[250922] This Week at Funny Fintan
[INCOMING COMMUNIQUE]
Hello Imber,
On time, as always, welcome back to This Week at Funny Fintan, an intergalactic broadcast on the progress of Incolatus. This week at Funny Fintan, we take stock and move forward.
Hitchhiker's Guide to Xyzanthynum Part VI: Tower Entrance
The tower entrance arena has been an Incolatus staple since the very first 2020 concepts, but it's changed a great deal since then. The final confrontation of map 1, the tower entrance has always been the toughest arena of the bunch, usually surrounded by large artificial structures of varying descriptions.
2020
This concept shows the beginnings of ideation about what the tower entrance could look like, you will notice the silhouettes of two early Ormyk designs guarding the door.
As time went on, we realised that we'd need a bit more space to have an entire arena fight in this area.
This photo bash displays the enormity of scale we initially went with for the tower and the amount of foliage, unfortunately, this had to be scaled back due to computational limits. Maybe we can get back to this scale one day.
This Blender diorama outlines the main points we were going for in the 2020 demo with this area that largely stuck around as the design evolved.
The final blockout for the 2020 demo showcases these ideas culminating in the first material version of the tower entrance arena (with a little yellow guy for scale).
The final version of the level saw the implementation of this area rushed a little... (it wasn't a top priority)
As you might be able to tell, the arena was very baron and textureless which was not entirely intentional.
And the scale of objects was... A little off. Nonetheless, this was a good jumping-off point for the 2021 demo!
2021
In last year's demo, the tower entrance arena was absorbed into the Mines arena, and lost its status as a standalone arena, with the actual door's appearance relegated to being a simple victory stroll.
The Mines arena, 2021. You can read more about the mines in the [090922] TWAFF
Pictured: the incredible boring walk to the door
This was the year we decided to add a ravine into the mix, so Imber's entrance was moved to a hidden side door deep underground. Good stuff.
2022
This year, the Tower entrance was reinstated as an actual arena and is now the toughest at that.
The new blockout earlier this year featured a tall building to increase verticality, the idea was to develop this structure with concept art over the year. Unfortunately, with the departure of our concept artists during development, this workflow couldn't be followed through on.
Meet the solution... Scaffolding!
With probably the best view of the entire demo, it's not a bad spot for a final confrontation.
You'll notice this year, a massive smashing device, attempting to bust down the door of the tower. This is Tigris Nix's newest attempt to break into the tower.
The original, albeit vague, statement of intent for this arena still holds true
- Temporary settlement
- Full of creates and guards
Can't wait to expand on this arena next year!
Thanks for tuning into Hitchhiker's Guide to Xyzanthynum! We've now made it through the history of every arena.
That's All, Imber!!!!!!!!
Sorry for the short one again, a lot is in the works right now. New announcements coming soon...
For Funny Fintan Softworks, I'm Jane, saying:
If you're reading this, comment 'garwungard floogus' on the @incolatusgame Instagram, tell no one what it's from.
Thank you for tuning into another issue of This Week at Funny Fintan, to keep up to date with the game you can follow our socials and keep it locked right here on Incolatus.com for more issues each week! We'll see you at another event soon... Until then... Just. Don't. Stop. Moving.
-Jane 🌸
[END OF COMMUNIQUE]