Questions

[PressStart]

Thanks, but i also just checked i cant change my avatar either.

[Tyrannigon64]

I think you have to have 10 posts before you can do those things.

[PressStart]

Alright thanks a lot.

[Tyrannigon64]

I've got a question: is Afterburn the same as Future Sight? If so, can it be stacked with Future Sight/Doom Desire? If not, does the damage done by Afterburn do damage according to the user's Sp. Atk and foe's Sp. Def before or after the move is used (i.e. if the user's Sp. Atk or foe's Sp. Def change between the turn Afterburn is activated and the turn it hits, does the hit take the stat change into account? Future Sight and Doom Desire do not, BTW). Also, does anyone know if Future Sight can still hit if the user is knocked out before it hits? I can't find out anywhere.

[ImmunityBow]

Afterburn and Terra Strike are just Future Sight with typing change.

Future Sight will hit even if the user is knocked out, I'm pretty sure.

[Tyrannigon64]

But Afterburn and Terra Strike won't hit if the user if knocked out. So you mean other than that they're the same?

[Black Temple Gaurdian]

Afterburn and Terra Strike are just Future Sight with typing change.

Future Sight will hit even if the user is knocked out, I'm pretty sure.

In other words: They're the same. So yes, they do hit even when KO'd.

[Tyrannigon64]

No, they don't. (http://www.pokemontopaz.net/forums/showthread.php?365-Topaz-Moves)

[Black Temple Gaurdian]

Do I refer to quotes for no reason. SHakes head saddly.

[Tyrannigon64]

Did you click on the words "No they don't"? Because that links to the list of Topaz Moves where it says specifically (and at the very top, because Afterburn is first alphabetically) "Attack will fail if using Pokemon faints before effect has occurred."

[ImmunityBow]

Then they don't. All in all, there's a Future Sight effect in Poccil's so it'll follow Future Sight regardless.

[Konrad]

Any chance someone knows the password to decrypt the old programmers winRAR archive?

[Tyrannigon64]

Another question: are Alpha Shock, Beta Flame, Gamma Spore, and Delta Wave the signature moves of a Pokemon?

[ImmunityBow]

Yes, Purior.

[SilentSentinel]

Any chance someone knows the password to decrypt the old programmers winRAR archive?

Ew, I'm not sure about that.

[zeroality]

Any chance someone knows the password to decrypt the old programmers winRAR archive?
I didn't know it was password protected. Lame. :\

I'll go ahead and shoot off an e-mail but I don't think it'll do any good.

As for Future Sight and the related moves, we'll be following Future Sight mechanics (http://bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net/wiki/Future_Sight_%28move%29#Generation_II-IV) - regardless of what the descriptions say.


Doom Desire and Future Sight cannot be stacked.

It doesn't say anything about fainted Pokemon though so I found another resource (http://www.upokecenter.com/dex/?version=sapphire&attack=248).


Remains in effect even if user or opponent is replaced.
Judging from that description and the information on Bulbapedia, I would say it remains in effect even if the original target or the user faints.

Updated moves sticky.

[Tyrannigon64]

How would one fly to Aquopolis? I mean, it's an underwater dome, so unless you're flown right outside of it, like on an island right above it, or if the player and the Pokemon the player is riding on could become intangible, I don't see how this will work.

[SilentSentinel]

You use magic We could have a small building with an elevator inside it on the surface that you can fly to or something.

[Tyrannigon64]

That defeats the purpose though. You're supposed to only be able to access it at first using Dive, so if you could just Surf to this building, I think the point is defeated.

[NyteFyre]

Maybe the building could be a project in the works before you get there, and after you finish up there, it's finished.

[Tyrannigon64]

Or maybe you fly to an island right above Aquopolis, and you can dive from there. It should be a biggish island though. Like, 10-15 tiles in both dimensions.

[SilentSentinel]

All we have to do is make the building inaccessible from the open water above. Like put some rocks in the way to stop people from surfing to it. You can still fly to it then.

[XTS]

All we have to do is make the building inaccessible from the open water above. Like put some rocks in the way to stop people from surfing to it. You can still fly to it then.

This. Think Sootopolis City in the Hoenn games - you have to Dive to reach it initially, because you can't just Surf in, but once you've accessed the city you can Fly in through the opening in the top.

[Cyndadile]

Island RIGHT above the city, with a sign there. Some guy is also saying, "I tried to fly to Aquapolis, but for some reason, my POKEMON brought me to this island. I wonder where it is..."

EDIT: Missed new page. I agree with Tyrannigon.

[EthanK]

Not sure if this was asked or not, but are the TM's going to be like in Black/White, where they have unlimited use? I thought that was a great new feature B/W had to offer.

Also, hello members.

[SilentSentinel]

Hello there!

I'm actually not sure. We'd have to see if that is programmable first, then decide how we want to go about it.

[EthanK]

Well, suppose they were, then also like in Black and White, you couldn't use them to restore PP.

I've actually observed this project for a few years, only now I decided to register. I remember how inspiring it was for me to go make my own pokemon game, until I realized how much work it is. I made it in Game Maker, which now I'm fluent in, but sadly the only other languages I'm fluent in are French and HTML.

But of course, if there's anything I can help with, I'll probably be up for it.

[Konrad]

I checked the coding for using a TM. I can just remove the line that deletes the TM after the move is learned.

[EthanK]

A small question; Topaz is only going to have one version so there won't be any version exclusives, correct?

[zeroality]

A small question; Topaz is only going to have one version so there won't be any version exclusives, correct?
That's right. The only "exclusive" events/items/Pokemon(?) will be via joining either Team Orion or Team Rocket.


I checked the coding for using a TM. I can just remove the line that deletes the TM after the move is learned.
May be another thing to discuss along with the Pokemon name in caps.

This would also be pertinent to the ongoing Orion's Sword/Rocket Punch discussion.

[Tyrannigon64]

Do we need overworld sprites for any of the Pokemon? Like those Pokemon you talk to and they go "Pid-pidgeeeeeeee!"

[SilentSentinel]

Yeah, we'll most likely need about 20-30 of them, either to spruce up the NPC dialogue in various towns or to provide the overworld for legendary/event pokemon.

[Reliability]

Indeed. In terms of that we will definitely be needing (at this point/I think):
Ampure*** [for the demo]
Purior
Ferrain
Kraklaw
Gypseer
Tagati
Neichia
Kuranpu
Typhinda
Kipporok

Some overworlds that might be nice for houses and such:
Lupine
Moocalf
Barkub
Vixun
Smallard
Cirroft/Cumuloft
But really, with a few exceptions, any Pokemon can be made into an overworld for potential use.

[SilentSentinel]

I think I remember having Zangoose, Bakurge, and Chloreon as overworld pokes for certain cities as flavor. There might be some more.

[Tyrannigon64]

Why did you call it "Ohmure"? Wouldn't a Ground type have more ohms than an Electric type (considering that they aren't affected by Electric attacks)?

[SilentSentinel]

Well, it's probably mostly to create a relationship with Ampure's name. Amps and Ohms are common parts of electrical work and two of the three variables in Ohm's law, V=IR. V is voltage, but many pokemon already use that. Plus, Electric types resist electric attacks, and the Ohm the unit that resistance is measured in.

[Tyrannigon64]

I knew all that already, we're doing a unit on electricity in science class. That's why I said that Ground types would have more Ohms than Electric types. I just figured that Electric types would not have a lot of Ohms, seeing as that would probably make it hard for them to use their Electric attacks.

[Reliability]

For those of us without scientific knowledge, Ohms sound like they have something to do with electricity.
Also, the dex entry kind of refers to it:
OHMURE have nearly 20,000 volts of electricity coursing through their fur at any given time. They must hop around constantly to keep themselves properly grounded.

