Air (Summer Special mainly) Fan-RPG Project: Should I make it?

[Reives]

Due to the lack of consistent participants in areas of need and resource impotency, the project has come to a closure.

If anyone wants to pick the project up, feel free to email me at Kg_Reivier@hotmail.com. I am able to send the unfinished project file and instruct you on getting the RPG Maker program that's used to construct it. (It's fairly simple and straight-forward to use with practice, no programming knowledge needed for starting, only logic.) I am willing to help with questions and etc. if this is done.




First of all...
Before I go any further; I am simply thinking about it at the moment and looking for feedback and support. As of today I see that this forum is not really active, and failed to find any other forums with a large amount of Air-fan concentration. And realistically speaking, without support the project is likely to break down prior to finish.


The product we're looking at; and which of the two would you suggest?
We could either have a play-enabled game (RPG style); or a 'visual novel' so-to-speak, where you can't walk around and it's more like watching a filler episode. Post your opinion on which you would rather like please. But keep in mind, either way there will be a lot of cut-scenes. And keep in mind that it would be less stressful (probably) for me to make a cut-scene only project; although not that much easier.

And by the way, the style will be classic RPG; so don't have your hopes up too high. :p Here are some screenshot from my main game project, 'Quintessence - The Blighted Venom' © Kan Gao as normal graphic reference. (Game-play mode)
Reference Screenshot 1 from Quintessence - TBV.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v385/Reivier/SSAeria.jpg

Reference Screenshot 2 from Quintessence - TBV.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v385/Reivier/VillageSs.jpg

Reference Screenshot 3 from Quintessence - TBV.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v385/Reivier/Moon2.jpg


Facesets? Yes plx.

Character speeches will have their face avatar of ___ emotions next to it, and character pictures cropped out and edited from the series can be shown for further graphical interpretation at times.

But mainly, the animation would really be extremely inferior (if can be called animation at all); since it's RPG styled with small character sprites. And hence, the only purpose this serves is rather like a graphical fan-fiction with BGM, faceset emotion interpretation and as such. Unless if it is decided to be a playable game that is; which would make it a Air fan-RPG.

[Reives]

Where this would take place relative to the original Air TV

I believe it's best to have the time period where this fan-game takes place to be during the summer arc; with the characters Ryuuya, Uraha, and Kanna. It would take place in the time that they are traveling to find Kanna's mother. In the summer-special, Kanna stated that just that market-place half-way was ten days walk's distance from the castle which they left from; hence there are a sufficient number of days total for the game's material to fit in.

This way, it would pretty much all be filler episodes (like the Summer Special version), and no important storyline would be altered to upset the fans.

Also, there aren't really any open ends for the first and third arc of Air TV; and I personally think it's a bad idea to make what happens after the part where the real show ended for it might upset the fans who have their own thoughts on what happened next.



Things needed if this project were to be started:
If I were to start such a thing, I would also need help with some character sprites and facesets. The faceset could perhaps be made from extracted screenshots of the TV series + Artworks etc.; but the character sprites would probably need to be originally made.

Therefore, I would most likely need some artists that are willing to help out with the character spriting (will have a 'person'-template ready to start from). (Mainly pixel art, rather)

Here's Lunair's character sprite from my main RPG project:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v385/Reivier/NairPurple.png

As you can see, it's quite small. I make my sprites and edits mostly in paint from the template.

[Reives]

FAQ:

Q: "Zomg are you planning to make it cheesy fan-service styled?/"

No. To the best of my extents, I will try to keep the persona of the characters as portrayed in the original Air TV. Since this could often be a touchy subject to fans, the dialogues will be looked over hopefully by multiple knowledgable people before releasing.


Q: "Can I help plx?"

If you have the skills necesary.

Some things that would be needed:

-Script Writer(s)/Editor(s).
This is something anyone can do and yet the most important essence in the project. In order to make a successful fan-project like this, an excellent story, even though rather filler-ish, is quintessential. Speaking of which, a firm grasp on each character's personality and humor is required.

-Graphic artists.
Mainly for character sprites. Also need people who can skillfully crop off face avatars of different emotions of the three main characters (and possibly more) as well as refining them.

-Audio
I am somewhat of a composer myself, but I believe it is best to use the original soundtrack for the series and perhaps add a little things here and there accordingly. So mostly what is rather needed for Audio is track-hunter for the original soundtrack (midis preferably) and sound effects/BGS. I have a fair amount of piano songs in midi from Air TV at the moment; but they're all piano. It would be nice if someone can find some quality full-instrumental version of the songs, and if not I guess I'll see if I got time to write them myself.


Q: "Will this ever be finished?"

As much as I would like to say yes; it would be rather naive to give a 100% promise. That is why I am hesitating to start the project. But if started; I would certainly try my best to have it finished. It really helps to have a team and spiritual supports.

------------------------------------------------------

Current question;
Please reply with the following if possible:

-Do you object the project to contain parts that is after where the series left off? (In a none-nublett way, however. The important essences will remain as in the TV series)



Thank you for your time. The posts are crude at the moment, and hopefully will be repolished when time permits.

