Welcome to another devlog where we delve into the animation process for our characters. In this devlog, we're focusing on the step-by-step journey of creating captivating character animations that seamlessly blends realism and creativity.
At the core of our animation prowess lie two extraordinary tools: Spine, our gateway to three-dimensional wizardry and lifelike motion, and After Effects, our secret ingredient that adds an extra layer of enchantment to our visual symphonies.
Our animation process begins by bringing characters to life. We start with simple line art and carefully fill it with vibrant colors. Each part of the character is like a canvas, where we add facial features that express emotions for our audience to connect with. Finally, the finished artwork is divided into sections, all set for the rigging process.
Rigging:
We take our characters off the flat paper and make them 3D using rigging. We use a special tool called Spine for this. In Spine, we use some fancy tricks like bones, skins, and meshes with rules to make things look super real. Imagine our characters having their own muscles and joints! This makes them move just like real people or animals. It's like giving them a special framework that lets them come to life, allowing the character to move realistically.
Keyframing:
Next, we decide on important poses for our characters. These poses are like freeze-frames that show their movements. It's like telling a story with pictures. These special poses help our characters move in a way that looks right and feels good.
In-betweening:
But smooth movement needs some extra help. We add more frames between those special poses to make the motion nice and smooth. It's like adding those little moments when our characters take breaths or move just a tiny bit. This makes their animation look really natural.
Polishing:
Lastly, we pay attention to the small details. We make sure everything looks perfect. We adjust how fast they move, how their arms and legs bend, and even how they slow down or speed up. This step makes sure our character movements look just like real life.
Here’s a short video showing the process:
Stay tuned for more behind-the-scenes insights, where we continue to craft moments that blur the line between reality and imagination. Until then, keep dreaming and animating!
Dev Log #29 - Crafting Concept Arts Gallery Feature
Greetings, fellow adventurers!
Today, we embark on an exhilarating journey as we unveil a captivating feature: the Concept Arts Gallery. This gallery promises users a unique experience, offering a mesmerizing glimpse into the creative odyssey of game development.
Our vision for this feature transcends mere gameplay; it aims to immerse players not only in the final product but also in the enthralling voyage that birthed it. In our game, feathers serve as collectibles, strategically placed within each level. However, we wanted these feathers to symbolize more than mere adornments; they embody a currency, unlocking something truly special for our users. Thus, the Concept Arts Gallery was born.
Carefully crafting each level, our primary focus remains on delivering engaging puzzles without allowing feathers to detract from the core gameplay. Scattered throughout every level, these feathers beckon players with a secondary objective—to collect and unlock the hidden treasures of our creative journey. Upon amassing three feathers, a unique concept art piece is unveiled in the Gallery, offering players an intimate peek into our evolution from inception to realization.
We're exhilarated by the potential of this feature to forge deeper connections between players and our game. By providing a window into the evolution of our ideas, from raw concept to polished product, we aim to enrich the overall gaming experience, fostering immersion and reward.
In the weeks ahead, our efforts will be dedicated to refining the implementation of this feature, ensuring that the process of collecting feathers and unlocking concept art seamlessly integrates within the gameplay loop. We eagerly anticipate witnessing how players respond to this unprecedented glimpse behind the scenes of our game's development.
Embark with us on this thrilling adventure, as we explore the boundless realms of creativity and imagination.
Get ready to hear some exciting updates to our beloved game characters.In this devlog, we're thrilled to share the intricate details of our latest enhancements in response to player feedback and our relentless pursuit of excellence. Brace yourselves for a journey through the realms of design innovation as we delve into the evolution of our characters.
We've undergone a comprehensive revamp of our characters, focusing on two key areas: adding outlines for optimal visibility across all screen resolutions and implementing various visual enhancements to infuse more personality and definition into our characters.
1. Prominent Outlines for Consistent Visibility: One of the primary challenges we aimed to address was ensuring that our characters maintained their visual appeal across different screen resolutions. To achieve this, we introduced prominent outlines that effectively highlight the contours and details of each character. By carefully selecting outline thickness and color, we’ve managed to enhance visibility without compromising the integrity of our character designs. Now, whether playing on a large monitor or a mobile device, players can enjoy crisp and clear character visuals that truly stand out against any background.
