Empire: Demo v0.3

[Dale]

Hi guys. No it hasn't been totally quiet on the Empire front. But I have been severly slowed down due to various issues. However, progress still moves forward, albeit slowely.

Demo v0.3 progresses nicely now. I have completely redesigned the code from the ground up. While this set me back heaps by rendering v0.2 completely redundant, it has garnered benefits in other areas. IE: Where it took almost 10 minutes (on my PC anyways) to create a random map on the largest size, I now have a map generator which is a lot better in quality of maps, how things are linked, and even does a hellova lot more like goods, roads, proper rivers, strategic city placement, in the simple timeslot of about 1 minute. Many other speed issues have also been rectified.

Currently, I have the new code model at this state:
- Application basics (initialisation, object creation): COMPLETE
- Sound FX engine: COMPLETE
- Music engine: COMPLETE
- Game engine (the main loop): COMPLETE
- Game setup: PARTIAL (I have a couple more things to implement after the unit engine is complete)
- Map generator: COMPLETE
- Economy engine: COMPLETE
- City engine: COMPLETE
- Unit engine: COMPLETE
- Combat engine: TEMPORARY (true tactical combat to be done later)
- Message engine: STARTED
- Empire management: PARTIAL (Economy finished)

These are the things I'd like finalised before releasing the next demo. Some things to look forward to in this demo:

- Roads: COMPLETE
- Fully operating economy (except for maybe trade): COMPLETE
- Maps with logical rolling hills, mountain ranges, rivers flowing in logical paths, better forest spread, and more: COMPLETE
- Fortifications: walls, guardtowers, castles: PARTIAL
- Empire-wide reporting (may not have every report): PARTIAL
- AI: BASIC (builds cities, units and attacks enemy units/cities)

At this point the timeframe till release is unknown, but I'll update this thread every so often.

EDIT: (29-July) Updated the status of components.
EDIT: (19-Aug) Updated the status of components.
EDIT: (1-Sept) Updated the status of components.

[child of Thor]

Looking good
but what happens when we get the CTP2 source code

I'm particulary interested in the map creation and how much detail it can handle(in terms of clever terrain placement/resources/goods etc).
Anyway nice to see this still going on

[LDiCesare]

I have completely redesigned the code from the ground up.

Often a good idea when you can afford it.
Will you provide some basic ai for that next demo (even a simple 'send all the units towards my neighbour capital')?

[Dale]

Originally posted by LDiCesare

Often a good idea when you can afford it.
Will you provide some basic ai for that next demo (even a simple 'send all the units towards my neighbour capital')?

Yes. Can't say how much yet, but there should be economy, building and unit attack at the least in the next demo.

[Dale]

Screen 1:
Creating the map..........

[Dale]

Screen 2:
The main view..........

[Dale]

Screen 3:
The economy report..........

[Dale]

Screen 4:
A town (what you have at the start)..........

[Dale]

Screen 5:
A productive town.........

[child of Thor]

mmmm......nice

graphics looking very nice, remind me abit of Anno1492 which is a good thing.
Keep it coming

[Hommer]

Looks very good but how about a little manual?.. Not actually User Manual but at least Game Rulez?..

[Dale]

CoT:

I loved Anno! Great game.

Hommer:

Manual for the game will come later. Game rules? Hmmm...... I suppose to check out the basics you could point that browser at http://members.dodo.net.au/~thesdale and see demo 2 (the old version).

[Hommer]

I'm sorry but I don't understand is this game the alone project (run .exe and enjoy), client-server application or web-application?.. How do you see the future of the game?

I think update of Feature section will help greatly with game basics understanding.

[Hommer]

You HAVE manual:
http://members.dodo.net.au/~thesdale/Manual.zip

[Dale]

Yeah, that is a manual but very basic and only for Demo 2. I'm working on demo 3 at the moment.

As for type of game, it's a standalone application (run .exe and enjoy as you said), and the MP abilities at this point are hotseat only. I might add in LAN, but dunno about the rest.

[Hommer]

I see there are some very good concepts in your game.

How about to add PBEM support?

[Dale]

Okay, we're starting to get very close to a demo v0.3 release.

Finally!!!!!!

Anyways, just wanted to update the top thread and let everyone know I've got a rudimentary AI working. So in demo 3 you'll be competing against someone.

[LDiCesare]

I've got a rudimentary AI working

Great!
That will give us a better idea of what the gameplay will look like.

[Dale]

Should have public alpha 0.3 out this week (hopefully)

Three last things I want in before I upload it:

- Button-tips
- Tutorial
- Refine AI a bit to split defensive/attacking units

[Nebula]

Could you add a way to move thru the map via the minimap? I find I get lost quite easy.

Nice progress you are making.

Oh, will this game be mod-able?

[GhengisFarb™]

Looks good!

[ruskiyparen]

I tried to start the game but i got an error message:

______
Error Starting Program

The EMPIRE.EXE file is linked to missing export DDRAW.DLLirectDrawCreateEx.
_______

I don't know if you or anyone else has encountered this error. I have DDRAW.DLL installed in the Windows/System directory and I copied it to the game directory as well.

[Nebula]

Have you got the latest DirectX installed? If you got the one that comes with Xp (7) then it might not work.

I think Dale used the latest directX to make his game.

Dump the error message into google for answers if this does not help.

[MrBaggins]

DirectDraw completed its development cycle at 7, however. There was, and will be no more development to it. Its a finished "product".