Gold hack: Pokemon Aurum Version

[kkj1116]

Storyline:

Spoiler:

You are the grandson of the Dragon Elder, hailing from Blackthorn City's Dragon Clan. On your birthday you are presented with your own Dragon Pokemon and the task of proving your worth as a Dragon Clan member and also a trainer. However, the feat is a considerably difficult one: you must prove to the rest of the world that Dragons are indeed a separate, legitimate class of Pokemon.

This is harder than it sounds; most people in the world are opposed to a type devoted to ancient reptiles from old folklore. On top of this, you are to collect all the 7 badges in the Johto region to gain the Pokemon League's official approval. If it wasn't burdensome enough, your cousin decides that she, too, wants to carry the honor of bringing glory to the Dragon Clan, and there is a new criminal organization that is establishing its hold in the region's metropolis that you must stop.

Your ultimate goal, then, is to become the very best that no one ever was!

Features:

Spoiler:

• Removal of key features, such as Pokedex and PokeGear, to match the new trainer type
• Removal of PokeBalls from PokeMarts; you will have to scavenge the region to find some, and you will also be given many different Pokemon throught your journey
• Removal of optional sidequests; small quests are a mandatory part of your main quest, resulting in an easier, more linear game plot
• Removal of some original areas; some wild areas of Johto as well as most of Kanto is inaccessible
• Newly refined, older yet more wild Johto region to accomodate the new setting
• New maze-like wild areas that will drive you mad; a maze of forests, a maze of rocks and ledges, a maze of waterfalls, and a maze of boxes have been added!
• New trainer front and backsprite for the trainer page and battles
• New overworld colors: yellow and purple have been added
• New, personally-designed tiles to make graphics look consistent
• Imported tilesets from both Red/Blue/Yellow and Crystal; this means Victory Road, Game Corner, Ice Path and much more have returned!
• Imported palettes to match the new graphics; Ice Path's vivid colors come to mind!
• Imported music from Crystal; a new game should have some music most people haven't heard, right?
• Edited Pokemon and move types for consistency; see Gyarados's Water and Flying type for an obvious example
• Edited menu and borders to mimic the first generation games; this means no backpack graphics and no menu descriptions

Screenshots:

Spoiler:

Credits and Thanks:

Spoiler:

• Mateo and Miksy91 - For the tutorials and support they gave me throughout the years
• Poketto and Squall - For designing the trainer backsprite graphic upon request
• Tauwasser - For the tileset extension patch, the scripting compendium, and help
• Skeetendo Forums - For providing a place for resources and learning

Notice:

Unfortunately, owing to data loss and no available backups, I am unable to continue this project.

If you were a fan of Pokémon Aurum Version, I'd like to apologize for the disappointment; two years of hard work has gone down the drain due to a combination of bad luck and my lack of computer common sense.

However, I will keep hacking Generation II and will post updates once enough progress has been made.
Be sure to check my new account for my next work!

[PokemonMasters]

whoah. a new hack is up . i thought someone revived a thread, but this is a new hack c: . goodluck!

[Midnite]

this looks really cool cant wait to play

[kkj1116]

Originally Posted by PokemonMasters

whoah. a new hack is up . i thought someone revived a thread, but this is a new hack c: . goodluck!

Originally Posted by Midnite

this looks really cool cant wait to play

Thank you both!

It will be a while until another Alpha or a Beta will be released, as my summer vacation is ending soon and I will be busy until next year.
But I will try to release preliminary videos as I build up progress. Trainer scripting and basic scripts aren't hard to make, so my main problem will be assembly hacking.

[DarkRisingGirl]

This looks really cool. The story is unique as well. Will some of the newer dragon pokemon be in it as well? Either way, it looks great. Goodluck!

[miksy91]

I really like how this hack is turning out and it's great to see and hear more than you'll just be playing as Lance in the old times (which is something others here didn't know about).

P.S
The maps made with expanded block data seem to make a huge difference. Perhaps I should also start using Tauwasser's Tileset Extension patch but have been just too lazy to work it out.

[gam3r!]

Awesome project man ! I'm looking forward to play it !
But i would like to ask a couple of things ..Why Kanto isn't available ? And since there are no marts you have to have lots of potions and repels in the wild

[kkj1116]

Originally Posted by DarkRisingGirl

This looks really cool. The story is unique as well. Will some of the newer dragon pokemon be in it as well? Either way, it looks great. Goodluck!

Additional feedback! I really am happy to see more replies.

To answer your question in-depth: it is something I have thought about, but I've decided with a "no". It's a personal issue more than anything; I haven't really explored post-Gen. 3 Pokemon and the only dragon-esque Pokemon I know about are the Bagon family, Trapinch family, and Swablu family - all of which are pretty Hoenn. I'm supplementing this lack of actual dragon types with dragon-esque Pokemon such as Larvitar, Charizard and Lapras. I figured that since I am going for an old-time Johto feel, I shouldn't add new Pokemon. I am open to reconsidering if enough feedback tells me to think otherwise, however.

