Demo Polish

Hello everyone, today I am uploading version 0.03a of Dual Core. No new content with this one, but it does add a new feature and polish existing game areas. I have started a new set of classes so I have been very busy lately without as much time to work on this, but I am still dedicated to finishing it, it just might take a while.

The first thing I would like to note is the inclusion of camera zoom in this version. Right now it only activates when there are 2 players and zooms out when the two players are far enough away from each other. Unfortunately, this zooming has exposed tearing in my tile engine, and while I have done a lot of research on what is going on and how to fix it, at this point in time I haven't been able to.

So, I decided to go ahead and include the camera zoom in this build because I feel it is an essential feature to the game going forward, because sometimes the players just get too far apart from each other, so please be aware that the tearing in between the tiles of the game levels is a known issue and I am working to fix it.


***Gameplay***
Created new AI subtype: AISpiker
Based on AI Chaser, the Spiker chases the player regardless of the direction they are facing
Has no shield
One health point
Causes 2 damage on collision with the player


***Physics***
Fixed bug that caused players to travel through two platforms if they collided with them at the same time (mostly falling)


***Graphics***
Added particles to missile launch from AILauncher
Added particles to AIMissile
Added camera zoom function to multi-player. This is still very much a work in progress.

***Audio***
Created and added several new sound effects. Including:

• spawner creation
• bomber diving at player
• button pressed
• switch tripped
• platform moving // I'm not happy with this one but it is in for now
• player death
• normal boss throwing projectiles
• windy boss throwing wave projectile
• normal boss dash attack
• boss jump
• windy boss activating spawner

https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B-PWPsdVYXH6UDNiTzktRndid3c/edit?usp=sharing

End of Class and other changes

Well, last night I uploaded the final version that I made of this game for my development class. It has been a long 8 weeks but I am pretty happy with all that I got done with this game.

Next up on the to do list, I am going to go through and remove all parts of the game that were added solely because of my course requirements. First thing to get the ax is the awful scoring system and high score table. While I will probably keep the code in case I feel like adding it back in later, I feel that it is unnecessary for the game and detracts from what I am going to accomplish.

Also, gathered from more player feedback, I am probably just going to ax the room in the first stage with the chaser and the elevator. When I look at the map with KISS (Keep It Simple Stupid) in mind, I realize it is just a really bad design. So I am going to make a new map design that introduces the concept of chasers hitting buttons for the player in a different way.

Next on the to do list, a small game play video. Screenshots don't really do the particle system in the game justice so I'm going to take another look at the particle system before I do that, to make sure it is working well and is being utilized where it should first.

Last, I'm going to work on a dedicated game demo. I think there is a way I can do it as a copy of my project in VS so that the game continues to get updated, but the content does not. That way any bug fixes or game play changes I made down the line will get reflected in the demo.

For anyone interested, my game is now on Steam Greenlight and IndieDB! I'm adding the links to them on the side of the blog, please stop by the pages and show support for the game!

http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=154530325

http://www.indiedb.com/games/dual-core

Game Update

Today I am releasing an update to Dual Core. This update features:

• Finished High Winds level and boss fight
• Updated menus
• Game play tweaks
• Placeholder Audio (Testing the audio engine I created for this game)

A ton of work went into this update. Please don't forget to leave feedback and thanks for checking out my game. :)

Version Update 0.02a
***General***

Small visual update to opening menus
Added placeholder background music
 - Note - This audio is placeholder only. I did not create this audio and it is pretty much only there to satisfy the requirements of the class I am taking

Increased platform velocity to decrease wait times
Fixed platforms moving horizontally causing players to bug out and not know which direction to face
Fixed several platform physics bugs
Balanced some individual maps in the Normal level
 - Note - There are atleast 2 bugs remaining involving platforms:

 Bug #1: If you are standing off the edge of a platform while it is traveling up, you will continue traveling up through level geometry. If you try to jump while inside level geometry, your character will glitch

 BUg #2: If you are standing off the edge of a platform while it is traveling down, you will also glitch into any level gemotry. This also applies to AI using normal physics (chasers, bosses).

Added right trigger on XInput controllers for players to attack
Added left trigger on Xinput controllers for Tom to block
Added coding hooks for zooming the camera in and out
Finished outline for High Winds level
 - Note: There may be some missing connections and some glitches -
Added High Winds boss fight


***Mike***
Changed firing timer. Mike can now fire while holding the button down, as before, but can also fire up to twice as fast while tapping the button.

***Tom***
Tom can block while in the air
Tom can now change directions while blocking
Tom can now block immediately after firing


Download Link:
https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B-PWPsdVYXH6QmFPSGktTkFPSW8/edit?usp=sharing

Well, it is kinda playable

Today, I am distributing a rough playable build. This build includes one playable level (Normal) and half of another (High Winds). I have been working on this game for a class of mine so I have been able to get a lot of work done on it, but with the move to Austin I have been very busy.

In this build I have a completely original art style, except for the sprite used for the main characters. I got this sprite from a Google search and I have reached out to the owner for permission to use it. Here is a link to the animation panel.

http://artofgame.wordpress.com/2009/03/25/project-little-robo-climber-controls-animation-model/

All credit to the animation goes to the creator, @GregPXL

In this build are several new concepts and bug fixes. Mobile platforms now almost work perfectly, with few enough bugs that I'm taking a break on them for now. I have also introduced some new puzzle elements and I have all the level elements fully functional, like high winds, acid rain, and high gravity.

There is still a couple pieces of placeholder art in there, such as the level icons, and the menu system needs an artistic overhaul. However, I am pretty sure I won't be able to get to those by the end of my class, and to be honest I'm not sure I am going to continue this project after that. It has been a ton of fun working on this and I have learned a ton, but I also don't want to get bogged down into a single project for my entire academic career. The more I have to show as my work the better.

Anyway, below is the current build of the game. Like I said before, there is one full level, Normal, and one half level, High Winds. The others are testing areas that don't take you anywhere.

https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B-PWPsdVYXH6VjhaMFBmZDd2VzQ/edit?usp=sharing