Hello, everyone!
After the Bake Sale, I set myself upon a new, non-adventure-type thing, a strategy game! Then, I lost interest in that and went with a platformer instead! As such, I'd like to announce that I'll be releasing either as a module or as OpenSource the
"Vain AGS Platformer Engine"!
Features:
* smooth/fast movement and platforming
* already-implemented code for handling basic enemy AI, all the movement, meelee and ranged weapons etc., with parameters which can then be modified to your liking (want a more "airy" atmosphere, tweak the gravity; want smaller hitboxes, change 'em; etc.)
* incorporated editor with which to make your own levels (and whole campaigns!)
* levels made up of rooms/scenes which are 960 px in width by 720 px in height and can be linked in a "Metroidvania"-esque style
* no grid/tile system - you can place objects wherever you like, however you like, this allows YOU, the dev, to tweak those levels to perfection!
* it won't be for the complete newbies to AGS, but scripters of at least low-medium skill should be able to work with this engine - when it is finished, I will personally record a comprehensive video tutorial on how to get started, use, and abuse the engine :)
Here's what YOU can do:
* View latest prototype demonstration video (Jan 30rd Update!) (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cQ7NbBib-I8)
OR
* Download and actually test out the latest compiled version! (Jan 30rd Update!) (http://shutupload.com/dl/3506a9652291/)
Then, let me know what you think, please, critique, questions, and suggestions warmly welcomed!
Current To-do List:
actually hit baddies1) ranged weapons (both hitscan and projectile-based)
2) more enemy types and enemy AI (if it can be called that) refinement
3) implement foreground and background(s)
PS: Again, all-hail CJ for how incredibly versatile AGS is, my word!
Consider me impressed. Looks very smooth.
Very impressive!
Can we [pretty please] have parallax background (and foreground) scrolling too?! Like 8 Levels of it?? ;)
Can you put up a dev-blog for this somewhere? I'd actually really like to keep an eye on this!
+1 for Parallax backgrounds!
This looks freakin' sweet, i'm going to mark it on my calendar of makingness.
What a lovely chap you are :=
Is there any way that I could get you to change that initial part of the engine name?
I'm thinking that something like Radical AGS Platformer Engine would sound better than "Vain".
Of course, the acronym RAPE would attract all the right people. :=
This looks lovely. It's something I've very moderately explored before myself, but your demo is very intriguing. I'd definitely like to take a look at those lines when I get the chance (that is, when you get the chance to upload the source ;)).
How about AGS Platformer Engine or APE.
*watches video*
Holy shit!
*watches video again*
Whaaaat?
*watches video for the third time*
Are you Jesus? Do I need to prepare for rapture or something?
This looks awesome, great job man!
As I said in PM, this is pretty awesome. Who'd have thought AGS would enter a second spring as an arcade engine? And the idea about a "moddable engine" makes me all the more exited: Seriously, that'll be so very cool!
That's nice to see; AGS can always use another platformer. Indiana Rodent supports this project :)
Quote from: RickJ on Sun 29/01/2012 06:53:15
How about AGS Platformer Engine or APE.
That would be good, but APE currently in the forum search is used for AKUMAYO'S PARTICLE ENGINE, and therefore that would create a bit of difficulty for newcomers.
Looks like Shivers is on fire! :D
Dude! Why are you studying philolololololololology if you crank out games like this? Is it for the lol? :=
Well keep it up, it's awesome :D
Awesome work... although you could crank out platformers thrice as quickly with Game Maker.
I'd love to see a bit more flashback/out of this world/prince of persia type of engine and elements, since mario clones we have more than enough, but Yahtzee already made such a platformer with AGS if I remember correctly.
Art of theft, is a cinematic platformer? Not by any definition. Art of Theft is a Splinter Cell mobile - spoof, if anything. But not a cinematic platformer. Not even close. I like what i've seen so far by a lot, Shivers. Way to go.
Quote from: InCreator on Sun 29/01/2012 13:29:36
mario clones we have more than enough
Really? How many AGS platform games do we have, anyway?
I'm aware of Platformerius, 1213, Art Of Theft, and Indiana Rodent. I'm sure there's a few more out there. Does anyone have a list?
I like it, keep up with the good work ;)
- Alan
Metroidvaniaaaaaaaaaaaaaa
I built a simple Mario-style pipe maze / platform mini-game for the Barn Runner Halloween game. I can't even begin to imagine how much work THIS must have been. Nicely done, Shivers. 8) 8)
Quote from: Radiant on Sun 29/01/2012 17:26:46
Quote from: InCreator on Sun 29/01/2012 13:29:36
mario clones we have more than enough
Really? How many AGS platform games do we have, anyway?
I'm aware of Platformerius, 1213, Art Of Theft, and Indiana Rodent. I'm sure there's a few more out there. Does anyone have a list?
Plumber boy, the one by abstauber, some toying by calin, the one with a cat which was a mags too. Nope don't think there is a list, we should ask arj0n.
