The I.G. Spectrum - CAPTAIN HELIX_ Dev Log

This is THE place to find story exerpts, concept art, and all things develpoment on the upcoming game, "Captain Helix_".

[captainhelix]

Transmission 012

From: CNL

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So, if any of you had read the previous Transmission, I announced a game that will be released sometime after Captain Helix. This game is known as Wing Warrior, and features the rest of Captain Helix’s crew. The game is designed to be like the cancelled Star Fox 2 for the Super Nintendo, with a heavy emphasis on strategy. Let’s talk about the characters first.

First off is Scavenge, a robot that actually predates Captain Helix. While Helix has a 500 TB Hard Drive (In universe, the minimum for emulating brain activity), Scavenge gets by with a 300 TB. As such, he’s more prone to errors in calculations. He pilots a NEXUS-2Y “Blitz” model ship, a craft built for stronger attacks.

Second is Mainframe, who uses the brain activity of the man who designed Helix. A master engineer and pilot, his presence is a valuable asset to the team. He pilots the NEXUS-3X “Swift” model ship, designed with speed in mind.

Last, we have Dropshot, a modified “Heavy Harold” with the brain activity of Sergeant Saurus, the toughest sergeant in the Nereid Sector. His body was built to take a lot of damage, and he’s seen many battles won. He pilots the NEXUS-X7 “Guard” model ship, which has a thicker hull for more defense.

I look forward to developing this game later. For now, I need to work on Captain Helix. Until next time.

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Transmission Ended.

[captainhelix]

Transmission 011

From: Scavenge

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Scavenge here. I’m Captain Helix’s closest ally and head of the Wing Warrior squadron. While Captain Helix is off fighting the Ancients, a second threat is approaching the Nereid Sector.

They call themselves the Zodiac. Their leader, Gemini, has been in a galactic war with the Ancients for control of the galaxy. However, they’ll be nothing but scrap metal when we’re done with them.

Enter Wing Warrior, the companion game to Captain Helix. Me, Dropshot, and Mainframe are leading the battle against the Zodiac in an all-out aerial offensive. Since Helix is preoccupied, only we have the firepower to stop the Zodiac. I’ll see you when this game launches sometime next year.

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Transmission Ended.

[captainhelix]

Transmission 010

From: CNL

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Just an update: Captain Helix is STILL under production, but it will NOT make it to the expected Summer ‘16 release as originally planned. I feel like I should take this time to elaborate on the development process, and what’s holding me back.

First of all, the game has been modified. The game STILL uses a 5:3 aspect ratio of 400x240 pixels, but now the HUD has been moved to a border that gives us the targeted 16:9 aspect ratio. The game’s resolution, 640x360 pixels, was INTENTIONAL, as I wanted an anti-aliased look for the game, reminiscent of the Super Nintendo. With the border in place, we don’t have to scrap the pre-existing graphics, so that will help in the long run.

The thing that’s holding me back is a lack of a background designer and proper sound design. Without these, the game may never make it to you guys.

On the subject of the demo, I have decided to make a demo from the new, bordered engine. I still need time to finish the levels for the demo, but you’ll see it around June... if I can focus for that long. Until next time.

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Transmission Ended.

[captainhelix]

Transmission 009

From: CNL

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Hello, everyone. I am here to announce something.

Captain Helix is getting a MAJOR overhaul to the engine of the game. 

This is due to the old engine’s aspect ratio being that of a smartphone (5:3), as opposed to the standard 16:9 used by most televisions and monitors. However, it’s not as simple as increasing the ratio, as I also have to make the sprites bigger to make them easier to see on a modern TV. 

Expect news in the coming weeks. I’ll still make a demo of what I have on the old engine, although that will come later. For now, I’ll see you later.

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Transmission Ended.

[captainhelix]

Quick Update

From: CNL

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Hey, guys. Development on this game has slowed, mostly due to me burning out with graphic and sound design. I’m also rapidly getting ideas for a different game, which means not as many good ideas for Captain Helix. I’ve decided to take a break from programming the game... at least for now.

