Ruby hack: Pokémon Dragonstone

[AlexTheRose]

Pokémon Dragonstone Version

Statistics

• Current version: Alpha 1.60
• Hack creator: AlexTheRose
• ROM base: Pokémon Ruby Version (U) (POKEMON RUBYAXVE10)

Credits

• Hinkage, for much inspiration
• Alistair and Pokémon Hackers Online, for the wonderful tiles
• Nintendo, for Pokémon
• AlexTheRose (me), for pretty much everything else

Storyline

In the region of Kohto, north of Kanto, you begin your journey after falling from the skies into the Opalian metropolis. Scouting out refuge with no Pokémon to protect you, you find an old man who gifts you a special abandoned Surskit. Many amazing characters and features appear, both new and old: the Trick Master becomes a millionare off of his Mechadolls, which are now used for virtually anything and everything automated. Teams Magma and Aqua have regrouped and formed an alliance aimed at capturing Rayquaza, the legendary Pokémon of the sky. Creator and programmer Hinkage of Pokémon 2Awesome and Pokémon Hyetology makes an in-game appearance as a major story plot character. All of this is packed into a neat little file called Pokémon Dragonstone Version, which is available here at the PokéCommunity – for free.

Video Preview

Game Screenshots

Tech Details and Downloads

[LATEST] Alpha 1.60 (α1.6)

Advance Patch (.aps): Download
Lunar IPS Patch (.ips): Download
Tsukuyomi/NUPS UPS Patch (.ups): Download

Known bugs

1. Player obtains HM for Cut instead of the intended move Strength
2. Screen isn't centered on player after gym battle in Opal
3. Glitch in message while talking to Prof. Yew
4. Certain events aren't required to advance in the story (Rival event, etc)
5. Poké Mart in the Opal Intercity doesn't sell Poké Balls or Repel

[Outdated] Alpha 1.05 (α1.05)

Lunar IPS (.ips) | WinZip archive (.zip)
Advance Patch (.aps) | WinZip archive (.zip)
Tsukiyomi/NUPS (.ups) | WinZip archive (.zip)
Lunar IPS (.ips) | 7-Zip archive (.7z)
Advance Patch (.aps) | 7-Zip archive (.7z)
Tsukiyomi/NUPS (.ups) | 7-Zip archive (.7z)
Lunar IPS (.ips) | WinRAR archive (.rar)
Advance Patch (.aps) | WinRAR archive (.rar)
Tsukiyomi/NUPS (.ups) | WinRAR archive (.rar)

Known bugs

1. Script for bookshelf inside Opal City PokéCenter glitches; not functioning properly
2. Person next to bookshelf inside Opal Intercity PokéCenter glitches; not functioning properly FIXED IN ALPHA 1.6

[Outdated] Alpha 1.00 (α1.0)

Lunar IPS (.ips) | WinZip archive (.zip)
Advance Patch (.aps) | WinZip archive (.zip)
Tsukiyomi/NUPS (.ups) | WinZip archive (.zip)
Lunar IPS (.ips) | 7-Zip archive (.7z)
Advance Patch (.aps) | 7-Zip archive (.7z)
Tsukiyomi/NUPS (.ups) | 7-Zip archive (.7z)
Lunar IPS (.ips) | WinRAR archive (.rar)
Advance Patch (.aps) | WinRAR archive (.rar)
Tsukiyomi/NUPS (.ups) | WinRAR archive (.rar)

Known bugs

1. Can encounter Pokémon in tall grass prior to receiving a starter in the eastern Opal Outskirts FIXED IN ALPHA 1.05
2. Many warps in the Opal Intercity and the northern Opal Outskirts lead to warp 0 at map 0 in map bank 0 (Opal Intercity Gym doors, outside) FIXED IN ALPHA 1.05

Change Log

May 19, 2013 !~09:45 UTC

• Added embedded video preview

May 16, 2013 ~20:45 UTC

• Added to bug list for Alpha 1.6
• Changed author's username color

January 25, 2013 ~09:30 UTC

• Fixed error in bug list
• Fixed timestamp in change log

January 25, 2013 ~08:45 UTC

• Added bug list for Alpha 1.6

September 10, 2012 ~02:00 UTC

• Added official credits list

September 10, 2012 ~01:30 UTC

• Release of Alpha 1.6
• Updated all thread screenshots with images from new release
• Changed download formatting, omitting the use of archives

May 30, 2012 ~14:00 UTC

• Added bugs to α1.05 bug list

May 23, 2012 ~02:15 UTC

• Changed all styling in OP to pure CSS

March 15, 2012 ~21:15 UTC

• Added ROM base information

March 9, 2012 ~18:45 UTC

• Updated opening post CSS
• Added change log
• Updated thread with Alpha 1.05.

