Hiring for Lexia

[Emera]

The server
The server has many features and new ideas that it wishes to offer to the
Graal community. The idea at the moment is that we want to create some sort
of clash between an adventure game and a battle style game. The battle system
will very closely resemble the final fantasy "one-round" battle system, and you
will be able to engage in battle with NPC's and players alike. We will also
make a good/evil feature. Everytime you commit an illegal action or a
generous action, your personality bar will drift either to evil or good. Both of
the personalities will have benefits that the other doesn't. Of course, all of
this will be played on a custom tileset. A cartoon tileset even more cartoony
than the pics1 default tileset. It will be almost jokey and playful. Spells and
weapons will be picked up as you advance your character up levels. The level cap
doesn't exist and you will just keep growing stronger. All these ideas are just a
glimpse into what I am thinking of accomplishing.
What do we have already?
Well, at the moment we have the following;
- A temporary tileset
- A handful of ideas
- 1 professional scripter
- 1 manager
- Hope
As you can see we don't have many things to work on at the minute. But please
pay very close attention to the last bullet point.
What are we looking for?
- Scripters
We need a team of active and professional scripters that can carry out just
about anything. We all know that scripter are very hard to come by these days,
but a call out is the best I can do. You will be working on a class system, quests
design, a shout system, weapons and character rendering and the battle system.
- Graphics
Again, we need active and professional graphics artists as you guys will be
working on the bare base of what makes the server eye-catching and playable.
We need graphics and tilesets.
You will be working on custom graphics, such as swords, shields (not just the
default templates), spells, concept art and the tileset of course.
- Levels
One more time, professional and active levelers needed! You guys will be making
the base to put all the above on to and make stunning visual levels. You will be
making dungeons, quests, inside levels, mansions, a great castle and many other
levels along with that too!
As you can see, I am asking for a lot here and I really hope that the people I am
asking for actually exist out there!
How can I reach you?
Several ways in fact!
- Email
[email protected]
- Forum Pm me
- In-game PM me
I hope I have grabbed your attention and I hope to see you guys and what
you have to offer!
Attached below?!
Below are some of the ideas I am hoping to bring to life, with better graphics of course! The bar below is some kind of idea of how the good/evil bar will work. This obviously needs a better graphic, but this representation helps to show you what I am talking about.

[Elk]

What is that Bar?

[Emera]

Originally Posted by Elk

What is that Bar?

Now in the post. I ain't with it today X_X

[Astram]

Why does it have arrows above it, shouldn't a script move an arrow image and change its color accordingly to its good/evil point so you can actually tell if your good or evil :P.

[Unkownsoldier]

It may be new to Graal (not likely) but its still an old idea. When are people going to leap out of their comfort zones and create something unique? It sounds a lot like Knight of the Republic or whatever that starwars game was called.

[Emera]

Originally Posted by Astram

Why does it have arrows above it, shouldn't a script move an arrow image and change its color accordingly to its good/evil point so you can actually tell if your good or evil :P.

It shows what the arrow colours will look like when they are at them positions X_X

A good example of what I am trying to say is attached to this post. The gauge is from fable 3.

[Crow]

Originally Posted by Unkownsoldier

It may be new to Graal (not likely)

The alignment system has been a part of Graal for quite a while now.

[Emera]

Well, I was thinking on many features I can add to Lexia to make it individual, unique an interesting. Here is a list.

Personality Gauge - This gauge will determine what kind of weapons you can wield, the strengths you have and the magic you can conjure! Your personality gauge can move up and down from good to bad by killing other players, giving money, killing monsters, killing players and generally completing certain tasks.

Battle System - The battle system will be made like the final fantasy battle system. Using the “one hit per turn” rule, players can participate in advanced combat wielding weapons and spells at the click of a mouse. This feature can also be disabled by fighting players normally with spells they have acquired from quests as well as being able to use them in the battle system. The battle system will only be available in certain areas.

Level System - The level system is nothing special really. You can advance a level by killing dungeon monsters, mastering spells (mentioned below) and killing players. The higher your level, the more powerful your stats become.

Spell Mastery - You will be able to master your spells after using them for a long time. Each time you use your spell to kill a monster or a player, your spell gauge will increase and you can then upgrade that certain spell. The higher your spell gauge, the greater your spell stats will become. The stats include things like range, speed, accuracy, power, spell cost and damage.

Advanced NPC’s - NPC’s on Lexia aren’t like your average NPC. They are also equipped with spells, weapons and vary in power and ability. Some NPC’s will be able to copy your actions and you can also chat with some NPC’s!

