Timeless is a "project" that I have been working on for around 2 years as of my writing this post (I remember starting to think about it around summer of 2014, and this post is being written in August 2016). The story of Timeless follows winged siblings Collin and Camelia as they venture through worlds, finding new friends and challenges as they work to take down powerful enemies.
The story goes much, much deeper than that, but I don't want to spoil it all here, so below I'll try to be more descriptive with what I've already said.
Legends tell of a time long ago, an evil spirit brought on a frigid ice age to the winged Arion race, who could do little to stop it. As the seemingly infinite storm continued, the Arion began to die off. Right when they were on the brink of extinction, the goddess Ariana sent down a hero named Collin. She granted him with a magical pendant called the Astrum, which provided him with the ability to summon a sword and to freeze time. Using the Astrum, Collin easily defeated the spirit, finally ending the ice age. Before he left, he warned the remaining Arion that another incarnation of himself would show up in ten thousand years.
Most of Timeless takes place ten thousand years after this event. On his birthday, Collin discovers that he is destined to be the second incarnation of the hero, and when his mother is kidnapped by a mysterious wizard, he and his older sister Camelia spring into action to rescue her - only to find themselves in something much bigger. NOTE: The story can change any time, as I'm always thinking about how I can improve it.
Collin is young Arion boy who finally gets the chance to live up to his namesake when he discovers his destiny as the second coming of the Arion hero. He's quite the optimist, always trying to find a reason to be happy no matter what. In battle, he uses the Astrum Blade, a holographic sword.
Camelia is Collin's older sister, and one of the highest-ranking archers in their tribe. Unlike her brother, she is typically much more quiet and serious, often avoiding him. Cam uses her bow when fighting alongside Collin.
MORE CHARACTERS COMING SOON
As you may or may not have noticed, I have not used the term "game", "video game" or any variant. This is honestly because I'm not sure about which form to use for presenting the story. Currently, I do want to try to make a video game out of it, but with so much done in terms of story and characters, and so little done in terms of programming, modeling, etc. it may be difficult to do. On the other hand, 2D animation is something I've wanted to do for a while now, and I feel like the characters and story would also work well in that format. What are your thoughts?
For a very, very long time I've wanted to make video games, and indeed the idea for Timeless was originally a video game. Currently, these points are what I think would make sense for Timeless as a game.
Turn-Based Battles, specifically in the style of the first two Paper Mario games. Collin, Camelia and then a third party member would each get the chance to attack the enemies, after which the enemies would attempt their own attacks. Timed actions, such as button presses, would allow the player to enhance their attacks, and dodge/block/counterattack the enemies. Collin's charm, the Astrum, would allow him to stop time (granting himself and his teammates extra turns) or slow it down (making both dodging and attacking easier).
Paper Mario-styled overworld; what I mean by this is that though the player would be able to move in 3 dimensions, areas would not go very deep into the background. The art style would vary from world to world, not keeping the paper-y style from PM.
More recently, after having gotten back into cartoons by watching shows such as Gravity Falls, Steven Universe, Avatar/Korra and Miraculous, I have also started to think about how the story could be told this way. Doing this would put all of the emphasis on art and story, meaning that I wouldn't have to do any programming or 3D modeling (at least not very much). It would then give me the chance to try to get into animation, but at the same time I'm not sure if I want to leave the game aspect of it behind.
This route would probably be the easiest to take, and indeed I have already taken some stabs at writing a prequel to the main Timeless series. It would remove the visual art component from it, though, which is something that I have always wanted to keep for Timeless.
Reference art for Collin Side reference art for Collin WIP Collin 3D model (just started modeling on my birthday, Monday) Digitized/colored Collin sketch from a few weeks ago 08.09.2016 Camelia Artwork
I created this thread so I can get outside input on my art and story ideas, so I'll try to post art as often as possible. Feel free to ask me questions and give criticisms on these. I can't wait to hear what you think!
Thanks GG! Right now almost all that we have done is related to plot, so if we decide to go the video game route it's still several years out. Right now we're using Unity3D with C# scripts for the game, but we don't have any progress substantial enough to show.
I was wondering what that blurry teaser in your sig was hinting at. Sounds very interesting.