[Tyrannigon64]

I have another question, completely unrelated to that one.
Every Pokemon can learn Orion's Sword/Rocket Punch, right?

[Black Temple Gaurdian]

No. Ditto can't. :P

[Tyrannigon64]

Let me rephrase. Every Pokemon that can use TMs and HMs can learn Orion's Sword/Rocket Punch, right?
Edit: Another unrelated question. If a Pokemon uses Doom Scythe and it curses the opponent, does the user lose HP? And can only Ghost types use it? If not, and a non-Ghost type uses it, does the effect change?

[Konrad]

I looked at the Doom Scythe code. I doesn't require the user be a ghost type, nor does it damage the user.d

[Tyrannigon64]

Every Pokemon that can use TMs and HMs can learn Orion's Sword/Rocket Punch, right?

I'm thinking about quadrupeds and fish using Rocket Punch, mainly. I mean, does it really make sense for Dolphure and Celsinge to punch stuff?

[ImmunityBow]

It does if you think of it as some kind of projected mental punch.

[Tyrannigon64]

Okay, but that still doesn't answer my other question: can every single Pokemon that can learn TMs/HMs learn Orion's Sword and Rocket Punch? Also, no Pokemon can learn them via level up, right?
Edit: Another question! Does Cinders affect Flying types?

[ImmunityBow]

Every Pokemon can learn Orion's Sword and Rocket Punch, except those that can't learn TMs. Meowth learns it via level up, I think, but that's immensely justifiable.

Cinders... probably doesn't affect flying types, since it's meant to work like Toxic Spikes.

[Tyrannigon64]

Which one does Meowth learn via level up?

[NyteFyre]

Most likely Rocket Punch, a la Canon Meowth, but IDK.

Also, doesn't like Kipporok, or Kuranpu learn both via level up?

[Konrad]

Cinders... probably doesn't affect flying types, since it's meant to work like Toxic Spikes.

That is correct.

[ImmunityBow]

I think Kuranpu learns both, Meowth learns Rocket Punch.

[zeroality]

If Cinders is supposed to work like Toxic Spikes, does that mean Fire Pokemon will absorb them from their field when switching in?

With Toxic Spikes, if a Poison type is switched in on a field of Toxic Spikes then the spikes get absorbed and disappear.

It would make sense to do the same thing here with Fire types and Cinders.

[Tyrannigon64]

Really!? I didn't know that about Toxic Spikes! But I did know that about Cinders. It is true.

[ImmunityBow]

What would also be interesting is if the Fire-type would actually get some kind of boost, either a small heal or a Sp. Atk boost or something, for switching in to Cinders (which may or may not absorb the Cinders). Fire is a pretty weak type, so it seems like an interesting buff.

[zeroality]

I think that would make people more adverse to using the move.

I know if Poison types got some kind of boost from absorbing Toxic Spikes then people would rethink using it.

[ImmunityBow]

When Toxic Spikes came out the only Poison-types being used were Weezing, Gengar and Crobat, all of whom weren't even able to absorb it. Also, Burn is much better than Toxic. Giving a team a global 33% reduction in Physical damage is pretty strong regardless.

[zeroality]

I've seen Nidoking, Tentacruel, Drapion, and Roserade as common Pokemon to send in to absorb them.

I have played a fair bit of Gen 4 OU so yeah.

Roserade usage used to be higher before Platinum came out, and it was a common lead/hazard-setup Pokemon. If it had gotten a boost from absorbing Toxic Spikes - even a simple HP restoration, then it would have been a bit ridiculous.

I'm opposed to the boost. Yeah Fire types do suck but nerfing a Topaz move to try and benefit them seems like folly.

First you wanted Outrage powered down to nerf Dragon types, now you want a boost for Fire types?

I don't think we should be making these kinds of changes to try to "balance out" Pokemon ourselves. I know this is a fan game and all, but let's not set a precedent by taking it upon ourselves to make changes that will either benefit or inhibit Pokemon types.

I'd like to draw a line at the Outrage reduction and not go any further.

[ImmunityBow]

First you wanted Outrage powered down to nerf Dragon types, now you want a boost for Fire types?

I understand the rest of your post, but this doesn't make sense. If anything it sets a precedent. Also, I'm not looking specifically to boost Fire-types, but rather thought it was something we could think about since Thunder isn't really cool as a 120 base power 70 accuracy move, but rather in the fact that it never misses in Rain. Little interactions like that can really add something to the game. Why do you think Poison-types got the absorption in the first place? That's just nerfing Toxic Spikes, isn't it?

[EthanK]

It seems a bit strange to give them a boost from just a pile of cinders.

Also, since you say Fire types suck as it is, does that mean Topaz has Stealth Rock?

[Tyrannigon64]

No, Topaz does not have Stealth Rock. Topaz has no moves from Gen IV, we just have the physical/special split.

[EthanK]

Even Dragon Pulse? that's an awesome move

[BladeVap]

That is correct. Nothing Gen IV, aside from the move split, will be in Topaz.

Well, kinda. There is ONE Gen IV item that we're bringing in: X Sp. Def.

(really, I've seen discussion on that item's sprite...and it never occured to a bunch of you to use the Gen IV one?)

[Cyndadile]

(really, I've seen discussion on that item's sprite...and it never occured to a bunch of you to use the Gen IV one?)

That would mean admitting defeat and giving in to Gen IV!

[zeroality]

Even Dragon Pulse? that's an awesome move


Topaz has no moves from Gen IVYeah.


I understand the rest of your post, but this doesn't make sense

Then ignore it. >_>

Edit: Ugh, new page ninja'd.

We lost the X Sp Def sprite, apparently.

[EthanK]

You guys better make a good specially based dragon move then!

[Tyrannigon64]

The only Dragon moves we have are the ones from Gen I-III, and a move called Dragon Gale, which is basically a a Special (as in not Physical or Status) version of Dragon Tail with 50 BP instead of 60.

[Black Temple Gaurdian]

^ Which also switches the opponent out IIRC

[Tyrannigon64]

The only Dragon moves we have are the ones from Gen I-III, and a move called Dragon Gale, which is basically a a Special (as in not Physical or Status) version of Dragon Tail (http://bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net/wiki/Dragon_Tail) with 50 BP instead of 60.

[Tyrannigon64]

Double post. It's been a while since we've had an SoT. Will there be one for May?

[Reliability]

There will be one when IB has time to write one. He has been busy lately, so the answer is maybe.

[ImmunityBow]

This month definitely. I've had two APs and an art show this past week and next week to prepare for. If all goes well it might come as early as Wednesday. Wish me luck!

[Tyrannigon64]

This month definitely. I've had two APs and an art show this past week and next week to prepare for. If all goes well it might come as early as Wednesday. Wish me luck!

I see no SoT, and it's almost the end of May :( . Either way, you should write one soon; there hasn't been much activity on Topaz lately, and an SoT might get people motivated.

[ImmunityBow]

Yeah, I know. I'm really sorry, I didn't realize the full extent of my commitments at the time. I'll try to get one up as soon as possible, there's a lot to cover.

[Cranky Guy]

A lot of my friends have asked when the demo is going to come out. I told them I wasn't sure yet bt they just keep on asking me. Can anybody tell mewhen it is going to come out?

[Tyrannigon64]

We don't know, we're still working on it.

[Cyndadile]

Tell your friends that if they want it to come out, they should come and contribute. Its a win/win situation!

[Sev]

Errr... I haven't been on here in like 3 weeks and only two threads had new posts in them. You guys really need a SoT :)

[Reliability]

Nothing concrete has been accomplished in a while, so activity wanes. But that's to be expected. But when new things get posted, activity will have another surge.

Also, that is an exagguration. At least 4 Pokedex entries have been finalized and closed, which means that they would all have new posts in them. There's still things happening, they're just really focuesd in one area right now.