[Emera]

Updated version of the server information can be found here

[Emera]

Pardon the double post, but I didn't have an option to edit the previous post. Here is the starting blocks of the OSL level. I had to plug my laptop into my widescreen TV just to get a screenshot of the whole level.

[Pimmeh]

Originally Posted by Emera

Pardon the double post, but I didn't have an option to edit the previous post. Here is the starting blocks of the OSL level. I had to plug my laptop into my widescreen TV just to get a screenshot of the whole level.

That looks INCREDIBLY plain.
Why post a screenshot of a WIP level? Especially at these stages?

[fowlplay4]

Originally Posted by Pimmeh

That looks INCREDIBLY plain.
Why post a screenshot of a WIP level? Especially at these stages?

It's one screenshot more than the typical amount of images posted in a hiring thread. The tileset looks pleasant so far.

[MattKan]

Originally Posted by fowlplay4

It's one screenshot more than the typical amount of images posted in a hiring thread. The tileset looks pleasant so far.

Yes but I'm getting tired of looking at these kinds of tilesets because they're all so similar and they never work!

[Rufus]

It's a hiring thread, but your carpet boarder tiles are the same color as your walls. Doesn't make for a good transition.

[Emera]

Originally Posted by Rufus

It's a hiring thread, but your carpet boarder tiles are the same color as your walls. Doesn't make for a good transition.

The level is trying to match a dark red and brown kind of style, so the centerpiece of the level (the green carpet with the lexia osl message), will stand out from the rest.

Also, thank you for the wonderful feedback. I am aiming right now on getting my server as fully documented as possible. I can see were other UC servers are falling down, and that is that they aren't documenting anything. They just expect to rope in professional staff members without them even knowing what kind of server they are working for. If the staff know what to expect from a server, it won't just rope in staff, but they will make a decision in advance whether or not this server is worth their time and effort.

[JesusFreak250]

I Love the idea <3

[Crow]

Originally Posted by fowlplay4

The tileset looks pleasant so far.

It looks awfully familiar.

[Emera]

Originally Posted by Crow

It looks awfully familiar.

It was previously the tileset for Gladeious ^_^ Me, rogue and DeCeased worked on it previously on my last server and it never got finished. But the tileset seems to match my new idea so I thought I would use this unless I,
A) Get a talented GFX
B) Get them to construct a tileset
C) Use that tileset

I think the creator was in fact Sage (DeCeased) Good times we had on that server.

EDIT: V5 clients can no longer play Lexia due to a very high number of errors with the functionality on Lexia using the V5 client.

[Emera]

Added new GUI Bitmap images for the server. I don't have any other staff apart from myself at the moment, so I had to make them myself. They are crappy, but fit better than the Blue GUI that didn't match Lexia in the slightest.

[Emera]

Added a 2x2 lumbering gmap. You can go there and lumber all the wood you want! Have fun

[salesman]

Pick a different font color...like a light brown or tan for the gui

[Emera]

I just put up a very nice little addition to logging in to Lexia. The server logo appears in the middle of your screen and fades away into the background.


I am now going to start on the *gulp*... Weapon system X_X This will be fun, unless anybody wants to help?

[MysticalDragon]

Originally Posted by fowlplay4

It's one screenshot more than the typical amount of images posted in a hiring thread. The tileset looks pleasant so far.

Just wow, Now I know why Zodiacs images are so horrid.
Is this a hiring thread or a concept thread?

Originally Posted by Crow

It looks awfully familiar.

Used from Dustys free image thread, I think. Trees look like Atlantis sort of.

[Emera]

Below is some server content that I hope you will all like. I have now added a theme tune to Lexia that players on login that can be previewed here. Also, the login title screen with lexia that fades away has a smoother animation and now zooms out towards the player. I am still looking for a Graphics artist more than anything at the moment to create a newer tileset. If anybody would like to help out, send me a forum PM or an email to [email protected]

[xAndrewx]

cool

I made an attack system like FF7 (with the attack > run > items > other stuff) for Delteria when they decided not to use it. let me know if you want it.
(not fully finished, but its fun)

[Emera]

Paying Developers

We will be paying our developers, if they wish to be payed, and can be payed via real money (PayPal). Information can be found here. It would be really helpful if people wanting to be payed could set up a paypal account, since I don't really feel comfortable paying in other ways.

Updates

The nicknames have been upgraded, and have a larger size, but I have disabled the /nicksize command, since it isn't needed anymore. The preview of the nicknames is attached below. The nickname GANI was produced by DeCeased and not me. I merely tweaked it.

