From skinning to game design

[StillWater]

Hey folks,

Some of you might remember me from loooong ago. I was a very active member of the classic skins community, some 10-15 years ago (2001-2005, maybe?). I made probably about 20 skins, including Zima, Commander Keen 4, and Terminator 3.

Skinning changed my life. This community gave me a sense of purpose and belonging at a very low point of my life. It also got me hooked on computer graphics, which led to me studying Multimedia & Digital Arts at university, making a career in web design, and eventually taking the plunge into game design.

For over 2 years, I've been working full-time on a PC platformer called Spryke. If you remember my skins, you'll probably recognise some of my stylistic traits: great attention to detail, lots of little animations - though much more advanced, since I've of course learnt a lot over the past decade



I've devoted an estimated 7000 hours or so to get Spryke to its current stage, and it's looking pretty good. Now's when the rubber hits the road, as I take it to kickstarter to secure the funding necessary to complete the game.

For those of you who remember me, I'd be delighted and honoured if you would support me on kickstarter! (and share the link with your gamer friends!)

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/volnaiskra/spryke-an-immersive-meticulously-crafted-platforme

Thanks

[garetjax]

Yes, Stillwater - I recall you quite well in fact. Though, our interaction was little I do remember at times commenting with you or speaking in response to your submission here and on the website.

Nice, to see that we could have sparked such a creative soul; Your designs and work also challenged some of us into creating even more complex pieces and I know in my case caused me to step up my game. I directly attribute some of my better choices in design to have been impacted by you and others.

I am humbled to have known you, and even more so that you are an established designer. I have no doubt, your efforts will continue to inspire and challenge any that have the privilege of knowing you.


Thank You,

Joe Garrett
Garetjax

[Dr.Flay]

...but will it feature any Lamas ?

[StillWater]

I bow my hat to you garetjax - thank you very much for your words! It's funny to hear you say that I might have sparked you to lift your game, as I always remember you as one of the big names who was already making strong designs before I even knew what a playpaus.bmp was

Dr. Flay, it certainly never crossed my mind before, but now you mention it, I think will have to put some winamp easter eggs in there somewhere, for old time's sake. So the answer is Yes!

[Dr.Flay]

Good man StillWater, may you always run deep.
Nodding to the past is always a giggle, even if you are the only one that knows !

I am part of the Chaotic Dreams team that made the Quake2 and Unreal Tournament mod "Chaos", and the new UT4 version will feature easter eggs, and to be honest they can be more fun brainstorming than the actual kit, because you get to throw "why?" out of the window.

Actually my mind goes back to a game that could use Winamp if you had it.
I never tried it, but the God-game "Black & White" had a plugin that made the game listen or talk to Winamp.
I believe the villagers and your creature would now dance to your music.
Maybe you could have something like that, maybe have the plant life react to music or the background creatures ?
Who knows, it may persuade Winamp users to get more personally interested

[mike-db]

StillWater, I'm glad to see that you are alive and well. I think back fondly to the times you poked fun at my skins.

On a school budget but I backed your game. I hope you do well, thanks for coming by!

[Neko]

that's a blast from the past!
Great to hear you're doing well and good luck with the game!