Keen 8: Dead in the Desert

Roobar · Post by **Roobar** » Sun Feb 15, 2009 20:08

Woah! Actual screens from your next mod! Yeah wooks amazing!
But I have some questions.
Why does Keen looks soo annoyed?
Don't you think that those canyons looks too real to fit the Keen universe?
And my complain is about the name "Dead in the desert". Could you think of something else?

Overall great job and keep it up!

Post by **KeenRush** » Sun Feb 15, 2009 20:47

Iv4n wrote:Why does Keen looks soo annoyed?

I don't think he looks annoyed, he looks exhausted because of the unbearable heat of the planet.

Post by **Ceilick** » Sun Feb 15, 2009 21:01

Fixed my spelling

and updated the titlescreen. The rock looks much nicer, not sure about the text, tried a couple textures but ended up just recoloring it.

Keenrush: got the slopes idea from Xky's keen4 tileset. I actually havent even been able to test their functionality, but they were too cool to leave out

Tulip: I did base the rocks in the lower right screen off a photo, made the image 16 colors, shrunk, then ended up redrawing a lot of it.

Iv4n: Answering your questions:

I was hoping to make Keen look tired, beat, exhausted, etc. As the story goes, he's been stranded on this desert planet and he's been wondering around awhile trying to find a way off.

I'm not sure about the canyons looking too real, but I may end up redrawing them in a manner similar to the title screen. I'm just worried this might not allow for the same illusion of 'distance'.

The title 'Dead in the Desert' is meant to reflect what happens to Keen should he fail, similar to episode two "The Earth Explodes". I'm open to suggestions to other titles that reflect Keen's need for survival on the planet, but until then this one is sticking.

Thanks everyone for the feedback, really appreciate it

jimmyjames · Post by **jimmyjames** » Sun Feb 15, 2009 22:54

Looks awesome! I was hoping for another Ceilick mod!

Syllypryde · Post by **Syllypryde** » Mon Feb 16, 2009 0:04

Ceilick- I think everything looks really cool and Keenish. The Keys of Krodacia is my favorite mod. I cannot wait for Dead in the Desert. For the moment I think everything is fine the way it is, especially the episode name. I think Dead in the Desert is a fitting name, because I am sure that was Mortimer's intention when he sent Keen there. He sent him there to die. Good work, Ceilick! Once your project is finished, I cannot wait to see the Newbs' leader, "The Dude"!

Post by **Ceilick** » Mon Feb 16, 2009 0:41

Heh, thanks, you can actually already see "The Dude" over at keen modding http://www.keenmodding.org/viewtopic.php?t=1113

Shadow Master · Post by **Shadow Master** » Mon Feb 16, 2009 1:58

Nice to see you didn't give up that title screen you showed me after all.

Mink · Post by **Mink** » Mon Feb 16, 2009 13:55

I'm really glad you've resumed work on this, Ceilick. "Keys of Krodacia" has been my favorite mod.
It's nice that you've chosen some different areas and backgrounds for levels instead of all plain desert. I really like the red mountain area.
I can't wait!

jonnyspeight · Post by **jonnyspeight** » Tue Feb 17, 2009 12:42

krodacia is the best mod EVER!!!! cant wait for this one, only a few pics and it looks brilliant

Post by **Ceilick** » Wed Feb 18, 2009 23:40

I've run into a small problem concerning the zigzagging (or stacked, which ever term you prefer) platforms. As it is, Keen can only 'down jump' through flat flooring. This makes these new types of platforms a problem because, as Keen will be climbing large series of them, he'll have a hard time getting back down, as he can't down jump on the diagonal flooring.

Should I remove this new type of platform completely or structure it so there are plenty of flat pieces in it to jump down from?

As I'm fairly concerned with maintaining a level of 'professionalism' with this mod (on par with the original games), the the inability to down jump on the slants bothers me quite a bit, especially since whole levels would consist of them. This is enough for me to take them out, but what are your thoughts?

Post by **KeenRush** » Thu Feb 19, 2009 0:06

I think it's definitely a cool feature, at least I'm looking forward to run a few of those! Either make some flat areas, or then make the level(s) using them so that Keen goes up using them but drops down via some shaft (in case he has to return down) or some other route.

KeenEmpire · Post by **KeenEmpire** » Thu Feb 19, 2009 0:33

I like "Dead in the Desert."

KeenEmpire · Post by **KeenEmpire** » Thu Feb 19, 2009 0:39

Random comment: If it's possible and fits well with your plans, perhaps you should consider putting in multiple endings. Surely there is more than one way out of the desert.

Post by **Ceilick** » Thu Feb 19, 2009 2:09

Forgot to mention this earlier, but a second problem is that Keen can only travel upwards on the zigzag spots: the tileinfo works in such a way that keen can walk smoothly up one ramp and than turn around and up the other. He cannot, however, walk up a ramp, then walk back down. This problem can be fixed by making keen have to take a small jump to get onto the next path, but is it worth it?

Both this problem and the other seem reason enough to abandon the path type and instead just make a more creative cliff face involving regular platforms.

XkyRauh · Post by **XkyRauh** » Thu Feb 19, 2009 3:36

It's no more a problem than the faked "inclines" we've had in other KeenMods which are actually just stairs with a sloped graphic over them. ;)

As long as you use the platform type creatively and in a way that does not interrupt gameplay flow, I doubt anyone will notice. :)

Besides, what you have so far looks magnificent! I really like the promo shot and old-style previews screen you've got going on. Kudos!