Going into this project, I knew I had a limited budget for what was to be a small remake of one of my biggest games. I can’t draw too well, and I can’t really afford an artist. So how can I remake this game with a new graphical mode?

I decided I’d try a whole new medium: claywork. I really enjoy making things with my hands and clay was always a fun thing to do (Legos especially). The goal was to make the game entirely out of clay, giving it a Nightmare Before Christmas-esque look, or at the very least, a Gumby look.

Well come finding out, I’m not very good with clay either. Whoops.

The above picture was my first attempt at making, I kid you not, the castle. Right away I realized several things: I was not good with clay, and I’d have to do a majority of the work using Photoshop. Not only that, but I had to scrap making the entire project out of clay…instead, I’d just make the basic sprites out of clay, and make the background a boardgame-like style so it would somewhat cover up the clay issues. So, I looked through the catalog of SOG sprites and decided to try the village next.



Basically I would create the base elements in clay, and take a hi-res images of it. Then, I’d cut out all the other elements until I’m left with the village itself.



After that I’d paint the clay in Photoshop and add the various touches like windows, etc. Once that was done, I’d import it into a special GM designed program that would simulate the lighting used in the SOG remake and see if it needed any more touches.



After that I’d add the real time shadowing in GM and it was all done! That looks pretty good. Sadly, other clay portions of the game didn’t look near as good…at all. Check out the crack in the earth:



Wow that looks horrible. After that, I decided that I would still continue the “organic” theme of the new style, but use different elements aside from clay. Instead, I made the river to look like a metal bridge-like object, and I could use Christmas lights to simulate lightning.



That looks better, but I’ve still got some more to go. Thankfully the entire graphic set is done, and I’ve had to get a bit creative with some of the smaller elements like rabbits and man who wouldn’t show up well with just clay. It all turned out rather nicely, though there are still two clay objects I was never fully satisfied with. I might go back and rework them.

Anyways, I’d like to close this entry with some news on how the game will be released. I can say that it will be an exclusive release for a website that’s currently in development. It will be sold for under $5, and I’m really excited about it. Once the website is announced I’ll be able to tell you more about my plans, but that’s currently all I can say at the moment (the website is not being developed by me, by the way. The only involvement I have with the site is with this game and any future games I might make for it.). Until the site is announced and plans are finalized, I cannot release the game, and that’s looking more like an August release. BUT the game will be finished in July, which means I’m technically correct in saying it will be done in time for many July birthdays. You just won’t be able to play it yet. :p

Watch for more news soon!