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Barnsmorr Castle update.

Name:	Mark Barner
Date Posted:	Jul 15, 2006
Rating:	3.0 out of 5
Public:	YES
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It has been a while since our last update of our project. We lost some time due to some software issues. It seems that when someone puts out a new release, they would make sure that it works first. Then it takes a month for them to update it. No I am not talking about GG, let me just say that we can't wait till Constructor comes out and leave it at that. GG and the community has been great in solving the problems and helping with our questions. Also, I purchased the MMORPG from MyDreamRPG. This has/will save us a lot of time on our project. Their support is great also. Because of the software issue, Rick Morrison ended up redoing the castle over. He is in the early stages of the design with very few errors.

I have been working on the forest. I really like using the fxShapeReplicator. Ed Maurina's book "The Programmer's Guide" has really helped out with learning how to use the settings. The forest is about halfway done.

This is not much, but we have learned a lot of things since my last update. One thing I learned over the last couple months is that you have to keep at it if you want to finish your game. I have read in some different forums recently on how out dated Torque was, lack of documentation, or how hard it is to use. I just think that they are excuses for them not trying to learn Torque. I think they lack the motivation it takes to make a game with Torque or any other engine.

Recent Blog Posts

List:	07/15/06 - Barnsmorr Castle update. 04/30/06 - A newbie 04/21/06 - Torque specific books 03/26/06 - GPGT book: Half way - review. 01/16/06 - A newbie 11/28/05 - Plan for Mark Barner 11/18/05 - Plan for Mark Barner 11/09/05 - Plan for Mark Barner

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Ramen-sama (Jul 15, 2006 at 23:12 GMT)

that's a lot of trees. how's the framerate hold up?

Mark Barner (Jul 15, 2006 at 23:15 GMT)

It has taken a hit on the fps. I will be trying to do some other things to get our effects of what we want with the forest. We are going to try a test online in a couple of weeks to see how well it works.
Edited on Jul 15, 2006 23:25 GMT

Dave Young (Jul 16, 2006 at 00:12 GMT)

That's looking awesome! You're absolutely right, keep plugging away!

Mark Barner (Jul 16, 2006 at 02:20 GMT)

@Rick Morrison: I have three different test for the forest to try. Remember the way I did the first forest a long time ago? I did the same this time and it shot the fps up by 30 - 40 fps in the forest. We need to do a test in a couple of weeks on this. Do not worry about the thing you was going to try, lets try these out first. I don't want to pull you away from working on the castle and other buildings.
Edited on Jul 16, 2006 02:21 GMT

Andy Hawkins (Jul 16, 2006 at 14:27 GMT)

Are you using many LOD on the trees. It's a great way to handle a forrest like that. Overdraw still seems to slow things down though - or is it collision testing?????

Stefan Lundmark (Jul 16, 2006 at 15:27 GMT) Resource Rating: 3

Really nice looking forest.

Oh and Mark/Rick, you're not allowed to share accounts because of the EULA which you agreed to when you purchased Torque. Just so you know.

Keith (Jul 16, 2006 at 21:39 GMT)

I don't know if it matters mcuh to you guys; but he shingles on top of the castle towers are horizontal on some sides, and vertical on others. That's just me nit-picking though.

The forest at ground level looks great though; are the torches on the poles going to be lit with flames?

Great work so far.

-Keith

Mark Barner (Jul 16, 2006 at 22:59 GMT)

Quote:
Oh and Mark/Rick, you're not allowed to share accounts because of the EULA which you agreed to when you purchased Torque. Just so you know.

@Stefan: ? We have both purchased Torque. I am just writing up what we are doing with our project. Rick doesn't usually write blogs. Rick does the graphics and I do the programming. We are not sharing accounts.

@Keith: Yes we know of the shingles. As I said it is an early stage... more of a prototype. Rick has alot more work on the castle. As for the torches, I am going to do the lighting toward the end. Mainly everything is being put in place to see how the game is going to feel. Then the detail will come later.

@Andy: I had already turned off the collision and it did not really help. I think it is the way the fxShapeReplicator is placing the trees to close. I have to just try out some things and play around to see what works best.

edit:spelling
Edited on Jul 17, 2006 01:07 GMT

Rick Morrison (Jul 17, 2006 at 00:04 GMT)

Hi all. Mark, got the maze done.Castle is well on it's way.I will start on the swamp house soon.
Stefan,I have purchased Torque. Mark is better at writing then i am.

Stefan Lundmark (Jul 17, 2006 at 11:19 GMT) Resource Rating: 3

Just pointing out that you signed a post with a different name than the account holders name, which looks suspicious.

I wasn't questioning if you had the license.

Good luck guys!

Michael Hense (Jul 17, 2006 at 11:35 GMT)

my first impression, from the shots, was that you've captured one of the most important, and probably the most elusive element, in level creation of any game... there is definitely an atmosphere to you scene... regardless of the issues that still need your attention...

looks really nice so far, good luck...

--Mike

EddieRay (Mar 13, 2007 at 15:21 GMT)

Looking good... any more happening with this Mark?

Mark Barner (Mar 13, 2007 at 23:58 GMT)

@EddieRay: Yes it is about time I do another update blog. We have been very busy with making the game. We actually had to take a couple of steps back and re-think some things out before we moved forward. I hope to get a blog up in the next month to show how we have progressed.

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