Recent fascination

Yesterday, I saw a documentary of "ancient astronauts" on the History Channel (HD).  It really made me think about these artifacts.  Actually, it turns out that there really are OOparts in the world.  These out-of-place artifacts defy what we know.  Some even challenge scientific marvels of today.
There's an article here on OOparts.  Now it makes a lot more sense as to why Megaman Star Force 2 did the things it did.  I say they made a clever connection to these real mysteries of life.
Think about it.  The museum has artifacts of a race wiped out by their own power.  A race so technologically advanced that they even had similarities to their modern technologies.  A descendant living to their day because people could live for a long time back then.  They just put it together in a very nice and unique way.

New wallpaper

If you've played the new EXE game, one of the few new things is a background of Megaman's emblem outlined in blue.  It looked neat and simple so I decided to make it into a wallpaper.

I'm posting a source so I don't have to export multiple sizes.

Download source

I can start ripping screens from the game though.  Check the Sprites INC topic for new rips.

Episode 10 stuff

Now that the really unique content from episode 10 of the New Crisis has shown up, I feel like publicly releasing some of my resources.

First off, the Shooting Star Key.  It's an item I developed for purely fictional purposes.  I thought, "well since this has to do with waves and space, I should reference Shooting Star somehow."

Here is the key in its original output.

It's supposed to be a key with the emblem inside an orb.  I made it a "chip image" to make it show up in the results screen. So to cleverly blend it with the background, I saved it with the background color.  Here is what the image really looked like when I put it in the game.

The same is true for all 5 key colors.

Next up is the Mr. Prog battle.  I made more frames out of the BN6 sprite to simulate animation.  I think it came out well.  Here is the full sprite sheet I made and used.

Using Greiga Master's custom sprite making program, I could add it into the game.  This is one reason I had to delay the episode; I needed the custom sprites.

Download the BN sprite file

You can use the file with Greiga Master's new program, the sprite list viewer, to easily add it to the game.  It's fully playable.  I made it in a way that if you ever get to control it, the animations make sense.

I also made a wave road in part 10-2.  It was meant only to cross the open path and even animates.  I'm surprised I didn't see as much reaction to it.

Also new in this episode is Lan's new animation.  Remember from Part 1?  He said "On Air"

There are the new sprites.  It may seem like a rearranged version of his old animation but the last 2 frames are new and that was something I decided to do after the sprite maker was made.

Game Maker logo contest winner revealed!

I figured out today that the winning logo for Game Maker was announced.  I share the opinions of the many disappointed viewers claiming it is unprofessional and outdated.  I entered in that contest when it was still running.  I submitted 2 entries for the new logo.  I'm not saying mine are perfect - I'm still learning.  But the new logo lacks real modern elements with not even as much as a font to represent that. 

Here are my entries.  They would probably get the same treatment the new one is getting so it's a good thing I didn't win.

New Crisis - 10-2

Part 2 of Episode 10 is finished.  I just had to add a few more seconds to it.  It is now the longest video I have uploaded.  If this keeps up, 10-3 will be more of the same.  10-4 should be nearing the last area and 10-5 should have the final battle.  This is going to be so exciting!

Teaser 4 - not much progress

The past day-and-a-half, Greiga Master wanted to work on another program.  He took away the time I could have been working on the episode.  It's difficult stuff though.

In the programming side, GM wanted to make a sprite list viewer.  You know the sprite list I ALWAYS refer to and nobody seems to understand?  Well that is simplified in a VERY sophisticated program I helped create.  Not only does it let you see everything on the list regardless of compression, but it lets you browse the frames AND extract/import sprites.

Here is a screenshot of the program in progress.  I think it's really well made.

It's not done yet but it should be.

Back to New Crisis, I had a hard time importing the next map.  It's just those tiny imperfections that bothered me.  I managed to fix the map as best as I could but the there will be more patching this time.  I don't think anybody even noticed the patches from the first map.

But the hardest part is out of the way now.  I hope to start recording Mr Prog battles by tomorrow.  Maybe even release Part 2 if I have enough time.

New Crisis 10; Teaser 3

I've made significant progress today.  I not only finished the Mr Prog battles, but I finished the Magnetman battle as well.  This means area 1 is complete.  It got me thinking that maybe I shouldn't hold back on the episode parts as I originally said.  I can try compiling a video as soon as I get another 10 minutes.  This time no rushing or promised dates.

Here is the teaser screenshot from the next part.

The moves are by contest winner, darkcrosz who picked an excellent moveset.  I thought the battle came out a little easy but see that tackle attack there, I thought that was awesome.  Oh, but I also gave away the backgrounds used in the battles.  Get used to them because they look awesome, too!

New file host; reuploads

With the collapse of WHFF, I am forced to switch hosts.  Greiga Master recommended I use Box.net.  The upload limit is smaller, but at least it can upload files that large.

I've reuploaded most of the files I had immediate access to.  Here are the download links to those files.

The SFMegaman BN sprite file with ReadMe included.


