Recent posts

#31
Mage's Initiation Forum / Re: Ways to Die (Spoilers)
Last post by CrankyTemplar - May 25, 2019, 06:59:59 PM
So folks, my apologies for the disappearance on this. Between work, moving, and switching gears to tackle other videos this kind of fell by the wayside. However, I have a few days off now so I am finishing this up between tonight/tomorrow.

I can confirm a generic non-poison related death message for dying from poison. Fire mage has no unique deaths with Brashem. The lone bandit for the fire mage is an inaccurate death as it gives the same death message as a normal bandit (I just had forgotten when I posted, apparently). There's also a different death message interacting with the sleeping goblin in the barracks as a Fire Mage (who ordinarily has the key you need on other routes).

I'm still unsure if there's a death inside Sir Hamfed's house (besides the guard spotting you outside if you opt to return the gem), or whether the autosaves when choosing your element or entering the Priestess' palace are related to being in danger (they only occur if the "autosave when in danger occur" is checked, it seems). There's also the possibility I've missed deaths. If someone does happen to know and posts on it, I'll update accordingly. Thanks!
#32
Mage's Initiation Forum / Re: Status of Kickstarter phys...
Last post by Geronimoshe - May 13, 2019, 03:59:56 PM
Just in case anyone else comes here seeking the same information that I was, Chris at Himalaya just responded with the following via e-mail:

***

No, they haven't shipped yet, unfortunately!

We're currently working on the physical reward items for Kickstarter/Paypal backers, but they won't all be ready for quite a while yet. We want to get all of the reward items manufactured first so that we can send everything to backers at once. It's a very involved and time-consuming process manufacturing all this stuff, but we'll certainly let everyone know as we continue to make progress.


***

Thanks Chris!
#33
Mage's Initiation Forum / Status of Kickstarter physical...
Last post by Geronimoshe - May 07, 2019, 12:25:37 PM
Hi everyone,

Please forgive me if I missed this somewhere, sometime between the first Kickstarter campaign and the release of Mage's Initiation a few months ago, but I haven't been able to find any information on the physical release of the game. I backed at the $30 tier way back when, but have only received notifications of the game becoming available on Steam, GOG, and Humblebundle.
Sent a couple of e-mails to web@himalayastudios.com and have not received a response.

Thanks for any information on this that anyone can share.

#34
Mage's Initiation Forum / Ways to Die (Spoilers)
Last post by CrankyTemplar - April 24, 2019, 12:06:55 AM
Good day folks! I found out about this game after playing Hero-U and generally enjoy looking for ways to meet a terrible end in adventure games. After playing through as an Air Mage I tried the different paths and I'm so far compiling all the deaths I found to put into a YouTube video (for reference, this was the video I did for Hero-U which was a good bit of fun to compile) but wanted to post what I have found between all four routes and things I'm still curious/checking on to ensure I don't miss something. I'm pretty sure I am missing some deaths at this time. If folks happen to note a death I missed or can confirm one I'm unsure about, it is much appreciated if you let me know!

I've sorted these into death messages from losing combat against a specific creature and non-combat deaths in each trial.

Combat
1. Pygmy Goblin
2. Redcap Goblin
3. Redcap Archer
4. Spiderling
5. Skeleton
6. Skeleton Archer
7. Casipoisse
8. Crab/Priestess Boss
9. Bandit
10. Burrower
11. Biclops
12. Wraith Group Boss
13. Skeltch
14. Lone Bandit (Fire Mage side quest)
15. Slithpurr (Fire Mage side quest)
16. Slithpurr Snakes (Fire Mage side quest)
17. Fire Wraith (Fire Mage side quest)
18. Redcap Guard Duo Boss
19. Pyraze (On a side note, it's a shame you don't get a cool incineration like Bort does when losing this fight)
NOTE: I'm not sure if there's a death due to poison (I suspect so) given not too many ways to get poisoned and timing poison to kill you without further enemy attacks.

Trial 1
1. Approach the Wasps Repeatedly
2. Talk to the Wasps Repeatedly as an Air Mage (Gives the same death message as 1, but wasp dialogue)
NOTE: Wasps are technically for Trial 2, but you can be killed by them while doing Trial 1. I didn't find any other deaths in Trial 1 outside of combat. I did notice an autosave when choosing my element and when entering the palace for the first time, but I'm not sure if these are autosaves related to being in danger or just autosaves in general (thinking the latter).

