In 2007, I had hoped to start work on the core 3D rendering engine for a casual action RPG I’ve been designing for years, and prototyping in Blitz3D. However, since the official 3D module for BlitzMax is still unavailable and probably won’t be for a long while yet, I’ve had to reassess my direction.
I had planned for a sci-fi game set within procedurally-generated alien landscapes. Each landscape would require 30 to 60 minutes to ‘complete’, the player’s basic motivations being exploration, ‘treasure’-hunting, character-upgrading and unlockable ‘achievements’, all tied into a scoring system.
I wanted to use BlitzMax + Max3D. Since Max3D is not available, I’m currently considering MiniB3D, which does not include a terrain system. This means I’ll have to either code my own terrain system (possibly beyond my abilities) or change the setting somewhat.
To that effect, I’ve written some code for procedurally-generated ‘dungeons/complexes’ and I’m investigating techniques for object placement, enemy AI, etc, but I’m a long way from the ‘mindset’ I’ve already evolved for a landscape environment.
Why don’t I use Blitz3D for the actual game, you might ask? Well, without encapsulation, local arrays and lists, the SuperStrict option and various other BlitzMax niceties, I quickly become overwhelmed once a project reaches a certain size.
And then there’s that other non-coding project I should be working on: the ‘companion’ novel to my Axiom novel. The first draft has been marinating in digital dust almost for a year. Maybe one day I’ll clean it up and send it to my editor.
For now, I'm too hooked on Blitz to do anything else...
I had planned for a sci-fi game set within procedurally-generated alien landscapes. Each landscape would require 30 to 60 minutes to ‘complete’, the player’s basic motivations being exploration, ‘treasure’-hunting, character-upgrading and unlockable ‘achievements’, all tied into a scoring system.
I wanted to use BlitzMax + Max3D. Since Max3D is not available, I’m currently considering MiniB3D, which does not include a terrain system. This means I’ll have to either code my own terrain system (possibly beyond my abilities) or change the setting somewhat.
To that effect, I’ve written some code for procedurally-generated ‘dungeons/complexes’ and I’m investigating techniques for object placement, enemy AI, etc, but I’m a long way from the ‘mindset’ I’ve already evolved for a landscape environment.
Why don’t I use Blitz3D for the actual game, you might ask? Well, without encapsulation, local arrays and lists, the SuperStrict option and various other BlitzMax niceties, I quickly become overwhelmed once a project reaches a certain size.
And then there’s that other non-coding project I should be working on: the ‘companion’ novel to my Axiom novel. The first draft has been marinating in digital dust almost for a year. Maybe one day I’ll clean it up and send it to my editor.
For now, I'm too hooked on Blitz to do anything else...