Wow , it has been a while. I need help. Can someone help? Please?

So guys!  Long time no talk.  Firstly, the unimportant news of blog changes.  I have altered some text coloring and rearranged some things to make this easier to navigate and read.  Hope you like.  Hope it helps.  As an exercise for me in user friendliness, help me out by emailing me (email address below) or commenting if there is something unfriendly about the flow of the website or its arrangement.

I have made zero progress on this project since the last major update.  I need help.  (Also I don't know if I mentioned it off the top of my head, but a month or so ago, I posted the latest version of the game v1.5 with changes and fixes made by observers.  Should be in downloads section -------> ).

If you want to skip my whining, feel free to jump the next paragraph, where I will be making my point.  I have to finish my senior year of college (2 degrees, a minor, and the honors program), finish applying for graduate school (got a few applications I'm working on now, with MIT's done *Fluttershy yay*), online winter class, do senior projects, family time, other small projects that I am doing for others that aren't freelance....

I am too busy to do this solo.  Between the art, writing, and programming, this takes some serious involvement.  Unfortunately, I suck at creating free drawn work.  SO, I need some help.  I can writing and programing and putting art in the game, easy.  If I have an image, even hand drawn and colored, I can easily make it compatible for the game.  Making that image really is hard, for me.  So I need an artist.

To help with understanding what I need one for and if anyone is interested in helping me out, this is the list of what needs to happen to make this done:
1) sprites for non playable characters for walking around towns
2) that little image of a trainer that pops up for when you start a battle
3) new floor map tiles for walking on
4) building changes so ponies can seemingly fit through the door (it partially looks like they are walking through walls).
5) building tile creation for some canon buildings from the show to make Equestria, not Kanto, the setting
6) create/edit objects that go in the rooms to make the world one inhabited by ponies, not people.
7) some programming scripting  stuff for map creation and such to expand the map appropriately.
8) draw a new town map to match the game or mirror any map changes.
9) complete changes to text
10) complete changes to any battles and items. (cupcake potions, anyone?)

If someone wants to help and if any of the following describe you, then you can!  Or if you have any ideas or want to help with anything above!
1) able to draw ponies for the map
          -front and side view
          -does not need to be 8-bit or 16-bit. Can even be hand drawn.
2) able to make battle images of ponies
          -does not need to be 8-bit or 16-bit. Can even be hand drawn.  Some of mine are done from
               paintings!
3) able to draw buildings from MLP:FiM
          -does not need to be 8-bit or 16-bit. Can even be hand drawn.
          -does not need to be detailed.  it will be made into 8-bit or 16-bit.
          -may need to restrict some color sets to be game compatible, I would work with you on this.
                Would need to plan what will be created for the map, then create the corresponding color
                sets we need, then the actual creation of the stuff.
4) able to draw scenery/objects from MLP:FiM
          -does not need to be 8-bit or 16-bit. Can even be hand drawn.
          -does not need to be detailed.  it will be made into 8-bit or 16-bit.
          -may need to restrict some color sets to be game compatible, I would work with you on this.
                Would need to plan what will be created for the map, then create the corresponding color
                sets we need, then the actual creation of the stuff.

If someone would help me out, I will do all the art conversion and technical stuff for the game, programming, packing the files, whatever.  I would use drop box to share my entire game files folder hierarchy, giving you access to everything for the project (art, game builds, etc.) and instantly share any changes back and forth. 

If you are interested in helping me, you will receive equal credit for the project and everything.  Please comment/post if you are interested or email me at gregory.pullen930@gmail.com.  Also feel free to comment or post in general.  I read every comment, whether it is on YouTube, ED, or here.  I take all criticism seriously and try to use it to build a better game.  I will never play it once it is done.  Like an author reading their own book.  I am doing it for you. 

In the event that there is a lot of response to this (I won't hold my breath for it though), feel free to give me a sample of your work or draft a quick image of a pony or building to help me find you.  Please don't email me pictures.  But you can post links to them, or email me links. 

And as per my rules of pics with every post.

A Month

It's been a month since you've last heard from me.  I apologize for the delay.  School has started back up, so I've been extraordinarily busy with trying to get my semester moving.  It should take me about another two weeks before everything is calmed down completely.  I hope to be doing more work soon.  I need to finish up the NPC's, and get to working on the map as soon as I can figure out how to do that.

In other news, in case anyone is wondering what it is at school that's keeping me busy, it's the following classes:
Electronics w/ Lab
Vibrations Systems
Vibrations Systems Lab
Heat Transfer
Thermofluids Lab
Senior Design Project
Reverse Engineering

Good news is I have an awesome senior project: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lhxVtUFZVzk

I won't make this blog about that, I swear, I'm just letting you know I have some big stuff going on, and this will probably have to be a weekend project.

