Stencyl Game Project

[GlennM]

Hi guys, first post and bit of news.

I am working on a game making program called Stencyl.  What Stencyl does is allows the end user to make tilebased games, such as Mario, Megaman, Secret of Mana, Fire Emblem and shooters.  These 5 game types would be what we'll start with.  This will be quickly expanded to other game concepts and such.  Even games like Pac-Man and Donkey Kong would be able to be produced very easily.  So you would be able to make all new games in the style of your favorites, or evn expand upon an old favorite by ripping all the graphics and such into Stencyl then making new levels and such.  I actually plan to do a whole line of games that will be designed to be played with an arcade style joystick and such.  For example, I want to generate a Gauntlet style game for up to four players that allows you to pick your own character (like the old ones, just more variety) and will have randomly generated stages, so that every time you play the game will be different.  You won't have to hack through the same stages over  and over just to get a little further into the game.  We'll even be able to add coin functions and such so that you'll have to keep adding coins to your machine (for those who have those) to keep playing.

Now while the engine is still being produced I figured it might be some good news for the arcade realm, as these games will be high quality and all entirely free.  The websites forums and such are currently closed to the public, but will be opened once the next Milestone marker is met, I'd give it about a month or so.  Here is a link to the website, and I'll try and keep you all up to date with the latest progress.

Main Site
Screenshots!

I will try to see if we can post up more information for you guys soon, I just wanted to get a sense of the interest level before getting permission to share more about the project.

Anyways, have a great day,
Glenn

[youki]

Nice project.

But it is pitty it seems to be in Java... 

[GlennM]

Yes, it is all done in Java, so your computer would have to have Java installed, which shouldn't be a big deal.

So why is Java such a bad thing, I have seen many really good projects done up in Java, it works well and as the game writer said, there may be better languages, but he is much more efficient in Java than anything else, which is why he is using it.

[youki]

Java, the language itselft is not so bad.  the problem is the VM.

For me that surely not the best Choice for Arcade style VIDEO GAME development.

I don't say you can not do good things in Java. Just not the best choice.

[KenToad]

I have to say that looks pretty darn interesting.  I'm probably right in your demographic, since I messed around with Doom level mapping and made a pathetic attempt at understanding basic C programming language so that I could attempt to code a simple app for the GBA.  I can see it really catching on if done right. 

Good luck and thanks for sharing.

[GlennM]

Well I am not doing any coding.  I am in charge of the Mana Sword aspect of the project.  So I will doing most of the work on the Secret of Mana style games.  Like I teach the guy who's in charge (Eliwood) all the nitty gritty aspects of the inner workings of the Mana games.

I actually abhor programming and simply cannot do it.  However I am rather good at map design and being able to design games with an interface. 

Another game I plan on making would be a derivative of Secret of Mana and Legend of Mana (PS1).  I will be taking the fast paced style gameplay for PS1, making it more action oriented.  The game will be broken down into 9 Levels, each level will be basically an exterior environment and then an interior, and then a boss.  Each section of the stages would be broken down into small segments, which would be randomnly assembled during each play through, meaning the game may hold a challenge after beating it multiple times, as you can never predict exactly what it will be like.  Now certain parts of each stage will be predesigned.  Like the boss areas and plot points.  It will all be setup like a beat em up game.  But leveling and such will be present.

Anyways thanks for the comments guys.

[GlennM]

Hey guys, a small update on the Stencyl Engine.  One of our biggest roadblocks is almost clear, we were having problems with collisions between entities (Like Mario would get stuck running along the floor, and wasn't able to kill things right)  Now this has been cleared for most every purpose with only a single strand of this aspect left to fixed, and it should be smooth sailing for the project.

Also after talking to Eliwood (our lead designer) briefly about this very topic, he mentioned that games like Pac-Man and Donkey Kong are what he would call One Day kits, basically the whole game engine could be built in a day and then developing levels would only take a short time thereafter.  So if enough people volunteer their expertise we could see waves of arcade game clones and such ready to roll in a very quick fashion.

Now while I understand some of you do not like Java, I'll hope you'll be sure to give us a chance, we should be open to public view within a month or two now that our roadblock is fixed.  I will be sure to let all of you know exactly when we open up.  Now for a screenshot of a Mario Stage



Thanks,
Glenn

[GlennM]

Another update, our Forums will be opening later today, so if you are interested in this project this could give you a chance to share your thoughts.

We will not have anything to play with when the forums open though, but in a month or so you can expect some playable demos.