Title: RE:The indie games are here. (Orb Screens)
Post by: Kairon on May 31, 2006, 10:52:01 AM
Where everyone sees sub-par screens, I see amazing potential. For the first time I have the belief that these guys have the necessary talent and skill to come out at the end of a very long tunnel with a finished product!
Before this, all they had was talk. Now they're starting to walk.
~Carmine M. Red Kairon@aol.com
Title: RE: The indie games are here. (Orb Screens)
Post by: Smash_Brother on May 31, 2006, 11:07:50 AM
What's to hate? They did a good enough job with the early screens. The game would look excellent on the Wii.
But the real question is and has always been: how does it PLAY?
Title: RE:The indie games are here. (Orb Screens)
Post by: Louieturkey on May 31, 2006, 12:49:28 PM
IMO, FFX looks better than this, which means they can push it a lot further. I'm hoping this is very early screens and that they are going to push the look further. I've always thought an FF/Zelda hybrid type game would be really fun to play. I'm rooting for this game to succeed and be the game it sounds like they are hoping to make. I just hope they make it look better. I'll still buy if it doesn't if the game plays like I want, but looking better wouldn't hurt at all.
Title: RE:The indie games are here. (Orb Screens)
Post by: The Omen on May 31, 2006, 12:49:58 PM
I dig the look. Can't wait for more of these types of titles.
Title: RE: The indie games are here. (Orb Screens)
Post by: Magik on May 31, 2006, 12:51:02 PM
Yep, the gameplay is definitely something the audience needs to know about.
I'm trying to not hate on these guys, but the graphics on those pics are downright dreadful. They look like first-gen PS1 games.
Title: RE: The indie games are here. (Orb Screens)
Post by: NinGurl69 *huggles on May 31, 2006, 12:59:15 PM
What's happening here is similar to what happened to Geist -- they're not Nintendo, Square, Capcom, etc... Don't be surprised they don't have the budget and graphic experience to compete with the current visual standards.
Title: RE: The indie games are here. (Orb Screens)
Post by: Artimus on May 31, 2006, 01:27:13 PM
Clearly the graphics are terrible 1998 PC type, or so, but it's an early PC build. it is nice to see something concrete though!
Title: RE:The indie games are here. (Orb Screens)
Post by: mantidor on May 31, 2006, 01:29:32 PM
yeah, at least this game looks like something thats going to be real, not like sadness.
Title: RE: The indie games are here. (Orb Screens)
Post by: Ian Sane on May 31, 2006, 01:36:35 PM
I think if anyone wants to make an indie game and actually make some money with it the ideal approach is to use an intentionally non-traditional art style. That way any obvious low budget graphics are "hidden" by a stylish design. Something like Katamari Damacy for example doesn't have cutting edge graphics. But the style looks deliberate so it works.
With this game the lower quality graphics are incredibly noticable because of the style they're going for. Clearly they're going for a style that somewhat looks like real life. The female character for example is obviously supposed to be attractive but ends up looking like Lara Croft on the Playstation. If they went with something more arty in their design then they could get away with that quality of visuals. There's a subtle difference between ugly game and stylish game.
Title: RE: The indie games are here. (Orb Screens)
Post by: Wackman on May 31, 2006, 02:00:54 PM
sorry, these screens make me sick. really awfull. and it looks boring as hell. Not to diss the producers but what are they trying to do here??
Title: RE:The indie games are here. (Orb Screens)
Post by: Svevan on May 31, 2006, 02:01:02 PM
My main gripe with these screens is that they look generic and boring. Graphical quality or no, it looks like a mediocre gameplay experience.
Title: RE:The indie games are here. (Orb Screens)
Post by: RiskyChris on May 31, 2006, 02:40:20 PM
Quote Originally posted by: Ian Sane I think if anyone wants to make an indie game and actually make some money with it the ideal approach is to use an intentionally non-traditional art style. That way any obvious low budget graphics are "hidden" by a stylish design. Something like Katamari Damacy for example doesn't have cutting edge graphics. But the style looks deliberate so it works.
