Illustrator looking to build a team for Game: Project Rudra (2D action/platformer)


hybridmink's avatar
Rudra: the Encore by hybridmink  
To quell the need of natural resources on Earth, man takes its first steps into terraforming. Mars is the center of a digital terraforming experiment. 

Hi, my name is Nick Savino. I've been brewing this idea for a game for the past 8 years. A couple months after graduating college, I began developing characters with the intention of making a game universe around them. The game would be an action/platformer similar to Mega Man X/Zero, but with 5-6 playable characters. Each would have their own unique playstyle. The world is set in the distant future on Mars during a terraforming experiment. Before I go any further, you can take a look at the characters and their development over the years if you're interested:

hybridmink.deviantart.com/gall…
(if the thumbnails below do not work, please browse through this gallery :) (Smile) )

I've been working as a freelance illustrator for the past couple years so I'm very familiar with the process of recruiting through forums and working on games. However, I've never actually started one up myself so please forgive me if I don't really know what I'm doing. :) (Smile) In order to get this game made, I feel that it would need the following:

-Illustrator: I would handle all character illustrations including headshots for dialogue, cinematic shots for storytelling, in-game menus, etc.
-Composer: I have at least one person that will help with music, but I would like to spread out the workload and possibly get different styles into the mix.
-Someone to develop the game engine or modify an existing one: Gameplay would include various weapon-based combat levels, as well as a couple shoot-em-up (shmup) style levels. Action would include a system for combos and meter management
-Sprite artist and animator: I would provide the sprite artist with animation keyframes that could be traced over in pixel art and then animated in between. Most of my professional career is actually in animation, so I have experience in this process. However, if the animator did not require so much input, they would be given freedom to come up with their own animations.
-Background Artist: I may be able to fill this role myself, but my strength is in character design. Ideally, I would like to have someone skilled in background creation
-Writer: I have established the main story beats and character motivations, but I'm no writer. I'd like someone to take the Rudra universe and make it shine with humor and drama.

I'm sure I'm forgetting something, but those are the basics. Now, here's a rundown of the different characters and their playstyles.

Project Rudra by hybridmink  
Zetch: grappling enemies from a distance, in-fighting

Tomoe 2013 by hybridmink  
Tomoe:  dagger attacks, combos increase meter and weapon size for bigger attacks or armor

Sypher, lance and shield by hybridmink  
Sypher: slow moving, can change between greatsword/axe/lance&shield, Rage meter

Buster 3 by hybridmink  
Buster 3:  fast shooting segments, possibly on rails

Cilvia and Friends by hybridmink  
Cilvia: slow moving, wide range summon attacks (utilize numeric keypad for direction of attacks?)

Sei 2014 profile by hybridmink    
Sei: fast swordplay, ninja action, magnetism

Over the course of the game you would have the option of choosing between characters or a set path that only 1 or 2 could take. Here is what I currently have for level ideas:

Prologue: The Agency, Spider base (digital); desert outside of the terraformmed dome
Clubbin': a night club & bar
Battleship Armada: Mars desert surface/sky, entering the colony
It’s Snow Time: snowy mountain region that becomes an inferno landscape
Feudal Japan: with sakura trees and all that stuff
Prehistoric era: tropical landscape with dinosaurs
RPG spoof-land: homage to role playing games (alternatively could make this an amusement park)
Jail and College: a prison and college have combined into one
Super Elevator!: a long-ass elevator in the Judicial building of the colony
Heading to Agency HQ: city streets leading up to Agency headquarters
The Professor: Agency basement, center of the Rudra Network. A lot happens in this chapter, but the basic gist is this is where it all ends.

That's 11 levels total, though some are longer than others and could be seen as 2 or even 3 separate ones. I would also like rhythm-based levels where the character would be on-rails and timing button prompts to music. This is less important than the rest of the game so I won't go into too much detail here. However, I think it would be great to have as each character has their own sort of musical genre that represents them.

So to recap, I currently have plenty of concept artwork to get started on in-game assets. I have the bulk of the main story beats, but not exactly a coherent narrative. I have an understanding of each character's moveset as well as most bosses. I would love to work with any talented individuals that have a passion for the 2D action/platformer. As long as someone gets to play this game, I'm happy with any form of distribution. :) (Smile)

If you are interested in this project and would like to know more (including the 16 page design document), please contact me at:

hybridmink@gmail.com

or send me a note. Just put "Project Rudra: my role" in the subject line where the role is what you'd like to fill. Any information you can provide on your previous works or projects would be appreciated. 

I will try to keep an eye on this thread, but email is definitely the best way to get in touch with me. You may also include your skype address as well. I think that's it! I look forward to hearing from you!


-Nick, aka hybridmink
Comments17
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J-B-Hickock's avatar
If you're still looking for a writer, my publisher is busy, so I'm available.
hybridmink's avatar
Do you have some examples of your work that focuses mostly on dialogue? I'd be interested in seeing what you've done. I'm not focused on story right now, but it would be good to iron out some of it early on.
hybridmink's avatar
thanks! I'll keep this in mind once I'm ready to solidify the story a bit more. :)
ShadowyZman's avatar
Interesting project :) I like it. Are you still looking?
hybridmink's avatar
I think I'm good for the time being, but thanks!
hybridmink's avatar
Now for Tomoe

Tomoe 2014 profile by hybridmink  
hybridmink's avatar
and here's Buster 3!

Buster 3, 2014 profile by hybridmink  
JeffPeli's avatar
As long as I've been following your work on dA and as badly as I want to work on a game together with a small team of people, I don't know if you would want/need my work for this project. I focus mainly on character concept artwork and I'm looking into environment art in the very near future. Not sure if you need any more character artists but my offer is open if you'd like. I'd love to have my hand at working on something like this. I've been drafting ideas for an action platformer myself for a few years now.

- Jeff
hybridmink's avatar
Well Im probably handling most of the concept work myself and it's mostly pixel animators and background illustrators that I'd be looking for. Thanks for the interest though. :) 

As you improve in your art, you could even start looking to make your own game too.
JeffPeli's avatar
I absolutely understand. You're very welcome! =) Your project sounds extremely similar to one I've been drafting. I have a game idea and an idea for a graphic novel both in the works. I'm just waiting to improve on my skills first before I start either project.
hybridmink's avatar
Cilvia's stance. She is actually reading her goggles, rather than facing the enemy head-on. She tries to look tough, but she can be a bit timid without the right motivation.

Cilvia 2014 profile by hybridmink  
mutag3ne's avatar
While I realize it's not a priority, it would be interesting to try to contribute a couple pieces of music to this. It sounds right up my alley, and I'm a fan of your work, so maybe it could work out.
I've never shipped a product, and I'm still pretty young, but I have connections and am close friends with someone who helps me if I have any problems. I could also possibly find a programmer. I'd try to help with that end myself, but I think Game Maker is below your standards.

I haven't finished anything in a long time, but I've worked on stuff here and there and am getting caught back up. My SoundCloud has some of my work, but most of it is very old and not representative of what I can do now. soundcloud.com/mutag3ne

I don't want to feel like I'd be weighing you down, so feel free to decline. It's only an offer. I don't charge anything either, unless gaining experience and friendships counts.
JeffPeli's avatar
Those tracks sound really awesome Mutag3ne! I can totally see that kind of music fitting into a sci-fi action platformer
hybridmink's avatar
The first step is getting the starting character into the game. Here is Zetch's stance. He is somewhat hunched over, similar to unarmed silat. His attacks use the opponent's weight against them.

Zetch 2014 profile by hybridmink