Bear Story! Love the music :D
That demostration video looks awesome. Must have been an aweful lot to code :)
Infinity Bit!
Great stuff, I added zombies like a maniac on three small platforms and there were hundreds of them before the frame rate started to drop (slowly).
Joystick support please and thanks!
Quote from: Snake on Sun 29/01/2012 19:41:10
Joystick support please and thanks!
Also, can we get emulator support for the old Tiamat (TM) Home Entertainment System? I have some old ROMs I'd love to play. ;)
OMG!
PLEASE finish this! :D.
Ooh, this is well. When this is finished we should have a MAGS style contest to see who can throw together the niftiest platform game based on it.
Wow, this is mind-blowing quite frankly! Not sure if I fall into the right coding experience level you mentioned, but I definitely want to have a fiddle with this :)
On my feature wishlist would be:
- moveable blocks (elevators, push/pull-able crates etc)
- semi-solid blocks (liquids, crumbling platforms, platfoms that are non-solid from below)
- blocks that affect the player character*
*These could, for example, propel the player character in a given direction (conveyor belts), or could be invisible blocks that could be placed according to the layering you mentioned to work with other blocks to create an effect such as quicksand
I haven't had a chance to play with this yet so may be missing the mark but this shows a lot of promise.
Good work!
UPDATE! (Check first post - you can kill stuff now)
Oh, wow, this is overwhelming! I wasn't expecting such interest, thank you so much for the support, you guys are awesome!!! Surely, this will get finished, and soon (not having exams might help ;D )
Now, to address some stuff:
Quote from: Darth MandarbDev-Blog
I'm sorry to disappoint, Darth, but I really don't have much to say at this time about the engine. Besides, I think it's better for me to yakk less and work more! :D
Quote from: Darth & ChickyParallax
I know, a side-scroller without parallax support is sooooo not '90s, so I'll look into it, it's on my to-do list, but for later.
Quote from: Monkey & RickJName
There IS a reason why I chose that name. Firstly, because it's a little weird and different, and secondly, because of the roots/what inspired me to make it (which should not be not obvious).
Quote from: InCreatorAwesome work... although you could crank out platformers thrice as quickly with Game Maker.
I'd love to see a bit more flashback/out of this world/prince of persia type of engine and elements, since mario clones we have more than enough, but Yahtzee already made such a platformer with AGS if I remember correctly.
I know Game Maker would be an obvious choice but a) I'm 0% skilled and knowledgeable in that b) making it in AGS is more special c) I like working in an environment where I'm comfortable d) I don't think making it in Game Maker will allow me to actually create an engine that other people can use and modify to the extent which will be available because of making it in AGS.
Mario clones? I don't think there are that many. And I think it's pretty obvious that Mario is not what I had in mind, although it would be one of the easiest types of platformers to make with the engine. I don't know if it will be EASY to make a Prince/Flashback type platformer with my engine, but I'm pretty sure that a person with sufficient scripting knowledge can twist around a few knobs to make it work. And I believe the Yahtzee game you're referring is 1213.
Quote from: ddqMetroidvaniaaaaaaaaaaaaaa
Indeeeeeeeaeeedddd
Yup, that's the model I'm basing this whole shinding on.
Quote from: straydogstrutFeature list
Well, it seems we share a list. Mine is called "to-do". :)
PS: I know this seems like it is really complicated and stuff, but really, it wasn't THAT much work - thankfully, Zombie Attack was a very powerful experience and I'm working pretty efficiently this time 'round. It all took just about 5 days to assemble what we have now, and I haven't reached the 1000 code line mark. But very soon! :D
Again, thanks a lot, everyone!
Impressive stuff! How will you save/export finished levels?
This looks fun!
How about adding in a customisable coin/ring collecting system?
Also, when you've got some of the obvious stuff nailed, why not consider adding in the capability for making 2P co-op games?
The topic of making 2-player adventures in AGS has come up from time to time, but I think the general concensus has been that adventures would make shit two-player games. But this platformer/arcadey approach could be a chance to really open AGS up to the two-player market.
Just a thought... :)
Very cool, well done! I'd definitely like to give it a go when, as Ascovel says, levels can be exported or what not. It's been a looong time since I made a platformer but this doesn't look too difficult to use & has got me interested in trying one again! I also agree on the ring/coin collecting thing Stupot mentioned.
Like everything else you do, very impressive!
As for feature suggestions, how about:
- moving platforms where you can edit the path of movement
- appearing/disappearing platforms
- slippery/slow platforms
- platforms that moves you right/left
- multiple switchable characters a-la lost vikings
- ladders, ramps, ropes
Yeah, I'm shocked that never anybody gives a try at expanding abstauber's engine, which is actually pretty cool! :'( The synergy could produce awesome results!
Shouldn't there be a sticky forum thread about "alternative gameplay engines created in AGS"?
There, you could list :
- abstauber's platformer sources,
- Radiant vectorial sources,
- Technocrat's wargamer sources,
- WHAM's side-scrolling gameplay,
- abstauber's shootém up sources, etc.
...and many others I've probably never heard about.