Designing Alchemy Laboratory - Castlevania: SotN for Sega MegaDrive & Genesis - Dev Diary 10

[@damin9913]

Sega should have knew it was alot easier to develop games on the Sega Genesis then 32X and the Sega CD they had the greatest console right in there damn hands and they threw it out like it wasn't a good console damn they where so wrong and look what we getting a new Castlevania you guys deserve alot of credit for what you doing for the Sega Genesis fans y'all get alot of respect from me 100%😎👍

[@damin9913]

Woah the graphics and the animation has been improved last time I saw it👍

[@PigsysRetroGameDevTutorials]

Thanks. I'm doing more work on it now.

[@igodreamer7096]

A new job, that is cool man! That you can succeed there even better and keep up the good work with the project!

[@MegaOnerb]

As a suggestion for the elevator part, it could be the dinosaur head skeleton, I think the name is 'Bone Pillar' that shoots fire projectiles. Could fitch cool. By the way, it's good to have you back.

[@PigsysRetroGameDevTutorials]

Nice idea, thanks!

[@mxggo9046]

I wonder what any developers from back in the day think about this. This amount of color. Its amazing what can actually be done on the ole' geni.

[@LBPreviews]

They would all presume it was fake and not running on genuine megadrive hardware.

[@anjodaharpa8757]

That's a enormous challenge, but you follow in advance more and more, thank you very much for this!

[@davidspyro]

Excellent & been waiting for another update. :)

[@Enkeria]

Congrats on new job, and feeling better! Now I will continue to watch your vid.

[@jawessome]

Glad you're feeling better and thanks for sharing your progress which is sensational!

[@Hidyman]

This is a fascinating journey.

[@marcosadrian65]

The level scenarios it's amazing Congrats! I will suggest only that you need a couple more frames on the transition animation between jump and fall the cape goes up too fast.

[@efuuu]

Keep it up man, it's looking better everytime

[@elvismorales85]

There is like a patter error on the red area with yellow lines in he bottom part. It still looks awesome. Great coloring.

[@heilong79]

Good work as always.

[@Ambertony6968]

Thank you for uploading the roms. Really enjoy going through them, after the video. 😁

[@miltiadiskoutsokeras9189]

The animation is excellent. I hope there is minor compromise when extras are added.

[@RadicalClaypool]

I love all of your endeavors in this project! Please, keep it going!!

[@hadesmcc]

Glad to hear you're doing better!

[@eldense4324]

A W E S O M E!!! Great Work!!! No, nono, THE BEST DEMAKE WORK EVER!!!

[@Giggles_iJest]

Really looking forward to this! SotN is my second favorite game of all time 😁

[@Alianger]

It's looking great! Your approach to the level design is smart I think, economical and like how a lot of devs did it back in the day to make the most use of the assets. If possible one unique/mini-boss style encounter would be cool. Also for me classicvania is almost as much about the non-enemy hazards like spikes, pits and other traps. I don't think pits are needed but maybe some spikes or saw blades could work, and they don't have to kill you instantly.

[@PigsysRetroGameDevTutorials]

I have been thinking about mid-level bosses, but I don't like the way it interrupts the regular level music. On the other hand, without a change in music the encounters probably wouldn't be dramatic enough. I think level 2 is a little early for pits, but I definitely want to put some spikes in there!

[@AndromedaBeta]

A ansiedade continua pela conclusão desta obra prima para nosso querido Mega Drive aka Sega Genesis. Muito obrigado pelos esforços, Sr. Pigsy.👏👏👏👍💙

[@PigsysRetroGameDevTutorials]

Thanks for your support!

[@MaskedGuyCh]

I noticed that Alucard's sword swing animation feels sluggish. Alucard was quick and snappy with his sword in SotN, so I hope this gets fixed eventually. It's very important.

[@CarinoGamingStudio]

well we are talking genesis here we dont talk about ps1. and those 2 has different cpu speed and specs.

[@MaskedGuyCh]

@@CarinoGamingStudio The goal is to make Alucard control as close to his original SotN version as possible. Besides there are many genesis games with quick attacks that don't feel sluggish.

[@claudiosacchi3720]

Bloodlines is my favorite Castlevania so for me it's great you chose it as a base to develop your game!