Trial 2
1. Attacked by the Griffon
2. Don't Talk to Brashem (or try to leave) when he tells you to start talking
3. Use the hand icon on Brashem's door or belongings repeatedly
4. Don't leave when Brashem tells you to run
5. Get Eaten by the Burrower (Air Mage side quest)
6. Get too close to the Moss Man (Earth Mage side quest - identical death message for both appearances, including if you quickly shift the canopy and immediately run into it)
7. Get spotted by the guard when returning the gem (Water Mage side quest)
NOTE: This is one where I believe I'm missing a death for the Water Mage side quest. I see an autosave occur when I enter Sir Hamfred's house for the first time on the Water Mage side quest (and when returning the stone), but fooling around with stuff didn't get me killed and I'm pretty sure there's no time limit after playing the Earth Mage side quest...
NOTE: I also skipped visiting Brashem on the Fire Mage playthrough and intend to go back from a save around that point to see if casting Heat or Flash might result in a unique death.

Trial 3
1. Walk into the Pit (Water Mage)
2. Walk into the Fire or the ring of fire from the outside (Air Mage)
3. Walk into the Ring of Fire after floating over it (Air Mage)
4. Walk into the Tornado (Fire Mage, same death message if you die before casting Heat or before casting Flash)
5. Walk into the Ice Shards (Earth Mage)
6. Follow Strof into the Goblin barracks
7. Follow Strof into his hut or the kitchen (same event and death message for both)
8. Run in the Goblin Barracks (without being under the effects of Conceal or Pacify)
9. Try to take the Key (without being under the effects of Conceal or Pacify)
10. Cast Flash in the Barracks (Fire Mage only)
11. Open the Chest without using the oil (or Conceal/Pacify)
12. Wait in the camp after taking the Trinicorn Horn (only if you leave the kitchen door unlocked)
13. Spotted by the archer in town while disguised as a goblin
14. Don't hide when the goblin disguise is wearing off
15. Use the dagger on the priestess (if she was left alive)
16. After finding Varner and the explosive cube, wait without picking it up
17. Pick up the explosive cube then wait
18. Use the explosive cube on the empty barrel
19. In the storage room, either wait too long without pushing the chair or try to run to the window without doing so (same death message)
20. Wait too long to block the door in McGyle's room
21. Try to leave McGyle's room without blocking the door (very minor death message variant from just waiting)
22. Say the wrong things to Fend

So the TLDR version of what I'm unsure of is death by poison, whether fire mage spells cause a unique death with Brashem, whether there is a way to die in Sir Hamfred's house on the Water Mage side quest, and whether there are non-combat related deaths for Trial 1 besides the wasps. Of course, any other deaths in other segments I may have missed is much appreciated too!

Thanks for reading and for any suggestions or information you have! I will update if I find anything additional to add or someone mentions an additional death. I will also likely finish and upload the compilation this weekend after checking everything (and will post the link after doing so).
#35
Mage's Initiation Forum / Cross Promo Contest #3 Retweet...
Last post by RobertaHelen - April 01, 2019, 10:16:18 PM
#HeroU
#MagesInitiation
#PromoContests
#Contest3
#RetweetandWin
#Raffle

Hello adventure game fans!!

Welcome to our special 2-month long run of contests brought to you by Transolar Games and Himalaya Studios!

Contest #3
Retweet to Win!

The rules are very simple! Follow both of us on Twitter @transolargames and @himalayastudios. Retweet our contest and your name will go in a raffle drawing. Winner will be drawn and announced next Monday.

Contest prizes: One lucky winner will take away Hero-U: Rogue to Redemption in big box and a lovely cloth map from Mage's Initiation.

Good lucky everyone and see you in Twitter!

xoxo

#TeamColes
#TeamHimalaya


Basic Rules for All Contests:

- All are welcome to participate, so long as you've purchased our games or donated to Kickstarters!

- Most contests will run Monday-Monday, except the cosplay contest, which will run starting today and will end May 1st, allowing time for people to either post or send in their photos.

- A few contests (which will be announced in FB) will only be through our Twitters and Instagram! So if you haven't followed us and would like to participate, look us up: @transolargames, @himalayastudios

- Folk that enter will need to be comfortable giving us your address so that we can ship you your prizes. Everything offered is a physical prize! And yes, international people are eligible and shipping is free.

- Winners will be announced immediately following the end of each contest, but prizes will ship out after our campaign is over.

- Rules for playing/entering will be posted per contest. They are all different :)

- If you have any questions, feel free to email our publicist Roberta Vaughan: presstransolargames@gmail.com





#36
Mage's Initiation Forum / Cross Promo Contest #2 with Tr...
Last post by RobertaHelen - March 27, 2019, 05:00:19 PM
#HeroU
#MagesInitiation
#PromoContests
#Contest2
#ClassicGameDeathGenerator

Hello adventure game fans!!

Welcome to our special 2-month long run of contests brought to you by Transolar Games and Himalaya Studios!

