IP Incubator Club Thread 2013: Bi-Week-005: June 3-June 16- 2013

#21

All we had was what we believed was a great game and a great community.

It seems alot of success this guy owes to the community. I’m not sure what community he is speaking of but it looks like he has gotten some great support.

I love this idea Roberto has put out to the community. IP Incubator is a great idea that was a long time coming. I hope we can all be a part of it and I hope it grows.

One thing I have noticed though in the IP Incubator threads that I’ve searched through is that the same folks are the ones who are most active. People with a passion for building new and cool things.

The only problem I see is the overall support of the community. Remember these guys who made this Zombie game were successful because of the “community”. It does not seem that there is as much community excitement for these IPs. I wonder how we can get people more interested in these projects. We really need the community’s help.

This IP incubator has gone a long way so far I think in moving in the right direction. I hope CGtalk can be supportive of these growing IPs. But it is good to see it going in the right direction. We went from not being able to even talk about or post our IP ideas to having an open forum. Thanks again Roberto. Hopefully this will help folks get where they need to be and become successful. But I also think we have a long way to go to getting the users support on these projects. So any ideas from folks to keep the interest going?

#22

Wondering the same, MS is putting it out through Xbox AND PC.

#23

Do any of you guys have experience with 3D printing of action figures, or sculptures?

#24

i have done it with Shapeways. And I am considering getting a 3d Printer.

#25

I wanted to chime in a project of mine that has been in development for sometime.

It is called the Legend of Poke.

And here is our main character

What do you guys think?

The story is about Poke, our main character, who is led off to prison and forced to live on the run. His people share the same land as the Wolveners but with wars around the world escalating and the Wolvener empire growing Poke’s people find themselves slaves. Poke is in search of a hero to help free his people but along the way learns he is the hero.

I want it to be an interactive comic. With animations and such.

I think my biggest challenge is finding a modeler right now. I can model but the characters would look jacked up. Ugly dudes and women.

If anyone knows a modeler I would be gracious. I can pay a little but at the end of the day I’m trying to incubate this thing.

I really only need 3 character models. Male Wolvener generic and female wolvener generic, Generic Poke also known as an Amharet or people of the dirt.

#26

I really like the design of the human characters (kind of have a Disney meets Warcraft vibe to them), but the lower image (Im assuming thats the main character) I dont think that he ‘fits’ in well with the style of the others.
But thats mainly because none of them are drawn together, so its a difficult thing to compare in terms of scale, proportions, etc.

Your hand drawings are really nice. Is there any major reason you want to go 3D?

#27

I agree with Pyke’s comments. The designs are solid though the main character feels out of place when compared with the other. Were these initial design concepts done by different people? I would also caution against going 3D unless you have a good reason for it, especially when you consider your end medium is going to be largely static images… 3D seems almost a waste when compared with the flexibility of a good 2D art style. I could see this working really well as a 2D motion comic while mixing in some interesting effects here and there.

#28

Here are a few pages from the original comic

Originally the Amharets were supposed to be a weird looking Cricket like people and the main hero was going to be my old character Flog but then each got their own story and Poke and the Amharets turned into an Anthromorphic pig.

The reason I want to go 3d is that I’m not the original artist. In fact I think the original artist of this work has died or disappeared. No one has seen her for years at least online. One day we were talking and the next I never heard from her again.

But the thing is I can create stories and come up with characters all day long but I cannot draw. If I could draw this thing would have been done long time ago. I would love this to be 2d and draw it myself.

I want to go 3d but with a 2d look to it because I can setup a scene and look of a comic and I can also animate 3d characters so once I get the 3d characters done I can simply animate them and set them up in the story.

The guy over at DreamlandChronicles can create almost 3 pages a day using 3d. That is almost 90 pages a month of finished pages. Even the best of artists can turn out 40 finished pages at best.

So since I cannot draw it myself and for speed purposes I wanted to go a 3d route but not 3d.

I wanted to do an illustrative 3d like this
http://www.farfarer.com/portfolio/lougaroux.htm

That Wolf Guy is all 3d but looks 2d.

I’m hoping to find a modeler to do 3 characters which I can Zbrush to turn into 100+ characters with morphs.

Even if I did it in full 3d I could imagine it looking something like this

That would just look so nice and I think with great art and my story and “special” comic, not just a motion comic but a full “cinematic” comic it would be cool and something special.

