[VXA][Demo] The Secrets Of Kankara [UPDATED]

The Secrets of Kankara is a project that has been in development for 3 years. It started out on RMXP, but is now on RMVX Ace. It uses a number of scripts, but the primary one is XAS Ace Edition.
The backstory is, an evil court mage is attempting to release an evil into the world from Tenebris (the dimension of shadow and corruption). The main character is the grandson of a former court mage who is trying to stop it from happening. The main character sets off on his adventure after he hears a plea for help echo in his mind.

Screenshots:



Gameplay Video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IW1S_BZa5uU (sorry about the link, it won't let me embed anything, it only displays text)

Demo Link:

Mediafire Download (the file is 282MB because the RTP is included, the final version will be minimized by excluding unused files)- I've updated the demo to v1.0, the change list is as follows:

• Full time and weather system (time moves at a pace and effects things like shop openings, events that occur only at night, etc., weather will change on it's own depending on where the player is)
• Item creation (the player will have to craft some of the items used in game, using materials that are often dropped by enemies, bushes, etc.)

After having dealt with RMXP's problematic nature first-hand, I have moved the project over to Ace permanently. The XP version will remain unfinished, and that version has been abandoned. The Ace version however, will continue to be developed.

Credits are too long to list here, however there are credits at the end of the demo.

This game tends to be process heavy because of some screen effects. It will likely not impede running programs, but other programs will interfere with the game's frame rate. It is highly recommended that you play it with no other programs open.

  well this has received a lot of attention_sarcasm

At this point I'm wondering if it's even worth continuing let alone completing. ^{complete fail}

Sorry, I haven't really had an opportunity to try your game, but I am sure that some others have enjoyed it. Not everyone who uses or plays something gives feedback. It's unfortunate, but it's a fact.

As to whether you should continue making the game, I think that depends on your motive for making it. If you are having fun making the game, then whether or not anyone plays it should be irrelevant. After all, there are plenty of other games which you play even though the whole world doesn't see how good you are at it, and that doesn't mean that it isn't fun to play. RPG Maker is no exception. While it allows you to make games that others can play, it is first and foremost a game in its own right. If you're having fun playing it, then why stop?

If, on the other hand, you are overtaken by a sense of dread every time you open the program, but persist in the hope that it will win you acclaim from strangers on the internet, then you should probably stop making it. Because that's not fun.

Don't get me wrong, watching other people play your game and have fun is also a good feeling and it is perfectly legitimate for you to pursue it. However, it is also an uncertain reward for hours of hard work. If making your RPG is not fun in and of itself, then I believe the fun of watching other people play your game is too distant and uncertain a reward to pursue. However, if you're having fun with the program itself, then the fact you aren't gaining the additional perk of feedback is no reason to stop.

That's not really a good attitude to have towards game making, don't feel like giving up because other developers aren't giving you much attention; not forgetting the fact that XP is generally ignored (either because it has problems or no one has the RTP anymore, I don't know).

If you want me to play your game, I will with the following conditions:
A) You wait until I get around to it.
B) I get to Lets Play it, I don't like writing walls of text to review other peoples stuff because I often forget things that way.



Edit: Modern Ninja'd me

Thank you both for replying, you both are correct, I need to have a better outlook on it. I do enjoy making them and I wish I could be better at making them (especially storyline cause I've never been totally satisfied with the one I have in the game so far). I guess it's a matter of patience as well as other things.

Just keep posting information, mate. I've been working on my game Moonhunter a while now, and it feels I mostly talk to myself    But I use this forum as a log too, and show small steps of completion when I changed something noteworthy. As you know, most work is tedious...

If I get a chance I will download the demo today. The two screenshots look nice and crisp, in any case. Can't open youtube at work, as internet crawls here. I like it you try for original story and characters; it intrigues me more than yet another final fantasy fan game. 

Just keep posting information, mate. I've been working on my game Moonhunter a while now, and it feels I mostly talk to myself    But I use this forum as a log too, and show small steps of completion when I changed something noteworthy. As you know, most work is tedious...

