Post by Kija on Apr 20, 2007 18:15:43 GMT -6
Updates:
Version eight is coming a long a decent pace. There is still much left to do, but parts of it has already been released, mainly the bosses.
You can find information on the public test of Geyzer and Vallatio here -
Vallatio
Geyzer
Not much more work can be done on the bosses, such as Geyzer, until the new battle system is finished. There are not any major changes in the formula of the battle system itself, but the programming is being completely redone. With the redone battle system, it will allow to add new abilities for players and creatures much easier and allow for more complicated abilities without further programming.
Version eight:
Version eight has a lot of big changes and additions, which is why it is taking so long. However, some people are not aware as to what these changes are. In version eight, we plan to add a new area, updated level system, unique boss battles, random turf generator for battle grounds, original music, and a special item for more unique and helpful gameplay. Since version eight has so much, it will not be released at the same time. As each part is finished, it will be released, except in cases where they are required to be, such as the level system and new area.
With so much being added to the game and classes, a common question people ask is: "Is there going to be a player wipe?". The answer is no. Everything will be added with no deletion of player files. Any neccesary changes to the characters will be updated to the current files.
New area:
Graphics -
Unlike the previous areas that were based on Final Fantasy icons, the areas not already based on previous areas only has original icons. Because of this, the majority and main part of the map is completely original.
Investigation -
The older areas are very plain and pointless to explore. We want people to have more of their role as an investigator. With this role, the new area will have more interaction and area to explore beyond the normal progress path. This interaction and exploration is in several forms.
Item interaction
Using Dainaria, a dead town, as an example, you may find a burnt journal that details parts of a villager's life. In Dainaria, before it was completely overran, had been attacked several times. This journal could have information on these attacks, how it affected him, and the eventual plan to desert his home. By having more information on the Hunting Grounds, it allows you as an investigator, to investigate. The world has much in it, but not enough interaction for people to learn the world's past, its current state, and the danger that it really is in.
Creatures -
Like the area graphics, much of the creatures will also have original icons. We also want to bring in more unique creatures and abilities for them. The majority of the creatures' abilities are simply spells used in every creature and player. With the new creatures, many of them will have unqiue abilities made just for them. These new abilities will add a new challenge to the game and make the creatures more unique.
With the current graphics, many creatures are simply recolours of eachother. However, with recolours, the icons are just not as good as they could be. The new icons will not have any recolours. Every creature will look different; although, some may look similar if they are of the same type. Here are some examples of possible new creatures. These icons are still a work in progress however, and the final versions may look different.
Boss Battles:
In the previous boss battles, they were just normal battles with a creature that had higher stats than normal. They could be hard but nothing really stood out that made them any different. We wanted to change this. We wanted people to know a boss not only for their name but for the battle itself. Boss battles will be much more unique, at least for those that are not yet updated. Even in the boss battles themselves, no boss battle will be the same as another boss. If you fight Vallatio and then fight Kaug expecting Kaug to create Kaug puppets, you would be wrong.
Vallatio -
You start the battle as usual by walking over his battle turf. At the moment though, things are already much different. Mist starts flowing into the room, and soon Vallatio appears on the screen and then his guards. The mist continues to flow as he stands ready to kill you. He then speaks, with a voice, and walks towards you. The battle then begins. Vallatio's first battle is mostly like any other, except that he talks, just in text this time. He will say different things depending on what happens. Such as if you kill one of his guards, he will comment on it. Or he will taunt you if he kills one of your party members. You defeat Vallatio and begin to cheer. But something is not right. You did not get any experience or gold.
After reappearing in the building again, you may notice you cannot leave. There is the sound of wind again, and a booming laughter fills the room. Vallatio is still alive. The room is flooded with mist again, and the real battle begins. You are suddenly faced with many different Vallatios. They all look the same and speak at the same time. If you want Vallatio dead, you will have to find out who he is and get him before he gets you.
