Jack McSetback III

Hi guys, guess who's back in business.

I've been away for a while, playing other games and a lot of real life stuff (good stuff, don't worry). With the new water pack and some time to get back into it (X-mas holidays), I got back into it and making a new level, yes a new Jack McSetback.

I don't have a name yet, nor is the story fully fleshed out yet I'm at 50% or so done already. The theme is somewhat naval/carribean islandlike (nope, not really original with the pack and all) This because I:
1. Really like the look and the theme of it
2. Love the new materials and decorations and wanted to use them

I did something like it with Buccaneers Booty (bit of medievel/pirate theme there) yet this time no pirates (or not much) but more a colonial look.

Gameplay is general platforming, with story elements like you know from me and new this time, some transporting puzzles.

I made this thread for a bit of inspiration for myself and some pre-feedback, I'd love to hear requests/ideas/thoughts about this level and maybe even the past ones, what did you like what you hated. Where do you want the story to go? Finally some luck for good ol' Jack or do we like him best when he fails?

I'm making the level as some kind of fanservice or as a request level but I'm open to input and like the inspiration. I'm not saying I'll use your ideas or whatever but good input wil surely be appreciated. If someone is active here and interested... I can use playtesters...

Wow you're back!!! Finally!

This sounds like a great idea, and i would love to see the level... but i'll be back off to uni next week :(

Still I wish you the best of luck and look forward to playing it at easter

Well you know I'm excited to see this new level come out - so I'll totally be up for playtesting it and giving my ideas.

On the series as a whole I've enjoyed the occasional slice of humour, but my favourite part was the physics based platforming that we saw a lot in the first jack mc setback. Those are the type of thigns that inspire people to create innovatively and I'd love to see some more of it from you :)

Thanks Coxy, I'm afraid I'll have to dissapoint on the physics platforming, I'm a bit spent on that one. I still try to create "realistically" but gameplay is more important. Most of the platforming still has to be made though, I might be inspired ;).

yeah I wasn't really expecting much of it from the newer levels - I mean I couldn't believe how much you'd managed from the first level alone. I'm sure you'll sneak something in there though ;)

Hehehe, well the first level was pure single-mindedness but I don't seem to have the patience anymore for that kind of fiddling. I still do have several fiddly things though :D

Awesome! Glad you're back and I'd be happy to playtest for you. I love the first two McSetback adventures!

Oh my...is this what extreme joy feels like?

Haha thanks for the cheering, any suggestions though? I'm fishing for inspiration here ;). Not that I won't be able to do it on my own but you can't have enough right?

So Jack Mcsetback and the colonists treasure?

Hey Wyth, glad to see that you've returned to this community as well as LBP. If the rest of Jack McSetback III is going to be as awesome as the first few minutes that I played, this is gonna be another hit.

I'd quite like to see a boss fight in one of the Jack McSetback levels. The boss could be a big monster that's loose on this Caribbean island and the natives of this place use the sun idol as an altar for their sacrifices? I know that's a little crazy, but the ideas just popped into my head and I thought it was worth sharing. :)

I'd love to see some water puzzles, not the simple ones that we've seen thus far - the really good ones that are new and innovative. Personally I can't think of any at the moment, but I'll post here if I think of any.

Maybe the island gets flooded once a day and different things are accessible to you at this time. I don't know though, just throwing ideas out there.

[QUOTE=Wyth;363495]

Gameplay is general platforming, with story elements like you know from me and new this time, some transporting puzzles.

[QUOTE]

Why not make something new ?

Great to see you have once again returned and are making Jack III, I don't really have many suggestions as I already know the level will be epic as the previous in the series were. Those levels were close to revolutionary when they came out and still hold up quite well to the newer levels today, my only suggestion would be to tone down the difficulty. I found Jack II to be pretty hard in some parts and it wasn't much fun when I had to keep on restarting.

You clearly don't need any help when it comes to visuals so I'll leave it at that.:)

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Why not make something new ?

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Well it is a sequel, so in terms of story it is similair although new. As for making something new in gameplay: Making something truly new is a rather large challenge, I don't think I'm good at that kind of innovation. For the Jack McSetback series it is new that I'm doing more "puzzles"*.

*Not real braincrackers but more in the vein of push this or pull that to be able to continue, yet as often as I can: with a twist. (Not simple button->Door affairs)

For more new stuff: I'm liking the suggestions here, especially the water puzzle, I'll think on how I'll be able to implement that "naturally". Got some things with water already.

