Emerald hack: Pokemon: Collapse of Time

[Slike]

You know what Pokemon needs? Time travel plots, of course. What doesn't need time travel plots? I feel it is my civil duty to the world to create a Pokemon hack with time travel. Also, can you imagine? Fossil Pokemon in the WILD, guys. That's actually where this idea came from (I was just thinking a prehistoric only hack) but this is much cooler.

The basic plot of this game is that I haven't made a plot yet. As of now, the player is an explorer hired by Birch to investigate the time warp. The warp can only be accessed with keys, by the way. There are an indeterminate number of keys (which double as Pokedexes) which allow entry into the time warp. Now, that doesn't mean you can't go to certain time periods without a key. It just means you can't time travel at all without it, and in hindsight, that's kind of a lot like Chrono Trigger. But you know, I can't quite let everyone who wants to time travel in the story do what they please. That would be silly.

Unfortunately, some kid happens to have stolen all of the keys from Birch except for two. Actually, it might not end up being two. The plot will be set up in depth later, but your call to adventure will be the retrieval of the remaining keys. No, it's not a "get the seven magical star keys and defeat the crazy kid" deal. There'll actually be a plot, and I have some later elements fleshed out. Still, plot isn't the issue right now. What I'm here to thrive on is concept!

This hack will revolve around six time periods:

1. The Stone Age
2. The Ice Age
3. The Age of Ancient Civilizations
4. The Renaissance
5. War (Primarily based off of World War 2, but not meant to be any specific war.)
6. The Future (More specifics later)

Those are just the main time periods, though. The present exists, and I'm not even going to pretend that the beginning/end of time won't appear in this hack. They're too cool not to have, really. Pokemon has too much "creation of the universe" lore around it for me not play with.

Region:

Spoiler:

This hack will feature an entirely new region. However, that region is approximately a sixth of the size of Hoenn itself, because there are, of course, six time periods. Generally, the region is made up of seven sectors, in a grid three sectors horizontally and two vertically. The remaining sector is exclusive to the time period, in an area that cannot be accessed in the others.


This is a general map of the region. Time travel causes things to differ dramatically, though. For example: The island will not be present in the stone age, the entire ocean will be frozen in the ice age (creative liberties ahoy!), and various different paths will be taken in each time period. The player will consistently start each time period in the top left corner (with the exception of the future, more on that later), and every single time period will have a different endpoint.

Additionally, each time period will have an extra chunk off of the map. This will most likely be a difficult to reach area where you'll find a multitude of legendaries. Every legendary will be available somewhere. (Oh, and that castle on the top right of the map is a general complex. There'll most likely be some sort of man-made dungeon in that area.)

How the sequence of events will work in this hack:

Spoiler:

Six time periods? That sure does seem like six levels. Fortunately, everything is actually divided up, so you'll be forced to go through the time periods one section at a time. For example, you may need cut to make any significant progress in time period A, but cut is available in time period B. After getting cut in time period B, though, you notice that you can't proceed through the time period until you get strength. Thus, the time periods sort of cycle around.

One other detail: Some sets of time periods will come at you in twos. Let's say that to make progress in time period A, you need cut, as you did earlier. Cut is in time period B, but the "gym" with the boulder badge is in time period C. You can do time periods B and C in any order you want, but both must be completed to cut down a tree and progress through time period A.

A boss will appear after each chunk of a time period you do, but it won't necessarily be a gym. Also, there is no Pokemon league in this game, so badges just allow you to use HMs, and are won by defeating high ranking antagonists and such. Don't think too hard about it.

Now that the wordy parts are out of the way... lists!

