Torque Game Builder 1.5 Beta
by Justin DuJardin · 04/01/2007 (8:36 pm) · 22 comments
Only Current Owners of Torque Game Builder may download this Beta
It's been just at two months since my last .PLAN and this one should be a good one! For a long while before the initial release of Torque Game Builder, we ran Beta series with T2D and TGB, where we were able to keep the users at the bleeding edge of our development with the understanding that there may be some bugs.
Since we released TGB last year, we have not done a Beta program that was open to the community, but that changes today. In an effort to be able to provide you with the latest Technology that we're making use of internally, we're proud to announce the Torque Game Builder open beta program.
Who can join the Beta?
All registered users of TGB now have a new download link available to them and may optionally download the 1.5 Beta 2 build. This does not mean that you will not be able to use the existing 1.1.3 downloads, and they continue to be the official release versions, but if you want the features listed below, you can surely get them!
Who should join the Beta?
People that already have a familiarity with TGB and are willing to deal with the bumps and brokeness that come with Beta testing software should use the Beta. Users that are new to TGB and want all the tutorials to work perfectly their first time through may want to wait for a release version of the software that guarantees up-to-date documentation.
Where do I get the Beta?
If you're a registered TGB owner you can get it Here at your My account page. Simply Click the "Download" link as you would to download the current public release version and there will be a link at the bottom of the page to opt to download the Beta instead!
garagegames.com/myAccount/
How long until the Beta is a full release?
The purpose of the TGB Beta program is to keep our users that wish to be, up to date with what is relatively stable and useful for our internal usage. To this end, we will make every effort to bring features out of Beta when they're sufficiently stable and tested through the Beta period.
What does the Beta get me?
Downloading the 1.5 Beta build gets you access to the latest improvements to the TGB line of software, including the following excellent features...
Behaviors
TGB 1.5 introduces a system by which you can place 'Behaviors' on objects in your scene, or on your scenegraph. Behaviors are small bits of functionality that can be attached to, and configured through the editor without opening a script file and typing anything. With Behaviors it is possible to create entire games without writing a single line of script or ever leaving the Torque Game Builder tool!
Sizable Editor Window
In version 1.5 we bring back the idea that your Editor should be sizable, and the Tools window is now completely sizable to the area that you deem fit on your desktop!
Platform Specific Upgrades
Now if you're running TGB on Windows you will see the familiar Windows cursors and Menus, File Dialogs, and MessageBoxes that you are used to... and if you're on Mac you'll see the same, but in the Mac fashion that you're accustomed to!
Current 1.5 Beta and 1.1.3 Mac Builds
Just grab the version you desire for the Mac from your download page if you're a registered user!
Save your changes
Never again will you accidentally lose your changes to the level you'd been working on for an hour, only to accidentally click the X button on TGB. Now when you close a level TGB will kindly ask you whether you'd like to save your changes before leaving.
Drag-&-Drop file importing
You may now drag and drop images of PNG, JPG and BMP file format onto the TGB window and they will be automatically imported and a StaticSprite will be created from them. This support multiple files at a single time and copies them into your Game directory for you. You may drag images from anywhere on your computer, including from Internet Explorer and FireFox websites!
Remote File Saving
TGB 1.5 Beta series provides the ability to Create and Modify your games from any location that is available on your OS, provided you have the proper permissions. This means that you can download a friends game from GGE onto your desktop and open it using TGB from there! This should also provide a fix for windows Vista users for situations where their data is hidden by Vista because it had to be saved in their Programs directory.
Let us know what you think
We've opened up a new Beta Discussion forum for registered users to provide feedback and report bugs discovered in the Beta software. This is where you'll want to go to share ideas, post thoughts and suggestions and perhaps impact the development of future versions of TGB. As always, it's appreciated if you post fixes with your bugs when you can, as we do have a limited number of developers and this speeds the development process for us!
Until next time, enjoy the Beta!
Cheers,
-Justin
It's been just at two months since my last .PLAN and this one should be a good one! For a long while before the initial release of Torque Game Builder, we ran Beta series with T2D and TGB, where we were able to keep the users at the bleeding edge of our development with the understanding that there may be some bugs.
Since we released TGB last year, we have not done a Beta program that was open to the community, but that changes today. In an effort to be able to provide you with the latest Technology that we're making use of internally, we're proud to announce the Torque Game Builder open beta program. Who can join the Beta?