[Tyrannigon64]

Is there a move tutor?

[Sev]

I'm curious but isn't VIP achieved by being on the top 10 posters because I have failed to see someone with VIP not in the top ten.

[ImmunityBow]

Probably something close. VIPs are generally those who have been considered for their contributions in the ideas and discussion category. They don't necessarily have much that is tangible (ie sprites, art, scripts) but it's our way of recognizing those who have consistently intelligently placed their input by granting them access to the contributor forum, even though they might not have too much concrete to show for it. Yes, those who post often have more chance to demonstrate or contribute to discussion, so in a way top 10 posters sort of fits the bill, especially since we're a pretty spam free community.

[Sev]

Intelligent? There goes my chances...

[kvntrp]

i got a question
how did pokemon topaz make the Trainer Sprites????

[Silver]

with a computer

[Reliability]

how did pokemon topaz make the Trainer Sprites????
By using Photoshop/Paint. They are either edited from existing sprites or built from scratch, pixel-be-pixel.

[kvntrp]

By using Photoshop/Paint. They are either edited from existing sprites or built from scratch, pixel-be-pixel.

where is the best place to find existing sprites?

[Tyrannigon64]

I'd suggest Spriter's Resource (http://www.spriters-resource.com/).

[mrrdurial]

3 months since the last post <<, just joined
how far along are you guys from finishing?

[Reliability]

Well, we aren't close.

A lot of the base work has been done. The biggest obstacle right now is the Pokemon txt. file. Once that is finished, more can be programmed, which is the next big thing. I'm pretty sure that we have all the base work done for the demo, so those two things really govern when THAT will come out. The full game is still a ways away, but getting the demo out will mean that a lot of the legwork has already been done. It would be unfair of me to give a date or time-line for either release, because it will, without a doubt, be entirely wrong. We just have to take it a day at a time, get tasks out of the way as quickly as possible and the end product will eventually come.

[BladeVap]

3 months since the last post <<, just joined
how far along are you guys from finishing?

There is a thing called patience.

Also, if you want to see the game come out faster, you could help, y'know.

[ImmunityBow]

I'm very glad you're still excited enough to ask after the project, but the best we can hope for right now is to stick to our guns and try to get out a demo asap. The full game should still take a while but if the right things are done the demo could be up at any point, since it's waiting on just a few, though rather important (and in the case of pokemon.txt, large), elements.

[Nickrb23]

Will you be able to use TMs multiple times like in black and white

[ImmunityBow]

This was discussed at some point before. I think the consensus was yes.

[Cranky Guy]

Say IB, when is the next SoT going to be?

[ImmunityBow]

Sometime over the next week, I think.

[Cranky Guy]

Oh, OK.

[Cranky Guy]

Double post. I still don't see any SoT , IB. If your busy, than I'm sorry. Just thought t might get people motivated again.

[ImmunityBow]

Okay, I'll try to get one up on Monday when I'm not spending all my time in a theatre.

[Cranky Guy]

Are we still working on the TCG game? Cause I think that maybe the only thing that I can cntribute to, seeing as I have failed miserably at almost everything else.

[ImmunityBow]

You're not failing miserably. Almost nothing is perfect at first. You just need to keep at it until you end up with something of quality.

[BladeVap]

Are we still working on the TCG game? Cause I think that maybe the only thing that I can cntribute to, seeing as I have failed miserably at almost everything else.


TCG? We've never had one outside of Topaz Triple Triad...which I certainly hope is in the final game, for sure!

[Tyrannigon64]

Actually we did have a TCG. It's in the cemetery, so no, we aren't still working on that.

[BladeVap]

Oh, you're right! I completely forgot about that! >_<

[Cranky Guy]

Are topaz pOkemon going to have overworld sprites? I might TRY working on those.

[Reliability]

We do need a couple to sit around with NPCs in the various towns. Then all of the legendary Pokemon/ one-offs that need to be approached or whatever. If you want to start, here are a few that we will likely need/want:

Mogel
Ampure
Lupine
Coroona
Cirroft

[NyteFyre]

But then there's the problem of how they're moving about said overworld. Are they running back and forth, in circles, or are they just sitting there, bobbing? Of course, it'd probably be sufficient at this stage to just create a single overworld sprite per pokemon, then add the other frames later in development.

[Reliability]

I don't think they all need to move. They definitely didn't in GSC, and I don't think much was lost because of it.

But some will need to be able to walk. But as you said, it will be relatively easy once we have bases.

Also keep in mind that you can use RSE overworlds as bases as appropriate.

[NyteFyre]

-nodnod- ok then. I guess that answers that question.

[ImmunityBow]

They do need to look in four directions, unless we want to sandwich every single Pokemon between NPCS/buildings/lampposts/trees.

A worthy endeavour though, I'd love to have some great overworlds of Topaz Pokemon.

[Cranky Guy]

How's this Lupine? I'm still working on it, especially the leaves and details. Anything I should add/remove/fix/change?

[ImmunityBow]

I really like it! I can't wait to see how it turns out once you've added shading and details.

[Cranky Guy]

641Here is a Cirroft I made in about 10 minutes. As much as I'm concerned, It's far from done. I still have to add details and shading. I will be working on Lupine and Cirroft for now, and I will not do others until I am done with at least one. Anyway, criticism?

[Merlin]

I have this feeling that if i ask how far the game has come it'll be very vague due to lack of being able to detail clearly
so what isn't done?
(or is that worse than asking what is done?)

[ImmunityBow]

Keep going with Cirroft. Its size is a little large (it looks like a Cumuloft) so if you could make it a little smaller especially in relation to its wings that'd be good. Currently the overworlds are looking pretty excellent.

What isn't done is not a question I can answer as far as full game. For demo though:

We need overworlds for Bradley, Froy, Therma, Professor Willow, Vincent and Male Hero, backsprites for Male Hero, finished pokemon.txt scripts on some of the demo Pokemon, and for Konrad to put everything else that's done together.

[Black Temple Gaurdian]

Didn't we have a male hero overworld from MewLoverEx?

[Cranky Guy]

My overworlds will be continued in the Topaz Graphics section.

[ImmunityBow]

@BTG: Link them? You're probably right.

@Cranky Guy: Good idea.

[Cranky Guy]

Bringing this up coz I'm crazy. When is the SoT coming?

[Black Temple Gaurdian]

Got it!
http://www.pokemontopaz.net/forums/showthread.php?444-need-overworld-sprite-of-main-character

[ImmunityBow]

@Cranky Guy: By the end of this weekend, I promise.
@BTG: Though that does show we have overworlds for Froy, Therma and Willow, I think it was generally agreed to go with the newer Male Hero sprite. So MewLoverEX's is out of date.

[Will]

Is there any old forums or folders containing discussion about creating the pokemon and all the ideas with naming, movesets etc.? I'm just quite interested to see how each pokemon came about and how the game developed in it's early stages.

[Reliability]

We've had a site change and a forum crash since the project was originally begun and such things were going on. I know zero had posted a link to a page with a bunch of old sprites, but the link is currently broken.
Here, though, is the original Grific:
http://img107.imageshack.us/img107/567/grificshadedfb8.png
I can tell you that the processes for building each Pokemon were different. In Grific's case, I knew that they wanted a pre-form of Gryphonic, so I drew this up and started a topic for it titled Grific. Apparently the name caught on. I think other Pokemon had names first and sprites were made to fit the name. Another user made a different version that was a great deal better, so this original was tossed. The current version is Novoni's, so Grific has had three distinct styles to it.

[Black Temple Gaurdian]

Foldicrane! Many made changes. I hated Purior before hand, now it's nice.

[Will]

Have the line-ups for the trainers in the demo been decided or are they being dedided?