MMBN State Saves


Onimusha Blade Warriors Megaman-music tracks


Lunar Knights DS Star Force Crossover Music


MMSF1-2 Sounds Rip


MMSF3 Sounds and Voices Rip *NEW*


MMBN5 Double Team DS Sounds and Voices Rip

Notice that the SF3 Sounds and Voices rip is new.  I released the voices before but this time, I've included basic sounds.  They're in their original archive name, which isn't good.  I'd rather have their original name but that's not possible.  The sounds are great.  You know, coming from the last well-made Megaman RPG game made.

And finally, to make up for all the broken links out there, I've assembled the BN Hack Kit.  In it, there are several programs and utilities useful in hacking BN games.  It includes State saves, my BN6 perfect save and a handful of useful programs.  All programs are products of their original authors.  I didn't make any of the programs.  Most of them are Greiga Master's programs.

Download the BN Hack Kit.

Download is for registered members of TREZ only.  I am obliged by Greiga Master to do this.

Enjoy them downloads!

Will Host For Food.com is no more

You may have realized that all of my uploaded files no longer work.  This is because the file uploading host I was using is no longer functioning.  This is a really bad case for me because I had years-worth of things uploaded there.  If for some reason, you find a broken link, let me know.  I'm trying to find a new host and will post a "BN Hack Kit"  It will consist of various tools and applications useful in BN hacking.  I hope that will make up for it.  I also have to reupload a few sound packs.  I'll post the uploads here when I find a host.

Told ya!

It is here!

Almost!

Great news!  I added up the number of minutes I have recorded and it comes up to 8 minutes.  It's very close to 10 minutes.  Tomorrow, I'll record one more scene and then I should be able to release Part 1 early.  I'm releasing Part 1 early to satisfy the demands.  I certainly did not expect to get it done now.  I hope to be completely done before Thanksgiving.  Early present, right?

Be patient.  Within the next 24 hours of this post, Part 1 will be online!

More New Crisis progress

I spent some time today preparing the custom map I will use.  After much hassle, I've finally managed to correctly display the map in the game.  I even got the background all functioning.
Here is the second sneak peak.

It's not from any particular scene.  It's just a screenshot of it functioning.  Only a very small portion did not show up but can EASILY be patched up with a sprite.  It will be amazing when it all comes to life!  Tomorrow, I expect to complete the scenario involving this map.  This is where the doors with faces appear.  It is also where the contest winner's Magnetman entry will appear.  It is very exciting to see this progress being made.

SF Megaman playable in BN6

It was going to be possible, no matter what.  I adjusted the sprite file to work on BN6.  You can download it along with instructions.  With it, it is possible to do such simple hacks as the one in the video below.

It is a very graphical-only change, obviously.  But it's still fun.

OSS Site stuff

So as you may have already known, the OSS site updated with a download section.

You can download lots of things there.  Among one of them is a "mystery download".  Obviously, it's Forte, or as the Japanese say, Forute.

Click the link below to download it ahead of time. ;)
http://www.capcom.co.jp/rockman/exe_oss/download/dl_item/dg/battle/forute.zip

OSS sprites are here!

The game is finally out and I ripped some of the more high-demand rips.

SFMegaman overworld

SF Megaman In-battle

Clockman In-battle

Rogue In-battle


I know, they couldn't have ruined Rogue's sprite anymore. >_>
I'll post sprite files soon.  They have to be modified to work on newer BN games.

First teaser

Remember, I am working on the final episode.  It's tedious work especially with the sudden, unexpected errors.  At this rate, I may be able to have the first 10 minutes done by the end of the week.  I will upload that part earlier than the rest.  The other parts will be uploaded at once like I've done before.

Now here is the first screenshot.  It's from the first scene.

What could be going on?  I learned something from this scene.  Apparently, only 12 sprites can be on the map at once.  I reached the limit in my little crowd over there.  Most of them, like the characters whose sprites are compressed and therefore area-specific, were added with the custom sprite maker.  And that Lan there...is a FAKE!  It's just part of a custom animation.  You'll see when I'm done.

It's a crossover week!

I think this came out as interesting.  This week, Rockman EXE Operate Shooting Star is released.  Neat little crossover there.  And also this week, it's the CSI Crossover on CBS, where CSI Las Vegas goes to Miami and New York.  I'm thrilled about this week.  Plus, it's a holiday on Wednesday.  That will give me time to finish TNC.  I'll try to get part 1 up earlier than the rest.  It's all coming together now!

100th post

It's about time.  This is the 100th post on my blog.  Also, the Battle Network Custom Sprite Maker is completed.

Here is a demonstration video of the potential it has.


Isn't it awesome?  8-bit Megaman vs 8-bit Protoman.  This freedom in sprites will allow amazing effects for the final episode of The New Crisis.  I can officially begin now.  As for a public release, it doesn't seem to be happening soon.  Greiga Master is reluctant to release it but I'll try to convince him to do so.

Here are the sprite files I used.  They can be used in BN5-6 like any other sprite.

8-bit Megaman sprite
8-bit Protoman sprite