Various changes:

Spoiler:

• Whole new region
• Six time periods
• the starter is Pichu. Just pichu. Its stats and movepool are adjusted.
• If I don't screw up along the way, all Pokemon should be available by some means.
• Slugma's stats have been increased dramatically, and it does not evolve into Magcargo. (Its stats are reasonable, unlike my last hack, but you should still consider it a legendary.)
• Trade evolutions will evolve by level up. If you ask how trade Pokemon evolve in the thread, I will post a picture of a psyduck in response to you.
• Naturally, a ton of sprites will be different to match each time period. (I need spriters by the way so you should PM me if you're interested in being a spriter and making me happy)
• The typical rival of the game has a much smaller role. Wally is replaced with a new person who has a much larger role.
• The hack will feature a single fakemon. That is, one. It will replace Luvdisc (because who cares about Luvdisc?). If you hate fakemon hacks, don't worry. This isn't a fakemon in the traditional sense. (But I still refuse to spoil the surprise.)
• Every time period is open to the player as soon as time travel is available. However, you can only make progress in two of them. The other four time periods can be used to capture Pokemon, so you have an extremely wide variety of Pokemon to use right at the start of the game.

Questions that I expect to be frequently asked:

Spoiler:

Q: Will there be 4th and 5th gen Pokemon in this hack?
A: Maybe. If there's an overwhelming desire for 4th and 5th gen Pokemon, I will include them. Very little of the hacking process has involved Pokemon selection, so this is a possibility if the people demand it. Also, a link to some sprites of those Pokemon that can be used in Emerald would be nice.

Q: How do I find [Pokemon]?
A: If you want to know where a specific Pokemon is, think "what time period would this be in?" No Pokemon will appear in two time periods, so that may be your problem. If you ask nicely, I'll still tell you. If 4th and 5th Gen Pokemon end up in the hack, I'll make a list of who was kicked out and who was added in for convenience sake. (Also, Luvdisc is out by default. Screw Luvdisc.)

Q: When does [Pokemon] evolve?
A: When it usually does. If it's a trade evolution, it evolves at some level eventually.

Q: What is my rival's starter Pokemon?
A: The primary rival's starting Pokemon is a zigzagoon, but it's not on his team for the entire game.

(not actually a) Q: This isn't historically accurate!
A: And Pokemon don't exist either. If I want Aristotle to be a time traveler and team up with Leonardo da Vinci to defeat Hitler, it's going to happen. And it'll be awesome.

(still not a) Q: Your grasp of the change of geography over millenia is inaccurate.
A: Yeah, the stone age logically shouldn't be similar to the Renaissance in geography. Oh well.

Q: When's the next beta?
A: Betas will be released every time I make a cycle of six time periods. It should be noted that this takes a very long time. Seriously.

Q: What's the deal with the future?
A: In the future, an organization called the Time Travel Tourism Committee (TTTC) has redirected your time travel into Propaganda Peak, which is in the northeast corner of the map.

Questions people have asked that I don't want you to ask again:

Spoiler:

None!

Known Bugs:

Spoiler:

There is no beta at the moment, so this isn't a priority. It's just here for when I need it later.

I've finished all of the mapping for the first beta. (I'm still a ways away from releasing that, though, because I have to design what Pokemon show up where, every single trainer, design all the text, and script everything. So it takes a really long time. Here are your screenshots, though!

Spoiler:

Present:

I made the present into an area that's recently had a town thrown together just for the time warp. It also has a few things to bring you back to it, like all the fishing rods and the daycare.

Passage of Time:

This is just what it looks like now. The place will have plenty of NPCs, but since I don't have the kind of sprites I want for this (have I mentioned I need spriters), the people are not there yet.

Stone Age:

Just east of your starting area for the stone age is a volcano. At the base of said volcano, you'll find a swamp. (Yes, I see the tile errors. I fixed them after looking at this screenshot.)

Ice Age:

The ice age works as a whole, but isn't very screenshottable. Snow will yield wild Pokemon, but not very often to account for the fact that it's kind of everywhere. The upper half of the ocean is coated in ice, and will be tuned up later not to be bland. At this point, it transports you from the far west to the far east of the map without giving you freedom to explore areas that you shouldn't see yet. I'll try to stop it from being an insufferable maze of ice puzzles.

Ancient Civilization:

I'm not sure why I made the Dam so dark, but I'll fix that. You've got your Incas there, and when you head south, you'll find the Egypt based area. There's also a tomb in the middle of the desert. How spooky!