With this game the lower quality graphics are incredibly noticable because of the style they're going for. Clearly they're going for a style that somewhat looks like real life. The female character for example is obviously supposed to be attractive but ends up looking like Lara Croft on the Playstation. If they went with something more arty in their design then they could get away with that quality of visuals. There's a subtle difference between ugly game and stylish game.
The KD style IS deliberate, because the PS2 can't push 1000 items on screen with any degree of complexity.
Title: RE: The indie games are here. (Orb Screens)
Post by: ThePerm on May 31, 2006, 03:17:01 PM
one of the problems with them is they are spreading themseleves too thin. They have three projects, but apparently they are only working on orb. Orb doesn look that great. I wish i knew more about how the game played..cus i could join the level design team..and i wish i knew more about the story, because i could join the art team.
Title: RE: The indie games are here. (Orb Screens)
Post by: slacker on May 31, 2006, 06:07:51 PM
I don't know what to think of it. It looks ok, but its obvious that there isn't much gameplay shown in those screens. The game looks very early. I guess at this stage, graphics is really secondary as the main game engine is being developed around a very minimal environment. I hope they make it it into a good game. I absolutely agree with Ian on the graphic style. If they don't have the graphical expertise, its best to use an artistic style to for the graphics. I personally would rather have stylize graphics when playing a fantasy-like game. It makes the whole unrealistic elements that much more immersive. We need more indie developers to succeed to re-invigorate the industry greatly as the cost of producing graphically appealing games continue to spiral upward and make publishers even more risk-averse.
Title: RE: The indie games are here. (Orb Screens)
Post by: KDR_11k on June 01, 2006, 03:10:32 AM
IMO, FFX looks better than this, which means they can push it a lot further.
Yes but FFX was made by a huge team. There is no way an indie dev could even approach that.
It DOES look sub-par (most likely bad artist(s)) but it's understandable that it doesn't look like FFX.
Title: RE: The indie games are here. (Orb Screens)
Post by: Caliban on June 01, 2006, 07:34:41 AM
If you guys go to GoNintendo.com, the guys from CrossBeam have an explanation for the images to look so crappy.
Title: RE: The indie games are here. (Orb Screens)
Post by: Smash_Brother on June 01, 2006, 09:07:38 AM
It says right there: early PC build.
I think that evaluating the game based on these shots is ridiculous. All these shots are meant to do is say, "Look, we have SOMETHING done!"
Title: RE:The indie games are here. (Orb Screens)
Post by: vudu on June 01, 2006, 09:09:41 AM
Quote Essentially these screens had to be completely made in about 24 hours (the time approx. from server crash to screens being released) because all of the art was gone, save for like Simique or Maron, which everyone has copies of on staff. But we promised you guys screens, and come hell or high water, we were going to get screens to you
Title: RE: The indie games are here. (Orb Screens)
Post by: Magik on June 01, 2006, 10:30:28 AM
They are idiots for even promising screens in the first place.
All they needed to do was just tell everybody that their server was down and pics would come later. Things would have been fine if they just said that.
Title: RE:The indie games are here. (Orb Screens)
Post by: NWR_pap64 on June 01, 2006, 11:02:42 AM
Quote Originally posted by: Svevan My main gripe with these screens is that they look generic and boring. Graphical quality or no, it looks like a mediocre gameplay experience.
And there we go passing judgement over a game that isn't even finished...
I won't deny that the game looks pretty generic, but we don't even know how the game is going to PLAY. The game was just recently revealed and it probably won't be released till a year after the Wii's launch. That means that they will STILL be working on this game while Nintendo is watching over them like a hawk, meaning that there is the chance that the game will recieve a major overhaul by the time it is released...
So please, for once, stop passing judgement on games based on early demo stuff and wait till the game is finished.
Title: RE:The indie games are here. (Orb Screens)
Post by: Smash_Brother on June 01, 2006, 11:38:31 AM
Quote Originally posted by: Svevan it looks like a mediocre gameplay experience.
How are you deducing that from these screens?
I don't see an interface, combat, puzzle-solving elements, character interaction, or anything which actually constitutes gameplay so I fail to see how you can determine ANYTHING about the gameplay based on these screens.
