Weekly Progress 10/1: New Features and Critical Bugs!

Want to get the Shiny legendary dogs? Shiny Mew? or any other shiny pokemon in the game? Adopt them today using SnD coins! Click here for more info.

Visit the PTD: Pokemon Center - a place to trade pokemon, get your Daily Code, adopt Pokemon, view your items and change your avatar!

Hola! Another week means another update! Last week we brought in Route 29 to story mode, which meant some really exciting things! Seeing wild pokemon in the map, your first party pokemon following you, capturing new pokemon, and hunting for shinies. But with that brought a new set of features that need to be added and a new set of problems and bugs to fix! That is the nature of games. So let's talk about what is coming this week.

Critical Bugs:
We have a number of what I like to call critical bugs. Bugs that really ruin the experience of the players and should have priority in being fixed. For this update we have 3 of such bugs.

• Saving not working (sometimes) - This one is pretty hard to fix because it sometimes works and it sometimes doesn't. You guys have given me some info that will help track it down. A reliable method to making this bug happen would be appreciated if you guys can come up with one. I have to be able to recreate the bug to solve it.
• Not learning moves - Apparently if more than one pokemon has to learn a move or evolve there are some cases when they don't. This is linked to using faster speeds in battle when this happens.
• Hole in the Route 29 map - There seems to be a gap somewhere in the map that lets the user get inside the forest where they shouldn't be going to. I mean to find this hole and do something fun with it.

Features:
After the critical bugs are dealt with (or after I'm tired of trying to fix them) I'll move into new features that I think are necessary before the game can progress much farther. The way I decide which feature should come next depends on what you can do in the game and how much use it is going to get by you guys. It's all about effort vs reward when choosing what to work on next.

• Trading Center for PTD2 - To me this is a staple of the game and what really supports me to keep developing the game. It will start as a copy of the PTD1 version but I will be improving it over time. You guys have given me a lot of great suggestion to what and how the Trading Center could be improved.
• 1v1 Mode Changes - I'm honestly not sure if this will be a quick change or if it's going to take the whole week. I'll have to make the changes and then rebalance the mode so that it won't be too easy/hard. If you don't know what the changes will be check out last week's blog.
• Mystery Gift - Zorua is ready to go but I have to work things out with the sponsor and make the screen for this to get it out.
• Day and Night - This is an interesting one, adding the Day and Night cycle to story mode. This will mean new pokemon to catch and new npc dialog for different times. I also have to answer some questions like: Will time only move forward in Routes? (Like you can be in a town and time will stand still, when you go in the route it will gradually change to night and back to day again. Then go back into town and it will be what ever time you ended up in but it won't change until you go to the route again.) And the technical aspects of how I will do it. Will I use a tint effect or a movieclip overlay? (Technical speak)
• Held Items - This one is pretty fun too. Probably start with berries. I have this idea that berries can have multiple charges. So they last more than one use with a cooldown between uses. Also leads up to super berries that have unlimited charges.
• Releasing Pokemon - Now that you can capture pokemon you need a way to get rid of them.

I also have some left over items from the last few weeks. So that's what I have this week I hope to cover a lot of it. Keep checking back to see how I'm doing, ask questions, give suggestions, or encourage me. It's up to you!

Weekly Progress:

Alpha v1.19.9: 1v1 Mode Changed! Bug Fixes, Small Changes, Pokemon Center!: Released! 

• Mystery Gift Screen (100%)  - OUT NOW! Get your Zorua!
• PTD 2 Pokemon Center OUT NOW!- Note: Other pages, such as Daily Gift, Inventory, Game Corner will be added/changed later on as the game develops.
• Create Trade Page - You will be able to make up to 3 separate request for your trade. Meaning you can request a Shiny Zorua OR Shiny Rattata OR Shadow Sentret. Also you can specify gender. Each request can have up to 10 pokemon up from 6.
• Your Trade Request Page
• Search Trade - Can now search by Gender and you can view all 3 possible request the other trainer has put up.
• Searching for any gender instead of just Male or Female for both regular search and want search
• 1v1 Mode Changes - Note: The last level might be a little too hard right now, I'll fix it up next week.
•  Defeated target will no longer give out experience
• Evolutions will not be available for unlocking
• Every pokemon will now start at level 5
• You will level up with candies that are given out after beating levels
• When you use a checkpoint you will get the same amount of candies that you would have received if you have beaten all the way up to that point. So you can skip the previous levels and still have a powerful team
• Lowered the cost of some pokemon.
• Made the level with the old Hiker easier.
• Added the Pokemon Center to the Mode Select Screen
• Fixed a bug that is preventing new users from saving their game
• Fixed a percentage problem on Sentret's waves
• Made it so you can play PTD 1 and PTD 2 at the same time

