The VG Resource

Current Features:

Story Mode - It is accessed currently by pressing A at the title, A when Gamer Girl shows up, and then pressing a direction to select a character portrait. At the moment there are several blank spaces where the characters aren't accessed. These are empty spaces for Sol, Vipershark and Jetters. Their names were entered in the build before Meta, who was completed more before they were, so they are going to be in a future release. Meta is in one of the bottom two slots, so don't overlook him. Each character currently has a "story mode" with a fight against every mostly implemented playable character.

Vs Mode - This is the first selection under Story Mode, but at the moment it's unwise to use it since at the moment there's not much support for two players. Actually, if you have a second player and know how to program a joypad or split your functional keys across the keyboard for two people (Otherwise known as the most awkward possible way to play), then this mode might have some enjoyment for you.

Team battle - The selection below Vs Mode. Basically suffers the same way as Vs does, but is still technically functional as well.

Randomly Generated elements - This is mostly related to Baegal since he is the only one present in this build that has it, but it is definitely possible in this engine to make objects appear with random forms. You can see this with Ocksford's ball attack and balloon jump randomly generating which form it is every time. Vipershark has a special move that acieves this, but he is not implemented in this build.


In the works:

Gognio specials - I know how to do them in terms of making them require a specific amount of Gognio bar, but I just have not implemented them yet. I ran a test with Meta, but the special I did it on wasn't a Gognio special and I forgot. I:

CPU programming - At the moment you will probably notice unusual behaviors from the CPUs. This is because I don't ENTIRELY understand the CPU programming aspect. I kind of get it, but things aren't spelled out perfectly clear for me. They do forge some rather entertaining results, but this is a segment I'll need some more time with.

Grabs and throws - Like Gognios, I have an idea how these work, and basically I'll have to make specific movement and reaction frames for each character (which is not as hard as it sounds. I just have to make the reaction on one character for their respective throw, paste those movements into each other character, and repeat for each). They'll take a bit more time to implement though, so I've been holding off. I feel like I'm missing something about how throws work, because each defense frame has a "throw" function in addition to a getting hit and collision function.

New Characters - Viper, Sol and Mighty are partially added in at this point, but since they are missing a lot of frames for certain animations the next available playable character is probably going to be Chaoxys, since his sheet is very complete.

Hurdles:

Standard arcade mode - So far, the only single player mode I have been able to make by default is a Story Mode for each character. This is the kind of mode I like a lot, where there's lots of room for cut-ins between battles for pre-battle banter, but I know a lot of people prefer just a standard Arcade experience. As of right now I don't really know how to make that happen. There must be a way, but I'm missing it at the moment.

Assists: This is a bit of a hurdle for me at the moment because from what I understand people have wanted Assists to be a randomized element that happens during the battle. The other option I thought I heard (or maybe just stole from Marvel vs Capcom) is that the assists are selectable before the start of the battle. At the moment I am not a hundred percent sure how to do either of these. I know the first one can be done, but the second method I'm not so sure. All I definitely know how to do is to have assists correspond to specific characters as moves, and have them consume a portion of Gognio. Otherwise I'm somewhat stumped and need time to brood on it.

Other options: As far as building an Options menu, I'm completely inexperienced in this engine. I'm not even sure if it CAN be done to the effect that Gors originally intended, but I do know some games that have been made in this engine, so maybe I'll look up videos on them and see what they provide.

Missing frames: Certain characters are missing frames of animation to make the animations a bit smoother for combat, or are missing animations all together. It is not an extreme problem at the moment, as there is still a lot of work to do in all other aspects and these can be inserted easily at any time. The reason this is a problem at the moment is that when a character has fewer frames of animation, like some of Vipershark's punches and kicks, it makes the delay between attack frames so small that they can be spammed infinitely almost. There are ways around this at the moment, like adding in another frame of animation with the same sprite that doesn't have the attack frame, hence there's more natural delay, but it would look better with an in between frame. Now some of the missing aspects are small fixes I might be able to do myself, so it's not really a big deal. I'm a bit amateur when it comes to spriting though. Here is a tentative list of missing animations thus far, in no particular order of priority, just as I remember them:
Gognio or standard specials?: With certain members I'm unsure if their moves are meant to be a Standard Special or a Gognio Special. The decided definition of the difference is that Gognios are more powerful specials that consume a portion of your Gognio bar, which charges when attacked and when attacking. Some sheets make it clear which moves are meant to be Gognio, some do not. If any special in the game doesn't correspond to your vision for your character, let me know and I'll edit it.
Spritality: At the moment I do not know how to implement Spritalities properly. I know for a fact that some Mortal Kombat games have been made in this engine, though. I just need to study one of them to find the proper mechanics behind this.

