Hi all,
Out little teaser announcement in the newsletter has naturally raised a lot of questions. Hopefully I can set you straight with some answers:
What is AppGameKit Studio?
AppGameKit Studio is a new version of AppGameKit, so a new app but still with the core of AppGameKit at it's heart.
Features that are now working here at TGC
IDE
* Fully integrated design
* Multiple project editing
* Multiple source files
* Project status remembered
* Colour schemes
Editing
* Search & Replace
* Undo & Redo
* Sandbox mode
* Auto complete of commands and command parameters
* Auto complete of variables and functions
* Mac version can emulate PC keyboard
* Auto code creation when you drag media into the source code from the help
Compiling
* Compile
* Broadcast
* Debug
* Export (exe, apk, ipa)
Help
* Integrated Help
* Searchable Help
* Copy commands from Help
Debugger
* Watch list (vars, strings, arrays, types)
* Change values on the fly
* Break points
* Continue, Step, Step Over, Step Out
* Live debugging
* Debug log
* Change variables while the app is running
Asset browser
* Preview textures, 3D models, music/sounds, source code, text
* Watch folders
* Copy media from other folders
Shaders
* GLSL Shader editing and testing
Rendering
* Vulkan by default!
* Fall back Open GL support to follow after release
Platforms
* PC & Mac Editing
* Targets: PC, Mac, iOS, Android, HTML5
Scene Editor
Imagine something akin to the Visual Editor integrated with the IDE but much better, deep integration and with more bells and whistles!
Current Development Status
We're nearly complete with the IDE work (the screen shot is not a mock up, it all works and the live debugger where you can change values as the app runs is very cool). Soon we begin on the drag & drop functionality.
The Vulkan engine is currently in development and is not due for completion until around May time. It's the part of the project that cannot be seen and tested until it's done. The hope is that it will bring 20-30% speed improvement as seen with other engines and games that have made the move to Vulkan.
* We are offering big discounts if you order before release. 50% in March, 40% April and 30% May. We'll release beta versions to any pre-order users through to launch!
* A trial version will be made available so you can get a hands on with it on release.
* Exiting AppGameKit code works perfectly well within it.
* The current AppGameKit will become know as AppGameKit Classic. We'll continue to ensure it's stable and maintained but the future will be focused on AppGameKit Studio.
* We are focusing on Windows and Mac for launch. If there's enough users who want Linux then we'll look to support it.
* We'll improve how to sign up for the newsletter on the site and make it easier for you to access and read back issues.
I hope that answers a lot of your questions. I'll start to post videos and news about Studio in the weeks to come so you can understand more about it.
Thanks!
Development Director
TGC Team