My break will be productive, however, as I’m working on a secondary project in the meantime. This secondary project, Project G.R.E.N.A.D.E., will be a hybrid of Bomberman-type gameplay with roguelike levels. I’ll work on it inbetween breaks from Captain Helix, and release it, for free, alongside Captain Helix.

I just wanted to let you guys know what’s been happening around here. Until next time.

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Transmission Ended.

[captainhelix]

Transmission 008

From: CNL

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Hey. Remember that level I showed off in the first video I posted for the game? Well, that level is finally finished, and it has new graphics, a new enemy, and new objects scattered about. So, because I finished up that level, I’m announcing a playable alpha demo release.

Sometime in the near future, I’ll release a demo of Captain Helix_ to the public, which will feature the intro stage and the 3 weapons in that video. Remember, the game’s still in development, so graphics and level design aren’t final. Some things I forgot to mention:

-The game supports the XBOX ONE and PlayStation 4 controllers, so if you have those, you can use them.

-The multiplayer mode, first mentioned in a previous Transmission, has not been programmed at all. I have had no one to test it, as my friends are always busy. If I can get someone to help test it, that would be great.

-Finally, I may need to push the release back to FALL of 2016. Things aren’t going as fast in development as I thought, so a delay might happen. I’ll keep you posted on that.

The demo SHOULD be up by the 5th, so I’ll see you then. Until next time.

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Transmission Ended.

[captainhelix]

Transmission 007

From: Epsilon

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So, it seems this adventure is a video game... which would make me the Penultimate Boss... Well, players, let me shed some light on how hard this quest will be for you...

Imagine playing a Mega Man X game... with one life, and health that carries over from level to level. Imagine the spikes taking at least 10 HP a second, ultimately destroying those not quick enough to leave. Imagine all of the enemies taking 5 or more hits to destroy, each attack from them dealing 3 damage or more. This is how hard Captain Helix will be.

There is hope for you, player. Scattered across the levels of your pathetic quest are the weapons we rightfully stole, allowing you to defeat the other bosses and gain the armor parts for the Helix Model 2. However, even WITH all that help, you’ll still need to beat the Griik Station’s levels IN ONE SITTING.

Good luck, players. I have a feeling you’ll need it. Epsilon, OUT!

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Transmission Ended.

[captainhelix]

Transmission 006

From: CNL

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Hey, it’s CNL. This is a view of the first level, Nereid Lab, in the Room Editor view. Those strange structures in the background do look strange... and strangely familiar. Why, you ask?

Here’s why. The intro stage’s background props are all inspired by Mega Man 1′s hilariously awful box art. It’s just something I wanted to put into the game, as a nod to one of gaming’s biggest blunders. (the box, not the game!)

Oh, and before anyone asks, I am using GameMaker:Studio to make Captain Helix. Lots of games today use it, such as Hotline Miami and Undertale. Well, I gotta go. This game’s got a lot of work ahead of it. Until next time.

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Transmission Ended

[captainhelix]

Message about any questions.

From: Captain Helix, CNL

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Hey there. Captain Helix here. I just wanted to say thanks to the people that followed me in the past week. Means a lot to me. CNL, the lead programmer and head of production on my game wanted me to say that, if anyone has any questions about the game, just message him. 

(CNL here. I’m thrilled that people are taking note of my game! It may not be my first game ever, but it IS the first one I will actually RELEASE. Again, message me if you have any questions. Until next time.)

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Message Ended.

[captainhelix]

Transmission 005

From: CNL

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Hey there, CNL here again. I’ve FINALLY got some prototype sprites for the bosses scanned to my PC. These are two of the boss characters, using sprites from the Level Intro screen. These are NOT the final sprites, but still look pretty good. (NOTE: These were designed on Flipnote Studio 3D. That explains the low color count.)

This is Beta, the first boss I designed for Captain Helix. He is (at the moment) the boss of the Ice Planet, Fruzt. He’s quick, but not very durable. Hit him with enough force, and down he goes.

This is Gamma, the second boss I designed for Captain Helix. He is (again, at the moment) the boss of the Rock Planet, Cenyos. His armor is very sturdy, but also heavy, cutting his mobility. Stay far away, and he can’t do much at all.