Just need to find the $$$. Once I get that the plan is to go for an animated cinematic comic and the traditional online and print. From there try to sell merchandise like Tshirts, etc. Merchandise not exactly even related to the cartoon/comic. I want to treat it as a business cause my ultimate goal is to make a living doing this comic and others.

Whoever I can find to help I can pay a little bit but ultimately would like them to have a stake in the merchandising and whatever money the comic makes as a residual.
100% profit shared until a milestone is met and then ultimately 10% of the property and whatever happens to the property from there you get granfathered in at 10%. So you receive all the profit until lets say $2000 a model is met + whatever I paid upfront + 50% of profit until next milestone met lets say $2000 more, then it levels out at 10% of all profits for the entirety of the life of the characters. So say 50 years from now the comic is still in print you get 10%. If it gets opted for Hollywood you get 25% of that payment as well. :slight_smile: I have it all in a contract.

I have the drive to make this thing but not all the skill. But that is the deal if anyone interested. Let’s incubate this egg. :slight_smile:

#29

Do you own the original artwork and story?

I think you could use poser/daz, and get creative with some Photoshop effects and paints, and cut out an artist from the process.

The less people involved, the better it is for you in the long run!

#30

Do you own the original artwork and story?

I think you could use poser/daz, and get creative with some Photoshop effects and paints, and cut out an artist from the process.

The less people involved, the better it is for you in the long run!

I own all the original artwork. All the characters and designs are copyright of me. :slight_smile:
I thought about the process of using Poser and Zbrush the mess out of them but then I get into the more custom characters that is where I have the problem.

I’m running a few experiments on Rotoscoping myself and such right now I want to share with ya’ll in the coming weeks.

The reason I want to do the 3d is to cut out as many folks as possible because once I have the few assets I need then I can run amok and do the 1000 page series I want to do.

#31

Alright, given what you’ve said I’d say going 3D route might be a better option for you. I know you’ve got a large project in mind, but have you considered doing a smaller scoped proof of concept? I think bringing together as many free assets and maybe buying a few stock models, then customizing them, you could create a short snippet from the story and get a better gauge on just how much work it’s going to involve. Perhaps even use that, along with the concept work, to try and raise some startups funds so you can hire a high quality artist to create the assets you need. Just curious what your gameplan is right now?

#32

This is what I’m working on. Hopefully making a spoof game. This is a side to my other project.

#33

Alright, given what you’ve said I’d say going 3D route might be a better option for you. I know you’ve got a large project in mind, but have you considered doing a smaller scoped proof of concept? I think bringing together as many free assets and maybe buying a few stock models, then customizing them, you could create a short snippet from the story and get a better gauge on just how much work it’s going to involve. Perhaps even use that, along with the concept work, to try and raise some startups funds so you can hire a high quality artist to create the assets you need. Just curious what your gameplan is right now?

Oh I have done a ton of little animations and such that I’m not too proud to show back in the day. I was putting out about 30 seconds a day. But man I was using Poser and they looked mutated. So I have an idea of what I need and like you mentioned I am doing some rotoscoping stuff and overlaid stuff so maybe that will be good enough. I sure hope so. I’m getting the ball rolling.

Right now I’m trying to earn side money for this project. Doing some internet based stuff and DJing. My DJing is actually covering my recent tools. I’m also doing some videos and e learning books right now as we speak. The e-learning stuff I’m doing is for Corporate companies who hire outsourcers. I have extensive experience working with outsourcers and customer service industry. So trying to earn cash using my boring skills to get to the creative stuff. So putting together some consulting packages for corporations who want to outsource their helpdesk. Making the helpdesk not suck and stop reading scripts. That kind of stuff.

Also selling some stuff here and there including my comic book collection. Working on a Kickstarter and Indiegogo video as well.

My goal is 10K. With 10k I can get all the models I need for 3 comics. LOL. J/K
But if that ain’t going I can start some stuff on another story Ralph Barski style. :slight_smile: and sell tshirts from that animation.