[@PigsysRetroGameDevTutorials]

While I'll definitely be taking inspiration from all the 16 bit games, I'd say Bloodlines is a really good blueprint in terms of challenge/length/variety etc

[@Hwi1son]

I definitely noticed you hadn't put out a dev video in a minute. Congratulations on the new job! I still hope to see some of those lake/water effects that you made for the 1st stage/intro because they're awesome. I need to show my buddy the Christmas and Coliseum demo.. ( I sat here and checked everything. Thanks again.) Is it fair to say that Shinobi GG might go on the back burner for a bit? ( I love both projects but I know firsthand that developing, Sprite work, collision detection ect.. takes a LOT of time... )

[@PigsysRetroGameDevTutorials]

Thanks. A lot of my "dev time" during this past year has been more "learning time" really, as I get used to coding in general, and coding for the console specifically. I think (or rather hope) that once I have a good system in place for all the coding stuff (collisions, enemy arrays etc) adding new levels and enemies etc shouldn't be too time consuming. GG has been a bit neglected recently, but it is still very much an active project. I'm using SotN right now to hone my dev skills, but once they reach a certain level I really want to try and go back to GG and really make some good progress. It's such a smaller game than SotN, so I think completing it is a much less daunting project.

[@7utas23]

You could try the musketeer skeletons for the elevator.

[@paplax83]

Impressive work, bravo! Your color management is very clever for this stage. it just lacks some 3d effects on some elements of the decor such as a perspective effect on the large purple columns and it would be impressive. keep going.

[@wetrucken1689]

It looks absolutely fantastic I really can't wait to play it good work so far!!!!

[@Chicomite]

Looking amazing as always, going the traditional linear route is a smart move(can't wait to see what happens with the giant head). You can always use this project as a building block/reference if you ever wanted to tackle that insane task of a 1:1 port of SOTN on Sega Genesis/MegaDrive. It would be cool(and ambitious) to have the alternating paths when you fall in a pit or do something, like Rondo of Blood or Dracula X. And you were saying something about having a Zombie be the character that you expect to see at that part, and having an axeman. Would be cool if the 1st enemy you see was a Zombie in the ground, and when he comes up he transforms into the axeman. I agree about Dracula X on SNES, a weird thing I noticed about that game is when you play it on a clone console, going up the stairs is noticeably stiff and jittery, it feels weird like the timing goes out of sync or the screen can't keep up, it doesn't look or feel right. Playing on a real SNES, the stairs feel fine and don't do that. Maybe it's a clue to why that game feels frustrating.

[@AlexvrbX]

Yeah a port with the same non-linear (semi-linear?) gameplay as the original might be too much at the outset. On the other hand I would love that... maybe some day. You'd be able to reuse a lot of code and assets - most progress on this could translate to progress on a more ambitious port in the future.

[@rubendarioreymartinez2073]

esta quedando super el port para el sega genesis , buen trabajo te felicito por dedicacion. saludos desde colombia

[@PigsysRetroGameDevTutorials]

Thanks. Welcome to the Colombians on the channel!

[@mandrews817]

@Pigsy's Retro Game Dev Tutorials, I don't know, but I have this lingering feeling you could port the original RPG design if you work hard enough. Considering the wonderful job with the colors, you seem to be a very compoentent person to do so.

[@paulh8175]

Cool work

[@ldd6098]

Thanks alot for the update. Good luck for your new job. I myself have to deal with some private issues, which will continue for the next couple of months, so I totally understand that this hobby hasn't any priority. Even more I appreciate your energy for any update !

[@PigsysRetroGameDevTutorials]

Yeah, it can be tough finding time during busy life periods, but I think its always worth doing a little work on it everyday, even if it's just for 10 minutes. Even that keeps you in touch with the project. Good luck with your Gameboy version! Keep up the good work. We'll both get these finished somehow!

[@albertoluna4302]

Un trabajo fantástico, sigue así.

[@Myako]

Great video, as usual. 👏🏻👏🏻💪🏻💪🏻 Also: two new ROM bits to play with? Thanks!! 🤘🏻🤘🏻

[@pixeldiscoveries]

This is an incredible project that has already proven to be a wonderful homage to the original SoTN

[@maverickzeroultimate3940]

Im sure this Will be very great !!! I canta wait to see rondo of Blood complete for mega drive todo !!