Geyzer -
After walking over his battle turf, the winds begin to stir. A blizzard rises up and flows over and around you. The sound of wind blows strong, and then the elementals appear. They surround you, many of them, ready to kill you. But they do not attack, for their job is not yet finished. Another blizzard begins to stir in front of you, and a snow pile forms. Out of that pile a large ice giant appears. Geyzer stands ready. He is big, strong, and blue. He yells at you, and you know that you are going to die. The blizzard grows stronger near Geyzer, and then out from the ground large ice shards shoot up in front of him. The battle begins.
Random Battle Turf Generator:
The current battle ground is just black. With the random battle turf generator, this black will now instead be a battle ground based on the area that you are at. The random turfs also add more detail to the area. For instance, if you are in the grass, instead of just having grass, the random turfs will add flowers, rocks, and other. These do not affect the battle but allows each one to look different.
New Music:
Our music composer, usually known as Tral or Dever, is composing original music for the game. All areas will eventually be replaced. The current areas replaced are Dainaria and the Anaran pub. You can listen to them here.
The Rotting Night - Dainaria
Desert Stride - Anaran Pub
New level system:
Coming Soon
Beyond version eight:
There are many plans beyond version eight. Version eight is the step to much of these plans, from the boss battles, how the new area works, and the graphics. The versions after this takes these ideas and make them bigger and expand them to existing areas.
Not only is the new area going to have original graphics, but eventually the entire game. Beyond having new graphics, different areas are going to be more unique within it. For example, if you are in Dainan, the architecture is going to be much different than if you are in Lirea or Anara. They will also look better than just some squarish block. We want to make sure buildings and other look like they should.
Dealing with investigation, the existing maps will also take on this idea. Not only with the Hunting Grounds, but with towns as well. There will also be the addition of quests.
We want people to feel like they are a part of this world, and to help this, the world must feel like one. There will be architecture, more culture, books, more dialogue with NPCs. There will be many things to explore and many ways to do it.
Version eight is coming a long a decent pace. There is still much left to do, but parts of it has already been released, mainly the bosses.
You can find information on the public test of Geyzer and Vallatio here -
Vallatio
Geyzer
Not much more work can be done on the bosses, such as Geyzer, until the new battle system is finished. There are not any major changes in the formula of the battle system itself, but the programming is being completely redone. With the redone battle system, it will allow to add new abilities for players and creatures much easier and allow for more complicated abilities without further programming.
Version eight:
Version eight has a lot of big changes and additions, which is why it is taking so long. However, some people are not aware as to what these changes are. In version eight, we plan to add a new area, updated level system, unique boss battles, random turf generator for battle grounds, original music, and a special item for more unique and helpful gameplay. Since version eight has so much, it will not be released at the same time. As each part is finished, it will be released, except in cases where they are required to be, such as the level system and new area.
With so much being added to the game and classes, a common question people ask is: "Is there going to be a player wipe?". The answer is no. Everything will be added with no deletion of player files. Any neccesary changes to the characters will be updated to the current files.
New area:
Graphics -
Unlike the previous areas that were based on Final Fantasy icons, the areas not already based on previous areas only has original icons. Because of this, the majority and main part of the map is completely original.
Investigation -
The older areas are very plain and pointless to explore. We want people to have more of their role as an investigator. With this role, the new area will have more interaction and area to explore beyond the normal progress path. This interaction and exploration is in several forms.
Item interaction
Using Dainaria, a dead town, as an example, you may find a burnt journal that details parts of a villager's life. In Dainaria, before it was completely overran, had been attacked several times. This journal could have information on these attacks, how it affected him, and the eventual plan to desert his home. By having more information on the Hunting Grounds, it allows you as an investigator, to investigate. The world has much in it, but not enough interaction for people to learn the world's past, its current state, and the danger that it really is in.
Creatures -
Like the area graphics, much of the creatures will also have original icons. We also want to bring in more unique creatures and abilities for them. The majority of the creatures' abilities are simply spells used in every creature and player. With the new creatures, many of them will have unqiue abilities made just for them. These new abilities will add a new challenge to the game and make the creatures more unique.