Players are also not disconnected because of their graal version anymore. They were disconnected because the server doesn't "play nice" with V5 players and causes a lot of bugs with the V5 client too, but I have updated the server PM and it now has a direct download link to the V6 client on the GraalOnline site.

I have been working on an NPC store, so players can buy the pickaxe instead of having it given to them on login, but the auto-give of the axe won't be removed until the store is up and running.

The lumber map is has actually been added some detail with flowers and such, and isn't just a load of trees. On that note, the lumber axe wait-before-slash time has been decreased slightly. This means faster money making.

Work has now started on the GMAP.

If anybody is interested in helping, since I am the only staff member there, can you drop me a forum PM, post here or email me at [email protected]
We could use your help!

A skilled coder will be payed slightly more than the other developers ;)

[Emera]

Started work on the main map! Thank you and congratulations to the new staff!

Volken - Levels
Mercy - Graphics

I hope now we can get somewhere! Get the ball rolling!

The custom GUI bitmaps are currently in development, so hope to be seeing them soon along with some level images! Thank you mercy for them

Inventory image is finished, now it just needs programming.

Just to let you know - I will be looking for a creative writer to construct the Lexia playerworld page on the GraalBible page. They will need to have a good understanding of the language English and also be above average in the area of writing and have a good understanding of Gramar. PM me or email me at [email protected] to apply

[Emera]

Because I firmly believe that players should move away from the V5 client and towards the V6 client, I am starting to put in place some motivation to download and use the V6 client. Because my server has certain issues with the V5 client, I have to put in place some sort of message to say that game play will be much butter if you use the updated client. I came up with a little message bar at the top of the screen. Simple, using polygons and a multi line text box, I think it gets the message across. Images are attached below. I don't know if anybody wants to use it, so if you do, you can find the script here.

Also, I have added to the lumbering GMAP, some wind sound effects, since you are likely to hear trees rustling if you are around a lot of trees. Go and check it out The Axe GANI is currently being worked on, so hope to be seeing that soon.

[Crow]

Those are some old Eden/Esteria tiles. Where did you get them?

[Emera]

Originally Posted by Crow

Those are some old Eden/Esteria tiles. Where did you get them?

Not that I know of? These tiles were made from a combination of sage's graphics skill and some of dusty's tiles I think. I am looking for a Graphics artist capable of developing a new tileset however. Obviously, if it is causing any problems, I can have the tiles removed immediately.

[Crow]

Originally Posted by Emera

Obviously, if it is causing any problems, I can have the tiles removed immediately.

I don't care anymore; no idea if Nico does. Been a while since Angelu and I have been working on Esteria. But the house and path tiles are definitely his work. I believe the roof tiles are actually pretty old, since we had better ones at some point (I think; I honestly can't remember).

[Emera]

Originally Posted by Crow

I don't care anymore; no idea if Nico does. Been a while since Angelu and I have been working on Esteria. But the house and path tiles are definitely his work. I believe the roof tiles are actually pretty old, since we had better ones at some point (I think; I honestly can't remember).

Might look into it ^_^ Thanks for that.

[DeCeaseD]

Nope. o_O I got those tiles awhile ago from Angelu to use on a project I was making.

[Emera]

Originally Posted by DeCeaseD

Nope. o_O I got those tiles awhile ago from Angelu to use on a project I was making.

Thought as much. I looked at the old tiles in my Graal folder and crow is right, they look almost 100% identical.

[Emera]

Added some links to the lumber map so you don't have to use them horrible block warps to get there and back. I have used an over top image on the stairs to make it look like you are going under that roof too Images are attached. Sorry about the over size logo's. I use script to crank the size down. The image was generated using born2kill's NW2PNG and I used the GUI version by Chris. Thanks guys.

Now added links from the far left pillar to the item store. The axe NPC can now be bought for free at the store. Then you can start making money
I will not be removing the axe from players who already have it however. Have fun

Made the questicon image and the ani for it. See it in OSL. We will be using this for tutorials, information on quests and general information and help.
Image is attached.

[Emera]

We are starting development on inside levels as of today, while continuing with the gmap. The axe can now be bought in store for free, so get money making! Errors with loading the server documentation have now been fixed, so if you had issues in the past, then go and try again. One of the many towns to come is almost done too. And, mercy has told me that he knows a guy who is interested in doing animations for Lexia too! So hope to be seeing them soon. We are still looking for a systems coder, so if you are interested, just email me at [email protected] or send me a forum pm. We have also asked for a news post to be put up to maximize our publicity. On another note, apologies if you tried to log into Lexia today and the server was staff only. We had a bit of a meltdown. We are also still looking for a tile artist and a creative writer!
Added a nice touch to the town! A town name board.

