Game Development: Salem & Haven

[sabinati]

I think most of the problem is bad terrain textures.

yes, the terrain is terrible and is also a placeholder

cobalt, recently they got some new art assets to replace some of the placeholders, and they look pretty great imo. the visual style is just starting to come together.

[Jackard]

Ugh it looks so gross. 3D is not the way to go if you can't execute well. :(

It's Java. Show me a 3D Java game that has all the bells and whistles of a modern FPS,and I'll show you a game that doesn't have a desktop computer that can run it. In fact, I can only think of two other major Java games that 3D: Wurm and Runescape. Compared to those, this one is actually looking nice.

That has nothing to do with anything. A game doesn't need high end graphics to have a charming art direction. A 3D Java game doesn't need to look like shit just because other, older 3D Java games look like shit.

The game is starting to look better.

[tildetronius]

Minecraft is a good example. The graphics quality aren't amazing but it's really the gameplay that makes the game.

[Onionfighter]

I think most of the problem is bad terrain textures.

This. Some of the built objects look quite nice.

[MagicManICT]

That has nothing to do with anything. A game doesn't need high end graphics to have a charming art direction. A 3D Java game doesn't need to look like shit just because other, older 3D Java games look like shit.

The game is starting to look better.

I was merely replying to cobalt's post. If he can't be specific about what he doesn't like, how am I supposed to be specific in addressing a reply? I was trying to put through the fact that if he was expecting eye candy, he's not going to see it. If it's high res graphics, again, probably not going to see it. You can do a lot of Java, but it will never be a 3D powerhouse on any platform.

edit: Yes, I quite agree the game is starting to look better and better as development goes on. I think it's totally asinine to judge a game on graphics, though, when it's been repeatedly said so much of the art and models are placeholder. Then again, most software companies don't start pushing gameplay footage until the artwork is mostly in place, and then make sure to control it so as little placeholder graphics get in the press release material.

[ArvinJA]

I just think the colors are a bit too bright and that the game isn't "dark" enough. I don't particularly mind the cute direction of the game, but some colors are way off the mark and I expected something differently when I heard Tim Burton was one of the more modern inspirations for the aesthetics of the game. I really like Sleepy Hollow's aesthetics and expected something like this in terms of setting:



It will probably get better, but I don't know if it will ever live up to my expectations after I heard Jorb talk about the aesthetic direction.
Might sound silly but I'd like the feel to be less "The Sims"-y.

[hazzor]

I definately think a more sepiatone look fits the game's setting, not sure if sepiatone is really what i mean, what he said ^

[martenx]

Some news : http://www.facebook.com/SalemGame/posts/360930443930796
Hmm I dont realy call this news

[cobaltjones]

Some news : http://www.facebook.com/SalemGame/posts/360930443930796
Hmm I dont realy call this news

I don't get it. Are they advertising the fact that the world manipulation is a giant freaking grind? How is that a good thing?

[TeckXKnight]

I don't get it. Are they advertising the fact that the world manipulation is a giant freaking grind? How is that a good thing?

It is and it isn't. I believe it's being advertised that you can massively terraform the world but it takes a lot of work. Turning a plain into a plateau is no small task. At the same time the average player is not expected to go on a large scale terraforming project to play the game. This was also Jorb working entirely alone on a project meant for many hands. Mind you that Jorb has mentioned that better tools for terraforming are planned.