[ImmunityBow]

They were made years ago by TehLurker so I think I have them somewhere, but until then feel free to make a new topic and just build some, since they were all done by one person (TehLurker) and agreeing upon newer ones isn't out of the question.

[Will]

Okay...Could you possibly give a list of trainers appearing and where they appear - routes, forest, gyms etc.

[Reliability]

That's up to your discretion. I'm pretty sure that the gym puzzles topic (Topaz Graphics somewhere) has a specific number of trainers for each gym, but the routes are pretty open. If you want to focus on the demo, though, you only really have the first two routes to do, so the numbers should be low.

[ImmunityBow]

I found what we had before, we can discuss updates here if you like:


Route 202
a) Youngster-- Blake
1. Mogel (lvl 3)---Pound, Charm
60P

b) Youngster --Mark
1. Mogel (lvl 2)---Pound, Charm
2. Fincherp (lvl 2)---Peck
73P

c) Bug Catcher --Andy
1. Firant (lvl 2)---Acid, Leer
2. Firant (lvl 4)---Acid, Leer
91P

d) Youngster-- Ike
1. Ampure (lvl 5)---Thundershock, Tail Whip
70P

Lass Susie
Fincherp (Lv. 7)---Peck, Growl
Money: 85

Lass Eliza
Mogel Lv. 6 (x2)---Pound, Charm, Defense Curl (both)
Money: 93

Bug Catcher Kyle
Firant Lv. 6, Firant Lv. 7---Acid, Leer, Ember (both)*
Money: 104
* Rather hurts to start with Venap, doesn't it?

Youngster John
Lupine Lv. 8---Scratch, Growl, Odor Sleuth
Money: 77

Youngster Danny
Mogel Lv. 6, 7---Pound, Charm, Defense Curl (Both)
Ampure Lv. 8---Thundershock, Tail Whip, Charge
Money: 92


Hiker Bill
Sandshrew Lv. 9---Scratch, Sand-Attack, Defense Curl
Money: 206

Camper Adam
Fincherp--Peck, Growl
Mogel--Pound, Charm, Defense Curl
Sandshrew--Scratch, Defense Curl
Lupine---Scratch, Odor Sleuth, Growl
Embear---Tackle, Growl, Focus Energy, Ember
(all lvl. 6)

a) Bug Catcher Preston
Firant lvl 7 (x2)---Acid, Leer, Ember
P110

b) Bug Catcher Elwood
Jalsida lvl 8---Scratch, Leech Life, Foresight
P113

c) Bug Catcher Matthew
Spidream lvl 7---Leech Life, String Shot, Poison Sting
Firant lvl 7---Acid, Leer, Ember
Spidream lvl 9---Leech Life, String Shot, Poison Sting
P127

d) Bug Catcher Arne
Pineco lvl 9---Tackle, Protect, Selfdestruct, Harden*
* Fits well, and it's not like any player is ever going to use that egg move, anyway
Spidream lvl 9---Leech Life, String Shot, Poison Sting
P118

e) Bug Catcher Morty
Firant lvl 8---Acid, Leer, Ember
Pineco lvl 10---Tackle, Protect, Selfdestruct
P121

f) Youngster Denis
Whispaw lvl 8---Ember, Tail Whip
Spoink lvl 9---Splash, Mud Sport, Psywave
Ampure lvl 9---Thundershock, Thunderwave, Charge, Tail Whip
Embear lvl 11---Tackle, Growl, Focus Energy, Ember
P115

g) Bug Catcher Rolph
Spidream lvl 10---Leech Life, Poison Sting, String Shot
Jalsida lvl 10---Leech Life, Foresight
P122

h) Bug Catcher Wendel
Pyroon lvl 12 (x3)--- Harden (All three [is there a way to express that in one word, like "both"?])
P144

Youngster Jake
Spoink (Thick Fat) Lv. 13 - Yawn*, Mud Sport, Psywave, Odor Sleuth (I thought Splash, Mud Sport AND Odor Sleuth on the same set was too easy)
Mankey (Overdrive) Lv. 13 Scratch, Low Kick, Leer, Karate Chop
Lupine Lv. 13 Scratch, Growl, Odor Sleuth, Vine Whip
P103

Hiker Marcus (Double Battle w/ Beau)
Sandshrew (Sand Veil) Lv. 14 Scratch, Defense Curl, Poison Sting
Whispaw Lv. 14 Ember, Tail Whip, Safeguard
Camper Beau
Lupine Lv. 14 (I'd actually prefer if Inflare not be in yet) Scratch, Growl, Odor Sleuth, Vine Whip
Ampure Lv. 14 Thundershock, Charge, Thunderwave, Quick Attack
P313
(Marcus's Pokemon/Beau's Pokemon)
This is just in case we do these double battles (like in Emerald). Otherwise, one or the other.

Lass Nina
Pineco Lv. 13 Tackle, Protect, Selfdestruct, Take Down
Mareep Lv. 12 Tackle, Growl, Thundershock
Fincherp Lv. 13 Peck, Growl, Squall
P96


~Ninja Boy Lazzo~
Sandshrew Level 12 (Scratch, Defense Curl, Poison Sting)
Vulpix Level 13 (Ember, Tail Whip, Quick Attack, Roar)

~Ninja Boy Jack~
Torkoal Level 15 (Ember, Smog, Curse, Smokescreen)

~Ninja Boy Quentin~
Firant Level 14 (Acid, Leer, Ember)
Whispaw Level 14 (Ember, Tail Whip, Safeguard)

Therma:

~Birdkeeper Clark~
Fincherp Level 15 (Peck, Growl, Squall)
Fincherp Level 16 (Peck, Growl, Squall, Double Team)
Fincherp Level 17 (Peck, Growl, Squall, Double Team)

~Lass Violet~
Fincherp Level 17 (Peck, Growl, Squall, Double Team)
Equill Level 17 (Confusion, Squall, Windwhistle, Wing Attack)

~Scholar Thomas~
Skarmory Level 18 (Peck, Sand-Attack, Swift, Agility)

[Will]

Kind of seems a few too many, considering how low Therma's line-up is. I always think by the time you have reached the gym you should be a couple of levels lower than their line-up. Also you will have fought almost all of them before Froy, is there any way we can prevent some being reachable before Froy so they can be taken on between Froy and Therma?

[ImmunityBow]

The only possible area is the Elemental Towers, that is a concern I had earlier on.

[Reliability]

Also note that this does not take into account a certain part of the plot that will be taking place. I was thinking (outside of that) 2 or 3 others per route. That feels normal for canon.

[ImmunityBow]

I actually cannot tell unless I see the trainers on the map if there are too many or not. So we'll see it when it's implemented I guess and decided if there are too many then.

[Merlin]

Before I leave for my little Christmas/New Year's Day break I must ask you people something:
Will y'all have some pokemon specific repels? I know loads of people hate being stopped in caves by Zubat, Golbat and Geodude every other step so I was wondering if pokemon specific repels might be possible for the game?

(btw I'll check for the answer after christmas, i just needed to get this out before I forget it.)

[ImmunityBow]

I've done my best to make sure that each cave in Topaz has different and interesting Pokemon to look for. In Malachite Cave there might be a tad too many Clefairy, but otherwise there is a pretty good split in the big caves, like Mt. Mist (Koffing is 30%, Vulpix is 20%, Murkrow is 20%, Inflare is 15%, Whismur is 10% and Skalloy is 5%, so Skalloy is rare but otherwise you'll be seeing a pretty nice mix.) At sea you will be Remoraid out though so stick to Route 219 so you can look for Reefrain and Lapras at the same time. But it wouldn't be a Pokemon game if every single Pokemon was super convenient to acquire...

[Cranky Guy]

Is Topaz going to have one of those little videos that occur before you reach the start screen?

