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Ganymede - the Thoughtful Mario World project

Got a moment? I have something that might titillate and tantalize.

It's my hack, a life's work of sorts since there were atoms of this idea in my head going back to my childhood (and being that I turn 34 in two weeks, that's a longer way back for me than most here, I think).



Mario never saw the storm coming until it was too late to avoid. Churning the ocean into a furious froth, he is soaked and helpless, entirely at the mercy of the uncaring and unseeing eye spinning by above.



When he awakens, his boat is in splinters and a blazing sun beams down upon the shore where he has washed up. No one is around and, there being nothing else to do, Mario ventures further inland, perhaps in search of materials to rebuild his vessel.



The island of Ganymede once was home to people, but those people are long gone. All that remains now are ruins and remnants, the last, forgotten reminders of a civilization so ancient that even the legends and myths hold no memory of it.




Ganymede is an enormous hack, almost certainly among the largest ever made. There are (presently) 81 full levels, accounting for 104 exits. When I say 81 levels, I mean 81 huge, complex levels crafted to be interesting and aesthetically pleasing, each with a unique appearance and character honed over and over again over the three years that I've been creating them.

A big element of Ganymede is that it is a very non-linear hack. Completing the game requires completing every level, but you have a large degree of freedom to determine just how you go about this. From just the first branch in the path (which is the first ghost house) you can go in two entirely different directions.

Furthermore, the levels themselves are generally also not entirely linear. Most have direct paths from one end to the other, but there is usually more than one route you can go. There are also tons of secrets, some hidden very well, and virtually every level has some. I've designed Ganymede to be the completionist's, and the explorer's, dream. Much of it is optional, none of it is without reward.



In spite of all the work already done, there's still lots more to go. The C3 beta is unlocked, meaning you can navigate most of the map immediately and view all of the levels at leisure. This also means that there will be some glitches, unfinished graphics and all that. Just about every level is playable and the majority of them are quite polished (levels which are not complete are noted with parentheses around their names). Nonetheless, all but a tiny handful are completely playable. The story is still in the writing process and is largely absent in the beta.

Another thing absent in the beta is MUSIC. There isn't any (yet!). I suggest muting the emulator and listening to the beautiful album which lends the hack its name, and has inspired so much of the concept and story within it. Or whatever. Put on something else if you want, as long as it's good and it talks to your soul.

I also suggest playing with a gamepad if you can. Ganymede has a gentle difficulty curve, but it does get pretty hard near the end.



DOWNLOAD C3 BETA HERE

and let me know what you think. Or better yet, what you feel. Also be sure to check out my thread in the WIP forum for (some) videos and other stuff.

Here's some world map goodness, too.


GANYMEDE

Chapter Two: Land of No Shame
FIRST!

This is getting Best Demo from me, dude. You have no idea how long I've been waiting for this!
Ha,that's great, thank you so much! I hope it brings a little joy to your day.

I wanted a bit better presentation but time was limited. When I return home, I'll put some more stuff together.
GANYMEDE

Chapter Two: Land of No Shame
About how long will it be until this is finished? It looks and sounds REALLY good, but to be honest I don't want to play through 81 or whatever levels just to do all of those again when the final version comes out.
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This demo can be played through, but it's really just a showcase so that you can see the level design and get a taste for what I'm doing. As all the levels are open, obviously you don't have to look for secret exits and all that. It's missing some of the essence of the experience I want you to have. And I only released this because of C3. I'm normally very reluctant to show off unfinished work.

However, to answer the question you asked, I'm shooting for "sometime this fall" for a passably solid release, but when I first signed up here and showed off what was just TMW at the time, I said it was 80% done and the DNA test results indicate that was a lie. It's always 80% done in my head. I enjoy doing this too much to want to finish.

But, one factor making this uncertain is that I'm trying to arrange for a friend to compose a soundtrack.
GANYMEDE

Chapter Two: Land of No Shame