- Joined
- May 17, 2023
- Posts
- 5
----# WHAT'S POKÉMON, AND WHY ARE THE STARS FALLING #----
Hey there, I'm Avid, the lead developer of the Essentials project Pokémon Starfall, and I'm officially looking for help with my project as I get closer to releasing the demo! I won't waste too much time on my shpiel here, but basically, Pokémon Starfall is a GSC-style game that offers a new region, a vast Pokédex of 192, and a unique spin on Shadow Pokémon! I can't say too much, because I don't want to spoil anything for those who are just browsing, but just know that I've been cooking something up that I do truly hope that players will enjoy. What I can do, however, is give you a brief synopsis! Before we begin, it should be noted that this game takes place before the RBY trilogy. You live in Durinha Village, a small ninja settlement located in the Southeast of the Diaz region. As your fifteenth birthday rounds the corner, your village chief consults the stars... and you arrive at his home to receive your coming-of-age trial. In order to prove to the clan that you are strong enough, you must conquer the Pokémon League, then climb Mt. Umbal for one final showdown. After this, you will have a wish granted to you, any one wish that you desire... but what will it be? Throughout your journey, you'll come into conflict with Team Rampart, an organized poaching operation who are abusing Shadow Energy to beef up their Pokémon. How are they getting this energy, and why aren't they being opposed by the league? Perhaps it's up to you to find out...
----# WHAT'S NEW WITH THIS PROJECT (OPTIONAL READING) #----
First and foremost, the battles. I'm not planning on overhauling the battle system, mind you, but a few things are different from the mainline games. Shadow Pokémon specifically have been redesigned to act as bossfights. Hopefully, they'll make encounters with Team Rampart notably harder. Also, both gym leaders and generic trainers have wider access to TMs, Egg Moves, and tutored moves. This isn't something unique to this game, but rather a promise of general difficulty.
There's an interesting crafting system that uses items you'll harvest in the overworld or buy from an herbalist. Crafted items are generally a bit less effective than storebought ones, but also far cheaper. I hope that players will have to balance these, as I want to present the MC as someone who both cares about the world, and also knows how to use it.
While we're on Legends-like features, there's a planned mastery system as well! Both Pokémon and moves can be mastered, to improve the bond between a trainer and their team.
This project is a departure from the typical gen 3-4-5 style presented in most fangames. Honestly, outside of Emerald Seaglass and Crystal Clear, I haven't really seen many GSC-styled fangames, and I want to help fill that niche with Pokémon Starfall!
Postgame spoilers ahead! I'm also planning a massive postgame dungeon, called the Great Chasm. It's going to be similar in gameplay to both the Grand Underground from DPP, and the Skull Cavern from Stardew Valley. I'm essentially making it a place where you can grind for items, rare Pokémon, and maybe even unique trainers. More postgame content will include an epilogue, gym leader rematches, and perhaps a visit to Johto! Who knows, it could be a fun thing to do, considering this takes place before RBY.
----# WHO I'M LOOKING FOR (ORDER OF IMPORTANCE) #----
(1) Artist specifically capable of doing battle backgrounds
(1) Programmer, confident with both events and Ruby (though little custom coding will likely be needed)
(1) Artist specifically capable of making + animating attacks and/or importing them from Spriters Resource
(1) Mapper (for post-demo content)
(1) Sprite Artist for Pokémon and Trainers
(1) Storywriter (for post-demo content)
If you apply and I already have someone filling the position, don't worry! These are just the positions that I want filled before I move on from the demo, and you can always help with something outside of your field. I'm just trying to get a more rounded-out team than what I can currently provide on my own (since I'm currently doing all of these things myself). Also, if you're not capable or wanting to help out if any of these areas, but still are interested in the project, feel free to contact me! I'm sure we can find somewhere to put your skills.
----# HOW TO CONTACT ME #----
You can either contact me on Discord (avidclown), orshoot me a message on here (which I will be less likely to see). I'll do my best to get back to you promptly!
One last, brief note. All of the Pokémon sprites that are made for this project are currently planned to be uploaded as a public resource upon their completion. If you are not okay with your spritework being made a public resource to aid with similar projects in the future, please do not reach out. This, again, only applies to Pokémon sprites.
Last edited: