Deep ChalkPosted by Zack Stone Thu, November 05, 2009 18:43:46I'm starting work on a new website, with good stuff in. Deep Chalk will be updated with links to my new site, and all kinds of stuff is going up - photography, concept work, random ideas, sketches...
This blog's fate is undetermined, but I expect it'll fade into the internet ether and never come back. You are all invited to the memorial.
Check back soon.
ZS
PS: Assimilation? Never again.
Deep ChalkPosted by Zack Stone Mon, October 26, 2009 17:52:51
Some conceptual artwork. This pixelated 3D style may be used in the upcoming flash game 'Slate Ether'. It was inspired by the gritty corridors of horror classics such as the original Silent Hill and Resident Evil. However, this look is quite a departure from the aesthetics of Deep Chalk, which of course is a concern.
ZS
Deep ChalkPosted by Zack Stone Sun, October 18, 2009 17:13:02/connection established
/post: slate_ether.jpg {
}
/connection terminated
Deep ChalkPosted by Zack Stone Tue, September 15, 2009 21:05:07I'm going to be pretty busy over the next few months, so you might not here from me for a while, at least not regarding game development. I'll set up a new website at some point in the future with my new work, I just don't know what I'm going to focus on yet. I've been doing some writing (short stories mostly), flash work (of course), photography, short films and other bits and pieces. I'm just starting some more serious drawing (sketches and probably paintings), and I might even go into sculpture of some kind, but to be honest I have no idea what's next, other than I want to do creative work professionally.
So what I'm saying is, I'll be online again, but not for a while, and it's likely I'll be working in a different medium in addition to flash. Deep Chalk is a combination of flash, photography and sculpture, after all.
'Dustbucket' has been... put on the bench, so to speak. Not sure where I'm going with it yet.
Thanks again for all the feedback and for playing my games.
Deep Chalk will return.
Deep ChalkPosted by Zack Stone Wed, August 05, 2009 14:33:58I may well come back to Deep Chalk, but for now I'm starting work on a new project - the 'dark chalk' game, although I won't be calling it that. In this new game, you'll be able to move much more freely between different puzzles, and there will be no crystal to guide, but it's barely a flash file at the moment so other details are very susceptible to change. However, I can tell you that the new game will probably have multiple episodes (depending on it's reception) and definitely have a proper storyline. Oh, and rollovers. Those too.
ZS
Deep ChalkPosted by Zack Stone Tue, August 04, 2009 22:51:21Firstly, my apologies to anyone who was playing and the custom cursor didn't work properly. It worked fine offline on my machine, I didn't realize until I uploaded it and played it online that the cursor might flicker or lag, so I removed it. Although it is for sale if you absolutely must have it :-)
On the bright side, I think I can get larger versions of all three phases uploaded soon, and the bug that causes the JPEG's to default to medium quality might be fixed too. But that depends on the html, not flash, so I'm not sure.
ZS
Deep ChalkPosted by Zack Stone Mon, August 03, 2009 16:05:49It's ready, and online. Here's the link to select which phase you want to play:
http://www.deepchalk.net/And the direct link to the third phase itself:
http://www.deepchalk.net/thirdphase.htmlAnd to play it bigger:
http://www.deepchalk.net/thirdphasebig.htmlMy thanks to everyone for playing and commenting. I hope you like it!
Oh, and when you play it, set the quality to 'high' even if it says it's high quality already. For some reason, the JPEGs (background photos) are defaulting to medium or something.
Anyway, happy playing!
ZS
Deep ChalkPosted by Zack Stone Tue, July 28, 2009 21:14:34Third Phase is nearly complete. Working on the last puzzles and a few other bits and pieces. A few more days and it'll be online... check back soon!
ZS
Deep ChalkPosted by Zack Stone Fri, July 10, 2009 13:00:17It's all sorted out. I'm working on the Third Phase as I type. I'll upload it when it's finished, then start work on a full Flash website.
Thanks to everyone who commented or played, the Third Phase will be released about July 30th, give or take a few days.
ZS
Deep ChalkPosted by Zack Stone Fri, July 03, 2009 21:44:10It turns out I need a firewire cable to install Flash, which I have ordered and will be here in a few days. Also ordered is a device to plug my old hard drive into to transfer the Deep Chalk files onto my new iMac, which should be about the same time. I should be set up properly by the end of next week. Then maybe a fortnight to finish the Third Phase, and a little longer to update my website - I still might make a proper flash website with project ideas, photos, writing and other stuff.
