"Super Metroid: Lost" is under way!

[Nuju]

It's four days into my training as a hacker, and I've already begun working on a release-grade hack...  Super Metroid: Lost!  It will be just a small one-to-three room hack that requires some SBing techniques, like mochball and infinite single wall jumping.  It won't have any graphics changes, FX, backgrounds, or anything else that makes an awesome A-list hack; it's just there as practice for me and to let you know what kind of hell I, the cunning, sly, and XXX Nuju, can dish out.  Since I really only started only about thirty minutes ago (4:30pm my time), and even that time has been used learning to use slopes, I've only started the immediate surroundings of the ship, which I've attached as a PNG.  (I know what you're thinking, PNG!  He's on the ball!  And I am, in a couple ways; I've looked around the forum and saw the giant jpeg eater.)  Do not expect this to be done quickly for a number of reasons, like I'm a n00b, I have a heavy school schedule, and I'm working on who knows how many other projects right now.  [[EDIT:  Also, my Internet connection's on and off, so don't expect immediate replies even when I'm online.]]

Already I have a question.  You see those 04s on all those blocks, right?  I've changed the original "auto"-BTS (PB block) for these and tried to change them into just solid, but I got these numbers instead.  How do I remove BTS and make, say, just a plain ol' solid block???  [[EDIT:  Never mind.. I just applied a BTS of 00 and that took it away.]]

And one last thing...  This hack is in preparation for Super Metroid: Hidden, a super-duper awesome-possum really cool and neato hack that I've been designing on paper for the past year, before I gained access to SMILE a few days ago.  I haven't even thought about Hidden yet, but just know it will eventually come and put your brains in a blender and make a nice brainy banana strawberry smoothie for you to drink.

[Quietus]

A few things of note:

Welcome.
If you've been hacking for only 30 minutes, then there's no way in the world you should be posting content.
Thanks for using .png, not .jpg (or even .bmp).
You attached a file, which is not favoured round these 'ere parts.  You'll need to register with some free hosting service, and place your links or use [img] tags.  There are loads about, but most people here use Dropbox.
Your ramps are broken.
To rid yourself of the 04's, just copy a block you want that doesn't have it, or select it from the box at the bottom.
For screenshots, in SMILE click on File > Special > Level to Bitmap.  You may want to temporarily disable your BTS (F3), an dremove scroll areas (under View menu).  Then open them, and save them as .png.

That'll do for now.  Happy hacking. :^_^:

[Nuju]

It's still very far from finished, but I've been working on it on and off over the past few hours and I've made significant progress.  Here are the pics.  (Dropbox wasn't right for me; I used my personal domain instead.)  You can't see all the hidden items (I made sure of that).  I've also taken some quickmet pictures of in-game play so far.  (In the real game, you'd start with 99 energy and NO x-ray scope.)  Tell me how you like it; I'll keep working on it well into the night!

Next update will be when the first room looks more... done.

Phazar edit: Pics embedded below.

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[devonodev]

Well, you've made a start. Which is good I guess.
Your terrain looks very un-natural. Full of flat ground and long ramps. Try adding in more slopes in the flat sections. I mean, if you run in a straight line through the original SM, very rarely will you stay on flat ground.

And it's not too bad so far, but make sure you don't spam spikes. Going up the pole-thing is alright, but don't have them all around everything that's a bit hard to get to.  It's what I, and many other newbies have done, but shouldn't have.

I'm interested in what will become of this room though. 

[Nuju]

@devonodev, I thought the exact same thing.  The whole damn thing looks really bad right now; once I get the basic room structure done I'll be adding more detail (like grass).  And I can change the spikes, but there's something hidden in there that I'm not showing you.  (This will be typical of all my future hacks.)

@Phazar, I'll start embedding my pics.  Thank you.

I have worked on it since my last update, but in my opinion I've just made it worse, so I have some things to redo.  And I repointed the Enemy Pop and Set to something that screwed it up, so I'll have to fix that.  More pics are coming soon.

[Nuju]

I've been working on it some more.  Here are the pics.

