TSL Updates!

[Numbers]

Around a decade of time and effort, as it turns out.

[Shalkar]

Please stop, Shalkar.

I also remember you saying at one point an time, but still. Meaning your impatient too.

[Numbers]

Well clearly, you're the expert when it comes to impatience.

[Rock Knight]

The game will come out when it's ready. I would rather wait an extra year for all the bugs to be ironed out, than have PO rush the game out to appease impatient people and have it be either buggy or unfinished.

[calmlunatic]

So, in terms of updating the game engine and polishing the graphics and such, I'm curious as to what we, as players, can expect in terms of interface from when the Episode is released. I have a few questions as to what we can look forward too as, currently, my most recent expectation for it as it is is pretty much just a higher resolution version of the previous episode but with higher resolution. 

• Reading through the past post I noticed you were using motion capture to help things along. Is this to add animation cut scenes only or will it be for other uses?
• Will the interface still be point and click to move/interact with objects where the user can control the entire game with the mouse (right/left button) or will the game employ more of a WASD interface to control movement?
• Will locations be in a 3D environment with a camera that the user can use to rotate their view (similar to Mask of Eternity) or will it stay with a fixed interface?

[Shalkar]

Let's get this game on the road. 

[snabbott]

• Reading through the past post I noticed you were using motion capture to help things along. Is this to add animation cut scenes only or will it be for other uses?
• Will the interface still be point and click to move/interact with objects where the user can control the entire game with the mouse (right/left button) or will the game employ more of a WASD interface to control movement?
• Will locations be in a 3D environment with a camera that the user can use to rotate their view (similar to Mask of Eternity) or will it stay with a fixed interface?

1. I know they're doing some motion capture stuff, but I don't know enough to answer how it's being used.
2. Yes, it is still point-and-click.
3. The environment is 3D, but the camera is fixed, so it plays more like the classic Sierra "2.5-D" games - same as the previous episodes.

[KatieHal]

The mocap is being used for both cutscenes and other animations. We're also doing facial capture for the lip-sync.

In fact, we've had a few introductory mocap sessions go very well in the last few weeks. We're hoping soon to share some videos and even do a Facebook live or a stream of some kind to give a behind the scenes look at how it all works. Stay tuned to our FB & Twitter pages for those!

[GrahamRocks!]

So no more "origami mouth"?

[Numbers]

Most games have "origami mouths," to be fair. Lip-syncing rarely matches with spoken dialogue, even in games made by AAA developers.

[GrahamRocks!]

Good point, I suppose. but when mouths can literally do this- <> that looks weird. Or at least that was a friend of mine's problem with TSL, and one of his only problems with it.

[Jack Stryker]

I don't really pay much attention to that myself.  I'm bothered more by characters using computers and pressing the keys during moments where there really wouldn't be any typing involved.  (Sorry, Erica.)

[KatieHal]

LOL, I haven't heard of "origami mouth" before, but it does immediately evoke an accurate image! The lip syncing will certainly be better than the other TSL eps, with the focus being on the main, playable characters. Not promising that it'll be perfect, of course.

[Numbers]

Make sure that when you sync your audio, it will functionally work in-game, but also be endlessly exploitable by YouTubers who have too much time on their hands.

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BaTLcu-fMbs" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BaTLcu-fMbs</a>

[dasdean]

Two question I need to know. Since You're changing platforms (I think that's the word) are the requirements are going be the same or different from chapters 1-4? If different what are the requirements? If I miss i'm sorry.

Thanks,

Dean

[KatieHal]

They will likely be different, but I do not know them at this time. We'll have them when we release though.

[Shalkar]

Hello. What's going on? Any progress yet? It's almost September. I thought it was comning out this year. I don't want to keep waiting. Shalkar

[GrahamRocks!]

Shalkar. Stop. Just stop.

[Numbers]

I don't want to keep waiting.

Join the friggin' club, Shalkar. For God's sake, listen to GrahamRocks. Stop posting multiple times a month inquiring a progress update without reading the rest of the thread first. No one wants to see a thread about updates to a game getting pointlessly bumped by someone who isn't on the team with a years-long history of complaining. Is it really that vitally imperative to you that TSL Episode 5 comes out immediately in an unfinished state? Are you afraid the earth will get hit by an asteroid before it gets released? Be serious now.

[ShiftingBalance]

I don't mind waiting if needed but I am also wondering if the game is still on track for this year.