I ‘m a passionate Indian Game Developer and I like keeping myself well informed about the recent happenings in the Indian game industry. One week back, I read FXLabs released its action/adventure game Agni: Queen of darkness, published by Zapak and distributed by Sify. It was priced at Rs. 699/-.
I buy almost all (if not all) games (PC) made and released in India.
I went to their website and was not able to find even a single in-game screenshot, no trailers, or in game videos, or concept art. (Now they have them) There were few Mallika Arora Khan’s hot poses with things in her hands which looked like weapons.
I started getting a bad feelings about my money (700 bucks) not being wisely put to use yet again. (I have a habit of buying bad games) Nonetheless, I went ahead and paid the money (Paypal, no credit card option).
Monday first thing I received was an email that I have received a mail from FXLabs (Microsoft Internal mail room is pretty darn efficient).
I opened the package and found the cover to be pretty cool (nice packaging), the installation took 4-5 minutes and then “boom” comes the FX Labs logo.
I am not always so excited about firing up a new game, but this game was done in my country by many people who I know personally.
The main menu looked like a new concept, I know lot of people would say it is horrible, but I kind of found it to be different and not so bad.
The game starts with a cut-scene, which again I thought was pretty okaylyTM done, though I didn’t like the voice over’s but having been there and done that, I know getting a good voice talent is not easy and that too for games. The cut-scene had Agni and Betal (Snake) chatting with Tara on some shit, some magic happens and Tara and Agni become one character with an ability to transform from one to other - the games starts. I see an enemy run towards and he gets stuck in the air under the bridge, I am like "what???" I just started this game, less than 10 seconds in play and I see PRI1 SEV1 bug (FXLabs is AppLabs venture and Applabs is http://www.applabs.com/ (Software testing services company specializing in Software testing, qa testing company, outsourcing software qa testing, quality assurance testing Services)
You got be f***ing kidding me!!!!!
I struggled hard and tried to move Tara in all her seductive positions (none in the game, figurative speech) but nothing happens, then suddenly the alien just falls off the air (Manjit: Yes he really falls off the air, I have a screenshot to prove it and then he probably dies (:))
I continued playing the game for around 5 more minutes and then I end up in a so called boss monster fight, were a sort-o invisible Skelton sitting (paralyzed) on a wheel chair is shooting bullets at me, there are only two positions where the bullets can hit you, no there are no hiding places it is an open area . Dialog in Hindi suggests that I need to do something that kills the monster with his own weapon.
I am stuck here for last 20 minutes; no clue what to do…….
Gamecheats.net does not have a walkthrough for the gameJ, if anyone from FXLabs is reading this can you please provide with a walkthrough of the game?
Well, I have been developing games for last 8 years, I truly know that making a game is a daunting task and making good games is even crazier.
I am not the “cool graphics” nerd who thinks games are all about looks, but Agni’s graphics are horrible, models look less 10 polys, lighting has no sense, texturing is detail less, whatever little effects once sees is probably the engines job. The recommend PC cong is 2.4Ghz Dual core, 2 GB RAM, Nvidia 7800GTX+ cards.
I am not sure what engine they are using, if they have written their own engine, then hats off to them but if not (it looks like Unreal 2 engine), I want to know “What on earth you are trying to do” or did try to do?”
What can I say “a very disappointing effort by the guys at FXLabs”. I thought with the “might and experience” of Tony Garcia, Agni should have been way better.
Another Indian game hits my collection’s bone-yard.
My rating of the game is 1/10 till the time I cannot figure out how to make any progress in the game.
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28 comments:
Greetings,
Am not associated with FXLabs nor will say that it is a really gr8 game or sucks to the core...
But Dude you really have to be some gamer to be stuck at that place... that guy is no boss...
*spoiler*
...you just block the bullets with the special move and a couple of deflected bullets hit him or around hid head near the train at the top... a cut scene comes in the train falls n there you go...
I agree that those guys could have done a lot better job, why they didn't, I or you won't be in a position to answer that, maybe someone in there would...
Thanks Dude! I'm not sure what kind of gamer i'm but i'm pretty sure it would have failed every usability study is subjected to one.
Thanks for info :)
Cheers
Rumor has it that it was a quick dirty make over of their game called Inferno to earn some dough.
And the team did not spend much time on the project...
well probably just rumors :)
Hi Pb,
I would first like to repeat tejas`s useful disclaimer at the beginning of my post as well. :)
I always get a John Gardner moment like after reading this post and some of the previous ones. In fact, appreciate your Gardner like viewpoint.
Just thought of sharing it here with you. The well known American leader once said -
The society which scorns excellence in plumbing because plumbing is a humble activity, and tolerates shoddiness in philosophy because philosophy is an exalted (lofty) activity, will have neither good plumbing nor good philosophy. Neither its pipes nor its theories will hold water.
Apologies if my moment appears totally hypothetical, unconnected or figmented. :)
Some random thoughts triggered after reading Macken’s Interesting comment!
1. There can be numerous problems which can lead a team (society) to end up making a terrible game. Lack of experience, low budgets, over ambitious design, poor planning, poor execution, low morale of the team, inability to match schedule. Many issues can arise due to bad management practices.
