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Developers roundup: let's make our own unofficial game

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 a_monkey
03-13-2004, 4:07 PM
#1
I'll be dead before I get to play another official Sam and Max game. -a_monkey
This is what my thoughts were when I came back to visit the Sam & Max site today. So I have a proposition. Let's get some amateur developers together on this forum, to create our own "Sam & Max" unofficial game.

If the game has been cancelled, and they are no longer supporting the older game, then it's considered abandonware. Their rights for the game name are revoked. All we need is Steve Purcells go ahead to create an unofficial game.

So I ask, is there any developers here that can help? I'm an amateur developer with fours years work experience that knows C++ and Visual Basic. Also I have a music degree and own MIDI hardware that can be used for producing the music. Although I'm not very indept with creating music, so we'll need a composer.

Everyone involved will need their own tools for development, of course.
We need the following...
1) Several developers proficient in Visual or .NET C++.
2) Graphics Artists.
3) Sound Engineer
4) Lead Engineer
5) ***Insert more here***

---------------------------------------------------------------------
I'm just fed up with getting the run-around from companies these days. And I'm fed up with all the console games being released, but no games for PC. My favorite software stores like GameStop, Babbages, EB Games...used to have whole walls full of PC games. Now they only have one section with PC games and the whole store is full with lame X-Box and PS2 games. It must be because all the "Nintendo kiddies" are growing up. This is where all our PC games are going....to the consoles.

It's time for PC games to make a comeback!
 lagamorph321
03-13-2004, 4:13 PM
#2
I'd be happy to help with the 3d modeling and animation. Any artists in the fanbase? How about the guy that draws the monkey island cartoon? Of course, the unofficial game would need backing from Steve Purcell.
 Pork_Soda
03-13-2004, 5:34 PM
#3
Well, I'll do anything humaly possible to help you guys, but I dunno what I can do. I no programmer, or even a very good artist, but I'll do anything to help you.

Anyways, the guys at this site do some quality work. http://herculeaneffort.adventuredevelopers.com/)
I dunno what they could do for you since they are working on their second game, but it wouldn't hurt to ask them.
 Dom the Freedom
03-13-2004, 6:21 PM
#4
You've got me, I was looking forward to doing this after they pulled S&M from prodution. If you need to know what I can do to help here it is, I have Morderate programing skills, I have 3D Modeling and Key-frame aminating abillities, and I do alot of art work. If you need any proof, give me an E-Mail and I'll see if I can get you a Pic and a Short MPG File of what I do.
 SyntheticGerbil
03-13-2004, 7:18 PM
#5
Let's get to the bottom line. THE GAME YOU GUYS ARE GOING TO MAKE IS GOING TO SUCK. There is no way out of it.

It's cheap imitation and people with REAL talent never waste their time on fan material. Sorry. Don't bother, you ingrates.
 Brushguy
03-13-2004, 7:29 PM
#6
Wow! Somebody read my mind. March 3rd, I said to myself, "If they won't do it, I will." I don't know how useful I'll be, but I'll pitch in with this project.

Before we sit down and get to work, here's a few questions:

1. How are we going to make it? The only 3d game making studio I have experience with is 3D Game Studio, but I don't know if that suits what we'll need.

2. Shooter or adventure? I know everybody's going to say adventure, but I was kinda thinkin' a Sam and Max shooter would be fun, yelling things like "Hey! Hey buddy! Come back! We just wanna talk!" while you're shooting a purse-stealer.

3. Real-time or pre-rendered backgrounds? If pre-rendered is the case, I'll be happy to design the rooms and so on.

4. I am a so-so modeler, and a horrible script programmer, but to get an idea of how capable I am with drawn artwork, download my fangame Goodbye Monkey Island ( http://www.freewebs.com/lucaskeen) ), which is entirely hand-drawn (except for Part 5), with blended in 3D effects.

Good luck to whoever's going to lead this project. :)

By the way, SyntheticGerbil, try some arithmetic...

STEVE PURCELL + TALENTED PEOPLE + SAM AND MAX = A GREAT GAME THAT CAN'T GO WRONG
 Pork_Soda
03-13-2004, 9:02 PM
#7
Apparently there is an adventure game engine thingymabob called GIMP (http://www.gimp.org/) .
And maybe we could use the same sort of graphics as the old game, I dunno...