Update 8/24

Because I'm too lazy to think of a title.

Morning, My little bronies. Here ya go, frames from the first NPC.  This is a little filly sprite.  Very short in comparison to Twilight and other ponies, this one is based on Applebloom.  I originally was going to have here in the game, but changed my mind.  She may still appear, as her palette is already in the game, but her sprite looks really good under multiple color schemes.  Yes, her front facing sprite needs work, but it will suffice for now.

The Applebloom sprite will appear once in the game under the Applebloom colors. I know there are fans that would go bananas if a major character appeared more than once.  What you also see above is Applebloom with Nightmare Moon's palette applied.Nightmare'ssprite isn't done yet, I'll let you know when I get to it.

Also I fixed the Pokemon Info page problem shown in the previous post.

Also, anypony know how to edit tilesets?  If anyone could name some software or point me in the direction of a tutorial, that would be great.  The only thing stopping me from building a castle in Canterlot and a floating Cloudsdale is that I have no flipping clue how to do it yet, but by "no clue" I mean I haven't spent serious time trying yet.

I'm back!

My little bronies,

I'm back from my trip.  And now back to ponies.  My Little Pony is serious business.  Since I got back nearly a week ago, I've been trying to pull something together to show you guys.  Not much luck.  I've been focusing on trying to figure out how to change the tile sets so I can make the towns any way I want.  I guess for now I should go back to spriting, try to take care of NPCs and the like.

Something  have done is go through every post here, on Equestria Daily, and on YouTube related to this and tried to implement changes based on suggestions and also fix incorrect text as pointed out by players.  Also route signs.  I believe all signs in the game are changed with the exception of anything related to Lavender Town, the Pokemon mansion, Silph Co. and the end game islands.

I feel like I owe you guys a bit more this post, since it's been so long since I've given you anything.  So here, screen shots:

And yes, I am aware about the thing on the Pokemon stat page.  When I get around to it, that's a 30 second fix.

Coming up on Ponémon: Friendship is Magic, New badges, fixes and NPCs. Stay tuned.  Same pony time, same pony channel!

What time is it? TEST TIME! And a demo video.

My Little Bronies,

I'm putting up a copy as the game sits.  Let me know what you think.  Play and test it to your heart's content. To make your game save, you will need to set the save type to 128k Flash memory.  In visual boy advance, this is done by Options -> Emulator -> Save Type -> Flash 128k.

Ponémon: Friendship is Magic v1.3 Release

Also....a demo vid.  It's there just in case you don't know anything about emulation and to increase public awareness.  It isn't too different from the regular game, other than the main 3 characters being altered and the gym leaders being very different.  And text.  Lots of text changes.  And the title screen is different.  And a little bit of other stuff too.  Both the download link and video are posted ---> in "relevant links."

Known Bugs/Issues:
- "You Received XXX From Professor Oak!" should say Celestia
- Oak's Parcel should be Celestia.
- The border cutting over Twilight Sparkle when you look at sizes in Pokedex.
- Daisy is still your rival's sister and a human.
- Your mom is a human.  In fact there are many humans.
- 'Hey, that girl is sometimes a blue pony and sometimes a girl!' Yes.  I'm experimenting with pony NPC's to wander around.

Things I would really like feedback/ideas on (I'm working on so many different things for this, I have to keep some things on the backburner and hope I think of something, but really, who wants that pressure?):
- Something other than "Manehattan" and "Sugercube Corner" for Lavender and Cerulean, respectively.
- Considering removing Rival's sister completely, making your mom give you the map.  I'll move the script for the grooming to someplace in Saffron.  I'll make the spa in the show and put it there.
- Removing the old man catching a weedle and the whole Oak's parcel delivery.  Celestia gives you the FRIéNDEX and pokéballs up front.  The the starter rival battle.
- Make the towns (areas of Ponyville) look more like what their names say they should look like.
- Move stuff a little on the map.  Make Cinnibar closer to Fuschia
- Make something that goes through what is typically Vermillion City, but isn't a town just blank.  What I'm thinking is hard to describe**.
- My few small attempts at humor.  Is there a place for it?  Should I do a little more?  I will definitely try to mimic each pony's way of speaking.

Please post all thoughts, comments, suggestions, ideas.  I will get more text into v1.4.  A rough draft for a lot of it exists (including the rhyming speech by Zecora).  I will be gone until the 12th of August...so no new content until then.  but I may be able to post back on comments.
Here's a sprite, in case you are curious*:

*Original artwork done by John Jose
**Where Vermillion is now is just road and land, not city.  I would move Vermillion off the map, rename it Cloudsdale.  You would get into Cloudsdale via a hot air balloon like in the show.  And if you are wondering how you would walk in Cloudsdale being a dragon/unicorn...I can write that off as you having magic running shoes!  You are magic, Twilight's parents are magic...I believe the argument works, as long as I directly mention it and let that be game canon.