ZS
Deep ChalkPosted by Zack Stone Thu, July 02, 2009 23:05:04I am typing this on my new iMac computer! Tomorrow I will install Flash CS3 and soon after transfer the Deep Chalk Third Phase files from my old computer's hard drive across to this machine. The only problem is I need some kind of adapter, and I won't know which type until I open my old computer up for a temporary resuscitation.
But don't worry, I have another project in the works to keep me occupied whilst I wait for the adapter. I'm going to build an engine - a kind of game template - to build more games/artworks in. I have the basics of it on paper, so rest assured stuff will be being made from tomorrow onwards.
As to a release date for the Third Phase, here is the best case scenario:
- The adapter will be cheap and I'll order it tomorrow, probably from Amazon.
- I am enjoying a free trial of Amazon Prime currently, so it should arrive the following day, and I shall instantly transfer the files from old system to new.
- I'll open them up in my copy of Flash and they'll work fine (I'm using Flash CS3 now, I was using Flash Mx Professional, so there may be compatibility issues with the files).
- I'll quickly get to grips with Flash CS3, as I haven't had much experience with it before.
- I'll work purely on the Third Phase without getting distracted by my other ideas, finish it, upload it and move onto my next project.
If all goes smoothly, you should be playing the next installment before August 2009.
ZS
Deep ChalkPosted by Zack Stone Mon, May 11, 2009 10:47:15There will be significantly less pixel hunting and more abstract logic puzzles in the Third Phase.
The difficulty will start comparatively easy and gradually increase, with the last scene being the hardest. The previous phases' difficulty was a little sporadic.
There will be a more developed storyline.
The first phase was a prototype; my first complete game. The second phase was a development of my ideas and skills, but now I want to do something more... 'complete'.
The soundtrack will still feature Boards of Canada, but I may include other unusual ambient music. I'm considering:
"Overand" and others by Autechre
"The Silent Orchestra" and others by Biosphere
Various samples from The Irresistible Force
That is all :-)
ZS
Deep ChalkPosted by Zack Stone Fri, April 10, 2009 12:30:02I'm negotiating the ordering of an iMac for DC3 creation purposes. New hardware.
Then I'm getting Flash CS3. New software.
Then good things will be made and dispersed amongst the internet :-)
ZS
Deep ChalkPosted by Zack Stone Tue, March 17, 2009 17:35:48
Sorry guys...
I can't work on the third phase because my computer has died again. It's so frustrating - every time I have a good idea, I can't develop it because my machine's down. This is the second time it's happened, so I think it's time to replace it.
On the plus side, along with the eventual release of the next phase, I'll have a shiny new flash site with all the Deep Chalks, some of my photography and anything else worth putting up that I'm working on - and then I'll actually have something worthwhile to put in my updates, not just 'delays likely' posts.
I hope to get this done soon, but I can't promise anything. I know you guys have been waiting the best part of a year for this.
ZS
Deep ChalkPosted by Zack Stone Thu, February 05, 2009 21:40:31I'm still unsure whether I want this page's posts to be updated fields with new information in, or just a log of development and comments. Currently its a mix.
Hence new site proposal.
ZS
Deep ChalkPosted by Zack Stone Thu, February 05, 2009 21:26:15As well as Deep Chalk, I'm thinking about making a 'Dark Chalk', or something.
Let me explain.
I'm really pleased with the reception Deep Chalk got, and all the feedback, etc. Thanks to everyone.
However...
Whereas Deep Chalk is great for making puzzles and a calming atmosphere, I'm having trouble incorporating any sort of story. I don't want to ruin the serene feel of the game by introducing an element of danger.
So how do you guys feel about a 'Dark Chalk'? A game that has an unsettling, brooding atmosphere, with a sense of danger and Deep Chalk-esque puzzles?
If you don't think it'll work, I'll move straight onto Deep Chalk 4 instead. I don't want to make a game that doesn't fit my audience :-)
ZS
Deep ChalkPosted by Zack Stone Thu, February 05, 2009 21:13:14I'm considering building a better website for Deep Chalk, with an 'About' page, and... some other stuff. We'll see. Anycase, if I do make one, it will be uploaded along with the Third Phase - which is coming along nicely, now Flash is working properly.
Any thoughts on what you want on my site? Aside from Deep Chalk 3, of course.
ZS
Deep ChalkPosted by Zack Stone Tue, December 16, 2008 19:52:13Thanks for your patience and sympathy.
The Third Phase is looking better than the last two for sure ;-)
ZS
Deep ChalkPosted by Zack Stone Thu, December 04, 2008 18:44:13I have some very bad news. My computer has been broken for approximately four weeks. So I haven't been able to finish the Third Phase, or even log in to my website to let you guys know about the delay.
The computer I am using know is new and shiny. It does not, however, have any version of Flash or Deep Chalk on it. My old computer's hard drive contains the only copy of Deep Chalk 3 ever.
I'm hoping to get all this sorted soon, and release Deep Chalk 3 soon after.
Sorry :-(
ZS
EDIT: This has now been sorted, of course. But I like to keep all the posts because of your comments :-)
Deep ChalkPosted by Zack Stone Wed, October 22, 2008 22:45:47OK. Deep Chalk, Third Phase. I'm nearly there. I have a free week coming up, and I intend to get it finished. The drastically long wait is nearly over, guys.
And yes, there are more swinging hooks and another reference to 1969.
ZS
Deep ChalkPosted by Zack Stone Thu, July 31, 2008 20:22:36Third Phase is still in development, but I'm getting there. The ambient sound is in place, the animated background is complete, I've revamped the menu screens and finally, today, I completed the puzzles for the first scene out of six. Another five scenes worth of puzzles and the Third Phase will be finished. I'm looking forward to seeing what you guys think of it...
Zackstone
Deep ChalkPosted by Zack Stone Mon, June 09, 2008 08:23:42The third installment will be six scenes long, with more boards of canada sounds, and the puzzles will be more extensive. I'm saving the darker ideas for the other game - Deep Chalk just doesn't work with sinister artwork.
This one will take slightly longer than the first two (although I'm working on it more regularly - so we'll see), sorry for making you wait but I want the next game to be the best one yet, so more concept design and pre-planning is going into it than the others. But the extra time will be well worth it.
I have the game's basics in place and the animated enviroment complete in all six scenes, so I'm starting working on non-puzzle interactions (like the vase's in Deep Chalk II).
The Third Phase is looking much better than the first two games - the composition of each photograph is designed to accomadate pre-planned puzzles, and the ambient sound is really peaceful. And, of course, all sounds used are still adapted from boards of canada...
Third Phase coming asap, watch this space...
ZS
Deep ChalkPosted by Zack Stone Wed, May 28, 2008 23:11:10The second Deep Chalk is now finished and uploaded. Enjoy.
http://www.deepchalk.net/secondphase.htmlZS
Deep ChalkPosted by Zack Stone Sun, May 04, 2008 11:23:35Thanks for the tip about the TAB key. I've already added it to the sequel, and I'll update the first game at some point too.
At some point I want to revamp the first Deep Chalk, fix the technical errors and extend it to five scenes rather than three - it currently feels more like a simple version of what I envisioned rather than a full game.
I have pretty limited skills in actionscript, but I'm learning... the next game should be an improvement on the last in that respect.
ZS
Deep ChalkPosted by Zack Stone Wed, April 30, 2008 20:02:45http://jayisgames.com/archives/2008/04/deep_chalk.php
http://www.thegameslist.com/game/991/Deep_Chalk
http://www.channel4.com/entertainment/games/review.jsp?id=2018
http://www.lazylaces.com/article.asp?p=3260&c=204642
Thanks a lot to these sites and others that take the time to review and host my games.
ZS
Deep ChalkPosted by Zack Stone Wed, April 30, 2008 13:22:14Deep Chalk is loosely inspired by the Submachine series and Ten Gnomes. It isn't exactly a tribute, but Mateusz Skutnik definitely deserves some recognition (especially for the crystal) so my thanks go to him. His games are awesome, I really don't think I can come close to the Submachine series in terms of length and especially character design (Deep Chalk is somewhat lacking in a story). Here's his site, if you liked Deep Chalk and for some reason haven't played Submachine or Ten Gnomes then enjoy:
http://www.pastelstories.com/
Boards of canada are my favourite band, I really hope they get some more publicity through my game. Their music is totally unique, I thought it suited the surreal style of Deep Chalk.