Closing Notes

• Banner spriters are welcome to PM me if they'd like to make a banner for this hack, as the reward is a name on the credits list.

[MrElephant]

Sounds like a good story. I like the starter you chose. It is kind of random.

[SwiftSign]

I like the story so far, however what you have written is basically a summary of the first 10 minutes of gameplay. It would be nice to include some background or hint at what could be happening in this new dimension. Information about MEGA-Corp would be great as they seem to have importance? ;D

I like the choice of Starter, Surskit is one of my favourites :3. I also appreciate how there is an emotional connection to the starter rather than just being given it.

Some criticisms:

Spoiler:

Your mapping seems to be your Achilles Heel, some portions are very square like:



It could do with a bit more variety: less straight tree boundaries in particular.

Your use of rocks and hedges is also excessive, generally I wouldn't include rocks far away from a mountain/ledge area as they look out of place. Hedges should probably be used more sparingly and if you want a big hedge use the connectable ones.

Keep up the good work and I look forward to finding out how the story develops.

[AlexTheRose]

Originally Posted by SwiftSign

I like the story so far, however what you have written is basically a summary of the first 10 minutes of gameplay. It would be nice to include some background or hint at what could be happening in this new dimension. Information about MEGA-Corp would be great as they seem to have importance? ;D

I like the choice of Starter, Surskit is one of my favourites :3. I also appreciate how there is an emotional connection to the starter rather than just being given it.

Some criticisms:

Spoiler:

Your mapping seems to be your Achilles Heel, some portions are very square like:



It could do with a bit more variety: less straight tree boundaries in particular.

Your use of rocks and hedges is also excessive, generally I wouldn't include rocks far away from a mountain/ledge area as they look out of place. Hedges should probably be used more sparingly and if you want a big hedge use the connectable ones.

Keep up the good work and I look forward to finding out how the story develops.

Well, that square-ish area was sort of unfinished ; I'm hardly ever tentative when it comes to placing eye candy in a hack

The hedges were part of a chain pattern, hence why there's so many of them.

[Tubby31]

How far goes this first version?

[kebbles]

Hey, this looks good. I like the story its creative and original. Are there Gyms and E4 like normal? or..? And I dont think a bug Pokemon is a goiod starter, yeah now its okay but when you progress and the game gets harder wont we struggle with Masquerain? like Masquerain verses a blastoise for example? I dunno thats just my opinion, maybe make him learn some ice moves, as Masquerain is the only bug capable of learning ice attacks.

Anyway you have my support, and if u need help just pm me

[AlexTheRose]

Originally Posted by kebbles

Hey, this looks good. I like the story its creative and original. Are there Gyms and E4 like normal? or..? And I dont think a bug Pokemon is a goiod starter, yeah now its okay but when you progress and the game gets harder wont we struggle with Masquerain? like Masquerain verses a blastoise for example? I dunno thats just my opinion, maybe make him learn some ice moves, as Masquerain is the only bug capable of learning ice attacks.

Anyway you have my support, and if u need help just pm me

I'll be progressively powering up Surskit's and Masquerain's stats to match that of your regular semi-tank starter (surprising, I know). Also, your note about Masquerain learning Ice-type attacks is quote inclusion-worthy; it'll probably be in the next alpha.

[WillPowerPedro]

This sounds good. Maybe wanna change up the tiles a bit. ANd your mapping could use some work. Just suggesting, though. The only problem is that your username reminds me of some guy I knew who was a total backstabbing jerk, but other than that, keep up the good work. :D

[playplayj]

I don't have the time to download this right now and play it, could someone please tell me what the starters are?

[kebbles]

Originally Posted by playplayj

I don't have the time to download this right now and play it, could someone please tell me what the starters are?

Surskit lol..