If I get a chance I will download the demo today. The two screenshots look nice and crisp, in any case. Can't open youtube at work, as internet crawls here. I like it you try for original story and characters; it intrigues me more than yet another final fantasy fan game. 

That's a good idea (posting info).
Right now I'm working on dungeon B and the areas that go up to it. I've also started to do an overworld map log (so I can keep track of map positions), that way it'll be more believable.

I've downloaded the massive 300MB+ game now - What's all that size for anyway? - but there's a snag.

The first problem was a missing .dll file; RGSS104E. Easily fixed when you download it and put it in the game folder.

The second problem is that the game says the RGSS-RTP is not found. There can be numerous reasons for this when I googled it. I do not use RPG maker XP, and am not really interested in trying to find the RTP myself. If you've included it in the game, or don't use them, perhaps you should change some settings.

I've downloaded the massive 300MB+ game now - What's all that size for anyway? - but there's a snag.

The first problem was a missing .dll file; RGSS104E. Easily fixed when you download it and put it in the game folder.

The second problem is that the game says the RGSS-RTP is not found. There can be numerous reasons for this when I googled it. I do not use RPG maker XP, and am not really interested in trying to find the RTP myself. If you've included it in the game, or don't use them, perhaps you should change some settings.

The large size is mainly audio, unfortunately I can't do much about that aspect of it.
With the RTP, you can download rmxp and install the RTP with it's intaller located Here, which is a link to a site that is provided here at rmrk in the downloads area.

I apologize for that error everyone, I thought I included the installer with the game though at the time I was making so many last minute changes it likely slipped my mind. I'll post in the original post about the RTP link so that won't be a future problem.

Eh, you dumped everything into 2 .zip files, that's not how it's supposed to work. Where are the folders? The game doesn't work without putting your stuff in folders. I could do it manually, but honestly I don't feel like sorting out what's supposed to go where.

to Milennin: unzip the first of the 2 .rar files in a separate folder, and it will automatically unrar properly. It did for me, anyway.

I played through the demo, Jaden, and quite enjoyed myself. Feedback:

Spoiler for:

I found myself trying to destroy objects and shrubs with the hammer and sword everywhere, and although it keeps me entertained, I was hoping to find some items or gold after trimming the yard. I found the archers in prison entertaining, although it begs the question why they were captured with their bows. I very much liked the underwater well, although the water under water is still strange, even after your explanation in-game. The candles were also, eh, quite a unique sight there.

Gameplay is just fine. It takes little effort to get used to, and I am glad there aren't any tutorials. It's nice to find stuff out yourself. I think you get items very quickly though, especially the spell early on, making the sword obsolete in terms of range and attack power. The shield is a very handy addition, and works perfectly. As I said before, trying to destroy blocks and shrubs is neat.
Enemies are easy, so far. The fish and blob boss have easy patterns they fall into, and standing still, blocking, then using the spell makes it a breeze. Perhaps you should introduce the spell later on, making the fights less ranged, and more challenging.

Story... well, it's about gems and world domination, so not the strongest point. But that doesn't matter, because you don't spend too much time on this - you let the player jump right into the action again.

Visually the game looks nice - especially the outside. Some houses are quite empty and large, with little of interest there. The underwater effect works well.

Music is nice, and works well for the environments. - I take it you use .wav? I can't imagine the file size to be that huge with MP3. Also, the protagonist's "hmm" sound made me laugh  .

It's a neat start of something with a lot of potential. Although the pace is quite fast, and you gain usable items sooner than you can use them, the game didn't bore me, or drag story wise. Truthfully, it was a shame when the demo ended, for after the boss I felt ready to keep kicking ass 

to Milennin: unzip the first of the 2 .rar files in a separate folder, and it will automatically unrar properly. It did for me, anyway.

