Dirk 2: Production Diary

[TroyHepfner]

I got the low-level code for Dirk's new inventory working today! I can pick up items and they go into the inventory. I can cycle through the items using the Tab key, and I can use the current item with the space bar.

Now I just need the new PDA and the revised score box in the upper left corner so I can see my inventory and see what item is selected. It's kinda hard to use the new inventory when I can't see what I've got...

[TroyHepfner]

Another productive day! Dirk's new PDA is almost done!

[TroyHepfner]

Dirk's new health system is now hooked up to his new PDA, so you can see how healthy or close to death he is.

[TroyHepfner]

For your viewing pleasure: here's a screenshot of Dirk's new PDA, which I call the "iSpy" Both the coding and artwork are all finished!

As you can see, there's room in Dirk's inventory for 2 more keys and 1 more gadget or weapon. You can also see how the items stack - the first slot actually contains 3 gas grenades. So each grenade does not take up its own slot. The yellow slot indicates the currently selected item. So if I press the space bar, Dirk will turn on the X-ray glasses.

[AlleyCat]

WOOHOO!!! Agent K is back!!! I'm all giddy and squealing with delight!!! I've been really hoping she would be a regular in the series!

[Thurmond]

I like the new name. And I like the new art. I can hardly wait to play this!

[TroyHepfner]

Thanks to both of you!

Today, I updated the score box in the upper left corner of the game, and I started working on one of Dirk's new weapons.

[TroyHepfner]

Finished the first of Dirk's new weapons today, including all the artwork, sound effects, and programming! I really want to show it, but I don't want to spoil your fun when you finally get to play the game.

[TroyHepfner]

The past few days I've been experimenting with various techniques to try to improve Dirk's appearance. Below you can see some of my efforts.

In the left panel, you see the original drawing of Dirk from the first game (which up until now I've been using in Dirk 2). The middle frame adds some cel shading to give Dirk a more 3D look (less flat). And in the right frame I added a thicker outline to see what it would look like. I put them side by side so it is easier to compare them.



In the next one, I lightened up the cel shading on Dirk's dark jacket and shoes. It was too dark in the images above. I also started experimenting with adding a shadow.



For a couple of days, I've been trying to decide whether I like the thin or thick outline. After playing around with it, I think the thin outline works best in conjunction with the artwork for the power-ups and certain background objects that will eventually populate the street (like fire hydrants, street lights, trash cans, etc). So here's the version I think I'm settling on, with a better shadow:



Does anyone have any strong preference for the original drawing or the thicker outline?

[TroyHepfner]

Ok. I've chosen the thinner outline with the cell shading. And today I updated roughly 2/3 of Dirk's animation frames for the new look. It's looking AWESOME!