Sonic X-treme - Point of View - Info + help required

So, Andrew, you had mentioned before that it just might be possible to code an engine from scratch that can run the later, more famous/sought after levels: just how much do you think that IS in the realm of possibility? Could a recreated engine that reads those def files even be done in something like GM: Studio? Though probably very unlikely on the latter, unless you say otherwise.

 

Sure, but it takes 3 things, the skills to write code, the willingness to dive in and have a look at the .def files to understand them, and lastly a lot of time.

 

Idk, WOULD Gamemaker studio even be of any use as a means of putting something like that together? Or is it just not equipped for basically recreating an entire engine you'd say? I also had this crazy idea: what about contacting Xeniczone about it? I know that's a LOOONG stretch though, as he's basically disappeared off the face of the earth, no contact with him for a very long time.

 

id like to see a working "new" engien with full sprite rotation and a fisheye (and levels ofcorse with fuctioning enemeys and rings) that would be cool

 

The DEF files have been available for a while now, no? If someone wanted to step up, it has been there. That isn't what this thread is about though.

 

Any chance to get the Level Editor soon ? eventhough it may not work with the Current version ...

 

Level editor works with this last released 037 version of the engine, but it really needs a lot of work, I don't think it will be ready any time soon.
Especially since I believe JR is going to be hitting 040 next.
Also as a side note you would still have to hack the newer .def files to get them to be compatible with the older engine and Level editor.
P.S. From experience in working with both the .def files and level editor to build levels, I find that the .def files kind of more enjoyable. but yeah that's just me.

 

Working with .def files is just annoying and time wasting ..

 

was browsing my pc today and found this http://imgur.com/dhSuhXo the old saturn sdk metal sonic

 

Just to let you know, DL link is dead again. Says you might've moved it.

 

Andrew, i have a little question, does version 40r have full jumping animations for Sonic? And its possible to add a ring system?
EDIT:40 MB Downloading instantly with my really slow internet? WHAT THE HECK IS GOING ON?!?!

 

I think 040 has even less animations than 037 in its current state, As of now I cant even move Sonic around in the build Jolly sent over for testing and researching the 040 levels.
As for the ring collecting , if there is code for it I'm sure that Jolly will restore it. And if its not supported, he may add ring collection, but it would be far off in the future when he gets all the builds to a stable state that is comfortable .
Here is 040 running on Saturn. Notice that Sonic only has 2 frames of animation for each animation. ( im not sure on Joly's plans for 040 regarding Sonic's sprites,)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PXa-kztPu3c

 

I don't recall if it was said or not, but is the source code going to be made available at any point, I would love to study it. Sorry for any inconvienience.

 

Unfortunately no according to Jolly himself, though I kind of do want to study it myself now too, to help perhaps learning how it was originally coded if I indeed decide to attempt re-coding the engine the PackageX levels originally used, though I'd probably still need assistance with that tbh.

A question I have for you speaking of which Jolly regarding the source code itself; what language is it programmed in?

 

hey andrew and jolly, do youguys mind if i upload footage of the build and the levels with sound effects (dubed over) to my channel?

 

Dude its public domain now , go for it !

 

The engine code is entirely written in C. The editor uses the engine code, plus a separate set of C++ files for the MFC-based user interface.

 

OK cool, thanks for that info. How difficult in general then would you say it would actually be to pull off what I want to do? Problem is though that I have to fully learn how to program in the first place, though I hear straight C is fairly easy to learn. My guess was actually that the engine would be C++, though it seems I wasn't too far off. Somewhat off topic, how flexible would you say straight C is as an overall coding language?

 

very very flexible, the main problem people face is interfacing to the various "engines" and SDKs out there in order to do graphics./sound/animation.

If you want ot learn about game programming in C, you should take a look here: https://handmadehero.org/

For 15 USD you get access to all the source code from each day, of course the videos are free to watch on YT.

 

Hmm, aight thanks, might take a look at that later. If you're saying you know how to code in C though, I could definitely use your help if I actually somehow manage to make this idea a thing.