#34

It sounds like you’re in pretty much the same position as I am. I’ve got a rough plan and know what I want to create but am working hard at the day job and side contracts in order to save up enough money to make it happen, while also putting together what I can right now for a future funding drive. Keep up the good work! And please do keep posting here, we’re starting to get a nice little club and the more the merrier. :thumbsup:

#35

Working on combining rotoscoping with a lip sync/text-parsing technique I’m developing to make a short story in Flash. When I have enough to get started I’ll begin a thread. Still working out the kinks

http://coalminds.com/animation/lipsync_stage3.html

#36

Working on combining rotoscoping with a lip sync/text-parsing technique I’m developing to make a short story in Flash. When I have enough to get started I’ll begin a thread. Still working out the kinks

Here is an anime that utilizes rotoscoping. It looks pretty interesting. It is called Flowers of Evil.

Check it out. Here is a back to back look of how they do it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oywoO8EnnH4

Here is some rotoscoping I did for fun with a mouse and done very quickly.

#37

Concept Name: SCHIRKOA

 [b]Website:[/b] [http://www.schirkoa.com/](http://www.schirkoa.com/)
 
 [b]CGTalk WIP thread: [/b][http://forums.cgsociety.org/showthread.php?f=153&t=1103500](http://forums.cgsociety.org/showthread.php?f=153&t=1103500)
 
 [b]Project Description: [/b]
 SCHIRKOA is the story (an IP maybe) I will be trying to develop in coming years. 
    At the moment I am aiming at an animated Short Film. Followed by a  graphic novel. And then let's see what else can come out. It's set in a  dystopian city, involves bagheads and some other 'creatures' :)

Status Number: 5

 [b]Team Members:[/b] 2

Show & Tell :
I am working on the outlines. No textures/lighting yet, just the outlines. Here is a quick test with different types of lines I can probably work with.

[[img]https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7347/9041446028_ee3c5fdbac_c.jpg[/img]](http://www.flickr.com/photos/ishanshukla/9041446028/)

//youtu.be/ipDndp0B8F4

#38

redCigarette -

Nice work, I really like the video you posted. You have a lot of detail in your shots which is always nice to see. I think the music and soundfx are well done too. They definitely set the mood for the piece and the timing is very good, I was actually disappointed when the video stopped, as I was intrigued to see more. :slight_smile:

I was reading over your project description again and I think you have a good plan. Start out step-by-step and taking your time doing everyting right, rather than jumping in and doing it all at once. Keep up the great work - looking forward to your next post.

#39

Here’s a short clip advancing the story a bit. I would have like to do more but have been cutting alot of rocks and enjoying life. It’s a NeverEndingStory but I also wanted to maintain my commitment to this project, show an update.

Click to watch http://youtu.be/MyYvpBlArW4

I got the voice work back and did some renders but after you advance a bit I find you get into “wack a mole” mode. There are various flaws like the Wiz’s teeth being too white, I will remove the torches, the shader changes on the sword, things like this. I also still have to do the Foley for the original part and will need some for when he sticks the sword in. I have some chicken legs in the refrigerator I bought specifically for this purpose, ha ha…

I just wanted to talk a bit about sponsorship’s and getting support from the government for a project.

There are currently 2 business opportunities I am working on; Internet and now perhaps creating some type of factory to create stone siding. One would produce a physical product (rock siding) and the other an “intangible”; websites; entertainment.

I am all of a sudden interested in doing more with the rocks since the reactions I have been getting have been:

  • Can you get more? How much does it cost? (ie: I want to buy some…)
  • Once you cut it, where do you keep it? (ie: I want to steal it…)
  • How did you do this? (ie: Even though I’m from around here and rent tools I’ve never seen this before)

As an entrepreneur reactions like this make the small hairs rise on the back of your neck. You’re always looking for these signs and you don’t see them often. When you do, you tend to want to pounce on the opportunity.

If I bought some industrial saws and some robots I am 100% certain the government would be interested in supporting me. Why? Because this type of project is labor intensive and would most certainly create union jobs. You don’t ask someone to use a diamond tipped saw all day without affording them appropriate pay and protections, in my opinion. Would someone want to sponsor me? Doubtful. Most probably if it went well I would be the one sponsoring the local baseball team or whatever.

The government would absolutely NOT be interested in investing in a 3d project since it would only create uncertain, contract jobs. Fair enough. But asking private companies for sponsorship’s I think is possible since typically these types of deals do not involve the exchange of money, only products and services. (NOTE!! But they do typically have a “cash value” and should be reported as income).

