New features added to our 3d world avatar engine (preview from TheoLabs)

TheoWorlds Builder (TheoSDK 2) - a new generation platform for building online games and avatar chat worlds - was updated with new features:

• Elevations support. Now maps can have hills, different floor levels and so on. The picture on the left shows the map in the edit mode - a grid of tiles with different height covers the map, defining its shape.
• New map graphics. We worked hard on creating high quality maps and here is the preview of the first one.
• Map background/foreground support. Instead of covering the whole map with tiles, you can also use a background image. A foreground image can be used too - in this example the disco light installations are always in the front.
  

Here is the link:
www.theoworlds.com/labs/theolabs_02.html

Check the blog posts for other features.


For those who are interested in this product, but don't want to wait for the release, check TheoAvatar SDK and TheoSDK - our existing platforms for creating online games and multi-user 3D chats like TheoAvatar in Flash. Both come with Map Editor, source code and documentation.

TheoWorlds Labs opened

I have good news for those who are interested in how our products are made. We just opened TheoWorlds Labs - a section where we will be posting previews of our projects in progress. You will be able to see steps from our projects, before they reach the final release.

First link is a preview of our new 3d world engine - TheoWorlds Builder (TheoSDK 2) - a new generation platform for building online games and avatar chat worlds:

http://www.theoworlds.com/labs/theolabs_01.html



For those who are interested in this product, but don't want to wait for the release, check TheoAvatar SDK and TheoSDK - our existing platforms for creating online games and multi-user 3D chats like TheoAvatar in Flash. They come with Map Editor, source code and documentation.

Creating avatar chat characters

Our artists at TheoWorlds.com just finished creating a new set of characters for TheoAvatar chat - they can walk, sit and even dance. Each character's animation is made from 32 frames with multiple matching layers of clothes. It took about 400 images to assemble each character.

In case you are planning to create your own The Office Space game or the next Habbo-like online community, here are some tips from our animators on drawing avatar characters in isometric view:

• If you are trying to draw realistic human avatars with high level of details, you'll need to use references. There are two options here: 3D and photography. If you choose 3D, the easiest way is to use characters libraries from Poser. If you are more comfortable with photography, you can just capture your co-workers on the camera. Just make sure they know about it. We used the latest approach as it was more fun. Doing it in 3D would, probably, be faster.
  After you resize down these reference pictures, you can draw on top of them, adjusting the details on the pixel level.


• Use minimum number of frames to represent each animation. Try to keep your total files size small and also reduce the amount of work. To keep it as smooth as possible, make the differences between frames smaller. For example, if you draw the walking animation - try smaller steps and less arm swing.


• Animate the characters in Flash early. Don't rely on animated GIFs. Moving the characters around in Flash will help you test the animation early on. You can do corrections while it's not too late. It also helps you find the optimal animation speed.


• Draw symmetrical characters so you can "mirror" their animations of opposite directions. For example, our characters are moving in 8 directions, 3 of them being just "mirrored".


• Less is more. If you are using multiple layers of clothes (for customizing the look) you will have to animate each of them to match the character's animation. So more character animations you have - more clothes animation to create. It grows almost exponentially, so stand the temptation of creating a lot of "cool moves".

For inspiration, check devianART gallery on pixel art isometric characters:
http://browse.deviantart.com/digitalart/pixelart/characters/iso/?order=9&alltime=yes

"Service down" = "time to play"

CrazyEgg keeps it fun even in bad situations. Their "service down" page features a mini Flash game, to divert your attention and anger while you are waiting for the services to come back.

Spicing the mundane system error pages with jokes has become a good tradition for web-20. Here is a good blog about it.

What sets this example apart is that the game is custom-branded. And, since the chance of seeing it should be pretty low (ideally), the users may appreciate that extra time CrazyEgg puts in such things.

If you are interested in Flash games, or are looking for game engines to brand them for your site, visit www.theoworlds.com.

Learning to play Blackjack

If you ever go to Vegas, I have a tip for you - stick to Blackjack. It gives you the highest chances of winning, and you have some control over the game. Nothing will drain you faster of money as the mindless pulling of a "slut-machine" handle. As an alternative, you can just sit by the bar, play video Blackjack and rotate your ten bucks for half an hour. The drinks are free while you are playing! Just don't forget to leave a tip.

In order to lose your money slower (forget about winning in Vegas) you have to learn the Blackjack rules. The basics are simple, but when it comes to double ups, split hands and things like that - there is more to remember. You can find the complete table with all the right moves for every possible combination on the web. The best way to engrave them in your brain is to practice playing. You can do it online and for free at:

http://www.thehistorychannel.co.uk/site/games/breakingvegas/

We created this version of Blackjack for the History Channel website. It will give you tips on each hand and will help you remember the right moves.

Good luck!

Office Space Diary

"March 17, 2003 Monday
The luck ‘o the Irish! Yeah baby! Can’t wait to tip back some green beer…in celebration of my Irish heritage. So what if I’m not Irish…"

No, this is not a note from my personal diary. It's from the dairy of the main character of "The Office Space" game we did back in 2003. It's a map-based game, and each new map represents a new day at work. The idea is to "survive till vacation", which is on July 4th. There are 131 maps, and each starts with a short diary note. All together they create a sad-and-funny story of a generic, middle-aged office worker trapped in his cubicle.

We thought it would be nice to have this story leading the character through the game. It's all about details, though I didn't think anybody was really going to pay attention to these texts. To my surprise, when the game got a silver award from I.D. Magazine, they did mention the diary entries.

You never really know what details will appeal to the end user. We just like to play with details like that and at the end it pays off.

For those who want to check these diaries without playing the game, we are attaching them below.

Office Space Diaries

January 2, 2003 Thursday
The new year celebration has come to an end. Your carpet is soaked in alcohol, there is a mountain of dishes in the sink, and nameless faces are passed out in your living room. As you race to beat the clock, you can’t get your car door to unfreeze, and you spill steaming, hot coffee down your wrinkled suit. Once you get your “mileage” care warmed up, you slide to work listening to “Everybody Hurts”. You startle from your daze as you realize it’s the first day of the work year…and 4 th of July is far, far away.

January 3, 2003 Friday
Well, I guess it’s time to suck it up and make my New Year’s resolutions. Last year, I was a mess…didn’t even make it a week. This year will be different! I will succeed. Firstly, I will lose 25 pounds. I will quit smoking. AND I will not drink during the week. It’s Friday, so I’m giving myself the weekend off – will start full steam ahead on Monday!

January 6, 2003 Monday
Okay. I am ready to go. No cigarette with my morning coffee. No smoky treat on the commute to work. Had a huge breakfast of eggs and bacon – I am LOVIN’ this Atkins thing!

January 7, 2003 Tuesday
Chewed a whole pack of Nicorette after I beat the living daylights out of the copier. Is it too much to ask for a stupid machine to copy front and back?

January 8, 2003 Wednesday
Last night I strangled my dog Tootsie. I NEED a cigarette!!! Just one little puff. One tiny little hit off a Marlboro, and I will be satisfied. NO! I can’t do it. Will buy the patch and join an on-line support group. At least I’ll have someone to talk to at work.

January 9, 2003 Thursday
I have a savior! Found low-carb bread. Can you actually believe it?! I am sooo gonna stick to this diet. Doc Atkins is my hero!!!

January 10, 2003 Friday
Feel like crap. Went out with a few guys I use to bowl with. I didn’t drink. Took some crap for that. I smoked. I caved in. I couldn’t help myself! I have to look on the bright side – at least it’s pay day!

Read the rest of the diary here: www.theoworlds.com/games/os/story.html