[Konrad]

Is Topaz going to have one of those little videos that occur before you reach the start screen?

Yes, but we haven't looked into it yet. If you want to download Poccil's kit and the RPG maker and work on something, feel free.

[Will]

Out of interest, where abouts will the legendaries be found. Pre/Post Elite 4? Are any roaming? Are any central to the plot ie have to be encountered in order to progress?

[NyteFyre]

well, Jirachi is found pre-E4 i believe, and is the main point of the entire plot. you do battle him, in order to progress. He's found in Twilight Cave. Not sure about the rest. No roamers that I know of.

[Reliability]

The legendary trio (Gypseer, Tagati, and Neichia) will be stationary, but when they will be available to be caught is, as far as I know, undecided. I suppose, to follow canon, they should be pre-E4.

Jirachi will be the only pre-E4 legendary other than that. Others will be available after: I think Unicrown might be roaming, Typhinda will likely be stationary, and Kippoark could go either way.

[ImmunityBow]

Gypseer, Tagati and Neichia will be hidden as NPCs in the world, triggered by some event to be determined.

Typhidna and Kipporok have a bit of a backstory written for them, though the whole sidequest isn't complete yet:

Kipporok and Typhidna are battling it out while Team Rocket sneaks up to them for the catch. They attempt Typhidna first because it seems more powerful, fail miserably, and get their butts handed to them. They flee and they battle you on their way out, as you're in the way. Typhidna, now enraged at the catch attempt, goes up to you and attacks you, and you can catch it or defeat it. The Rockets, who were merely hiding while you did the dirty work, run over to attempt to catch Kipporok, who promptly flies away (here it could go to a specific place or start running around the region). Kipporok gone, they leave feeling very depressed and not believing that the day could get any worse... and bump headfirst into Captain Barnacle, who grins at them with malicious intent.

Captain Barnacle is part of the Sunken Ship/Kraklaw side story:

Was any explanation for the ship's presence ever given? If not, perhaps it's Barnacle's ship, brought down by the Kraklaw's attack. If so, eh... well, I don't know the explanation, so if anyone does I can try to incorporate it into what I've got below.

As for a story, let's see... Captain Barnacle is a pirate, right, and pirates are always looking for treasure. Maybe he and his crew are after some Goldrake--evolve a few into Arowana to help them terrorize people, sell the rest for exorbitant prices, perhaps? Magical golden fish that evolve into magical golden dragons sound like nice treasure to me. There are supposed to be Goldrake in the depths of Route 230, but hardly anyone's ever been able to catch them. Barnacle and his crew reach the area and have their Pokémon retrieve a nice haul of Goldrake, but before they can sail away Kraklaw attacks *dun dun dun*. Kraklaw finally manages to sink the ship after an arduous battle, and the captain and his crew all drown. Now they're stuck down in the ruins of the ship for all eternity, surrounded by Goldrake that they can't do anything with because they're, you know, dead and confined to haunting the one place.

Along comes the player years later, exploring dangerous underwater ruins because that's what all good children do. A few scuba divers are in the area, but they'll probably tell you that they've never seen any Goldrake--they're supposed to be in the heart of the sunken ship, but the place is haunted and they're too scared to get any closer. You continue your exploration until you run into Kraklaw, which you defeat/capture. Before you can leave the area, however (you'll probably be given a chance to save first), you find yourself confronted by *le gasp* ghost pirates! Captain Barnacle saw you vanquish his nemesis and is furious--he wanted to defeat Kraklaw, and now that you've gone and done it he can never get his revenge. You'll just have to do in Kraklaw's place, then, won't you? You battle the pirates and then Barnacle himself. When you beat Barnacle he admits that you're strong, especially if you were able to take down the Kraklaw he's been unable to defeat for all these years; he might add that it's a shame that you weren't around when he was alive, as you'd make a fine member of his pirate crew. As a reward for your strength and bravery, he lets you through into the one area of the ship where you can find wild Goldrake.

The Sunken Ship sidequest becomes available as soon as you learn Dive. Typhidna/Kipporok after E4, presumably.

Kuranpu and Unicrown are probably also linked in some way.

[Will]

So where is all this interesting info?

[Black Temple Gaurdian]

In the staff forums. I think.

Will there be cake? :P
But seriously, will there be free pokemon when you join one of the teams? (Team Rocket so obviously gives out free pokemon, they're stolen of course but the Orions could just breed them instead)

[ImmunityBow]

Some is from the Contributor forum, some are just from early posts that no one remembers, some are just in my files salvaged from the forum crash.

I think the "free Pokemon" were supposed to be Meowth and Clefairy from the old walkthrough, but that whole thing is obviously moot so at this point I guess not.

[Silver]

meowth and clefairy?
i thought it would be engil and duval,
go figure,

[Will]

Just a quick question. Leoracle and Khaphinx are one-offs, when in the game are they obtained and is there a choice between the two (considering they are so similar)?

Also what about Snarliger, is it obtainable before the Elite 4?

[Reliability]

Snarliger will be obtainable before the E4 (as of this moment, but it could change).

I think you'll be able to get both Leoracle and Kaphinx, but I'm not sure exactly where. Saharan City area would be a good guess, though.

[ImmunityBow]

Leoracle and Khaphinx can also breed (though I don't remember how we came to that decision) so they're more like Snorlax and Sudowoodo one-offs rather than legendaries. You should be able to get both, and yes, probably around Saharan City or the Eye of Sand.

[Cranky Guy]

Why would Leoracle appear in Saharan? It doesn't actually have any connection to the place, does it?

[ImmunityBow]

Maybe Mountain Pass is actually the best place for them, since it's near both Skobeloff Town and Saharan City.

[Black Temple Gaurdian]

Khaphinx should at least be in a desert.

[Will]

Sorry for asking so many questions, but I guess its good to stimulate posts and thus increase activity. Anyway has the Bradley overworld been worked on/completed yet? I'm sure it's needed for the demo. Is Alissa the other rival who becomes champion? Is she in the demo? Is Simon in the demo? If so have they got overworlds?

[Reliability]

Alisa and Bradley need overworlds. Simon does not. Also, I know that we need overworlds for Orion Defenders and Rocket Grunts. Prof. Willow doesn't have them either IIRC. Actually, I think the Female Hero, Froy and Therma are the only ones we really have that are solid as of right now.

[Cyndadile]

I thought that this one was Willow: http://www.pokemontopaz.net/forums/showthread.php?444-need-overworld-sprite-of-main-character&p=7779&viewfull=1#post7779
Or did it need to be changed?

[Will]

Ok if someone has time they may wanted to get started with them. Also I assume hero backsprites are needed so may need to get started on that as well. I would give it a crack but I've got A-Level modules coming up.

[Reliability]

Yeah, those Willow ones are right. I forgot about them.

[ImmunityBow]

The Willow ones will have their hair edited and be up by tomorrow :)

[Tommy]

How do I make a pokemon sprite. I'm asking this because that's the whole reason I came to this site.

I mean it, please answer!

Did anyone even think of answering my question!

Help me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Cranky Guy]

@ Tommy: Use Mircosoft paint or Paint.net. Works everytime;).

[PKMask]

I was wondering if it would be possible to make a Topaz sequel because once Topaz comes out these forums will be used less and less and slowly die. I find that thought terrible. Making a sequel would mean that these forums and its community will still be active.

PS: could i do ideas for the ideas for the pokemon, their pokedex entries and gym ideas.

PPS: this would be something to consider way after the full Topaz is out

[Cyndadile]

That's not really an issue for us right now; we don't even have our demo out yet.

But, theoretically it could happen (although I can't say for certain), but I'm sure that many members will stay for reasons other than game development.

[Black Temple Gaurdian]

Well, WHEN the skeleton that is the Topaz TRPG finds a body to go to the ball with there'll be plenty of activity.