A bossfight... I'd love to do one although they are notoriously hard to make pretty, natural and work perfectly at the same time.. Brainstorming!

Update: The level is getting a more: carribean island->docks/harbor/fortress vibe, just seemed natural.

Oh and it WILL be easier/less frustrating, at the very least be implementing a bit higher count checkpoints. I'm not a big fan of infinite checkpoints though, those suck for building a bit of tension. But when nessecary (like on the "survival ship" in Buccaneers' Booty) I will put them. (If I got time I'll revisit that one to make it less frustrating)

Pop me a friend request (I'll invite some of you) if you want a sneak peak, might be good for some discussion here to. (I hope I'm not flooded when I get home :P)

Hey Wyth,

In lieu of old school physics platforming, why not go for some water-based physics puzzles? It seems that few are interested in the merits of water physics. Most of what I've seen are simple lock-and-key puzzles strapped upside down to ceilings... basic buoyancy gimmicks. I'm definitely exploiting the new physics for Fireball Island.

I'd be more than willing to lend a hand if you got ideas for a boss fight.

I'd certainly like to see some water physics in the new one. Maybe using the bouancy to lift some items up and have others eing held down by string you have to remove before they'll float up.
Again, just throwing out some ideas, but I'll definately ask to join you if I see you on some time to get a sneaky peak ;)

Water puzzles ahoy! I've got one basic mechanic in place with water but I don't want to spoil that. You will see it if you get a sneak peek, just trow a request.

One water puzzle is allready there quite like you suggested coxy, but with a bit of a twist.

I'm trying to come up with some more water puzzles but as for now the only water yet is ocean and I'm having a hard time to make it look natural that it rises and falls a great deal. I know, oceans have tides but not so much that entire docks flood, might run 'm dry though.

A friend of mine (no LPB-er though) has been playing the level and had some comments on the flow of it, not enough "urgency" so I'll be changing the structure somewhat...

I'm a bit torn, I want your guys/girls feedback but I don't want to spoil the level to much, keep a bit of surprise in it. I don't mind sneak peaks because you'll be surprised then but typing it out here... I don't know. What do you think?

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Originally Posted by Wyth

I'm a bit torn, I want your guys/girls feedback but I don't want to spoil the level to much, keep a bit of surprise in it. I don't mind sneak peaks because you'll be surprised then but typing it out here... I don't know. What do you think?

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I say, send over a key!! ;)
Or...I'll send you a psn invite and you can let us pop in once in a while.

Very cool, Wyth! I liked your first levels and got quite annoyed with all of the immitators... -.-

But anyway, I hope this one works out well for you! You could always find a way to make your levels stand out, in whatever way that may be I'm sure it will be great!

Good luck! :p

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Originally Posted by piggabling

Very cool, Wyth! I liked your first levels and got quite annoyed with all of the immitators... -.-

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Imitators, well sorry for that ;). Are there really imitators? I've seen some stuff left and right but that could've been genuine innovation, nothing really bad.

For the rest: I've decided I'm not gonna send out keys or what, but pop me a friend invite and you're welcome to join me anytime you see mee online and well get a run through the level.

To be fair, its a fairly obvious theme. Wyth just pulled it off early on. I'm happy to pla more of the same! Gruntos's unhearted level was gooood.

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Originally Posted by Wyth

Imitators, well sorry for that ;). Are there really imitators? I've seen some stuff left and right but that could've been genuine innovation, nothing really bad.

For the rest: I've decided I'm not gonna send out keys or what, but pop me a friend invite and you're welcome to join me anytime you see mee online and well get a run through the level.

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No it's not your fault! :p

You definitley pulled it off better than the others! I think it was only one person who pretty much stole the name a made a medicroe level with it. It was something like Peter McProblem. HAHA! I know that's not what it was but, it was close...

I think I may have a new series on my list to create.... :rolleyes:

Its awesome so far. Great stuff.

Thanks for the replies/help, I'm a bit stuck on a gameplay bit for the moment. I think I'm gonna have a bit of a break (sorry to keep you waiting). It's something like a bomb track (think Donkey Kong, but a lot different offcourse ;). I'm having trouble with making it both cool looking and fun and exciting to play. I'll be brainstorming about it during the break. I'll be checking the site though.