Radiohead's songs are also inspiring... Expect to be 'spinning plates' at some point in the future...
ZS
Deep ChalkPosted by Zack Stone Mon, April 28, 2008 19:49:41Any release date for the next Deep Chalk?I don't give release dates because I'll probably miss them, as I have no idea how long each game will take.
Have you made any other games or worked on any other projects? Deep Chalk is my first creation. I plan to release more. I haven't worked on anything else before.
Aren't they kind of short?
They're getting longer each time.
Where's the story? The story is something you find out about over the course of the series. Even though Deep Chalk is more about the puzzles than anything else, I want to work a story in at some point.
Some stuff doesn't seem to need solving... why?I like putting extra stuff into the games that you can interact with that aren't part of any puzzle. Its supposed to make the game more 'explorable'.
Its not just point and click is it?
I'm always trying to get away from the point and click game 'click everywhere to solve' formula. Cutting motions and other movements are required to complete Deep Chalk.
Isn't it kind of similar to Submachine, Daymare town and Ten Gnomes by Mateusz? Think of it as a half-tribute. I got a lot of inspiration from Mateusz, see above...
Any other game ideas? Yep. You'll hear about them soon enough. Deep Chalk was inspired by boards of canada, but I also listen to Radiohead... check out their artwork...
Deep ChalkPosted by Zack Stone Sun, April 27, 2008 12:16:36There are more complex puzzles, and the first information regarding the story. A mysterious 'crew' have at some point investigated the world of Deep Chalk, attempting to fully explore and understand it. As you investigate, you will discover you are not the first person to wander this abstract world.
Deep Chalk II has five scenes, multiple puzzles running at once, better sound, even more bizzare contraptions and, of course, is built entirely around black and white photographs.
The crystal is still the main 'character', wandering across a surreal landscape of strange systems, devices and delicate scenery. In Deep Chalk I, it can only provide electrical power. But there is another energy source to find in Deep Chalk II, one that will enhance the abilities of the crystal. Another form of energy will be at your command...
ZS
Deep ChalkPosted by Zack Stone Fri, February 29, 2008 17:46:52Deep Chalk is fundamentally a point and click game that makes use of logic and simple puzzles. However, Deep Chalk goes beyond the level of interaction of simply pointing and clicking. Objects can be touched and influenced merely through mouse movement. Just by moving the mouse over an object, you can interact with it. Different movements will result in different interactions. As you explore Deep Chalk, you will find various puzzles that must be completed to advance. These range from logic and reason to patience and close observation.
The game uses black and white photography to provide scenarios and lansdcapes for the puzzles, with the added flash animation creating an abstract world for the player to explore. In addition, the music and sound used in the game is directly linked to interaction with the objects, letting the player create their own version of the ambient sound.
The first phase of Deep Chalk is currently available to play at the site listed below, and a sequel will be released shortly. I plan to release multiple games in this series, and they will all follow the style of the original.
Play Deep Chalk at
www.deepchalk.netInspired by the music of
boards of canada
Here are some details about the game, and how I made it:
Deep Chalk was created using Macromedia Flash Mx. For those familiar with Flash, the entire game was hand-animated frame by frame - no motion tweens where used - and all the actionscript was original - nothing from tutorials or free downloads.
The actionscript you need to know to make a game like this is:
stop, play, nextFrame, prevFrame
Limited use of Variables
gotoAndStop(), gotoAndPlay()
if(), else()
onClipEvent()
on(release), on(rollOver), etc
The photographs used in the game where taken by me using a digital camera, and edited in Adobe Photoshop. The soundtrack was adapted from the album 'Music has the Right to Children' by the band 'boards of canada' - whose music inspired me to make Deep Chalk.
The only other thing required is a twisted yet over-functional imagination.
Thanks for playing...
ZS
Deep ChalkPosted by Zack Stone Thu, February 28, 2008 14:59:06I plan to make at least four games in this series. Each new game will follow on directly from the end of the previous game.
The Third Phase is currently under development...
ZS