Alpha v1.19.5: Bug Fixes, Small Changes and additions: Released! 

• Fixed a bug that some battles in story mode give you money when they shouldn't 
• Even after you have more than 6 pokemon, the game will put the first 6 on your party in story mode
• Instead of disappearing completely, Sentret that are hiding will now just be faded
• Wave Security
• Prevent users from playing story mode and using the PTD 2 Pokemon Center at the same time to prevent duplication exploits that come when trading is activated.
• Saving Bug - FIXED OMG! It was a stupid server problem, so it should work now!
• Gap in the Route 29 Map - Did something fun with it.
• Added a Police Officer infront of Route 46's entrance
• Randomize the level and distance of the wild pokemon waves to break the uniformity of them
• Pokemon Center  
• Picking which profile to enter - The profile page will now show profile that you have made from PTD 2, including your avatar and version color.
• Side Bar - Integrate PTD 2 info into the side bar.
• Home Page for PTD 2 - Being able to retrieve or release any pokemon to your corresponding profile.
• Adoption Page- This page includes Shiny Starters and Shiny Zorua to start.

Creature Universe TD
Last week's CU meeting that I had with the team was really short. We updated each other on what we were doing and called it a night. The game is progressing but I don't have a lot to share with you guys this week. Next week I hope to bring you guys some new creature designs and info.

That's all we have for you this week. Keep checking back to see how I'm doing, and as always, let me know what you think!

Weekly Progress 9/25: New Stuff! Starting locations for Creature Universe!

Want to get the Shiny legendary dogs? Shiny Mew? or any other shiny pokemon in the game? Adopt them today using SnD coins! Click here for more info.

Visit the PTD: Pokemon Center - a place to trade pokemon, get your Daily Code, adopt Pokemon, view your items and change your avatar!

Greetings! Welcome to another amazing week of Sam and Dan games! Last week we almost completed our goal of releasing both a 1v1 level and a story level but we didn't quite make it. I did release it yesterday night which is pretty close I guess. This week again we will attempt to do a Story levels among other things! We love to give you guys content and we love making it. We will also talk a little bit about the starting towns/cities/villages for the first 3 starters in Creature Universe TD. Sound good? Great! Let's get to it.

New Story Level
This week we will finally get out of New Bark Town and into Route 29! You might have noticed that once you defeat a battle you aren't able to repeat this battle over and over like you could on PTD1. Well on Route 29 you will be able to repeat battles, catch new pokemon, hunt for shinys! I'm looking forward to making this and finally be able to see pokemon walking around in the wild instead of just having random battles. You will also get your PokePad which will act as a pokedex, a computer and it will also heal your pokemon between battles. Along with this I'll be working on getting your first party pokemon to walk behind you. If I have time I'll be adding the first Mystery Gift and the Trading Center for PTD2. Lots to do!

Look! 1v1 is evolving!
I've decided to make some big changes to 1v1, remove a lot of the grinding and focus more on strategy and choices. This requires some shifts on how things work. I'm still thinking about it so not everything is finalized yet. But here are some of the things that will change:

• There will be no more experience gained from defeating the enemy.
• You will level up by using rare candies that are given out by beating levels.
• When you use a checkpoint you will get the same amount of candies that you would have received if you have beaten all the way up to that point. So you can skip the previous levels and still have a powerful team.
• Every pokemon will now start at level 5 and evolutions will not be available for unlocking.

I'm still figuring out what exactly I will do with the coins, but I have a few days to think about it. My main goal is to make it so it doesn't feel like you need to grind for the coins to be able to beat a level. 

