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Critique => Devlogs & Projects => Topic started by: dewdle on July 27, 2016, 04:57:34 am

Title: Twelve Absent Men - Legal Drama Game - Released!
Post by: dewdle on July 27, 2016, 04:57:34 am
Hi all,

Twelve Absent Men is now out!

Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.atreyugames.twelveabsentmen
iOS: https://itunes.apple.com/ca/app/twelve-absent-men/id1161909446?mt=8


Twelve Absent Men is a satirical legal adventure game with comedic characters, an enthralling storyline and a polished, modern cartoon look. Solve puzzles, confound witnesses and outwit the state prosecutor in this race to that crucial verdict: not-guilty!

Here's a link to the feature trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fBm7B6wfpNY (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fBm7B6wfpNY)

Here are some shots of my approach to the 3D art so far.

(https://embed.gyazo.com/f3a414c962d7c5813c3d85f58e7baa4c.jpg)
(https://embed.gyazo.com/f7d67b4a180ff73ed527ccd30f62eec8.jpg)

Any comments are welcome.

(Here's a link to the mobile version: www.atreyugames.com (http://www.atreyugames.com) Check it out!)
Title: Re: Twelve Absent Men - Legal Drama Game - Pictures!
Post by: dewdle on August 01, 2016, 02:29:04 am
Some further shots of the lawyer's office:

(https://i.gyazo.com/8411caf26baba14c56468396d8f56768.jpg)
(https://i.gyazo.com/c581b449413f423034d6b988e0cc79fa.jpg)
(https://i.gyazo.com/b7606702c67b192c8e55ab55497b82d9.jpg)


Check out the mobile version: http//atreyugames.com (http://http//atreyugames.com)
Title: Re: Twelve Absent Men - Legal Drama Game - Pictures!
Post by: dewdle on August 08, 2016, 07:01:19 am
Here are a few pics of the mobile version :D

Quote
(https://atreyugamesblog.files.wordpress.com/2016/07/2.png)
(https://atreyugamesblog.files.wordpress.com/2016/07/3.png)
(https://atreyugamesblog.files.wordpress.com/2016/07/4.png)
(https://atreyugamesblog.files.wordpress.com/2016/07/1.png)

Site link: http://atreyugames.com
Title: Re: Twelve Absent Men - Legal Drama Game - Pictures!
Post by: MysteryMeat on August 08, 2016, 08:39:47 am
Unfortunately the style clashes horribly with the well-tempered backgrounds. Look into either simpler backgrounds or an artist who can do higher-detail work.
Title: Re: Twelve Absent Men - Legal Drama Game - Pictures!
Post by: dewdle on August 08, 2016, 09:36:06 am
Thanks for the feedback  :)

We've already produced character animations and are working on a redesign of the backgrounds and dialogue UI. I'm thinking of only using cartoon backgrounds - but we'll see how it all looks.  ;)
Title: Re: Twelve Absent Men - Legal Drama Game - Pictures!
Post by: MysteryMeat on August 08, 2016, 11:27:28 pm
Thanks for the feedback  :)

We've already produced character animations and are working on a redesign of the backgrounds and dialogue UI. I'm thinking of only using cartoon backgrounds - but we'll see how it all looks.  ;)
One idea might just be to switch up the saturation some a bit, actually. "Wash out" the look of the characters, or turn up the color depth on the backgrounds to be cartoonier while still looking nice.
Title: Re: Twelve Absent Men - Legal Drama Game - Pictures!
Post by: dewdle on August 18, 2016, 01:38:15 am
New pic of a diner for a cutscene I'm working on:

(http://cd8ba0b44a15c10065fd-24461f391e20b7336331d5789078af53.r23.cf1.rackcdn.com/polycount.vanillaforums.com/editor/lx/7jpmiofwcb1k.jpeg)
Title: Re: Twelve Absent Men - Legal Drama Game - Pictures!
Post by: dewdle on August 23, 2016, 03:42:06 am
Hey Everyone,

We're hard at work on an upcoming trailer for Twelve Absent Men (mobile edition)!

