SpiritWars

Announcements => Announcements => : Light June 11, 2016, 06:33:47 AM

: Official updates and teasers
: Light June 11, 2016, 06:33:47 AM
Welcome to the official update and teaser thread.  My purpose for this thread to create a single place to provide all updates (along with some teasers!).  I'm excited to share our progress with the community and welcome any feedback anyone has on the direction we're currently going in. 
: Re: Official updates and teasers
: Light June 11, 2016, 06:49:08 AM
Teaser #1:

Here's a screen shot of a very early rough draft of the new map. The graphics are simply placeholders, and will be changed in the future.  The purpose of this picture is to display the different camera angle and depth aspect. 

Most map tiles are "flat", while highlands are high and lowlands are low.  While this changes the entire look and feel of the SW map, it brings things more in line with the graphics of today. 

Comments, ideas, adn other other feedback is both welcomed and appreciated!

(http://i1229.photobucket.com/albums/ee477/xLight7x/map_1.png) (http://s1229.photobucket.com/user/xLight7x/media/map_1.png.html)
: Re: Official updates and teasers
: TwistedMe June 11, 2016, 08:53:56 AM
Awesome... I'm not going to let myself get excited... but I can't think of anything I would rather do than play some SpiritWars... too late, I'm excited again...  ;D
: Re: Official updates and teasers
: LDZ June 11, 2016, 09:25:54 AM
Me too. I really hope this game comes back. I really used to enjoy it. I will happily pay to play it again.
: Re: Official updates and teasers
: Forgestone June 11, 2016, 07:40:20 PM
 ;D Looks nice. Can't wait to see (and play) more.
: Re: Official updates and teasers
: liquidies June 12, 2016, 05:54:31 PM
This is wonderful news. Been waiting for news like this for at least 15 years. Lol
To make this whole thing successful i do recommend if not already in the works is to make this an app. Good luck with all the hard work......can't wait  ;)
: Re: Official updates and teasers
: Lotar June 13, 2016, 06:09:12 AM
Nice!!

Good vibes your way...
: Re: Official updates and teasers
: Imprimis June 13, 2016, 04:09:21 PM
This is the most unexpected email I have gotten in a loooong time. So stoked for this game to come back!!!
: Re: Official updates and teasers
: Psyclone June 14, 2016, 12:23:59 PM
I've played a few games similar to SpiritWars over the years and am currently playing one (a little bit) that is similar to SpiritWars in some ways.  It's a CCG with a Hexagonal Map in which your attempting to destroy your opponents Castle (or orb in this case).

The game is called Faeria and it's currently in Early Release on Steam.  The game has some great graphics and animations that are really nice that I think are worth looking at.

Unfortunately, I'm not a big fan of the game play at all for numerous reasons and think SpiritWars is superior in just about every way, but there are some nice elements to the game, particularly the graphics and animations.  I just wanted to share this with you, the developers, as it might give you some direction or ideas.  They use a similar camera angle to the teaser you posted above (maybe a little more overhead, but similar).

Here's some links to YouTube videos of Faeria...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=THpoiHciAw8
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XaZBcXsIYuY
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xGcmdPVsPiU
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uoiW7aBbNEk
: Re: Official updates and teasers
: cbrooks June 14, 2016, 04:16:09 PM
I've played a few games similar to SpiritWars over the years and am currently playing one (a little bit) that is similar to SpiritWars in some ways.  It's a CCG with a Hexagonal Map in which your attempting to destroy your opponents Castle (or orb in this case).

The game is called Faeria and it's currently in Early Release on Steam.  The game has some great graphics and animations that are really nice that I think are worth looking at.

Unfortunately, I'm not a big fan of the game play at all for numerous reasons and think SpiritWars is superior in just about every way, but there are some nice elements to the game, particularly the graphics and animations.  I just wanted to share this with you, the developers, as it might give you some direction or ideas.  They use a similar camera angle to the teaser you posted above (maybe a little more overhead, but similar).

Here's some links to YouTube videos of Faeria...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=THpoiHciAw8
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XaZBcXsIYuY
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xGcmdPVsPiU
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uoiW7aBbNEk
This is a very good representation of the types of games we are up against.  On our part we will be modernizing SW and redesigning many of the aspects without hopefully taking away from the feel of the original. It will not be the exact same game you played in 1999 and may offer features the original never had such as procedurally generated maps and multiplayer(2+) game  modes.  We are trying to stay way from pay to win as well. 

Thanks,
Chris(rivstyx)
: Re: Official updates and teasers
: Psyclone June 14, 2016, 04:25:49 PM
This is a very good representation of the types of games we are up against.  On our part we will be modernizing SW and redesigning many of the aspects without hopefully taking away from the feel of the original. It will not be the exact same game you played in 1999 and may offer features the original never had such as procedurally generated maps and multiplayer(2+) game  modes.  We are trying to stay way from pay to win as well. 

Thanks,
Chris(rivstyx)
Hey rivstyx.  Not sure if you remember me, my SW name was "Kevin".  We've definitely played a lot of games together.

Out of curiosity, are you considering procedurally generated maps of different sizes and shapes?

The original SW maps are 86 tiles and always the same shape.  If you're considering adding multiplayer game modes, which sounds awesome, having different sizes and shapes of maps would probably be something to consider (if you haven't already).
: Re: Official updates and teasers
: cbrooks June 19, 2016, 11:46:57 AM
Yep, I remember you well :)

Yes, multiplayer maps(>2 players) would be larger and I am tossing around at least three different modes for maps...
1)  Classic Mode 
This is an homage to the original SW.  Playing in this mode will randomly choose one of the classic maps made by Randy. You would be able to gain and lose spirits and there would be fog of war.

2) Procedurally generated maps
This is the default mode. This mode creates random maps procedurally at run time.  You would be able to gain and lose spirits and there would be fog of war.

