DUX for Dreamcast

RHE · Post by **RHE** » Sun Apr 27, 2008 3:09 pm

Super Laydock wrote:Though they fit their enviroment, I think the enemies presented are "basic" at best in their design.

Not necessarily a bad thing (and certainly not that I could do better!), but just something I noticed.

The blog mainly shows the common enemies of each stage and the 1st stage is an generic space base, so everyhing is right. Naturally a first stage has rather simple enemies anyway.

It's far to early to judge on such things. But it also shows that there has to be a video of the game before people complaining about every bit of the game before seeing it in action. So, a gameplay video will be ready to be shown withing next week.

Also, are you confident that it'll be ready for a JUNE release already!?

No release date is confident. July is still possible though.

iatneH · Post by **iatneH** » Sun Apr 27, 2008 5:22 pm

Wow. selling games to you guys is like shooting fish in a barrel. One screenshot and we already have a number of people committing themselves to 20 Euros or whatever the price will be.

I will not be so hasty after getting chomped on the ass with Last Hope, though RHE your communication with us is greatly appreciated, so I wish you good luck and success. If I end up buying this then you will know you made something awesome.

Super Laydock · Post by **Super Laydock** » Sun Apr 27, 2008 6:55 pm

iatneH wrote:Wow. selling games to you guys is like shooting fish in a barrel. One screenshot and we already have a number of people committing themselves to 20 Euros or whatever the price will be.

20 Euros = like 4 or 5 times a visit to the local McD or BK.
I'd rather spend my money on a game of my fave genre on a console I treasure.

That's right, I prefer shmups over food. (Tacos are ok though

)

O, and you're way too harsh about Last Hope.
It's a nice game, ask Plasmo about it...

J-Manic · Post by **J-Manic** » Sun Apr 27, 2008 9:17 pm

It's always exciting news when a new DC shmup is announced, even if it's a side project.

Thanks, RHE.

PC Engine Fan X! · Post by **PC Engine Fan X!** » Sun Apr 27, 2008 9:46 pm

J-Manic wrote:It's always exciting news when a new DC shmup is announced, even if it's a side project.

Thanks, RHE.

Makes you glad that you own a DC console, doesn't it? ^_~

PC Engine Fan X! ^_~

heavymetalme · Post by **heavymetalme** » Tue Apr 29, 2008 12:29 am

For those who don't check blog entries...

Lasor
This one comes in groups and each of every Lasor enemies is connected via some sort of laser with another of its type. You have to squeeze your ship trough those lasers by chance.

Plumps
Rushes down the waterfalls and stays on the waters surface. They will spit several bullets simultaneously at you. They also will try tracing your ship while sliding on the waters surface. You better eliminate them as fast a you can.

Chuba
Chuba flies around the cave's corners without shooting, which would be pretty hamrless when they wouldn't come in masses.

Buxa
Buxa is dropping some explosive bombs from its back at your ship. You can eliminate those bombs with your pod, try avoiding them or just eliminate the Buxas itself.

Blumes
This flower sticks on the walls to spit some pollen at you. Shoot 'em up or fly trough their flower shower without getting hit.

heavymetalme · Post by **heavymetalme** » Tue Apr 29, 2008 12:30 am

Also...

"These screens showing an early development status of roughly 80%."

http://www.hucast.net/blog/

bcass · Post by **bcass** » Tue Apr 29, 2008 4:03 am

Love the colour palette. The ships have a nice clean design to them. Looking forward to this. Who's doing the music?

Plasmo · Post by **Plasmo** » Tue Apr 29, 2008 7:05 am

Who's doing the music?

Andre Neumann

Stormwatch · Post by **Stormwatch** » Tue Apr 29, 2008 9:03 am

Another vote for fixing the colors. Let's use Blazing Star as a reference:

See how the foreground is vivid, and the background is a bit softer? You simply KNOW where you can go.

Now, Dux:

Everything is too colorful and glossy. If you hit those rocks on the bottom, will your ship explode? And the top ones? How can one tell?

Now, this:

This charged shot looks too solid, more like a plastic object than a blast of energy. I also think the ship is too symmetric... like I'm looking at it from above, not from the side. Again, compare to that Blazing Star pic on the top.

And to conclude... two very necessary things. INSTANT RESPAWN, because stopping and going back kills your mojo; and AUTOFIRE, because aching thumbs are no fun either!

