Car Racing Game, Still going...

I'm still going with the car racing game.

I've been beating my head on the table for a few days and wasted a lot of paper trying to work things out, regarding the AI movement, and how I am going to create the tracks,.

The computer car movement still needs to be improved, but it does look like I'm getting somewhere with track creation:

My two initial options where either to create the track as a flat 2D image, which would have been the easiest, yet least visually appealing option, or create a 3D track.  I've finally decided to go with the 3D track option and have made several attempts to create an initial track, that I can work with in this demoing phase, although I haven't added hills or trackside objects such as barriers.  But this means that I hopefully can add elevation to the track and give the game more options and possibilities for the future, such as I could have an American banked-oval style circuit or the Eau-Rouge section of the Spa F1 circuit?, that's if the game changes from being a BTCC/WTCC touring car based arcade racing game.

Touring Car Arcade Racing Game, Update of Afternoon 5

Seems like I get most work done on Tuesdays and Thursdays, as the last 5 entries have been on the nights of these days, interesting to know!

I'm still working away on my game. I call it a 3D arcade touring car racing game.  Im thinking of two possible names for it using abbreviations:

1. TCAR (Touring Car Arcade Racer)
2. TC-CAR (Touring Car - Championship Arcade Racer)

What do you think?

#Progress

As the screenshots below, I've added barriers to the game, I do this by driving to the start and end point of each race track straight and recording the position and angle of the car.  I store this in a textfile under the circuit name, and then the game loads the barrier positions and works out how many sections of barriers can be fitted between the start and end positions that I recorded.  I've also added trees, which are automatically created a certain distance behind the barriers.

It's not perfect, as it's only working properly down the x-axis at the moment, but that's a small fix to make in the future, the important thing is that the system is in the game. 

I've also created the sky dome  Which draws a graphic representing the sky on the inside of a giant 3D sphere that surrounds the whole game, this means that the sky is different in each direction.  The current sky graphic has been borrowed from Google images, and I'll eventually replace it with my own. 

#Fixes and Improvement

• Better checkpoint detection
• Improved the cars initial grid positions so they start all lined up in a 'zig-zag' way down the road as in top motorsport racing. (I still need to add the graphics to show the grid lines)
• Fixed a problem with the game creating too many checkpoints.
• Fixed a problem with the game increasing the car's current checkpoint at the start of the race before the car has reached that checkpoint.

#Latest Screenshots:

Update, Afternoon 4 on my touring car arcade racing game

Today, I've been working on three areas:

 I'd already implemented a basic system where I can drive around the circuit and record the path the computer cars should follow, but now I've added braking and acceleration areas. The computer movement is still not perfect and needs to be improved (especially the turning which is very jerky) but at least for the moment the computer cars don't whizz around the track at full-speed.

If this game succeeds and I manage to finish it (fingers crossed) I want this game to be editable and mod friendly, so I've created an easily editable file with all the car stats and drivers. So, the player will be able to change the characteristics of the drivers such as their names as well as of the car such as the car's speed, acceleration, braking and weight. Also, the Windows/Linux PC version should also allow the user to create and draw new car liveries (any maybe even 3D models for the PC version).

 Finally, I've implemented the system that keeps track of who is in which position, depending on lap-times and checkpoints, although it needs fine-tuning. For anyone who has followed my blog or seen previous posts, they will see that after the initial week, I have often lost motivation for games, when the coding becomes overwhelming, and therefore there are a lot of unfinished games on my hard-drive ( As shown on the basement section of my website).
This time, I think I've started to manage myself better through two tactics; the first, is that I've created a nice colour-coded spreadsheet with all the task I have to do, and organized them by 4 columns:

1. Priority: how urgent is it that I create this part of the game now.
2. Time: How long will it take me.
3. Difficulty: How difficult will it be to do
4. Importance: How important is it to the final game.

 This has allowed me to sort tasks out, with the most important at the top (such as the game engine) and less important ones at the bottom (such as little graphical touches) 

Also, I continue to watch races from the BTCC each night, which are very exciting and make me want to get back into the code. Below are some screenshots showing the different teams (currently just colour coded) as well as a temporary table of race positions in the second.

 

small update on my 3D car racing game

I've now added acceleration and braking points to the invisible path that the computer cars loosely follow, which guides them around the track, so now the computer cars don't go at 100% speed all around the track and slow down for the corners. It's a bit jerky, so will need improving in the future, but for now it's okay. Will be watching the BTCC 2012 review tomorrow as well as highlights of this years race for inspiration. Here's a screenshot of the current state of the game, using an above camera view, the computer cars race towards the first checkpoint:

Seren Nova 3D: Adding Gameplay

Just a quick update to show that the game is still in development and not dead!

