Fractal Softworks Forum
Other => Discussions => Topic started by: Cruis.In on May 11, 2013, 07:09:50 PM
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Hi everyone, Void of Darkness has been updated to version 1.1 with many fixes, enhancements and one major change to design involving special weapons and technology for the ship, how they are acquired etc. The New version (for persons who already have the game) will be available for download tomorrow and this post updated with the link.
You can read the patch notes here: http://vodgameforum.proboards.com/threads/recent/83 (http://vodgameforum.proboards.com/threads/recent/83)
A Windows demo of this latest build is available here: Download from http://www.gamefront.com/files/24056655/VOD+Demo+Installer.exe (http://www.gamefront.com/files/24056655/VOD+Demo+Installer.exe)
There is now a tutorial which begins when you undock from the station for the first time, after you have recruited your crew and named your ship. The in game 'codex' has been revamped to be more instructive and all of the entries work and have been updated to be in line with the design change. You can also 'restart' the tutorial from that codex interface.
Regards the demo - It is the full game with the only restriction being that your ship is confined to a particular area. Going beyond it will transport you back. Think of it as a simulation. It allows you to do everything still and explore most of the features apart from full on exploration i.e. Mining, communicating, salvaging, engage enemies, upgrade and trade.
The demo also includes a 'battle mode'. When you activate it, you are transported safely further away from the station. From there instructions are given on what to do. But it will spawn waves of enemies once you begin.
You can choose between two ships up front, the corvette and the heavy cruiser. Your ship has also been upgraded for the demo. You have full access to all special abilities (lower right window) and it's shields, weapons, engines and armor have been upgraded to some of the best available to help you out when the battle mode gets tough. The mode probably won't get too tough until you've reached wave 10 or more :)
On the 25th, a linear mission system to compliment the sandbox will be released. As it is now the game is quite like Starflight where you talk with the aliens to discover what to do where to go and solve the mysteries of the game. All of that will still be there, but playing in the 'mission mode' will give you access to these linear missions, which would probably enable you to experience the games story in a shorter period than being a space detective :)
I will continue to fix issues anyone comes across. The main (rare) issue I am encountering is compatibility with a few people's systems. I nor my few friend testers have experienced any crashes to desktop for some time now. But some people have reported issues with auto detect, could be related to video card or monitor. If you do experience issues, let me know I'll try to work with you to fix it and hopefully solve a compatibility issue at the same time. But generally it is running well on most PC's.
The frequent CTD's some people experienced in way earlier versions was related to the GUI text code. Since there is a lot of text in VOD, it presented an issue. Since those issues were fixed is when my ability to reproduce crashes ended.
Once the mission system is done, and I have fixed any remaining issues and more, I consider this chapter complete and I might try to get it green lit on steam for a wider release. Depending on the outcome of a wide release, chapter 2 and 3's fate to finish the story begun in this first release will be determined.
You can get the game here on Desura (http://www.desura.com/games/void-of-darkness)
Or here from Gamersgate (http://www.gamersgate.com/DD-VOD/void-of-darkness)
Synopsis
Void of Darkness is a 2d Starship Action Sandbox RPG Inspired by Starflight 1 & 2
100 years ago Terrans were driven from their homeworld by an unknown alien race. The Guardian Starship 'Void of Darkness' was the evacuation fleet's only escort. Upon deploying a prototype weapon against their pursuers, the ship vanished without a trace and the evacuation fleet was catapulted across the universe.
Now with the aid of an enigmatic alien race known as the 'Eurians', The Terran refugees have rebuilt their society and launched a new fleet of Starships.
Take command of your ship and crew. Trade, explore, survive and engage. You must discover what happened to the starship 'Void of Darkness' before a new threat seals Terran fates forever.
Featuring:
Engaging Starship combat
Unique weapons
Interact with other alien empires
Trade
Explore
Gather resources
Upgrade Your Ship
Ship Classes: Corvette - Carriers with fighters/bombers
Sandbox/Non linear RPG
Screens
(http://i1299.photobucket.com/albums/ag62/cruis_in1/voidofdarkness_940x370_banner1_zps379acd04.png) (http://s1299.photobucket.com/user/cruis_in1/media/voidofdarkness_940x370_banner1_zps379acd04.png.html)
(http://i1299.photobucket.com/albums/ag62/cruis_in1/Encounter_zpsea0e5af7.jpg) (http://s1299.photobucket.com/user/cruis_in1/media/Encounter_zpsea0e5af7.jpg.html)
Beta gameplay trailer:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D7lzdg6QYLw
Thanks!