RHE · Post by **RHE** » Tue Apr 29, 2008 11:43 am

Stormwatch wrote:Let's use Blazing Star as a reference

Blazing Star is not a very good reference since the ship is hardly distinguishable with the background. While I don't have any issues with that, it's close to be a problem.

How can one tell?

Brainpower.

No worring about that. The game will include an option to lower backgrond brightness, so the foreground will be easier to tell from background.

This charged shot looks too solid, more like a plastic object than a blast of energy.

Indeed. That's the overall game's looks but it will look more smooth like an energy blast in the game though.

I also think the ship is too symmetric... like I'm looking at it from above, not from the side.

That's rather a matter of taste and not gameplay relevant either.

INSTANT RESPAWN, because stopping and going back kills your mojo; and AUTOFIRE, because aching thumbs are no fun either!

Both of these suggestions are anti-memorizing. However, the game will include multiple checkpoints, so you won't have to memorize huge parts of the game but smaller bits.

bcass · Post by **bcass** » Tue Apr 29, 2008 11:57 am

Don't know if it's been mentioned already, but it would be nice if the ship tilted when moving up/down. Something of a style-necessity in a horizontal shmup I would have thought!

Limbrooke · Post by **Limbrooke** » Tue Apr 29, 2008 3:25 pm

Stormwatch wrote:I also think the ship is too symmetric... like I'm looking at it from above, not from the side.

Like this...

Perhaps a DUX is a working title and the real name should be FISCH.

Stormwatch wrote:And to conclude... two very necessary things. INSTANT RESPAWN, because stopping and going back kills your mojo; and AUTOFIRE, because aching thumbs are no fun either!

I agree on the auto-fire point. Should have an option to turn on or off in the system configuration at least.

Regarding IR, this could also be an option in the menu. Switch between checkpoints and instant respawn, almost like a regional difference in older arcade games but not. Obviously if you're on a time crunch, such an addition would be time consuming and likely included as bonus material, but it would be a very nice addition.

Stormwatch · Post by **Stormwatch** » Tue Apr 29, 2008 6:32 pm

How about this: respawn points on the levels, instant respawn on the bosses, just like Border Down.

RHE · Post by **RHE** » Tue Apr 29, 2008 6:59 pm

Stormwatch wrote:How about this: respawn points on the levels, instant respawn on the bosses, just like Border Down.

That's pretty close to how the checkpoint will be handled with DUX. There's a checkpoint a few steps before every boss so it's not a problem to die at a boss and being frustrated to run through the half of the stage again.

Additionally, you may even won't instantly die when hitting a wall but that's not yet completely decided.

stanski · Post by **stanski** » Tue Apr 29, 2008 7:05 pm

i'm amazed so many have commited themselves to this title when it looks no better than a million other doujin shmups that are free on pc. I should just change them around so they are able to be played on DC and i'm sure you guys would buy it

heavymetalme · Post by **heavymetalme** » Tue Apr 29, 2008 8:32 pm

stanski wrote:i'm amazed so many have commited themselves to this title when it looks no better than a million other doujin shmups that are free on pc. I should just change them around so they are able to be played on DC and i'm sure you guys would buy it

I'm not going to lie, this along with other negative feedback is really disappointing. I wouldn't have expected this from the shmup community at all.

This comment bothers me especially. Sure. You could just port PC games to the Dreamcast, but obviously this isn't the case. Someone is taking the time to develop a game for a system that we all dig and respect. Why not support it? Who cares if its been done and looks like Doujin shmups? Friendly criticism should always be welcome, but certainly don't make it seem like its not worth the time or effort, and act as if its insignificant.

I hope this game does well. I'm sure I'm going to enjoy it thoroughly, and I'm positive there are other people who are going to dig it a lot as well. Don't ruin that feeling.

lewisit · Post by **lewisit** » Tue Apr 29, 2008 8:38 pm

totally 2nd that!

Plasmo · Post by **Plasmo** » Tue Apr 29, 2008 8:52 pm

Thirded for truth!
DUX already looks awesome and I'm sure the final version will be even better. If it's at least on par with Last Hope, I'll be completely satisfied.

Btw one important thing: If the game has loops please make them harder each time. I was so disappointed after reaching the third loop in Last Hope and realising that it was just the second loop all over again...

Stormwatch · Post by **Stormwatch** » Tue Apr 29, 2008 8:59 pm

Perhaps the most important thing... and this is where Last Hope failed, despite its many qualities... NEVER let the player feel he is underpowered!