Renaissance:

I didn't take nearly as many screenshots of this as I could have, for some reason. I generally made the renaissance look better, added a few routes, and set up the island. The island and its surroundings mark the "Feudal Japan" chunk of the renaissance.

War:

Nothing much done here, since this area is mostly about scripting. You start outside the prison, get caught, and then escape with the soldiers you're rescuing.

Future:

Look at how purple that water is! Doesn't it look like you could just walk on it? Well, you can! There's also a factory that makes the purple water, but it isn't accessible until much later. Instead, in the future, you spend most of your time in this place:



Whatever that is. What could it possibly be?

More screenshots will come later. Feel free to criticize things you see, because I want to create an excellent result out of this hack.

Also, there's one aspect of this hack I need help with. I have no experience spriting whatsoever, and this hack will require quite a bit of spriting. Contact me if you're interested and still good at spriting! Seriously. Spriters would make me very happy.

[PokemonMasters]

This hack has potential. It may need some new tiles though since the story is well thought of. I really like the concept of Time Traveling. 4th and 5th Gen. Pokemon might come in handy for an advanced timed hack. For the first screen, it really looks. weird. the stairs don't collab with the path. The mapping could use work. Especially Propaganda Peak. It has so little space for the player to walk on. Thats all ^.^

[PokemonGiratinaX]

Yeah, I'am agree with PokeMaster. This hack need some new tiles to make it perfect. Just want ask, is there any Gym there?

[hinkage]

NO.
NO.
NO.

This hack does NOT need new tiles to "make it perfect."

Firstly, you need to address the numerous tile errors strewn all over the place.

Second, you need to work on your mapping skills; having diagonal pathways is fine in a game with an analog stick, but are a pain in the ass with a d-pad. Not to mention, they don't work well with a grid-based game. Other than that, many things are too plain, too random, or just ridiculous. I'm not talking about the recolored areas, either.

Third, it doesn't look like you've really begun scripting the story yet. That should definitely come before custom tiles. In fact, it's the most important thing in the game. It is the game.

PLEASE don't listen to those who say "oh just add new tiles it'll be great," unless you want to work for EA Sports making Madden '34 when you grow up. Really. New tiles are good, but shouldn't at all be a priority, especially this early on.

[Ash493]

This is an awesome idea! I also agree with Hinkage that scripting takes priority.
Yeah, tiles are important and all but if you script the story well, noone will care about tiles.

[DarkRisingGirl]

Glad to see a new hack up and this one seems to have a really cool concept to it. I'd really like to see some scripted events in your next update though. Goodluck.

[blazerj13]

oh my Arceus, slike, another good idea! i hope i get the privilage of playing it soon! also, if you want fakemon for this hack, i can make them, ive been getting really into spriting lately!

[itman]

I read the whole thread, engrossed in the story, it's an amazing idea...

I have a few suggestions for improvement..:)

Tiles aren't important as far as I'm concerned. What's concerning is the mapping. The first few screenies show a lot of open space. This isn't a BAD thing per se, but it should be shaken up a bit, like more naturally placed, and if one spot has a lot of space, maybe the next spot...not so much. This way the game has balance. There are a few tile errors too, which could easily be fixed.

Secondly, I would advise staying away from ice puzzles "one sixth of the game" as you say. Trust me, after the second one, I think I can speak for everybody that we'd all be a little pissed. Ice cave in Crystal version made me want to rip my hair out. So if you need suggestions for puzzles in the ice place, maybe you could do one involving pushing the boulders through the cracks in the ice, or make up your own like having to freeze a waterfall (since not all water during the ice age was frozen) so that the running water will stop and that'll cause something else to stop...I dont know, but I know you can me more creative than that (I mean, just look at the story!, creativity to the extreme).

I am really impressed with the ideas though, and if you need any help just VM or PM me.

[Digidestined123]

Wow, this hack looks great! This is a really original idea for a hack. I think the only other Pokemon game that lets you go through time for a long period of time is an official one, Pokemon Mystery Dungeon Explorers of Sky. And that was a side game. But I love this idea! Will you be adding the new evolutions of Yanma, Magmar, Piloswine, Electabuzz, Dusclops, ect?

