What's happening with the development of EQUINOX?

The last beta I released had two people reply to it, which I wasn't terribly impressed with. I've also been building a new car over the winter period, which I was hoping to get done in record time (it was almost completed, but some parts that are out my hands haven't arrived yet).

However, it's not all bad news for Equinox.

I've just bought myself a GP2X, and also got ArcCommand working on it - http://www.tribbeck.com/computers/gp2x/ (This is an intellectual exercise, as I can't release it).

I've started work on an interim game called "ACED", which I intend to release simultaneously on the GP2X, RISC OS, x86 Linux and Windows (it's actually easier for me to develop on Windows than the others), and then I'll do a cross-port of Equinox to those platforms as well - Equinox was meant to be cross platform anyway, although in later code I've been a bit lazy in that respect, so some of it will have to be reworked a tad.

ACED shouldn't take that long - the game engine is pretty much done; it's just the 3D graphics engine that needs sorting out (I've done 3D engines in the past [although it won't be full depth-shaded, texture-mapped stuff - not enough CPU available], and it's just a case of making that cross-platform).

Not sure about Equinox's completion; I thought I'd emailed you the details of the beta a while ago.

The only thing I can think of is that Hotmail are silently blocking my emails (I've had problems with them before [and AOL, but that's not surprising]).

(Get a better email account provider!)

(No worries about preview, btw - would be nice. I think if you press Print at any point while it's running, it'll save the current screen to the RAMDisc)

As for ACED, I've got most of the 3D code working fine (main aim was to get it fast on the GP2X [which it is] - Windows is running a little too fast though). This should be done by the end of the month (and may also have a Mac version too [both PPC and x86] - although I'm relying on a mate of mine for that).

http://www.tribbeck.com/software/aced/

Jason - is this going to be something that will actually appear or just another slow-boil project. Much as I admire your amazing loyalty to RISC OS you seem to have many projects that never see the light of day.

This one really should be finished (I know it often doesn't seem that way )- I'm using it as training for the GP2X.

Once it's done, I'll get back to Equinox (although I'll first of all do a Windows port of the code, because it's easier for me to develop on [being able to do it in the office, as well as sitting down watching TV - VirtualRiscPC is too slow for me]).

Over Christmas, I've been building a car, which took up all of my spare time, but now I'm waiting for bits, I've got a large hole in the schedule.

http://www.tribbeck.com/software/aced/

However, I've got a feeling it might be unplayable, and end up being a 2D game played in 3D. Should know soon.

I'm looking at making a very beta release for Windows by the end of the week, and do the RISC OS port over the weekend (if anyone's interested).

It's ended up being a rotated 2D plane, which is **much** more playable and enjoyable.

(This means there'll be a small delay while I make the code completely portable).

Cheers!

[Edited by fwibbler at 11:18, 25/5/2006]

I've also not had any chance to write any documentation on what you're meant to do - so shoot everything, except for rectangular spinny things, which are forms of power-ups (move over them).

- Black with yellow top is an energy recharge (small gives a small amount, large recharges completely).
- Blue with white top is a kind of energy weapon (small does a small amount of damage to the enemy ships, large destroys them all).

The keys are presented in the game (Z - left, X -right, J - forwards, N - brake, H - fire, F - eject left, G - eject right).

http://www.tribbeck.com/software/aced/setup.zip

I've used InstallShield as an installer, so to uninstall, go to Add/Remove programs.

If there are any problems, or if you have any suggestions, please let me know!

I'll be doing some more work on it over the weekend (I need to sort out a font, and some of the words), as well as do the other versions (RISC OS included!)

Note: I know the star scrolling isn't quite correct - I'm doing a quick and dirty technique for the moment

Otherwise, enjoy!

Any news on the RISC OS version?

It's mostly there, and I'll start the RISC OS version this weekend.

The Games Scene is in desperate need of new commercial games, are there any new games coming soon?

http://www.iconbar.com/forums/viewthread.php?threadid=7160&page=10

(I believe)

Grand Theft Auto

(I believe)