Title: RE:The indie games are here. (Orb Screens)
Post by: NinGurl69 *huggles on June 01, 2006, 12:36:12 PM
Quote Originally posted by: Smash_Brother
Quote Originally posted by: Svevan it looks like a mediocre gameplay experience.
How are you deducing that from these screens?
I don't see an interface, combat, puzzle-solving elements, character interaction, or anything which actually constitutes gameplay so I fail to see how you can determine ANYTHING about the gameplay based on these screens.
He's "up there" with a particular 2001 issue of Game Informer.
Title: RE:The indie games are here. (Orb Screens)
Post by: Svevan on June 01, 2006, 07:34:35 PM
You guys win - I think the game looks boring, no defense for my other words.
Title: RE: The indie games are here. (Orb Screens)
Post by: Avinash_Tyagi on June 01, 2006, 11:00:09 PM
You know, even though the screens look bad, i'm glad that quite a few indie/new devs are finding their way to the Wii as their console of choice, it indicates to me that nintendo's plans with the Wii are working.
Title: RE: The indie games are here. (Orb Screens)
Post by: wandering on June 01, 2006, 11:18:07 PM
I doubt this game will pan out, but this kind of stuff always gets me excited. Looks at early game builds from unproven developers, I mean.
Title: RE:The indie games are here. (Orb Screens)
Post by: couchmonkey on June 02, 2006, 05:06:52 AM
I think the screens look fine considering it's an indie game. Make no mistake: I know they're poor compared to other Wii games, but I wouldn't expect an indie studio to come up with graphics technically on par with SquareEnix or Nintendo or even THQ. They just don't have the budget to hire a team of graphics artists. I think they do have at least one good artist, the artwork on page two of that link is awesome.
If the actual game looks better than this then that's good news. I think it's already looking indie quality.
I agree with Ian that going with a traditional "realistic" art style means putting a lot more effort into the graphics in order to impress people. Going with more of a cartoony or stylized appearance can help you get away with cheaper graphics.
Title: RE: The indie games are here. (Orb Screens)
Post by: Artimus on June 02, 2006, 05:21:35 AM
Apparantly these were done in 24 hours because their server crashed and they didn't have access to the actual screens. Most of the elements came from a pre-made 3D model pack.
Title: Re: The indie games are here. (Orb Screens)
Post by: ThePerm on September 05, 2008, 07:19:31 AM
i posted a few montsh ago on crossbeam studios forums, saying that they probably wouldnt get anything done, they didn't Crossbeam studios is dead http://www.cubed3.com/news/10269 and orb is cancelled,
and couch monkey wtf...those are like high school drawings, they are in no way good
Title: Re: The indie games are here. (Orb Screens)
Post by: NinGurl69 *huggles on September 05, 2008, 12:01:26 PM
lol Orb, gets to join Possession in the trash bin of history.
Title: Re: The indie games are here. (Orb Screens)
Post by: mantidor on September 05, 2008, 01:16:32 PM
I had completely forgotten about this.
Title: Re: The indie games are here. (Orb Screens)
Post by: Smash_Brother on September 06, 2008, 01:27:21 AM
Shame.
This guy at least had the balls to admit that he aimed too high. Sounds like he could've done something if he chose to start with a game smaller than this.
Title: Re: The indie games are here. (Orb Screens)
Post by: Dirk Temporo on September 06, 2008, 01:35:06 AM
lol wii grafix
Title: Re: The indie games are here. (Orb Screens)
Post by: ThePerm on September 07, 2008, 04:13:21 AM
i told them that they should probably downscale what they were doing about a year ago, i told them that they shouldn't even be showing concepts for other games until they have more done on their current game. Time is important, and unless they don't focus they won't get anywhere. I got a snooty comment back from the team leader or whatever, and i thought **** it.
Title: Re: The indie games are here. (Orb Screens)
Post by: Smash_Brother on September 08, 2008, 01:46:50 AM
i told them that they should probably downscale what they were doing about a year ago, i told them that they shouldn't even be showing concepts for other games until they have more done on their current game. Time is important, and unless they don't focus they won't get anywhere. I got a snooty comment back from the team leader or whatever, and i thought **** it.