[Slike]

Alright, criticism! And questions, too!

First, I'll hit what looks like the biggest issue: Propaganda Peak. Too limited in space? Well, that's not too hard to fix, but I also want the area to look unnatural and jagged. Fortunately, I already had an idea for the future: Special water that the player can walk on!

This is what the map looks like with this water:

Spoiler:

Red water fixes the space issue, while also keeping things odd looking. I also like this concept for a few bonus reasons:
-It allows water Pokemon to be obtained without fishing or surfing.
-It allows for waterfall to enter the game before surf.

The various signs on the route will explain how red water works in scientific terms, because it's the future and I can handwave anything I want with science. The general idea is that forces will disrupt the surface of the water, so Pokemon battles, steps, waterfalls, and waves will all create blue water. Thus, waterfalls can be climbed without surf. (This may produce issues, such as causing the player to act as if they're surfing after riding up the waterfall. If this is the case, the waterfalls will also be red and you will be able to ride the mach bike up them.)

This presents an issue of too much space, but I'm short on time and can't fix that at the moment. This will likely be fixed later, as the map is fairly uninteresting at the moment.

I'd like to know specifically what makes some of these maps poor. Here are things I've noticed, so we can add to the list:
1. Propaganda Peak is now too spacious, with no real obstacles.
2. One of the tiles in Leveled Land is missing grass.
3. Festive Farm just kind of looks like a mess of grass with rows of organized trees.
4. Prehistoric Path is too spacious.
5.The stairs don't connect with the ground very well.

Also, I'll reply individually to things I haven't covered:

Spoiler:

Pokemaster: I'm against new tiles because I've already done a lot of work on them. (Look at Leveled Land, for instance, and all the diagonal trees). Also, I'd like to keep the Battle Frontier buildings. They're pretty cool. I may get a custom tileset for some areas, though. If I can't make what I need out of what the game gives me, I'll resort to that. (For example, I may need a custom tile so I have a proper place for wild Pokemon in the ice age.)

GiratinaX: The "gyms" will not be gyms. For example: Let's say there's a factory in the future. You want to shut down the UNBELIEVABLY EVIL activities of this factory, so you go in. The factory is significantly bigger than a gym, but the top floor looks suspiciously similar to Wattson's gym. You then also get a badge from the boss of the area that lets you use Rock Smash.

Hinkage: I've made a couple of scripts for the game, but I most definitely intend to make the game great based on factors other than tiles. Still, never underestimate the power of aesthetics!

Ash493: I hope things still turn out well despite my lack of desire for new tiles. I want to make this great, but if it's considered terrible because I didn't do something that I find to be kind of arbitrary, that would suck.

DarkRisingGirl: Too late! The next significant update will be a demo, which I can guarantee will have scripting. Nothing particularly impressive mind you, but the only scripts I'm borrowing from the game are ones from the very start.

Blazerj13: I'm not interested in fakemon (aside from one, which will be the greatest thing since sliced bread), but sprites for new trainers and npcs are an absolute necessity. Contact me if you're interested!

Itman: Alright. The ice puzzle thing was an exaggeration, but I'll try not to overuse them. Still, any rivers will likely be frozen over, as will the ocean shore. Strength boulders will also come into play on ice later on, and I like the waterfall idea.

Digidestined123: I forgot those extra evolutions exist. If I end up adding later-gen Pokemon, they'll definitely be in. (Mamoswine and Yanmega in particular interest me, since they're based off of extinct animals.)

I get too in-depth when I reply to things.

[PokemonMasters]

Originally Posted by Slike

Alright, criticism! And questions, too!

First, I'll hit what looks like the biggest issue: Propaganda Peak. Too limited in space? Well, that's not too hard to fix, but I also want the area to look unnatural and jagged. Fortunately, I already had an idea for the future: Special water that the player can walk on!

This is what the map looks like with this water:

Spoiler:

Red water fixes the space issue, while also keeping things odd looking. I also like this concept for a few bonus reasons:
-It allows water Pokemon to be obtained without fishing or surfing.
-It allows for waterfall to enter the game before surf.

