iPad Gameplay Footage

[thesporkman]

The word for Christ is not related to the word for cross. "Χριστός" comes from the verb "χρίω," "to rub or anoint." Christ roughly means "the Anointed One." The word isn't in any way related to the English word "cross," the French "croix," the Latin "crux," or the Greek "σταυρός."

[Avistew]

That's interesting. I was told he was named after the word "cross" because that's how he died, and that's why Christians wear crosses because they symbolise him. Made sense to me so I guess I never had a reason to doubt it.

[thesporkman]

Originally Posted by Avistew

That's interesting. I was told he was named after the word "cross" because that's how he died, and that's why Christians wear crosses because they symbolise him. Made sense to me so I guess I never had a reason to doubt it.

Well, in Catholic iconography, the image of Jesus on the cross is called the "Crucifix," from the Latin "crucifixus," which is the past participle of "crucificere," "to fix to a crux." Sometimes Jesus in general is referred to as Crucifixus, "the Crucified One," but the more common name Christ has nothing to do with crosses.

[Avistew]

I'm curious how the abbreviation into "Xmas" came about, now. Surely, the average person doesn't speak much Greek. Is it an old abbreviation then?

I don't know, might be hypocritical of me since in high school everyone shortened physics and philosophy to φsics and φlo (or sometimes just φ and context dependent) and I never found that weird. I guess the alphabet seems more common knowledge to me than the word for "Christ".

[Lena_P]

Also, it's not until the early 3rd century that evidence that the crucifix was used as a symbol by Christians is found. While it does seem that it had been used for some little time before it's being recorded, for more than one hundred years the fish was the symbol used by Christians. There are also many, many different variations on the "cross" shape used by different Christians at different times.

I've also heard that supposedly Constantine popularized the use of the cross which he identified with the sword, but I doubt the accuracy of this statement since the cross he used looked more like an X and P smooshed on top of each other.

[thesporkman]

Originally Posted by Lena_P

I've also heard that supposedly Constantine popularized the use of the cross which he identified with the sword, but I doubt the accuracy of this statement since the cross he used looked more like an X and P smooshed on top of each other.

Yeah, Constantine popularized the use of the Chi Rho symbol, which is just the first two letters of the word Χριστός layered on top of each other.

[doodinthemood]

What does the H in "Jesus H Christ!" stand for? Answers on a postcard addressed to Dept. of wildly off-topic threads.

[Lead Eater]

I know the graphics are supposed to be simple, but they seem too simple in my opinion, and they don't really cater for a memorable and engaging atmosphere. Not that I've played the game yet, or seen all the scenes. At any rate, adventure puzzle games like the Professor Layton series really capture and engross you in its world because it looks good - but it's still very simple. The characters don't really move at all.

Detailed backgrounds would've been nice. Or a bit more detailing for buildings and items, but I guess "really simple" was the production motto. It'll be fun no matter what.

[thesporkman]

I absolutely love the Grickle art style used in the game. And I love that even though it looks like a traditional 2D adventure game at first glance, it still has all of the cinematic camera angles and choreography we've come to expect from Telltale. I'm really looking forward to it.

[Lead Eater]

Originally Posted by Avistew

I'm curious how the abbreviation into "Xmas" came about, now.

It's the work of those secular blasphemers!

With Christmas being such a popular holiday, the secular world wanted to fully enjoy it as a holiday - without Christ, mind you. Santa, snow, lights, presents, cookies, etc., however, are retained.

Pun intended: Xmas is Christmas without Christ.

Nah, that's too simple and convenient an explanation. X has been used instead of Christ throughout history. The secular world, including me, has adapted the word "Xmas" for their very own "Christ"mas though. I choose to ignore the Christian origin of the X

[Lena_P]

@Lead Eater You do realize that the backgrounds in Puzzle Agent aren't just static backgrounds like in Layton, right? The characters in Puzzle Agent actually move around a fully 3D world so there could possibly be movement and interaction with the world outside of cutscenes! (Yes the Layton sprites kind of jiggle in place, but I don't consider that the same thing as, say, actually walking across an environment.)

At the same time Layton is set in a quaint "Europe" while Puzzle Agent is in the Northern Reaches of Minnesota. I'd say it's a fairly accurate portrayal of a small, Midwestern town. I especially love the Quonset hut diner

[Avistew]

I for one find the game is very atmospheric. Sure the design is simple but it really works, in my opinion, and I'm not a Grickle fan or anything.

[taumel]

Interesting video, so it's plane driven.

[Lena_P]

I thought Tethers gets around on a snowmobile? Okay, seriously, what does "plane driven" mean?

[GinnyN]

Originally Posted by Lead Eater

Detailed backgrounds would've been nice. Or a bit more detailing for buildings and items, but I guess "really simple" was the production motto. It'll be fun no matter what.

I think the production motto was "Excelent craft".

I'm really serious when I say I would love to be able to draw that good.

[Jake]

Originally Posted by Lena_P

I thought Tethers gets around on a snowmobile? Okay, seriously, what does "plane driven" mean?

It means Taumel likes assuming, and declarative statements.

Also, again with the ridiculous thread derailment, guys. It's not cool.

[taumel]

@Lena_P
I always was wondering how TTG would implement the Grickle look, a) will it be real 3D (a 3D scene with 3D character models and some sort of custom outline shader), b) will it be 3D but instead of 3D models using planes (two combined triangles, so a rectangle, billboards if oriented at the player) where you project the graphics/animations textures on, or c) will it be planes in 2D space like you implement GUIs for instance or d) some sort of combination like mixing 2D and 3D elements where it suits.

From the video it seems to be that planes are beeing used or that they tweaked the 3D towards the 2D planes look. :O)

What i found interesting is the deph of field (for cinematic reasons) in a planes world, well i hope it was and not some low res blurred textures.

Looking forward to it.