Contest #2:
Classic Game Death Generator

The rules are pretty simple! Pick one of the many classic game death screens from the website below and fill in with your own caption! Add your responses below in this thread or you can email presstransolargames@gmail.com. An example has been provided below. For more information on entering visit facebook.com/TheSchoolForHeroes.

http://deathgenerator.com

Winner will be decided by our team, and announced next Monday. One lucky winner will take home Shawn's Lucky Coin from Hero-U, and a lovely polyresin figure of Bort the Earth Mage Mentor from Mage's Initiation.

Can't wait to see what you guys come up with! Have fun everyone and good luck to you all!!

xoxo

#TeamColes
#TeamHimalaya

Basic Rules for All Contests:

- All are welcome to participate, so long as you've purchased our games or donated to Kickstarters!

- Most contests will run Monday-Monday, except the cosplay contest, which will run starting today and will end May 1st, allowing time for people to either post or send in their photos.

- A few contests (which will be announced in FB) will only be through our Twitters and Instagram! So if you haven't followed us and would like to participate, look us up: @transolargames, @himalayastudios

- Folk that enter will need to be comfortable giving us your address so that we can ship you your prizes. Everything offered is a physical prize! And yes, international people are eligible and shipping is free.

- Winners will be announced immediately following the end of each contest, but prizes will ship out after our campaign is over.

- Rules for playing/entering will be posted per contest. They are all different :)

- If you have any questions, feel free to email our publicist Roberta Vaughan: presstransolargames@gmail.com







#37
Mage's Initiation Forum / Re: This Beta Build Has EXPIRE...
Last post by Jet - March 25, 2019, 06:22:07 AM
Sorry for your pain, and yes, I agree an email indicating that there was a v1.1 upgrade and how to access it - most especially for DRM-free users like us, would not only have been a nice gesture, but pretty much expected.

It's never a bad idea to let users know that bug fixes and improvements have been made. Just sayin .. ;)

Quote from: trog7 on March 23, 2019, 10:03:16 AM
I also see on the home page there have been several changes to the game play including the option where one may make it Easier to play through ... ?!?

... made it easier to play through - ha, come on, the game is Exceptionally Easy to play through in its original format - I played each mage, except as mentioned - not the fire mage yet, through at least twice to include the various side quests including smiting the Enchantress during the original Earth Mage run through, and then playing through and sparing her ... that is at least 6 times already - there are a couple of " slightly challenging " puzzles, and the "boss type fights" just need to work a strategy to beat them ...
... And I'm guessing that during the first week after release there would not have been any walk-through "help" available anyways ... so, as per "old-school gaming style" - get stuck in a puzzle - write down what you tried Until You Solve It, and some were simply "literal" keys, also keep returning to the forest and wastelands to get as many gems etc. to improve your battling skills and strength.

Ok, this is where we say "to each their own". I'm glad you enjoy(ed) the game in your own particular style. But .. not everyone enjoys combat, and it's a welcome change to have the devs add a way to bypass it if that's what one prefers.

I'm not a skilled gamer by any means but I do play games with combat in them, so I was interested in learning the combat in this one. I'm also a fan of "pretties" that only drop in loot soooo ... :p That said, it took me some amount of time and effort to figure out how to survive while trying to find my way through the forest and wastelands. There were times (v1.0) when I desperately wished for a way to stop having to combat foes .. or running away and losing my place while I was mapping. I just wanted to get on with things! So for folks like me, the option to turn off regular combat was/is welcome.

Quote from: trog7 on March 23, 2019, 10:03:16 AM
As a backer - I had been notified my name would be in the "book", but I am not listed ( one of my friends who was also a backer, his name is in the book )
As GameDevChris said, they did send out a notification to backers, but I believe (not certain) you had to respond to it and tell them specifically what name you wanted to use.

Once inside the game it took me awhile to find my name in the book. I hadn't remembered (it *has* been years!) that I chose a favorite character name, one that I've used for decades, and not this forum name, which is what at first I assumed would be in the book.

Anyways, I hope you enjoy the rest of your time in the game. I thought it was well worth waiting for and hope lots of new players get to enjoy it too!
#38
Mage's Initiation Forum / Re: This Beta Build Has EXPIRE...
Last post by GameDevChris - March 23, 2019, 08:41:54 PM
Yeah, sorry about that. There was a line of code that was accidentally left in v.1.0 of the game (from the beta build) which had it set to expire at the end of February. This auto-patches when the game updates on Steam and GOG, but for the Humble Bundle DRM-Free version (which is the version I assume you're playing?) You'll need to download and install v.1.1 manually.

Just uninstall v.1.0 of the game (your savegames and settings files won't be affected), then log into your Humble Bundle account, go to your library, and download the relevant v1.1 of the game. Then just install it and run it, and you should be able to resume where you left off. And, you're correct, v.1.1 won't expire, as the line of code was removed.