Let’s say I am doing an event at the resort and you have an energy drink company. If you want to put up your banner and be in the days program and on the podium I COULD ask you for $4,000 for the privilege. Or, I could ask you for 60 cases of product to be given away to the participants. This is a waaay easier deal to swing and can appeal to both parties.

If I was pitching Microsoft (and I did talk via email from someone from Azure awhile back they were not uninterested; but I never called back, so here we are…) I would tell them the following:

I am an existing Azure customer and have been for awhile now. I use asp.net applications and am a registered user of server2003. I would like to upload my applications to Azure but my applications are webs and not solutions and it seems you need the full copy of VWD to do this easily and it costs something like 8K for a registered copy.

There’s this great set I’m considering, check it out @ http://www.daz3d.com/darkwald

I have been alluding to the “power of the mushrooms” for awhile now and there’s a story line FaeDeception where the lead male says to his father “just go back to your mushrooms”. So the next step is for him to do this and talk to his wife and be all worried about their daughter, do some foreshadowing.

I could take a color picker and make sure that the dominant colors of the set were subtly the MS palate and we would call this “force” Azure.

What I am asking in return is some hours for rendering on virtual machines and some web services on Azure. I would require a S/N for VWD to make this happen. I can also show Microsoft 30 second commercials as prerolls in any consumer facing applications and will mention Azure often while blogging technical topics. Interested?

So it would go something like this I imagine. But as always the first one is the hardest. But I’m hopeful it will snow one of these days…

Anyway, hope everyone has a great weekend

#40

PROJECT NAME: Blaster X HD

DIRECT LINK: https://itunes.apple.com/app/blaster-x-hd/id615851024?mt=8

COMPANY: 2GMG LLC (2 Guys Making Games)
CONTACT INFO: www.facebook.com/2GMGames and www.twitter.com/2GMGames

CATEGORY: Games

PROJECT DESCRIPTION: Blaster X HD is an Arcade Action-Puzzler that is designed for all generations of iPad and iPad Mini. Experience Over 400 Levels of non-stop gameplay spanning across 9 Diverse Worlds. You have free-reign to start from almost anywhere on the screen - Fling, Guide, and Manipulate your Blaster as you try to collect all of the Power Orbs. These Power Orbs are the fuel to your Blaster and keeps it moving. A perfect mix of reflexes and wit are needed to propel yourself to the next level!

STATUS NUMBER: 5

TEAM MEMBERS: 2

Rudy Gjurkovic / Co-Founder
Joshua Chapman / Co-Founder

START DATE: End of 2010

COMPLETION DATE: 5-1-2013 (Released)

WHAT WENT RIGHT THIS WEEK: One of the things I decided to do to help our marketing was get out and “pound-the-pavement” literally. I visited a local Apple store in my location, not your typical Apple store that you see, called Simply Mac and they are an authorized dealer for Apple. I spoke with the Store Manager and told him about our game and asked him what I needed to do in order to get our game on their in-store demo units. I ended up giving him some Promo-codes for our game so he could give it a test-drive to see what he thought. He ended up liking it so much that he installed it on all of his store’s demo units. I thought it was very cool to actually get our game in a physical store like that.

We have also been hard at work crushing some bugs and working on finishing up an updated version to our game. It will address some things that people have been asking for, re-playable Tutorials, SoundFX fixes, integrating Flurry Statistics - basically for our benefit to see what people are playing and where any bottlenecks may be, why also polishing up some of the game itself - always trying to make to make it the best it can be.

WHAT WENT WRONG THIS WEEK: Normal work for us got in the way, which is still good since it pays for the bills. However, working on that got us away from the game for a little so my push on marketing wasn’t as full-force as I have been in the past when it came out. I’m trying to get back on that again very soon. Due to timing and things we have been working on, I was not able to get out a new video in time for E3. We are not attending E3 this year, but the idea to present a video at the same time was a very good one, thanks to CGIPadawin for that one - unfortunately, we could not get that released in time. Hopefully though, in the not too distant future we can take advantage of those opportunities again and maybe the timing would be a bit more favorable for us.

SHOW AND TELL: Below is just one of the Tutorial images I have been working on that will most likely be added to the update. It will be presented along with a text description and should help in aiding the player a bit more. We are in the phase of adjusting things here and there, so my updates for here are more minor with more of them, rather than something big for right now. (Scaled down a bit to fit better on here)

Thanks,
Rudy