Articles

By
Sergey Geraschenko
and other froggers
Project Coordinator of Frogwares Ukraine

Here we go! It was a very good idea indeed, thanks to Randy
Sluganski, to create this diary. It’s been about a month
since we started focusing on our new game. Now it is an opportunity
to sit back and to think over what we have done during first month
of work on our new project “A Journey to the Center of the Earth”.

A BIT OF HISTORY
“A Journey to the Center of the Earth” is an adventure game,
developed by Frogwares Ukraine, developer of The
Mystery of the Mummy.

ABOUT
THE GAME
The game is inspired from Jules Verne’s novel of the same name
“A Journey to the Center of the Earth”. However our objective
is not to make an interactive novel, we are simply attracted by idea
that there is an unknown world just beneath our feet. We want gamers
to discover it with Ariane, a young photographer, working for big
travel magazine.

Visit JA
forums “A Journey to the Center of the Game” to find
more information, screenshots, and even to participate in creation
of the game. This is a rare opportunity to actually participate in
the creation of an adventure game.

CREATION
First we received an assignment from our game designer to read the
book, watch all versions of movies existing etc as it was very important
to get accustomed to ideas of Jules Verne and be able to recreate
it for players. In my opinion “Monsieur Verne” has written
better novels, nevertheless some ideas are excellent…

As I have already said, we have started development of the game about
a month ago, right after finishing all 6-language localizations of
The Mystery of the Mummy. In fact before we had a month and
a half of pre-production stage when game design was reviewed in details,
concept graphics was created, many sketches were drawn by our artist:
Vitaly, our sketcher:

“When I heard about “Journey…” I said to
myself that it is right what I need. Actually I am just crazy about
all this steam-punk stuff, and Jules Verne was just like me, he-he,
trying to imagine rusty mechanisms working on steam and producing
a lot of noise.
To tell you the truth, I wish I could be Ariane, and go there myself…”

Programming
In any case the main work which was done during that time is development
of our own game engine. We decided to use the same
principle as in Return to Krondor or as in recently released
Syberia when 3D real time characters are interacting on high-resolution
pre-rendered background.

Main functions like rendering of background, RT character movement,
walkable area, and sprites animation are already implemented. To increase
independence of 3D designers from programmers, the latter created
several export-import plug-ins for 3DSMax and LightWave. Now designers
can test their scenes in the engine at the same time they are being
developed.

Anton,
our lead developer
“After playing Quake and Counterstrike every lunch break for
several years, unconsciously I think where I can put my favorite “bloody
physics” and exploding bodies. Hm. I think I work for the wrong
game company… Just kidding. In fact I will undoubtedly add some
cute things into game, which will immerse you completely into it.
Thought about small kind of small dinosaurs following you everywhere
waiting to be petted. BTW, you can give your ideas too.”

3D design
Following logics of the game design we have started creation of all
areas and sets of level 1. They were all shared between our 3D designers.
Accordingly to personal characteristics and skills we decided to made
several people in charge of character modeling, others to make animations.
You can see in the gallery
what we have already done.

Bogdan,
modeler of Ariane
“In art-school we had sitters, you know, sometime a naked
old man, sometimes a pale thin hungry student from local high school,
but we have only sketches here, I thought about inviting my girlfriend,
but you know… I will have hard time to concentrate 🙂
What do You think? Had to refer to magazines like “Play Adventure
Boy”, “Pentpuzzle”, 🙂 etc. I am just sure that
the end does justify the means”

In brief it is what we were focusing on during last month, I will
try to keep you informed about all news and do not forget that you
can take part in journey yourself in “A Journey to the Center
of the Game”.

See you soon.
SERge