Hack name:
Pokemon Phantasm
Hack of:
Emerald/Fire Red (currently undecided)
Information about the hack:
Pokemon Phantasm takes place in the Menda Region, a very mountainous continent shaped as a large peninsula. It is known for its two key features, the Nox Mountain Range, and Late Aeternus. Lake Aeternus is an incredibly large lake which is housed in the middle of Menda, with rivers connecting it to the sea, and separating the land mass. The Nox Mountain Range forms a crescent around most of Menda. As such, many of the towns and cities were built either in valleys or near mountain tops. Because of these mountains, Menda has varied climates and environments, with extremes potentially being quite close to one another. Travel is slightly similar to Unova, where you go around the region essentially in a circle.
Lore and legend surround this region, with tales of a pokemon capable of granting one's greatest desires. With such power existing, humans sought after it for their own benefit. Wars were fought, and Menda was torn. Seeing the havoc caused, the legendary pokemon hid itself away at the bottom of Lake Aeternus. According to legend, it created a tower from its own desires to reside in, and rests there still. Some people still search for a path to the tower, believing humans in the past had attempted tunneling their way under the lake.
(The pokemon in question will either be Verita, the Reality Pokemon, or Jirachi. Verita would be the only Fakemon, and as such it may be worth it to simply stick with Jirachi. At most, modifying some stats and moves).
The story begins and progresses as most traditional Pokemon games go. You and your energetic best friend receive your first Pokemon (Johto starters) and head off on your journey to take on the Menda Pokemon League. As you progress, you start noticing strange people wearing garbs of purple and black. As you investigate and progress further, you learn they are members of an organization known as Team Fantasia, who's ambitions are to wish for a new world to replace the one we live in today. They intend to wipe out the planet, then build (wish) and rule the new one they'll create from the ashes of old. You and your friend put the Pokemon League on hold and stop team Fantasia, then you go on to become champion with the encouragement of your friend, who chooses to stay on the lookout for Team Fantasia and stop any new plans they make.
Finished percentage:
Story: 85%
-- The story and general outline for going through the main game is finished. Post game and relevant story dialogue is still being worked on.
Development: 0%
-- I haven't started any development yet. Between lack of experience, focusing on the story, and indecision on the ROM + tilesets I want to use, I haven't touched development at all yet. That's why I'm making this post afterall.
Pre-Planning: 7%
-- I have the world map sketch and locations 60-70% complete. I have all major (fly) locations such as towns and cities planned out and where most main routes will be. I still need to figure out a LOT of specifics, such as general design of routes, wild encounters, personalities, etc. I really need to focus a
LOT on the routes though. Due to the mountainous terrain, most routes go
through mountains, not around/over them. As such, there are a lot of cave routes. I'm going to be spicing them up quite a bit, possibly having small camps/towns with some more color and life, rather than bland, boring, brown (sometimes grey) caves. Regarding this much, there will still be some routes that involve climbing or descending mountains, there just won't be as many as there are caves.
I also still need to plan some smaller towns, defining features of existing towns and cities, extra post-game areas, and content to fill said areas. I have a ways to go, but I'm actively thinking of stuff.
Your hacking skills:
Currently, the only hacking skill I really have is
mapping. I am starting to learn how to script soon (after I finish most of the pre-planning) and I don't really count knowing how to use most programs such as G3T, YAPE, etc as my hacking skill; I am still learning the ins and outs of it all, including when new data needs to be allocated in existing free space.
If it counts, I think I'm pretty good at the more story-telling, planning, and characterization side of hacking. I've written short dialogues and such before in high school just as some simple creative writing, and several friends and teachers enjoyed it. If anything, I feel like I bring the most to the table in that aspect.
What help or skill you're looking for:
-- I am primarily looking for
scripters, who hopefully may be able to help me learn scripting a bit quicker myself.
-- More
mappers wouldn't hurt, but I would need to talk to them extensively to get the visuals of the region and areas across a bit more.
--
Artists who can make tilesets, sprites (especially sprites mother of god I'm terrible at them), etc are GREATLY appreciated. I didn't plan to do custom sprites and such until the end, but honestly if people are willing to hop on board with that, I'm all for them joining the team. With a new team and region, character sprites are needed for gym leaders, the team grunts, admins and leader, E4, champion, etc. A lot needs to be done. Sprites are not my priority as they can always be added later, but I would more than love having an artist(s) helping out with them.
Additional contact information:
-- While PM's work, I MUCH prefer ways which I can be notified on my phone. Skype works well for direct messages and obviously voice chat when I'm available. I also like having GroupMe as an option for group chats. It can be accessed via phone or computer and its pretty nice to have. There's also e-mail, I'll usually see those.
Skype: TisiTheMadOne
GroupME/E-mail: [email protected]
Additional information:
-- I'm a computer science student at a tech school, as well as in some other organizations, so while I may be learning more useful information relevant to this hack, I may not always have an abundance of time. I'm also based in the EST (GMT-5:00) time zone.
If you're interested PM me and I'll send you a list of pokemon and types. I am willing to offer my skills in trade. For example I'll insert tiles for you or make a map etc