3) Player created maps.  I have reviewed Randy's old map editor and I think it would be cool for players to make their own maps as well. Players could invite other players to play on their maps however there would be no spirit gain or loss and no fog of war in this mode.  This mode could also include the ability for players to snap their maps together to create larger maps.

I have a very basic example of the procedural map generation without any rules and more tile types than the original had if you want to look at it...
http://rivstyx.com/spiritwars/sw.zip

Download the zip file to a pc and extract the contents to a folder. Then navigate to the folder and launch sw.exe.
You will be presented with the classic SW splash screen :)  Upon clicking it or hitting a key you will be presented with a map.
You can use the arrow keys to move around the map and the mouse wheel to zoom in and out.
pressing "R" will generate a new map randomly. There are no rules in place so the tiles are completely random at this time.
pressing escape will exit the application.

Let me know what you think and I will occasionally be adding more to it as we go.

Thanks,
Chris






: Re: Official updates and teasers
: Psyclone June 19, 2016, 07:23:58 PM
Yep, I remember you well :)

Yes, multiplayer maps(>2 players) would be larger and I am tossing around at least three different modes for maps...
1)  Classic Mode 
This is an homage to the original SW.  Playing in this mode will randomly choose one of the classic maps made by Randy. You would be able to gain and lose spirits and there would be fog of war.

2) Procedurally generated maps
This is the default mode. This mode creates random maps procedurally at run time.  You would be able to gain and lose spirits and there would be fog of war.

3) Player created maps.  I have reviewed Randy's old map editor and I think it would be cool for players to make their own maps as well. Players could invite other players to play on their maps however there would be no spirit gain or loss and no fog of war in this mode.  This mode could also include the ability for players to snap their maps together to create larger maps.

I have a very basic example of the procedural map generation without any rules and more tile types than the original had if you want to look at it...
http://rivstyx.com/spiritwars/sw.zip

Download the zip file to a pc and extract the contents to a folder. Then navigate to the folder and launch sw.exe.
You will be presented with the classic SW splash screen :)  Upon clicking it or hitting a key you will be presented with a map.
You can use the arrow keys to move around the map and the mouse wheel to zoom in and out.
pressing "R" will generate a new map randomly. There are no rules in place so the tiles are completely random at this time.
pressing escape will exit the application.

Let me know what you think and I will occasionally be adding more to it as we go.

Thanks,
Chris
Sweet.  I know it's not much, but the functionality looks good.

Thanks for the updates.
: Re: Official updates and teasers
: Light August 11, 2016, 07:15:14 PM
Some technological issues, and summer, got in the way for a little bit, but we are still making progress.

Chris has been hard at work on the map and unit interaction aspects of the game.  I think his words explain it best, so I'm going to quote him:

"There is a button which changes the players turns.  There are four player in this example.  Red, Yellow and Blue all own 2 horses of their color. The green player owns a yellow tank.  green is yellow because I don't have a green tank :)

From this example you can see movement among multiple player turns and that the spirits can see and navigate around each other. "

You can download the .exe here: http://rivstyx.com/spiritwars/sw.zip
Download and extract the file, run sw.exe.  Hit escape to exit. 

Enjoy.
: Re: Official updates and teasers
: Fozzy August 29, 2016, 09:28:41 PM
I have been waiting for this game to be resurrected for decades! Please bring it back. It was fun, it was amazing, it was beautiful, and it was such a blast! Please please please bring it back.
: Re: Official updates and teasers
: Lyn Chase September 01, 2016, 07:57:48 PM
Hi Fozzy,
  I'm so happy to see you here!  Randy would be so pleased to find his old friends/players looking forward to SpiritWars' return.  We have added a new developer/programmer to the team, also named Chris.  We are moving forward with a development tool called Unity.  This should allow the game to perform on multiple platforms.  I would love  to discuss the finer points of the game or programming issues but alas, I am just a nurse, I never played the game (although I had an active presence in the chat rooms as Mom), and my role on the  development team is cheerleader.  Randy's and my son Eric is also part of the team and our other son Jonathan  is advising as his schedule allows.  It has been 7.5 years since Randy's sudden death and it has been my dream to bring the game back.  I think we just might succeed this time.  Please continue to check back here for updates.  Progress is slow because we all have other jobs/responsibilities but we are really trying!
       Lyn (aka Mom)
: Re: Official updates and teasers
: Fozzy September 03, 2016, 11:27:40 AM
That is very good to hear. I am sorry to hear about Randy, I am grateful for what he created and glad that his legacy live on in his family.

God bless you all!   :D
: Re: Official updates and teasers
: TwistedMe March 25, 2017, 02:01:31 PM
Just doing my annual check-in... hope all is well!  The company "Supercell" is set to do 4.3 Billion in sales this year with Clash of Clans and Clash Royal... 4.3 BILLION... and both games are weak compared to SW... we making any progress?  I'm ready to throw money at you... take my money...
: Re: Official updates and teasers
: Vampira June 06, 2017, 11:07:36 PM
Woohooo ALL.... grab your goodies ... I'm BACK .. and starveing...
CHOMP CHOMP. :)
: Re: Official updates and teasers
: Fozzy January 11, 2018, 06:39:18 PM
Any new updates to the future of SpiritWars?   :'(
: Re: Official updates and teasers
: Fozzy December 25, 2020, 09:05:33 PM
Here we are years later and still wishing we had a mobile version of SW. Still hands down the most beautiful and fun game I've ever played. Please let me know how we can help.
bafosmark@gmail.com
: Re: Official updates and teasers
: Lyn Chase December 26, 2020, 03:30:44 PM
Fozzy, I've sent you an email.  It has gone to the email address I have on file for you. 
   Lyn Chase