Terminal Obsession
by Kyzrati on 20120701 , under
The special abilities framework is hands down the single most complex and expansive component of the code so far. It wasn't too much trouble to get the framework up and running, but adding all the moving parts that make it useful takes a while because so much can fit in there. The framework can currently process 21 triggers (at least 20 more planned), 11 conditions (dozens more planned), and 11 categories of effects (at least 17 more planned).
I'd be further along by now if not for a hard drive failure that siphoned away many hours of free time as I tried to recover everything. (X@COM is, and always will be, safe--unless all three of my redundant backups are simultaneously abducted by aliens, in which case no promises. If it makes you feel better, though, know that I would try to get them back :)
I'm eager to finish this system and continue chipping away at the R7 feature list, but I'll be disappearing for several weeks now--on the road without any coding time... It'll at least be a good opportunity to organize the design docs, which have become rather bloated with ideas and lists.
Because I needed at least SOME image for this post, here's a shot of the new "terminal" font set which will come with the next release for those commanders who want to give their console a more traditional look. It's only available at 1280x960 or greater, as the font doesn't scale down very well:
The scene above is an automated first turn on the Exodus map as the rescue mission is beset by a pack of shredders that surges out from behind the
surrounding buildings under cover of darkness.
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I'd be further along by now if not for a hard drive failure that siphoned away many hours of free time as I tried to recover everything. (X@COM is, and always will be, safe--unless all three of my redundant backups are simultaneously abducted by aliens, in which case no promises. If it makes you feel better, though, know that I would try to get them back :)
I'm eager to finish this system and continue chipping away at the R7 feature list, but I'll be disappearing for several weeks now--on the road without any coding time... It'll at least be a good opportunity to organize the design docs, which have become rather bloated with ideas and lists.
Because I needed at least SOME image for this post, here's a shot of the new "terminal" font set which will come with the next release for those commanders who want to give their console a more traditional look. It's only available at 1280x960 or greater, as the font doesn't scale down very well:
2 comments
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Kyzrati
August 3, 2012 at 10:03 AM
Yeah, as a grid-based console engine it can't do real kerning--at least the letters are thick enough that it isn't as noticeable as it would be with one or more very thin letters (like a slim sans-serif 'i').
I just realized you are probably referring to the HUD, though, which won't look like that--I have yet to convert it to the new narrow style. The font arrangement will eventually look more like the log window.
July 3, 2012 at 2:12 AM
Errrggg. Kerning due to spacing. :(
That said, nice colour coding, and glad to hear the special event framework is going well.