krazypengwin

 Started work on a new game, using the new framework. Not going to say much more, but just wanted to show you one of the characters that will be in the game:

I've not been posting much recently because I have been very busy.
Whilst working on the Senet Collection, I came to realise that the framework I was developing at the same time was going to be far too limited for anything else apart from board games. So I decided to take some time out from coding games to work on a new framework full time.
The result is going to make my coding a lot easier. The framework can be used to create all sorts of 2D games, including scrolling games, board games, shoot em up, arcade, puzzle, hidden object, etc.
At present, it cannot do isometric 3D, but I plan to add that functionality at a later date, should I decide to create that type of game.

So, where to now? I am still not going to pick up with Senet just yet, although I have not completely abandoned that project. I plan to work on some arcade and puzzle games first that players will be able to pick up and play almost immediately. As these games progress from planning stages to development, I shall post more about them here.

Uploaded a fixed version of Mr Wong for Windows. There was an issue with the bonus being added at the end of levels, this is no longer a bug.

New forum software is up and running. So it is now possible to actually register and participate. Sorry for the hassle before. Forum is at http://www.krazypengwin.co.uk/forum/

Whilst updating my game framework two days ago, I managed to break the way in which user input via buttons is handled. I have now fixed it, so back to working on Senet Collection.

I have just added more to the games framework. Whilst working on Senet Collection, I realised that the menu system I am using will probably be used in all my games, so I have now redesigned the code to be customisable and added it to the framework that is building for future development.

I have just added a new forums section to the Krazy Pengwin website.

I have just uploaded the Windows version of Mr Wong. Only the Linux version left to go.
Get the windows version from here www.krazypengwin.co.uk/downloads/files/MrWong.zip

Beginning work on a new game. This one will not be a remake of an old game, I have decided to make something completely new this time. More details soon.

 I have now released the Mac OSX version of Mr Wong's Loopy Laundry. For more details and download of the game, please take a look at the page on my site: http://www.krazypengwin.co.uk/mrwong.php

Completed the two more complex of Alex's recommendations:

1. Iron's AI has been improved. Now the Iron actively hunts to be on the same level as Mr Wong
2. Fixed the animation so that when Mr Wong is carrying an item, he no longer swings his arm

All I now need to do is add the high score functionality, the the game should be ready for release.

Alex Graymond has been kind enough to test the alpha release of Mr Wong's Loopy Laundry. He has discovered one bug and suggested several improvements that can be made. Therefore, here is the latest list of changes:

1. Bonus life added every 10000 points with unique sound and graphic effect
2. Starch only appears when player has exhausted current supply
3. Added spray sound when starch is sprayed
4. Added unique sound for dropping clothes down the chute
5. Add paused functionality
6. Added sound for emerging starch
7. Enemies are now paralyzed at the end of level, preventing unfair deaths
8. Replaced the box of starch with a more pleasing starch spray image
9. Added drumroll for end of level
10. Added custom icon for Mac version

I still need to improve the AI of the Iron, apparently he was the most cunning of the enemies, and some of the animation needs tweaking when Mr Wong is carrying clothes.

Another quick update.
I have now added the animation for the clothes falling down the laundry chute. I have also made it so that the clothes are visible in the laundry basket and they stack up as you put more down the chute. If you check out the original game, available from World of Spectrum, you'll see that the original doesn't do this, I just thought it would be a nice touch.
A friend of mine (hi Stewart) reminded me that most washing machines vibrate when on full spin cycle. So, just for fun, I have made the washing machine in the game oscillate when going at full speed. It certainly helps bring a bit more character to the game.
Finally, I have now got the scoring sorted, so the scores are in line with that of the original game, and I have added the routines to detect when the level has been completed.
Next thing to do will be adding the functionality of the starch, and then the end of game detection as well as the high score recording.
I hope to have a first beta release by the end of this week.

Spent the morning re-organising my code. It was getting a bit too 'retro' like in its spaghetti-ness, so I have recoded certain areas. This will make it easier to complete the project as well as maintain it at a later date.

I was asked the other day as to what software I use for creating games, so I thought I'd share with you.

For 3D graphics, including pre-rendering of sprites and background object, I use Animation Master from Hash, Inc.
For post 3D work and other 2D graphics, I use Fireworks from Macromedia/Adobe.
Audio processing is done in Audacity, whilst music creation is done with Garageband.

Finally, the actual development is gone in BlitzMax (although I am playing around with Java in XCode as well). And for final release, I use a great utility called BlitzBuddy which automatically creates a Mac application package with my custom icon.

Anyway, also time for a little screenshot. As you can see in this one, the clothes are now in place and Mr Wong is capable of picking them up.

I have finally completed all the game graphics. I still have to put the clothes in the game, but you can see the static ones on the washing line at the bottom of the screen.
I have also added the laundry basket, which I hope to be able to show filling up with clothes as they are put down the laundry shoot.
The dying animation from the original game has also been replicated. I liked the effect and thought it would be cool to keep it in there.



Thought it would be cool to show people a screen shot of the original game as well.

Finally completed the main character and enemy sprites, I've even got the base code for them all in place, as well as the control of Mr Wong himself. For these al I need to do now is put in the redimentry AI for the enemies and the collision detection.
Next on the to do list is the clothes and laundry basket. I'm toying with the idea of animating the clothes on the washing line, just for fun.
I also need to do the scoring and special effects.
No screen shot this time, not too much has changed from the view. Hopefully I'll have something to show next time. 

 Retro Remakes has posted a news entry about Mr Wong's Loopy Laundry (http://news.retroremakes.com/2009/09/mr-wongs-loopy-laundry/). Looks like I better get things in gear and get it finished. :-)

 I think it's time for some screen shots of the up-coming remake.