I am going to need a *LOT* of help on this one...

NerdSupreme

Hey there fellow GameSalad Developers,

I right now am working on a Military Strategy-like Android app where you can draw in your units (Kind of like that 5th Cell game Drawn to Life, except on a larger scale). I am relatively new meaning that I have been using this for half a year. How can I do the customization and the animations for newly made units? Is it possible? Is there any way I can do it without slowing down the game except the unit #. I would like it if you responded soon.

NS

Elfizm

Never heard of drawn to life but spent some time googling it ( thanks google for your constant support)

It seems like a very complex game..... But in your game, if I get it, you want to be able to draw your own character and then have it animate based on what ever is drawn??

If that is the case I don't think it's possible because there is no drawing tool.

Unless you just have options has to choose hats, body armor, weapons, shoes, eyes. Mouths ect and work from that.

But I don't think I get what you mean if you would care to explain more.

wpaten

Well the obvious question is what other games have you created? It seems like you are trying to create a game that is far more advanced than you current skill level. That's not necessarily a bad thing as it pushes us to excel, however you want to keep yourself grounded in reality as well.

Have you created any games that come anywhere close to what you are trying to achieve here? My guess is no.

I would suggest taking baby steps. Create the games that you definitely CAN make and see how you can make them better. I've been using Gamesalad for about a year and a half and I am JUST NOW getting into more advanced games. But I am at a level that I feel comfortable doing so. I know what Gamesalad is capable of, and I know what I am capable of.

The fact that your very first post is asking how to recreate Drawn to Life tells me you do not have a very realistic mindset about your skills or what Gamesalad can do.

Start slow and build up your knowledge base first. Lay down the foundation. Then you will be able to create the kinds of games that you really want to when you are ready.

RP

I agree with both responses above.

You could accomplish what you seek for this game idea, but not in the engine. Even with a hearty engine, you are entering a realm requiring much exploration, fine tuning and mad scripting skills. I'd say revise and scale down your game idea and at least build it into playable concept in GameSalad first (minus the drawing). In the end you will get a foundation and a better understanding of the game logic that will make things do what they do.

The unit creation animations, movements speeds etc. can all be done. Start small will a flow process of having a "unit creation point" from which you units spawn (using animations etc.). Next focus on how you move or interact with the unit (point an click/touch or other controls). Then figure variables that effect your units speed (size, damage touch etc.) Add other items that can collide or interact with your unit (bullets, terrain, obstacles other units). Last figure out how to destroy your unit (if applicable).

Once you have these you can move on to setting up other features like shooting, an AI that shoots by itself etc.
just take it step by step in test phases and don't worry about painting the broader picture all at once.

CaptFinn

Yeah sounds like a good game. But you might be setting your goals a lil high. Ive been here 2 years and Im still doing basic games. Just thinking about all the coding and attributes you would need for a game like that just make my head hurt.

NerdSupreme

Thanks to you all guys.

I don't expect this to be a snap instant project. I'm going to need help with the little things one at a time (example: total customization, then animation, then the AI and so on and so on). Plus I'd like to quote from myself:

How can I do the customization and the animations for newly made units? Is it possible? Is there any way I can do it without slowing down the game except the unit #.

I'd need probably like tutorials on how to do the things listed above. I know how to do the "touch actor, go to location XY" and all that. I just want to know how to do those in the quote. Can you guys post links or anything like that?

Oh yes, I have made some games wpatan.
I made one where you fly a space shuttle into a black hole, collect coins, avoid alien's rays and incoming asteroids. 3 weeks of tedious work, but it worked out

So one more time, I just need tutorials or forum threads about the stuff in the quote.

Thanks guys!

NS

Socks

What is 'the customisation' ?

NerdSupreme

Socks

To define the Customization, it would be something like you have 6 body parts. One head, 2 arms, 2legs, and one torso. You'd tap one part and using your finger, you'd draw on the face and clothing. Do you know any way to do this kind of thing? Or anyone else reading this thread?

Socks

To define the Customization, it would be something like you have 6 body parts. One head, 2 arms, 2legs, and one torso. You'd tap one part and using your finger, you'd draw on the face and clothing. Do you know any way to do this kind of thing?

I can't think of a way, actually I can think of one way but it would be a constrain nightmare of Biblical proportions. GameSalad has no drawing tools, so you would have to first design a drawing system. It's generally a good idea to work to a platform's strengths, GameSalad isn't best suited to this kind of thing. I'd be tempted to implement a different customisation scheme that doesn't involve drawing.

TesseractEngine

+1 To this really isn't something to attempt in GameSalad.