Originally Posted by miksy91

I really like how this hack is turning out and it's great to see and hear more than you'll just be playing as Lance in the old times (which is something others here didn't know about).

P.S

The maps made with expanded block data seem to make a huge difference. Perhaps I should also start using Tauwasser's Tileset Extension patch but have been just too lazy to work it out.

For others who did not know: I had planned this to be a strictly Lance-based storyline in which you were named Lance and you had very little choice. But I figured that it'd be more enjoyable if people could forge their own dragon trainer adventures.

I definitely recommend using the tileset extension as it is very straightforward (once you understand the data, and being the pioneer you are I am sure you can!). It allows for extra blocks [suitable for that one before-forest route in Dark Future in which you can have a grassy entrance].

Originally Posted by gam3r!

Awesome project man ! I'm looking forward to play it !

But i would like to ask a couple of things ..Why Kanto isn't available ? And since there are no marts you have to have lots of potions and repels in the wild

Glad you are looking forward to it, I am too! I haven't done any trainer battles yet.

To address your Kanto question simply: it's too much work and I had never originally intended to keep Kanto. This hack started out as a simple background story for Lance that eventually evolved into a Dragon trainer's adventure. Like with DarkRisingGirl's issue above, I have a supplement: all Kanto trainer flags will be used in Johto. This means tons of more trainers in a smaller space; this, in turn, means trainers in towns, houses, perhaps even marts.

Speaking of marts.. I am including marts. The only mart that is being shut down is the Goldenrod MegaMart for plot purposes. In all other marts, I will not be including PokeBalls of any sort (I am planning to remove the PokeBalls pocket). PokeBalls will either have to be found in the Wild, or made out of Apricorns which will be highly expensive. I'm also considering making basic items as Potions and Repels a bit more expensive. But most items in the wild will be a combination of frequently used items and pure-money items (nuggets and the like). I never understood the logic behind putting valuable items such as Carbos and Calcium. I am open to reconsideration regarding what kind of items will be found, however.

* Edit: I added another section on the main post regarding feedback. So if you've not seen it yet but would like to say something to improve the hack, go read it! *

[gam3r!]

But why removing pokeballs? Also the apricorn balls are nearly frustrating to make.

[kkj1116]

Originally Posted by gam3r!

But why removing pokeballs? Also the apricorn balls are nearly frustrating to make.

Woah, that was a quick reply. I'm taking a liking to sticking around in this forum although I mainly check my own thread..

Think about it in the plot context: why should Dragon trainers be supplied with PokeBalls? That means you can catch a Caterpie, a Wobbufet, and Geodude. I wanted to deviate a slight bit from the normal gameplay.

I included Apricorns because I figured some players might desperately want a valid way to get PokeBalls. Of course you can always use Gameshark codes to get PokeBalls.

I'm building this hack's Pokemon-owning structure around retrieving them as prizes and gifts. People like Elm and Bill will give you select Pokemon, and you will able to get some in the Goldenrod Casino. Given these choices, it will be your decision to stick with a Gyarados or a Seaking, or maybe even both.

[DarkRisingGirl]

If its a post-Johto feel, then I understand your decision to not include newer gen dragons. But still...A hack mostly involving dragons...Idk, I feel some of the newer dragons Need to be in it. If anything, at least explore the Gible Family, Axew Family, and the Deino Family. Maybe Druddigon as well. If you still feel they don't deserve a spot, then its okay. But at least look them over ya know? Goodluck! I'll be checking in on this from time to time.

[miksy91]

Originally Posted by kkj1116

I definitely recommend using the tileset extension as it is very straightforward (once you understand the data, and being the pioneer you are I am sure you can!). It allows for extra blocks [suitable for that one before-forest route in Dark Future in which you can have a grassy entrance].

Ah, I do know how the patch works but haven't patched to the rom mainly because:
1) I've been lazy (I've been concentrating on storyline and events and not at mapping really).
2) There is always a possibility I figure I need to use that part of VRAM for something else because it does use a whole VRAM bank.

Anyway what I really should do though would be making all tilesets support 0x80 blocks for now and add another 0x80 with the patch if needed later.

To not get completely off-topic here, fixing the way how when Surf is used, you're being moved one step into the facing direction can be easily fixed through scripting (no asm coding needed). I don't know why you wanted to do anything about it but you can locate the "surf-script" in rom bank 0x3 by searching for the 16 [2-byte pointer] [Bank] to "[RAM address] used Surf!".

[gam3r!]