So that is a little preview of what we have coming for you this week. Check out the weekly progress below to see how I'm doing during the week. I also added a new "My Status" which will tell you if I'm currently working or not.

Weekly Progress:

Alpha v1.191 - Bug Fix: Released!

• Fixed a bug with the pokeballs not showing up unless you saved and reloaded the profile after receiving them from Prof. Elm (100%)

Alpha v1.19 - Route 29, PokePad, Bug Fixes: Released! Yes, Shiny Pokemon can show up in the actual battles in Route 29 but not in the map itself.

• Fixed some NPC typos
• Slightly Decreased the HP boost on your rival's starter
• Made the pokemon in your first party slot follow you in the map - Fun stuff but you won't be able to talk to it like in the other games.
• Fixed Map Issue in Elm's Lab on Story Mode
• Fixed Issue with Speed resetting between waves in Story Mode
• Made Story level music stop playing when you leave story mode
• New Story Level - Route 29
• Level Intro
• Before you get the PokePad
• After you get the PokePad
• Implement PokePad
• New Map
• Battle Layout
• Swarm Layout - Normal Tower defense fight
• Single Layout - 1v1 style fight
• Battle Waves - Both 1v1 and normal version for each pokemon
• Pidgey
• Rattata
• Sentret
• Pokemon Map Behavior - how the pokemon will behave in the map
• Pidgey
• Rattata
• Sentret
• Level Ending
• Added a Spawning System - This will control how many and where each pokemon spawn in a route. 
• Saving Extra Info for Pokemon
• Show Shiny Popup and slow down speed when a shiny shows up
• After closing a popup window the previous screen will now properly get back focus - When learning a new move or evolving the screen would lose focus when coming back. Not allowing you to use the keyboard shortcuts. This is now fixed.

Creature Universe Starting Locations!
 Like I've mentioned before each starting creature will have it's own starting location instead of have all 3 available in one town. What this means is that we can really do something special for the starting locations. Giving each of them their own unique style and appearance. For Creature Universe we really wanted to do something different. Instead of realistic towns that are... well kinda boring. We really wanted to do something interesting for each town. Below I will show you some sketches that our artist made to create the mood of each starting location. Keep in mind that these are concept sketches they don't represent the final look of the locations. Also some of these are there to strictly show an idea and not intended to look amazing. Keep that in mind!

First is the grass starter zone. The grass starter is the chameleon, they mostly live on trees so why not make the town live on top of trees. Not shown in the concept is the flooding that occurs during the rainy season which is the reason they build higher up and the water that is under the trees.

Work In Progress Concept of the Grass Starting zone

Then we have the fire starter zone. This place is more industrial, more gritty, it's a mining town. The fire starter zone will have a lush reservation area that the creatures live in that will be very contrasting with the rest of the zone. The fire koala family helps with refining the metals and treasures found in the mines. They also help create the steam that gives power to the town. I don't have a picture as the one I had didn't really show off the town it self but a mining cave.

Lastly the water starter zone. This place is more outdoors in a place surrounded by mountains. Not shown in the concept is a zone that is dried up due to recent droughts. This zone will be divided between a rich part and a poor part. The water buffalo need water to use water so even with them around they don't completely solve the drought problem as they can only use water in their supply to defend themselves and keep themselves hydrated while doing work like pushing carts and what not.

Work In Progress Concept of the Water Starter Zone

So there you have it! Three different concepts for the starting locations. Remember these were just for ideas and should give you a little sense of what each location will be like.

That is all we have for you this week. As always let us know what you think!

Weekly Progress, Pewter Gym Leader Battle and Level 2 for Story Mode

Want to get the Shiny legendary dogs? Shiny Mew? or any other shiny pokemon in the game? Adopt them today using SnD coins! Click here for more info.

Visit the PTD: Pokemon Center - a place to trade pokemon, get your Daily Code, adopt Pokemon, view your items and change your avatar!

Hey everyone! I hope you had/are having a good labor day weekend (in the states). I will keep this one pretty short and sweet.