Nate · Post by **Nate** » Tue Apr 29, 2008 11:17 pm

i'm amazed so many have commited themselves to this title when it looks no better than a million other doujin shmups that are free on pc. I should just change them around so they are able to be played on DC and i'm sure you guys would buy it

Go for it! You can call it "Stanski's Picks for your lame, dead console". Don't forget to acquire the appropriate intellectual property rights from the respective developers and companies. Also, some original artwork and packaging is a must. Then make sure you can secure some respected and trusted distributors to handle your product so that you can reap the profits from all of the effort that you will ACTUALLY get up off your ass and put forth.

heavymetalme · Post by **heavymetalme** » Wed Apr 30, 2008 12:05 am

Nate wrote:
i'm amazed so many have commited themselves to this title when it looks no better than a million other doujin shmups that are free on pc. I should just change them around so they are able to be played on DC and i'm sure you guys would buy it
Go for it! You can call it "Stanski's Picks for your lame, dead console". Don't forget to acquire the appropriate intellectual property rights from the respective developers and companies. Also, some original artwork and packaging is a must. Then make sure you can secure some respected and trusted distributors to handle your product so that you can reap the profits from all of the effort that you will ACTUALLY get up off your ass and put forth.

I've lovin' it.

J-Manic · Post by **J-Manic** » Wed Apr 30, 2008 2:10 am

PC Engine Fan X! wrote:
J-Manic wrote:It's always exciting news when a new DC shmup is announced, even if it's a side project.

Thanks, RHE.
Makes you glad that you own a DC console, doesn't it? ^_~

PC Engine Fan X! ^_~

You are correct, sir.

cbjars · Post by **cbjars** » Wed Apr 30, 2008 5:58 pm

This comment bothers me especially. Sure. You could just port PC games to the Dreamcast, but obviously this isn't the case. Someone is taking the time to develop a game for a system that we all dig and respect. Why not support it? Who cares if its been done and looks like Doujin shmups? Friendly criticism should always be welcome, but certainly don't make it seem like its not worth the time or effort, and act as if its insignificant.

I have to agree, the fact someone is willing to take time and develop a game on a system we all enjoy within the genre we crave, is a blessing. We Respect theses folks and support them, specially if it only a couple of dollars.

the2bears · Post by **the2bears** » Wed Apr 30, 2008 6:50 pm

heavymetalme wrote:
Nate wrote:
i'm amazed so many have commited themselves to this title when it looks no better than a million other doujin shmups that are free on pc. I should just change them around so they are able to be played on DC and i'm sure you guys would buy it
Go for it! You can call it "Stanski's Picks for your lame, dead console". Don't forget to acquire the appropriate intellectual property rights from the respective developers and companies. Also, some original artwork and packaging is a must. Then make sure you can secure some respected and trusted distributors to handle your product so that you can reap the profits from all of the effort that you will ACTUALLY get up off your ass and put forth.
I've lovin' it.

Me too

Bill

stanski · Post by **stanski** » Wed Apr 30, 2008 7:44 pm

Well I don't understand why you guys are getting so defensive, I'm just really surprised there is this much positive feedback from a few screenshots.

Super Laydock · Post by **Super Laydock** » Wed Apr 30, 2008 7:58 pm

stanski wrote:Well I don't understand why you guys are getting so defensive, I'm just really surprised there is this much positive feedback from a few screenshots.

See it from a console perspective.

They´re ALL less open platforms to develop for.

Now something of this (well seemingly anyway) quality comes along.
We, console owning shmup lovers, should embrace it.

The fact that it´s from one of the (core?) members of one of the technically most impressive shmups (doujinwise at least) makes the anticipation level higher too (for me anyway).

I loved Last Hope, and like the looks of what´s on offer. Call me excited!

RHE · Post by **RHE** » Sat May 03, 2008 2:20 pm

Get the stage 1 video now.

bcass · Post by **bcass** » Sat May 03, 2008 2:37 pm

Looks nice and smooth. That player ship definitely needs to tilt when moving up/down though, it looks odd otherwise. Also, I'd animate the charge-beam as that looks a bit flat too when you fire it. Pretty good for an early demo though.

Plasmo · Post by **Plasmo** » Sat May 03, 2008 2:54 pm

+very nice graphics
+you can kill enemies with your pod
+looks like last hope
+musics ok
+easy to see bullets

-the walls look like the background, making either of them darker would help
-player ship needs to tilt as mentioned before
-charge beam is too fast imo and looks weird
-the game looks too easy