Originally Posted by kkj1116

Woah, that was a quick reply. I'm taking a liking to sticking around in this forum although I mainly check my own thread..

Think about it in the plot context: why should Dragon trainers be supplied with PokeBalls? That means you can catch a Caterpie, a Wobbufet, and Geodude. I wanted to deviate a slight bit from the normal gameplay.

I included Apricorns because I figured some players might desperately want a valid way to get PokeBalls. Of course you can always use Gameshark codes to get PokeBalls.

I'm building this hack's Pokemon-owning structure around retrieving them as prizes and gifts. People like Elm and Bill will give you select Pokemon, and you will able to get some in the Goldenrod Casino. Given these choices, it will be your decision to stick with a Gyarados or a Seaking, or maybe even both.

The only reason that i use pokeballs is to catch pokemon that i like and to strengthen up my team .
If you're not at adding kanto why not adding new areas to johto ?
@Dark rising girl I think that it's a prequel to g/s/c rather than post johto game because ( i think ) the player is lance and the game describes how lance became a dragon master
But i don't disagree adding new dragons from genIII genIV and genV

[kkj1116]

Originally Posted by DarkRisingGirl

If its a post-Johto feel, then I understand your decision to not include newer gen dragons. But still...A hack mostly involving dragons...Idk, I feel some of the newer dragons Need to be in it. If anything, at least explore the Gible Family, Axew Family, and the Deino Family. Maybe Druddigon as well. If you still feel they don't deserve a spot, then its okay. But at least look them over ya know? Goodluck! I'll be checking in on this from time to time.

Originally Posted by gam3r!

But i don't disagree adding new dragons from genIII genIV and genV

I looked at the new Dragon families and I must say, they look amazing! It certainly would be the popular decision to devamp a couple of Dragon Pokemon but that leaves us with some questions.


Here's some of the conceptual issues which I've had that made me not even consider adding new Pokemon in the first place:

• How would explain the disappearance of the new Dragon pokemon? After all, like gam3r! said, this is a prequel to RBY and GSC.
• If I add some Gen. 4 and 5 Pokemon, am I not obligated to include other Gen. 4 and 5 Pokemon? It seems a bit cheesy to pick and choose. If I add Garchomp, shouldn't I add Magnezone and Electivire?
• Adding New Pokemon will make some of their individuality disappear in the process. Since games past Gen. II employ an "abilities" stats and other features, some of the distinguishing characteristics of new Dragons and Pokemon will not be implemented.
• This also brings us to learnsets; new Pokemon will most likely learn moves nonexistent in the Gen. II games. New moves was something I really tried to avoid.

Now, the technical part:

• There are two ways of adding new Pokemon.
  • The first way would be to add another identifier byte. One hex byte goes upto 255 (including 0) so I'd be able to add only 4 Pokemon until I run out of room. This means that I have to relocate every Pokemon's base stats, I'd have to reconfigure the way Pokemon data is written to the RAM, I'd have to reprogram some of the scripting codes to include two bytes for identifying Pokemon, and much much more! Way too much work for adding a few Pokemon, and I had wanted a simple hack.
  • The second way would be to replace some of the existing Pokemon. This would shrink the pool of Pokemon normal/non-Dragon trainers can have. Also, this would mean that I'd have to replace rarely used Pokemon (and I had been planning to make use of most Pokemon). Replacing rarer Kanto Pokemon seems to be a good idea, but it just leaves me with an odd feeling, knowing that some Pokemon aren't accessible.
• If I add new Pokemon, I will need new back and frontsprites. As I am not a spriter, I'd need to find someone to do that for me.
• I'm also worried about new Pokemon Cry data. Most Cry Data is based on existing varities of one Pokemon's Cry - look at Charizard and Rhyhorn.

If more people keep telling me to add Pokemon, I will probably choose the second option. I have to reiterate that I am open to this new possibility, but I also have to stress that I have very good reasons [I think] for holding my original position. I know how cool it'd be to have new Dragons but just remember I'm more for consistency and continuity, not novelty.
Thanks again to both of you for the feedback. I assure you that I will make progress enough so it won't die out like other hacks.

Originally Posted by gam3r!

The only reason that i use pokeballs is to catch pokemon that i like and to strengthen up my team .

If you're not at adding kanto why not adding new areas to johto ?

Once again, regarding your desire to use PokeBalls: you can use Gameshark codes. There are tons of sites out there that offer Gameshark codes. I can provide you with a Gameshark code if you want. And I have to remind you that I am not removing them 100% from the game; just from shops.