All registered users of TGB now have a new download link available to them and may optionally download the 1.5 Beta 2 build. This does not mean that you will not be able to use the existing 1.1.3 downloads, and they continue to be the official release versions, but if you want the features listed below, you can surely get them!
Who should join the Beta?
People that already have a familiarity with TGB and are willing to deal with the bumps and brokeness that come with Beta testing software should use the Beta. Users that are new to TGB and want all the tutorials to work perfectly their first time through may want to wait for a release version of the software that guarantees up-to-date documentation.
Where do I get the Beta?
If you're a registered TGB owner you can get it Here at your My account page. Simply Click the "Download" link as you would to download the current public release version and there will be a link at the bottom of the page to opt to download the Beta instead!
garagegames.com/myAccount/
How long until the Beta is a full release?
The purpose of the TGB Beta program is to keep our users that wish to be, up to date with what is relatively stable and useful for our internal usage. To this end, we will make every effort to bring features out of Beta when they're sufficiently stable and tested through the Beta period.
What does the Beta get me?
Downloading the 1.5 Beta build gets you access to the latest improvements to the TGB line of software, including the following excellent features...
Behaviors
TGB 1.5 introduces a system by which you can place 'Behaviors' on objects in your scene, or on your scenegraph. Behaviors are small bits of functionality that can be attached to, and configured through the editor without opening a script file and typing anything. With Behaviors it is possible to create entire games without writing a single line of script or ever leaving the Torque Game Builder tool!
Quote:For a great example of Behaviors being used to create a Breakout game and modeling some common gametype controls, see the BehaviorPlayground project that is included in the Beta download
Sizable Editor Window
In version 1.5 we bring back the idea that your Editor should be sizable, and the Tools window is now completely sizable to the area that you deem fit on your desktop!
Platform Specific Upgrades
Now if you're running TGB on Windows you will see the familiar Windows cursors and Menus, File Dialogs, and MessageBoxes that you are used to... and if you're on Mac you'll see the same, but in the Mac fashion that you're accustomed to!
Current 1.5 Beta and 1.1.3 Mac Builds
Just grab the version you desire for the Mac from your download page if you're a registered user!
Save your changes
Never again will you accidentally lose your changes to the level you'd been working on for an hour, only to accidentally click the X button on TGB. Now when you close a level TGB will kindly ask you whether you'd like to save your changes before leaving.
Drag-&-Drop file importing
You may now drag and drop images of PNG, JPG and BMP file format onto the TGB window and they will be automatically imported and a StaticSprite will be created from them. This support multiple files at a single time and copies them into your Game directory for you. You may drag images from anywhere on your computer, including from Internet Explorer and FireFox websites!
Remote File Saving
TGB 1.5 Beta series provides the ability to Create and Modify your games from any location that is available on your OS, provided you have the proper permissions. This means that you can download a friends game from GGE onto your desktop and open it using TGB from there! This should also provide a fix for windows Vista users for situations where their data is hidden by Vista because it had to be saved in their Programs directory.
Let us know what you think
We've opened up a new Beta Discussion forum for registered users to provide feedback and report bugs discovered in the Beta software. This is where you'll want to go to share ideas, post thoughts and suggestions and perhaps impact the development of future versions of TGB. As always, it's appreciated if you post fixes with your bugs when you can, as we do have a limited number of developers and this speeds the development process for us!
Until next time, enjoy the Beta!
Cheers,
-Justin
#2
Stop making TGB awesome, you're distracting me from TGE.
04/01/2007 (9:08 pm)
I'm going to point out the tasty components and unit folders. Also the tools and build folders. These folders make me very happy.Stop making TGB awesome, you're distracting me from TGE.
#3
04/01/2007 (9:11 pm)
I second Tom's post. Great stuff, really looking forward to it. And a big thanks to the guys working hard on making TGB better all the time. Kickass indeed...
#4
04/01/2007 (9:21 pm)
Awesome blog Justin. It is great to see GG running an open beta!!!
#5
This is the first release I remember seeing where the windows and mac version released concurrently. As a mac user, thank you for the continued excellent support!
04/01/2007 (10:22 pm)
Wow awesome job guys.This is the first release I remember seeing where the windows and mac version released concurrently. As a mac user, thank you for the continued excellent support!
#6
Boy, you got that right.
04/01/2007 (10:36 pm)
Quote:Stop making TGB awesome, you're distracting me from TGE.
Boy, you got that right.