2. Everyone knows, Indians in India are new to this business and it will take time to come out with hit game, but it would be nice to see if each game is better than the previous game in some way or form. I would call this as “Good Intention” or “Correct Intention”.
3. If there is an intention to achieve greatness, all the big failures to achieve the intent are forgotten.
4. The problem, most often intentions are not clear and are difficult to make notice off.
5. Though there are always subtle things that can show these intentions – one good texture, one interesting character, one new design element, one new concept, quick level loads, consistent frame rates etc.
6. But if the intention is to make mockery – then the society is in trouble.
7. Business people – yup! I know money coming in the company is necessary to keep VCs happy and keep the studio running. And sometime this necessitate doing bad quality work (Yes there are crazy people with money who can pay for CRAP) but a good friend of mine (Rich R) says do all kinds of crap work to keep money coming in to fund your master project, just don’t put your name to the work.
8. Keep your society clean and don’t crap where you eat.
Hmm...Pb, could`nt agree more on most of the views shared :)
Something that came to mind while going through your points is that, let`s say when speaking for the whole eco system as such, dont`t you think during these time of a marvelously rising Indian game industry, the `passion` as they say has been given many interpretations from all corners.
When in reality, quoting another leader ( can`t recall the name right now ) , this time from the business sphere ( I have no option but to quote to cover up lack of personal words of expression, sorry! ) -
P rofit
A mbition
S incerity
S trength
I nnovation
O ptimism
N ever give up
Something apt to remember when we aberrantly THINK that we are working to drive the industry forward!
Of course, deflecting this not towards any particular set of pros but universally towards everybody .
Come on this game wasn't that bad. The graphics remind me of draken. And the gameplay isn't half bad.
Aazad panchi
@Aazad panchi
Then i guess we have varied likes and dislikes.
Nice comments macken.
Tell me something Sumit. If you rate 1/10 to Agni, how would you rate Battle-Dust ?
- GamoFlauge
I would note rate BDTC more than 1 or 2 of 10.
Game play sucked big time.
Though it was a great deal.
Bang for bucks
1. 1 full game
2. 8 mini games which were simple and super fun (as all of them were design wise rip offs - battleship, bomberman, sokoban, Alchemy, 3d maze, bowling, black jack, video poker and slots machine)
3. A great comic book.
---------
It was released in 2003 and it was the best deal ever for an Indian game in the Indian market.
At the end gamer nees value for money. BDTC at 399/- was good deal.
Agni at 700 is bad deal.
I speak as a gamer and have nothing against FXLabs. I do not know anyone in FXLabs and no intent to hurt anyones ego.
I felt i burnt my money buying Agni
hey sumit, yea agni kinda got ripped apart by reviewers in teh papers too. was looking out for someone who had tried the game personally to give it a fair review. shame though. btw satan said its an inhouse engine.
The engine looks like Unreal, as the file extensions looks familiar, but if satan says its internal, so maybe it is!
I have nothing against this game, all i care is the next game that comes out from India should do one notch better job than this one.
Which newspaper?
Its a heavily modified version of Unreal Engine 2.5. For Agni, Unreal has been modified and upgraded a hell lot so much, you can consider it as in-house 'technology'.
I played the game and let me give you a fair review. I say its a farrrr decent job compared to any game made in India so far. That includes Battle-Dust. And yes, I played BD too.. BD was good work given when it was released and with the experience the team had.
But, so is Agni. I would say Agni scores a great deal more when it comes to graphics, art-work, environments and ambiance. Sound is awesome ( except for the Hindi dialog sync part. Of course, the animations and characters were meant for English release. It is based on Dante's-Inferno )
@anonymous
You are entitled to have your own opinion and it is well respected on my blog.
Agni is a hasty re-hash of a 'learning to fly' game dev effort. much of the re-hash probably got to do with the brilliant idiot folks at Zapak.
Give FX labs team a break, slam the magmt that put pressure on the team to put out this crap.
As for Zapak... pigs have wings, in hallucinations they fly.
Based on the information from some of the FXLabs employees(developers & artists), I believe its the top management in FXLabs that screwed up the game entirely even after bringing in foreign talent.
It may have been the best in terms of the graphics amongst the games developed in India. But that has nothing to do with rating a game as a GAMER. Here's my view: If you rate this game as good graphics then I guess you must be looking at it from the prespective of a 3D animation series rather than a game. Because this game has nothing immersive, neither the gameplay nor the environments & storyline.
1/10 is a decent rating & I would rate the same.
@PB:
I'm thinking of buying this game after reading your post. You just created that itch in me that unless n until I play this game it won't stop. :)
We not only learn from games which are good; but also from which might not be that good. Understanding mistakes is a good way to learn I believe.
@Satan
Yes i tend to agree....it is easier said than done!
well boss!!!(i just came up with this word)
i was searching the web for the game development opportunities in India and found your resume there. then i cheked your blog n now m leaving a comment
well i am searching for a post of trainee in game development and quite
stucked as you know about the situation.
i am in my pre final year of engineering and have a strong desire to go to the industry
So please can you help me??
please help me as i am realy looking forward for the opportunities.
