Brock Crocodile - 16 bit inspired crocodile action!

@Akiat

Well, I think you may be one of the few people on here who have actually played one of the more obscure games that I've stumbled upon, in that case. :)
So as to not get off-topic, I won't go on and test your obscure game knowledge or anything (I somehow am guessing that you're aware of more games than me, haha), but I thought I'd note that.



Anyways, getting back on-topic, that mega-boss is looking pretty good! It's pretty clearly not complete, but you definitely seem to know what you're doing with its design. :)

Twinkle Twinkle in Snowy Twilight!

Good afternoon everyone! Hope you're enjoying this fine Sunday afternoon in London, in today's update we'll be showing you the eighth level for Brock Crocodile, Snowy Twilight. Like a few levels in Brock, Snowy Twilight started life in the pre-Mega Drive aesthetics days when the platformer was originally aiming to be more of a homage to Master System games so the colour palette was a lot more restrictive compared to what it was.

http://brockcrocodile.com/wp-content...016/09/ST1.png

I've always enjoyed ice levels in games, their twinkling music and often just ooze happiness and excitement, like a kid waiting to unwrap her Christmas present. I'm hoping to ensure Snowy Twilight isn't any different! However as it's one of the last few levels in the game it'll come with it's own unique challenge, but today is not for game design but the work put into the level's art direction!

http://brockcrocodile.com/wp-content...wyTwilight.png

If you were checking our Twitter feed last night you might have seen a WIP of the above screenshot last night. Safe to say the change in palette has helped massively bring the level more to life. There's still a lot more work to do however! The background for example clashes with some of the baddies and the abundance of white might not be such a good idea, but we'll continue working on this level to make show player's can enjoy it to it's full potential!

That concludes this update, unfortunately this is the last regular update people can enjoy for the next couple of weeks as I am literally leaving to board a flight to Tokyo to enjoy the Tokyo Game Show but should be back with regular updates from the 26th September onwards! If you're an indie dev yourself and will be at TGS, drop me a line on our Twitter, until then, ta all and have a great couple of weeks!

(Check back on https://twitter.com/brockcrocodile for some snazzy pics of the development team of Brock adventuring through Japan!)

http://brockcrocodile.com/2016/09/11...evel-new-look/
https://twitter.com/BrockCrocodile/s...87888459153408
https://www.facebook.com/BrockCrocod...69693959849542

Well now then! It's been ages since the last update but you know what, I've got a bunch of updates on the project, hopefully there's still a few of you out there interested in how it's coming along! I'll link to a bunch for now and address the more recent one later, hope you enjoy reading them!

COME FOR A CUPPA, STAY FOR THE HONEY.

In this update, we talk a little bit about the revamped second stage, Beehive Battleship and the shop system players will be able to use to purchase powers ups to take into levels.

http://brockcrocodile.com/wp-content...-YeesShop1.png
https://twitter.com/BrockCrocodile/s...15390131269632
http://brockcrocodile.com/2018/01/08...for-the-honey/

PIERCING THROUGH THE HEAVENS, A NEW MEMBER JOINS THE TEAM!

We introduced our newest member to the team, Arq! Read more about him on the blog post and check out his twitter too!

http://brockcrocodile.com/wp-content...S1-300x212.png
https://twitter.com/BrockCrocodile/s...89598911205377
http://brockcrocodile.com/2018/01/23...oins-the-team/

HOME SWEET HOME!

Have a look at the hub town the players will be able to explore freely where they can pick up hints for future levels and buy recovery items!

http://brockcrocodile.com/wp-content...01/HubTown.gif
https://twitter.com/BrockCrocodile/s...56832567861248
http://brockcrocodile.com/2018/01/29/home-sweet-home/

There are more updates to come and I'm excited to be able to start sharing with everyone more regular updates on the project!

Really good art, man. Connected on twitter, cheers XD

Thanks a lot for the kind words Julian! Glad you loved the art, we've tried our damn hardest to make it as lovely as possible.

Right so as I mentioned before, another couple of updates to the project!

IT'S TIME TO BEEHIVE, THE QUEEN HAS ARRIVED!

