Caz

January 23, 2017

17 minutes ago, Jan said:

A message from me to @Caz:

Regardless whether or not this post has affected you in the way posts like this have affected me, I want you to take this as inspiration. I want you to take this as motivation to prove that your game is what you care about and what you're passionate about. I applaud you for putting time into making Desolation, and I am proud of what you were able to accomplish. As a fellow game developer I know how much this project means to you. I know you'll have minimal time to work on this game in the future, but put everything you've got into making this now, while you still can. You won't regret any of it. I'll support you always!

-Jan

Ily <3 ~~Play the game already bro~~

January 23, 2017

1 hour ago, Lord C said:

Will Desolation have its own section like Rejuvenation after ep 4?

There are talks. Nothing more as of yet.

1 hour ago, Dypatome said:

Likely, no. Recently, I read that it'll be more likely to gain one after episode 5 is released, but that's still a long ways off.

I imagine this to be what will happen.

January 22, 2017

54 minutes ago, espeon860 said:

are there going to be more link stones in version 4?

You will be able to buy them with Credits in Episode 4. Better save up.

January 22, 2017

Quick Update

Hey guys, quick update. The Beta will be rolling out late next week if all goes according to plan. Hopefully, the game will be ready for a public release within a week or two after that. Thanks for your patience, I know it's been a long wait.

January 22, 2017

No worries. I get where they come from it just hurts when they pop up so often rip. Scarlett is also my least favorite character, as to me, she serves to be more a tool than a character.

EDIT: Thanks for bringing Silver Rise to my attention more. I'll be certain to work on it.

January 22, 2017

Before you jump to criticize, I ask you realize that the game is in development. I don't have time to address every complaint, as I have an Episode to finish. A lot of your criticism is totally understandable - most importantly the Jungle in Episode 1. I would like to point out this is the first map I ever made in RPG Maker. I also agree with your Silver Rise complaint - but I have already balanced it more for Episode 4.

I will address as much as I can remember, it won't be in order.

Blackview City: All intentional. This isn't the games main city - it's meant to be cramped, awful even. This sets the tone for what the city really is - overpopulated, overrun with criminals and ultimately an unhappy experience.

Scarlett: All intentional, believe it or not. All I can really say is that the story is planned out entirely, Scarlett's strangeness and stereotype will make sense in time. Her betrayal is extremely convenient, and by the end of the game players will realize this is on purpose.

Rejuv: The funny thing here is that I havent even finished Rejuv. Oh look, Desolation has a volcano - must be a Caratos rip off right? I understand that the volcano is due for an improvement, yes, certainly. But a ripoff? No. Yeah, course. Desolation starts on a boat, yes. I never actually wanted to start it on a boat, but rather, I had to. It made sense for how the player would end up on the island. Sure, it could be a plane crash, but when I first started making my first fangame I don't think I was thinking far enough ahead for that. In the future, maybe.

Crescent and Black Foxes: The Black Foxes are my games "evil team" when it comes down to it. More will be revealed. That's all I need to say about them. Team Crescent however play a far broader role - they feel out of place in Desolation and its world. Trust me, it's intentional. One thing worth mentioning is the "grand plan". Firstly, most of the grunts don't care about it, they're paid. Only Baron and Nova know it, really. And if you really paid attention, it's certain that Baron doesn't even like the plan, or even care much. It's all very much Nova's plan - and the reasoning for her plan is not as cliche as what she TELLS the player. Many people have pointed out how nuts Nova is, would you really believe what she told the player?

NARUTO: For the last time. I used to actually like Naruto, but every time my game is compared to it I like it much less. My game is entirely inspired my Inception, my all time favorite movie. I want to break even Inceptions walls in this game. I don't give a toss about Naruto - this isn't some simple lame ass linear story. Perhaps I should just reveal the entire plot of Desolation on my thread, so this complaint ceases to exist?

Sorry mate. I'm not annoyed at you for the complaint, because it comes up all the time. Perhaps after Episode 4 comes out people will stop drawing the parallel. I see where it comes from, but humbly, the end product of all this is FAR more complex than that of Naruto.

Thanks for your feedback, however. Don't think it has gone to waste. I will certainly contemplate some of these things. Especially to do with the dungeons and replaying.

EDIT: Choices will become a huge part of the game - far more than just dialogue changes. Trust me. Wait till you see Episode 4 mate.

EDIT2: Also, the Vejyr mountain having no road is because Team Crescent destroyed the bridge.

January 21, 2017

6 hours ago, doombotmecha said:

Where do they store their loot: Black Boxes

Black Foxes live in a run-down house: Shack Foxes

Unexplained Kindom Hearts crossover: Black Roxas

It was only a matter of time until it would come to this .-.