2. Visual Enhancements for Added Personality: In addition to outlining, we’ve implemented a series of visual enhancements to inject more personality and definition into our characters. From subtle facial expressions to nuanced animations, we’ve focused on refining every aspect of our characters’ appearances to make them more lifelike and engaging. Whether it’s a twinkle in the eye or a playful smirk, these enhancements contribute to a richer and more immersive gaming experience, allowing players to connect with our characters on a deeper level.
Looking Ahead: The revamping of our game characters marks just the beginning of our ongoing efforts to enhance the visual quality and overall experience of our game. As we continue to iterate and refine, we’re excited to explore further opportunities for innovation and creativity.
Stay tuned for more updates as we embark on this journey of continual improvement and innovation!
Exciting news! Lost twins II is making its grand debut at #SteamNextFest, and you're cordially invited to join us from February 5th to 12th for an exclusive hands-on experience with our latest updated demo! Brace yourselves for thrilling adventures as you explore a host of exciting features.
But wait, there's more! In celebration of this momentous occasion, we're hosting a special dev stream. Get ready to join us as we showcase the sneak peaks to our gameplay.
So mark your calendars and save the date! It's going to be an epic gathering of mischief, mayhem, and of course, memorable moments. Don't miss out – we'll see you there! 👋
Exciting news! Lost twins II is making its grand debut at #SteamNextFest, and you're cordially invited to join us from February 5th to 12th for an exclusive hands-on experience with our latest updated demo! Brace yourselves for thrilling adventures as you explore a host of exciting features.
But wait, there's more! In celebration of this momentous occasion, we're hosting a special dev stream. Get ready to join us as we showcase the sneak peaks to our gameplay.
So mark your calendars and save the date! It's going to be an epic gathering of mischief, mayhem, and of course, memorable moments. Don't miss out – we'll see you there! 👋
Exciting news! Lost twins II is making its grand debut at #SteamNextFest, and you're cordially invited to join us from February 5th to 12th for an exclusive hands-on experience with our latest updated demo! Brace yourselves for thrilling adventures as you explore a host of exciting features.
But wait, there's more! In celebration of this momentous occasion, we're hosting a special dev stream. Get ready to join us as we showcase the sneak peaks to our gameplay.
So mark your calendars and save the date! It's going to be an epic gathering of mischief, mayhem, and of course, memorable moments. Don't miss out – we'll see you there! 👋
We've got something seriously exciting brewing, and we can't wait to share it with you. So buckle up, hold on to your controllers, and get ready for a wild ride as we unveil the latest updates in our game demo.
We're thrilled to unveil the latest improvements and updates to our demo. As we continue to refine and enhance our game, we've focused on several key areas to deliver an even more engaging and immersive experience for players.
Enhanced Graphics and Visuals:
We've implemented a range of graphical enhancements, including improved textures, lighting effects, and character animations. Players can expect a more visually stunning world with greater detail and depth, drawing them further into the game's immersive universe.
Gameplay Tweaks:
Based on valuable feedback from our community and playtesters, we've fine-tuned various aspects of gameplay to improve balance and overall enjoyment. Adjustments to certain levels and difficulty areas aim to provide a more satisfying and rewarding gameplay experience.
New Hub Area:
This dynamic space is more than just a menu; it's your gateway to boundless adventure, your ticket to exploration. Here, each level is not just a choice but a tantalizing doorway to untold wonders, showcasing the beauty of our three distinct zones.
Begin your journey amidst the freezing castle, where the icy stronghold stands as a testament to resilience and mystery. Venture forth, and you'll find yourself immersed in the enchanting embrace of the Magical Forest. Towering trees and whimsical wonders beckon, crackling with the promise of adventure and the allure of the unknown. But the journey doesn't end there. Venture deeper into the Toy Zone, where childhood dreams come to life in a riot of color and imagination. Gigantic teddy bears stand sentinel over fields of oversized toys, inviting you into a world where play knows no bounds.