And yeah good idea raising the stats.
Ill be following this game good luck bro

[playplayj]

I'll play this when I get the time... With a name like dragonstone I was hoping for like Dratini, Bagon, and something else like bringing in Gible from gen 4, oh well it's now my hack, I look forward to the progression of this though.

[Ultimo1991]

Seems like an interesting hack, so ive decided to follow this hack and good luck to you i hope you complete it an it turns out well

oh also could you change the pink background to something a lil darker cause it makes it a lil bit hard to read

[godlesplay]

Originally Posted by playplayj

With a name like dragonstone I was hoping for like Dratini, Bagon, and something else like bringing in Gible from gen 4

oh yeah I was hoping that too

[AlexTheRose]

I'm thinking of implementing Dratini and Dragonair into a major story plot for the game… Kind of like how Groudon is Ruby's mascot, but you don't start out with a Ground-type legendary ^^;

[Hacker Bisharp]

Nice hack. The tilescreen is fantastic

[Joshawott]

This is looking pretty good! Secretly, I'm a huge fan of hacks that use the tiles of the corresponding game.

[DrFuji]

Hacker Bisharp, please don't bump threads that haven't been posted in for over a month.

AlexTheRose, if you want this to be reopened then just message either myself or giradialkia.

EDIT: Reopened.

[AlexTheRose]

A new alpha is in the works and should be out soon, but until then I'd like you to read some character concepts I've come up with! As these are simply concepts, they may be slightly different when rendered into the game, or might not be included.

These ideas will likely be scrapped, so don't get your hopes up of the things mentioned here appearing in the game.

Pokémon Dragonstone character concepts

The player's first rival

This is your childhood friend, and will be battling you early on. His sprite will be that of Wally's from the canon games. His name is Julius, and he's very shy and likes to battle with Special moves and stats, boasting an IQ that's over 130.

The player's second rival

This is the person that lives in your insulated and heated shed (with power/water of course) since she has no home of her own. She has the sprite of a female Team Magma grunt and the battle sprite of Courtney from Ruby. Her name is Octavia, and she's that one person you know that's a crazy fanatic and is too far gone to realize the thing she's fanatical about has long since died. In this case she was a Magma grunt who didn't want to give up after Maxie retired and the group disbanded. She's friendly to most everyone and wants to revive Team Magma in the name of good all on her own.

[kebbles]

Originally Posted by AlexTheRose

A new alpha is in the works and should be out soon, but until then I'd like you to read some character concepts I've come up with! As these are simply concepts, they may be slightly different when rendered into the game, or might not be included.

Pokémon Dragonstone character concepts

The player's first rival

This is your childhood friend, and will be battling you early on. His sprite will be that of Wally's from the canon games. His name is Julius, and he's very shy and likes to battle with Special moves and stats, boasting an IQ that's over 130.

The player's second rival

This is the person that lives in your insulated and heated shed (with power/water of course) since she has no home of her own. She has the sprite of a female Team Magma grunt and the battle sprite of Courtney from Ruby. Her name is Octavia, and she's that one person you know that's a crazy fanatic and is too far gone to realize the thing she's fanatical about has long since died. In this case she was a Magma grunt who didn't want to give up after Maxie retired and the group disbanded. She's friendly to most everyone and wants to revive Team Magma in the name of good all on her own.

Nice to see this is still progressing
I like the idea of the first Rival, but Rival 2 i don't really like, The Magma idea is great but the no home, and crazy lady idea isn't that great, it kinda seems like u got lazy and didn't want to add any new sprites. Good luck with the alpha and I wanna play it

[AlexTheRose]

Originally Posted by kebbles

Nice to see this is still progressing
I like the idea of the first Rival, but Rival 2 i don't really like, The Magma idea is great but the no home, and crazy lady idea isn't that great, it kinda seems like u got lazy and didn't want to add any new sprites. Good luck with the alpha and I wanna play it

I think you're right, I kind of rushed that. Maybe its because I'm not super-interested in spriting or using custom sprites…?

[PokeFreak201306]

how do you hack the actual game cartridge and play with system? pm me answeerr

[mastsethi]

I have to highlight the words so I can read it with that background lol

[Suicune™]

I love the storyline and the title, I'll try it out and feedback.

[Pokehacker1]

It's interesting, but it looks a lot like ruby. Maybe you should get a dude to tile or something.

[Shaly]

Goddamn! Happy this is still going on :D... where does the alpha end btw?

Keep it up!