January 19, 2017

5 minutes ago, Elios said:

So could female protagonists have a romance with other female characters as well as guys with guys? I ask because as a gay person, I like to see that kind of things in games. It is not like I would dislike the game if not, I love games despite it, just curiosity.

I don't want to talk to much about the romance aspect because it won't play a role yet - not for a while yet, to be honest. But I can say that there will be no barriers in that regard.

January 18, 2017

19 hours ago, Anthony810 said:

Are you still looking for beta testers?

Yes.

17 hours ago, Kim said:

Romance and the message of Desolation in one sentence? This can't be good. ~~Caz kills off your love interest, confirmed.~~

That being said, am excited to see Episode 4 come out soon.

I spent a lot of time making this decision lmao. I really believe it will work, if I play my cards right. Who knows, your guess may be right.

January 17, 2017

20 minutes ago, Elios said:

I am gonna ask something I already did for Rejuvenation but I know some people would want to know as well for this game, will we have a fast-foward button?

That's not something I've actually considering or even looked into. If it's simple enough to implement, when I figure it out that is, then I see no reason why not.

January 17, 2017

2 hours ago, Sapphire Mahala said:

Well that's just great i already saved in the house before i talked to ava and the game ends so yeah...

Don't worry. You can save anywhere you want, just obviously not during the final cinematic where saving is impossible. When Episode 4 starts you can just return to the house to complete the sequence and initiate Episode 4.

2 hours ago, Desaya said:

Glad to see Ep. 4 is coming soon.

Also a quick question. Will the new changes in reputation affect the older episodes or only the choices made from now on?

Nope. They won't. Choices and rep in the beginning of the game will still be present, making them far more important now.

January 17, 2017

34 minutes ago, zeckopacho said:

Hahahaha Using the theme of Master Mirror himself. Hearts of Stone and especially Gaunter O'Dimm were great. I wonder whether we will see a character in game like him

Now that I think about it we get a house in Blood and Wine too. Majordomo tends to the wineyard etc. I wonder you got the idea from Witcher series. Obviously players getting a house isn't a Witcher specific thing but just asking

O'dimm was a huge inspiration of mine, yes. The fact you can get a house in blood and wine though is entirely coincidental. I've wanted to give the player a homestead for a long time.

EDIT: I was super tired when I made the announcement so I forgot something so important. Huge props must go to Njab, who has been helping tremendously and really makes me feel like I have a weight off my shoulders when it comes to fixing saves.

January 17, 2017

Pokemon Desolation Episode 4 Announcement

Hello there, Caz here. It's been a long time coming for Episode 4, especially considering the last time I released content was back in May. I've been busy doing this, that and the other, but when it comes down to it I simply lost the direction and focus a solo developer must maintain. Oh well, what matters now is that Episode 4 is extremely close to completion! ~~Finally~~

Two notes to begin with: The release date is about 2 weeks, depending on Beta Testing. Will Desolation get its own separate sub-forum? Don't ask me, I don't make those decisions.

I want to use this announcement to talk about quite a few things of importance. This will include Episode 4 features and news for the future Episodes.

Features

I don't want to reveal too much about what's in Episode 4 - I like surprising the audience, as many would have guessed. The more new features I considered adding in to Desolation, the more I took out. I've realized since that I never intended for Desolation to be a super crazy innovative experience - rather, I want it to be almost entirely story driven. Thus, I added features that I believe contribute to the story and feel of the game.

Cellia Manor

As the player makes their way through the story of Episode 4 they will eventually be given ~~yes, given~~ the Cellia Manor - the players homestead for the entirety of the game. I made certain to make sure that this homestead would be equipped well enough to suit the trainers needs.

Meet Mana, the Cellia Manor's housekeeper. Mana will help you in all tasks to do with the homestead, in particular, its renovations. Using Credits, the Manor can be upgraded to accommodate all trainer needs, including the following:

- EV Training grounds underneath the homestead.

- An upgraded Jinx Guild.

- Various vendors that can be placed within your home, which will sell most items and berries.

These vendors are especially important to your manor. Not only do they sell ultra rare items, but they contribute to your Manor's business. Yes, business.

In Episode 4 of Desolation, your manor also acts as a business for other trainers to visit. The more items your Manor has to sell, the more business will come in and thus, the more profit your business will make. However, to add some incentive, your business does not make money as profit, rather, it makes Credits. I was originally going to operate the Manor on a timer, then I realized how easy that is to exploit using your PC clock. Instead, you can return to your Manor to collect your income after defeating each Gym Leader.

Mana, upon moving into your Manor, was also kind enough to create the "Battle Logger", which acts as a battle simulator. This allows you to simulate battles with iconic in game characters. If you're curious, here it is, in action.

