Finally! Progress...

Back on track and (finally) making measurable progress. Here's a screenshot of the Galaxy Creator tool. Using a seed based random generation we will be able to replicate the start of any universe created in Skyport Alpha.

Here's the high-level overview of the Skyport Alpha Universe[1]:

• Single Universe in each game
• "X" Number of Galaxies (now set from 1-3)
• Between 16 and 256 Systems per Galaxy
• Travel between galaxies will require a GALAXY PORTAL
• Travel between Systems (in same Galaxy) will use a JUMPGATE

Notes:

[1] Game design is in fluid state and can (and probably will) be changed or altered.

Unity and PlayMaker

Layout...

Just needed to link a quick image to the PlayMaker forums while they repair the attachments function.

More images below:

Um, yeah seems this is how to NOT design an FSM ;)

This one seems to be working sweet!

Another screenshot

Still working...

Just a quick update that we are indeed still working on this project.

We've rolled back to the design stage and are reworking the games objectives and re-scoping the project.

It will indeed still be a Unity 3D project.

Unity - web player

One of the major benefit of using Unity 3D is being able to deploy web based test builds. As we progress in our development we are mindful of the limitations of the web player.

One of the limitations is the amount (size) of the data we can save. Regardless, we are looking forward to getting some test web builds published.

Happy Holidays!

Game Concepts 01

Game design update #01
So, even though I can't really tell you exactly what Skyport-Alpha is. I can tell you where we are not headed.

We are not headed down the "epic battles in space" route. If you want that kind of experience, well then there's about a thousand existing titles ready for your ship-shooting-blasting pleasure.

No, Skyport-Alpha is going to be more about immersive space exploration, trading / trade routes and interacting with the other "factions"[1] that (you will decide) will exist in the game. Now this doesn't mean you won't be shooting at or other ships won't be shooting at you, no this will happen. It's just that it will not be the main focus of the game. In addition, one of my "peeves" about most of those shoot-the-crap-out-everyone games is there is usually an inherent unrealistic cost of space battles and weapons. I'm thinking that if you shoot a missile at another ship, you should think about the cost of that missile and is it worth it (what is the ROI of blowing up another ship? not sure yet).

Playable web-demo: The next post will be about just what to expect from a playable web-demo.

[1] Inspired by Sid Meier's Alpha Centauri

Status Update

A quick design / status update: Aug-21-2013

1. Turrets: We have plasma (straight-line ball of plasma) turrets and (lock-on) missile turrets working. Moving and tracking the target, which has given me even more ideas....

2.  ROS (Reactive Organic Ships) - this race of organic beings (they ARE their ships) will transform their appearance (from GREEN (friendly) to RED (threatened)) depending on their mood.

I'll try and get a Unity Web app posted so you can see what I mean.

A million ideas riffle through my head while I hone and improve my C# and Unity 3D skills. I had to work through several problems while working on the turret systems since nearly all of the tutorials and forum posts were written in (yuk) javascript... :-p

Note: I have also had to abandon my (very nice) Apple magic mouse in favor of a (shivers) MS Home (USB) 3-button mouse which is absolutely a must (3-button) while using ANY 3D application, including Unity.

:-)

Post WWDC13

Damn you Apple.... I was all set, headed down the Unity (3d) trail and along comes SpriteKit. Arg, yes it's only 2d but I'm seeing a very cool multiplayer 2d game that Mac's and iOS devices can play together. Plus I have a tonne of unused 2d assests that will make the ship-builder portion, sweet!

Oh, wait... I didn't mention the ship-builder... Did I ;)

Okay after re-visiting and thinking about the (now) free iPhone add-on for the free Unity... well I really like FREE... and let's face it, a 3D game is much more immersive than any 2D game...

;-)