The level i always wanted to make ~ Log ~ Here's the idea... *LBP2 is the saviour*

THIS IDEA WAS CANCELLED. KEEP AN EYE ON LBP2 IDEAS FORUM!


Before LBP came out, i was immensely following it because of the whole level creation idea.
And straight away i was beaming with ideas! I love creativity and dive on anything that involves me unleashing ideas.
I'm an independent film maker and i constantly have ideas, anything that involves creativity in another form, has me day 1.

I got this idea about a Log in some sort of garden with the potential to grow.....that's it! lol But, it was stuck in my head and i didn't know whether or not it would be a short film or something else. So. as the idea grew and i saw more and more of LBP, i knew i had to try my hardest to execute it on this game!

So the game came, i created different things to get use to it and then attempted Log when i thought i was good enough.....disaster struck, LBP didn't have the tools and technology to do it :(

But, there it was....WATER!

That`s what was needed most. So, here's the idea of Log which i began working on at the end of December...

--

Log is the symbol of life. Everything on earth, animals, trees, man, air, all flourish as long as this Log blossoms.
Log is a big, magical tree that lives in the spiritual garden which belongs in every living beings heart. But, today, Log clings onto it's last moments, it is dying and is a shadow of its former self. No longer the big tree it once was but, now an almost lifeless Log, sleeping, waiting to be awoke from it's nightmare.
The fireflies that once lived in its branches still hover around in hope of it regaining life.

The cause of the Log's demise is the loss of love on earth. Man has become increasingly violent, greed motivates and moves instead of love, wars are had upon mans need to own and with all this, the food for life has been forgotten....love.

You have been summoned to the garden in which no mortal has been before, you're lifekinds last hope.

The world needs to learn to love again.

--

The activity of the level is that you need to visit each part/ingrediant of earth and teach love again.
This is done by giving you a central hub, the spiritual garden in which Log is resting, waiting to be awoke. Portals are at each end of the garden, each corresponding to one of four parts/ingrediants of earth, The Ocean, The Saffari, The Arctic and The City.
You go to each one, complete tasks at hand, many optional (this is to see how much you actually care), go back to the garden, see the Log become stronger and repeat.

Each world will have something different. The Ocean world will allow you to explore a big open water whereas The Saffari world is linear and involves simple platforming.

One of the big aims is to try and get it as emotional, dramatic and home hitting as possible, for instance, a native american lady offers to share a magical item to help get rid of something (cant go into detail) that is harmful and she believes the item was handed down by gods, so you get the impression of some powerful item but, it turns out its just a simple cleaning brush. This is to hit home, to let you know that to help this world, you don't need magic or miracles, we can all do it and we all have the tools needed.
It also needed to be childlike, animals talk to you and the dialogue is "cute", this is so its accessible by all and to help view the world in a new, innocent way.
I also have to have real emotional hits, something that guilt trips the player but, obviously, i can't talk about that!

So, basically, you help heal each part to make everything whole again and thus, allowing Log to blossom once more.

I could explain more but, i don't want to ruin it!

Having said all that, it's still VERY hard to make, the thermometer is a constant problem and i have had to cut massive amounts and use the sticker trick to do different materials. At one point, i had to delete a whole world (about 6-7 hrs worth) and re-design it due to technical restrictions! I can say that when complete, it won't be the full vision i had but, it will be enough.

It's about 65% done atm and development is rocky, it's the 1st time i find myself constantly deleting and i do fear i won't do the idea justice, also, i'm not the best at design but, i would kick myself if i didn't try.

Level Info:

• Unique level, designed as an experience
• None-linear gameplay - Do each task in any order
• Emotional story with a message
• Multiple gameplay types
• Multiple environments
• Side tasks
• Replay value
• An ambitious project

Other Info:

• The experience is split into two full levels
• The level will have little to no difficulty. It's designed as an experience. You mostly do tasks and watch as things change.
• The level is at a slow tempo. This is to match atmosphere, it will most definitely not cater to players looking for a quick play
• The whole experience will take around 40 minutes to complete
• The target audience is limited but, im not catering to anything other than getting my vision made. I believe it will be a love or hate affair.
• Its mostly non-linear, there will be backtracking through environments.
• It should be unlike anything else

Screens: (To be updated as development progresses)

The Ocean World

(Few screens as possible to avoid spoiling)

http://i41.tinypic.com/uvpcw.jpg

http://i44.tinypic.com/dptmr7.jpg

http://i40.tinypic.com/2isdt36.jpg

http://i42.tinypic.com/fjojus.jpg



Ok, i would love to hear your thoughts now!

Cover:

http://i46.tinypic.com/w9vf47.jpg

Tl;dr

:( :( :(

Very impressive, reminds me a little of avatar :)

I look forward to seeing it and hope it will be at least half as awesome as you make it wound to be; if it is then it'll get 5 stars!

