Date: July 31, 2009
"The Blog #12"Tech Deck Live Limited Beta Launches! Tech Deck Live is stoked to announce that we are gearing up for the launch of this summer’s sickest online skatepark! During this process, we will be stressing the limits of the skateparks, tweaking graphics, hammering out sound FX and smoothing out trick animations to bring you the ultimate skateboarding experience! Please note that the official My.TechDeck.com community will be removing the TDL section of the forums to keep the beta period strictly confidential. If you are selected as a beta participant we kindly ask that you keep all of your experiences, bug encounters and issues with TDL to yourself, as outlined in the Beta Agreement. Please also refrain from discussing or sharing any content with any and all external forums, communities and friends. Our intention is not to stifle the epic times that you will be having as you throw down your bag ‘o tricks on massive gaps and crazy rails. Simply put, keeping the beta confidential will help us streamline the process in order to crank out the most slammin’ online skatepark known to skaters everywhere! However, being vocal with your feedback with us is critically important. So, if you are a chosen beta participant it is very important that you tell us what you think is groovy, what isn’t working so well and how we can improve the game. To register for beta, visit TechDeckLive.com! ~ Millencholy, TDL Community Manager Date: July 1, 2009 "The Blog #11"Tech Deck Live’s User Interface: Taking a spin from behind the wheel! Every avid gamer knows that a stellar video game needs to have the perfect complimenting blend of graphics, music, sound FX, controls, maps, etc. One of the core components that can make or break a game is its User Interface or UI for short. The User Interface in a video game is all of the windows and icons that tell you what’s going on in the game and the status of your avatar. The UI also displays the tools that allow you to use all of the other killer features a game offers. Tech Deck Live separates itself from the norm of online video games by “poppin’ our collar” with a fresh and edgy interface that you will find is easier to use than Velcro shoes! We are excited to share some of the features and icons of the Tech Deck Live UI….
Live and breathe these icons as they will help you get around in skater-run Skater Heights! ~ Millencholy, TDL Community Manager Date: May 12, 2009 "The Blog #10"Tech Deck Live to Enter Summer Beta! Calling all gamers, fingerboarders, and skaters! Tech Deck Live and Spin Master Studios is excited to announce that the official beta cycle of the hottest online skateboarding game will begin in the summer of ’09. We know what you must be thinking, "but its spring... shouldn't we be in beta now?" Fortunately, we have a crazy skilled team working mad hours around the clock to develop the best online skateboarding experience possible. We like to refer to them as our Pizza Pros! Indulge us with your reading attention for a minute... 
Have you ever ordered a pizza expecting it to be "delivered within 30 minutes or its free", only to be disappointed with a cold pie and a slice or two missing? It's a sad, sad day that we don't wish upon any pizza loving friend. Our incredibly talented pizza chefs (or game designers), known collectively as the Spin Master Pizzeria, are cooking up one mean pie that we know you won't be disappointed in. It may take a bit longer to roll through the oven than the rest, but it'll be hot, fresh and brought straight to your door… not to mention fully intact and not half-eaten by the delivery dude! So, get your flip-flops and board shorts ready for the most blistering gaming event to hit the internet this summer. Now that's amore! ~ Millencholy, TDL Community Manager Date: April 8, 2009 "The Blog #9"Tech Deck Live Skate Shops Skateboarding in its purest form is all about freedom of expression! The culture infused in the wood pushing lifestyle is one of independence, creativity and having pride in who you are. We scream our unique personalities through our skating styles, our music, the art we create and even the clothes that we wear! A previous blog entry on character customization presented how you would actually bring your online skateboarder to life. Breathing personality into your character doesn’t stop there! Tech Deck Live features full service skate shops throughout its skater-run world! 
As you bust out mad tricks and nab rockin’ wins in competitions, you’ll earn cold-hard in-game cred. No need to worry about the virtual bills burning a hole through your pants! There’s a grip load of new boards, stylin’ shirts and pants, awesome kicks (shoes) and hats to further bling out your skater. You can even change up your hair style at a local barbershop. Time to sport that mohawk you’ve always wanted! Skater Height's shop owners are down-to-earth and will allow you to try on your items before you commit to purchasing them. You’ll find that they are also quite chatty, and talking with them will reveal their hilarious personalities! In fact, one of the owners feels that hammering out insane tricks should never be halted… even when on a shopping spree! That’s why there is an in-door half pipe in one of the skate shops begging for you to throw down a quick shopping spree sesh! Over and out skate freaks! ~ Millencholy, TDL Community Manager Date: March 20, 2009 "The Blog #8"Mini Games Tech Deck Live has set out to bring you the most intense mind-blowing experience by fusing cement bustin' skateboarding and exhilarating role-playing game elements all in the coolest online hangout! Many would question, "Now, how could this get any better?! It's all I'll ever need!" Without any further ado, The Blog has your answer by presenting the Mini Games of Tech Deck Live! Everyone loves a mini game or two. In fact, most of us base our whole online lives around them (when we aren't fingerboarding or skating, of course!). TDL brings you a heap of mini games that are scattered about the skateparks waiting for you to discover! Every skatepark will have a stand-up arcade machine that you will be able to roll up to and start playing. As a passing skater, you can play for a few minutes, throw down some killer skills and continue on with your daily skating! If you are mad serious, there will be individual leaderboards to compete for the highest score! Whether you are a hardcore mini-gamer or just a casual player, in-game currency will be rewarded depending on how well you score! If you rock the game and pull off a crazy score, you'll get a pretty hefty sum of in-game cash! Inspiration for many of the games comes from the retro games of days past, such as the famous dot eating, yellow circle that is deathly afraid of ghosts! With the art style based on the collectable Tech Deck Dudes, you'll be able to play updated renditions of these classics as your favorite Tech Deck mascot! TechDeckLive.com features an addictive example of one of the many mini games that will be waiting for you!  