The various signs on the route will explain how red water works in scientific terms, because it's the future and I can handwave anything I want with science. The general idea is that forces will disrupt the surface of the water, so Pokemon battles, steps, waterfalls, and waves will all create blue water. Thus, waterfalls can be climbed without surf. (This may produce issues, such as causing the player to act as if they're surfing after riding up the waterfall. If this is the case, the waterfalls will also be red and you will be able to ride the mach bike up them.)

This presents an issue of too much space, but I'm short on time and can't fix that at the moment. This will likely be fixed later, as the map is fairly uninteresting at the moment.

I'd like to know specifically what makes some of these maps poor. Here are things I've noticed, so we can add to the list:
1. Propaganda Peak is now too spacious, with no real obstacles.
2. One of the tiles in Leveled Land is missing grass.
3. Festive Farm just kind of looks like a mess of grass with rows of organized trees.
4. Prehistoric Path is too spacious.
5.The stairs don't connect with the ground very well.

Also, I'll reply individually to things I haven't covered:

Spoiler:

Pokemaster: I'm against new tiles because I've already done a lot of work on them. (Look at Leveled Land, for instance, and all the diagonal trees). Also, I'd like to keep the Battle Frontier buildings. They're pretty cool. I may get a custom tileset for some areas, though. If I can't make what I need out of what the game gives me, I'll resort to that. (For example, I may need a custom tile so I have a proper place for wild Pokemon in the ice age.)

GiratinaX: The "gyms" will not be gyms. For example: Let's say there's a factory in the future. You want to shut down the UNBELIEVABLY EVIL activities of this factory, so you go in. The factory is significantly bigger than a gym, but the top floor looks suspiciously similar to Wattson's gym. You then also get a badge from the boss of the area that lets you use Rock Smash.

Hinkage: I've made a couple of scripts for the game, but I most definitely intend to make the game great based on factors other than tiles. Still, never underestimate the power of aesthetics!

Ash493: I hope things still turn out well despite my lack of desire for new tiles. I want to make this great, but if it's considered terrible because I didn't do something that I find to be kind of arbitrary, that would suck.

DarkRisingGirl: Too late! The next significant update will be a demo, which I can guarantee will have scripting. Nothing particularly impressive mind you, but the only scripts I'm borrowing from the game are ones from the very start.

Blazerj13: I'm not interested in fakemon (aside from one, which will be the greatest thing since sliced bread), but sprites for new trainers and npcs are an absolute necessity. Contact me if you're interested!

Itman: Alright. The ice puzzle thing was an exaggeration, but I'll try not to overuse them. Still, any rivers will likely be frozen over, as will the ocean shore. Strength boulders will also come into play on ice later on, and I like the waterfall idea.

Digidestined123: I forgot those extra evolutions exist. If I end up adding later-gen Pokemon, they'll definitely be in. (Mamoswine and Yanmega in particular interest me, since they're based off of extinct animals.)

I get too in-depth when I reply to things.

I dont mean replacing every single tile. I just mean change some. Like the odd looking stair entrance. Anyways. Goodluck! ^.^

[Pokemon Trainer Kevin]

I'm excited for this one, it has a lot of potential!
Also, would LOVE to see 4th and 5th gen Pokemon in this hack.

[Pinkish Purple]

To be honest, sometimes you need to make things Eye-Candylicious, so even a simple rom base will be appreciated. There aren't many out there but I have seen a few and they were great. I like the concept of walking on water alot. And I do think your diagonal thingy needs more space because it can get frustrating to keep banging into walls like entering a cave that require flash. But since when has annoying people with dumb HMs like Flash in caves been not part of the memorable part of Pokemon hacks from the first gen?

[PokemonGiratinaX]

Originally Posted by Slike

Alright, criticism! And questions, too!

First, I'll hit what looks like the biggest issue: Propaganda Peak. Too limited in space? Well, that's not too hard to fix, but I also want the area to look unnatural and jagged. Fortunately, I already had an idea for the future: Special water that the player can walk on!