With the current graphics, many creatures are simply recolours of eachother. However, with recolours, the icons are just not as good as they could be. The new icons will not have any recolours. Every creature will look different; although, some may look similar if they are of the same type. Here are some examples of possible new creatures. These icons are still a work in progress however, and the final versions may look different.
Boss Battles:
In the previous boss battles, they were just normal battles with a creature that had higher stats than normal. They could be hard but nothing really stood out that made them any different. We wanted to change this. We wanted people to know a boss not only for their name but for the battle itself. Boss battles will be much more unique, at least for those that are not yet updated. Even in the boss battles themselves, no boss battle will be the same as another boss. If you fight Vallatio and then fight Kaug expecting Kaug to create Kaug puppets, you would be wrong.
Vallatio -
You start the battle as usual by walking over his battle turf. At the moment though, things are already much different. Mist starts flowing into the room, and soon Vallatio appears on the screen and then his guards. The mist continues to flow as he stands ready to kill you. He then speaks, with a voice, and walks towards you. The battle then begins. Vallatio's first battle is mostly like any other, except that he talks, just in text this time. He will say different things depending on what happens. Such as if you kill one of his guards, he will comment on it. Or he will taunt you if he kills one of your party members. You defeat Vallatio and begin to cheer. But something is not right. You did not get any experience or gold.
After reappearing in the building again, you may notice you cannot leave. There is the sound of wind again, and a booming laughter fills the room. Vallatio is still alive. The room is flooded with mist again, and the real battle begins. You are suddenly faced with many different Vallatios. They all look the same and speak at the same time. If you want Vallatio dead, you will have to find out who he is and get him before he gets you.
Geyzer -
After walking over his battle turf, the winds begin to stir. A blizzard rises up and flows over and around you. The sound of wind blows strong, and then the elementals appear. They surround you, many of them, ready to kill you. But they do not attack, for their job is not yet finished. Another blizzard begins to stir in front of you, and a snow pile forms. Out of that pile a large ice giant appears. Geyzer stands ready. He is big, strong, and blue. He yells at you, and you know that you are going to die. The blizzard grows stronger near Geyzer, and then out from the ground large ice shards shoot up in front of him. The battle begins.
Random Battle Turf Generator:
The current battle ground is just black. With the random battle turf generator, this black will now instead be a battle ground based on the area that you are at. The random turfs also add more detail to the area. For instance, if you are in the grass, instead of just having grass, the random turfs will add flowers, rocks, and other. These do not affect the battle but allows each one to look different.
New Music:
Our music composer, usually known as Tral or Dever, is composing original music for the game. All areas will eventually be replaced. The current areas replaced are Dainaria and the Anaran pub. You can listen to them here.
The Rotting Night - Dainaria
Desert Stride - Anaran Pub
New level system:
Coming Soon
Beyond version eight:
There are many plans beyond version eight. Version eight is the step to much of these plans, from the boss battles, how the new area works, and the graphics. The versions after this takes these ideas and make them bigger and expand them to existing areas.
Not only is the new area going to have original graphics, but eventually the entire game. Beyond having new graphics, different areas are going to be more unique within it. For example, if you are in Dainan, the architecture is going to be much different than if you are in Lirea or Anara. They will also look better than just some squarish block. We want to make sure buildings and other look like they should.
Dealing with investigation, the existing maps will also take on this idea. Not only with the Hunting Grounds, but with towns as well. There will also be the addition of quests.
We want people to feel like they are a part of this world, and to help this, the world must feel like one. There will be architecture, more culture, books, more dialogue with NPCs. There will be many things to explore and many ways to do it.
[glow=red,2,300]Hello.[/glow] The ideas are awesome, being a player in the game as a whole means getting satisfied of knowing thee grandeur of the updates the game has gotten. 
Overall this post has made clear ideas and points that will make the game more fascinating and the thrills will just keep comming. I like to take this opportunity to thank the programmers for their great input into organizing and developing the game more and more. I am proud to say that this game has endless limits and the people in it are great, and the staff is awesome, so overall, everything looks good, and yes, perfection cant be said from a human, however, what one knows to be perfection is taking out the time to make it great, and thats what FFTHG is doing!!!!!!!!! 