As for Synthetic Gerbil, don't let him bug you, it's easier to not even read his posts. ;)
 Chron-O-John
03-13-2004, 10:01 PM
#8
I think what you have proposed is a great idea. Creating our own Sam and Max game. Maybe LucasArts will branch out from their StarWars hype and realize that adventure games are more appreciated by their fans by creating an adventure game ourselves. And who knows, maybe we could become team members within the LucasArts Company (I'm just dreaming)

However, I think that if we were to make an adventure game, we should use FLASH, (don't jump to conclusions and say that it is a dumb idea cause then the game will only be playable online, Flash has a publishing setting that lets you choose whether or not you want your file as a Windows executable or Mac exe). And it will make animation and scripting a little bit easier (from what I know).

And last but not least, I will let you know that I have experience as a graphic designer and I am willing to participate in the development of a sam and max game (if there seems to be a lot of people committed then I will definitely be more than happy to participate.)
:jawa :c3po: :fett:

__________________________________________________ __
 Chron-O-John
03-13-2004, 10:17 PM
#9
Sorry to bother you guys again, but I forgot to place some links on examples of FLASH games similar to scumm, there arent too many but here(just take it!!!)

Face is an engine to create scumm like games, in development, and mostly in German, worth checking out though
http://www.face-engine.com/?newlang=eng)

derrick is unfortunately in German, but it is a good example, just click on the adventure option after the flash intro.
http://www.derrick-derfilm.de/)

And here is a little presentation that was created by a Flash designer, nothing special, just an example
http://www.aporos.com/flash/ScummFlash-v103.html)
 Brushguy
03-13-2004, 10:33 PM
#10
So...when are we gonna start? We've gotta get a basic plotline down first (this'll be the fun part). Let's just let ideas fly for about a month, and then we should nail the story down.

I think we should make part of the game just Sam and Max aimlessly wandering around. Cracking jokes at each other and running into / causing trouble is what I think is the funniest part of Sam and Max. For instance, at one part in the first comic, they're in a plane (this is a paraphrase).....

Max: Can I spit out the window?
Sam: We're 17 million feet above the ground. You'll be sucked into the void of space.
Max: Yeep.
Sam: Now finish your delicious meal before I shove it down your throat, little pal.
(Max starts flicking food at the guy in front)
Sam: I've gotta get up. This is grisly.
 LeChucks Pizza
03-13-2004, 11:20 PM
#11
if u guys can pull this off it would be pretty cool! I know it won't be as good as the original but still it would be really intresting to see. A game for the fans created by the fans. Though i'm sure everyone will have arguments over the ideas :D Good Luck
 toenail1
03-14-2004, 12:10 AM
#12
:(


im taking a C++ class NEXT YEAR, but thats probably a little too late, plus i have no idea how good i'll be



i can probably do some writing, i am good at making up stories, and im prob. one of the funniest kids at my school (ive never been to a class where me and my friends dont laugh the whole class, and it isnt from stupid-hackey jokes, its usually more sophisticated stuff, sorta like what HTR had)

plus i have a *cough*imaginitive*cough* mind (yes, ive been accused of being on mind altering substances numerous times
 Dom the Freedom
03-14-2004, 2:18 AM
#13
I can see were SyntheticGerbil is coming from, but I'll have to say that there are More good fan based games than bad. Its just that they make no money off of it that suck.

In what sounds to be a remarkable break through I'd like to help. You guys give the direction you want the game and I'll give it a Crack.
 Lump&Bump
03-14-2004, 2:41 AM
#14
Never believed in fan games, because most of the time they are horrible and aren't in the game's "style". Even your best efforts will only make a subpar game.

But do what you want, no one is stopping you...

*grabs machine gun*
 Pork_Soda
03-14-2004, 3:45 AM
#15
As for the idea with SCUMM flash, I have some experience with flash, I can do some animations and things.

We do need a story, but I'm fresh out of ideas right now.
 ball o twine
03-14-2004, 7:45 AM
#16
Calling all Cars.....Pissed at Lucas Arts......losing faith in the world.....well close your blacklight closets and listen.

I own a company that has the capabilites to produce the game. I have enough of a corprate structure to get this beyond the pipe dream stage, without it becoming a corporate flop.....If we can aquire the Intellectual Property rights to the duo. This will happen. I am dead ****ing serious!


WHO'S WITH ME?






Daniel M. Calig
CFO Red Guitar Media
dancalig@redguitarmedia.com
 andypat
03-14-2004, 8:01 AM
#17
I dunno how it will turn out... Depends on the script writers really as I'm sure there is enough talent out there for graphic artists etc. Anyway, I'm a C++ Programmer with over 7 years experience and I'd be willing to help if anything gets started, so long as there is a good team structure in place and project leader.