ARTISTIC PERMISSIONS RECEIVED!

Great News!  I have received permissions from someponies to use their artwork in the game!  These permissions allow me to make speedy work.  Why make crappy sprites and designs, when someone out there has already made something great and easy to incorporate into the game?!

Please take time to view the artist's work.  They are great! As a thank you, these and any another artists that contribute will be permanently added to the bottom of the blog, with links their work.  If I can figure it out, they will be added into the game's credits.

Hannah Shilliday: (korikian)
http://korikian.deviantart.com/
http://hannahshilliday.com/

ShelltoonTV:
http://shelltoontv.deviantart.com/

Rivenchan:
http://rivenchan.deviantart.com/
http://melinda3d.com

John Jose: (johnjoseco)
http://johnjoseco.deviantart.com/
http://thelounge.keenster.com 

my-crazy-pony:
http://my-crazy-pony.deviantart.com/

xXmegamuffinXx:
http://xxmegamuffinxx.deviantart.com/

and with tradition, (it's a Big Macintosh sprite, I MADE MYSELF.  The eyes need work, I know.)

Gym Leaders and Team Rocket Time

Guys, I need help.

It would be a good idea to start thinking about gym leaders.  In the universe I'm creating, the gym leaders aren't the pinnacles of fighting talent and bravery and care for pokémon.  In my universe, they are representative of testing the bond between you and your pokémon, building friendships with them.  The badges (potentially elements) are milestones to celebrate your friendship.  As such, it would be appropriate to use the friends of Twilight Sparkle and Spike as Gym Leaders.

That said...There are 3 questions.  This is a chance to voice your ideas, give input into this creation.

Question, the first: Gym leader #8 Giovanni.  Head of Team Rocket and giver of the Earthbadge (shaped like a feather?).  Who is worthy to fill those shoes?  One of my play testers has provided great ideas for gym leader selections.  Most often better than my own choices.  Gilda, was the idea here.  Works great with a feather badge, doesn't it?  But I'm not 100% happy with that option.  Also I think I have to use the same color scheme for Giovanni as the main character.  If I can work around that, I would be better off.

Here are the current "Gym leaders", and who they replace:
Brock - Zecora (will be complete with rhyming text.  A rough draft exists)
Misty - Pinky Pie
Lt. Surge - Rainbow Dash
Erika - Fluttershy
Koga - Applejack (poison apple...heh)
Sabrina - Rarity
Blaine - Big Mac

Question, the second but not unrelated to the first:  Team Rocket.  Who should they be?  Do they have a place in Ponémon: Friendship is Magic?  Should I remove all references to them?  Or change them in someway?  Use the Diamond Dogs or perhaps the Cloudsdale ponies that make fun of Rainbow Dash.  Should I scrap them and create my own subplot adventure around ponies, perhaps rip something from an episode?

Question, the third:  The elite four.  I would like to more clearly define their role to the character and their general purpose (if they have one).  I think it loses the Pokemon feel to it without them, they must stay.  But what to do?  Who should these be? Or what should they be like?  Representative of obstacles the main cast faces in the show?

Input appreciated.  Tell me what sounds good...or what is a bad idea altogether.  I'm hoping someone comes up with something brilliant, that works great, makes sense, and is easy to implement.  But if it is good enough, I will go to all ends to make it work.

Also, I'm thinking slightly pinker pokeball lids.  Thoughts?  Or keep them the same?

If you don't feel like posting, there is also a poll to your right that may be more convenient.  It will end on August 12th at 11:59 PM in whatever time zone it happens to be set for.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------->

Also as promised per previous posts, a picture* 

  

*spike's artwork originally done by xXmegamuffinXx

To do List to be ready for a demo video

My Little Bronies,

I ran into a problem I will probably complain a lot about if you ask me how it's going: Color Palette.  The backsprites for the male and female characters pull from the same place, and I don't know how to tell it to do something different.  So I had to redo Twilight Sparkle's back sprite, while simultaneously doing it for the Spike.  Here there are, both...Using the same 16 colors:

WHOO!  I know where the colors go in the game, so that should hopefully be 15-20 minutes at most to throw together.