Click here to check out the Jack 'O Launcher minigame. ~ Millencholy, TDL Community Manager Date: March 9, 2009 "The Blog #7"Tech Deck Live Competitions In the previous entry of "The Blog", we dove into the unique character customization you will use to bring your online skaters to life as you fuse your own sense of style and personalities. This article elaborates on one of the awesome gameplay features that you will be able to participate in which not only shows off your avatar, but also allows you to display your uber-skating skills. Tech Deck Live brings you skate competitions! 
As if thrashing a skatepark by oneself isn't gnarly enough, think about being able to wreak havoc with a friend or rival skater! Throughout the world of TDL, each skatepark will feature an official competition sign-up table that everyone will have access to. Any skater can roll up and click on the table. Doing so will put you into a competition where you'll meet up with buddies and other eager skaters waiting for some wood chuckin' multiplayer skateboarding action! A slew of skaters can compete to nab the highest score within a specified time limit. Imagine the most insane skate comp where everyone is throwing down the most wicked combos and lines for an utmost juicy reward! Those who prove themselves as asphalt warriors will be rewarded with bonus experience and in-game currency. However, only one skater in each competition will emerge as a concrete king, getting a chance to receive a rare in-game item! Tech Deck Live competitions are straight-up "in your face" multiplayer mayhem sessions! ~ Millencholy, TDL Community Manager Date: February 18, 2009 "The Blog #6"Character Customization
Date: January 14, 2009 "The Blog #5"The Tricks of Tech Deck Live The new year of 2009 has much in store for the eagerly awaited release of Tech Deck Live! During the past year many developmental hurdles have been cleared as we’ve pressed forward into creating the most exciting online skateboard gaming experience. In the coming months, Tech Deck Live will be entering into its Open Beta phase, giving those who signed up a chance to check out the game before it officially hits the streets. Sign up for your chance to be in the Open Beta at TechDeckLive.com. The latest milestone to emerge from the game designers are the available tricks a skater can perform in the game! No matter what style of skateboarding you choose from, you will have access to a handful of awesome tricks! Brand new skateboarders in the world of TDL will be able to bust out basic tricks like ollies, kickflips, Indy grabs, 50-50 grinds and boardslides. As skaters progress through competitions gaining more experience, new gnarlier tricks specific to their style of skating will be unlocked! Street skaters will be able to throw down wicked Nose and Crooked grinds. Vert skaters will be flying up quarter pipes and nabbing insane Stalefish and Judo grabs. Freestylers are going to be melting faces with crazy flip tricks like the Impossible and Double Heelflip! Finally, just like the end of every epic journey, each style will have access to its very own Holy Grail of tricks! When skaters have reached the pinnacle of their adventure, special tricks will be unlocked that can only be performed by the masters of their style. Aside from the totally customizable character creation, the tricks of Tech Deck Live are what set you apart from the norm! Having a slew of unique tricks in a competition is your ammo against the other contestants in the battle to claim victory! We can’t wait to tear up the city with you! ~ Millencholy, TDL Community Manager Date: December 4, 2008 "The Blog #4"The NPCs of Tech Deck Live Welcome back to the Tech Deck Live Blog! The latest articles dove straight into the actual design and general art style of the most eagerly awaited online skateboarding game. As the studio progresses forward blending innovative design ideas and flourishing artistry they give birth to truly unique NPCs, or Non-Playable Characters. As a skater in Tech Deck Live, you will be able to grind and flip your way through a slew of skateparks complete with their own themes. Along your journey many quirky characters will be encountered. Check out a sneak peak image and biographies of several Tech Deck Live NPCs...
 Name: Andy Sparrow
When the designers think of how to create these NPCs one word is on their mind, 'outrageousness'! "The Tech Deck Live world characters needed to be outlandish. Many of skateboarding's sub-culture lends itself to far-fetched individuals. So, it was only natural to present those sorts of characters with ridiculous exaggeration," comments Tim Lang, TDL's Lead Designer. Over our shoulders Keith Giglio, TDL's Narrative Designer chimes in, "Who in their right mind would stay in a town taken over by skateboarders? The thing is... they’re not in their right minds!" Their dialog and background stories definitely reflect their quirky and zany demeanors. This design mind frame is apparent when skaters come across characters such as Polly Ethylene; a Mohawk sporting, plaid wearing, hardcore punk rocker! Reporting in from the front lines, ~ Millencholy, TDL Community Manager Meet the Designers:
Date: November 13, 2008 "The Blog #3"The Art Style of Tech Deck Live The last entry of The Blog was on the zone development of Tech Deck Live. It would be fitting to extend that conversation to the specific art style that is then laid on top of the zone design. This art style is also used to make the surrounding environment look fascinating and allow the players to create a unique avatar in an online, virtual skatepark! Once again, Mark Pajarillo, the TDL Senior Art Director, was pulled aside to explain his art strategy, "Tech Deck Live is taking a more colorful and expressive approach to the world of skateboarding. We aren't trying to avoid the reality of the lifestyle. In fact, we want to exaggerate what makes the sport so fun to begin with!" That statement is brought to life as seen in the game trailer on the homepage.
