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The_Antisony
At least I'm not Circy
Registered
01/07/2002
Points
1341
  
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4th February, 2012 at 20:08:12 -
I've been working on a "basic" retro-style RPG engine. It's nothing I necessarily want to turn into a full game, but I might consider it once the engine itself is complete. I'm hoping that if I do most of the hard work, the community might actually begin seeing more polished and completed RPG releases instead of half-finished, half-minded demos.
My specific goal is to keep the engine itself as small and resource-light as possible so even new users can open the project and include all the semi-transparent PNG image sources they want without being much more than a moderate detriment even on older hardware.
The Hump:
With fastloops pasting active objects to the backdrop as a test, I run well over the 500 object frame limit before I fill the entire frame so I've switched to using the surface object and picture object to blit tileset data to the backdrop. Trick is, I eventually want to be able to load 10 or 15 different maps into a single frame and play with NPC positioning, character positioning, etc; to create what feels like separate game frames, but save a buttload of project space. That brings up an entirely different issue, though. A level editor would eventually save a lot of time in creating each "frame". I have three different "stock" frame sizes, so trying to loop to EoF or deal with x,y offsets or inaccuracies isn't such a problem.
The specific project is helping me create a level editor and parse the saved array data back into the game to display the tileset data correctly. If you want to hang around and continue working on the project with me afterward, that'd be chill; but I just need some help grinding through the gross monotony.
I'm no genius, and I don't particularly have the patience to sit down for two weeks and deal with all the event scripting on my own. I fear if I applied myself, I'd likely end up losing interest in the project all together. That doesn't mean I'm trying to offload this entire portion of the project to somebody else while I play with pretty pixels. I still expect to do the brunt of this on my own, but I could definitely use some help if only to keep from pulling my f#<&ing hair out.
This isn't a paid project. I'm not going to sell this to anybody so I can't promise any kind of cut, but I'll definitely place your name in the engine credits and include credits in comments above events you create; and if you ever need help with graphics or any kind of media authoring, movie editing, audio editing, or web design, I can lend you a hand, too.
ChrisD> Employer: Say, wanna see a magic trick?
ChrisD> Employee: Uhh… sure, boss.
ChrisD> Employer: Your job! It just disappeared! Pack your things and leave! Pretty good trick, huh?
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Jacob!
Registered
17/06/2011
Points
153
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4th February, 2012 at 20:20:11 -
I would suggest using Surface to render your tiles. You can run a loop to blit the tiles visible in the window straight from the array. At the moment I'm working on a private level editor that does much this same thing, so I can help you for a bit of it. If you stop by Gwerdy sometime I could probably help you more personally.
Have you even been far as decided to use even go want to do look more like?
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The_Antisony
At least I'm not Circy
Registered
01/07/2002
Points
1341
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4th February, 2012 at 20:48:17 -
Thanks, Jacob. I know how to pull the whole thing off; I'm asking for somebody to help "timeshare" the project a bit, not just provide tips. This isn't the first time I've handled a project like this, but my last was far simpler and still took a considerably long time to come together.
I'm a graphic guy; I can do what a programmer does, but I just don't think like a programmer. I tend to go back to the drawing board more than once because I'm always finding little quirky optimizations here and there. Eventually I figure it out, but that's rarely before getting completely fed up and taking a month-long break. That's not productive. I've worked in teams before, and so long as I have a little help and expectations that I have to meet, I stay motivated and that's the kind of kick in the face I need right about now. I just don't want this project to fall by the wayside too. I mean, after nearly two decades, I should probably contribute something, right?
ChrisD> Employer: Say, wanna see a magic trick?
ChrisD> Employee: Uhh… sure, boss.
ChrisD> Employer: Your job! It just disappeared! Pack your things and leave! Pretty good trick, huh?
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Jacob!
Registered
17/06/2011
Points
153
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4th February, 2012 at 20:59:53 -
Ah, I see. Well, if you ever run into problems you can always find me at Gwerdy, and I'm glad to help  Good luck on your project!
Have you even been far as decided to use even go want to do look more like?
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The_Antisony
At least I'm not Circy
Registered
01/07/2002
Points
1341
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4th February, 2012 at 21:09:29 -
Will do. I always pop in there with off-the-wall questions so I'm sure you'll see me around.
ChrisD> Employer: Say, wanna see a magic trick?
ChrisD> Employee: Uhh… sure, boss.
ChrisD> Employer: Your job! It just disappeared! Pack your things and leave! Pretty good trick, huh?
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Pixelthief
Dedicated klik scientist
Registered
02/01/2002
Points
3419
      
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5th February, 2012 at 16:25:16 -
Er yeah, go into the frame properties of your engine frame and set maximum objects from 500 to 20000, that should help.
This sets both the maximum number of 'objects' (AOs, extensions) and the maximum number of backdrop objects (generated), both at 20000, as separate counters.
 Edited by Pixelthief
Gridquest V2.00 is out!!
http://www.create-games.com/download.asp?id=7456
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