Messages

31

Programming / Re: keep an Endless Sci-Fi Roguelike interesting?

« on: November 12, 2013, 04:12:33 AM »

And The Kickstarter Is Live!

Help Approaching Infinity become the game it is meant to be, and add your own unique personality at the same time.
Name a planet, add your name to the officer's pool, name a quest item, submit a piece of small abstract art or short writing that will be found in the game (like an easter egg), all the way up to design a ship class or major race.

And don't worry; Approaching Infinity is a classical roguelike. It's not 'like-like' or 'lite' or 'ftl-like', what have you.
There's perma-death, an identify system, procedural space and planets, major quests, randarts, 2D grid, turn based movement and combat, etc.

So please, take a look. I've been working hard. There's already a playable alpha.
And with David Gervais on graphics and ectogemia writing an original soundtrack,
it's going to be a great game!

And for you sticklers, i'll throw in an ascii tileset at $10,000

32

Traditional Roguelikes (Turn Based) / Re: Approaching Infinity (now at v0.0.5)

« on: November 12, 2013, 04:11:02 AM »

And The Kickstarter Is Live!

Help Approaching Infinity become the game it is meant to be, and add your own unique personality at the same time.
Name a planet, add your name to the officer's pool, name a quest item, submit a piece of small abstract art or short writing that will be found in the game (like an easter egg), all the way up to design a ship class or major race.

And don't worry; Approaching Infinity is a classical roguelike. It's not 'like-like' or 'lite' or 'ftl-like', what have you.
There's perma-death, an identify system, procedural space and planets, major quests, randarts, 2D grid, turn based movement and combat, etc.

So please, take a look. I've been working hard. There's already a playable alpha.
And with David Gervais on graphics and ectogemia writing an original soundtrack, it's going to be a great game!

And for you sticklers, i'll throw in an ascii tileset at $10,000

33

Traditional Roguelikes (Turn Based) / Re: Approaching Infinity (now at v0.0.5)

« on: November 03, 2013, 12:33:21 AM »

Rickton,
thanks for pointing that out. I just found a different bug myself, and was checking to see who else might have found it.
no one yet...fixing now...

34

Traditional Roguelikes (Turn Based) / Re: Approaching Infinity (now at v0.0.4b)

« on: November 01, 2013, 03:01:12 AM »

Here it is, with tons of improvements and fixes, thanks to playtesters and collaborators alike!

Download Approaching Infinity v0.0.5

•Updated UI
•New planet tiles
•Sound
•Animated explosions
•Color-coded messages
•New splash screen
•A Tutorial!
•3 new commands: {A}bandon, {R}est, {S}afety

And a contest:

Find a Firaxughinian Artifact, send me a screenshot, and i'll put your name & chosen link in a special credits section of the game called

"The Xeno-Archaeologists".   You have one week so start looking!

35

Programming / Re: keep an Endless Sci-Fi Roguelike interesting?

« on: October 29, 2013, 01:36:57 PM »

Still working...it's coming along quite nicely.

But I have a question I need some community thoughts on:

There is no "main character" in Approaching Infinity.
How much does that matter to you, as players?

To me, I don't care. I make a story as I go along,
or even more, just love the experience.

There is a general backstory to the character in the game,
but I don't want to push it on people, and I don't want a
"wall of text" beginning.

What do you think?

http://ibol17.wordpress.com/the-game/

36

Programming / Re: keep an Endless Sci-Fi Roguelike interesting?

« on: October 16, 2013, 05:20:13 AM »

Jo,
when I get lazy or depressed, I read that post.
You were a big inspiration at the start of this project.
Mutual respect, my friend!
thanks.

Here's what the game is looking like these days, thanks to David Gervais.

37

Traditional Roguelikes (Turn Based) / Re: Approaching Infinity, v0.0.2 [ARRP 2013]

« on: October 02, 2013, 03:50:02 AM »

I just realized this is the 'infinite sci-fi roguelike' being bandied about in Development, so I guess it's time to try this out!

I didn't realize I bandied. Don't tell my wife.

anyway, feedbacks please,
and I plan on a v0.0.3 release this Thursday, with movement issues fixed, mouse control, a major-ish quest line, and more.

bob

38

Programming / Re: keep an Endless Sci-Fi Roguelike interesting?

« on: September 26, 2013, 01:42:10 PM »

my plan is 6 months, so that's probably 9. but I have prototyped a lot of that stuff already.
the biggest thing will be the quests. they require the most new functionality.
but I started keeping track of my progress right in the code over a month ago, and it's amazing to see how its grown. it helps to be able to say "a week ago, my monsters didn't even move. now they're chasing me around a new type of planet, and i'm using the mouse to move, which I just did two nights ago."
I can see that I can make real progress.
the biggest obstacle is coding vs. playing. I left myself a little note in the game:

(I never go to bed on time though)

39

Programming / Re: Dijkstra Map

« on: September 26, 2013, 04:45:24 AM »

I've been using dijkstra maps for years, based on the same article you mentioned.
but what I do for running away is this:
1. set all dijkstra values very high.
2. set all cells that are a certain distance away from the players as goal cells (zero(0))
3. process the dijkstra map.

you can just generate this once per loop, and every monster will be able to find a good place to run away.
and if you keep all tiles that block movement as that very high number, they'll follow the perfect path,
just choosing the smallest number adjacent to them.

I just did preliminary monster AI in my game, Approaching Infinity using dijkstras. Enemy spaceships will stay a nice distance away from you and fire, while monsters on planets will mostly charge you.