There is slightly more to the Manor, but I'd rather players find that out for themselves.

Cellia Fight Club

Due to high demand, the Fight Club will return in Episode 4. This provides players with a way of grinding unlimited Credits. There are some surprises down the road depending on how many battles the player has won, but I won't spoil that. Every now and then, an Elite Trainer will pop up to battle you. These trainers offer many more Credits upon defeat. Here is one such trainer.

The player should be careful though - other trainers don't like being robbed of their Credits in this gambling restaurant. If you win too often, you will certainly bump into people outside.

Other Minor Features

Gang Wars - a second story depicting the rivalry within Cellia. In this story, you will join Garret and his gang.

Cellia Trainer Emporium - A store which sells ALL Pokemon Evolution items, at a price, of course.

A Pokemon Nature Changer - This one is self explanatory - deals in Credits.

The Future of Desolation

This will include my thoughts and ideas on the future of the game, if you only care about the new Episode and its features, this will bore you.

Abandoned Pokemon Logo

I'm sure many of you have noticed the disappearance of the Pokemon Logo from Desolation's main screen. The explanation for this is rather simple. I believe that Desolation has begun to deviate greatly from the ideal Pokemon game. It in fact has very little focus on Pokemon themselves apart from the fun game play they provide. The story of Desolation is only becoming darker, and I feel that the Pokemon logo detriments from the message I want to convey. The word "Pokemon" itself will still be present as the .exe's name and as the title of this thread.

Romance, Choices, Reputation

Everyone knew when I first announced the reputation system that this discussion would have to happen eventually. Before I discuss romance, I will discuss the system in general. Reputation in Desolation is not working as well as I would've liked. To me, it seems incredibly strange that a nice remark on someone's hair could be the difference between their life and death. Thus, I propose a new change.

Times in which the player can gain reputation with a character will still be present, albeit few and far between. Instead, the most intense of situations will be decided by ingame choices and the choices you make. Real choices that truly affect people, not just who you prefer blah blah blah.

So then, you might be asking yourself, what the heck is the point of reputation then? Sigh. The answer is simple, romance. After a long, long time of thinking, I decided that if I am careful enough (~~very careful~~), romance could indeed help deliver the message of Desolation. This means that yes, in the future, some characters WILL be able to be romanced. I understand the concerns surrounding such a thing and I share these concerns - however - I believe that I will be able to make this work to benefit the story. If it had no benefit, I simply wouldn't add it. (In other words, I refused to add romance for the sake of romance itself)

What Next?

Indeed, all these plans look well and good. However, I'm afraid the future of Desolation is quite obscure. This year, in a months time, I will simply no longer have any time to work on the game. I love Desolation and I would refuse to pump out half completed content, which is the problem. I will be in uni, but also working two jobs just to have a place to live and food to put on my plate (people living in NZ know living costs are) and this just leaves me no time to put in the effort required for the game. I don't ask for pity (nor do I want it), only understanding. I've shown that as a solo dev, it can take me absolutely ages to finish content when there's just no time available. I don't know if I'll be able to work on the game in the future, and if I can, I don't know how long it'll take to complete an Episode. I would especially appreciate the help of spriters, as this is the primary time spender that I can avoid.

The Community

Once again, a huge thanks to the community. I was absent from this site for over six months and in that time, the members of this community kept the project alive, full well knowing I might not come back. I can't thank people enough for that. Over time the community has also helped out with bits and pieces for Desolation (a fair few sprites) and I feel that some members should get a special pat on the back, namely Alilatias (who has been writing an excellent sidequest) and Dypatome (for his high quality overworld spriting).

All this aside, I have to call on the community once again for aid. It's come that time again when I need Beta Testers to make sure that the future release is as steady and high quality as possible. Here's what this job entails:

- Finishing the Episode and as much content as you can within one week.

- Offering feedback, thoughts and suggestions constructively.

If you think this is you, please PM me. (Don't post here) I would really appreciate your help. Those who have tested in the past and done a good job doing so, I would especially appreciate your help.

Thanks for the journey so far, Reborn. Caz out. o/

Side note: I intend on posting more update stuff on Youtube in the future, it's a great way to showcase stuff. Subscribing would be pretty cool of you, y'know.

January 16, 2017

Big announcement should be coming up tomorrow guys. I was gonna put it up tonight but I realized I wanted to record some stuff to show too. There's a heap to talk about with you guys - especially regarding the obscure future of Desolation - and I intend on answering pretty much all of your questions after the announcement.

January 15, 2017

39 minutes ago, Elios said:

Hey Caz, does version 4 have revamped maps/story/mechanics from the ones seen in version 3? I ask because I have to finish the current version, but if that is the case, I would wait for version 4 and restart. In summary, would you say it is recomendable to start over when version 4 is out?