[Reives]

Reserved~~~

P.S. In order to create this project I would need help with some image gathering for facesets and etc. :/

[Rengemaru]

I think it should take place in the summer arc period, and I'd rather make it an RPG since this series was already a visual novel. Where the player takes the role of Ryuuya, Uraha and Kanna through the main events and mostly during the filler parts (the main events could be used as good cut scenes)

[Reives]

Yeh, that's what I'm thinking of at the moment. Thanks for the reply; was getting a bit discouraged at the lack of responses heheh.

[martino]

It looks very interesting, well done Reives! However I cannot suggest you anything useful...

[Neaco]

In case no one has said it yet, welcome to Animesuki Reives!

There are quite a few AIR fans here, it's just that the series is old and many of them are discussing newer series and such in the other threads.

As for your game idea, it sounds interesting. You seemed to have put a lot of thought as an RPG and AIR fan to seek out this forum to propose your idea. I'd love to help but as I'm not that great at drawing, I'd probably only be able to gather screenshots, artbook scans and such, when I have the time.

I guess the important question is we need more members to reply to know who else would want to not only make but then play the game. It obviously sounds like it would probably require a lot of effort, especially in order for it to be more then a generic RPG world with AIR images put into it. Many fans are probably warm to the idea but no one wants or is forcing you to do something this big by yourself. It's best done as a team project or not at all.

I do agree that the summer arc would be the best one to adapt into an rpg. It is more of a side story to the main one and would give us more room to be creative. In addition, typical RPG elements such as Ryuuya's swordfighting, and adventure of exploring around Feudal Japan are present.

I do think it's probably NOT a good idea to expand on the main storyline after the final episode, as you're going into uncharted territory there.

[Reives]

Thanks for the replies Martino and Neaco.

Neaco:
I agree you with on pretty much all your points. I do realize that it would be rather crude to try do work on the project by myself due to the large quantity of elements involved; and having a team to split the tasks up would be extremely helpful. In fact, without a team this project would not have the railway to start off.

If you can search and gather potential graphical resources, it would be very helpful. But the project is not certain to start at the moment; I'll probably make a recruiting thread later to see how many people will be able to help. If there is potential, then it will start.

[Neaco]

Another thing to add, your RPG concept for the summer arc it think would be a first I think.

There are of course already many fanmade doujin AIR games, especially japanese ones. As far as I know, those are all mostly 2D fighting games or scrolling shooters.

[Amaranthine]

Hmm, well, this looks interesting. I don't have anything particularly helpful to add, I basically agree with what Neaco said. I will, however, offer to help if you're really going to do this. I can do image gathering/editing stuff easily, I can't imagine there's anything that would be very hard. I also write a hell of a lot, although you won't see any of evidence of it on these forums. ^.~ So... I could help with that too. Or just one of the things, or whatever. I don't have any other projects right now, so I'm interested in this.

[Reives]

Alright, thanks guys; it seems that there's some hope again. I'll make a recruitment thread later to see if we can gather up a team for the project. Oh, and tell the old fans of Air that you know about this if you can; we still lack quantity at the moment.

[Rengemaru]

regarding this project will there be a certain deadline or is it just "it'll be ready when it's ready" because i'm a slow worker

[Reives]

I do not feel that such fan project has to have a deadline to give unnecesary pressure; but however if too slacked it would most likely fall apart in time. But do not worry, the only (semi) full-time so to speak would probably be only me.

[Rengemaru]

good because university is starting in a couple of weeks so it'll be pretty messy then

[panzerfan]

Well I am kind of interested with how you are going to look at the historical aspects? During this time, Fujiwara regency under Michiaga was moving to finally consolidate their power on the chrysanthemum throne during the reign of emperor Ichijou. It took a few decades after the event of SUMMER arc before he gained absolute power in his hands.

One of the coinciding events in the reign of Emperor Ichijou is the fifth year of his reign, The Kongobu-ji temple in Wakayama prefecture, south of Osaka was struck by lightning and burnt down. Before all of this, Kyoto was hit with a contagion and interestingly enough, Fukiwara no Michikane, the brother of Mighiaga fell because of this and allowed Michiaga to became regent. The court power struggle implicated the Souhi elements greatly from the historical accounts.

[Reives]

Panz:
Thank you for the info, which reminds me that I will also need someone to ensure the historical aspects. I might know someone that is somewhat knowledgable though... but research will be done :/ Hopefully not entirely by myself. But rest assured, historical accuracy will be worked on to the best extent throughout this project, if it were to be started.

P.S. You seem knowledgable of the subject, hm..? *Hint hint* ;)

[panzerfan]

I claim no expertise on high Heian politics. The burning down of the temple and its significance was discussed in a passing thread by some chinese poster versed in Buddhist politics (from what I recall buddhist sects competing for influence and... how that this burning led to the decline of a school.) There is a large degree of imagination required here anyway to make sense of how the underpinning politics turn our protagonists (Yokujin + the motley crew) into pawns. I will gladly see what I dig up as the idea of AIR being a part of a greater political drama very much excites me.

[Rengemaru]

I don't think much historical aspects will be needed in it since it's strongly based off the anime

[Reives]

True, but some historic reference would give it more depth; as well adding a bit of professional touch to those that do know their history and not make a noob out of the project.

However, the amount of knowledge and research needed is fairly managable; so it won't be that much of a burden anyhow.

Edit: Oh and thanks a lot for looking for it, Panz!