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I don't know what I'll be doing with that "bridge" overhead yet...  Tell me how you all like it so far.  Oh, and since my internet connection is so slow its taken me FOREVER to upload even these pics and connect to make this post...  I've worked on the walls and made them more natural.

I'll be getting the entire room pic up when my internet connection is better (maybe Monday).

[Nuju]

I've waited all day for some internet connectivity, and I've finally got it!!!  At least it game me more time to work on this.  I've also uploaded the pic for yesterday's update, too.

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There's still plenty of ugliness (especially with the entrance to the cave, what was I thinking???), but that will change.  I'm getting better at being pretty the more I do this.  I have confirmed the following items for the game:  Morphing Ball, Super Missiles, Spring Ball, Bombs, Power Bombs, Hi-Jump (not in that order!).  All these items will be REQUIRED (yes, even hi-jump, you'll get it when you play).  I'll probably be including like a "try to find the missile tank in each room" kind of thing, too.  It's looking more like the final will be 5-6 rooms or so now.  Tell me what you think!!!  It will look awesome!!!

Oh, and don't expect another update until maybe Tuesday or Wednesday.  Sorry!

[[After I read that handy dandy tutorial on states, I think I'll have enough know-how to begin work on Hidden.  This has been nice practice, and compulsivity tells me to begin Hidden, but I'll be sticking with Lost for now.  Estimated Time of Release:  4-6 weeks.  (I have too much to say too often.  I should shut up more :lol: )]]

[Quietus]

You need to be careful when you tell us that things are 'required'.  A number of us are very experienced in playing the game, and are well aware of all of the possibilities.  For example, if you want Hi-Jump to be 'required', then you'll likely have to kill IBJing (Infinite Bomb-Jumping), as it can always be used instead of jumps.

Also, if you have a ramp next to a wall, you do not need the square BTS block behind it.

[Nuju]

I already have killed bomb jumping to make things a little more frustrating and interesting, and to lessen their usefulness.  So far, it's just that pit in the second room that you probably can't get out of until you get Hi-Jump.  (Trust me, I've tried for a very long time!  I may be a n00b to SMILE, but maybe not so much to Super Metroid...)  I have spent just about as much time testing this hack so far as I have spent building it, so I've got a pretty good idea as to how things do/will run.  Thanks for the info on the ramp/wall thing, too; that should save me some time.

I'm beginning my work on it now, but with homework and other, more pressing obligations I won't get much done.

[Nuju]

I was originally going to reiterate that no bomb jumping was just to make you take a nuke to your ZSNES (in fact I'd be flattered if someone tried to break Lost), but I think I've said enough.  Again.

[[EDIT:  SMILE decided to screw up my ROM, and now it won't open it because it says it's PAL!  DAMNIT!!!  I had to go all the way back to my ninth backup, which is about 2 days ago.  Lesson learned; I'll close SMILE every time I make a backup.]]

[Zhs2]

It would probably be best if you took no notice of the little argumentative posts people throw here and there because they will be the ones who eventually get banned for posting like idiots and not you because you were behaving yourself and not throwing yourself into the line of fire by attempting to come up with a response. That being said, don't do this again. I'll just cut the part of your post that isn't at all necessary, as well as the other posts...

As for breaking your hack, the people who can, will. After all, it's a serious hobby to some of these people :3

[Nuju]

Gosh, I love it here.

I've worked on Lost a LOT over the past few hours (maybe too much).  Who wants a demo???  It'll have Morph Ball, Bombs, and possibly spring ball.  (Really, who wants a demo?  I'm unsure as to if I should release one yet.)

[[EDIT:  Found out why SMILE crashed; I had repointed the level data for that second room, and SMILE didn't like that.  Oh, and...  New pics, everyone, and lots of 'em!  (Though they don't show much...)  I'll stop taking room pics and start exclusively releasing in-game, cause I feel that entire rooms are too revealing.

Whoops, some of these aren't new.]]

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[Zhs2]

Finish it. It's short enough, right?