This is what the map looks like with this water:

Spoiler:

Red water fixes the space issue, while also keeping things odd looking. I also like this concept for a few bonus reasons:
-It allows water Pokemon to be obtained without fishing or surfing.
-It allows for waterfall to enter the game before surf.

Woah! Glad to see that you changed the colour of the water. It looks perfect now.

[kebbles]

Jeez the red hurts my eyes, i dont get it what is it? Red water, i dont like the idea of walking on water and i dont care who disagrees with me. Great story though i really like the idea and imagination put into it. Like alot of others have said, to make this hack blend nicely together it needs some new tiles to match that wicked storyline. Good luck slike

[Tman109ner]

Love the idea. I just wanna make one suggestion figuring you were looking at the prehistoric pokemon. If you can, take into consideration the whole backstory of Genesect, supposedly it was a prehistoric pokemon, modified by Team Plasma. Maybe a pre-modification genesect would be cool!

[Ash493]

So we're walking on water? Everyone loves Jesus... o.O

Originally Posted by Digidestined123

Wow, this hack looks great! This is a really original idea for a hack. I think the only other Pokemon game that lets you go through time for a long period of time is an official one, Pokemon Mystery Dungeon Explorers of Sky. And that was a side game. But I love this idea! Will you be adding the new evolutions of Yanma, Magmar, Piloswine, Electabuzz, Dusclops, ect?

Also PMD Time and Darkness as those are pre-Sky versions

[DaleH771]

Wow, that's a very in depth story!

However, the Passage of Time looks far too bland and awful. You could make it a bit more lively and more like a paradise. A paradise with several different grand portals to these different time periods. The potential there is unbelievable, you should exploit it to the full!

I love the decisions youve made with regards to which tilesets you used, eyt I believe your mapping is something to be improved a little.

Hopefully these will come with time, but yes, outstanding idea and storyline, I was gonna do a time travel based hack once!

[Critx]

I had an idea exactly LIKE THIS(but hack of emerald/Firered/crystal)

[Cabe]

I love the idea for this hack! I hope it comes out well!

[Teh Blazer]

The storyline is well thought out and actually pretty interesting. I like the idea of being able to travel through different passages of time, although I wished some of the areas would overlap so the player could see that specific area change over time (you know, like seeing a certain route change throughout the ages or watch as a beloved town warps from a primitive ice land to a futuristic post-apocalyptic society).

I do have to agree with DaleH771 though, the Passages of Time look far too bland and, to me, too noticeable. When I read it (and maybe it's just me) I envisioned going into a secluded area and down some hidden stairs to find a grand hall with the portal to the next time zone, not some giant doorway that everyone can see. I guess I saw the portals to be something more majestic and hidden and hard-to-find, not a port-a-potty that Joey could accidentally walk in and be chased by a dinosaur.

[PokémonShinySilver]

Hm now that's interesting... a ROM Hack where you can travel through time, something which I was also planning in my ROM Hack which I have put on hold because of my planning of Pokémon Lava Ruby (a ROM hack of Black 2). What I can say about it is that it has a great plot to it, especially how there are tiles like the red water which you can walk on and stuff. It makes it sound like an interesting ROM Hack.

I have a question, do you plan on changing the tile designs in the ROM hack to different tiles? Or do you plan on leaving the tile design as they are?

[Cabe]

If I may... if you do decide to go with that futuristic walkable water (even though I really really really really really really despite that red choice) you should also change the falls tiles because... BECAUSE. Water can not simply change its color from a tile to another. Still, if you choose other colour (I would suggest one slightly different from the original), it's a nice idea.

On another topic... Is there going to be great map changes from an age to another? I mean, nowadays there are cities in places that a century ago where virgin forests, imagine how much a place would change from Ice/Stone Age to WW2! Forests would be towns and towns would be ruins (if they manage to survive) so... I believe every age should have pretty much an own world map. What do you think on this?

[Flaaffy]

This sounds really cool, I like the concept.
WOO,TIME TRAVEL.

[F1refly]

This sounds really cool, especially the war parts. I've been wanting to make a Hack with a war in it, so if you want, I can help with the story and maybe ideas for sprites?