[ImmunityBow]

Yes. In other news, I am quite sick right now. So much is kind of going on so just hold out a little longer and I'll start doing lots and lots of things again. :)

[Cranky Guy]

I recently made a new sig pic for myself that I might use for advertising Topaz. Any idea how I can link it to the Topaz home page? (Generally speaking, I want to know how some pictures have links attached to them and how to make one myself. The pic is in my sig for size reference if you need it.)

[PollyLeonard]

In Malachite Cave there might be a tad too many Clefairy, but otherwise there is a pretty good split in the big caves, like Mt. Mist (Koffing is 30%, Vulpix is 20%, Murkrow is 20%, Inflare is 15%, Whismur is 10% and Skalloy is 5%, so Skalloy is rare but otherwise you'll be seeing a pretty nice mix.)

[BladeVap]

In Malachite Cave there might be a tad too many Clefairy, but otherwise there is a pretty good split in the big caves, like Mt. Mist (Koffing is 30%, Vulpix is 20%, Murkrow is 20%, Inflare is 15%, Whismur is 10% and Skalloy is 5%, so Skalloy is rare but otherwise you'll be seeing a pretty nice mix.)

How is that a question? It's just what IB said a few pages back repeated...

[ImmunityBow]

Maybe the person was just quoting it and feeling happy that they'd have good variety in caves? That could account for the smiley.

[Cranky Guy]

I recently made a new sig pic for myself that I might use for advertising Topaz. Any idea how I can link it to the Topaz home page? (Generally speaking, I want to know how some pictures have links attached to them and how to make one myself. The pic is in my sig for size reference if you need it.)

[Tyrannigon64]

I recently made a new sig pic for myself that I might use for advertising Topaz. Any idea how I can link it to the Topaz home page? (Generally speaking, I want to know how some pictures have links attached to them and how to make one myself. The pic is in my sig for size reference if you need it.)

I would guess that you use the URL tag with the IMG tag inside it. Like this (though I'm not sure if this will work):
http://www.pokemontopaz.net/forums/image.php?u=3096&type=sigpic&dateline=1332095242
(http://www.pokemontopaz.net/)


In Malachite Cave there might be a tad too many Clefairy, but otherwise there is a pretty good split in the big caves, like Mt. Mist (Koffing is 30%, Vulpix is 20%, Murkrow is 20%, Inflare is 15%, Whismur is 10% and Skalloy is 5%, so Skalloy is rare but otherwise you'll be seeing a pretty nice mix.)

Is this spam? I think it might be spam.

[ImmunityBow]

Is this spam? I think it might be spam.

I think we can be a lot better as a community if we assumed the best from people rather than being instantly suspicious of trolls/spammers.

[Cranky Guy]

I tried one of those bopping pokemon sprites of the pokemon in your party.

713

How do I get it bopping?

[NyteFyre]

Gotta put it into a GIF format, and do something that I don't know how to do to get it bobbing. Zero knows, but isn't around to do it, so....That's all I know.

[ImmunityBow]

These are called icons. That's a worthy attempt although we already have an excellent Venap icon by X-Antibody. If you want a list of icons that aren't made yet I can try to make you one.

[Cranky Guy]

That would be nice.

[ImmunityBow]

Yes, I think zero was going to post up all the icons on the website at some point, but he grew tired of realigning them so they would animate correctly and stopped. I'll make the list sometime soon.

[Tyrannigon64]

Actually, they are on the website (http://pokemontopaz.net/sprites/pokemonicons/), but you can only get to them by going to Latest Updates and expanding to at least 20. That should be fixed.

[ImmunityBow]

Okay, will do.

[Cranky Guy]

It's about time we got a new SOT up.

[ImmunityBow]

Yeah, especially with all the awesome overworld work you've been doing! Soon, maybe around this weekend.

[NyteFyre]

Sounds like a plan! Can't wait to see it.

[Silver]

quick question
will the game be in exe. form or sav.?
cause i really want to play using vba, because then i can play it with my xbox controller

[Black Temple Gaurdian]

.exe

[Silver]

Nnnnoooooooo!!!!!!

[Eduardo]

Joy To Key or XPadder could solve your controller problem

[Cyndadile]

This page (http://www.pokemontopaz.net/forums/showthread.php?263-Official-Wild-Pokemon-Encounter-Rates) should detail all encounter rates. However...
Not Included:
-Abandoned Factory
-Haventree Tunnel
-Whirl Islands and Routes 40 + 41 (239 and 240) (We could use Johto encounter rates, except that most of the pokemon required aren't in Topaz)
-Mountain Pass
-Sunken Ship
-Eastlog Forest
-Teralith Cave
-Soma Island
-Route 58 (210, Cycling Road)
-Routes 75-78 (227-230)
-Routes 85-86 (237-238)
There but not on map:
-Malachite Caves
-Dynamo Sanctuary (isn't Dynamo already home to the Safari Zone?)
-Deep Sea Trench (anyone know which routes this goes through?)

There are also no pokemon levels for the encounters.
So, now for the question: is there somewhere with more detailed/up to date info hidden somewhere, or is this going to have to be our next project (it should be a short one)?

Two bonus questions: What is the Orion Air Base?
Is Haventree Tunnel a detour, or do you have to go through it to get between Roothaven and Saharan?

[Reliability]

On your bonus questions:
Orion Air Base does not exist anymore. Unless it needs to be resurrected, for a side-quest or otherwise, I figure it should stay dead.
Haventree tunnel is the only way to get from Roothaven to Saharan. The tunnel is blocked until the player reaches Saharan, which is why the player cannot proceed to Saharan from Roothaven and ruin the progression.

[ImmunityBow]

Abandoned Factory and Dynamo Sanctuary are one and the same.
Haventree Tunnel shouldn't have any Pokemon, it's a regular building tunnel similar to the Underground Path.
Mountain Pass is basically just Route 235.

Sunken Ship should have encounter rates, it's strange that it doesn't. There should be Misticade and Misdreavus among other Pokemon, and Goldrake in a sidequest-unlocked room. We may need to remake those encounter rates.

Eastlog is here, for some reason it was missing from the topic:
Eastlog Forest (Day): 20% Yanma, 20% Brontogon, 10% Tropius, 10% Yanma, 10% Tropius, 10% Lombre, 5% Yanma, 5% Tropius, 4% Brontogon, 4% Lombre, 1% Brontogon, 1% Lombre

Eastlog Forest (Night): 20% Murkrow, 20% Brontogon, 10% Tropius, 10% Murkrow, 10% Tropius, 10% Venomoth, 5% Murkrow, 5% Tropius, 4% Brontogon, 4% Venomoth, 1% Brontogon, 1% Venomoth

Tetralith Cave isn't present in the full game. It's a place to patch in Flying/Water/Ice/Fire/Ground Pokemon ala Kyogre/Rayquaza/Groudon

Cycling Road doesn't have grass I think.
As for all the water routes, I imagine they'll be mostly Remoraid.

Deep Sea Trench is in routes 216 and 219 I think.

[Cyndadile]

Thank you (both). I assumed Haventree Tunnel was a cave, not man-made.

[Will]

Just wondering where we are in terms of getting this demo out? To my knowledge everything that we need has been, it just needs to be implemented. In my eyes once the demo is out, we can really advertise with some credibility (perhaps on pokecommunity) and the creative process can start again for the main game (which everyone enjoys).

[Black Temple Gaurdian]

Abilities need to be implimented, some moves need to be coded, pokemon.txt needs sorting out (still not sure why it does that thing), Maps need doing and Events need indexing. Have I missed anything?

[Cyndadile]

Also, we have the encounter rates for Pokemon, but I can't find the level ranges. We'll have to come up with those.