[@PigsysRetroGameDevTutorials]

Yeah, I hope they continue with Rondo

[@AtariBorn]

Amazing job, as expected.

[@getzapped313]

There is a guy in the Dreamcast community, on Dreamcast talk, him and some others have been trying to crack bleem for years and he knows a thing or two about ripping PS1 games, he shall go nameless but he is currently working on a tomb raider 1 port for Dreamcast

[@elvisborges4524]

Esta ficando fantástico.

[@Spellfork]

Cool to see a new update, it's looking really good. You should definitely analyze Rondo of Blood for the PC Engine, Symphony starts with the end battle from that and it's an old school linear adventure but with branching paths within some levels that let's you choose your own journey like you did in Castlevania 3 for the NES. In a sense, Symphony is a direct sequel to Rondo at it's somewhat poetic that it could get the linear sequel in SotN for Sega MegaDrive/Genesis

[@PigsysRetroGameDevTutorials]

Yeah, I really need to play Rondo soon. Maybe I'll play on my Vita during my long commute to work :)

[@CarinoGamingStudio]

in todays technology we can create or newly imerged dev company can make old console live again by porting some games that can be play without and issue. wish that many retro dev create games for old comsoles such as this. even ps2.

I feel the Knife and Crystal sub-weapons should get a powerup and I agree that Holy Water was a bit OP in SotN.

[@dmas7749]

the knife was really OP because there was no delay

[@guillaumenunes9319]

Many congrats !

[@lioneart19]

Good thing you're upping the challenge, especially in platforming since SotN has none and this MD version won't have the metroidvania element to make up for that absence.

[@miltiadiskoutsokeras9189]

You should try your best on challenge balance. There is a trap most games fall into these days: they do not offer a challenge which leads to learning the game system. Since this game is a milestone instead of a product of the month, you should give a good challenge and unlockable challenges for dedicated gamers. I wish you the best.

[@euphorik3120]

hey if ya want to add more of that 'Genesis does' uniqueness to this version, you could add litte flying bats, moths an tiny spiders and stuff throughout the games backgrounds/foreground to give a little life to the backgrounds 🦇🐜🕷️🕸️🦂🦗 🌿🍃

[@ThatOldTV]

For the record, I did notice that the first section of Alchemy Lab, that you showed in your video, is missing the parallax. VRAM limitations? Aside from that, it looks gorgeous. Pyron is just a Master of color. Most 16-Bit titles have a "Sound Test". In the interest of time, for the sound effects, taking sound effects assets from other games (from their sound test) might be easiest; maybe other Castlevania games. I know the Saturn version has a sound test. I don't know if it's just music or if it actually has the sound effects too. Your first action based layout/design seems sound. You'll never know if it works until you build it.

[@arciks11]

PS1 saturn sound effect probably wouldn't translate to Genesis hardware (They probably were sample based and genesis would only fit so many even if it would be a bigger cart size game)

[@pigsy5574]

Thanks for the idea of getting some SFX, I'll look into it. Regarding the missing parallax, I hope to add that in, it's just due to the way we have drawn the tiles. I think we'll soon have a new method of doing this, and will hopefully be able to add the parallax in then.

[@cbmeeks]

LOVING this series! Are you going to do a video on your development environment and process?

[@PigsysRetroGameDevTutorials]

I think that would probably be covered in the upcoming tutorials

[@Genesis814]

Thank you so much, Pigsy.

[@SCIN]

Está ficando muito bom Parabéns, quando o personagem estiver parado na versão MD não terá animação de respiração?

[@Lavagemstomacal]

Mano tá inclível, tem umas paradas que nem eu acreditava que rodava no mega

[@PigsysRetroGameDevTutorials]

I had an idle animation in my old Alucard sprite, but left it out of the new one. Actually, I think the animation is in the sprite sheet somewhere, I just need to code it back in. I will do it one day.

[@SCIN]

@@Lavagemstomacal o mega drive sempre foi injustiçado, mas ai está o poder do megão

[@SCIN]

@@PigsysRetroGameDevTutorials que bom que vai adicionar, fica bem estranho sem animação I'm glad you're going to add it, it's pretty weird without animation

[@albertoluna4302]

Estaba pensando como vas a lograr hacer los efectos del agua sin tramas como Saturn, va a ser todo un trabajazo.