EDIT: As a game, I think it could be great, but from what I see, I think it could be excellent as an animated series, if pulled off right.
Thank you as well, Zelinon!
If we go with the game idea, I think it'll be something of a hybrid game-anime kind of thing. Of course, it would be cool to make a spin-off animated series (or at least some shorts).
I think it'll be something of a hybrid game-anime kind of thing. Of course, it would be cool to make a spin-off animated series (or at least some shorts).
The story did remind me of anime when I read it. Best of luck on whatever you choose! _________________________
Gmod Not to be confused with RightyRedLuigi. Actually active
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It would help if you had reference art of the character from the side view. You can also use the 3D model as an aid for 2D animation; you don't have to worry about giving the illusion of depth such as foreshortening or proper shading if you have the 3D models for them.
It would help if you had reference art of the character from the side view. You can also use the 3D model as an aid for 2D animation; you don't have to worry about giving the illusion of depth such as foreshortening or proper shading if you have the 3D models for them.
Thanks for the advice! I already have reference art of Collin from the side; I chose not to put it here because it didn't seem as useful for this thread. I'm going to add it to the main post as well.
First of all, thanks to everyone who has given their feedback on Timeless so far. It makes me so happy to hear that you like it so far!
Hopefully I'll have a portrait of Collin's sister, Camelia, to show soon. In the meantime, I have a question for you: what would you like to see from a battle system in this game? As I said in the main post, my idea is to have it play pretty faithfully to the Paper Mario games, but with techniques like time-stopping (and also flying, using Collin & Cam's wings!) to work out more complicated strategies. Again, though, the whole reason I created this thread was to get feedback and hear what people may like to see more.
I look forward to seeing your responses. Thanks again!
Will there be someone to analyze weaknesses? If so will it work like:
Persona 3: Weakness can be analyzed on any turn and you will still be able to act, but you will have to wait a bit
or
TTYD: Weakness will be identified immediately after turn, but you will only be able to analyze for the turn (potentially only one character can analyze)
'Now guess my name, slick!'
Sticker Star
'Wrongamundo, lil' nobody! Who'd name their kid that?'
Looks very nice, definitely not what I was expecting haha. From what you've shown and described, I think this would make a very good RPG. It also benefits you to make it an RPG since you said you've always wanted to make video games.
Finally I've finished the drawing of Camelia that I wanted to do. For some reason I had a lot of trouble with this drawing (several drafts were done and scrapped) - and I know it's not much of a pose, more like reference art. Hopefully as my art skills improve I'll be able to work on making more interesting poses!
Specifically, one thing that I've had trouble with in the past is making her look more feminine. How feminine/masculine does this drawing look? If there are any artsy people out there, do you have any tips for making her more obviously female?
Finally I've finished the drawing of Camelia that I wanted to do. For some reason I had a lot of trouble with this drawing (several drafts were done and scrapped) - and I know it's not much of a pose, more like reference art. Hopefully as my art skills improve I'll be able to work on making more interesting poses!
Specifically, one thing that I've had trouble with in the past is making her look more feminine. How feminine/masculine does this drawing look? If there are any artsy people out there, do you have any tips for making her more obviously female?
That's awesome! Keep up the awesome work. I hope this whole project will go somewhere! :)
Also,
Does this rainbow text look cool? _________________________
Hey, do you like NSMBW levels? I do. Just started making them!
Give me some feedback! https://youtube.com/sdslayer100 Watch my levels on there!
Gmod Not to be confused with RightyRedLuigi. Actually active
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Please don't use rainbow text in subsequent posts. Quoting your posts will be an utter nightmare, and rainbow text is good only if you want to show off (which means, keep it in your profile or signature or whatever, and it doesn't make your text harder to read).
Reference art for Collin 
Side reference art for Collin 
WIP Collin 3D model (just started modeling on my birthday, Monday)
Digitized/colored Collin sketch from a few weeks ago
08.09.2016 Camelia Artwork 
Sounds very interesting.
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It would help if you had reference art of the character from the side view. You can also use the 3D model as an aid for 2D animation; you don't have to worry about giving the illusion of depth such as foreshortening or proper shading if you have the 3D models for them.
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