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Articulate Nonpareil {Music!}

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THIS HACK IS NOW ON HOLD IF NOT CANCELED. GO TO HERE INSTEAD.


Articulate Definition: (Adjective)
A. made clear, distinct, and precise in relation to other parts: an articulate form; an articulate shape; an articulate area.
B. (of ideas, form, etc.) having a meaningful relation to other parts: an articulate image.
One of the definitions anyway.

Nonpareil: (Noun, sometimes used as a adjective)
a person or thing of no equal.
A little bit arrogant, but unique is more what I'm looking for.



Go here for the latest update (because the rest of this is pretty ugly.)
The name suggests what this mini-hack will be- distict and unique. One of the standards of this hack is to leave almost no used graphics vanilla and giving the physics engine a little bit of a twist, as well as providing ASM heavy levels without getting too gimmicky.
Please note that this is my first real hack. Level Design is still new to me. This is most certainly not a reason to go easy, though- I just want to let you know why it may be lacking and, if you would, to give me level design tips so I can improve. Any comments are very appreciated.


Plot:
Null right now because it's a secret to everybody
But enough of that! Let's get screenshots!


Among other things.


Screenshots:

(icky icky icky image, go to next updates)
Retarded Title Screen. I'm hoping to get some custom graphics for it. No way I'll put the title in custom GFX. If you are willing to make some nice title screen GFX for me, I'd be willing to give you your choice of patches/hacks/ASM/content from this hack.

Showing off the custom text. Ignore the cutoff. Also, the first showing of the new feature...can you spot it?

(icky icky icky image, go to next updates)

The very beta OW. I think I might change the OW GFX some more to be even less SMW. All the level tiles (Ghost house, castles, etc) are all ripped or custom GFX. I know it's plain, that I'll get to.



(icky icky icky image, go to next updates)

My first ExGFX file you can see here (sucks, right? :p If it really bothers you please say so so I can change it) as well as the yellow switch block (simply a mushroom block, as there will be no switch palace.) The block is now a little bit different (the ! is thinner and uses the gold palette animation.

(icky icky icky image, go to next updates)

Quick exhibition of one of the other new features, in mid-spin jump. The background will be changed. You can see some of the instructions I have, which flash gold. By the way, I do make that jump. ;) This will be the instruction stage.




(icky icky icky image, go to next updates)

About to cape slam, which will make that P-switch fly up so I can get it. This is near the end of the quick 40-second dash to finish the instruction race. If you do, you get something good- if you don't, it doesn't matter, because getting a time up in this game simply sends you to the OW and doesn't kill you. (It does take away your powerup, however.)

(icky icky icky image, go to next updates)

Here's the final screen so far.
Top Row, left to right:
No Powerup Block, Frozen Block
Bottom Row, Left to right:
Down Only, Left Only, Right Only, And the the corresponding powerup blocks.

All I've really done is what I've shown you- most of the work so far has been planning and pumping this puppy full of ASM. I have LevelASM, addmusic (with more.asm) a ton of patches, ST, BT, altered status bar, and so on and so forth. A few updates in and I'm going for a very pretty hack, so keep watch. :)
I want to announce the the first feature next update.
This looks sort of good so far, but it seems kind of strange for somebody to be an expert at ASM but new to level design.
Good fucking bye.
Sounds goo so far! I can try to make you a title screen if you want ;).


Originally posted by Maxx

[image]
Retarded Title Screen. I'm hoping to get some custom graphics for it. No way I'll put the title in custom GFX. If you are willing to make some nice title screen GFX for me, I'd be willing to give you your choice of patches/hacks/ASM/content from this hack.

Yup. Purdy retarded. Are the stars animated?
Originally posted by Maxx
[image]
Showing off the custom text. Ignore the cutoff. Also, the first showing of the new feature...can you spot it?
The jazzy status bar.</div></div>

Originally posted by Maxx
[image]

The very beta OW. I think I might change the OW GFX some more to be even less SMW. All the level tiles (Ghost house, castles, etc) are all ripped or custom GFX. I know it's plain, that I'll get to.
Move the castle up. It's one tile too low.
Originally posted by Maxx
[image]

My first ExGFX file you can see here (sucks, right? :p If it really bothers you please say so so I can change it) as well as the yellow switch block (simply a mushroom block, as there will be no switch palace.) The block is now a little bit different (the ! is thinner and uses the gold palette animation.
Maybe you want to put Mario on a lawn mower.

Originally posted by Maxx
[image]

Quick exhibition of one of the other new features, in mid-spin jump. The background will be changed. You can see some of the instructions I have, which flash gold. By the way, I do make that jump. ;) This will be the instruction stage.
I remember you saying something about that on the IRC...

Originally posted by Maxx
[image]

About to cape slam, which will make that P-switch fly up so I can get it. This is near the end of the quick 40-second dash to finish the instruction race. If you do, you get something good- if you don't, it doesn't matter, because getting a time up in this game simply sends you to the OW and doesn't kill you. (It does take away your powerup, however.)
I also remember this.

Originally posted by Maxx
[image]

Here's the final screen so far.
Top Row, left to right:
No Powerup Block, Frozen Block
Bottom Row, Left to right:
Down Only, Left Only, Right Only, And the the corresponding powerup blocks.