Weekly Progress:
This week we will have a 1v1 level (Released now on v1.15), we finally reached the first gym! Fighting against the Pewter City Gym Leader Brock. Something special about gym fights is that you will get an increase reward for beating them. For one, once achievements are out you will get an achievement for beating the gym and it will include a reward for your story mode profile. Also you will get more coins than usual, I haven't decided the exact amount. I was thinking either having a high flat amount, or a flat amount plus refunding whatever you spent, or a flat amount plus another amount or whatever you spent, whichever is lowest. I'm still working out the exact details but just know that beating the gym will boost up your coin amount since it is a pretty good place to reach. Also it will unlock either all the starters or just one I also haven't decided and I might put a pool up to see which starter should be out.

On the story side of things I'm working towards level two which will have you getting your first starter pokemon. (Released now on v1.16) Last week I did a lot of the infrastructure for saving and creating maps and such. The more of that that I do the easier it will be to make new levels. I have redone a lot of the saving code to make it faster more efficient plus in PTD 2 story mode you have a map so I also have to keep track of where you are and things like what quest have you completed and what not. Before I would just keep track of level attempted and level completed. With this game things are more complicated so there is a lot more time spent building these extra things. I believe it will be worth it in the end since both PTD2 and Creature Universe will gain much from this.

So that is what I'm trying to accomplish this week, below is the actual list that I will keep updating by completing and adding new things.

Alpha v1.16 Progress List: Released Now!

• Add interactions with objects in the map (100%) - Interaction with signs, tv, etc. 
• NPC Characters for first level (100%)- Prof and other people that live in New Bark Town
• Level 2 quest
• Chikorita Quest (100%)
• Cyndaquil Quest (100%)
• Totodile Quest (100%) 
• Battle Intro (100%)
• Battle Layout (100%)
• Battle Waves (100%)
• Battle  Ending (100%)
• Add the Town Music (100%)
• Add Saving your pokemon's info (100%)

Alpha v1.15 New 1v1 Level: Released now!

• Pewter City Gym Leader Battle 1v1 Mode
• New Attacks Needed
• Rock Tomb
• Custom Onix Attack - Boulder Throw 
• Leech Seed
• Vine Whip
• Stun Spore
• Pursuit
• Mud-slap
•  New Abilities needed
• Chlorophyll
• Level Intro
• Level Layout
• Level Waves
• Level Ending
• New Item Unlocked
• Implement Item
• Add limits to how many you can buy of this item
• New Pokemon Unlocked
• Add Stats
• Add Moves
• Add Graphics
• Allow for multiple pages in the pokemon/item store pages
• Add the TM/HM screen to allow learning TMs and HMs  - These will no longer cost money.

Guys I just want to thank you again for all the support, if it weren't for you guys going to the trading center, telling your friends about the game and visiting the blog we couldn't be doing any of this. I would be working a job that I would have no interest in and I wouldn't be able to make these games for you guys. Thanks again and as always.. let me know what you think!

Weekly Progress and v4.5.1 release

Want to get the legendary dogs? Shiny Mew? or any other shiny pokemon in the game? Adopt them today using SnD coins! Purchase some SnD coins and get Ninja-ja bonus items free! Click here for more info.

Visit the PTD: Pokemon Center - a place to trade pokemon, get your Daily Code, adopt Pokemon, view your items and change your avatar!

What's new in v4.5.1

Level Cap up to 60 - Last level increase until the next chapter!
Fast-Forwarding x3 and x4 - Speed up even more!
New Mystery Gift Pokemon Krabby -Get your own cute little krabby!
12 new moves added to the game - For Krabby and pokemon going up to 60.
New Pokemon Evolutions (1) - Kingler.
Fixes:

• Added hints on how to get Flash to the Rock Tunnel level
• Fix an issue with not being able to put Gastly on the field after catching it
• Fixed Perish Song
• Fixed Curse
• Fixed Dragon Tail makes the target turn around before hitting them
• Earthquake's attack info will now include that it will hit your own towers
• Adding more space on Mt. Moon 2 and Cerulean Gym so that you can see pokemon coming before attacking
• Adding Speed x3 and x4
• Using a Shiny Golem and Steamroller, the regular golem graphic shows up
• Fixed Dragonite not learning Wing Attack at 55
• Fixed Lick Attack's text color being the wrong one
• Fixed Shiny Sprites for Ivysaur, Magnemite, Venusaur, Electrode
• Fixed pokemon evolving will say Bulbasaur evolved into Ivysaur
• Added Scope to inventory list in the Pokemon Center
• If a pokemon faints while you are dragging it, it will now not be able to be placed on the field
• Gave Curse a different effect if a ghost pokemon uses i
• Fixed the move description for Outrage, the cooldown is off
• You guys voted! Speed will slow down to x1 when a shiny or legendary popup shows up.
• Fixed bug that the speed text would not change back to x1 when a shiny shows up.
  