-Justin
Project Creator
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A rather interesting concept you have there :)
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Already tracking that on IndieDB. :3
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Hey thanks guys.
NULL! lol
darn you are like me, tracking all the space games? I have a book mark "space games" all the ones in development. How do you think I found starfarer? And it is the first game I ever 'alpha funded' I love it.
I am even so bad now as to budget for indie space games to support each month, even if I won't play them all, because someone will, they just need a chance. It's too bad that most people would not remember Starflight, I myself played it when I was about 10. Finally finished it years later when I got older, and went back to it with dosbox and could figure out the clues better.
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Hah, Starfarer was my first alpha fund, too.
But I only track a few space games, there're so many interesting games coming to Linux these days that I have to be a bit picky, otherwise I'd be broke all the time.
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Starfarer was my first alpha, that sparked my interest in helping to fund budding game developers. Kickstarter helped too :D
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Thought I'd let you guys know the new website is live here:
http://www.voidofdarkness.com/
it should redirect properly, it works on my end. Let me know!
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Your link is wrong, it's http://www.voidofdarkness.com
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thanks!
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Hey there, this should give more of an insight into VOD's take on combat.
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Hey guys, I wrote some updates recently, relative to missions and exploratin, links can be found on the main site. Also put a video of some special weapon demonstrations up on the front page for everyone to see easier. thanks!
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Well, this looks promising :o. I guess you really can't have too many space games!
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thanks...the combat write up was here. http://www.indiedb.com/games/void-of-darkness/features/feature-combat-in-void-of-darkness (http://www.indiedb.com/games/void-of-darkness/features/feature-combat-in-void-of-darkness) didn't actually link it in the other post.
Missions feature: http://www.indiedb.com/games/void-of-darkness/features/missions-in-void-of-darkness
exploration: http://www.indiedb.com/games/void-of-darkness/features/exploration
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Forgot to link a new video showing an early look at assaulting a station with a small fleet.
http://www.indiedb.com/games/void-of-darkness/videos/station-assault
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Looking a lot better now man, keep it up then kickstarter it :D
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Hi sprog, no kickstarter for me. IndieGoGo.
Also yeh, quality art work isn't cheap. And it shouldn't be...it takes serious talent! Thanks for the feedback.
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Oh, I thought you'd do alpha funding on Desura.
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I can't launch to Desura because I have some copy righted place holders. Unless I stripped out most of the ship art and launched it. Not sure how much sales I'd get on Desura then which would allow me to buy art.
You see, people have this habit of reviewing alphas as final games, not necessarily on Desura but throughout the net. I read a 'impressions' of a pre-alpha for cdf ghost ship in January...pre alpha! The guy complained the monsters didn't move properly, that the sounds weren't good. I mean jeez, at that stage of the project its all place holders. And this was a guy who claims he is a professional writer for xxyyzz...
It was an article on an indie gamer website on the game cdf ghostship.
Here's a new silly video of VOD... http://www.indiedb.com/games/void-of-darkness/videos/vod-teaser
:)
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I see, that's too bad. Do you still plan to get on Desura later then, after you're funded on IndieGogo?
It's true though, no matter how big the letters are you write "ALPHA" with, there're always people complaining.
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If the IndieGoGo fails, I will release triangles and squares on Desura LOL and hope to fund the art with it. I really just need creative content badly, art and sounds.
Thanks for your support null.
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Sure, no problem.
I for one welcome our rectangular overlords.
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lol........rectangular overlords. That's a good one...
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Hey everyone, I've uploaded a short new trailer.
It summarizes a bit of the back story for the game, the complete story can be found at www.voidofdarkness.com
Watch here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qyc3SCy2mDM&feature=youtu.be
or here:
http://www.indiedb.com/games/void-of-darkness/videos/void-of-darkness-teaser
-Justin
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Hey everyone, a month ago I announced our campaign on IndieGoGo for the 26th. Well we commence in 3 days on Wednesday 26th.... this week.
I know that Starsector has forgone a crowdfund. There is one big difference between me and Starsector. I am not a team, I have to hire additional help for the project to complete the creative content. This is the only way I will be able to complete VoD in any reasonable amount of time the way it was meant to be.
