Phoenix USC demo release next month.

[Vidiot_X]

http://www.phoenixusc.com/Personal_Post_Data/news_db_07_11_2013.jpg

 

Hi,

 

I will be releasing a 'look and feel' non-networking demo of Phoenix USC on 8/20/21013. After this release I will be releasing Phoenix USC beta 1 (TBA) which will be the first wide scale test of the Phoenix USC server and client.

 

You can follow the demo release on it's event page here: Demo Release.

 

Rock on,

- Rich -

[aquarius]

Pretty cool, Richard. Can you also release a version for testing that uses a standard subspace map. So we can see how this performs with our regular old events and maps and settings? I think I speak for a lot of people here when I say that what we are really reaching for is a client that is able to clone, exactly our current zones.. New features and new graphics are great - but how does this look and feel running a regular zone?

[Vidiot_X]

Hi,

 

Can you also release a version for testing that uses a standard subspace map.

That's just not possible with Phoenix. Aside from Phoenix using a whole new server the collision system is vector based. SS/Continuum uses a square/right angles kind of simple collision. Phoenix uses a much richer and more complex vector collision system which lets you have map objects with high degree of precision as regards the objects shape. This image shows the map editors 'part editor' with vector collision lines added to a map part:

 

http://www.phoenixusc.com/board/albums.php?image=4&album=2

 

As you can see it's not like SS's simple square objects. This approach lets you really define almost any shape for a map objects collision. In addition to collision there are a whole set of features just not supported by SS such as a 2nd level of play, lighting, shadows and more.

 

 

 

New features and new graphics are great - but how does this look and feel running a regular zone?

That is also not going to happen. Phoenix USC is a whole new server, client and map editor. An entirely new design. You will be able to port at least the graphics/sound from a zone but that is about it. Phoenix USC is not a client. It is a whole new game engine and system. I have tried to keep Phoenix USC as close as I can to SS's game play so aside from the fact it's all new it still will look and feel like SS in many ways.

- Rich -

 

[Cheese]

a common misconception is that this game is not completely different from continuum

[Vidiot_X]

a common misconception is that this game is not completely different from continuum

 

So true, but understandable.

 

My hope is that many will embrace change and I get a lot of support for just that. Some just want it to all stay the same which in SS (server)/Continuum's case means no change and really no future. Add in there is no path to modify Continuum and I think many can see why I started this project.

 

Really there seems to be two schools of thought about developing a new SS (style) game. Keep it compatible and just upgrade the client or write a new server, client and editor and just start from scratch. I choose the later mainly because if your going to seriously develop the next step it has to be a fresh start. As I get closer to the first wide scale test it is my hope that everyone will see that Phoenix USC is a labor of love and a tribute to the SS game.

 

The upcoming demo I hope will help to at least allay concerns that Phoenix USC is dissimilar to SS. The look and feel is just like SS, that said Phoenix USC has many features that SS players have always wanted. Such as zoom (display in/out), rotation (free or static), lighting and shadow FX, vivid static backgrounds, tiled background, enhanced any shape vector collision, second level of map play (bridges, levels) and a in game GUI system complete with buttons, list boxes and movable scalable windows. You can even change the resolution in game. Some other features are DX10/11, OpenGL support and alpha support for graphics.

 

So anyway, Phoenix USC is a whole new game and it's my hope that we can all enjoy and support it.

 

- Rich -

[Phuein]

The screenie looks beautiful. Well done!

 

It seems pretty obvious that significant changes is what keeps any game player base alive. I support such change.