The screenshots below feature the murder victim and a few suspects:

(https://atreyugamesblog.files.wordpress.com/2016/07/screen-shot-2016-08-23-at-11-32-33-am.png)

(https://atreyugamesblog.files.wordpress.com/2016/07/screen-shot-2016-08-23-at-11-33-10-am.png)

(https://atreyugamesblog.files.wordpress.com/2016/07/screen-shot-2016-08-23-at-11-32-50-am.png?w=1000&h=&crop=1)

Check out the mobile site: http://atreyugames.com (http://atreyugames.com)
Title: Re: Twelve Absent Men - Legal Drama Game - Pictures!
Post by: MysteryMeat on August 23, 2016, 12:20:37 pm
Great work! This is all looking much more unified, the way you put in props as 2d drawings really helps sell it.
Title: Re: Twelve Absent Men - Legal Drama Game - Pictures!
Post by: dewdle on August 25, 2016, 12:06:23 pm
You're right I think the intro sequence is working as a unified whole - trying to extend this to the actual game content, but think it still needs some work?

Here's the latest UI changes I've been working on: :D

(https://i.gyazo.com/575e86a1560a98c4e03ec3b14e96a2c1.png)
(https://i.gyazo.com/9cfb7a59ba8c42aadca654eabb487cf2.png)
(https://i.gyazo.com/f136302425a1dfe283782263341af45b.png)
(https://i.gyazo.com/f86244b1286446942ec4c2b288566136.png)

Here's a link to the mobile site for those following the thread: http://atreyugames.com (http://atreyugames.com)

Title: Re: Twelve Absent Men - Legal Drama Game - Pictures!
Post by: MysteryMeat on August 25, 2016, 11:33:22 pm
I'd say do what you did with the intro to the whole game. Remove light fixtures and furniture and replace them with drawings, the intro has a nice popup book feel that could work with the rest of the game too.
"Paper mario goes to court"
Title: Re: Twelve Absent Men - Legal Drama Game - Pictures!
Post by: dewdle on August 30, 2016, 02:51:43 am
I think I may well try that - I've got a lot of feedback inching me in that direction - towards a full comic look. So I'll look toward doing that in the next week or so (pending cost/time), and I'll post some shots up here when I get there. :D

In the meantime, a few new shots of the current build:

(https://atreyugamesblog.files.wordpress.com/2016/07/4f13248daa2be9e1b3318fc88c90cd22.png?w=168)
(https://atreyugamesblog.files.wordpress.com/2016/07/f5449be1a40bc9929e4ab42b40e4a45d.png?w=169)
(https://atreyugamesblog.files.wordpress.com/2016/07/9d1cf2e57823d80307d5dd20a561c209.png?w=173)
(https://atreyugamesblog.files.wordpress.com/2016/07/d26ebd715a4c713bd2b61094911ef458.png?w=173)
(https://atreyugamesblog.files.wordpress.com/2016/07/6531af4fb415ea6b252276d71134fb39.png?w=169)

And some general features that will be included:

General Features:

Gameplay Features:

Check out the mobile site: http://atreyugames.com (http://atreyugames.com)
Title: Re: Twelve Absent Men - Legal Drama Game - Pictures!
Post by: dewdle on September 01, 2016, 07:14:32 am
Here's some pictures with cartoon/reworked backgrounds. :D

Let me know your thoughts:

(https://i.gyazo.com/b0ff98d3feaef89e399624783b44cd78.png)
(https://i.gyazo.com/dd95b5cee9c8a0fe393737df29998117.png)
(https://i.gyazo.com/d44718b27eb680166f2aec285e745587.png)


Keen on any other suggestions.

Visit the mobile site: http://atreyugames.com (http://atreyugames.com)
Title: Re: Twelve Absent Men - Legal Drama Game - Pictures!
Post by: eishiya on September 01, 2016, 01:35:22 pm
Those are a slightly better fit, but they still don't match the style of the characters as well as that intro does. The intro used lineart and had a variable level of detail and just looked drawn with some wonkiness here and there just like the characters. These new backgrounds seem to just be photo/3D tracings with the over-perfection and over-detail that comes with that.
Backgrounds need to convey just enough for it to be clear what's happening, and no more than that, so that they don't distract from the foreground. Use that to your advantage. Use the photos/3D as a guide, but draw them by hand, and don't try to get every detail perfect.
Title: Re: Twelve Absent Men - Legal Drama Game - Pictures!
Post by: dewdle on September 13, 2016, 06:48:33 am
Thanks for the feedback eishiya. :)

We're busy working on our trailer at the moment but will definitely take your feedback into account and see if we can work in those changes to a new edition later on.