I am asking for your support in any way you can, whether to help spread word about the campaign across space game sites in a cordial discussion kind of way, such as hey there's a new game being made check it out...that kind of thing. And if you can support the campaign please do.
The rewards range from alpha/beta access direct involvement with development to boxed copies, printed manuals and starmaps of the games universe. Practical things which will help you play the game. There are no, design your own race, species, or other potentially game changing rewards.
Thanks.
-Justin
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Hey everyone, our campaign is now live on Indiegogo at http://igg.me/at/VoD/x/3267940
If you can support us I'd be eternally grateful. Thank you.
-Justin
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I wish you luck and hope you'll reach your goal!
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hi thanks null. :)
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New combat footage trailer
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y0pF4JsXgps&feature=youtu.be
Thanks!
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Hey guys posted a demonstration of how you might explore in VoD. The game and content is far from final, this is just a demonstration of using your starmap, jump drive, ftl drive and tactical and assistance from your crew to explore.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ubbRDo28lJw&feature=youtu.be
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Hey bud, want your game reviewed in it's current state!
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Hey sprog, I was on vacation for an entire month and I really was not doing much work wise.
I am back at it. A demo is due to be released only shortly on Desura, it is a stripped down demo, similar to starsector in that it is mainly combat only. All the rpg elements, story, dynamic events etc are disabled. Just combat.
Still needs funds to complete the art for the story. Can't talk to aliens with no alien pictures lol...well you could but it might be not be very immerse. I've found the better games or the ones you actually liked or wanted to play in terms of space games were able to immerse you in them well.
I hope for a lot of constructive feedback on the demo to make it better!
What did you mean by your last post? Reviewed in current form is a bit vague, would it be taking into consideration the mitigating factors? Or do like some alpha reviewers and wonder 'why x doesn't work' or 'why you can't do this'.
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We can always do the review together? That's always fun as dev comments are usually helpful and gain a lot of attention
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Lol, that sounds like it would be fun!
How does it work? I watch some kind of live connection while you play and we record our conversation?
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Lol, that sounds like it would be fun!
How does it work? I watch some kind of live connection while you play and we record our conversation?
Got it in one lol
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Ok I sent you a PM, I am laughing already at the hilarious prospect that could ensue seeing someone try it for the first time with no previous experience while I watch and try to help!
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Ok I sent you a PM, I am laughing already at the hilarious prospect that could ensue seeing someone try it for the first time with no previous experience while I watch and try to help!
Haha yeah, should be fun. You'd better have a mic lol
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Hi everyone Desura approved the alpha fund demo. You can pre-order it from now http://www.desura.com/games/void-of-darkness
However, the demo unlocks on the 23rd this month at midnight.
Will post more later! Thanks.
p.s. hope to have the linux version available for download as well by then!
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Cool man! Try posting on the Bay12 Forums too, they get tons of attention
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I don't have an account, don't want to create one just to do the thread, however if you do and you created a thread I'd post to it :)
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I don't have an account, don't want to create one just to do the thread, however if you do and you created a thread I'd post to it :)
ARG, will do it Wednesday. Remind me in a pm on Wednesday of things I need to do
(I should have my own secretary lol)
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Hi, I posted up a new video here: http://www.desura.com/games/void-of-darkness/videos/combat-demo
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Hi, I posted up a new video here: http://www.desura.com/games/void-of-darkness/videos/combat-demo
Cool! Glad you got onto Desura! I'll look later! And we can hopefully record too
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Hi, Brian over at SpaceGameJunkie.com (http://SpaceGameJunkie.com) did a preview of the demo:
http://www.spacegamejunkie.com/previews/void-darkness-alpha-impressions/
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hey everyone the Linux branch of the VOD alpha is now available on Desura. Thanks.
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Hey everyone the mac version of the demo is now available on Desura.
http://www.desura.com/games/void-of-darkness (http://www.desura.com/games/void-of-darkness)
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Cruis, Message me on Skype, I'm ready to record!
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good news, look forward to it! We'll talk :)
Update:
Hey everyone I am working with an artist now, just needed to put an ad out and got a lot of applications. Well an ad where people could see it.
I've updated the main website and https://www.facebook.com/pages/Void-of-Darkness/580044465362395 (https://www.facebook.com/pages/Void-of-Darkness/580044465362395) with some concept art coming out. Only been on it a few days now.
We'll be tackling the starship assets first.