You can mail me on piyushnegi1989@gmail.com or post on itsmemonty.blogspot.com
This comes from a guy who has worked on games like Sokoban and Battleship 3d and the game which uses Pepsi as a power-up. Get a life dude.
Also, could you please learn web page navigations as fxlabs.com has got all screenshots and videos of the game since 1 year.
Also, if you were so disappointed without any info in the site, who forced you to shell out 700 bucks??
Dude, at list Purple Blade had done some contribution to the Indian gaming industry, what have you done?
why cant he express his point of view of a product he had bought?
I believe in him & his knowledge.
I think he is right & developer should take his feedback professionally to next creation
@anonymous
Nice to know someone who has worked on some nice games. Having pepsi as a power-up is in no sense a inappropriate thing.
As far as getting a life, yes sir i'm trying to get one, hopefully get will get it soon..(new post on this on my blog soon)
As for the web pages go, i'm 100% sure that i read the Agni coverage on contentsutra.com
Then visited the website in super excited level to find nothing
Yes after 2 days, the website had all the goodies but IT WAS NOT there when the game was launched and advertised.
I spend 700 bucks because i was excited about this game, i could not wait to get my hands on something that my fellow indians have created. And also as i try not to pirate games and buy originals.
I appreciate your views.
@ :) Smily
Thanks for backing up, my contribution to our industry is negligble. There is still lot to be done and i can always use some help.
Cheers and Peace
"Make your next game better than the last one you made..and soon you will achieve greatness"
Well said Anonymous.
This guy keeps monkeying around IGDA and spreads his "GYAAN" so much, makes me feel barf.
He is contradicting himself so many times, confirming my belief that he is a total n00b.
"...but this game was done in my country by many people who I know personally...."
"...I thought with the “might and experience” of Tony Garcia, Agni should have been way better..."
"...have nothing against FXLabs. I do not know anyone in FXLabs and no intent to hurt anyones ego...."
Do you know someone @FX or not?
"...Dialog in Hindi suggests that I need to do something that kills the monster with his own weapon.
Next line
I am stuck here for last 20 minutes; no clue what to do……."
wtf, Didn't you figure it out that 20 min ago??
"...It was released in 2003 and it was the best deal ever for an Indian game in the Indian market..."
"At the end gamer nees value for money. BDTC at 399/- was good deal.
Agni at 700 is bad deal..."
Yeah right, 400Rs. in 2003 for a game done in game-engine-for-hobbyists is better deal than 700Rs. in 2008 with Unreal engine 2.5. lol
I suggest you better go ask FX to give you the refund, and hope you will get your money back after you tell them why you disliked AGNI and you are the developer of BD :D
@anonymous
Yikess i think i have burnt some bridges....
well i agree to all that you have said, well said.
Good day!
Having worked in games industry, being a console programmer and actually having finished games I think I am in a position to comment on this game.
Basically I think Rs 700 should be umm what do you say worth paying. Considering today I can buy bioshock and CS Source at that price I think 700 is just too much for Agni kind of game.
Secondly I don't think a lot of quality control went into the game. Those who have actually managed to ship out the games know for a fact that its the last 20% of making game fun and fixing so many bugs at the end takes the longest time. But in India no one wants to even give time for it.
I have just glanced at the game. I will probably end up spending 700 to just have a look at the shoddy level design probably.
"Yeah right, 400Rs. in 2003 for a game done in game-engine-for-hobbyists is better deal than 700Rs. in 2008 with Unreal engine 2.5."
It doesn't matter what engine you use. Your game WON'T look good if you don't have quality art asset. You can't make a good looking game out of money power (Take a look at the Playboy Mansion game Mr Hefner made). What I personally think is that BD had the best art asset seen in any released Indian games yet. If a team can pull out so much in A5 engine, they'd do wonders even if they use maybe Unreal Engine 1 or something.
Let's look at a game which is very similar to the Agni game. It's called "Heavy Metal: FAKK2". Female Protagonist. Sci-Fi. Melee as well as shooting gameplay. Puzzle stuff., etc. It is said to be the 1st game made with the Q3 engine by a non-iD developer. To be honest I felt it had one of the best artwork among all the games released at that time (year 2000). Ok, I won't compare Agni with something like 'Crysis'(as surprisingly somebody already did in some newspaper). But why not at least of the level of FAKK2? As far as I've seen the screenshots and trailer, it doesn't look that promising. Might be management problem. In any case what is not looking good is not looking good.
Can't say too much about any design issues as I'm not a designer.
This game was called 'the lost' and was supposed to be released by Irrational Games in 2002, but they had some publisher problems and weren't able to release the completed game.
FX Labs gave it an Indian facelift, and released it.. which I am grateful for, true, because I can finally play this game. Alice, Instinct, Shadow, Light and Corruption all look... different, though. Corruption is supposed to be a walking corpse, not the half-masked guy he is.
It even says in the manual PDF who everyone is supposed to be, and the English subtitles and quests sometimes are not translated, giving it away.
That's just me being nitpicky though.
I'm stuck in Dis, where you have to do something with the trains... any help?
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