Ok, I unzipped the first file. Downloaded the RGSS104E.dll file, downloaded the XP RTP, but now I get an error that says "Failed to load script." when starting the game.

to Milennin: unzip the first of the 2 .rar files in a separate folder, and it will automatically unrar properly. It did for me, anyway.

Ok, I unzipped the first file. Downloaded the RGSS104E.dll file, downloaded the XP RTP, but now I get an error that says "Failed to load script." when starting the game.

That's odd, does it say which script?

I've noticed also that when running the game it's best to not have any other programs open, since it takes a bit of processing power (don't know why).

to Milennin: unzip the first of the 2 .rar files in a separate folder, and it will automatically unrar properly. It did for me, anyway.

I played through the demo, Jaden, and quite enjoyed myself. Feedback:

Spoiler for:

I found myself trying to destroy objects and shrubs with the hammer and sword everywhere, and although it keeps me entertained, I was hoping to find some items or gold after trimming the yard. I found the archers in prison entertaining, although it begs the question why they were captured with their bows. I very much liked the underwater well, although the water under water is still strange, even after your explanation in-game. The candles were also, eh, quite a unique sight there.

Gameplay is just fine. It takes little effort to get used to, and I am glad there aren't any tutorials. It's nice to find stuff out yourself. I think you get items very quickly though, especially the spell early on, making the sword obsolete in terms of range and attack power. The shield is a very handy addition, and works perfectly. As I said before, trying to destroy blocks and shrubs is neat.
Enemies are easy, so far. The fish and blob boss have easy patterns they fall into, and standing still, blocking, then using the spell makes it a breeze. Perhaps you should introduce the spell later on, making the fights less ranged, and more challenging.

Story... well, it's about gems and world domination, so not the strongest point. But that doesn't matter, because you don't spend too much time on this - you let the player jump right into the action again.

Visually the game looks nice - especially the outside. Some houses are quite empty and large, with little of interest there. The underwater effect works well.

Music is nice, and works well for the environments. - I take it you use .wav? I can't imagine the file size to be that huge with MP3. Also, the protagonist's "hmm" sound made me laugh  .

It's a neat start of something with a lot of potential. Although the pace is quite fast, and you gain usable items sooner than you can use them, the game didn't bore me, or drag story wise. Truthfully, it was a shame when the demo ended, for after the boss I felt ready to keep kicking ass 

Thank you for the feedback. I felt that some items were added too soon as well, but i figured it was just "creator's perspective" getting in the way. Now that i know it's not just me, I'll work to limit the items a bit.

That's odd, does it say which script?

I've noticed also that when running the game it's best to not have any other programs open, since it takes a bit of processing power (don't know why).

This is a screenshot of the error, it shows up when starting the game:

Spoiler for:

I don't have anything heavy running in the background, only Firefox with some tabs and some background programs.

I have to say you have done a great job with the trailer, and the game looks like a lot of fun! I can't help to get some Seiken Densetsu (Secret of Mana), and Zelda feelings when watching it! (Which isn't a bad thing, since they are some of my favourite games). Looking forward to try this out! 

That kind of error usually means the Script data is corrupted. Try just uploading the Scripts.rxdata from your game, then Milennin can take it and replace the one that's currently in Data.

That kind of error usually means the Script data is corrupted. Try just uploading the Scripts.rxdata from your game, then Milennin can take it and replace the one that's currently in Data.

I'd think it would effect everyone if that were the case, however I'll upload the data anyway, in case you're correct. I should be able to get that done sometime today.

I've updated the original post with the rxdata download. In my experience, scripts not loading like that are a result of a mixture between system space in the cpu interfering with RMXP's data retrieval and a possible corrupted script, though I haven't run into that with The Secrets of Kankara (I admit I've had my fair share of issues though, such as controls not working, for the same reasons).

Downloaded the scripts file, but I still get the same error. I don't know why it keeps doing that. I guess I'll wait till there's a new demo version out, maybe that'll fix it.

Downloaded the scripts file, but I still get the same error. I don't know why it keeps doing that. I guess I'll wait till there's a new demo version out, maybe that'll fix it.