First thing is some concept art for the revamped second boss, the bee Princess Cassandra Honeypot and her royal mecha unit, Beera! they'll be waiting at the end of the level to drill some order to our adventuring protagonist!

http://brockcrocodile.com/wp-content...ra-300x212.jpg
https://twitter.com/BrockCrocodile/s...63964194279424

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http://brockcrocodile.com/wp-content...ew-300x147.png
https://twitter.com/BrockCrocodile/s...16801983467520

Right, a couple of minor tweets away from our website. I quite like the look of Beera in game but I'm not ready to show all of it until it becomes more than just graphics and playable in game. There's not need to worry as that's coming soon enough. To bide you folks over, here's a sneak peak!


http://brockcrocodile.com/wp-content...ee-300x186.jpg
https://twitter.com/BrockCrocodile/s...59326536699904

Finally, some bonus art of our hero Brock trying to get freebies out of the local cafe's owner, Xia-Yee, but you've got to pay your dues if you want some of her recovery items!

There we go, hope you enjoyed reading, I've got a lot more planned in future, see you groovy kids then!

Right almost done with the beehive level and I am pretty proud of how this is turning out! Lots of turns and twists to keep the player entertained. Thanks to the honey current gimmick, it really is now starting to feel like a giant beehive!

http://brockcrocodile.com/wp-content...neyCurrent.gif

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#screenshotsaturday Beat down a couple of bees, get blasted across some pipes and take a wild ride through the honey current in Beehive Battleship! #indiegame #gamedev #indiedev #BrockCrocodile

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https://twitter.com/BrockCrocodile/s...81939662614528

Looking forward to sharing EVEN more about this level in the coming week, not least of all the boss, I think she's turning out to look great! \o/

I like those spinning elevators and slope mechanics a lot. How close to release is this? Can I play something already?

I love this, reminds me of the mega drive days. It has a nice blend of sonic level design but with a slower platforming pace. Following on twitter too :) (shotgun anaconda)

That stage looks great.

Awesome looking game! Really reminds me of the sonic labyrinth levels mixed with the Chemical plant ones.

Welp been busy with work so it took me longer to get back here to reply to everyone, but back I am and with another update to boot!

IT'S BEEN A BEE-SY MONTH!

http://brockcrocodile.com/wp-content...attleship1.png http://brockcrocodile.com/wp-content...iveCurrent.png
https://twitter.com/BrockCrocodile/s...11815583621120

In this week's update we're going back tp the past and recalling what Beehive Battleship used to look like vs what it is now and talking about some of the new surprises in store for the player.

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Originally Posted by Julian82

I like those spinning elevators and slope mechanics a lot. How close to release is this? Can I play something already?

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Hm good question, actually a bit of the original game (About 7 stages) was finished but I've scrapped a lot of that sans the first level design (But even that got a brand new tile set) a lot has to do with the fact it's taken me several years to get here and my skills have improved. But at current pace I'm really hoping to get this out by the end of the year, my own personal target.

In terms of playability, the engine and first two stages are polished to a good degree that I'm happy releasing them but I want to wait until I've got more promotional material out there for a big splash of hype. I recently got a friend on board who's a pretty talented artist and that's helped me A LOT in production work :)

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Originally Posted by zip2kx

I love this, reminds me of the mega drive days. It has a nice blend of sonic level design but with a slower platforming pace. Following on twitter too :) (shotgun anaconda)

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by rosse119

Awesome looking game! Really reminds me of the sonic labyrinth levels mixed with the Chemical plant ones.

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Thank you for your kind words! yes I'm loving it if you feel like this reminds you of the Mega Drive games, I've tried really hard to make the aesthetic fit that era! You'll find a lot of inspiration not just Sonic but games like Quackshot and Monster World!

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Originally Posted by PBarwick

That stage looks great.

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Oh hey there, long time since I last spoke with you Peter, thanks again for the compliment!

I feel ya! The problem with getting better while hooked to long-term projects is the stuff you made a year ago always feels like total crap. I think you're at a point tho where the quality seems really good, I'm looking forward to testing!

Wow, this looks fantastic!

How long has this been in development?