I also just did 'right click on map to move to' last night in an hour. it's awesome. I<3Dijkstra

40

Programming / Re: keep an Endless Sci-Fi Roguelike interesting?

« on: September 22, 2013, 09:07:14 PM »

ARRP:
Approaching Infinity, A Roguelike Space Adventure.
http://forumfiles.thegamecreators.com/download/2487087

Pilot a spaceship of your choice through an infinite sci-fi universe, exploring planets, gathering resources and technology, battling space pirates, and picking sides in an interstellar war that's been developing since the fall of rome.

most important commands:
 numpad or hjklyubn to move
 right & left arrow keys scroll helpful menus
 [F] to fire, [ + ] to cycle targets
 [D] to dock, land, or leave

What's planned for the game?
 - a randomized crafting system for components and devices
 - Random Officers with individual skills to help you
 - More Devices with more powers
 - unlockable ship classes
 - elemental monsters(!)
 - more alien races (Gruff, Tentaculons, Limoquee, Vordalene, Firaxughinians)
 - unique monster powers, and more monsters.
 - several major quest lines (at least 1 for each of the alien races.)
 - 3-5 different ways to end the game, and countless ways to just keep playing.
 - any great ideas from players and supporters!

41

Traditional Roguelikes (Turn Based) / Approaching Infinity (now at Beta 01 + Demo) $

« on: September 22, 2013, 08:50:41 PM »

Approaching Infinity, A Space Adventure Roguelike .   $7.50-$75.00, various things at each level

http://ibol17.wordpress.com/the-game/
http://ibol17.itch.io/approaching-infinity-early-access

Pilot a spaceship of your choice through an infinite sci-fi universe, exploring planets, gathering resources and technology, battling space pirates, and picking sides in an interstellar war that's been developing for millenia.

most important commands:
 numpad or hjklyubn to move
 right & left arrow keys scroll helpful menus
 [F] to fire, [ + ] to cycle targets
 [D] to dock, land, or leave

now with mouse support!

What's planned for the game?
 - a randomized crafting system for components and devices
 - Random Officers with individual skills to help you
 - More Devices with more powers
 - unlockable ship classes
 - elemental monsters(!)
 - more alien races (Gruff, Tentaculons, Limoquee, Vordalene, Firaxughinians)
 - unique monster powers, and more monsters.
 - several major quest lines (at least 1 for each of the alien races.)
 - 3-5 different ways to end the game, and countless ways to just keep playing.
 - any great ideas from players and supporters!


Here's what the game is looking like these days, thanks to David Gervais.

42

Programming / Re: keep an Endless Sci-Fi Roguelike interesting?

« on: September 21, 2013, 05:31:06 AM »

well, definitely no mouse support, but enemies have AI now,
and you can die. then the game starts over.
made a lot of fixes in preparation for ARRP.
should be releasing "Approaching Infinity 0.0.2" on sunday, sept. 22, 2013.

43

Programming / Re: keep an Endless Sci-Fi Roguelike interesting?

« on: September 16, 2013, 09:33:50 PM »

Akeley, you have given me something to aim for as far as this years ARRP:
AI. I will get those violence and consequences into the game this week.
I think the flight mechanic will stay , especially since you should be able to upgrade around sector 10.
The little stars are just impassible terrain (stars).
I upped starting oxygen to 50 and it will scale up to 200 or 300 with better suits.
I did get shipwrecks into the game and they are explorable. They also have their own variety of space monsters.

I will also go for mouse support, but the week is usually busy.

I read that article. I had an Atari 800 and my friend had trs80

44

Programming / Re: keep an Endless Sci-Fi Roguelike interesting?

« on: September 12, 2013, 05:59:07 AM »

here's a download link, but i'm probably going to start an actual thread for this over in the 'early dev feedback' section
http://forumfiles.thegamecreators.com/download/2485192
(I hope they let non members DL this - it didn't used to be a problem, and I find it a little insulting.)

here's a short youtube movie: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xZyYiQrZ0rI

now its bed time, with hours of work and no programming  

Code: [Select]

* numpad to move
 7 8 9
  \|/
 4-+-6
  /|\
 1 2 3

 BUT:
  - your Engines have an "MR" Maneuver Rating
it refers to how much you can change your HEADING  in a single move.
with an MR of 1, you can only make small course changes.
you have to circle around.

Example:
 imagine the numpad. if your last move was 8 (up), then you could move 7,8,9 (Up Left, up, up right).

as soon as you can get a MR 2 engine. do that. and a warp range >1 too.

commands can be displayed on screen . use right arrow key

* go to space stations to do stuff.
  all offered quests are winnable.

* you have a million credits, so buy whatever you want.
  might need to empty out your cargo hold though...

* you can't die, but the landing party can die on planets,
  either from lack of oxygen, or by taking damage over time
  (the more inhospitable a planet is, the more damage taken)

buy better space suits to last longer on planets.

[Q] quest screen
[I] install component
[D] dock, land, take off, leave
[W] warp - must be on warp point.
[F] fire ranged weapon
[+] cycle targets

[SPACE] bar performs "common action" dock, warp, ?



45

Programming / Re: keep an Endless Sci-Fi Roguelike interesting?

« on: September 11, 2013, 09:11:37 PM »

Ok I'm going to make it my goal tonight to get a demo up, because I want feedback on a lot of areas. I find this forum very helpful.