Music: Still only WAV. Still has enormous file space. I apologize. I might try to see if the CD option is viable, it just means you have to burn a CD containing the tracks. If I do this I may offer this as an alternate version.

Score: Don't know how to implement it yet, but it is probably just a basic variable I can change. The problem is I don't know if I can save the scores on a High Score board.

Bonus games: I have an IDEA of how to do the bonus Target Test minigame and such, but it is still untested and I'm unsure if it will work. Ultimately I don't think this as big a hurdle as others, because of the fact there are options for special fights through Story Mode and there's no reason the Car couldn't just be a big, stoic enemy sprite.

Known bugs:

-Because of the limitations of this engine, the sprite sheets have to be saved as 256 color BMPs, which alters the palettes slightly when I save them that way. As a result, the palettes in this engine aren't 100% accurate. Also, because I'm too lazy mainly at this point, the 2P and beyond colors are not accurate either, because I have to basically select the 2P colors like selecting a color from MS paint, and I don't have each color's numerical data written down anywhere for all the 2P colors. HOWEVER, I did discover an option for expanded palettes I didn't see before, but that will require some testing.

-Due to the aformentioned 256 color BMP changing the palettes, some colors on sprites (namely the Frozen frames) have colors that match the background I'm making transparent. I fix these as I go, but some make it through sometimes, so I'm just mentioning that.

-Ocksford's balloon sometimes remains without a string when he gets hit. I have a solution to make the string part of the balloon and float off rather than sticking beside Ocksford, but it's not implemented yet.

-Vic doesn't cause a grab frame with C2B, but I believe I mentioned that above. Instead the other players just get hit a few times. Still effective.

-Frame lengths aren't final, so some moves will move faster or slower than they are actually intended to.

-Stage scrolling is a little wonky, resulting in certain objects that don't move up or down to correspond with the players jumping, things like that.

-Some moves make players temporarily float. This is due to some moves not having normal gravity when starting up and when they get hit mid-move they retain that effect for a moment. It's fixable and I actually fixed a number of moves in that regard already.

-Vic won't appear from the side if the move is used too close to a wall. This seems self explanatory, but if you face a wall and get close to it you might see what I mean. Unfortunately there doesn't seem to be a work-around for this yet. I've been trying desperately.

TFR Version 0.3

New Moves:
Neko:
-Gognio Moon: Down-DownBack-Back-Forward Punch (With 3 Gognio bars)
-Spritality Kart: Down-DownBack-Back-Forward Kick (With 9 Gognio bars)

Ocksford:
-Statue: Quartercircle Back Kick

-All characters have recieved some placeholder hit sparks and sound effects. Sound effects made through Labchirp (Mostly through the randomize tool since I suck actually developing sounds)

-Updated Neko with Nick's latest sheet designs, for the mostpart. Some designs not yet updated.

-C2B's baguettes for his Jump Kick finally implmented.

-Added placeholder stages to add a little bit of extra flavor so fights aren't always limited to the Bouncy Cat and Foundry stages. TSR station is associated with Gilbert for now, and the house stage associated with C2B. I forget whose stage the Foundry actually is... if someone could remind me I'd appreciate it.

-Discovered an option to make a palette for an object private. For example, in previous versions Gilbert's candle attack made a blue flame for his candle when using the 2nd palette, but in the latest release you'll notice the candle remains red regardless. This allows me to ensure correct palettes for objects like Strawberries, Freezing and Shocking effects, and then some. Anything you want to retain a certain palette rather than changing, let me know.

-For story mode, difficulty has been balanced instead of always being maxed out. Now the CPU gets gradually harder as you progress, the last stage being the hardest. The layouts are all in no particular order, just mixed up to give different flavor to each character's story mode. Subject to change, obviously.

-Added new physics to some attacks. Some attacks can spike enemies down from the air and bounce them on the ground, and the impact does a little extra damage. Also added physics such as collisions with the walls of the arena, which causes the players to bounce off it with some moves.

-Edited new elements into Neko, C2B and Ocksford. Various other edits throughout other players, mainly balancing already existing moves or editing their physics.

-I've developed concepts behind how to implement Assists into the programming, but it is all on paper and not yet in the engine. Also, before I start that I think I need the forum to make a decision on how the Assists should work.

-Spritalities are live in the form of needing 9 special bars to utilize. So far only Neko has a working one. It SHOULD work against all opponents, but it may have bugs. Since you need 9 bars, I increased the number of rounds in Neko's story mode battles to 3 so that you can actually achieve that.


Next Release:

-Specials for C2B and Metaru should be more or less complete. Sadly, I didn't get any of C2B's new moves added in for this one, but I did have to recreate a portion of him because of his recent character corruption.

