Plan for Stephen Zepp
by Stephen Zepp · 11/18/2004 (8:16 pm) · 7 comments
My team just finished cleaning up the last major issue with the RTS Kit integration with our project. It was pretty rough going in some cases, but we learned more about how the engine works, especially in a distributed environment, in the last week than we had learned in the 7 months since we selected TGE. Boy, what a week!
Now that we are integrated, we're pushing the examples provided in the RTSK towards the game functionality we want to see. The RTSK community is absolutely amazing--collaboration is just incredible. We've gotten a huge amount of resources and examples posted already, with more every single day.
Currently I'm working on resource management, basing some enhancements off of Jared Barger's base functionality for tracking supplies, tying them to a gui, adjusting inventory counts, etc. For the display gui, John McGlamory is providing custom requested resource icons (gold, wood, food, stone) to order, and in record time. Between the 3 of us, we plan on having a resource management system that is server authoritative, giving the players the ability to gather, store, and spend resources just like you see in any AAA RTS game on the market--all in less than a week, and only 8 days after the pack came out.
Did I say the RTS Kack is amazing?
When the inventory synchronization and gathering/spending functionality is complete, I plan on next tying it to game actions such as placing buildings, purchasing units, and upgrading both.
I haven't had this much fun programming since I added multi-classes to Merc back in 1995!
Now that we are integrated, we're pushing the examples provided in the RTSK towards the game functionality we want to see. The RTSK community is absolutely amazing--collaboration is just incredible. We've gotten a huge amount of resources and examples posted already, with more every single day.
Currently I'm working on resource management, basing some enhancements off of Jared Barger's base functionality for tracking supplies, tying them to a gui, adjusting inventory counts, etc. For the display gui, John McGlamory is providing custom requested resource icons (gold, wood, food, stone) to order, and in record time. Between the 3 of us, we plan on having a resource management system that is server authoritative, giving the players the ability to gather, store, and spend resources just like you see in any AAA RTS game on the market--all in less than a week, and only 8 days after the pack came out.
Did I say the RTS Kack is amazing?
When the inventory synchronization and gathering/spending functionality is complete, I plan on next tying it to game actions such as placing buildings, purchasing units, and upgrading both.
I haven't had this much fun programming since I added multi-classes to Merc back in 1995!
About the author
#2
Hi again!! Do you think it would be beneficial for me to get the RTS Starter kit and integrate it into my game programming course?
Thanks for all of your help in the past!
Bob Smolenski
DCCC
11/19/2004 (6:09 am)
Stephen,Hi again!! Do you think it would be beneficial for me to get the RTS Starter kit and integrate it into my game programming course?
Thanks for all of your help in the past!
Bob Smolenski
DCCC
#3
11/19/2004 (6:42 am)
@Bob: We need to talk! It might very well be a good idea to put the first course we discussed at lunch within the RTS Starter Kit environment. The scripting examples and setup are -very- nice. Drop me an email or give me a call when you have some time. 
#4
I'd love to help you guys out anyway I can. I think this kit is absolutely amazing and would love to see it take off even more. Anything I can do, just let me know.
11/19/2004 (7:10 am)
Stephen,I'd love to help you guys out anyway I can. I think this kit is absolutely amazing and would love to see it take off even more. Anything I can do, just let me know.
#5
11/19/2004 (10:45 pm)
Go go go Stephen - you've been an inspiration helping to kickstart the RTS community with your posts, information gatherings and resource submissions - and you're right the RTS Starter Kit is just great!
#6
11/19/2004 (11:24 pm)
@Chip/KC: Thanks guys, after getting all that functionality for such a low price (when you think about just how much time they spent on it--what could YOU do in 5 hours, assuming you made minimum wage?), it's great to be able to give back stuff that's not only cool, but fun as hell to write! 
#7
11/20/2004 (3:31 pm)
Stephen, a big part of the reason the RTS-SK and it's users are off to such an awesome start is because of your dedication and enthusiasm. It's great to see "world domination through collaboration" kicking so hard in the RTS-SK. I just wanted to tell you thanks for all your help and support. :)
Torque Owner Jay Moore
Default Studio Name
Finding that zone can be so important to a team and accellerated learning is usually an indication that everything is starting to click.
I can't wait to see the resources and results you and your team spin out of RTS - SK (we called it a pack for a long time internally, but we want to make a clear distinction between code packs like the John Kabus's Lighting Code Pack and Starter Kits like theRTS Starter Kit for specific game types and play mechanics).
This next year is going to be very rewarding as we see Torque take on the properties of not just a game engine, but a game development platform. I predict we will have some growing pains, but making it easier to use and create with will be worth the transitions.
I'm glad you're keeping it fun. I echo your excitement when I say it has never been more fun and exciting to be part of GarageGames and building our dream, its great coming in each day and seeing more and more pieces become a reality.