This thread now keeps track of progress of the game.
Major updates
*large items are now single sprites rather than tiled "paintings" so full animation is possible
*floors now draw right up to the walls to remove that gap around them
*the floors now draw a completely different way, and effectively "render" a single static image regardless of the room shape the player makes. The example shows an early draft of the main coridor, cargo bay and engineering (most work so far on the engineering floor) which now shows unique scratches, decals, light highlights and - most importantly - a distinct lack of a "tiled" look
*external walls now draw properly, fading into nothing to try and make them less blocky and obtrusive
*star system lighting is now dynamic - planets/moons light/shade accuratly according to the position of the sun within the solar system now, regardless of where it is
*new solar flare added to suns - looks kinda awesome, even if I do say so myself
*the game now has a fully functional internet installer, and launcher which is capable of keeping the game up to date via new update downloads on PC. All game settings are also selectable via the launcher, and take realtime effect in the game when launched. Loving these new AppGameKit commands
*Space just got a lot prettier - multi layer paralax effects now bring space to life with perceived depth and blending coloured space clouds
*Thanks to feedback the main engine loop has had an overhaul and I'm seeing massive frame rate increases (previously a desktop sitting at 50-58 fps is now moving smoothly at 240fps). More over, the glitch when AI ships were added has been removed where rendering speed allows it. This update will be launched soon, once further optimisation is done.
So things to work out next:
*
fix second ships to match the same larger items and flooring/walls
*
fix planet lighting so that zooming works again (I hate shaders!)
*
alter ship generation data files - allow hull strength to vary from ship to ship
*
fix a small AI bug when units change their decision making mid movement
*
implement saving and loading
* build ship generation into AI engine based around attributes of ships and
turn pirates back on
*
implement launcher
*
add in network code to facilitate automatic updating
*
impliment installer
*
resolve system jumps - fix systems appearing without suns after jumping
*
fix galaxy map to accommodate new sun shader
*
fix light source placement in shader files for planets - distant planets not correctly placing light side/dark side sources
*ALPHA TECHNICAL DEMO RELEASE*
*
fix installer - more rhobust handling of downlods and installs
*
additional screen resolution support and graphics options, including engine optimisations
*
fixed launcher to scan for all supported resolutions and display them as options
* fix "floating" cities on some planets
* fix new paralax effect when
autopilot on, jumping and galaxy map
* add scrolling to galaxy map (link with jump ranges)
* fix combat end - add summary, fix zooming, allow cargo to be stolen
* fix shields - allow multiple imact marks for shields
* add reduced graphics sizes for planet media for low memory machines
* add shield indiactor to external arrea of ships
* add generation of ships when warping to a new system to allow ships to already be present
* add probability of pirates to be linked to safety of parent system
*
fix enemy units facing right way when using items
* fix enemy units getting sucked out of ship coming from holes correctly after last update to engine
* fix destruction of enemy ship parts
* finalize AI for boarding parties to "beam" to other ship
*
rework core mechanics for ship to ship combat - balances gameplay
* add troop to troop combat
* add AI systems functionality -
rework subsystems of ships to rebalance shields and weapons
* extend universe
* add maximum jump distance to galaxy map
* add hostile enemies to radar
* add missiles
* add shipyards to stations:
------> allow the player to repair their ship
------> allow the player to repair ship damage
------> allow the player to upgrade/swap out ship parts
* extend part list - accommodate better more varied internal components
* add captains control panel
* add "passive/aggressive" play mode function - player can opt to pass by other ships or engage in combat (think Spore!)
* look at scripted missions for the player to undertake (big update)
* add alien races
* add space stations
* add more space objects, like minable asteroids etc