Got a new Screenshot Saturday to share, well more like a Video Saturday actually! We've got some lovely new mushrooms populating the stage and a brand new checkpoint marker too. An open flame lantern, giving the player the warm embrace of safety! Click on the Twitter link below to also listen to some 100% authentic Mega Drive/Genesis music.

http://brockcrocodile.com/wp-content...eoSaturday.png

https://twitter.com/BrockCrocodile/s...14376309428225

Also we got some pixel art of the main hero Brock and the main antagonist Wize, since hey it's been a while since we saw these two together and we wanted to practice some pixel art for future images!

http://brockcrocodile.com/wp-content...ockandWize.png

https://twitter.com/BrockCrocodile/s...53412218654720

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Julian82

I feel ya! The problem with getting better while hooked to long-term projects is the stuff you made a year ago always feels like total crap. I think you're at a point tho where the quality seems really good, I'm looking forward to testing!

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Thanks man! When I look back to some of my original images I can't help laugh about how rough stuff use to look, like this was what the first level use to look like, haha!

http://brockcrocodile.com/wp-content...ghlevelart.png

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Originally Posted by JoshMakesGames

Wow, this looks fantastic!

How long has this been in development?

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Short story; since I was a kid!

Long story; the concept was something I've been thinking up since I was young but I started active development of this game sometime in 2009 with asset creation, however since then the project has taken several changes along the way. From originally starting off as a Master System inspired title from games like Dragon's Trap, I moved to making this more of a Mega Drive-y title sometime in 2013 since the core inspiration were all Mega Drive titles (Like Quackshot, Sonic and Monster World 4) now here we are in our latest revision! If you want to read more about the history of the project, I wrote up an article way back in October 2014, give it a read if you want to find out more about my journey! :)

IT'S TIME TO BOUNCE!

http://brockcrocodile.com/wp-content...ushroomNEW.gif

https://twitter.com/BrockCrocodile/s...12178786467840

Let's bounce back from the dreaded Monday start with another update, comparing a couple of the older assets with the newer ones! I'm liking the springy nature of the new mushroom, I think our artist did a great job on it! There's going to be another update on Wednesday night too where we show some changes to the first boss, please look forward to it!

http://brockcrocodile.com/wp-content...oSaturday2.png

https://twitter.com/BrockCrocodile/s...90818218151936

Whoop forgot to post this yesterday (Had a busy night watching Black Panther haha!) but here we go, added some new SFX animations to the boss, need to still rework on the background a bit but getting there. Also click on the video to listen to some 16 bit music!

http://brockcrocodile.com/wp-content...andraBeera.jpg

https://twitter.com/BrockCrocodile/s...44008032133120

Final art of the second boss Princess Cassandra Honeypot and her attack mecha unit, Beera! Should have some gameplay footage of her fairly soon so look forward to that!

Looking great! Did you draw those art pieces yourself? They are fantastic!

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Originally Posted by PBarwick

Looking great! Did you draw those art pieces yourself? They are fantastic!

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Nah I brought an artist on board to the team so he can help with promotional artwork and asset creation, it's been a bit of a godsend and since we're local it's easier to direct than when you're a fair distance away from each other! Which ties into;

Redesign redesign redesign! Old boss new design!

http://brockcrocodile.com/wp-content...02/CassAva.png

https://twitter.com/BrockCrocodile/s...54956003348480

So this week we look at my design process since we got an additional team member on board. I come up with a couple of concepts, he then adjusts it and comes out with a final idea and then we put it down as a sprite and promotional art. You can read more about it on the website with some final pieces of concept!

Getting the artist on board seems so worth it, the new art looks great

http://brockcrocodile.com/wp-content...eoTwitter3.png

https://twitter.com/BrockCrocodile/s...27533990383616

Played around with a new end level segment. Want the player to try and get as many hits on the chest before the last hit after a 5 second interval breaks it open. Prior to this it was just a very boring get to the end, player comes to a stop and it'd say AREA CLEAR! A bit of randomness, time limit and collection might make for a fun little end point!

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Originally Posted by PBarwick

Getting the artist on board seems so worth it, the new art looks great

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Yeah it's helped me focus on level design and code work instead. Even though I'm still an artist at heart, it definitely slows me down!

http://brockcrocodile.com/wp-content...rawingprev.gif

https://twitter.com/BrockCrocodile/s...97732499935234

Almost finished with the boss sprite for the second level, quite happy how this one turned out!