As you navigate through our Level Selection Hub, prepare to be mesmerized by its vibrant tapestry of sights. Each level beckons with its own unique charm, its own set of challenges, and its own secrets waiting to be uncovered.
Art Gallery:
We're excited to introduce our Art Gallery feature – a window into the soul of our development journey offering behind-the-scenes pictures that offer a glimpse into the creation of our immersive world. Explore concept sketches and breathtaking artwork that breathe life into our game world. From the initial spark of an idea to the final brushstroke of polish, each picture captures a moment in time, a snapshot of the journey that brought our vision to life.
Performance Optimization:
We've optimized performance across a range of hardware configurations to ensure smooth and fluid gameplay on a variety of systems. Whether playing on high-end gaming rigs or more modest setups, players can expect consistent performance and responsiveness throughout their gaming experience.
Bug Fixes and Polish:
We've addressed numerous bugs and issues reported by players, enhancing overall stability and polish. From minor graphical glitches to critical gameplay issues, our team has worked tirelessly to deliver a seamless and enjoyable demo experience.
We're incredibly grateful for the support and enthusiasm of everyone who has played our demo and provided feedback thus far. Your input is invaluable to us as we work towards creating the best possible gaming experience. We can't wait for you to dive into the latest version of our demo and experience the world we've been tirelessly crafting.
Thank you for joining us on this journey, and we look forward to sharing more updates and exciting developments in the near future!
Best Regards, Playdew Team
New Gameplay Trailer Is Here. Watch Now!
Hey there, gamers!
The moment has arrived, and we're beyond thrilled to drop the curtains on our official gameplay trailer, marking the countdown to the big release in 2024!
Let's feast your eyes on the trailer that's been in the making. It's a glimpse into the heart and soul of what we've crafted for you all. The excitement's real, and we can't wait to share it.
Devlog #27 : Tutorial
Greetings, intrepid adventurers! Today, we're thrilled to take you on a captivating journey into the intricate world of tutorial design for Lost Twins 2.
Our quest to perfect the tutorial experience began with a crystal-clear vision: to create a tutorial that seamlessly guides and empowers newcomers, offering a comprehensive introduction to the game without overwhelming them.
🌟 Setting the Stage 🌟
From the very moment you set foot in Lost Twins 2, you'll find yourself immersed in an enigmatic lore that beckons you to explore. Our mission is to gently usher players into mastery of the game's controls. This initial experience, often referred to as the FTUE (First Time User Experience), serves as your inaugural encounter with the game's world. During this initiation, you'll become acquainted with the unique environment, learn the controls, and get a glimpse of the perplexing puzzles that will soon put your intellect to the test. These puzzles are designed to both captivate and confound, ensuring players are fully engaged and ready to unravel the mysteries that lie ahead.
The tutorial is composed of two distinct layers, each playing a crucial role in preparing players for their grand adventure.
🌟The Basics 🌟 The first layer is all about mastering the fundamentals. Here, you'll learn the ropes of general character movements, how to seamlessly switch between characters, interact with the world around you, and even how to zoom in and out to discover the world's intricate details. This layer equips you with a solid foundation in the game's mechanics, ensuring you're well-prepared for the epic journey that awaits.
🌟The Art of Shuffling 🌟 The second layer delves into a pivotal aspect of our gameplay: the piece-shuffling mechanism. This core mechanic is essential for progressing through levels, so it's vital that you grasp its intricacies. By dividing the tutorial into these two layers, we strike a delicate balance. We provide you with a broad understanding of the game's mechanics, granting you the knowledge to embark on your adventure, while leaving room for your innate intelligence and problem-solving skills to shine as you advance through the game. This approach empowers you to explore and learn as you go, enhancing your sense of discovery and accomplishment.
We're tremendously grateful for your unwavering support, and we can't wait to share more with you next week! Keep the adventure alive by following us on social media for all the latest updates.
Until then, stay curious and keep those gaming spirits high!