In the mean time, take a look at our new teaser video:

https://youtu.be/K13V6cstsYY
Title: Re: Twelve Absent Men - Legal Drama Game - Pictures!
Post by: dewdle on September 16, 2016, 11:14:09 pm
Hey everyone,

We've just finished working on our new trailer.  ;D

Take a look here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fBm7B6wfpNY (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fBm7B6wfpNY)

(https://i.gyazo.com/f682bdc087889696dc4431ec3e7c7083.png)

See the mobile site for more info: http://atreyugames.com (http://atreyugames.com)
Title: Re: Twelve Absent Men - Legal Drama Game - Pictures!
Post by: dewdle on September 18, 2016, 06:52:22 am
Here's a look at some of our gameplay mechanics:

(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CsnUgt9UsAAXm3t.jpg)
Title: Re: Twelve Absent Men - Legal Drama Game - Pictures!
Post by: eishiya on September 18, 2016, 12:49:17 pm
They might have some readability issues, and they lack any sense of flavour, there's nothing that makes them really feel like a part of this game, they're generic enough to be in any game. There are most likely visuals other than red-orange-green bars you can use to communicate these gameplay ideas. In the legal system especially! They love their paperwork, stamps, frustrated stares, and foot-tapping bailiffs! Think about what these mechanics are meant to represent. For example, I assume in the witness-pressing minigames, it represents pressing the witness when they look weak/distracted. Why not make THAT the actual gameplay, having their expressions or body language change? Depending on how your portraits are rigged (if at all), this could be a very easy thing to implement. I think that would be much more interesting to play than some generic mini-games, even though at its core it's the same thing - tap the screen at a predictable correct moment.

The anger bar colours overwhelm the judge's head. I think having the bright colours is important on this kind of bar to communicate their meaning, so you'll probably need to play with frames and changing the amount of colour visible. It also looks a bit lazy to have the exact same head sprite without changing its expression. I think having some happier and angrier judge faces could lend the game a lot more character, as long as that's not too silly for the game.
Why not have his changing face be a HUD item that's always there? The face could change, and it could be in a frame that also serves as a round happiness bar that loses sections as the judge gets angrier, and the remaining sections could become redder. That could take up less space than the horizontal bar, while allowing more space for his expression and happiness status.

The white line while pressing witnesses may be difficult to see, especially for people who don't see very well. I think a larger slider that glows (or otherwise changes visually) slightly while it's in the green zone would be much better. That would be slightly more accessible because it would provide more visual cues to the player about when to tap. A slight sound would help even more.

The red outer circle is again difficult to see, especially for people without perfect vision. Bright red, especially on black, in general is a terrible idea for a GUI, because it hurts people's eyes. I recommend using a different colour. I'd also recommend a larger circle so that it's easier to see and tap. Even if the circle's hitbox is actually larger than the circle, players will seek to tap the middle of the circle and will feel frustrated aiming for it even if they never actually miss.
Title: Re: Twelve Absent Men - Legal Drama Game - Pictures!
Post by: dewdle on September 18, 2016, 01:26:20 pm
Ah, thanks for all the tips.

I think we've had a bit of confusion - as this is just the "controls" screen. All of the items pictured are larger in the actual game when they appear. This screen just shows how you interact with them.

As to your other ideas:

- The happy/angry judge face is a good idea, I'll look into that. I have an angry version of the judge which I could use. Using both angry/happy would be a bit too silly maybe, but I think just the angry could display that it's the "anger meter" without me saying it as much. But I'll test both - good spotting.

- The colours I'll look into as well.

- The idea of using law symbols as a replacement for the circles could work. I can't rejig the character animations very easily (basically capped my graphics budget) but I can work in symbols as gameplay elements, which is a really neat way of making things more cohesive. So I'll look into what symbols might work.