Update: We are currently working on bringing you guys crystal mining Should be finished very soon!

[Emera]

Crystal Mining
You can now collect crystals and mine for them! Although the gmap won't be open for you to mine them, if you ask nicely, I might take you there! Crystal pickaxes cost 300 Gold and mining crystal takes longer than lumbering. The amount of gold you get is 1.5 x more though.


Update: Working on a warp menu for the warp pillars. I figured that using a GUI would look amateur, so I used some polys and some text, and it is producing a good result. Images attached.

[Emera]

After some thinking, I ain't really going to use this warp menu, but some of you guys might! Here is the code. Better to give than to keep and forget!

PHP Code:

function onActionServerSide() {
  if (params[0] == "3") {
    setlevel2("lexia_store1.nw", 31, 42.68);
  }
  if (params[0] == "1") {
    setlevel2("lexia_osl.nw", serveroptions.unstickmex, serveroptions.unstickmey);
  }
  if (params[0] == "2") {
    setlevel2("lexia-lumber.gmap", 30, 30);
  }
}

//#CLIENTSIDE
function onCreated() {
  this.menu_on = false;
  setTimer(0.05);
  GraalControlhasfocus();
  this.selected = "MenuText1";
}

function onTimeout() {
  if (this.menu_on == true) {
    showMenu();
  }
  if (this.menu_on == false) {
    hidemenu();
  }
  setTimer(0.05);
}

function ShowMenu() {
  new GuiShowImgCtrl("Menu") {
    x = 0;
    y = 0;
    width = GraalControl.width;
    height = GraalControl.height;
    polygon = {
      0, 0, width, 0, width, height, 0, height
    };
    red = green = blue = 0;
    alpha = 0.8;
    new GuiShowImgCtrl("MenuText1") {
      x = GraalControl.width / 2;
      y = GraalControl.height / 2;
      text = "Warp to OSL";
      style = "b";
      height = 150;
      zoom = 0.75;
      font = "Tempsitc";
      width = 150;
    }
    new GuiShowImgCtrl("MenuText2") {
      x = GraalControl.width / 2;
      y = GraalControl.height / 2 + 20;
      text = "Warp to Lumbering";
      style = "b";
      height = 150;
      zoom = 0.75;
      font = "Tempsitc";
      width = 150;
    }
    new GuiShowImgCtrl("MenuText3") {
      x = GraalControl.width / 2;
      y = GraalControl.height / 2 + 40;
      text = "Warp to Store";
      style = "b";
      height = 150;
      zoom = 0.75;
      font = "Tempsitc";
      width = 150;
    }
    new GuiShowImgCtrl("MenuTextArr") {
      x = GraalControl.width / 2 - 10;
      text = ">";
      style = "b";
      height = 150;
      zoom = 0.75;
      font = "Tempsitc";
      width = 15;
    }
  }
}

function HideMenu() {
  Menu.visible = false;
}

function onKeyPressed(code, Key) {
  if (Key == "[") {
    this.menu_on = true;
    Menu.visible = true;
  }
  if (Key == "]") {
    this.menu_on = false;
  }
}

function MenuText1.onMouseDown() {
  triggerserver("gui", this.name, "1");
  MenuText3.alpha = 0.7;
  MenuText1.alpha = 1;
  MenuText2.alpha = 0.7;
  MenuTextArr.y = GraalControl.height / 2;
  this.selc = MenuText1;
}

function MenuText2.onMouseDown() {
  triggerserver("gui", this.name, "2");
  MenuText3.alpha = 0.7;
  MenuText1.alpha = 0.7;
  MenuText2.alpha = 1;
  MenuTextArr.y = GraalControl.height / 2 + 20;
  this.selc = MenuText2;
}

function MenuText3.onMouseDown() {
  triggerserver("gui", this.name, "3");
  MenuText3.alpha = 1;
  MenuText1.alpha = 0.7;
  MenuText2.alpha = 0.7;
  MenuTextArr.y = GraalControl.height / 2 + 40;
  this.selc = MenuText3;
} 


[Unkownsoldier]

Are you using an axe to mine?

[Emera]

Originally Posted by Unkownsoldier

Are you using an axe to mine?

At the moment yes.