[@PigsysRetroGameDevTutorials]

Yeah, water will be a challenge, but we'll think of a way!

[@DragonNova]

I just played this demo on my Mister, it ran beautifully :) Very cool 👍

[@joao-dk2qn]

is there any "32x development kit"? like, it would be fun to see how the game would look on the console, since sotn was originally going to be released on the 32x

There isn't, unfortunately. The libraries and resources out there are very basic.

[@PigsysRetroGameDevTutorials]

There is something called "Mars Dev", but I don't know too much about it. Of the people I am aware of who are doing 32X stuff, I'm pretty sure they are all just using old fashioned assembly language.

[@biffbichards6023]

I will probably get some flack for this, and don't get me wrong the game looks incredibly promising right now, but I feel like the later half of the level doesn't match up with the first room and its massive pillars and open space. The later segments are a few sets of patterns in narrow passages, which are prone to getting tedious. A thing what the Castlevanias like to do is introduce a unique enemy to the area (Disc Lord, Diplocephalus, etc). A lone enemy like the Fire Demon found in the inversed counterpart of the lab and another big open space might work wonders in combatting repetition. Rondo of Blood and Castlevania X68000 are the undisputed kings of this principle. My humble apologies for being that one person with the uncalled for feedback and keep on rocking!

[@PigsysRetroGameDevTutorials]

It's ok, honest criticism is always welcome! The level design is just a first draft. We won't know what works until people test/play.

[@LoveFor298Yen]

This is so cool. Excited to see where this leads. Is there a reason that Alucard’s dropkick animation is used instead of the regular falling one?

[@PigsysRetroGameDevTutorials]

It's just a placeholder. At some pioint I will go back to fix the jumping

[@govir19]

Super Castlevania > Mega Castlevania terrible the process and evolution of the game please. keep it up and hopefully you can finish it. You are already my hero with what you are doing. work is appreciated. amazing

[@TheSocialGamer]

I can't remember if you showed this point before, but are you adding more animation to Allucard? In this video I can see he is in a very low animation frames state.

[@PigsysRetroGameDevTutorials]

The running/stopping/attacking animations all have the same number of animations as the original. I still need to add landing and other animations though.

[@donatellomurru4532]

Hi Pigsy, I've been a fan of mega drives since I was a kid, and of Castlevania SotN, thanks to my cousin. but I wanted to ask you some questions, 1) the demake you are creating will there be only Alucard as a playable character or will there also be Richter and Maria? 2) as much as he may be a demake, don't you think he can weigh a little bit for a simple cartridge? 3) will you use Alucard's health bar, psx's or saturn's? 4) will you enter the saturn's exclusive secret room too? I'm sorry if I ask you these questions, but I think everyone thinks a bit. keep it up and goodbye: D

[@PigsysRetroGameDevTutorials]

1. Just alucard for now, but probably Maria and Richter later (you can see my Maria video from a few weeks back) 2. I don't know how big it wil be, but it's gonna be over 4MB for sure! 3. Don't know yet (haven't play the Saturn version much, so can't compare) 4. Yes, I want to add the Saturn content as well Thanks for watching :)

[@GregGallardo]

Looks fantastic!

[@PigsysRetroGameDevTutorials]

Thanks. I'm looking forward to your game (just need to buy a menacer!)

[@KA0T]

What if you run the emu, enter a place and remove the CD so the track stops playing and you have only sfx left?

[@oldmanretro949]

Just to let people that my not know, there is a version of Castlevania for the ZX spectrum

[@uf_calibur75]

Very Cool

[@TailsOfSaturn]

Fantastic work! I love it!

[@DandyDNA]

That crumble sound effect can be done on an FM channel I'm sure

[@mk2k685]

Impressive!

[@shalpp]

Are you looking to have your sound effects completely sampled or would you consider sequenced sounds as well?