Nope. I felt there wasn't much to change really except some minor things that irked me. There will be no benefits of restarting, unless you simply want to play it again.

January 4, 2017

14 minutes ago, Ice Cream Sand Witch said:

I actually didn't notice the one on the left was Shiv. I assumed he was a new character and was Aurora's brother.

It is Shiv, yes. More specifically it's his original artwork which looks just slightly different from how he turned out in game.

Also to note something, I'll be addressing some other questions I've had in the announcement I mentioned, which should be out in the next week or two with Episode 4 following a week after that.

January 4, 2017

Wait's almost over. Happy belated New Years, everyone.

December 31, 2016

59 minutes ago, Alilatias said:

Catch a Bidoof, evolve it into Biabarel, use Defense Curl a couple times, heal, and proceed to Rollout your way to victory.

Or at least that's how I assume most people do it.

Or fight fire with fire assuming you picked a fire starter.

December 29, 2016

I'm not at all familiar with Apple stuff. The only solution I have is to delete all .mid sound files from audio/bgm. This has always resolved issues in the past.

December 20, 2016

12 hours ago, Erinyes said:

Hey, I just want to say that this game is awesome, only bad thing is I can't beat the normal type gym, but thats just me.

Thank you! The game is meant to be difficult - but not impossible. Create a strategy and if necessary change your team - you will get there.

As an update for the rest of you - an official update and announcement about the upcoming Episode 4 is on its way, expect it soon!

December 17, 2016

8 hours ago, trailblazer77 said:

1. Idea : Since there are a lot of events and sidequests and it is easy to miss some of them, how about having an npc randomly talk about some events and give hints about them?

2. Idea (This one is probably pretty difficult to implement but we all can dream amirite) : Have a rewind button so you are able to see what comes out of your decisions (even though that ruins the purpose of the game) / (in my case) be able to watch the amazing shiv/nova scenes over and over again

3

I've been thinking about a variation on the first idea for a while actually and will most likely bring it in.

The problem with your second idea is that I want players to have to live with their decisions and this really does mean that players take the decisions more seriously. If they could simply go back then the decision would become far less serious because "oh, I can just rewind". Hopefully you see my stance on that.

December 15, 2016

7 hours ago, DemICE said:

Nature changer :F

Already exists in scripting - will come into play during a later Episode.

7 hours ago, Jmanultrax1 said:

what about a battle mansion type place. A place where all trainers go to meet and fight. The trainers can be different everyday. Each room is like a barrier, they can only be unlocked by getting the next badge(s). So with each room they get even more stronger.

example: we have 4 badges, so we get 1 room for each 2 badges. By obtaining the next bade(s) we get another room unlocked.

The trainers could be based off your design or they can be based off members on the forums, simply because on how funny some of the designs and interactions might be.

Painful and funny, I like it.

December 15, 2016

1 hour ago, Alilatias said:

Let's have an incredibly snarky librarian in the next city that describes the various areas on each island, including ones we haven't been to yet. Kind of like Reborn's historians, but more amusing yet flawed at the same time.

"Only Arceus knows why the island folk decided to build a main road THROUGH Vejyr instead of AROUND the volcano."
"Why does the labyrinth even exist? Because why the hell not?"
"There is only one rule when traversing the frozen lands, and no, it has nothing to do with having to bury your horrid fashion style. Bring Repels. Lots and lots of repels."

May or may not end up tying into the photo/dagger sidequest later.

This speaks volumes. I love it.

December 14, 2016

Your input on Episode 4

Hello yes it is me again.

This isn't really an update to be honest, but more of an opportunity. When contemplating what things I would like to be in Episode 4 I realized that I haven't really been interacting with the community as much as I'd like lately so I figured hell, why not.

I would like to know what features you would like to see in Episode 4. This does not include items, Pokemon or sidequests etc but asides from these your ideas can be as broad as you'd like. Feel free to jot down ideas in the thread or PM me - if your idea is good enough then I will gladly note it down.

Thank you all in advance, over and out.

December 14, 2016

I just wanted to clarify a few things about Episode 4.

1: Sun and Moon content will not be present in Episode 4. This includes new Pokemon, items and any changes that accompanied the new games. This will hopefully be in Episode 5.

2: New protagonists will hopefully be in Episode 4, but I can't gurantee this with my current schedule. I would truly appreciate some help on this front with spriting - any help is appreciated.

3: A release date? Initial beta release will hopefully be by the end of January with the final bug fix release (4.1) coming by the end of February.

That is all for now, thanks reborn squad.

EDIT: Also fixed the Espurr gender and ability problem, finally.

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