[Nuju]

I think it's short enough (5 mins for me), but then again, I've been playing it for HOURS and I know all the secrets...  Anyways, here's the patch (unheadered).  It's ugly and everything, but that'll change; this is more of displaying my style than anything.  Insane walljumping/mid-air morphing/investigating/dealing with stress skillz are required.  It "ends" when you can get to your ship with Hi-Jump.  Please excuse the old map; I haven't gotten around to changing it.

[Quietus]

I don't intend any upset, but releasing any sort of hack this quickly does not give the impression that you are a dedicated hacker at all.  While content is always welcome, all of your screenshots are very basic, and look like a new hacker's attempt at retiling rooms.  You should be aware that most of the hackers here only release content after many months, or even years of work on a hack.  Try taking your time, getting used to SMILE.  I'd suggest just building one room, and making it as detailed as you possibly can, change loads of things about it, and get tinkering with every possible facet of SMILE.  You'll quickly realise that the more you learn, the more you understand, and the more you want to add.

Please don't feel disheartened, as I wish you well with it. :^_^:

[Lunaria]

However quietus, release a hack early in development can be a good idea for new hackers in order to get a good feel about what players like and not like. Of course, once you get the hang of those basic ideas, one should stick to closed beta testing near release.

[Nuju]

@Quietus, I'm not really all too attached to this one.  This is more "practice" for Hidden Super Metroid (that's its new name).  I mean, eventually I will get around to making this acceptable as far as graphics, mechanics, etc., but I'm not making an A-list hack here.  I'm saving all my tricks for Hidden.  (Hope that's good news.)

@Crys, you're absolutely right.  That's the whole point of this demo.  It's far from finished - I'd say I'm not 5% done - the only reason I've even made a demo this early is because I wanted to know if the other 95% would be any fun at all.  That's my goal with Hidden:  Make a hack with great music, appearance, etc. that's both frustrating and addicting.  Thus, I needed Lost, a test run.

[snipereighteen]

Just played the hack! Its really cool, its like a super metroid remake, you could make the crateria tiles a bit more 'natural' (not staight diagonal slopes which last for a while) more like the flooring from the original rom  :^_^:

[Nuju]

I'll take a look ;)

GOT AN IDEA FOR A TOTALLY AWESOME ROOM WAIT WHILE I HAMMER IT OUT

[[More items confirmed for Lost:  Super Missiles, Gravity Suit, Grapple Beam.]]

[Nuju]

I've put a door in the floor in a cave, and the sky background is showing through the little gap between the cap and the cave background.  How do I fix that?  (Maybe these pics will help.  I kept the purple to exaggerate the effect.)

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This isn't my awesome room.  It leads into it.

[Digital_Mantra]

I like your enthusiasm and motivation to hack.
I just hope you continue exploring this fun, rewarding hobby and don't burn out.
Keep your glee moderate, and present something a few versions in.
Detail comes with time. As does overall presentation.

I still kick myself in the arse when I released over 15 versions of my 1 room hack when I just started.

[snipereighteen]

Dude guess what, you could totally make that door lead to crocomire! that'd be pretty cool. If not, use your idea. Cant wait till the hack is done  :^_^:

[Nuju]

A Crocomire fight with absolutely no upgrades (well, bombs) would be SO DAMN AWESOME!!!  It'd throw everyone off and you'd say "What the...?  Oh shit!"  :twisted:  Great idea, snipereightteen!  I'll have to add it in - after my uber-awesome room, though.  It would overlap the landing site at this point.

I'd need to insert charge beam somewhere (cause Crocomire with only five SM, all you'll have at that point, is just wrong)...  Not a problem.  It'll be a hunt for the charge beam!

A last thought...  Can you damage Crocomire with bombs?

[Quietus]

A last thought...  Can you damage Crocomire with bombs?

For enemy vulnerabilities, right-click on them, and click Species.  Scroll right once, to the Enemy DNA [2] screen, and click the 'Edit' button next to Vulerable Pointer.

[snipereighteen]

Twad be amazing if croc could be attacked by bombs dude!