Blending the realism of skateboarding and the exaggeration of the culture is allowing TDL to have its own uber tweaked out tricks, incredible places to skate, and a riveting character customization system. Skaters will be able to sport that Mohawk that they weren’t allowed to have and bust out a stylish Frontside Flip to Melon Grab at the same time! Sitting down with Carlos Mendoza, a talented Concept Artist, offered some exciting insight into the implemented style. "Inspiration for character creation, clothing items, and zone textures comes from many different sources. However, I seem to pull a lot of creativity from the skateboarding culture that I grew up with. As a skateboarder I wanted a way to express myself and show my individuality whether it was wearing skull pants and Converses or spiking up my dyed green hair." Additionally, working within the Shockwave player creates some awesome opportunities for the artists. They are able to create intensely colorful worlds and action-packed skateparks that run smoothly within a single web browser. Some skate culture can be gritty and hard-hitting, but TDL is bringing about a vibrant and fun place to grind, flip, and socialize in. It's only natural to allow players to create their own personality from the clothing and hair styles they choose in a world that screams excitement! Signing off, ~ Millencholy, TDL Community Manager Meet the Designers:
Date: October 30th, 2008 "The Blog #2"Tech Deck Live Zone Development Just two weeks after the first blog release, the Tech Deck Live design team has been incredibly busy working on the actual skateparks of TDL. These skateparks are more commonly referred to as "zones". "The focus of zone design has been on what you can’t do in the real world of skateboarding, such as skating down the halls of a hospital, grinding through a mall, or shredding a police station. Then, designing a way to break all those rules!," says Craig Forrest, TDL Producer. Many other skateboarding games rely on the realistic approach to skating. Tech Deck Live is going to go against the grain and allow you to skate those places that you’ve always wanted to! The zones in Tech Deck Live will range from the dream skate park to a construction site!
Inspiration for zone art design was taken from the places and objects they have always wanted to skate, as well as listening to the suggestions and feedback coming from the Tech Deck online community. There is no doubt that Tech Deck Live is made for skaters as players are going to be unstoppable as they grind and trick their way through more zones and objects than they can count on their fingerboardin' hands! I can't wait to see you all in one of the many places to skate and hangout in Tech Deck Live! ~ Millencholy, TDL Community Manager Date: October 17th, 2008 "The Blog"Tech Deck Live Development Continues Welcome to the first entry of “The Blog”! This bi-weekly article will provide you with the latest, behind-the-scenes information regarding Tech Deck Live. The team is working on the highly anticipated multiplayer online action game, based on Spin Master’s Tech Deck fingerboards, and has been neck-deep with designing the hottest fully skateable online world. The design gurus here at TDL headquarters have made considerable progress in developing the must-have features of the game. For example, one of the many awesome features TDL will offer is a brand new trick system like nothing you’ve seen in other action games. For starters, TDL will implement the standard sort of system found in most skate games. When you bust out a single trick, such as a kickflip, you will be awarded a certain amount of points. However, if you follow that kickflip with a grind you will be awarded with even more points for combining tricks and starting a combo line. If you are skilled enough you can rack up some serious points by combining one trick with another trick then land in a manual and continue with yet another trick! Now for the twist to a classic skateboard scoring system… character skill classes! Tech Deck Live will allow players to choose from four different areas of skateboarding expertise. Choosing a specific style for your skater will unlock special tricks, quests, and abilities that no other style will be able to do. Imagine busting out a 360 flip faster, pulling off a crazy Stalefish grab higher than before, then competing against your buddies who have special tricks of their own! "I’m excited about the trick specializing aspect of Tech Deck Live. Now I can be a different kind of skater, the same way I can be a unique style of character in other RPG games," says Jeremiah Heirs, TDL Software Engineer. We’ve got to hand it to the software guys here at TDL. They’ve got something huge cooking up and its starting to smell really good! Check back soon for the next update to "The Blog". Until then, keep those fingers of fury burnin'! ~ Millencholy, TDL Community Manager |
Chatting with Mark Pajarillo (TDL Senior Art Director), and his crew of digital ink slingin' artists, presented a unique view on how the TDL zones are being created. "The fun about fingerboarding is being able to skate on random objects like a pencil or your keyboard. We want to capture that and allow the user to skate anywhere and everywhere!," exclaimed Mark. Not only will you be able to bust a trick off a perfectly set park bench, but you will be able to throw down some crazy moves off of palm trees and submarines!