Cheers
 jade wizard
03-14-2004, 8:29 AM
#18
Besides numerous copy right breaches and Lucas arts propaly has a ocean full of lawyers I say 2 thumbs up. Oh, and there is this other Adventure game maker under hungry software (http://www.hungrysoftware.com) sludge. Doesn't look as good as the other ones though.
 LeChucks Pizza
03-14-2004, 8:35 AM
#19
ball o twine that is excellent! Do you really think that it can be pulled off, I mean to make these kinda games you need like loads and loads of people to create them. I don't have any computer game making skills but ill be happy to brainstorm
 Brushguy
03-14-2004, 4:50 PM
#20
I'll be a story writer and a graphic artist, but the first thing we need to do is get everybody organized. Whoever leads this needs to pass out assignments for everybody. But before that we need to get Purcell's backing on this.
 Skinkie
03-14-2004, 6:07 PM
#21
There's no fun in playing a game you made yourselves, you already know all the answers and jokes.
 ball o twine
03-14-2004, 6:51 PM
#22
I need everyone interested in this project to send me their contact info complete with a list of your individual skills. Once I get that I will begin dishing out responsibilities. As far as the legal aspect of this goes, don't worry were covered. I have my lawyers too.
I will head up this project, but I can only go as fast as my team. So the sooner we get a team formed we can get started.

Listen everyone, I have completed harder projects before, so stay with me and this will become a reality. So go, send me info, lets get to work.
 Pork_Soda
03-14-2004, 7:32 PM
#23
Can I see some examples of the stuff "Red Guitar" has done? Just curious...
 toenail1
03-14-2004, 11:13 PM
#24
kinda games you need like loads and loads of people to create them

actually, most fan games usually only have about 5-10 people

and most medium-budget games have about 25 people


and a-list games have about 30-40


thats not a whole lot
 da_vorpal_blad
03-15-2004, 12:36 AM
#25
I would be glad to compose music, and have a friend who would probably collaborate with me. has anyone contacted Steve Purcell?

the vorpal blade
 Brushguy
03-15-2004, 10:16 PM
#26
What's your e-mail address, ball o twine? I'd be more than happy to be involved. I want to be a graphic artist and story writer, and I'll send you some stuff so you'll know what I'm capable of.

Graphic artist: I've done some Sam and Max sketches that I could send you via e-mail.

Story writer: I could write up a sample Sam and Max story...
 Chron-O-John
03-18-2004, 7:36 PM
#27
How come this thread has been dead the past few days!! And how come ball of twine hasn't been replying to my emails!!! Someone please reply, the idea is brilliant, and it is probably the best way to open LucasASS's eyes to the adventure gaming community.
 ball o twine
03-19-2004, 4:26 AM
#28
Fear not troops, had to finish a project. If you ever come to Pittsburgh checkout the Hologram Installation in the Steel Building. So, Chron-o-John has sent me some info via my address <dancalig@redguitarmedia.com> and Brushguy expressed an interest in the graphic and storyline dept. Add these two to my own graphic design team at my office and our numbers are well over 15 heads. We still need 3D animators that excell in flash environments.

Overall plan for the project, I think we can have this done in nine months if everyone commits.

Anyone who participates in the project, for legal reasons, is a subcontractor to Red Guitar Media, not an employee.

The project and final product will be under the legal umbrella of Red Guitar Media. So fear not, if Lucas Arts brings the thunder, I gotta lightning rod.

Keep sending resumes to my office, I need to determine our strengths before I can start dolling out resposibilities.

DMC
 patheticloser37
03-19-2004, 7:22 AM
#29
Hye, I don't know if you need it, but I'm an artist and a voice actor. If you need me, just email me. I would be more than happy to contribute to a game I've been waiting too long for.
 Brushguy
03-19-2004, 12:25 PM
#30
ball o twine, I'll send you some stuff via e-mail later today. By the way, I am a reasonable voice actor and will contribute voices if you need 'em. ;)

But a few questions for now...

1. Is the game going to be downloadable Flash, or is it a game we can pick up off of the store shelves?

2. If Lucasarts brings Sam and Max 2 back, what will happen to this project? :rolleyes:
 Dr Edison 007
03-19-2004, 10:40 PM
#31
So, HAS ANYONE CONTACTED STEVE YET???? They belong solely to him and you should really try to get his permission to use them before you start this project.
 Lump&Bump
03-21-2004, 6:46 PM
#32
Originally posted by Brushguy
1. Is the game going to be downloadable Flash, or is it a game we can pick up off of the store shelves?