[@PigsysRetroGameDevTutorials]

I think sequenced would take up less space on the cart so would be a good option for the future, but fo now I'll be mostly sticking to samples

[@shalpp]

@@PigsysRetroGameDevTutorials makes sense. I've been fiddling around with deflemask a bunch and just learning more how to produce certain sounds and recreated a few from other games I think I can rip the sfx library from the android port without much issue and see what I can recreate in sequence (I really wanna see how well I can do the level up sound) If you're interested I don't mind contributing to the project; I love symphony of the night and being a part of this would be rad as hell

[@kittikajorns1811]

The jump dropping animation is not same as original. The original clock will not float up to curtain dropping height.

[@MaxHealthStudios]

As a fellow game dev, I am really impressed by this project. Do you think using the SEGA CD capabilities could help you with the project more? Or is the goal to make it Genesis only?

[@Blankult]

I assume the goal is the challenge of making the game work on the genesis, as if it was released back then, like bloodlines. Otherwise the music could just play on the cd. Also he's been working on it for quite a while and given how much he optimized the game to work on the genesis, i don't think he's interested in using the sega cd's extra power, and it may also be harder to work with.

[@PigsysRetroGameDevTutorials]

If the Mega CD one day gets SGDK support then I would definitely like to use it. For now though, this is a Mega Drive only project

[@gufighter6017]

great job you and pyron

[@AlexvrbX]

I'm not sure if it's that the holy water was too strong or that some of the other options were too weak. Then again I haven't played this in ages.

[@PigsysRetroGameDevTutorials]

I've been playing it recently, and it really destroys some enemies. Fun to use, but maybe a little OP

[@rushdenphilstravels.5055]

Your work looks so good ..sold my megadrive once separation forced a downsize ..may get another do you release physical carts ? 🙂

[@PigsysRetroGameDevTutorials]

No, just free rom only (it's Konami's IP after all)

[@dmas7749]

funny, i find Castlevania 4 to be the frustrating one those rooms look a little long, particularly 13:10 which i feel would improve if only two platforms with spittlebones, then some of the winding path with the sword skeletons, then, what if you combined the two enemies for a greater platforming challenge? also i'd like to hit you up on discord if you have one, i'd like to help with any testing or feedback.

[@PigsysRetroGameDevTutorials]

I think that's all fair feedback, thanks. This is just a first (and very rough) draft. I'll continue to refine the design

[@dmas7749]

@@PigsysRetroGameDevTutorials as always, i'm looking forward to the completed project, i'm ecstatic to hear about any progress.

[@elantiyoutuber5940]

which game compiler for sega megadrive does it use, I use basiegaxorz and SBStudioLite_3.9.58

[@PigsysRetroGameDevTutorials]

SGDK uses GCC

[@elantiyoutuber5940]

@@PigsysRetroGameDevTutorials wow :O

[@axelordtrxsh988]

Good job

[@MrStrangermoon]

am wondering can we put allucard too catlevaina bloodline game. before this game finish. it can be good.

[@PigsysRetroGameDevTutorials]

Maybe some rom hackers can do it

[@gia257]

bone spitter

[@josephscottadams39]

Why was color palettes so limited back then. Is it because more colors on screen require more memory?

[@albey1816]

Any idea "roughly" what size the finished ROM will be, knowing what you know now?

[@PigsysRetroGameDevTutorials]

I haven't really been optimising for rom size so far, so it's going to be huge at his rate! I'm not sure if there is any limit to bank switching...we may soon find out!

[@albey1816]

@@PigsysRetroGameDevTutorials - Don't quote me on this but i think: 128Mbit ( 16MBytes ) with the official Sega Mapper, or any size with a custom mapper.

[@denraimei32]

Do you plan on tweaking Alucard's jumping physics? He has this odd flutter effect with you mash the Jump button as he ascends and tends to act weird when bumping into ceilings.

[@PigsysRetroGameDevTutorials]

Oh, for sure! Right now there are actually two different code-sets running on Alucard's jumping and collision physics depending on whether you are facing right or left! It was always just a work in progress and I will be doing a lot of work on it in the coming weeks (I was going to put it off some more, but it is beginning to annoy me as I play it!)

[@denraimei32]

@@PigsysRetroGameDevTutorials I have another idea: Would the castle map be implemented for a next stage transition screen akin to the first NES game?

[@j.vitorino1202]

This is looking fantastic so far. I would like to ask if eventually you will release the source code for this.

[@PigsysRetroGameDevTutorials]

I'm thinking of using the source code as a base for more own Castlevania-like game in the (distant) future. Maybe some time after that is done I'll release the code.