You said before you had an internet browser open last time you tried it, was that also the case this time? If so, or if any other programs were running, I recommend closing all open programs and trying again. The reason I say that is because there have been a couple times in other projects that has produced the same error for me and it was because the cpu memory usage was high.

Yup, I closed pretty much everything I had open, and I still get the same error.

Yup, I closed pretty much everything I had open, and I still get the same error.

That's odd.

It may be from a lack of memory overall then, but I'm not sure.

@Everyone: If anyone else gets this error, please do send me a PM on how much memory you have available on your cpu disc at the time of trying to load the game and what OS you're running, and if you have anything else running (such as an internet browser or other programs not in the background). At the very least, that might help me determine the minimum requirements to run the game properly. I'd do this myself, but I currently run Win7 with over 100 or so GB free at all times so I rarely encounter errors like that. I suspect though, that it may be the controller commands script that was used in the XAS ABS, that's the one that gives me trouble from time to time (freezes, controls sometimes won't work), but only when there are other programs open (or possibly when the memory is low since that would have the same effect, system wise).

Windows 7, 4GB RAM, 3.6gHZ, 1.7TB free space. Runs games like Skyrim at highest graphics, so I doubt it's my PC...

Windows 7, 4GB RAM, 3.6gHZ, 1.7TB free space. Runs games like Skyrim at highest graphics, so I doubt it's my PC...

Hmm, I'm not sure what else to do in your case then.

I'll download this tommorow and see if I can get it to run! Looking forward to it!, looks like alot of fun 

UPDATE!!

Ok, so I've updated the demo (no you don't get more gameplay yet) because of two reasons: 1) The link was down for a while due to it being archived the way it was and 2) This led me to seek solutions regarding how much memory the game takes up.

So, the solution was an audio format that i didn't know I could convert to until recently, and only takes up a quarter of the space that wavs do.

So the game in it's entire glory, now only takes up 51 MB (no that's not a typo)!

Check the first post for the new download and have fun!

Feel free, everyone, to review the demo, I appreciate any constructive feedback because that helps me bring a better game.

Be sure to include the following:

• Rating of environments (out of 10)
• Weapons and items rating (out of 10), though please note, that the ones in the demo don't stay in the first level for the final product, and this is thanks to a review
• Storyline (out of 10)

Thank you all for your interest and feedback.

UPDATE

I wanted to update on what's been going on with this project in the past few months. First I want to reassure some of you that this project is not dead, it is ongoing and continues to change for the better with every day that passes.


Some changes that have been made so far include but is not limited to:

•Bushes now produce items, such as health, gold, arrows, and bombs
•The spell "Ice Blast" will now be featured in a later dungeon, instead of Nemus Well
•Minor storyline changes to effect the timetable of the events in the game

Once again, this project is ongoing and we're working diligently to produce the best quality game that we can within a timetable that is reasonable. I don't want to give a date because we believe it may be too early for that, but rest assured we will update with a release date the moment we feel confident in it's completion time.

In the meantime, feel free to download and try the demo, and even to give it a review. Reviews have helped me iron out some of the not so great stuff in the past and I welcome all constructive criticism.

Thank you for your interest, stay tuned for updates.

Bushes now produce items

Alrighty, then! That'll make cutting stuff all the more interesting and rewarding. Been lookin' forward for that!

Bushes now produce items

Alrighty, then! That'll make cutting stuff all the more interesting and rewarding. Been lookin' forward for that!

Indeed, I had worked on an older system that would work, but in the end I used a new one and it works better. We'll probably even update the demo with the new system, not sure yet.

UPDATE!!!

We decided to update the demo since it wouldn't take very long to do so. The change list is below the demo link.

Enjoy!

I wanted to update on the status of this project's timetable. I no longer have a secondary tester (I've been primary for the whole project because I generally have to test things when I add them anyway), due to a number of reasons, though primarily it's because I had to fight with him everytime his part came up short (which was 90% of the time) and I got tired of having valuable time wasted by him that could've been used to work on this project more effectively. So, he is no longer on the team.