I have two free weeks to work on my new 3D space shooter called Seren Nova 3D, so hopefully I can keep progressing.  I'm now focusing on game-play, such as what happens when the enemy or player is shot and collisions.

I'll keep you updated

3D Game 2013: Fire All Lasers!

I'm really enjoying using miniB3D with Monkey.  Even though I've just started I feel a renewed energy towards making games.

Anyway, today I've got pretty accurate laser shooting (the laser is currently just a coloured 3D tube) and also textures.

If this game does go anywhere, I would debate whether to use textures or just  basic colours for the models, because, I'd like to make a game with a graphical feeling similar to Star Fox (or Lylat Wars) on the SNES, as well as my graphic and 3D modeling skills not being great.

GPSM - Race Simulation . Overtaking & Accidents

This week, I'm finally starting to get some good work done on the race simulation part of Grand Prix Super Manager.

I've added basic overtaking to the game which, depending on many different variables, has currently has 4 outcomes ( a successful pass, an unsuccessful pass, a slight off circuit moment and a big crash). I'll eventually add more.

I've also added the possibilities of a random accident, with the probability depending on the weather, tyres, car condition, driver command, driver abilities. The current possible results are: locked tyres, a moment going off the circuit or a complete spin or crash. (Again, more will be added).

The bodywork and some parts of the car will also be damaged to a random amount after a crash.

Grand Prix Super Manager

Just a small update.

Yesterday and today, I'm back working on Grand Prix Super Manager.  

As mentioned before, I'm working on the grand prix weekend engine. 

I've implemented weather conditions, and lap times worked out from the tyre choice / condition, driver skills and car condition.

The screen below will look different in the final game, but it shows lap times, and the effects of having the wrong tyre (even though the times need to be changed). Also, I haven't implemented AI yet, for when the teams send out their drivers.

Grand Prix Hero Progress

Grand Prix is a 2D 1960's F1 based overhead racing game that I've just started making as my secondary project, (Grand Prix Super Manager is my main project).

Yesterday, I added the grid positions to the editor and the game, and added the computer cars to the game. Although, they are not perfectly lined-up yet (as shown in the screenshots below) I'm happy with my progress.  I've also added checkpoints to the editor and game, although the computer cars don't follow them as of yet.

The game can be played at different zoom levels, although, I'm currently not sure if I'll keep them both or select one of them:

F1: Grand Prix Super Manager News

After a brief diversion to learn the Monkey programming language  by creating casual game Rocket Croc for Android and in Flash, I'm back to working on Grand Prix Super Manager (which I've started again in Monkey).   I've worked on it for three days, as well as creating a definite plan of what each screen in the game has and does and what features will be in the finished version.  This will help me finish the game, instead of adding new ideas all the time.

One addition to my plan is the addition of news.  Anything that happens to any of the teams will appear in the news.

The current screen (shown below) is a bit basic, but it works and updates correctly.  I'll probably change the layout later on.

Rocket Croc - There are Piranhas! (and giant squid!)

I've nearly finished Rocket Croc, here are some images of the new animals I added today, as well as the current Level Select Screen.

Twitter or blog for tiny Updates?

I'm not sure whether I should continue to post on my blog for tiny updates to the Grand Prix Super Manager game or just on my twitter account:

https://twitter.com/sionco

My theory is that in a time like this, when I haven't had time to do major work on the game, I'd still like to keep the blog looking active, as this helps to attract new people and also to show anyone who is kind enough to follow the blog that I am still continuing the game.  However, I don't want to release too many blog posts which only reveal a tiny update.  Any opinions are welcome...

Anyway, I've only had 2 hours to work on the game, so I've fixed a couple of small issues today, and also added a value for the teams public reputation (as shown by the green bar on the team select screen below):

This statistic will affect things such as which sponsors and drivers are willing to talk to your team.    Your teams reputation rating will be affected by things such as your race results and championship position, breaking contracts, sponsor and marketing days, the drivers you sign and any fines. 

In the future I'd also like to introduce a media/journalism section, where the player can release stories to the press about the team, drivers, other teams, which could affect the teams reputation either way.

Small Update. 8 Engines

Just a small update, to show that I'm still working on this in my free time.

And also, I'm trying to plan how the race works properly and better than my previous plan which would have only given a Grand Prix weekend experience.

I'm trying to incorporate different factors in my game depending on things such as the budget and F1 rules, to give the player more decisions to make.  This time I've added the maximum 8 engines that can be used during a season, the player can see the condition of each engine and select which one to use before the next Grand Prix.