Quote... made it easier to play through - ha, come on, the game is Exceptionally Easy to play through in its original format

None of the puzzles were changed. We only made combat mode optional so that players who prefer to play through more like a traditional adventure game now have that option. Otherwise, if you don't disable combat, v.1.1 still plays exactly the same as v.1.0 did.

QuoteAs a backer - I had been notified my name would be in the "book", but I am not listed ( one of my friends who was also a backer, his name is in the book )

Only backers at the $20 tier and above had their names added to the Book. We sent out a survey to backers as well as reminders in various Kickstarter updates for backers to submit names for the book before the game's release. Either way, if you want it included and you backed the project at $20 or above, please send us a message through the Kickstarter messaging system mentioning what you'd like your name to be in the book, and I'll get it added.

QuoteDuring the game play I encountered numerous glytches and crashes, which I may get around to reporting ...
... I as yet have not looked at the forum reports regarding crashes and errors Bug Reports ...

V.1.1 comes with a readme.txt file that contains a list of all bugs that were fixed since v.1.0. So that would be a good place to check if the things you noticed have already been addressed or not.
#39
News / Cross Promo Cosplay Contest wi...
Last post by RobertaHelen - March 23, 2019, 08:24:38 PM
#HeroU
#MagesInitiation
#PromoContests
#CosplayContest

Hello adventure game fans!!

Welcome to our special 2-month long run of contests brought to you by Transolar Games and Himalaya Studios!

Contest #1:
Cosplay Contest


The rules are pretty simple! You just have to dress up as one of our game characters, take a photo, and submit! Characters can be from our recent games or from our past games. To submit, email entries to: presstransolargames@gmail.com. This contest will run starting today and will end May 1st, so people have time to make costumes and give us entries.

One lucky winner will win the prizes shown:
- Signed Quest for Glory 2 Poster
- Mage's Initiation Pewter Pendant


Winner will be decided by the team and announced after the contest is over.

Can't wait to see what you guys come up with! Have fun everyone and good luck to you all!!

xoxo

#TeamColes
#TeamHimalaya

Basic Rules for All Contests:


  • All are welcome to participate, so long as you've purchased our games or donated to Kickstarters!
  • Most contests will run Monday-Monday, except the cosplay contest, which will run starting today and will end May 1st, allowing time for people to either post or send in their photos.
  • A few contests (which will be announced in FB) will only be through our Twitters and Instagram! So if you haven't followed us and would like to participate, look us up: @transolargames, @himalayastudios
  • Folk that enter will need to be comfortable giving us your address so that we can ship you your prizes. Everything offered is a physical prize! And yes, international people are eligible and shipping is free.
  • Winners will be announced immediately following the end of each contest, but prizes will ship out after our campaign is over.
  • Rules for playing/entering will be posted per contest. They are all different :)
  • If you have any questions, feel free to email our publicist Roberta Vaughan: presstransolargames@gmail.com




#40
Mage's Initiation Forum / This Beta Build Has EXPIRED.
Last post by trog7 - March 23, 2019, 10:03:16 AM
I am one of the early backers.

I had received notification the game construct was finally completed and the download available.
I have played through all mages except Fire Mage - all during the First Week after the release of Mage's Initiation.

I have been rather busy since then, doing other things, besides having a day job ...
I today decided to crank up the Mage again and see what Fire Mage has to play with,

BUT,
I am greeted with a Black Screen stating "This Beta Build Has EXPIRED. The program will now exit!"

Like What the heck?!?!
Isn't this meant to be the Final and full game release of Mage's Initiation ??

The version I downloaded was the DRM free release.

I see there is now a version 1.1 update - of which I have Not received any notification yet about this update release ...

I trust this v1.1 release of Mage's Initiation WONT EXPIRE !?

I also see on the home page there have been several changes to the game play including the option where one may make it Easier to play through ... ?!?

... made it easier to play through - ha, come on, the game is Exceptionally Easy to play through in its original format - I played each mage, except as mentioned - not the fire mage yet, through at least twice to include the various side quests including smiting the Enchantress during the original Earth Mage run through, and then playing through and sparing her ... that is at least 6 times already - there are a couple of " slightly challenging " puzzles, and the "boss type fights" just need to work a strategy to beat them ...
... And I'm guessing that during the first week after release there would not have been any walk-through "help" available anyways ... so, as per "old-school gaming style" - get stuck in a puzzle - write down what you tried Until You Solve It, and some were simply "literal" keys, also keep returning to the forest and wastelands to get as many gems etc. to improve your battling skills and strength.
The first run through took me about a day and a half to complete the Mage [probably about 39 hours] - after that the next times averaged under 7 hours game play ...

As a backer - I had been notified my name would be in the "book", but I am not listed ( one of my friends who was also a backer, his name is in the book )

During the game play I encountered numerous glytches and crashes, which I may get around to reporting ...
... I as yet have not looked at the forum reports regarding crashes and errors Bug Reports ...