So, these are a few of the bosses for the game. These guys will NOT go down without a fight, so I hope your skills are on point. Until next time...

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Transmission Ended

[captainhelix]

Transmission 004

FROM: CNL (the developer)

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Hello again! Captain Helix has let me use his personal log to talk about the development of his game. Let’s go over some of the things in the game.

1) In terms of levels, the game will have 1 intro stage, 4 worlds with 2 levels and a boss each, and a final world with 3 levels and 2 bosses. Pretty short, I know, but beating the game unlocks Hard Mode, which adds 2 HARDER levels to each world!

2) The weapon system allows you to quickly switch weapons between any of the 3 you bring into it. Weapons can be earned by collecting them in levels, or by beating bosses.

3) This game is all about mobility and positioning, so I’ve implemented the Dash and Double Jump to help get around.

4) You have one life and 100 health, which carries over to the next level. You MUST get health pickups if you hope to survive!

5) Finally, there is a multiplayer mode and a score attack mode. For multiplayer, both players must have an XInput-compatible controller (such as the XBOX ONE pad.) Try these out when the game releases!

Thank you for reading, and I hope you’ll play the game when it launches in Summer 2016!

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Transmission Ended.

[captainhelix]

FROM: Captain Helix

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It appears that my quest in the Nereid Sector is being recorded... Although the video footage reminds me of some game on the Super NES... Nevertheless, This is what I look like in battle.

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Transmission Ended.

(Hey, this is the blog’s admin, CNL. I’m so glad I could FINALLY reveal the Captain Helix videogame to the world! I’ve been programming this game for about 3 weeks now, COMPLETELY by myself. For all zero of you reading this, thank you.)

[captainhelix]

Transmission 004

FROM: Captain Helix

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Things have gotten complicated. The Nereid Collective Laboratories have reported that 12 of their weapon prototypes have gone missing from the archives. I asked them about these weapons, and they gave a description for some of them. 

First is the Ricochet Bomb, a recoiling explosive that detonates after one second, or upon contact with a static charge. Next is the Electro Mace, a device that spins around the user in a circular arc. Finally is the Cosmic Barrier, a shield that deflects all damage, but only briefly.

It would seem that the Ancients have taken these to weaken the Nereid Sector’s defenses while simultaneously strengthening their own. I’ll have to retrieve the disks they were stored on and return them to their rightful owners.

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Transmission Ended.

[captainhelix]

Transmission 003

FROM: Epsilon

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Yo. The name’s Epsilon. Yeah, I’m part of the Ancients, and yeah, I hacked Helix’s private feed, no big deal. Let me give you the low-down on us Ancients: We’re not to be messed with. ESPECIALLY Alpha. Trust me on that.

I’m Alpha’s second in command, which means I have AUTHORITY. There are four other Ancient leaders on Alpha’s squadron: Beta, Delta, Gamma, and Phi. Each one has mastered a specific skill that could EASILY smash Helix into scrap metal. And even IF he destroys those four chumps, He’ll never make it past ME.

Oh, and one more thing: once we have conquered the Nereid Sector, we’re coming for YOUR galaxy! HA HA HA HA HA!!!!

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Transmission Ended.

[captainhelix]

Transmission 002

FROM: Captain Helix

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I’ve just received word that the Ancients are planning an attack on the Nereid Sector of our galaxy. The squadron consists of the leader, Alpha, four of his closest allies, and a massive army of mass produced combat droids.

I stand as the lone protector of this Sector. I may not be much, but with the advanced weaponry the Nereid Collective Laboratory has developed, I can take these threats down. I leave for the Nereid Sector in 2 hours, and the trip could take a while. I’ll keep you posted.

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Transmission Ended.

[captainhelix]

Transmission 001

FROM: Captain Helix

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I am Helix. This message is to anyone who wishes to follow me: I need your help. You see, there are evil robotic entities known as the Ancients. Led by the tyrannical Omega, these beings threaten the entire universe.

I am on a mission to eradicate this threat by any means necessary. I need your support, which you can give by following my journeys. Together we can destroy this menacing group once and for all.

I’m counting on you. End Transmission.

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Transmission Ended