Err...due to copyright issues I highly doubt you can try and sell it.
 Brushguy
03-23-2004, 10:46 PM
#33
Err...due to copyright issues I highly doubt you can try and sell it.

As long as we get Steve's backing on this, since he owns the Sam and Max rights, I think this game could be sold. But, nevertheless, somebody needs to e-mail him, preferably ball o twine.

Speaking of ball o twine, when are you gonna put up more info? This topic is gettin' kinda dead.
 sheaday6
03-23-2004, 11:54 PM
#34
let's get jobs to fill our free time, everybody!
 SyntheticGerbil
03-24-2004, 8:50 AM
#35
That's were you went, you muggafugga.
 Skinkie
03-25-2004, 2:26 AM
#36
I prefer being a burden to society. Technically I'm keeping th market open for more qualified persons.

let's get jobs to fill our free time, everybody!

Hey weren't you the one making the fizzball game....
 sheaday6
03-25-2004, 3:50 AM
#37
...damn you!

Yeah, i thought about it a couple years ago. Then I decided not doing it was easier.
 tygerbug
03-26-2004, 7:23 AM
#38
Hey guys, I'm a 2D animator and cartoonist ... also a comedy writer, filmmaker (7 features, 30 shorts) and a voice actor.

Wouldn't mind contributing some stuff to this project. I can do voices ... I can do a good Sam and a good Max actually.

As far as my art/animation skills go, check out this clip:

http://www.orangecow.org/videos/squiffytoon.rm)

Or my comic strip "The Sugarhigh Crusade."

http://orangecow.org/sugarhigh)

I can ape Steve Purcell's drawing style if necessary.

I could write gags ... I'm a quite good dialogue writer, comedic or otherwise. I work on a mac, so whatever I would be working on would have to be mac-viewable.

A while back when I was still using PC, I did a few amateur video games and even started a Lucasarts style adventure before giving up on it because it would take the rest of my life to program ...

Anyway, I wouldn't mind contributing a few things to this project .... I'd like to see it progress a bit first, before putting too much time into it. Just for fun I would contribute voices regardless of the progress of the project. But if you guys get any further, and could show some cool screenshots and it was obvious the project was worthwhile, I could do some really nice stuff for you.

Okay?

my email is ocpmovie at lycos.com .

You can see more of my work at my sites.
 mike99
03-26-2004, 2:38 PM
#39
Hi

I can draw Sam & Max pretty well, I'd be happy to help. Also, if anyone wants to lead the project and co-ordinate events, I'm pretty good at that.

My art's up at www.cartoonist.co.za/scott.htm)

Suppose all we need is a couple of artists, a script...and a 3D game might be pushing it a bit far for now...

For a 2D game, we'll need at least:

one background artist
one character designer
one character 'finisher'
one character animator
one programmer (big job)
one scriptwriter

And that's it for a 2D game. Using the 'ADVENTURE GAME STUDIO' engine is pretty easy to make a game with, if anyone knows how to use it.

So, anyone interested, let me know. It's not going to be like the other high-quality LUCASARTS games, but it'll probably be darn funny and something to keep just for fun - as well as a good learning experience!

Mike Scott
www.cartoonist.co.za)
 Wasobi33
03-26-2004, 5:31 PM
#40
Ill help, i can advertise on a few websites and i can inform a buncha people, i dont know much about 3d modeling or anything all i can do is flash.

Why cant we just get lucasarts to make the game, they spent atleast a week on the trailer, then they just cancel? That pisses me off.
 Chron-O-John
03-26-2004, 8:08 PM
#41
Hmmm, seems like there are a lot of people questioning the whole flash idea. And there are also people assuming that this would be a fan game that would take over Sam and Max Freelance police, but that would not be the case. The game would be considered a fangame and it would have nothing to do with the 3d sequel: Sam and Max Freelance police. It would most likely be easier to create a fanbased game in the highest quality 2D graphics to preserve the style of Sam and Max's animation, very similar to Curse of Monkey Island. I would love to participate by creating Flash animations and learning actionscript to make it a flash based game. But I am in the process of learning flash, I have covered all aspects of Flash animation, but Actionscript is a different story. If there is anyone interested in creating a fan game in Flash please email me. If there are any people who are skilled in flash, especially with actionscript, please email me. And last but not least, if anyone has run into an adventure game that is flash based, then please email me a link or post the link on this forum. My goal is to learn as much as I can about adventure game creation within flash.
 Brushguy
03-27-2004, 12:47 AM
#42
ball o twine, we're dying out here...say something!
 tygerbug
03-29-2004, 2:40 AM
#43
I do know Adventure Game Studio. Haven't used it in a while, but I am very fond of the way it allows you to write dialogue. I could definitely write some wacky dialogue. Otherwise AGS is a bit too complex.