As for new areas: I did add a couple new maps between Route 27 and Victory Road. They aren't vast but they are not in any of the RBY and GSC games. Yet, if you read my earlier statement, this was supposed to be an easy hack mostly for my own learning. I am hoping that me redesiging every single map down to every single block is enough:

• Dark Cave, Whirl Islands, and Mt. Mortar are brand new labyrinths.
• Ice Path has new sliding puzzles to accompany its Crystal graphics.
• Sprout Tower and Burnt Tower have been significantly changed.
• Tin Tower assumes the simpler role of the Pokemon Tower in RBY but it too is changed.
• All the routes have been changed. And the routes are not always easy.
• Brand new Rocket Hideout and challenge.
• Every gym has some kind of puzzle; I haven't released any screenshots yet (cause that'll give all the fun away) but the simplest puzzle is beating a trainer and unlocking a path.
• Every town has also been redesigned.

It might not be 100% new but it is still new, just based on a known region. If you'd like, I will release more screenshots in the next update. I just didn't want to give too much away on the first post.

Originally Posted by miksy91

To not get completely off-topic here, fixing the way how when Surf is used, you're being moved one step into the facing direction can be easily fixed through scripting (no asm coding needed). I don't know why you wanted to do anything about it but you can locate the "surf-script" in rom bank 0x3 by searching for the 16 [2-byte pointer] [Bank] to "[RAM address] used Surf!".

I suspect that I either unintentionally edited or deleted some part of this script. I'm having a bit of problem understanding what you mean.
I know that the player's name is located in RAM $D1A3. So I searched for 16 A3 51 03 but I know I'm doing something wrong. I also searched for the "[Player] used SURF!" string and I did not find any results both in ROM and RAM.

[gam3r!]

For the new pokemon stuff.. it's your own decision however if you consider adding new ones you should stick with dragon types .
From what i've read the routes are redesigned right ?

[DaleH771]

Wow this looks really good, the stroyline and everything all seem to fit together nicely, I love how its set before the Dragons place was flooded etc. And the graphic update changing the see borders to buoys, just brilliant, looks so much better!

[kkj1116]

Originally Posted by gam3r!

From what i've read the routes are redesigned right ?

Yes. Everything is redesigned.
Well not everything. Most maps; Ecruteak Dance Theatre, normal PokeMarts, normal residences, Japanese residences and Kurt's house are the same.
Mr. Pokemon's house has a minor tile edit. Besides that, every route, town, wild area, and Gym have been changed.

Originally Posted by DaleH771

Wow this looks really good, the stroyline and everything all seem to fit together nicely, I love how its set before the Dragons place was flooded etc. And the graphic update changing the see borders to buoys, just brilliant, looks so much better!

I'm bringing back a lot of the "older" things, and I will have NPC's to explain change of landscapes in some areas.
An example is Gyarados Lake (formerly known as Lake of Rage).
I particularly loved the buoys - wait 'til you see them glow at night!

[gam3r!]

cool ! I'm waiting to see it in action ! Though ( another QUESTION ) will there be a town map or something since you removed ( or not ?) pokegear ?
Also will you rescript everything ?

[kkj1116]

Originally Posted by gam3r!

cool ! I'm waiting to see it in action ! Though ( another QUESTION ) will there be a town map or something since you removed ( or not ?) pokegear ?
Also will you rescript everything ?

I don't mind the questions, I actually like them. Someone's taking an interest in my not-even-yet-released hack. :-)

Yes. I am going to add a Town Map. I'll probably go with Mateo's Town Map tutorial that he's uploaded on Skeetendo, but once I grasp assembly programming I will try to fix the palette problem that arises. There will be no Cell Phones, however.

I will rescript most of the NPC's (trainers and normal people) as well as key figures like Gym Leaders. I will probably leave Marts and PokeCenter scripts alone, as they are fine already.

[gam3r!]

oh ok ! Cool ! The starter will be a dratini ?

[kkj1116]

Originally Posted by gam3r!

oh ok ! Cool ! The starter will be a dratini ?

Of course. I'm wondering if it should be 3 Dratini or 1, with the two others given out through the journey. Lance does have 3 Dragonites. That doesn't mean you have to keep all of them. And, like the main post says, you will get other Pokemon from people.

I haven't been working with the hack for about 3 days now because I've been having some computer problems. But I got my files back so I should start working on it soon.

[gam3r!]

Cool But the dratini family was the only dragon type until genII ? Isn't gyarados a dragon type ?

[PokemonMasters]

Originally Posted by gam3r!

Cool But the dratini family was the only dragon type until genII ? Isn't gyarados a dragon type ?

no, Gyarados is water and flying.

[kkj1116]

You are correct, PokemonMasters.
Gyarados will be a Water/Dragon type in my hack.
I'm considering making Charizard and Tyranitar's secondary types Dragon as well.
However, I will still add them to the list of given Pokemon even if I end up leaving their types alone.

[IrishAurum]

I can't wait to play this on my youtube channel! It has my name in it!