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Test my game - S-Type! (Updated: new builds)

Started by OrangyTang Nov 26, 2003 at 2:28 PM 45 replies 5.5k views

Original Post

Nov 26, 2003 at 2:28 PM

S-Type is the game I've been working on recently, primarily as a showcase/test of Vecript , my game scripting engine final year project. S-Type (via webstart)

It uses Java Webstart, if thats already installed you should be able to just click and it'll update and start automajically. You'll need Java 1.4 installed. Its a side scrolling shooter, still in its early stages but finally in a playable state. Use the cursor keys to move, and WASD keys to shoot (although bullets don't do any damage yet!). If its not reponding you might need to click on it to set the key focus. I'm trying to test as many possible system configs as possible to get it more stable. Should work on Win32, Linux, Mac and Solaris systems. In fact I'm mainly after technical feedback - does it run, is it smooth, does it look correct. It'll create a log file in USER_HOME/.vecript (something like C:/Documents And Settings/UserName/.vecript/Log.html on windows machines). If it doesnt work or looks odd then: 1. Check you've got the latest graphics card drivers. 2. Try setting your desktop to 32bit and try again. 3. Moan at me here, preferably including the log file and a screenshot if needed, and i'll get right on it

[edited by - OrangyTang on November 27, 2003 5:38:45 PM]

andromeda

Nov 26, 2003 at 2:54 PM

Works fine on my WinXP system. Runs smooth, and great graphics!

System specs for you:

AthlonXP 1800+
512 MB RAM
Geforce 2 GTS
SBLive! Value

dede

Nov 26, 2003 at 3:00 PM

Not bad at all, but either the AI needs to shoot in WASD as well, or you need to figure out a better system of attacking.

Sometimes the lighting effects got weird. The AI ship would block out all the light, even when it shouldn''t.

Naaga

Nov 26, 2003 at 3:02 PM

Impressive. Runs smooth. I thought it was a little slow, but that might be the intention. Great lighting effects. Looks really good. Oh, and, WinXP.

OrangyTang

Nov 26, 2003 at 3:18 PM

quote:
Original post by dede
Not bad at all, but either the AI needs to shoot in WASD as well, or you need to figure out a better system of attacking.

Sometimes the lighting effects got weird. The AI ship would block out all the light, even when it shouldn''t.

Yeah, the current enemies are supposed to be mindless drones, more intelligent enemies are planned.

I''m not sure what you mean by the lighting being blocked when it shouldnt. For the time being the shadow will engulf the light when you move over it. I''m thinking that perhaps fading the shadow out might be a better option though, anyone any suggestions either way?

(Btw, I had an article on the lighting submitted a month or so ago, apparently its still sitting in Dave''s queue...)

Naaga: Great

What graphics card? I''m trying to figure out which ones it breaks on (S3 and Kryo at the moment

Witchcraven

Nov 26, 2003 at 3:58 PM

Didnt work on my Mac OS X machine, running panther (10.3). When I pressed start, it just sat there.

OrangyTang

Nov 26, 2003 at 4:08 PM

Witchcraven: Any log file generated? Was there any output to the webstart console?

Rixter

Nov 26, 2003 at 4:08 PM

Looks great! Ran smooth and only strange thing was when I moved on top of a light only a small portion of the shadow could be seen, instead of all of it? Not real sure what it should do I guess.

Anyway, WinXP with AthlonXP and Radeon 9700 Pro.

OrangyTang

Nov 26, 2003 at 4:22 PM

quote:
Original post by Rixter
when I moved on top of a light only a small portion of the shadow could be seen, instead of all of it?

Damn, it should fade the whole light out when you do that, but i''ve noticed on TNT2 cards this doesnt work, thats the first time anyones tested it on an ATI Radeon though.

Witchcraven

Nov 26, 2003 at 4:26 PM

Nothing. It downloaded correctly and your program started, sort of. It just sits there, no window or anything. No output to any console, not even the system console. I have java 1.4.1.

superpig

Nov 26, 2003 at 6:24 PM

Downloaded, started, but then nothing happens (like it won''t accept input). I can''t even hit the X to close the window.

Richard "Superpig" Fine
- saving pigs from untimely fates, and when he''s not doing that, runs The Binary Refinery.
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"Don''t document your code; code your documentation." -me
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Voice Of Tango

Nov 26, 2003 at 6:30 PM

quote:
Original post by superpig
Downloaded, started, but then nothing happens (like it won''t accept input). I can''t even hit the X to close the window.

Same here.

aftermath

Nov 26, 2003 at 6:32 PM

Wow. That is a really cool, erm, demo.

The soft shadows are very top-notch, and the speed is good as well.

Good work

EDIT: Windows XP Pro. I will go try with Mandrake Linux 9.2 now...

[edited by - aftermath on November 26, 2003 7:33:52 PM]

bigbadboo

Nov 26, 2003 at 6:34 PM

Works and and runs great. Smooth. Haven't really tested it out fully, but the lighting needs a bit of work.

-p4 2.6, geforce4 Go (win xp home)

[edited by - bigbadboo on November 26, 2003 7:34:35 PM]

OrangyTang

Nov 26, 2003 at 8:13 PM

quote:
Original post by superpig
Downloaded, started, but then nothing happens (like it won''t accept input). I can''t even hit the X to close the window.

You have to click on the app sometimes for it to grab key focus, which means sometimes the cursor keys etc. don''t work. I havn''t heard of the ''X'' button not responding though. Could be that the render loop has stalled (but even then that shouldn''t affect the close button). Once again I''ll sound like a stuck record and ask is there anything in the damn log file?!

I dunno, I spend time putting in something to check and log all the common failiures and no one can be persuaded to go and check the damn thing.

quote:
bigbadboo:
Works and and runs great. Smooth. Haven''t really tested it out fully, but the lighting needs a bit of work.

Glad to know it works, but how exactly do you thing the lighting needs to be improved...?

Rixter

Nov 26, 2003 at 8:37 PM

quote:
Original post by OrangyTang
quote:
Original post by superpig
Downloaded, started, but then nothing happens (like it won''t accept input). I can''t even hit the X to close the window.

You have to click on the app sometimes for it to grab key focus, which means sometimes the cursor keys etc. don''t work. I havn''t heard of the ''X'' button not responding though. Could be that the render loop has stalled (but even then that shouldn''t affect the close button). Once again I''ll sound like a stuck record and ask is there anything in the damn log file?!

That actually happened to me too the first time I tried it, then I closed it using Ctrl-Alt-Delete and clicked the link again, then it worked fine.

OrangyTang

Nov 27, 2003 at 4:32 PM

Ok, I've added a bunch of options to toggle the bits that are probably causing the problems. If you couldn't get the proper version to work then please try the versions below and see how they go.

Compatability Mode
Absolutly minimal framebuffer, no scissor testing, no hardware lighting used. Light intensity will be irratic due to no shadows and light culling. Should work with anything though.

Editor Rendering
The renderer used for the actual editor, very basic - only immediate mode used. Should also work on anything going, but might actually look playable in this one.

No Scissor Test
Disables the use of the scissor test that might be causing glitches on some cards. Should look identical to the proper game, but may be somewhat slower on low end cards.

No Hardware Lighting
Should look identical to normal, but disables the use of hardware lights to get coloured lighting. Still gives shadows though, just all light sources become white/grey.

Hopefully some of the options above will work for people who couldn't get it working before...

Thanks!

[edited by - OrangyTang on November 27, 2003 5:36:47 PM]