#8
A total side note... so... I did a prototype for work in Flash... it choked... Flash couldn't handle it. Then I redid it in XNA... worked great... but the plugin doesn't work so it can't be played on non-dev machines! Then I did it in old MDX(what the old XNA was called) and it worked great... but again... wouldn't work on machines!! Then I did a TGB version... in 10 hours... BAM!!! works great, plays great, plays on everyone's machines!!! Saved the day!!! Now it goes out to all the big publishers on Wed. TGB can have my first born after this last week! Great job TGB devs!!! You're making life beautiful for the studios out there who are making cutting edge casual games!!!
04/01/2007 (10:51 pm)
So totally awesome!! I'm so loving Torque Game Builder!!A total side note... so... I did a prototype for work in Flash... it choked... Flash couldn't handle it. Then I redid it in XNA... worked great... but the plugin doesn't work so it can't be played on non-dev machines! Then I did it in old MDX(what the old XNA was called) and it worked great... but again... wouldn't work on machines!! Then I did a TGB version... in 10 hours... BAM!!! works great, plays great, plays on everyone's machines!!! Saved the day!!! Now it goes out to all the big publishers on Wed. TGB can have my first born after this last week! Great job TGB devs!!! You're making life beautiful for the studios out there who are making cutting edge casual games!!!
#9
I'm happy that finally the TGB workspace is as big as my resolution!!!! The behaviors seem really neat too, looking forward to getting a chance to really play with them.
04/02/2007 (2:13 am)
I concur Anton (cept giving the first born, no offense GG kinda attached to the little thing ;))I'm happy that finally the TGB workspace is as big as my resolution!!!! The behaviors seem really neat too, looking forward to getting a chance to really play with them.
#10
I'm really glad that TGB is getting some of the old features polished up the way they should be :)
Maybe I should drop a class and switch my major to Torque and It's Many Flavors: Strawberry Included
04/02/2007 (4:34 am)
Whoooo! Behaviors!I'm really glad that TGB is getting some of the old features polished up the way they should be :)
Maybe I should drop a class and switch my major to Torque and It's Many Flavors: Strawberry Included
#11
04/02/2007 (6:46 am)
Awesome!
#12
Definitely great addition :-)
Since I first tried TGBX I wanted to have something similar to components so I really love components.
Thank you very much for this addition :-)
*where is the offer cake and coffee button on GG? :-)*
04/02/2007 (9:34 am)
Ding ding dingDefinitely great addition :-)
Since I first tried TGBX I wanted to have something similar to components so I really love components.
Thank you very much for this addition :-)
*where is the offer cake and coffee button on GG? :-)*
#13
04/02/2007 (10:32 am)
Oh Boy, oh boy, what is gg trying to do to us? TGB 1.5 beta and Constructor for free on April 9th, I simply can't take any more of this! :-S 
#14
04/02/2007 (11:52 am)
I think the constructor thing is an april fools joke isn't it. At least I don't know anyone taking it seriously :)
#15
04/02/2007 (1:32 pm)
It would be a good (but crappy) April's fool, so I'll stick my neck out and say (God willing) we'll be dloading constructor on the 9th (Even more incentive for me to upgrade to 1.5 or 15.1 or whatever it will be by then!) and thanking gg all over again ;0) 
#16
:)
btw hope you like the beta of TGB 1.5
Also please feel free to leave feedback on the new tutorial type here.
04/02/2007 (5:38 pm)
This is a quote from Tim Aste on the Constructor thread:Quote:Lots of discussion by the C-Dev team on the irony of announcing it today, and it was just too funny not too(we are only human). Rest assured, this is no joke. :)
:)
btw hope you like the beta of TGB 1.5
Also please feel free to leave feedback on the new tutorial type here.
#17
04/03/2007 (1:26 am)
Indeed we draw closer to the fabled "Make Game Button" :P Randomly assigned behaviours anyone?
#18
Vanguard? Really? How is it playing that game? I tried out the beta... I didn't play twice. Well, then again, I don't really like MMORPGs. But I heard Vanguard kinda sucked? How do you like it?
04/03/2007 (7:55 am)
@Matthew LangleyVanguard? Really? How is it playing that game? I tried out the beta... I didn't play twice. Well, then again, I don't really like MMORPGs. But I heard Vanguard kinda sucked? How do you like it?
#19
04/20/2007 (5:03 pm)
Vanguard? I also tried the beta. Really did not like it. There are many reasons. I thought the crafting and Diplomacy systems had potential. Really hated the particle effects on everything and performance was really bad for me.
Torque Owner Tom Bentz