I forgot to mention that, because of the scale of the idea, it is impossible to achieve on one level, it is split into two parts. It doesn't affect it much but, if i want a fuller realisation of the vision, i gotta sacrifice.

Thanx for replying. It will be open to playtest when it's around 95% done.

I have done similar things like this before to rave acclaim (see A Step Back In Time) so, hopefully i do have what it takes.

@shadow ???

well the game sounds like fun with the different world and such but to be honest it does sound overly preachy to me, especially with lines like "This is to hit home, to let you know that to help this world, you don't need magic or miracles, we can all do it and we all have the tools needed." and while I am a great believer in looking after the environment and animal rights I have a instant dislike of anything that tries to force the issue upon me, even if it is disguised as a level of LBP.

Still as I said the worlds you visit could be fun so I will probably give it a bash when it is done

Tl;dr = Too long/lazy; didn't read

^ lol you and me both bro

anyways heard from one of the posts mention avatar....so is this like my idea for my project where OP is making his own world with its own history, creatures, etc.?

sorry i was TL;DR like i said before

Lol....

attention span = key lol

cthulhu82

No it won't be too preachy, its designed to be accessible

p.s

it aint nothing like Avatar...thats an overrated, poor film :)

Hmm, if I ever get a screen recorder, I know what idea to still :D!

Anyways, I absolutely LOVE this idea. And I mean LOVE it. Some people look for gameplay or design in levels, I look for plot. This, has the best plot I've ever seen. EVER.

Do it, or I'll give you an extra kick, free of charge!

WOW lol

Thanx UltimateClay!!

You and me both.

I was beginning to think i didn't fit in with my thoughts on levels etc (bar a few members). Thanx for that, i will use that comment to help promote this level if you don't mind :)

and no! you ain't stealing this! :p

Also, if you like plot, most my levels are loaded with it, specifically, A Step Back In Time, Brass House ll, Wrath Of the Sky.

This sounds brilliant. Your one to watch.

Killzonequinn

Thanx man!

Cover:

http://i46.tinypic.com/w9vf47.jpg

I think your idea sounds great. I love non-linear levels with an exploration element. I’ve played your level A Step Back in Time and so I’m sure you could really pull off something like this. I remember that level had a section where you had to choose whether or not to lie to one of the characters and the rest of the level was affected by the choice you made. That worked really well and this new project sounds like it has a more expanded version of that about it. It could give a whole new dimension to playing the level.

As others have said, you will need to avoid falling into the trap of making the message too heavy-handed. However, you gave the plot of your Step Back in Time level some nice ambiguity (i.e. it was not a black and white tale of good versus evil) so I know you will probably avoid that pitfall.

Anyway, I’m really looking forward to seeing what you do with this idea. Exciting stuff.

PS Like the photo in your sig! (You should have added the rest of UltimateClay's comment about about kicking you if don't do it, lol!)

I really like your idea. Like UltimateClay said, this level has the best plot EVER! Something that could really be helpful is to cut the story into chapters. That way you can make maximum 6 superb levels:

• The intro, were you can explain what is Log. We already know what is it but people out there don't. So explaining it could make the player more interested on the story.
• The Ocean, each area with special sticker that the player needs to advance deeper into the garden. The stickers can be some sort of proof that there is love in that area. Of course the proofs aren't easy to get. Like you said, there could be multiple tasks that need to be solved before you can get love.
• The Arctic
• The City.
• The ending, having all "stickers" of love is important in this area because there are gates that wont let you pass. Each proof heals Log a little bit, raising him a little bit each time you give him what he needs.

And thats all I could think of... I'm new to designing levels and I only have 1 level published and 3 or 4 in development but I can help if you need. I can't wait to see your full idea in my television screen too! And I know that this project is 65% done, but I like to give my own ideas, see what I can do for OTHER people.

@Saphire

Thanx for the confidence in my abilities!
I want it to be as accessible as possible so, there'll be no gun pointing at no one's head lol Its funny though, it shouldn't matter if it was preachy because this is life at stake, its our world...home.
Lol, yeah maybe i should just to make sure i finish it.

Thanx Saphire.

@Mr_deimos

Thanx again! I wasn't expecting big compliments like that!

That's a nice gesture Mr_deimos...and you have helped me out! Some things i can't change though.

I can't break it up like that because it will mostly go unplayed by most so i have got to try and squeeze it into 2 levels. Yes, this is sacrificing a lot and much has to be cut...The Safari has had disastrous cuts and really does feel short but, i knew the full idea wouldn't work....as long as most is there and the message works, it is passable.

Yup! there is an intro and its slow and mysterious. Its fairly long too so i added a skip button for people replaying.