Now let's talk turkey.  I want so badly to put up a demo video and possibly an IPS patch file or have someone host the ROM so that I can get community feedback.  That's the whole reason of having a blog about it.  I sat down and made a list of all the spriting I want done to get the demos started.  Here is that list in its current condition, in it's separation of done and not done.  I will just update this post to simplify letting you know what's going on.  So if anyone gets curious about what's the status, check here:


Todo list (as of 8/5)
-------------------------
Not done:
N/A

Done:
-Male walking sprites w/ palette
-male biking sprites
-female walking sprites w/ palette
-female biking sprites
-rival walking sprites w/ palette
-male intro sprite  w/ palette
-female intro sprite w/ palette
-Oak intro sprite w/ palette
-male battle backsprite w/ palette
-extra line so it appears I've done more
-female battle backsprite w/ palette
-rival in battle sprite w/ palette
-rival intro sprite w/ palette
-Oak walking sprite (done, but ugly as hell) w/ palette
-Redo blog layout and stuff
-Add video bar to blog, so as soon as i upload a video, it will appear for everyone.
- 6.5 Gym Leaders added.
-fix crash when talking to the old man
-Intro Text (again, don't want to talk about it)
-Text up through entering Viridian City
-Email Sephisto at ED an update, and link to video

And a couple more**:

*Backsprites' original artwork done by rivenchan
**small Trixie sprite artwork originally done by my-crazy-pony

What I did this weekend.

I have bad news and good news and gooder news.  What order do you want it in?...I don't hear anything...so let me guess.  Bad news first? Bad news, it is, then!  I have had class this weekend and family came in yesterday.  I am taking a trip on August 5th, so don't expect much that following week.  Not a ton of productivity these next few weeks.

But, the good news: I have been productive this weekend, regardless!  Let me introduce....THE FIRST BACKSPRITE!  YES! I am very excited!  I have completed the base back sprite for the female protagonist.  From this base, I have to realign and tweak it's position over 5 frames to have the image for going into battle and throwing a pokeball.

In terms of Twilight Sparkle, I have the original game sprites, I must simply bring up each frame, and maneuver this sprite to work in that frame, and draw magical waves around where the original's hand is to wrap it around the pokeball and make it look like she is throwing it with magic.  Simple, no?  So I am very excited.  Once I do this, I will go into tweaking the appearance of Twilight's walking sprites, and then use those to build her bicycle sprites (Pro tip: I'm not using a bicycle.  I can ultimately change anything I want.  Why use a bike when that will only make life harder?).

And finally, the gooder news: after that, I will make a demo video of me playing the start of the game as Twilight Sparkle, and let you, the followers know exactly where I am on the game.  I don't want to leave this a once a month update, and that one update be a small list of the the best news I have.  I want to update often, and keep you in touch and what exactly is up with the game.  But you still don't have a good idea to start with, so I will  do this video to show the current state of it.

If you have any questions, thoughts, comments, funny stories, insights, ideas...feel free to comment.  And please do! I enjoy knowing that people are interested.  I'm not doing this so that I will have fun playing, you know.  This is for everyone else.

Oh dear...is it 2am?  I'm going to bed.  Hence, why I'm stopping after the base.  Also, let's me save the final backsprites for another post.  I will keep my promise of at least one image per post as long as possible. Which reminds me... I need to contact those online deviant artists and get permission to use their art as a basis to speed up the spriting.  I want to get their permissions for this project.  I don't want any snags.  I'm also not going to post those here until I get them.

For now, Twilight Sparkle's battle base backsprite*:

*Original artwork done by rivenchan

The Run Down

So here's what's up, My Little Bronies.

I have to do sprites for two protagonists: male and female.  All trainers.  In battle and out.  Tile sets for the map (some stuff won't make sense), music, etc.  During my two weeks, I've made some casting decisions (most, in fact).  I have coerced three play testers.  A majority of the male sprites are done.  A handful of the female.  The standing forward sprites for 7 gym leaders are done.  One map sprite for one member of the Elite 4.  The in-battle sprites for gyms up through Koga are done.  A handful of text (up to walking into Vermillion), and the intro sprites (with the exception of the Rival).  When I have sufficient stuff done, I'll load up some demo videos to YouTube or something, and get more play testers.

From the title screen you should be able to guess the two playable characters...Obvious picks, amirite?  But can anyone guess the remaining cast?  Does anyone care?  I'd say not.  I haven't put up a lot of information in the little time this blog has been up, so without further ado, some sprites*:

*original artwork done by rivenchan

Two Weeks into the Project.

Hello All,

Let me introduce you to my pet project: "Ponémon: Friendship in Magic."  It is heavily based on "Pokémon: Fire Red."  I wanted to do something with my time this summer, and this is the form it manifested in.  So far, some spriting and some text editing have been done.  But to whet your appetite, I will provide you with a screenshot of the title screen.  I will attempt to update twice a week and provide pictures with every post. Either sprites I have already done, or an example of what I did that day or recently. 

We'll keep in touch. Smell ya' later!