• Security Fixes to prevent shiny hacking.

Where can I play?

• Play here on the blog by clicking on the "Play PTD!" tab.
• Download the EXE, SWF or APK by clicking on the "Game Downloads Link" tab.
• PlayTowerDefenseGame
• FreeWorldGroup
• Gamerfish
• OneMoreLevel
• NewGrounds
• MiniJuegos

Well that was a long list! How are you guys? It's been a week since I've posted something here.I traded my Mew yesterday and I put up an Entei up for trade this week. My trade account name is samO so give me an offer. I can pretty much get any pokemon in the game instantly so don't ask for what I want specifically just think about making me a unique offer.

My brother is still hard at work on the next PTD video episode two. Check out his blog and show him your support for the videos. Aperture Eye Films.

Dan is also hard at work on the next Ninja-ja Update. Not sure when he will be done but he is working at it. He is also working on the game design for Hero Tower Defense and it's coming along great. I've been working more and more on HTD and I'm very excited to finally reach a point that we can finally let you guys play.

In a more personal level, I've decided to focus more on College and on creating games so I ended up resigning my job. It was kinda crazy how it all happened but now the dust is settled and I'm ready to move forward.

Speaking of moving forward I have totally failed on even starting the Avatar Chat, that 0% is completely true. To get it done I have to dedicate the whole week to it. So again this week we will take it a bit slow, yet providing you with new things to do. I want to implement a new feature but I'm not sure which of the two I will implement. Help decide which one, but before you vote read the descriptions below.

Option 1:
Held Items - Your pokemon will be able to hold on to different items like the everstone, charcoal, etc. Items will be found in the wild when you defeat a pokemon, in the daily code, the game corner, and by using snd coins to get them.

Option 2: Winner!
Pokemon Abilities - Each pokemon will have their passive abilities like in the game, pokemon might randomly be assigned one of their abilities when you capture it. There will also be some unique abilities pokemon offered in the daily code, the game corner and by using snd coins to get them.

So think about which of these you like to see first (The "loser" will be added in a later date to the game) and vote today!

Okay so here is the list so far!

v4.6 is now out in the blog, the official release along with the Goldeen Mystery Gift will be available by Monday.

Avatar Chat (100%) - Done! Go check it out! *points at new tab on the blog
Pokedex Remembering what you catch even if you release or trade away (100%) - You must first save your game on v4.6 for this to take effect.
New Mystery Gift Pokemon (100%) - This pokemon is shiny, bright, expensive and heavy! Or is that just his name...it's Goldeen!

• Graphics (100%)
• Shiny Graphic (100%)
• Add this pokemon's stats into the game (100%)
• New Moves (2) (100%)
• Waterfall (100%)
• Soak (100%)

New Evolution (100%)

• Graphics (100%)
• Shiny Graphic (100%)
• Add this pokemon's stats into the game (100%)

New Feature (100%) - Abilities - More abilities will be added each week. The reason for this is things like evasion and accuracy attacks are not properly implemented yet and some of the abilities are related to these stats. So I need to add those before I add those abilities.

• Added Abilities for the starter pokemon (100%)
• Overgrow - Bulbasaur, Ivysaur, Venusaur - Increased damage by x1.5 on Grass attacks when you are below or at 1/3 of your total life. Your pokemon will glow Green when this ability is activated.
• Blaze - Charmander,Charmeleon, Charizard - Increased damage by x1.5 on Fire attacks when you are below or at 1/3 of your total life. Your pokemon will glow Orange when this ability is activated.
• Torrent - Squirtle, Wartortle, Blastoise - Increased damage by x1.5 on Water attacks when you are below or at 1/3 of your total life. Your pokemon will glow Blue when this ability is activated.