This is where you have helped. I don't want the garden to be big and act any different to that of just your hub, BUT, the idea of receiving items/stickers for doing everything is a good one and i don't know why it escaped me!
I'm thinking of two endings, one if you just reach the end (there is no failure) and one if you fully complete each world and obtain all items/stickers.
So, thanx for that! Do you mind playtesting when its around 90% done?

Well, thanx for the interest and you should keep designing, no matter what it is, it's your vision, go for it.

I don't know when you will be playing Log but, its a way off yet.

See below for more details.

More details:

• The level will have little to no difficulty. It's designed as an experience. You mostly do tasks and watch as things change.
• The level is at a slow tempo. This is to match atmosphere, it will most definitely not cater to players looking for a quick play
• The whole experience will take around 40 minutes to complete
• The target audience is limited but, im not catering to anything other than getting my vision made. I believe it will be a love or hate affair.
• Its mostly non-linear, there will be backtracking through environments.
• It should be unlike anything else

sounds incredible

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Lotus_Flow3r

More details:

• The level will have little to no difficulty. It's designed as an experience. You mostly do tasks and watch as things change.
• The level is at a slow tempo. This is to match atmosphere, it will most definitely not cater to players looking for a quick play
• The whole experience will take around 40 minutes to complete
• The target audience is limited but, im not catering to anything other than getting my vision made. I believe it will be a love or hate affair.
• Its mostly non-linear, there will be backtracking through environments.
• It should be unlike anything else

---

Well, it sounds like you've got a pretty solid grip on your expectations. That's good, because this kind of thing will probably NOT fly with the wider LBP audience. 3 stars and "slow" tags. I'm glad you're making it. I'm especially glad that you're not going for difficulty and gameplay so much as an "experience" - this is the direction I've decided to go in any future levels I myself create.

I have to mention the title "Log". It's such a blunt word, I would never expect the story and inspiration behind it to be so poetic and flowery. I guess this is what it's like to me:

"I'm making a level about how life is tenuous and fragile, how we only have the frailest of a grasp on ourselves as we hang in an endless chasm. It's about the earth's dream, and it's about the flow of cosmos. It's about what it means to be alive."
"Wow! What's it called?"
"FOOD."

It's so BLUNT! I picture a certain thing in my head, and it surprises me every time I remember that the level's name is, simply, "Log." Just had to mention that.

Anyway, I love the idea, you've got my endorsement. You say you're about 65% done or so, so I have to assume this is all fitting into one level? when you listed the different realms - the arctic, city, etc. - it really sounded to me like it might be a perfect way to split it into several levels, which would give you the chance to REALLY push the visuals and atmosphere of each one as far as you could. As it stands, I'm very interested to see how this all fits into a single stage. It's certainly ambitious, I'm glad you're getting out there and doing it. Looking forward to seeing some screenshots.

@ Lotus_Flow3r
Well, I'm glad to be of service and thank you! I'm getting really inspired by my little sister and family :) "Log" is helping too! I told all my friends about your idea, they are curious and excited to play it :).

I'd love to be a BETA player for Log, thanks :). and I'll play it as soon as I can. I, most likely, will "follow" you in LBP and check every day if Log is there, waiting to be played.

So yeah... Like I said before, I like to help other people and make them happy so if you want any ideas for the endings, I can be of assistance.

Thank you Nordin!

@Teebonesy

Thanks for the encouragement. You're right about the title but, here's another reason as to why i named it that - It's so hard to name! lol So i decided to look for a word that kind of connected with the way it developed. I mentioned the very 1st thing i thought of before anything else was a simple log....then, all the ideas were things catering to the log so, in a sense, the ideas were it's branches...basically, everything was born from the log, all the ideas began with the image of a log....and what does the story entail? The same thing....life is blooming because of this log, it all came from log....it just kind of made sense to simply call it just that....Log.
Another reason is that, this is the only level where i will be making it entirely in my own vision and my vision is for it to be also very out there, odd and mysterious....Log is that as a title too. If this level was anything else, i would try and make it appealing more.
3rd.......I'm not good at naming things usually lol

I said previously that it is split into two levels. Its still not enough but, i cant have too many because too many won't get played. It needs to pace with little interruption to avoid damaging atmosphere. I also believe it will be appreciated when experienced as a whole and if it was split too much, casuals may just give up. I know i'm not aiming for them but, i'm also not isolating them.

I still maintain i won't do it complete justice but, it will be enough to pass it.

Thanks for the endorsement lol and i look forward to your experiences!

mr_deimos, thanks again for the kind words and for spreading word!
You will be very welcome to try the beta. I will let you know as soon as its ready to test. It will probably be some time yet though :)

P.S Added more info in bullet points to the main post