-Spritalities for those who have them in their sheets.

-Chaoxys will be playable (He's not ready yet X: )

For some reason my update log didn't save, so I'm just making this short.

-Chaoxys is added. Only partially complete and Story Mode is actually just one level where every opponent appears after the last is defeated. Just noticed the BGMs also don't loop if the fight goes on too long, don't know if that is fixable.

-Gognio and Spritalities for Neko and [robo9] thus far. Vipershark also has Midnight Moe, but not every player reacts to it properly yet. The Gonios and Spritality button commands are a combination of Down-DownBack-Back-Forward and either Punch or Kick depending on the move and the player. Also, I accidentally left [robo9] with a full special bar as I was testing his specials extensively, so give his a try.

-Changed various frame speeds, physics and the like for various characters. Since I lost my log I don't remember all of them unfortunately.

-Grabs are ENTIRELY done. Every player has one, even the ones that were a bit more complicated. Metaru and [robo9] have uniquely longer grabs. Grab players by pressing Punch and Kick at the same time.

-Every non-Gognio or Spritality move is achieved with either a Quarter-Circle-Forward or Back and Punch or Kick. The only exception is Metaru's Heracrombo, which is TWO Quarter-Circle-Forwards and Punch, to make it less spammable as it goes through guard. This will likely be changed, it was only that way for testing purposes.

TFR Update Log 0.5 Build:

-Changed physics of being hit in the air by certain (namely weaker) attacks. Instead of falling straight to the ground like before, hit players are popped lightly into the air. As of thus far nobody seems to have a COMPLETELY infinite combo due to this, but testing is needed. The popping knocks them back gradually, so they are not completely at the mercy of the enemy at all times.

-Changed the hitboxes of players during their Hit animations so that they recieve LESS damage after they are in a Hit animation. This prevents combos from being completely fatal, unless they are REALLY masterful ones (or cheap).

-Baegal's attack frames have been shortened so they excecute faster. His damage has been lowered to compensate.

-Chaoxys' missile attack now performs different reaction effects depending on which point in it's (chaotic) trajectory it is taking. It has ultimately balanced it a bit more, seeing as when I spammed this before the update it was capable of locking an aerial opponent in a long combo without much effort. Now it balances a bit better.

-Changed [robo9]'s Air Punch into a standard punch. An altered version of the original attack is now accesible through Down+Punch in the air. His Head Boomerang is now much faster and more effective overall.

-Also altered [robo9]'s grab slightly. The Magnet Pull now doesn't do damage anymore. The animation now has some ending lag so that spamming the throw can be punished better. The Magnet also doesn't pull enemies out of the air in a jump anymore, but if the enemy lands in the smaller hitbox for the actual throw, they can still be caught at the end of their jump and suplexed.


Then I did a bunch of updating over the past year and didn't log it all properly, oops. I'll try and recall as much as I can:

-Tried to make as many of the updates to Neko and C2B as I can, though there is some that still requires editing. For example, the newer C2B specials haven't been updated as the primary specials.

-Made a large edit to how Metaru Motor acts. I made a makeshift way to mirror the car's graphics in this engine. It took some work, but I have it MOSTLY bug free, with slight hiccups. As a result, it allows me to make the move more like I originally visualized it, and thus it is now done by Charging backwards and then pressing forward and Punch, and the Motorcycle is done by doing the same, but using Kick. The difference is that the Car is going to explode when blocked, sending Metaru flying backward into the air. The Cycle will drive through blocking opponents and putting you on the other side of the screen.

-Editing certain attacks so that they can penetrate certain guard types. For example, in the previous version low attacks could be blocked when standing. Now certain low attacks can penetrate standing defense, and vice versa for high attacks against crouching, basically to make it similar to Street Fighter in that regard.

-Cleaned up Neko's Spritality a little bit. Now when he successfully hits, he hops off, and does the same when he reaches the wall on the opposite side if he misses.

-There are certain bugs right now where certain projectile types will trigger certain special attacks. Pardon any unusualness, I've got ideas to fix them, but haven't had the time yet.

TFR Version 0.6 Update Log:

-Added various new animations for Neko from his most recent updates. I've been meaning to get to these, but sometimes I've forgotten. This also includes altering various physics, like his forward punch now lunching forward slightly. His grab now has a small dashing forward animation.

-Added Neko's new Back Kick dash, his Dodge and his Flat Dive for Punch and Kick variations. Down Punch in the air makes him dive down and pass through the enemy on impact, while Down Kick bounces both off the ground and off the enemy. It shouldn't infinite though.