It's amazing how art can represent so many things in a single image, definitely worth having the artist.

Love the Beera design, it looks really cool and intimidating!

You're nailing those movement whooshes!

Right few more updates for you lot!

Refactor it, refactor everything!

http://brockcrocodile.com/wp-content...sureChest1.gif

https://twitter.com/BrockCrocodile/s...70196163014656

In this website update we talk about some of the changes to the gameplay and how the end level segment works.

And now for machine genius, Angelika Crocodile!

http://brockcrocodile.com/wp-content...1-1024x724.png

https://twitter.com/BrockCrocodile/s...76310898900995

(2 more images at the link)

Well we thought we would have something on paper down by now but I'm not 100% on the design, for this week's indiedevhour we got a few pieces of concept arts for Brock's younger sister Angelika. We tried just about everything from cuter croc design, human and crocodile hybird, more reptilian looking sister and even a muscle bound one... One day we'll get her design stamped down haha!

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Originally Posted by Robeez

It's amazing how art can represent so many things in a single image, definitely worth having the artist.

Love the Beera design, it looks really cool and intimidating!

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Thank you! She's one we really liked working on, her design sort of gives off a cool flair but also looking like a tough enemy to take down, hopefully I can make the boss come off as cool as the sprite :)

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Originally Posted by PBarwick

You're nailing those movement whooshes!

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Yeah we've been trying really hard at smear frames, they seem to work like a treat!

Some more animations for Xia-Yee when you're talking to her at the cafe.

http://brockcrocodile.com/wp-content...aAnimFinal.gif

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#screenshotsaturday this week we've been busy giving Brock's friend Xia-Yee a bit more emotion when you interact together at the cafe. Be careful not to anger her or you may find pointy things embedded in you!

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https://twitter.com/BrockCrocodile/s...26518273536002

This is one chef you don't want to annoy.

MORE CHARACTER ART & PAGES INCOMING!

Not a big update this week, been busy polishing gameplay stuff that are still half baked so far. Instead you get to see some lovely art instead of Brock and Xia-Yee!

http://brockcrocodile.com/wp-content...eS-300x300.pnghttp://brockcrocodile.com/wp-content...gS-300x300.png

https://twitter.com/BrockCrocodile/s...57325480837120

Every good hero needs a good villain!

http://brockcrocodile.com/wp-content...eS-300x300.pnghttp://brockcrocodile.com/wp-content...dS-300x300.png

https://twitter.com/BrockCrocodile/s...97197590188034

Well you saw our hero and heroine above, time to show off a couple of the villains. To the left is the primary antagonist Wize and to the right is his, er, right hand man Eguanodon and Brock's rival! Click on the image to get them full size.

http://brockcrocodile.com/wp-content...ngelashopl.png

https://twitter.com/BrockCrocodile/s...08855599042560

Today we got the weapon shop completed to accompany the food shop. Threw in a few references too! :D

Okay a couple of updates for you today! First off Monday's website update;

THANK YOU FOR YOUR CUSTOM!

http://brockcrocodile.com/wp-content...-at-Angies.png

https://twitter.com/BrockCrocodile/s...31410522099715

This time we take a look at the work progressing on the two shops Brock can visit, their owners and the type of items you can expect to find there.

AND EVERY HERO NEEDS A GOOD CREW!

http://brockcrocodile.com/wp-content...sS-300x300.pnghttp://brockcrocodile.com/wp-content...nS-300x300.png

https://twitter.com/BrockCrocodile/s...34659373850624

Introducing two characters joining Brock's crew, Berzo a young cub and Rex Dandellion, captain of the Lazareth. Character profiles coming soon!

Wow, this game has been in development for quite a while now. It keeps looking better and better with each new update, so I think the odds that it's worth the wait are probably pretty high. :)

Couple of updates for you lot today!

SCREENSHOT SATURDAY VIDEO 24/3/2018

http://brockcrocodile.com/wp-content...eoTwitter4.png

https://twitter.com/BrockCrocodile/s...63940724117504

Like the tweet says, close to the end here. After that all that'd be left is planning out the dialogue changes as you progress further in the game.

