Blog for Cyberkada at GarageGames.com

Babylon 5 Starship Commander April Updates

Cyberkada — 2008-04-18T06:55:22+00:00

Did a lot of Engine Optimization Work - to improve network data passing.
Changed SQL to standard SQL calls.
Started to LOD my ships - New modeler joined the team.
Multi-player 'kinda' works. - Ship and player selection works but not all in-game tactical displays are functioning over the network.

Alpha 3 to be released (internal) to be released at end of month.
Added Torque Modernization Kit (for dts bump-mapping later)

Babylon 5 Starship Commander (pre-Alpha 0.1)

Cyberkada — 2008-02-04T15:30:14+00:00

This will be the last posting prior to the Alpha 0.1 release.

There are 48 Bots (fighters), 4 capShips, and 1 base in this screenshot.

Added the following since the last update:

A working (and auto-updating <--- REAL HARD) navigation display that shows the player ship's position, heading and pitch.

To get this to work with GUI panels was a pain so I pretty much had to create my own which merges the updating of shapebase and with GUIPanels.

Now that I know my location, whats next before A 0.1? Jumpgates, (mission-linking), short-range scanners (the commander map), and turrets for my capShips.

B5SC:January Updates

Cyberkada — 2008-01-14T04:57:58+00:00

Doing lots of Apache/MySQL/PHP training and coding right now, so less time to code this beast.

Just working of the fast approaching playable Alpha 1 Milestone (end of January). Basically, SP skirmish mode will work. Added some more capital ships and fighters into the game (Minbari now playable).

Tasks for Milestone Alpha 2:
Campaign framework (mission chaining)
Warbook completeness
Jumpgate network
Babylon 5 Station
Short-range scan (basically the commander map)
Fighter missions that start and end at bases or from ships (no in-space saves).
Landing fighters on (in?) cap ships (this one *might* be hard as everything is a DTS)

New screenies later today.

Looking for other scripters/ coders and 2D artists to help out on this beastie.

The main code base is modified Torque 1.5.2 + AFX + the Flight Game Example

NOTE: this will be released as freeware unless a Warner Bros. licensee would/ could distribute it.

B5Sc - December Update

Cyberkada — 2007-12-01T12:51:43+00:00

Just a small update, but lots of programming behind it. Implemented the Player Hitbox resource in B5SC. Added support for multiple damage areas (2 in fighters - forward and aft, and 5 in capital ships - fwd/aft/starboard/port/core).

This will eventually allow for directed damage against engines, bridge, weapons and other systems hardpoints. This involved lots of script and engine changes (to add the hitbox variable). Whats next: Separating the engine energy variable into left/center/right engines and directional and retro thrusters.

non-gaming news: My first term (teaching GPS420) is half over with DeVry. I wish Torque was used instead of the "Building Blocks Engine", but its a learning experience for all involved. My first trimester as Department Chair for Information Systems at Informatics International College (Cainta branch) is over and went well.

B5SC small updates

Cyberkada — 2007-11-19T13:48:17+00:00

I got lights to fully work in game.

Here is a screenshot with lights and FGE's repair particle emitter (will use for plasma leaks) in action.

Note the two jumppoints forming in the background? That was a programmer bug (ships destroyed, but lights not removed yet). Its cool and that will remain.

I'm modifying the AIRepairship to fire at enemies and heal allies. Fixed several bugs - forgot to add collision damage to all ships except the Starfury. Pilots still act too suicidal - keep running into each other.

I have been posting this at JMS's (Creator of B5) for comment as well.

another screenie:

Babylon 5 Starship Commander

Cyberkada — 2007-11-07T02:12:10+00:00

Initial screenshots of the latest iteration of the Babylon 5 Starship Commander game.

The mission selection screen

Battle #1

Battle #2