All I've really done is what I've shown you- most of the work so far has been planning and pumping this puppy full of ASM. I have LevelASM, addmusic (with more.asm) a ton of patches, ST, BT, altered status bar, and so on and so forth. A few updates in and I'm going for a very pretty hack, so keep watch. :)
I want to announce the the first feature next update.

Didn't really get this part. What I really like is how you set up those button commands on the sides. You've only done ASM for so long that you can barely design a level. I say, practice making Kaizos.
I have nothing better to do, so I'll help you with anything you're not really good at; I know no ASM, but I CAN draw GFX, CAN port music, CAN design a good level with a great gimmick (Already got one), and CAN do anything else you may have trouble with.
Balloon Party.
At times like this, you need to step back and say, "Where's the Balloon Party?"


How do you like this as a title screen:
Big image
The other side
Balloon Party.
At times like this, you need to step back and say, "Where's the Balloon Party?"
He meant the game select screen, and i already gave him his title screen gfx


:\ sorry. looks nice though.

Edit: level up!


It's pretty obvious what he meant; I just thought that title screen level looked a little vanilla-y. BTW the koopas are all Bros. Maybe I could make a desert level with a nice gradient by editing this level, putting up more sprites, and removing the ceiling.
Balloon Party.
At times like this, you need to step back and say, "Where's the Balloon Party?"
Ohh i get it, as in the level itself >.< sorry for the misunderstanding. Your plan sounds great. cant wait to see your outcome.
This is really your first hack? It's pretty good for your first one, also.

Oh, are those title screen graphics final, because i could try to make you ssome, if you would like.
Maxx, i got some name gfx for the title screen also

if you want me to change it just pm me i guess. lol
I'm done, tell me what you think.

All i did was take some backgrounds(created by WhiteYoshiEgg) and drew in the letters. Oh, you have to put them on layer one.
I'm really liking how this is looking so far, Maxx. I like that you're doing so many of the graphics from scratch. The flowery grass is pretty great. I'm not a huge fan of those gray/silver blocks, but eh. I like the tricks and features you are showcasing so far. Keep up the good work!

[?] Miscellaneous Helpful Hints
If I moderated your hack, there was apparently a 90 percent chance it was rejected.
Kyrurel: Aw, give me a little more credit than that! :p I haven't edited the title screen.

Lynnes: As you can see, PercentN already did it. But if you want, I'll take that and use it in the credits. You'll be credited and you can have some of the source, if you'd like.

Andyk: Thank you very much. I hope I won't disappoint. I am not partial to those blocks either, and even though I don't hate them I think I'll do some touching up.

Just a note to everyone- PercentN is doing the graphics for almost all of this hack. He was incredibly nice enough to do it for me. Of course, I'll be letting have free access to this hack and

Also, I do know how to create levels- I'm not that much of a newbie, after playing hacks for 4 years you kind of have a good primer. I appreciate all the help I can get, but really, I'm not new to this. Just inexperienced.

Update 1:
Current Title Screen:

(again, not a new level yet.)

New Overworld:

(I'm going to change the palette around the pyramid and yes, I know about Mario's Position. The extra edge tile next to the building on the hill has also been fixed.)
I have finished most of the first level.





I also brought back a new feature from a long-lost beta- Infinity coins. These coins are yoshi coins:

But with the symbol of the infinites. (The infinites...well, I'm not giving out spoilers.)
And if you collect all four in a level, and press up on a block near the end of the level, and you'll be teleported to... well, again, spoilers. I though this was a nice use for the yoshi coins. A 1up is nice and all, but with savestates and such they're useless. So I thought giving then a good use is a good idea.

A lot of the plotline of this game will need the cutscene sprite, so I'll be waiting for that. Then you'll really have a better look into the plot.

I've started the next level, which will be a cave level (the graphics again custom-created by %N, thanks to him.) I've already set up most of the ASM for the level. For a preveiw:
Exhibit A:

Exhibit B:

And finally, Exhibit C:

Hey, it gets pretty dark in a cave! ;)

I have also been digging into the small graphical error next to the timer on the status bar. I believe the patches may have something to do with it, since it looks fine in the status bar editor. Anyway, I should have it fixed by the next update.
Till next time, then.
Exhibit C-OH MY GOD I'M BLIND!!!

Looks pretty nice. :D
Good fucking bye.


A... key counter?

Looking awesome, by the way.
Looks good maxx :) Ill be sure to put you in my credits and title screen too!! Also on your overworld, there is cutoff near the building on the hill. cant wait to see that cave level!

Edit: Level up!
Oh, your gonna use my graphics? I'll PM you the link...

Anyway, i like how that cave looks. The darkness is a really cool idea.
Here's another update- it's embedded. If that bothers you, I can make it a link.

<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/Bl39WuzHt4k&hl=en&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Bl39WuzHt4k&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>

No sound.

Here's a synopsis:
Features:
1. Spin Jump is altered so that you have a special spin jump when you are big. You have around 3 seconds to "hover" around the stage. It can be stopped midspin by pressing down.
2. The pause screen now has features attached:
3. Up - Exits the level
4. Down - Resets the game
5. Right - Activates "hard mode" where it's slippery (toggles)

Sound effects and music are included, but you can't hear them.
Hope to have more soon- the cave level layout is almost done.
Cool! That spin jump power is really cool and creative. Cant wait to see that cave level like i said!
These new features are pretty cool! :)
Good fucking bye.

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