I don't mind the Flash idea at all, that might be the way to go. Still, AGS would allow us to make the game look much much more like a classic Lucasarts game. AGS games are almost indistinguishable from classic Lucasacts games. Even if it is a complicated, difficult program.

The game should be as similar to Curse of Monkey Island as possible I would say. The sprites would look like the ones in Hit the Road, but larger and more detailed.

Brushguy -- you can move ahead without ballotwine. If somebody starts posting some material for this game, I'll be pleased.


I said I could do voices .... I can do either Sam or Max - with a preference for Sam.
 Brushguy
03-29-2004, 5:21 PM
#44
I can definitely do Max's voice. ;)

I am an experienced Adventure Game Studio, so if we want to use that, I'll happily do all the programming for the game. My only gripe about AGS is that the files for the game (when ready to be distributed) are huge. I like the CMI-style idea (CMI is one of my favorite Lucasarts of the Past games), but as I said earlier, detailed graphics = a lot of megabytes.

I wish ball o twine would reply...he said he would lead this project. :(
 Maveric
03-29-2004, 6:52 PM
#45
Well if anyone knows how to use the SCUMM engine...
that is IF it isnt still under lucasarts copywrite....
 tygerbug
03-30-2004, 11:10 PM
#46
Okay, then.

Voice of Max: Brushguy
Voice of Sam: Tygerbug.


If you're more comfortable with AGS, and I'm more comfortable with AGS (which I am), let's just use AGS.

Maveric: AGS basically IS a Scumm-type engine. It starts as a Sierra-type engine, but is easy to modify to Lucasarts style. I did it for my game The Quest for the Mummy's Shoes.

So, let's use AGS.

My only problem is that I usually/always use a Mac. Is there any way to get the DOS AGS to open up on a Mac so I can view it? Or should I give up and break out my dusty old 1997-era PC, Broken Monitor and all?

As for large graphics and large file size, I was counting on this being a large game. I was figuring the demo could be DLed on the net, but we might even distribute the final game as a proper game, via CDs. Regardless, even if the final game is over 1GB, I've got plenty of space at my webspace, and have no problems with hosting this.

I would advise not waiting for BalloTwine right now. If you're interested in working on this project, let's get a demo going. For graphics in the demo, just use the sprites from the original Hit the Road, enlarged to about three times their original size to match a 640 x 480 or 800 x 600 resolution with larger CMI-style characters. This will look wonky, but I will redraw them personally once the demo is made.

I'd like to see a demo to see what you can do with AGS, Brushguy. When this is done, I'll post my "response" in the form of an extended/fixed version of said demo.

Send me any lines you need recorded as Sam also.

As for me, I'll look on my old CDs and on my old PC hard drive and break out my unfinished game "The Quest for the Mummy's Shoes." Only a couple of rooms were ever finished, but it had a style and interface I wouldn't mind applying to this game ... although the art was more photo-style. Hmm, actually we should just use a Hit the Road type interface.

When demo is done, send all the AGS files to me.
 tygerbug
03-30-2004, 11:24 PM
#47
Are there any decent starting sprite sheets for Sam and Max anywhere online? Have there been any fan games of Sam and Max before, done in Click & Create/Multimedia Fusion or whatever? (Very fond of Click & Create/Multimedia Fusion myself.)

This common S&M sprite sheet is completely useless. Woo.

http://www.flashstand.com/spritehq/sprites/misc/samnmax-big.gif)
 tygerbug
03-30-2004, 11:42 PM
#48
Italian Sam & Max demo game.

http://digilander.libero.it/bisland/progetti.html)


I have emailed the creator of this, looking for a copy of his AGS data files/sprite files.


Thread about this game at AGS forums.

http://www.agsforums.com/yabb/index.php?board=8;action=display;threadid=8721;sta) rt=0


Thread about wanting to make a Sam and Max fan game at Adventure Gamers.

http://forums.adventuregamers.com/showthread.php?t=2379)


Just cracked open AGS for the first time in ages.

Also Scumm Revisited, which I could never really figure out that well.
 tygerbug
03-30-2004, 11:56 PM
#49
 tygerbug
03-31-2004, 12:41 AM
#50
I'm using a program called Costume Viewer to look at the sprites from the game. Could rip them. But it's incredibly buggy and keeps crashing. Death.
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