[Will]

So when can we expect a release?

[Reliability]

We've never been good at keeping to any timelines we set. We can expect a release when all the work has been done. But since we do this in our spare time, it's hard to gauge how fast we can do anything.

Even to say it will be out before 2013 might be risky, depending on what goes down over the next little while.

[Black Temple Gaurdian]

The demo should be out by 2013, provided thr events get done.

[Will]

Is there anyway I can help with getting stuff done?

[Cyndadile]

You could help with event indexing: http://www.pokemontopaz.net/forums/showthread.php?1130-Event-Indexing

We've done up through Route 202. That leaves 203, 204, Cranewing, Softwind, and Chartree. Basically, you have to describe anything that happens (Signs, NPCs, trainers, random objects that you can read/look at) using this form:

Event Name: Ash Ketchum
Sprite: Ash overworld
Area: Pallet Town House #1
Location: Sitting at table
Movement: Stationary
Trigger: Talk to (as opposed to walking on or activating upon entering the room)
Script: Before beating the E4, he says "You should beat the E4!"
After beating the E4 but before catching Mewtwo, he says "You should catch Mewtwo!"
After catching Mewtwo, he disappears.
There are several more examples on that page.
The form is not really official, so you can add more info or subtract unused info as neccessary. We're just trying to create a uniform way to arrange the data to make it easier for whoever compiles everything.

[Will]

Ok, I'll get on that.

[Will]

Are we using the most recent update of essentials?

I think the screen size has been changed, so does that mean if we are using it we will have to change the size of sprites?

[Cyndadile]

It should be fine. We're using the latest version, but everything seems pretty compatible.

[Will]

Whoever came up with the concept for the fossil pokemon in Topaz deserves a knighthood. They are great!

Im just wondering if the way to obtain them has been figured out? Can we get them both?

[Reliability]

I'd like it if the player only gets one at the beginning for synergy with canon, but we would probably introduce the possibility of getting the other, especially if trading doesn't work.

[ImmunityBow]

My sentiments are similar to Reliability's. You should be able to find them in the Eye of Sand or Mt. Frost, though we've never really decided. The Eye of Sand is pretty close to the cold region of Caldera so it might make sense (as gradual warming of the region made tundra into desert or something)

[Feraligatr]

I found this project today and I am REALLY excited!
But also a little bit confused: are all of the regions of the new map accessible in Pokémon Topaz?
That would be super awesome!

[Cyndadile]

Hello!

Everything in this map (http://www.pokemontopaz.net/fullmap/) will be accessible. If you're talking about the huge map with Kanto, Sevii IslandsJohto, and Hoenn, then no. Right now it's just Caldera and Kirant. We aren't currently planning to have other regions in our complete release, but after that anything's possible.

Our demo will only have the first four cities and two gyms.

[Feraligatr]

Okay, thanks!
But I hope that in future the other regions are also available, then I'll never stop playing!

[Cyndadile]

This was probably decided so long ago that no one remembers it, but...
Why is Topaz's favicon a Soul Dew? It's been that for as long as I can remember, and I've to associate Topaz with the item, but it has always bugged me a little. Was it just because the Soul Dew had a similar color scheme to the website? Was the Soul Dew originally a part of Topaz's plot?

[ImmunityBow]

It was Zero's implementation when the forums were remade, probably just for aesthetic purposes.

[Jazza]

I'm pretty sure I was near leaving ashy way and I interacted with a cave Door one.u use the move on to go Into it and I can move and I saved.it on the spot.after.Interacted.and now I'm stuck how do I get out HELP!!!

[NyteFyre]

umm....I think you may have the wrong Topaz Version. We don't have a game out yet.

[BladeVap]

I'm pretty sure I was near leaving ashy way and I interacted with a cave Door one.u use the move on to go Into it and I can move and I saved.it on the spot.after.Interacted.and now I'm stuck how do I get out HELP!!!

Confirmed, Nyte. Ashy Way is a Route from Bazza's Topaz (which, I might add, is a horrendous excuse of a sloppily-edited Ruby ROMhack). Jazza, this Topaz is different.

[daniele93]

Sorry.. can someone post the link for downloading the game?

Thank you :D

[Cyndadile]

Hello!
We haven't finished the demo yet. If you're interested in helping make the game, there are quite a few things you can do. Just look around a bit and see if anything sparks your interest.

[pepito]

Where to download the complete and patched hack rom?

[Cyndadile]

The game is still in progress. If you'd like, you can contribute some ideas on movesets, art, etc. Also, the game will not be a hack; it is it's own program.

[Silver]

Hey, I'm not sure if anyone's said this but,
What if we get shorten the demo to the first gym, then add to it as much as possible at another date, rather than having a demo release and a full game release?

[Cranky Guy]

Hey, I'm not sure if anyone's said this but,
What if we get shorten the demo to the first gym, then add to it as much as possible at another date, rather than having a demo release and a full game release?

I like the idea. It would be a great way to garner more interest in the project, and we might even get a programmer.

[ImmunityBow]

Maybe. We can make the decision when event scripting, which is what really changes the time it'll take between the two different lengths.

[Silver]

Yes!
i is Helpfulz!

[Will]

Just checking up having not been on in a while. Not much has progressed. What is holding this project up? Is there something specific programming-wise that is holding us back?

[ImmunityBow]

Yes, actually. We're stuck on the evasion mechanics, since adding Darkness as a weather effect seems to be causing the whole system to break down. We can either change what Darkness does (though I really really like Night Vision and hope that would continue to work) or find someone who does know how to do it. BTG contacted the main devs on the Pokemon Essentials kit and they can't seem to find what's the problem. This is an issue for the demo since Murkrow is in Therma's gym.

[Will]

Hmmm ... That does seem a real issue. If the developers of Essentials can't work out the problem, it will be very difficult to find a programmer who can. It might be worth looking at alternatives.

[ImmunityBow]

This is a good a place to start as any.

What are good other effects for Darkness? Aside from 50% Dark-type boost because that's going to imbalance ingame since Dark-types will be so much stronger since there's all the outside night-time routes.

[Will]

It could decrease the opponents defense as they won't be expecting the attack. With the Night Vision ability the opponent would be immune from this.

[Black Temple Gaurdian]

Note: It's not been figured out as it should work. Literally, the dev gave me the code and where to put it. We could just ignore it, do any demotion get Eclipse?

[Will]

So is there a mistake somewhere else which might have led to this? It can't not work for no reason, surely.

[NyteFyre]

How about a boost against Dark Types? such as +50% light boost on moves? being flashed after getting used to darkness sure could hurt the eyes.

As well, perhaps Flash could remove Darkness for 3 or so turns?

How about a Speed Boost, instead of evasion boost, for Dark Types? Speed is a much more well defined stat than evasiveness, and dark types are accustomed to dark areas, and thus should have better chances of navigating them.

Darkness could also hamper Chances of catching a pokemon, unless you are using a dusk ball? Should be hard to throw a ball when you can't see. Perhaps there could be night-vision goggles that allow the trainer to catch pokemon in dark areas, or perhaps it could be a hold item to boost accuracy in dark areas?

[Black Temple Gaurdian]

Or we could just get it working by having someone who knows their stuff and has the time to check it over.

[Will]

Well how about one of those suggestions as a place-holder for the demo. With a demo out it is much more likely someone will come along who knows their stuff and will be able to fix it.

[Black Temple Gaurdian]

Again, why? It'd make more sense to simply not include it in the demo, than to have the ability change.
And at the end of the day, we still need a programmer with experience for the more complicated bits.

[ImmunityBow]

I do feel that it is kind of one of the things we'd want to show off in the demo. Like we could cut down the demo until it only had skills that were rehashes of canon skills (and we have a fair number of those already) but I don't really think that says much about our game. Therma's Murkrow would likely have it. Darkness should also come out at night time.