Trading Center - trades will last a max of 10 days before being taken down (100%) - Logging into the trading center will refresh the days left of your trades back to 10 days.
Trading Center - Sort the pokemon when you are offering a trade by number (100%)
The move Spark now correctly shows the right attack color when attacking (100%) 
Slow down speed to x1 when an achievement shiny pokemon shows up (100%)

Weekly Questions from the Forums!


1. Hypermania/Samzy: Do you plan to be FINISHED with the game after Mewthree? Will there be any post-game things to do, so after the main story is completed?

Sam: The main story will be finished, things to do after are playing multiplayer and trying to catch them all.


2. mudemude12: Will more legends from other regions help in the game? (e.g. Celebi, Entei, Raikou, Suicune)

Sam: Since Generation 1 has a limited amount of legendaries, I will introduce some from other generations.

3. JohtoTrainer: Why do you recolor the walking sprites with shiny colors from battle sprites instead of simply using the shiny walking sprites?
Sam: When I first looking for the sprite I didn't find the shiny ones so I had a friend (Haplo) create them. For a possible sequel I will just grab them from there :D

4. JohtoTrainer: Have you considered adding, in some way, Pokemon with event-only moves? (e.g. Surfing Pikachu and Flying Pikachu)
Sam: Yeah, I do think about that, it's more about finding a good timing for it.

5. NinjaGod: Can we possibly get some type of ignore function for the trade center? (I get a lot of spam/lowball requests from the same users and I'd like to be able to auto ignore them.)
Sam: Yes! When will it happen I don't know yet.

6. Marth: When we beat the game will there be a challenge mode where you implement yourself in to the game as the game creator and send every pokemon out one by one shiny and non-shiny until you have sent out every pokemon in shiny and non shiny form and then give us a special avatar? o.o to show we beat the game and the really hard challenge mode

Sam: Sounds interesting, I might do something like that after the game is done.

7. ninja_trainer: Are you going to make challenge mode versions of every gym?

Sam: Not necessarily, but when the story is over I might go back and add more challenge levels.

8. ninja_trainer: Are you going to use some of the Fan-made levels in the game as story levels?
Sam: Probably not, most fan made suggestions are for challenge levels. I enjoy making the story levels myself :)
9. Ace: If, by any chance, Nintendo takes a sudden liking to PTD and would give you tons of dollars to buy it off of you, would you accept and why?
Sam: I think I would accept, one because it's their property and two because they have a lot more resources than me and the game can be a lot more polished and appear on the DS.
10. NinjaGod: Will there be mini-games in PTD for various prizes? (e.g. Duck Hunt -> Pidgey Hunt)
Sam: Sure, this is more about finding the time to create the mini games. There is a lot to be done in the game before I can think about adding mini games.

11. yamamitai: Will we have another chance to catch the weekly code only Pokemon like regular Staryu and Tentacool?
Sam: Yea! Once we get to the spots where they show up in the game or when you get a better rod you will be able to catch them like any other pokemon.

12. gogogogo99: Will you add more things to buy at the game corner?

Sam: Yes! Held items and pokemon with different abilities will show up in the game corner.

13: aleony: Will you ever do special holiday events and give out a special pokemon for that reason?

 Sam: Yes, I think people enjoy things like that :)

14: Crazymerio: If this company ever expands, will you consider hiring another programer in order to decrease the work load and get more done in a week, or however long you plan on programming something? If this company does get larger, do you still plan on trying to listen to your fans to the best of your ability?

Sam: Programmers are really hard to hire because it's hard to really measure how skilled they are. The ideal candidate is somebody who has made a game in flash before in Action Script 3 and that their game is popular and played by many people. Also it is hard because PTD has tens of thousands lines of code so just hiring a programmer and expecting them to start working right away is not realistic. It would take months before they could work on it without much hand holding. But having said that we are always in the look out for talent and plan to expand more in the future. Also we would always try to listen to feedback and make the creation of our games be something kind of like a journey between us the developers and you the fans :)
As I get more done I will add more to the list, as always let me know what you think!