Adventure Gamers - Forums

I wanted to let everyone know about a game that I’ve been working on: The Last Goddess. It’s a squad-based point-and-click adventure mystery game set in near-future Florida.

Story
When a professor goes missing from Tampa Bay University, a government agent, a doctoral student of folklore, and two graphic designers form an unlikely investigative team. Their search will take them through Tampa’s city center, to the campus of a secretive software development company, and into the surrounding rural expanse of Central Florida, ultimately leading to discoveries they never could have imagined.

I wanted this game (my second point-and-click) to have the feel of an ensemble cast film of the 80s, and I felt like Florida was a great location to set it in. If you’re interested in learning more, please check us out on Kickstarter.

We also have a teaser video.

Gabe - 13 October 2016 12:09 PM

Enough retroactivity how about try make to characters look like at the first pic?

So I actually talk about why this specific pixel style was chosen for the game in a DevBlog post. To elaborate on that point a bit, I believe that at a specific level of abstraction in the graphics, the imagination interacts with the game in such way (similar to reading a novel and picturing the characters in your head) that, as a result, the player becomes more invested in the game.

Why is the talking dog missing?

The story seems very interesting & I like the artwork you’ve presented here but it doesn’t seem to be representative of some of the more pixelated images on your Kickstarter page which are a little too retro for me I’m sorry to say. 

chrissie - 13 October 2016 01:31 PM

The story seems very interesting & I like the artwork you’ve presented here but it doesn’t seem to be representative of some of the more pixelated images on your Kickstarter page which are a little too retro for me I’m sorry to say. 

If you don’t like the style, then that’s your preference, and that’s how it is. No worries. 

Origami - 13 October 2016 01:18 PM

Why is the talking dog missing?

What talking dog?

parallaxdreams - 13 October 2016 02:20 PM

Origami - 13 October 2016 01:18 PM

Why is the talking dog missing?

What talking dog?

The one with the hippy owner.

parallaxdreams - 13 October 2016 12:29 PM

Gabe - 13 October 2016 12:09 PM

Enough retroactivity how about try make to characters look like at the first pic?

So I actually talk about why this specific pixel style was chosen for the game in a DevBlog post. To elaborate on that point a bit, I believe that at a specific level of abstraction in the graphics, the imagination interacts with the game in such way (similar to reading a novel and picturing the characters in your head) that, as a result, the player becomes more invested in the game.

It’s good to see a philosophical approach to art styles. Many developers go with a modern style because it’s modern, or a retro style due to budget limitations. You’ve chosen a style that fits your vision, so good for you.

I also agree with what you say about imagination and filling in the gaps. It’s unfortunate that many gamers today do not have the imagination to appreciate anything less than modern, detailed graphics.

Origami - 13 October 2016 02:25 PM

parallaxdreams - 13 October 2016 02:20 PM

Origami - 13 October 2016 01:18 PM

Why is the talking dog missing?

What talking dog?

The one with the hippy owner.

I just got the reference   He’s not in the game. I consider that show to be more of an example of 1970s comedy anyway, rather than the tone we’re going for with The Last Goddess.

parallaxdreams - 13 October 2016 03:43 PM

I just got the reference   He’s not in the game. I consider that show to be more of an example of 1970s comedy anyway, rather than the tone we’re going for with The Last Goddess.

I don’t know why, but I was immediately reminded of the ‘mystery gang’ seeing the art for the characters and the segment of them sitting in a car.

Good luck with the game. Hope you manage to weave a good mystery. If so, will check it out.

I’ve just gone to the kickstarter page and it’s not doing well… The game in itself looks interesting and I backed it but I think people are tired of the overly pixelized retro look and asking for 150k with this kind of look, no demo and no previous games to show (Adventures in Research! is not available) makes it tough to succeed…

giom - 20 October 2016 06:56 AM

I’ve just gone to the kickstarter page and it’s not doing well… The game in itself looks interesting and I backed it but I think people are tired of the overly pixelized retro look and asking for 150k with this kind of look, no demo and no previous games to show (Adventures in Research! is not available) makes it tough to succeed…

First of all, thanks for backing the game!

And thank you for your feedback on the Kickstarter as well. I’m not giving up on the campaign while it’s still running, and—whatever the outcome—after it ends I’ll be sifting through all the feedback I’ve received to see what resonates with myself and the rest of the team as we prepare a way forward for The Last Goddess.

No problem, it really looks interesting and I, for one, actually don’t mind retro looks.
It’s just that it’s frustrating to see so many kickstarter campaigns that look promising fail because of the same reasons… 

I strongly believe that demos are critical to secure funding. It’s also very important to plan before the campaign all of the media events and coverage so that people keep talking about the game all through the campaign. 

The skills to manage a successful kickstarter campaigns are not the same skills that are needed to produce the game but are similar to what you need to be able to sell the game in the future. So they’re critical to develop and kickstarter is a great training ground for this.

parallaxdreams - 13 October 2016 12:29 PM

Gabe - 13 October 2016 12:09 PM

Enough retroactivity how about try make to characters look like at the first pic?

So I actually talk about why this specific pixel style was chosen for the game in a DevBlog post. To elaborate on that point a bit, I believe that at a specific level of abstraction in the graphics, the imagination interacts with the game in such way (similar to reading a novel and picturing the characters in your head) that, as a result, the player becomes more invested in the game.

Let’s be honest the graphics are what they are for budget/skill level issues. Which I don’t mind if the story is intriguing. The Last Door was lower resolution than what you’re doing but was a success because of it’s storytelling. Unfortunately your video doesn’t provide a story hook that will interest people, which you could do even with poor graphics.

Your concept of 4 female protagonists with different personalities and skills working as a team I really like. It’s a good idea.

But going back to the story. “1000s of years ago in humanities darkest days the goddesses rescued us, but what happened to them, where did they go”. Well sorry but there’s no story telling or intrigue there. You need to create an interest and well you haven’t done, the premise is too simplistic and without any layers of lore.

I know that’s all brutally honest and I know it’s really difficult starting a small creative business but what you’re doing needs to be adapted for the market.

You could make this project a success but you do need to adapt it, good luck.