-Edited Neko's Boxing Glove special to be more Shoryuken-like. Let me know if the previous version was preferred, I like this version better now.

-Made updates to robo9's Gognio, both in animation and physics, mainly so all the animation can show. Previously he went too high up the screen on the final hit to see him change into his Savage attire properly.

-Made it so that certain attacks that would logicially hit harder knock blocking characters back slightly. This is still in testing and probably needs to be smoothed out. I also plan to add puffs of dust under the feet of the characters getting slid back.

-Added new speedline animations for Gognio and Spritalities. Spritality animations also include a brief image of the large menu mugshots that have been made, but I may change what appears in the future.

-Edited Chaoxys' air Kick so that you are only able to have one missile out at a time. This prevents spamming it constantly.


NEW CHARACTER: Ms. Boom

Specials:
Bomb - QCF Punch: Throws a bomb that explodes after a few seconds. Only one can be out at a time, but the move can also be done in the air and produce a second one.

Bouncy Rabbit - QCB Punch: Releases a rabbit friend who hops across screen. You can only release one at a time.

Sliding Mine - QCB Kick: Kick a mine across the floor. Contact with the enemy makes it explode, or it explodes on a timer. Only one can be out at a time.

Spike Bomb - QCF Kick: Works like the regular bombs, but has a massive explosion. Can only be thrown on the ground.



NEW CHARACTER: Sol

Specials:

Paint Blob - QCF Punch: Toss out a big blob of paint.

Paint Flick - QCF Kick: Flick paint off your brush in a big spray.

Brush Spin - Charge Back to Forward Kick: Hold back for a second and press Forward and Kick to initiate a spinning attack.


-CHALLENGER APPROACHING: Fight your hardest to meet the latest newcoming fighter. If someone posts a victory screen against them, I'll post a revised update that includes them to be playable. (Since it is only available with one fighter at the moment, I might as well say you have to beat it as Neko. Nobody else has the secret fight, sorry. x: )

Download

I put production notes in the game itself this time, but some noticeable features anyway:

-Added Halberd! I forget what his moves are, but they are as they were described in his creation thread.

-Levels are a lot more fleshed out, but still scroll strangely in single player mode. Still working on that.

-Added Gognios for Gilbert, Meta, and also Jetters. I forgot she didn't have her Gognio in the last release.

-Balanced some moves, though everything still drastically needs balancing, to speak up if you find something too cheap.

-EVERY character has 8 fights now, so every character can have more chances to shine. Some enemies might show up twice. Sorry about that. :X

-Secrets! Fight as hard as you can and don't lose and you might see something interesting.

-Spritalities are going through an overhaul, so at the moment they are buggy. Some characters can do them as they were originally programmed by me, others can't do them at all, and others still can't even be effected by them the way they were originally programmed. Sorry for the inconvenience, but the end result will be worth it when they become more or less Mortal Kombat style.

Download Link

-Added lag to jumps in various ways. The beginning of the jump now has a more realistic "squat" motion leading into the jump, landing has a short end lag as well, and now most air attacks that have been lacking it in the past now have longer end lag if you land shortly after beginning an attack.

-Added lag after a failed Grab so that they are not spammable.

-Most grabs will no longer accidentally grab characters who are still in the air. Certain grab moves like Gilbert's Gognio or Meta's Heracrosscombo will still grab airborne characters, though

-Improved Grab animations to make certain grabs connect to opponent better than they previously have.

-Gilbert's Gognio now has a small dash forward to give it a little bit more usability.

-Fixed some errors where things like Ocksford's bubble made Gilbert show up on certain characters. Oops.

-Sped up the attack speed of some of Ocksford's basic attack combos, and also made it so that the letters for his batter smash now mirror when facing left!

-Added a new type of hit where instead of bouncing straight up or straight back, the character bounces up and back at a tracjectory between the two types. Certain attacks have been updated to include this type of it, most of them being Back Punches and Back Kicks. It may require some tweaking, and like most pop-up attacks I made it so that if they hit an airborne character they don't get hit all the way back up to prevent infinite juggles.

-Spritalities work now!... sort of! The special effects are still a work in progress, but the general idea is here. Unfortunately, the "pause" when you can do the move happens at the end of EVERY round, I haven't figured out an efficient way to make it otherwise yet. Regardless, each Spritality is the same input, which is quarter circle back, forward, then Throw (Or button C). Some Spritalities have specific distances you have to be from the enemy to use them, while some do not. Gilbert, Halberd and Icicle are mid distance, C2B is close range, while Neko, Chaoxys, and Robo9 can be performed at any range, although they may be edited to long range later.

-Updated Babylon Kingdom, although the graphics will likely have glitches and may still be edited in the future.