Wednesday, June 22, 2016

Kirin Ultimate Unicorn Breed?

Creating the kirin breed and getting it just right is taking a little longer than I planned.  Usually, I would just go ahead and add the secret Ultimate Unicorn breed that's related to the kirin, because compared to creating the new breed, it's not that much extra effort.

I figured some of you are pretty excited about the kirin breed, however, and not wanting to wait any extra time for me to get the new Ultimate Unicorn breed ready.  How do you feel about it?  If you have an opinion, I'd like to hear it!  Let me know in the comments!

If a lot of people want me to get the mod out faster, I'll save the UU breed for one of the next updates.

Tuesday, June 21, 2016

Kirin Model Updates and Video

I've been making more progress on the new kirin breed.  The last update I showed you wasn't the end point, and what I'm going to show you here isn't quite where I want it yet, but it's a lot closer.  I think with a few more tweaks and additions, I'll have the model ready.

I created a video showing the current version of the kirin model.  I edited the texture I was using to have some placeholder colors for some of the new body features, just so it is easier to see what is new.  When the model is how I want it, I'll make the texture more flashy.  :)




If you didn't notice in the video above, you'll see that the kirin is starting to get a little more dragon-like.  His beard is fuller, and I like the spiky look over what I had before.  He has moving whiskers, and fur on the back of his legs.  Unlike horses, his tail is long and snakelike, with a tuft at the end.

What's in the video is a purebred kirin, but be aware that since you can breed kirins with other magical horses, and since the kirin introduces a number of new body features, you'll be able to get some interesting hybrid crossbreeds.

New to YouTube

You'll notice this is my first YouTube video.  I'm planning to create more videos, including some with me narrating, going over all the features of the mod, including all the little secret things you may have missed while playing.  Please subscribe to my YouTube channel if you are interested in seeing these future videos as they come out!  Any Thumbs Ups (or likes) you put on my videos are also greatly appreciated.

Thank you!  :)

Saturday, June 11, 2016

Kirin Development Progress

Kirin development is moving along nicely.  I estimate that the new Kirin magical horse breed is about 50-60% complete.  New Kirin DNA code is in place, as well as some new refactoring to improve how the DNA code works in general.  I'm most of the way through the model development, though there are some things I need to change, and a few visual features still to add.

Crafting the model and getting it just right is probably the hardest part to developing a new mob.  I debated posting a screenshot of what the Kirin currently looks like, but I thought you'd like to see it, even if it's unfinished.  Now, please keep in mind that this model is unfinished, and also that this guy is still wearing the unicorn texture, with unfinished pieces for the antlers and beard (he will get his own texture, and his beard won't look like it came from a wooden chest).



Here is a unicorn pic for comparison:



As you can see, the kirin looks kind of deer-like at the moment.  Even though you can't see it well in this pic, his tail is pretty much done, and I'm happy with it.

As with all other magical horses, the kirin can have children with other breeds, and make babies that share traits from both parents.  This will lead to all sorts of interesting cross-breed possibilities, as well as a new Ultimate Unicorn with a special texture.

Wednesday, May 25, 2016

Kirins and Hippogriffs

You voted, and in last month's poll, we had two very close competitors: the Kirin and the Hippogriff!

Up until the very end, the two breeds were within 10 votes, but the Kirin pulled away in the last few days, and is the winner of the poll!  Following these poll results, I am working on creating the new Kirin breed for inclusion in the Wings, Horns, and Hooves: Ultimate Unicorn Mod!

I already have the design worked out, as well as the powers I intend to give the Kirin breed - these will be a surprise (especially since I have to see how they work out in the code, and whether I need to change them).  I expect the Kirin to be ready in the next few weeks, but if the development turns out to be harder than I anticipate, or my schedule gets messed up, it may take a little longer.

Also, since the Hippogriff was so competitive, I am deciding to add it in as well, and I'll begin work on it as soon as I'm done with the Kirin!  I have done some thinking on its design and powers, but I still have much to finalize.  However, I'm excited!  I hope you are, too!

For your enjoyment, here's a link to the Kirin wikipedia article.