[Black Temple Gaurdian]

Then we need more of everything else ready, enough to advertise for a programmer.

[Will]

So it seems some sort of programmer(s) is needed. If I was programmer and I wanted to help develop a pokemon game, how would I know what needed to be done by just looking at these forums. Before I had asked the first question, a passer-by would not have even known that there was any problems.

At the moment a programmer will come along, ask if anything needs doing, and they would get a response a few days later saying we are having this problem, and by that time they have lost interest and probably forgotten about this site completely. There is also probably a load of programmers who visit this site and don't become a member because they think, this project has already got a programmer, there doesn't seem to be anything I can help with and they never come back.

So really there needs to be full transparency of what is going on programming-wise, so that a potential programmer knows what they need to do as soon as they enter the site. Otherwise this is going nowhere.

[Black Temple Gaurdian]

Bah, not really. Once we''ve gotten enough done for advertising purposes it'd be easy to get a programmer, and better yet one familiar with the base code.

[Reliability]

Can we mimic fog mechanics and reduce accuracy instead?

[ImmunityBow]

Oh, that's what Fog does? That should be what Darkness should have been all along, not an evasion boost. It's an accuracy reduction for all non Dark/Light-types or those with Night Vision.

[Black Temple Gaurdian]

Sigh. If I'd remembered that, I'd've just mutilated fog from the start. Question: Is flash still a HM, and should flash cafes etc be in darkness (not sure how that'd work, probably mapside)?

[NyteFyre]

If I remember correctly, Flash is now a Special Light Type move with Power 50, and with a chance at accuracy reduction. No longer an HM though.

I still say it should be able to remove darkness for a few turns, and deal a little extra damage if Darkness is on the field, though with a little recoil damage. It's gotta hurt your eyes too, even with them closed.

[ImmunityBow]

Actually, we changed Flash to be a Quicker Attack special light attack with 50 BP, and still an HM.

But that idea is way better! Flash could be a 60 BP Light Attack that, if Darkness is on the field, removes the Darkness weather effect (cannibalize weather getting rid of other weather. Just make it regular weather instead of anything special) and deals double damage. That's much, much more in flavour when you think about it. And Light-type attacks not named Serenade and Smite were mostly boring anyway.

[Black Temple Gaurdian]

No can do, at least for removing Darkness. Gentle Breeze/Calm Wind doesn't actually remove weather, it just changes it to one that doesn't do anything. Apparently with Darkness it was my novice-ness at work. I may have been trying to alter Accuracy before it had been defined. Maybe.

EDIT: Or not. No idea if where I moved it to is wrong or if it is fundamentally wrong but... I'll keep checking.

[ImmunityBow]

The point of Gentle Breeze though is that no other weather can happen at the time. Isn't it currently like that? (With Sunny Day/Raindance, the move cancels the last weather, and imposes a new weather. With Gentle Breeze/Calm Wind, it's suppose to cancel the last weather, impose a new weather that can't be cancelled by another move. With Flash getting rid of Darkness, hopefully it could just cancel the last weather, or change it to a neutral state which would be just as good? Also you might be able to look at how Brick Break removes Reflect/Light Screen since it also simply cancels a field effect?)

[Black Temple Gaurdian]

The problem lies in the fact that the cancelling of the previous weather is an automatic feature of implimenting new weather, and afaik not seperable. Brick Break etc wouldn't work because weather's treated differently.

[ImmunityBow]

How about replacing the weather with Gentle Breeze, but only if Darkness is in effect (you can look at the weather checks for Thunder, Solarbeam and such?)

[Black Temple Gaurdian]

That would work. But it'd also prevent weather moves for 5 turns, saying that they wouldn't want to disturb the gentle breeze. I'd make another dummy weather effect but iirc I can't change how long it'd last individuality from the others so we'd have the information window alerting us to it at the end of each turn.

[ImmunityBow]

We could always replace it with Sunshine.

[Sev]

I always felt weather in Pokemon was really stupid. The only point to weather moves is to change it from a negative effect to a positive. So why would you be the first to put down a weather effect in the first place? It is worthless damage. The only reason to use weather move is to change a -10hp difference per turn to +10 (10 is arbitrary). Changing it form 0 to -10 just isn't worth it, so nboody casts a weather move in the first place.

Hopefully somebody can understand what I'm saying. If i wanted stats from weather I'd just have a stat move rather than some move that can only raise stats once per battle.

So if you want weather effects to be useful it has to have something unique rather than stats or damage.

[ImmunityBow]

Actually weather is a very powerful strategy that has had a huge effect since 3rd gen, especially in Ubers and Never Used but Sandstorm teams were quite popular even in Standard. Enduring effects that you can set up for other Pokemon, interesting interactions with abilities. It added a lot of strategic competitive depth while being quite grokkable since people understand what rain does or what a sandstorm would do or bright sunlight.

[Canem]

Sorry for the probably stupid question but I have no idea how to start my text RPG game :o I think my profile was the last new profile made but I can't see how to start playing. I guess I'm missing something really obvious....thus I'm useless :o

So if anyone could kick my ass in the correct direction it would be much appreciated :)

[Cyndadile]

To start off, just post a topic in this thread (http://www.pokemontopaz.net/forums/forumdisplay.php?51-Neo-Bay).

Start your story off with your rival battle and whatnot and we'll come along and do your rival's side of the battle. After you've fiished Neo Bay, you can just progress through the forums on this page (http://www.pokemontopaz.net/forums/forumdisplay.php?58-Caldera-Kirant).

All of the TRPG stuff is down towards the bottom of the page, in the title sectioned "Pokemon Topaz Text RPG."

Have fun!

[Will]

Is this game realistically ever going to get finished?

[Reliability]

This game is done in the free time of the people creating it. Most of us have school and/or jobs that have to take priority because Pokemon fangame-making doesn't pay living expenses. This is something we do for fun, and will continue to be lag. It's unfortunate that it has to be this way, since a lot of people, myself included, have put a their time and effort into this project. I would love to spend more time on this game, but there are things in my life that matter more, and I have to budget my life into those things, just as I'm sure every person on this forum does. Please understand that every contributor wants to have their work reach the end goal, but sometimes it's hard to achieve.

[Cyndadile]

tl;dr: Yes, but it'll take time.

We all care about Topaz, and anyone who's still here isn't going to give up on it any time soon. But we're here to make a high-quality game and have fun doing it. Those things take time.

We've got the first section of the TRPG out (see the bottom of the forum list), and we'll make sure that we keep at least one step ahead of the players development-wise. Check it out; it's a lot of fun if you enjoy writing.

[Merlin]

Okay, so, I read the state of topaz again (still the one from 2012) and, as I was reading, I realized something , yall needed a programmer, and, I see that yall seem to have one atm, but, I as wondering, what's the list of programmers so far?
That said, and, maybe a stupid question here, but, where can find the code for the game?
I ask, because, I've got books on programming and such, that, I've been going through. I know a fair amount, but, need more experience, and, though, it's c/c++, I do know that, much of the syntax for programming is still the same, even with Ruby, and, I'm sure I can find a few things to help me out with programming in rgss easily enough. And, tbh, I believe, I've got something on my computer for it, just that, I'll have to hunt it down, but, it's got some rather basic things for me to work with, so I can try it all out at least.
Anyway, I can't say if I could become the, or even a, major programmer here, but, I thought I could at least take a look at what's going on, see if there are any particular problems that need fixing, and, see what it is I can do. I can't guarantee too much atm, but, I I'll most certainly see what it is I could do.
If I am allowed to mess with the code some, I would like a list of about 3 or 4 things, that need to be implemented, or fixed, to see what I can come up with. But, I'll understand if you don't wish me to be the main programmer and such. I was just curious :)