(How does this effect timetable?)
It effects the timetable because I have to do both testing sequences in addition to the rest of it. Currently, I'm the only one working on this project and that will likely be the case for the remainder of it's lifespan. I was originally planning to finish it and be able to release it this year, however with the new reality of things, it's looking more like it could go all the way into the middle of next year. Either way, I will keep everyone up to date on the latest by posting from time to time. If you want weekly updates on the project, you can go to My Forum and register (free), there's honestly not many users but I update the topics there more than anywhere else. I guess you could call it Kankara's "home base" at this point.

In any case, thank you for your interest, stay tuned for updates.

UPDATE_{Dont' worry, the project isn't dead.}

Ok, so I know it's been a while since I updated, so bear with me. This project is still going on and I have been working on a number of issues related to the project over the past months. I'm sorry that I haven't had time to post but time has been working against me this year (had to move, had to take care of home business, etc.).

Last month (november), I had come across a problem with the demo's playability with newer versions of RMXP. Worry not, I've included my version of RMXP (demo of course, no freebies) so you can still play the game/demo. I know this project is taking a very long time, but my current timetable (as noted in previous post) is still in effect, and I will try very hard to keep it on schedule so I can finally release this game for you all to enjoy. I apologize for any delays that have occurred and/or will occur during this project's development.

Thank you and stay tuned for updates!

UPDATE:

I have updated the project in totality, it's moved engines and has more features, please check the original post for details, thank you.

Also, sorry for taking as long as I have been, most of my time went to fighting with RMXP so I decided to get Ace and use it instead, which took time to move the project.
The new Demo now includes 3 dungeons, each with their own enemies, as well as some new features.

I've updated the topic with a gameplay video link. That'll show how the game plays for those who didn't see the old one.

Jaden, you may wish to start a new topic for your game.  Switching game-makers is a huge move, and reading through the previous posts about all the problems with earlier releases is a turn-off.  Why not try something like "Secrets of Kankara--Updated on VX Ace!" or something like that?

Also, you can embed video in a post instead of providing a link.  Also also, the image in your sig is not working!

-flap

Jaden, you may wish to start a new topic for your game.  Switching game-makers is a huge move, and reading through the previous posts about all the problems with earlier releases is a turn-off.  Why not try something like "Secrets of Kankara--Updated on VX Ace!" or something like that?

Also, you can embed video in a post instead of providing a link.  Also also, the image in your sig is not working!

-flap

That's a good idea, I'll probably start on that in the morning (2 am here). Also, the video won't embed, it will only display text for me, is there a specific way it has to be done? BBCode for youtube won't work either (tried typing it by itself since there's no button for it).

The image in my sig, is it the link that didn't work, or is the image not displaying? (was recently working on it, so you might have hit it at the wrong time earlier)

Yeah, your sig is working now :-)  I haven't tried to embed.  I assume it is [VIDEO] blah blah blah [/ Video ] without spaces.

-flap

I just started a game-reviewing thread on another site.  If you think your game meets the criteria, you can sign up for a review here.

Yeah, your sig is working now :-)  I haven't tried to embed.  I assume it is [VIDEO] blah blah blah [/ Video ] without spaces.

-flap

Lol yeah I'll have to try that tag to see if it'll work, I didn't think of that one.

@second post:
Cool, I'll check it out sometime today.

Also, you can embed video in a post instead of providing a link.

-flap

Tried the video tag, it won't play the video: "video could not be found or access is denied" for the jw player. I've tried linking the video page, the video url itself, the share code, the embed code, and all parts thereto... and nothing.

It's kind of off-putting that it's this ridiculously hard to embed a simple video on the forum. Just about everywhere else, it'd be done already.  (cool smileys though lol)

Topic to be locked due to old version.


Updated topic can be found at http://rmrk.net/index.php?topic=49574.0