Recruiting [Essentials] The Pokémon World Project

[SocomSeal]

OVERVIEW
I'm sure you've heard it before. "Why not make a fangame that combines every region? That would be so cool!" It's one of the most common ideas to crop up with new fangame developers, in individual fanbases, as so many of us have that same big dream. To be able to do it all. But for those who actually try, they soon discover that there are far too many hurdles to overcome. It's simply not feasible - technological limitations, gameplay roadblocks, and the sheer scope is beyond what a bright-eyed beginner could ever anticipate or hope to accomplish. The projects quickly die - maybe they remake Kanto for the umpteenth time but stall out afterwards. Maybe they cobble together surface-level maps, but are unable to fill them with substance. Some continue pushing, but begin having to cut corners, or transition to new ideas entirely, limit their scope. I think that's a shame.

I'm not looking to create a fangame that somehow solves all of the issues that have stopped those who tried before me. I'm just looking to give others a fighting chance.

The Pokémon World Project is my project to recreate all mainline games within Essentials (and maybe some of the more mainline side ones, if I ever get there...). Again, to be clear - this project is to ultimately develop a RESOURCE, not a FANGAME. To recreate all of the mainline games in a full 2D style, a CONSISTENT style that melds the GBA and DS eras together, while elevating old titles with new features and transforming more recent ones with a new experience. This project would remain 'open source', freely distributed for others to use as the backbone to their own fangames. This goal is the core of what I want to accomplish, as part of the fangame community ethos, but more directly because I, too, once dreamed that big dream. I want to create the resources that I was unable to find myself. And maybe one day, to be able to play in not just a Pokémon Game, but a Pokémon World.

Spoiler: Images

FEATURE LIST (Core Tenants)

• No content left behind. If it's part of the generation in question, it should be present in the resource. If it's related to the generation in question, it should be considered for implementation.
  • I.E. All original 151 obtainable through natural means in the same save while playing through Kanto, including branch choices such as the Mt. Moon fossils.
  • I.E. Implementing a way to obtain Porygon-Z in Kanto, as it is an evolution of Porygon.
• Inter-region compatibility. While I'm not intending on creating some kind of overarching narrative or progression system (I'll leave that to someone else), players should only need one save to complete all content, from every game.
  • The creation of proper technical systems to handle multiple regions within the same game is part of this tenant - beyond what's supported by Essentials natively.
• Aesthetic and technical consistency. The resource should feel like it is one seamless whole instead of a patchwork of separated systems. The current aesthetic standard follows Gen 3 tiles and overworlds, with Gen 4/5 battle sprites and special overworlds.
  • This would also be crucial to those using the resource, as things like Tilesets could simply be overwritten with custom assets that follow the same standards without fear of having broken maps.
• Futureproof whenever possible. While nothing can last forever, at least some parts of this resource should remain viable to those using it in the far future.

But above all, it's better to have something, than nothing. As long as it follows the previous tenants, the big picture should be focused over the little one. Spending a year perfecting the last 1% of a region is a year not spent building the next one. The scope is large enough already - let's focus on cutting it down first.




PROJECT STATUS

Spoiler: Full Breakdown

• CORE SYSTEMS - IN PROGRESS
  • Tileset Standardization - 70%
  • Multi-Region Map - INCOMPLETE
  • Multi-Disc Functions - TBD
  • Daycare Systems - DONE (Due to hardcoded restrictions, this may be revisited)
  • PBS Standardization - 95% (Wild Held Items, TM Item Descriptions, Final Pass)
  • Multi-Region Systems - DONE (TBD)
  • Trainer Rematch - INCOMPLETE
  • Respawning Item Systems - INCOMPLETE

• KANTO - 95%
  • World Mapping - 98%
  • Main Storyline - DONE
  • Post-Game Storyline - DONE
  • Additional Content - 95%
  • Final Pass - TBD

• JOHTO - 1%
  • World Mapping - 1%
  • Main Storyline - TBD
  • Post-Game Storyline - TBD
  • Additional Content - TBD
  • Final Pass - TBD

• HOENN - 1%
  • World Mapping - 3%
  • Main Storyline - TBD
  • Post-Game Storyline - TBD
  • Additional Content - TBD
  • Final Pass - TBD

• SINNOH - 0%
  • World Mapping - 0%
  • Main Storyline - TBD
  • Post-Game Storyline - TBD
  • Additional Content - TBD
  • Final Pass - TBD

• UNOVA - 0%

• KALOS - 0%

• ALOLA - 0%

• GALAR - 0%

• PALDEA - 0%

• HISUI - 0%

• ORRE - 0%

CURRENT NEEDS
Any and all assets you can offer are appreciated, whether it's a single overworld sprite or an entire suite. Specific needs are listed first.

Script Programmer - General Bugfixing (Current thorn in my side is the Safari Zone, but what else is new...)
Sprite Artist - Updated and Animated Kanto Trainer Intros
Tileset Artist - Animated Kanto Tiles


Sprite Artist - All Regions
Tileset Artist - All Regions
Mapper - All Regions
Sound Engineer - All Regions
Event Programmer - All Regions
Script Programmer - All Regions




CONTACT
Please contact here, in the thread and through messages, or on Discord at "socomseal". Discord communication will receive the promptest response.

Discord Server: https://discord.gg/GXNCh8d6




CREDITS
Team:
SocomSeal - Lead

Major Resources Used:
The Gen 9 Move Animation Project
The Generation 9 Resource Pack
Following Pokemon EX (21.1 Port)
Deluxe Battle Kit and addons
Modular UI Scenes and addons

There are far too many other contributors to list everyone here. All resources used are properly credited within the project's credits.




CLOSING
Thank you to everyone who has already contributed, through personal work or public resources that you have developed. No matter how long this takes, I intend to see it through, and you are the reason it has gotten this far in the first place.