EDIT: Another question, before I forget it. Can ASM handle multiplication algorithms such as "(value) multiplied by 0.00050"? I want damage formulas to be more complex so certain things don't fall out of use. This is namely with spells, because having a spell cause "16 + (base intelligence value) = damage" wouldn't mean much when your enemies have a defense rating of like 199, and the highest intelligence score a character can have is 99.

So, what is this problem I keep hearing about with grayscale flickering? Obviously, there is a lot of grayscale going on here:





I guess we'll have to include a driver update along with the game, in case anyone attempts to play it on models with said problem. Otherwise, I would really HATE to tone the grayscale down just to compensate for hardware problems.

Well, I plan to execute each dialogue window in a given position, depending on how the event itself handles it, so it's not always going to appear on the bottom.

I really took Ranman's suggestions to heart with the map design. Although dungeons usually have a few extra paths and dead-ends that branch out of the way, (to prevent too much linearity) I've also added optional entrances to certain dungeons, and included various hidden pathways / shortcuts to link two or more worlds / dungeons together. At times, you'll have the choice of using a (hidden) shortcut densely packed with powerful monsters to reach your destination more quickly, or you can take the normal, longer route as the game intended. So it kind of depends on your playing style -- if you like to power-level and rush through the rest of the game, you can do that by taking the shortcuts. If you just want to play for fun and see all the pretty sights along the way, then no problem. The shortcuts would otherwise be too difficult for a normal level party.

The game has one main dungeon, in a sense. Everything surrounding that dungeon is basically a quest to unlock the next floor of that dungeon so you can advance toward the final encounter. The dungeon itself stretches between both worlds, so it's quite long. You just do a bit of it here and there.

There are also a few side areas I threw in. Completing one of them changes the entire ending, but isn't necessary to finish the game normally.

Meh. I'll just stick to 83 / 84, as originally planned. I'm more used to this platform.

In the meantime, this is a completed version of the game's first dungeon:



http://img519.imageshack.us/img519/805/image2lh7.png

It bridges the player between the overworld and the substrata, which is a slightly smaller world with its own civilization. Of course, this means there are two whole worlds to explore.

I was thinking about moving up to 89 since it has a much better resolution, but 160x100 is a little uneven, so I'm not sure how that would work. However, I did a mock-up shot of how much more detailed some of the menus could be on 89:



I actually have space left over to implement other stuff, and even have a nice background behind the window.