Arcane-FX 2 : Shipping for TGEA and TGE
by Jeff Faust · 11/01/2009 (3:36 pm) · 14 comments
Versions of AFX 2.0 for TGE and TGEA are now available for purchase or upgrade in the Add-Ons/Tools store. Products for both engines are available on this single product page:
www.garagegames.com/products/afx-2.0-tge-tgea
A version of AFX 2.0 for T3D is coming soon. Currently it is in closed beta-test but should be available in pre-order form sometime in November or December.
Here is the purchase/upgrade pricing matrix for Indie developers:
* -- If you have AFX1-for-TGEA, there's no way to upgrade to AFX2-for-TGE by itself, but an upgrade to AFX2-for-TGEA, also includes AFX2-for-TGE at no additional cost.
The T3D column of prices reflects a reduced cost for the pre-order beta-test period.
The previous AFX product-line consisted of a core technology package (AFX:CoreTech), a spell-pack add-on (AFX:SpellPack1), and a combination package that included both (AFX:ComboPack). For AFX 2.0, we've simplified the product-line and offer a single per-engine package that includes all of the core technology, SpellPack1, and a content-pack's worth of new spells that we originally planned to sell as SpellPack2.
Here are some of the AFX2 content totals:
- 5 missions (+2 TGEA)
- 24 primary spell effects
- 28 minor effects (+1 TGEA)
- 11 selection effects (selectrons)
Bron-Y-Orc Stomp showcases these new AFX 2.0 features:
- triggered footstep effects
- triggered effects that respond to jumping and landing events
- effect-controlled camera puppeting (with optional client exclusivity)
- sound banks with randomized sound effect selection
- randomized effect parameters
About the author
Jeff Faust creates special effects indie middleware and games for Faust Logic. --- Blog: Effectronica.com --- Twitter: @FaustLogic
#2
If I buy AFX2 for TGEA, will alot/some/most or none of the documentation be the same as for the T3D version? I would like to get a head start on it.
11/01/2009 (5:53 pm)
*pulls out wallet* If I buy AFX2 for TGEA, will alot/some/most or none of the documentation be the same as for the T3D version? I would like to get a head start on it.
#3
@ Steve Damsky -- As mentioned above, AFX2-for-T3D is built on the same feature-set as the TGEA and TGE versions. There are some differences, but most AFX functionality remains the same, and the same is true of the docs. Actually, a lot of effort has gone into making AFX2 fairly consistent across all three engines. Currently, the biggest difference is with the lighting, and the custom shaders are a bit different, too.
11/01/2009 (6:07 pm)
@ Hans -- Initially, AFX2-for-T3D will essentially include the same feature-set as the TGEA and TGE versions, with new lighting adaptations, and some T3D-specific features. "alot more spells and effects" will evolve over time.@ Steve Damsky -- As mentioned above, AFX2-for-T3D is built on the same feature-set as the TGEA and TGE versions. There are some differences, but most AFX functionality remains the same, and the same is true of the docs. Actually, a lot of effort has gone into making AFX2 fairly consistent across all three engines. Currently, the biggest difference is with the lighting, and the custom shaders are a bit different, too.
#4
11/01/2009 (6:46 pm)
Wow. I love the new Bron-Y-Orc Stomp! Great effect! As always, awesome work, Jeff. 
#5
11/02/2009 (6:48 am)
Can't wait for the T3D version. Congratulations on getting this out. 
#6
This is a day one purchase for anyone who needs a world class effects system... and we should all be sending Jeff hugs for supporting TGE, TGEA, and Torque 3D with his hard work!
11/02/2009 (8:20 am)
I've been playing with this for a bit here... amazingly well done Jeff and crew!This is a day one purchase for anyone who needs a world class effects system... and we should all be sending Jeff hugs for supporting TGE, TGEA, and Torque 3D with his hard work!
#7
11/02/2009 (8:50 am)
Hey Josh, with that profile pic, it really looks like you're sending a big hug. :) 
#8
I love the Fire in the Sky effect. It reminds of Reavers chasing the Firefly crew on a distant planet for some reason.
11/02/2009 (3:04 pm)
I upgraded and plan to preorder the T3D version when it's available.I love the Fire in the Sky effect. It reminds of Reavers chasing the Firefly crew on a distant planet for some reason.
#9
One question... looking at your upgrade table... if I get the AFX2 for T3D, will I get the TGE and TGEA versions too?
11/02/2009 (6:48 pm)
Congratulations! One question... looking at your upgrade table... if I get the AFX2 for T3D, will I get the TGE and TGEA versions too?
#10
11/02/2009 (6:57 pm)
@ Guimo -- Assuming that you have licenses for the prerequisite engines, yes. 
#11
11/03/2009 (12:47 pm)
Well they decided not to further develop the TGE and TGEA versions so T3D is suppose to include licenses for those as well I hear. I might be mislead but I'm pretty sure thats what I read. 
#13
11/06/2009 (9:56 pm)
I'm trying to get an AI to 'throw' a weapon and play the throw animation he came with as he does so. It sounds like AFX has that type of thing built in, am I correct in that assumption? If so, do I have to wait for the T3D version to make use of that feature now or can I buy the TGEA version and make it work pretty easily?
#14
11/06/2009 (11:25 pm)
@ Scot -- Any solution for a weapon throw in AFX2-for-TGEA would work just the same in AFX2-for-T3D. Depending on your requirements, I think you could make it work in AFX, but it's not really a built-in, and it would probably be more difficult than you are imagining. If you want to know more, post a more detailed description of your throw in the AFX public forum and I'll respond tomorrow with some thoughts about how you might go about it. 
Torque Owner Hans
The Darkseer