[@anjodaharpa8757]

The jump landing it's a bit choppy, any chance for improve this?

[@PigsysRetroGameDevTutorials]

For sure, the jumping is a work in progress

[@anjodaharpa8757]

@@PigsysRetroGameDevTutorials Thanks my friend!

[@custardgannet4836]

Holy....

[@whopoder]

Extrair os áudios do CD? Fácil. Mas, pelo tempo que já se passou, deve ter resolvido o problema :)

[@euphorik3120]

thanks for taking care of the difficulty. it should have a good tuff challenge, its for the Gen/MD after all. i've noticed lately some games & mods have had a bad habbit of making games too easy so that theres no challenge, no game in the game. it defeats the purpose. like wheres the game? having an easy setting is fine though but games should be a fun challenge, not just button mashing. Watermelon's anticipated Paprium gameplay for example is an embarrassing fail, the AI gameplay is rubbish. no game in the game. it looks like this one wont turn out to be a dud.

[@PigsysRetroGameDevTutorials]

I'll probably end up with a normal and hard mode (since a lot of people have been playing this for 25 years, and so are experts)

[@juliussantonastasi2528]

What percent of this game is completed...looks amazing

[@Ambertony6968]

It really does.

[@PigsysRetroGameDevTutorials]

Maybe only 5% right now in terms of content, haha. But I have been working hard on what you might call the "game engine". Once that is in place I hope the content side can speed up a lot.

[@Blankult]

I think the level design at the end is solid but looks repetitive, if you can tell exactly what challenge the designer intended then it feels more like an obstacle course than a game, which is what castlevania usually doesn't do. Maybe add some more enemy variety to each room and or combine 2 or more rooms for one big challenge, the ideas are good but when they're isolated like that they look kinda boring. Either way, i understand you're still warming up and analyzing the games, so i expect a lot of redesigns. I still think this looks pretty promising.

[@fishactivation5087]

Wait, you're gonna nerf the Holy Water? It's not gonna work the same as it does in the NES games?

[@Lavagemstomacal]

Muito fodda, parabéns pelo trabalho

[@elrincondelukas]

Hello I suscribed your channel. LIKE

[@PigsysRetroGameDevTutorials]

Thanks :)

[@vividimaginer]

Sega does what Son't.

[@PigsysRetroGameDevTutorials]

Nice!

[@RamitoEdits]

Are you gonna add alucards idle animation ?

[@PigsysRetroGameDevTutorials]

Yes, hopefully soon

[@pipikakachu]

Is the music playing from the Genesis hardware ?

[@PigsysRetroGameDevTutorials]

The music in the video isn't (it's PS SotN and Rondo music), but check out the SotN music playlist on my channel to hear the Genesis versions.

[@pipikakachu]

@@PigsysRetroGameDevTutorials thank you for your amazing work. Where do we make donations ?

[@Sevish]

Genesis does what Playstayshouldn't

[@DandyDNA]

13:21 this room is very repetitive, should be a lot smaller. It's also inbetween two hallways; should cut one of the hallways or halve both of their lengths

[@thehumbleone1983]

Pigsy Retro Game Dev 👍

[@lynx1519]

Take my money, just tell me where to order.

[@augustohidalgo4120]

Aun asi si este proyecto lo estuviera realizando una compañía de renombre como KONAMI las reservas se hubieran agotado el mismo dia

[@frankynakamoto2308]

Can you do it as a 32x cartridge and send me 1 cartridge as a collection, it be so awesome to have it. I wonder if the Saturn can have cartridges as GAME rather than using the Discs, so I could have this game as a Cartridge for Saturn, and the saturn video output with a new HDMI card.

[@PigsysRetroGameDevTutorials]

I'm pretty sure the Saturn could use cartridges for a game

[@mxggo9046]

Question. Are you guys able to use the DMA blast processing trick? From what I understand, it was used in Wolfenstein somehow...... kzbin.info/www/bejne/qKfZfWmJaqeon9k

[@PigsysRetroGameDevTutorials]

I don't know how to programme that yet. I'm quite happy working within the regular 64 colour limit though

[@mxggo9046]

@@PigsysRetroGameDevTutorials It looks tough!....as in...wow.