Might & Magic X Project Status: August 2011

[GrayFace]

The actual engine is MM7, right?

IMO, things that can be done semi-automatically should never be done manually.
Mike is doing good progress with his map editor BTW.

[vladimir-maestro]

The actual engine is MM7, right?

IMO, things that can be done semi-automatically should never be done manually.
Mike is doing good progress with his map editor BTW.

but there is one little problem with maps now. if you will try to clean whole map from any objects\decor\monsters - it will cause the map to be broken and editor won't open any mm projects at all O.o

hoping mike will fix that thing soon

[MMXAlamar]

I'm going to give you guys an update that I haven't discussed with Vector yet. I'm looking into the XNA engine and possibly doing a complete conversion from Horizon to XNA. If we're able to transfer all of our assets, I believe this will allow us to speed up the whole process, landmass and dungeon design included.

[Corlagon]

I wish you guys luck with the whole fangame. But you really seriously have to sort out the engine issue and create some playable content while there's still a lot of interest. I was on-and-off with this project for a span of three years and it doesn't seem the other members got anywhere at all on that front, despite BDJ's input.

[MMXAlamar]

Thanks Corlagon. I blame a certain somebody for leaving us six feet in the dirt and taking our new website with him. All was going well until he disappeared...

[legendoferthia]

Don't worry MMXAlamar, at least your still with the project, which is the most important. What would have been worst if the entire project collapsed. As long as there are dedicated workers, there will always be hope!

I have been working on LOE for a few years now. It started in 2d FF-like and now it is in 3D or what some call 2d.5. Some of my biggest changes were indeed the step from 2d to 3d, basic inventory to grid inventory, random encounters to enemies chasing you on the map, and the transition to MM7 like skill system with Xeen-like combat.

The point is, I didn't think I would get this far, but I did! As long as you stay focused and dedicated, I am sure this project will continue to come along nicely.

[MMXAlamar]

Thanks Savetara!

We've had many setbacks for M&MX, unfortunately. Here's an overview of everything that's happened to the best of my knowledge:

-In 2009, the completed M&MX storyline was scrapped and rewritten.
-In 2011, the M&MX storyline in progress was scrapped and rewritten (again), and we lost our Lead Story Writer, who was with the project for nearly 5 years.
-In 2011 we also made a very important comeback and acquired a new Lead Programmer, who helped us develop a new M&MX website (which remains 90% complete) and had started working on building a game engine from scratch, specifically designed to operate M&MX. Our new Lead Programmer has fallen out of contact with us, taking all of the website files and the progress on the engine with him.

(The following info will be more detailed in the September 2011 Project Update!)

Meanwhile, in August 2011, we're working on patching the holes in the main story, finishing that up, and developing plans for the regional areas in M&MX. There are actually five writers working on the M&MX plot right now! The story is just as good as it ever was, and the old assets that we have (in the thousands according to Vector) can be renamed to fit the brand new setting of the game.

The engine has to be our biggest dead-fall. Horizon just won't cut it! I'm sure that if Vector and I alone can finish just ONE level and ONE dungeon using the XNA engine, we will be able to attract enough programmers to help us finish the job and divide up the work amongst them.

[legendoferthia]

That surely must be tough, but you seem like you got a lot of dedication.

I have finished composing my latest soundtrack which means I will have a lot more time to dedicate to LOE. Once I have at least 80% of the game done, I wouldn't mind helping you out with your project.

[MMXAlamar]

That surely must be tough, but you seem like you got a lot of dedication.

I have finished composing my latest soundtrack which means I will have a lot more time to dedicate to LOE. Once I have at least 80% of the game done, I wouldn't mind helping you out with your project.

Sounds great savetara! What would you be interested in doing?

[legendoferthia]

Programming would be out of the question since I am only familiar with Ruby, but I could compose great music and database creation. That would include weapons, armors, monsters, etc. However, I am not sure how far into that you have already accomplished. Also, if you need some web space, I can host large files, your website, anything. I have unlimited bandwidth and thousands of gigabytes of web space available.

[MMXAlamar]

Excellent! As far as I know, we're going to need lots of sprite designs. I'm not sure if there are any sprites designed yet, so you'd have plenty of models to make. We could also find some others to work with you on the models. I have one 3D modeler on a waiting list already for monster sprites.

Extra music and web space would always be good too

[legendoferthia]

Woops, I meant the actual database and building blocks and numbers part. For example, monster types, their health points and such, armor and weapon types, values, etc. This would also include spell data as well. I am not sure if that is done or not.

[MMXAlamar]

Woops, I meant the actual database and building blocks and numbers part. For example, monster types, their health points and such, armor and weapon types, values, etc. This would also include spell data as well. I am not sure if that is done or not.

Yeah, that would be a great help too! I'm not sure of our status on game mechanics, but they could definitely use some tweaking to polish them up a bit.

[legendoferthia]

Nice, I will let you know once I have reach the 80% point in LOE. However, if you need any files hosted let me know I can help you with that immediately.

[toh]

sooo. how far is the release? I mean "few years more" or it is closer?

[GreatEmerald]

Few years more.

[Matt.J]

If you require any assistance on the software development front I'd be happy to contribute (I work as a systems programmer however I also have a decade or so of application development experience including game development)

From what I've gleamed you're intending on reusing the game engine employed in the previous game titles; it may be worthwhile to simply write an engine from scratch give then simplicity of it's requirements.

A personal project of mine is similiar. I'm re-developing Diablo II as a proper MMORPG but rather than hack around with the engine I'm refactoring the art assets and rendering it within my own engine.

[MMXAlamar]

If you require any assistance on the software development front I'd be happy to contribute (I work as a systems programmer however I also have a decade or so of application development experience including game development)

From what I've gleamed you're intending on reusing the game engine employed in the previous game titles; it may be worthwhile to simply write an engine from scratch give then simplicity of it's requirements.

A personal project of mine is similiar. I'm re-developing Diablo II as a proper MMORPG but rather than hack around with the engine I'm refactoring the art assets and rendering it within my own engine.

Thanks! You'll probably want to look at this month's thread: http://www.celestialheavens.com/forums/ ... hp?t=12363

We're planning on converting our assets to XNA, and we need some people who know C# to help develop the framework.