Meet the Heroic Duo- I mean Tri- I mean Quintuple!

http://brockcrocodile.com/wp-content...ew-300x212.png

https://twitter.com/BrockCrocodile/s...72173147574272

Finally got the whole gang here with updated profile pages! Click on the above image to go check the full size picture. All that's left now is to finish of the baddies and the main cast is complete.

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Originally Posted by happygreenfrog

Wow, this game has been in development for quite a while now. It keeps looking better and better with each new update, so I think the odds that it's worth the wait are probably pretty high. :)

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Always delighted to hear that but now the pressure is on to deliever! XD

Another Beehive Battleship Clip!

Want some more gameplay footage? you've got some more gameplay footage! Check the twitter link below to see a bit more of Beehive Battleship in action!

http://brockcrocodile.com/wp-content...eoTwitter5.png

https://twitter.com/BrockCrocodile/s...56275068616704

For today's Screenshot Saturday, we've got some ingame sprites of Angelika, the owner of the weapons shop and Brock's younger sister.

http://brockcrocodile.com/wp-content...eshopcomp3.gif

https://twitter.com/BrockCrocodile/s...83040339877889

Please do not bully younger siblings and be sure to give them the player 1 controller!!!!

That looks really nice!

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Originally Posted by Edel

That looks really nice!

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Thank you, glad you liked it!

However we have exciting news and are happy to announce our new project, introducing the gritty remastered reboot Brock the Human! Plz be excited!

http://brockcrocodile.com/wp-content...OCKDAHUMAN.jpg

https://twitter.com/BrockCrocodile/s...88988245696512

Ahem, so it seems I never did say that was an April's Fools gags well, it was, anyway moving along!

http://brockcrocodile.com/wp-content...ldMapPartA.png

Take a glance at this world map screen! We're not only super proud how the art turned out for this, we also love how the music for it is as well! Give it a listen over on twitter.

https://twitter.com/BrockCrocodile/s...19755411574784

Looks and sounds great!
How many people are actually working on the project?

So this week's update... Is a recap of all the work we've done for the first 3 months of the year! Really hope you people give a read just to see how much progress has been done of the project so far this year, here's to another fruitful few months! :D

http://brockcrocodile.com/wp-content...erThreePic.png

Twitter link: https://twitter.com/BrockCrocodile/s...87203995951106

Direct link: http://brockcrocodile.com/2018/04/09...port-in-april/

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Originally Posted by Robeez

Looks and sounds great!
How many people are actually working on the project?

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There are four people on the project currently!

Myself, who's the director, coder, level designs, a fair bit of the art assets like the bee level above, Brock's sprite, the cafe etc: https://twitter.com/Akifromspace
The sound is being down by Ap0c, he's using a Mega Drive/Genesis and playing the sound through that and then putting it on PC so it can be 100% replicating on one of the consoles: https://twitter.com/a_p_0_c
The current artist M.ARQ who's doing a lot of the art nowaway days, most of the art above is his and he's a mighty fine artist in general: https://twitter.com/DuckDoraiba
Our writing is being done by MadeMan, you haven't seen much of his work yet but we'll be showing some soon enough: https://twitter.com/AusVF_MadeMan

Previously we had some great work done on the character sprites by Molly Heady-Carroll and a few excellent level art by Matthew Weekes a couple of years back. Time really flies on your personal project! :P

Okay nothing too major to show off today. First up some more character art of the first two bosses, Pummell Van Gunzhell and Cassandra Honeypot;

http://brockcrocodile.com/wp-content...ll-300x300.pnghttp://brockcrocodile.com/wp-content...ot-300x300.png

https://twitter.com/BrockCrocodile/s...29704834797573

It's funny how these two are fairly old characters but I never got any art for them done until now, well at least people seem to be liking them!

http://brockcrocodile.com/wp-content...Croconfire.gif

https://twitter.com/BrockCrocodile/s...56470390968320

And this well, it might look like a shield but it's actually the invincibility powerup! Thought what with the checkpoint being a tiki torch that I might as well go with flames to signify invulnerability for the player :P