Even with Covid19 you can get into the Advent mood. I for myself decorated some cookies and now it feels a little bit more like Christmas 😛
Happy holidays!
Christmas feelings
Super MX Linux Experiments
It was 2013 when I first tried to port Super MX to Linux. Back then, only the Pyramid Demo quest existed, there were no savegames and the dialogue control behaved strangely. However, I created a makefile which was able to build Super MX on Ubuntu.
Recently, I finished implementing the main quest of MX, so I thought it would be a good idea to review some goals of the underlying engine, and voila – I was able to port the 2020 version of Super MX.
It seems that not only the original Pyramid Demo levels are working, but also the new ones like the Shadow Temple.
However, there are two downsides. Fullscreen is not working yet, as well as the sound. I am currently thinking about solutions which affect the underlying subsystem. I will do some more experiments.
If this does still not scare some of you Linux-friendly users, feel free to download the new Pyramid Demo Build under this temporary Google-Drive link (language is German for now) and find out if it starts:
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1THOebjdR8tgswhPFWZ7SasKh7iIwNjVq
Movable Mirrors
Currently, the level design of the shadow district is being implemented. Especially interesting for this month are the new mirror mechanics. With movable mirrors, MX is able to change the direction of the Illumination beam as described as in the original mirror post.
Light and Mirrors
Got some progress with the level “wiring”, as I call the scripting of the dungeon.
A nice idea for the puzzles of the dungeon was to add mirrors. They are either static or can be rotated and reflect the trajectory of the illumination beam.
Shadow Dwellers
The creatures living in the Shadow Temple are sometimes aggressive and sometimes not, but always dangerous. The most recent enemy I made is the shadow. It is able to turn invisible and regenerate. If they are hurt, they will hide in the dark until they are strong enough to fight again. Only with the Illumination Staff, MX is able to reveal them.
Shadow Lies
The challenge with the Shadow Temple is its mysteriousness. I wanted to create a dungeon where you always cannot be sure what the shadows were able to built and what awaits you. There are a lot of hidden secrets and only with the Illumination Staff, MX is able to remove the deceptions of the temple for a short period of time. However, as you can see, the illusions cannot be completely removed, so remember what you saw and also what you should not have seen…
The first half of the temple is working quite great and I am looking forward to the second part.
About the game length
Only the last dungeon is missing now in the main quest. I recently did a playthrough of the main story and even for me, with the knowledge of all levels, It took about three hours to finish.
My initially targeted goal (for normal players) for the required time to beat the main story of the game is five hours. The missing dungeon should take about one hour. So far, the testers needed about 150-200% of my time. Therefore, this goal should be easily reached.
After all, I am really pleased with the results of this year. Hopefully, the new one will be similar. I wish you a happy New Year 🙂
The Design of the Residence
Some may remember the first drawn wallpaper of Super MX back in 2014. Even then, I had a rather clear vision about how the residence arc should look like. The redish style of the walls together with the planked floor and the evil furniture still identifies this place.
As you can see, MX is there together with John, the detective who helped to investigate Darkcity and its foes. Especially in the residence of Cisar, John’s ghost magic might become really handy for MX.