I'm not to happy with the layout, but I'll come back to that.
In the future I'll also add other rules such as for gearboxes.

GP Super Manager home screen update

I've been playing with many different ideas for the home screen, some displaying a lot of data from the game and some more simple.  Anyway, for the time being I've decided to use the following style for the Android version (whether I'll also use this for the Windows and Linux PC version is still undecided).  The colours and theme could change in the future, but for now I'm happy with the layout.

GP Race Manager: Lots of updates.

Wow, it's been just over a month since I restarted this, so, I thought that I'd write some a post with what has been updated since version 0.2, which was released for testing.

Hopefully, I'll have version 0.3 ready any day soon to test, once I have added the championship tables and give points at the end of each race (even though the race result, is currently decided by the total rating of the car and driver).

Major:
*GAME: Can progress through all races.
*RACE: Started the race weekend engine with temporary screen framework for setup,racing and results of each session, which can be navigated through.
*RACE: before FP/Quali the drivers best possible lap is worked out.
*EDITOR: can edit/delete/create drivers, engines.
*EDITOR: can edit teams names,engines and who're their drivers.
*GAME: Added option of 13th team to the game,not used if not selected.
*GAME: Created the start of the season database, which will store each season.

Minor:
*GUI: on team's drivers screen, now there's only 1 button (options) which brings up an options screen for that driver
*GUI: now drivers market screen displays 2 columns of drivers
*DRIVERS: Added driver potential, but a better formula could be made
*DATA: added description of variables in each data file for drivers, teams,engines,circuits.
*DATA: Upto 200 drivers.

Fixed:
*UPDATING: problem with drivers not being released when their contracts ran out.
*UPDATING: teams and drivers and contracts not being updated on a race weekend.
*GUI: Fixed problem of last driver not being displayed on driver's market.
*GUI: Fixed problem of drivers market screen not wrapping around
*GUI: backgrounds now display properly on all resolutions.
*GUI: many resolution fixes for text, graphics.


And some screenshots

Beginning of the race weekend (and yes , I know that secs and milliseconds less than 10 are being displayed as .9 instead of .09, it's on my list of minor fixes).

The current home screen:

Two columns for drivers market screen:

mission: infiltrate. minor update

Just a minor update.

Today, I've given nearly every object/enemy a health level, so when shot the level will go down until it reaches 0 and is destroyed.

I've also been trying to improve the game performance for lower powered android phones, by removing unnecessary loops and checks in the code.  The device I'm testing the Android version on is a Samsung Galaxy Ace, which is a low-mid range phone and it's running quite well on it.

mission infiltrate: Video Update.

I've made a lot of progress in terms of what makes the actual game today.

As shown in the video below, the game is now playable and the level is winnable, in that completing the objectives (in this case finding secret documents and secret plans)  let's you finish the level when you reach the escape/exit point.

Also, the computers now turn off the alarm for the lasers, and you need to get the correct security key card to be able to go through certain doors.
Also, messages are now shown to the player in terms of what's happened at each 'action' point.

 I've also added a temporary title screen and basic level/mission select screen. Although I still need to improve these and add mission briefing/debriefing screens.

shooter game: a possible title?

I've been thinking of a title for my game and currently like:

mission: infiltrate

I've been creating a menu system that I can use in all of my games for the future and have a basic setup working for the game, which allows you to select the level or 'mission'.

Here's the current title screen, (it may well change in the future):

Tell me what you think.

Overhead shooter game. Today's Progress

As shown in the screenshot below. I've made some progress in the the game-play area of the game.   Now, in the editor the objectives can be setup, for example:
1: go to computer to turn off laser.
2: pick up security pass.
Currently the objectives are marked with a small red square as shown in the screenshot below, but I'll probably remove this for more difficulty.  Also, I've started to define all the different objects, such as the laser sets off the alarm (and will later alert the guards).

I've also made a list on a piece of A4 paper of all the tasks I need to do, divided into appropriate headings, such as 'Enemies' and 'Game Play' and then tasks that need to be done and are important to the game, and in a different colour other tasks that I'd like to add once the important tasks have been finished.  

Hopefully, this will allow me to concentrate on the core gameplay tasks that need to be done first.  And then I can think about adding cool features, such as lines/cones of sight for the guards.

I still don't have a name for this game.  any ideas?

F1 Manager Game

Don't worry I haven't given up on neither the Android or PC version.  I'm just concentrating on making small mobile games as I said in a previous post, which will hopefully increase my weekly income, so I'll have more time to develop the games this summer.