2D game elements in Torque?
by Alex "Lexor" Golitsis · in General Discussion · 05/21/2002 (3:03 pm) · 5 replies
Hey, I'm being enticed into a local game development deal, but it's not necessarily entirely a 3D game... but I would be interested in considering going Torque, if nothing else, for budgetary concerns ;)
so here's my question...
how good/bad is the Torque engine for 2D game elements, like an online strategy game that happens to also have 3D elements ?
as for Torque/T2 scripting elements, I already realize the script language is pretty much as good as any other... but I've heard nothing but horror stories about coding for T2's HUDs. I don't hear about too many Torque projects that are going to be anything but shooters, so I am a bit concerned, as T2 doesn't handle text in various resolutions very well, and might have other unforseen problems/limits.
I am right now thinking that the 2D strat elements would possibly be better-off outside the Torque engine entirely... but I'd love to hear otherwise. And I would prefer keeping it all inside of one engine.
We're in the Toronto area and will possibly be forming a game team soon, pending that little speed bump called "financing".
Warm regards,
Alex "Lexor" Golitsis
http://www.lexor.tk
so here's my question...
how good/bad is the Torque engine for 2D game elements, like an online strategy game that happens to also have 3D elements ?
as for Torque/T2 scripting elements, I already realize the script language is pretty much as good as any other... but I've heard nothing but horror stories about coding for T2's HUDs. I don't hear about too many Torque projects that are going to be anything but shooters, so I am a bit concerned, as T2 doesn't handle text in various resolutions very well, and might have other unforseen problems/limits.
I am right now thinking that the 2D strat elements would possibly be better-off outside the Torque engine entirely... but I'd love to hear otherwise. And I would prefer keeping it all inside of one engine.
We're in the Toronto area and will possibly be forming a game team soon, pending that little speed bump called "financing".
Warm regards,
Alex "Lexor" Golitsis
http://www.lexor.tk
#2
While I don't think something as complex as a RTS menu (with animated/attacking units) would be that viable with the existing GUI code, you could definately give a map that showed locations or control indicators through some creative programming.
The GUI editor, and templates should provide a pretty solid start on adding most any 2d interface.
From what it sounds like, you're going a bit too far into the 2d gameplay aspect (near Starcraft or other 2d RTSes) which is something that Torque would not be the best choice for. 3d RTS it would be perfect for, but a 2d one is something better suited to an engine you'd make for yourself since none out there now are really that adequate for full development.
You have to remember. First person is just a camera type, not a genre.
Just because most games are using it, doesn't mean it'll be a "shooter". It just means you'll be in direct control of the characters, or at least being able to experience what they see first-hand.
05/21/2002 (4:03 pm)
For an example of that, check out Tribes 2 command map.While I don't think something as complex as a RTS menu (with animated/attacking units) would be that viable with the existing GUI code, you could definately give a map that showed locations or control indicators through some creative programming.
The GUI editor, and templates should provide a pretty solid start on adding most any 2d interface.
From what it sounds like, you're going a bit too far into the 2d gameplay aspect (near Starcraft or other 2d RTSes) which is something that Torque would not be the best choice for. 3d RTS it would be perfect for, but a 2d one is something better suited to an engine you'd make for yourself since none out there now are really that adequate for full development.
You have to remember. First person is just a camera type, not a genre.
Just because most games are using it, doesn't mean it'll be a "shooter". It just means you'll be in direct control of the characters, or at least being able to experience what they see first-hand.
#3
The main thing is, doing a 2D game in 3D gives you access to the 3D acceleration hardware, meaning faster graphics, with less CPU load, meaning more time for other elements like AI.
This is of course, unless your aiming for low low low spec PC's like Pentium systems, or 486's or whatever. Most gamers nowadays do have some degree of 3D acceleration in their PC though, and it would be a shame to waste it.
05/21/2002 (5:35 pm)
You are actually best using a 3D engine to write a 2D game with, especially an RTS. All the units and whatever can be drawn using a billboard, so that it all looks 2D. The advantages are that it uses any 3D hardware on the PC, and you can do cool effects far easier then in 2D - rotation and scaling are trivial in 3D. You can do hardware alpha-blending, and loads of other things which I can't think of right now... Also, you can usually still gain access to the back-buffer to do any effects that aren't implemented in the hardware.The main thing is, doing a 2D game in 3D gives you access to the 3D acceleration hardware, meaning faster graphics, with less CPU load, meaning more time for other elements like AI.
This is of course, unless your aiming for low low low spec PC's like Pentium systems, or 486's or whatever. Most gamers nowadays do have some degree of 3D acceleration in their PC though, and it would be a shame to waste it.
#4
05/22/2002 (2:13 pm)
Just a reminder, any use of the TGE to create a game and release a game must go to GarageGames. I don't know the specifics of your "local game development deal" but you are legally bound by those rules 3d or 2d.
#5
and Dave, thx for that very important reminder. this is something to always consider, esp. for commercial or gov't/institution funded projects.
05/23/2002 (10:30 am)
Great, thanks everyone. I have a better grip on what we could expect with Torque.and Dave, thx for that very important reminder. this is something to always consider, esp. for commercial or gov't/institution funded projects.
Torque Owner Jarrod Roberson
Also you get the COMPLETE SOURCE CODE to do with as you please, I have seen lots of neat things submitted to the resources and forums that have to do with gui elements and it seems very powerful and flexible.
So my advice is to NOT base you opinions on Tribes 2 difficulties, having the actual source code is an entirely differnt ballgame.