Also I have added carrier class vessels to the game. http://vodgameforum.proboards.com/thread...ss-vessels (http://vodgameforum.proboards.com/thread...ss-vessels)
Thanks!
Homepage:
http://www.voidofdarkness.com/ (http://www.voidofdarkness.com/)
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Hi everyone, I posted a dev update to Desura and the official page, so you can check em out.
In summary we're still on target for a full release in December. You can grab the game between now and then for half price on Desura. Hopefully a full beta of the game will be released later this month on Desura. Everything will be in and turned on. Looking for feedback and bug fixes and polish!
Void of Darkness (http://www.desura.com/games/void-of-darkness)
Official Site (http://voidofdarkness.com)
Help me spread the word of the game if you can!
thanks,
Justin
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Hi everyone, I am so happy to announce, that VOD has entered a beta testing phase. It is feature complete, and feature frozen. I will be polishing, and fixing bugs and working on the user experience and learning curve. Some place holder art is still in, and some more sounds are needed, but those are assets which have nothing to do with the code and the way the game can now be experienced.
The official launch date is now December 15th. So three weeks of feedback from anyone playing the game will see it in even better light. It is still available for 5.99 on Desura right now, so grab it while you can! :)
Everything has been enabled. Thanks for your support!
Http://www.desura.com/games/void-of-darkness (http://Http://www.desura.com/games/void-of-darkness)
(http://i1299.photobucket.com/albums/ag62/cruis_in1/title_zpsb2d5b260.jpg) (http://s1299.photobucket.com/user/cruis_in1/media/title_zpsb2d5b260.jpg.html)
-Justin
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Thought I'd throw some screen shots here...
Drop from warp
(http://i1299.photobucket.com/albums/ag62/cruis_in1/encounter3_zps6a595d7f.jpg) (http://s1299.photobucket.com/user/cruis_in1/media/encounter3_zps6a595d7f.jpg.html)
'Battling
(http://i1299.photobucket.com/albums/ag62/cruis_in1/encounter2_zpsba4e97ab.jpg) (http://s1299.photobucket.com/user/cruis_in1/media/encounter2_zpsba4e97ab.jpg.html)
Alien Encounter
(http://i1299.photobucket.com/albums/ag62/cruis_in1/Encounter_zpsea0e5af7.jpg) (http://s1299.photobucket.com/user/cruis_in1/media/Encounter_zpsea0e5af7.jpg.html)
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Hi everyone VOD is on sale today on Desura. It will be the last chance to get it at its current price for now. Thanks :)
http://www.desura.com/games/void-of-darkness
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hey guys, updated the main post with a new trailer.
New Combat trailer: (version 1.04 release)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A_I-BMarB6M&feature=youtu.be
Thanks!
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hi guys, Void of Darkness is now available from Gamersgate http://www.gamersgate.com/DD-VOD/void-of-darkness
thanks,
-Justin
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half off in the http://www.dailyroyale.com/ (http://www.dailyroyale.com/) deal
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Hi guys, a Demo (based on the latest version 1.1 released today) is now available here from Gamefront (http://www.gamefront.com/files/24056655/VOD+Demo+Installer.exe)
Patch notes for that latest version are here: http://vodgameforum.proboards.com/threads/recent/83
Regards the demo - It is the full game with the only restriction being that your ship is confined to a particular area. Going beyond it will transport you back. Think of it as a simulation. It allows you to do everything still and explore most of the features apart from full on exploration i.e. Mining, communicating, salvaging, engage enemies, upgrade and trade.
The demo also includes a 'battle mode'. When you activate it, you are transported safely further away from the station. From there instructions are given on what to do. But it will spawn waves of enemies once you begin.
You can choose between two ships up front, the corvette and the heavy cruiser. Your ship has also been upgraded for the demo. You have full access to all special abilities (lower right window) and it's shields, weapons, engines and armor have been upgraded to some of the best available to help you out when the battle mode gets tough. The mode probably won't get too tough until you've reached wave 10 or more :)
thanks,
-Justin
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Dealspwn.com did a piece and a let's play in 1080p on youtube here:
http://www.dealspwn.com/lets-play-void-darkness-167095
I thought it was a well done let's play! More to come they say. He was playing v1.0.7.7
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This looks better than X: Rebirth!
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This looks better than X: Rebirth!
That ain't saying much...
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This looks better than X: Rebirth!
That ain't saying much...
I know, right?
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Just downloaded the 1.1 version from Dedura and got the 1.1b patch.