Did you see my trailer link? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fBm7B6wfpNY (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fBm7B6wfpNY)

Thanks for all the feedback!  ;D

Title: Re: Twelve Absent Men - Legal Drama Game - Pictures!
Post by: dewdle on September 21, 2016, 04:20:58 am
A couple of people have written articles about the game. :)

http://toucharcade.com/2016/09/19/check-out-the-first-trailer-for-twelve-absent-men/ (http://toucharcade.com/2016/09/19/check-out-the-first-trailer-for-twelve-absent-men/)

http://www.pocketgamer.co.uk/r/iPad/Twelve+Absent+Men/news.asp?c=71429 (http://www.pocketgamer.co.uk/r/iPad/Twelve+Absent+Men/news.asp?c=71429)
Title: Re: Twelve Absent Men - Legal Drama Game - Pictures!
Post by: dewdle on September 26, 2016, 12:59:48 am
Here's some new screenshots of the UI:

(https://forums.unrealengine.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=111486&d=1474851114)

(https://forums.unrealengine.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=111485&d=1474851099)

Check out the mobile site: http://atreyugames.com
Title: Re: Twelve Absent Men - Legal Drama Game - Pictures!
Post by: dewdle on October 05, 2016, 07:36:09 am
:D Getting ready for our November release!!!

(https://forums.unrealengine.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=112549&d=1475652524)

(https://forums.unrealengine.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=112550&d=1475652537)

(https://forums.unrealengine.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=112553&d=1475652579)
Title: Re: Twelve Absent Men - Legal Drama Game - Pictures!
Post by: dewdle on October 17, 2016, 12:28:42 am
Here's a new short version of our trailer:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wexw89oIdVk


We're very excited to be close to release - and have really enjoyed working with the feedback here. Thanks guys! :D

Follow us on our site: http://atreyugames.com
Title: Re: Twelve Absent Men - Legal Drama Game - Pictures!
Post by: dewdle on November 02, 2016, 12:31:17 am
Twelve Absent Men has just been released on Android! :D

Download it here:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.atreyugames.twelveabsentmen

Get ready to solve puzzles, confound witnesses and outwit the state prosecutor in this race to that crucial verdict: not-guilty!

Inspired by the legal drama genre, the game combines elements of satire and humour with the seriousness of a court of law. It is self-aware in following the “mythic” traits of legal dramas: that law is comedic, justice is swift, the right side always wins and judges have an (almost) infinite amount of patience.

Featuring:

- Objections, examinations, cross-examination, and key decision moments.
- Nine different endings.

- Ability to call up witnesses in the order you would like to examine them.
- Judge anger meter – with the possibility of being thrown out of court.
- The use of evidence to solve who really committed the crime.

(https://atreyugamesblog.files.wordpress.com/2016/07/498f0ff21e3f51d73a628a6cc8bc2275.png?w=188&h=336&crop=1)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fBm7B6wfpNY


Download it today:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.atreyugames.twelveabsentmen
Title: Re: Twelve Absent Men - Legal Drama Game - Released!
Post by: dewdle on November 07, 2016, 11:56:01 am
We've just released on iOS: https://itunes.apple.com/ca/app/twelve-absent-men/id1161909446?mt=8

 ;D ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: Twelve Absent Men - Legal Drama Game - Released!
Post by: dewdle on November 28, 2016, 12:41:37 am
We've really enjoyed launching our game and getting some feedback.

After a range of press releases, reviews and other news - we're busy at work on the next  update.


Let us know your thoughts and opinions! :D

The Android version is now free on itchio: https://dewdle.itch.io/twelve-absent-men (https://dewdle.itch.io/twelve-absent-men)

iOS Version Download: https://itunes.apple.com/ca/app/twelve-absent-men/id1161909446?mt=8&uo=8&at=1l3vuur (https://itunes.apple.com/ca/app/twelve-absent-men/id1161909446?mt=8&uo=8&at=1l3vuur)

(https://forums.unrealengine.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=119205&d=1480293279)

Reviews:

English: (7/10) http://www.touchtapplay.com/twelve-absent-men-review-ios-android/ (http://www.touchtapplay.com/twelve-absent-men-review-ios-android/)

Polish: (4/5) http://antyapps.pl/twelve-absent-men-czyzby-phoenix-wright-mial-konkurencje/ (http://antyapps.pl/twelve-absent-men-czyzby-phoenix-wright-mial-konkurencje/)
Title: Re: Twelve Absent Men - Legal Drama Game - Released!
Post by: bosseric on January 05, 2017, 09:22:22 am
Unfortunately the style clashes horribly with the well-tempered backgrounds. Look into either simpler backgrounds or an artist who can do higher-detail work.