light; assimilating them grants the player Chloroplasts, which transform light into nourishment (carbohydrates) 13) Heat-eaters - Small blobs that reproduce automatically when exposed to heat; assimilating them grants the the player Thermoplasts, which transform heat into nourishment (carbohydrates) 14) Cookers - Small spheres that release enzymes which break down proteins and cells into amino acids; assimilating them grants the player Lysosomes, which give double nourishment from consuming Cells 15) Holders - Hollow membranes that encase whatever molecules they come in contact with; assimilating them grants the player Vacuoles, which can store material to be digested, or compartmentalize harmful substances (like poison or injected reproductive material). 16) Platers - Solid "plates" that reproduce by absorbing proteins; assimilation grants the player Cell Walls, which form a protective barrier around the cell. In silicone-rich environments, these may be 1.5x as hard to puncture/engulf (as they utilize silicate crystals). 17) Gluers - Globs that create a sticky enzyme that can glue cells together. Assimilating them grants the ability to bond with other cells of your type.
-------------
To all current artists, please post any work you do here. To sciocont and rorsten, please specify which artist you are (both is an option). Please post your 2D images or 3D models as download links, so the coders can use them for the test scene. Post them as jpgs, pngs etc., preferably with transparent backgrounds. I will compile a list of all the links on this post and the original post.
US_of_Alaska Wriggler Model Animated Wriggler Texturemap of Above Model Textured + Animated Wriggler Partially Transparent Version of Above
Theusfilipe Cell Models
For all concept artists, here is the link to the sample backgrounds. Don't copy this, we didn't create it.
Really big link that was spreading the page
As sciocont said, E, F, G, and H are good candidates.
More concept to work from here, and here.
-------------
Also, we know have a Thrive dropbox for artists to share the links to their art/models. Please contact nziswat or myself to gain access to the dropbox.
penumbra espinosa Learner
Posts : 139 Reputation : 5 Join date : 2010-09-10 Age : 32
I finished the music of the loading screen of stage microbe. What do you think?
Wow that's just... I can't even find the words for how perfect this is it sounds like Carbon Based life forms mixed with epic-ism and maybe a bit of spore? Btw did you sample spore a little because at some parts it sounds familiar (Not that that's bad that's actually very good because if there's anything spore got right it was the music.)
:Q_____________ makes me remember SPORE's Cell Stage music, i love it.........
Doggit Regular
Posts : 444 Reputation : 36 Join date : 2012-04-28
I finished the music of the loading screen of stage microbe. What do you think?
Wow that's just... I can't even find the words for how perfect this is it sounds like Carbon Based life forms mixed with epic-ism and maybe a bit of spore? Btw did you sample spore a little because at some parts it sounds familiar (Not that that's bad that's actually very good because if there's anything spore got right it was the music.)
:Q_____________ makes me remember SPORE's Cell Stage music, i love it.........
realy? thanks
decelis93 Newcomer
Posts : 18 Reputation : 2 Join date : 2012-10-30
Subject: Re: Microbe Stage Progress Report Tue Nov 20, 2012 8:23 am
NickTheNick You can add me to the 2D and 3D artist list if you like. But before I continue working I would like to know what is done, and what is not; I did the Wriggler 3D thingy, and then found out that it was already done. If you would, please, have the kindness to tell me that, I Could star working again inmediately.
Holomanga Newcomer
Posts : 83 Reputation : 3 Join date : 2012-04-01 Age : 26 Location : Earth
NickTheNick You can add me to the 2D and 3D artist list if you like. But before I continue working I would like to know what is done, and what is not; I did the Wriggler 3D thingy, and then found out that it was already done. If you would, please, have the kindness to tell me that, I Could star working again inmediately.
Current models that have been done are the wriggler, the cooker, the plater and the defender.
GmansWatching Newcomer
Posts : 57 Reputation : 3 Join date : 2012-08-12 Age : 28 Location : Earth
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