Hey folks! Unity has been generous and offered us a 20% discount on Unity Pro to members of the community! A big thanks to them for that.

If you’re interested, I’ve opened up a form here:

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/viewform

Serious applicants only. Unity Pro is typically a $1500 product, so (Advice:) if you’re not making money from games, you should probably stick with the free version.

I’ll be passing the list on to Unity on Monday/Tuesday. If you need a few more days to decide, feel free to contact me (mike AT sykhronics DOT com), and I might still be able to slip you in.

Even I don’t believe it myself.

So I did a writeup about the blasphemy I did last weekend: Creating an HTML5 (JavaScript) game in C++. You can read it here:

http://www.toonormal.com/a-technical-look-at-c-gamedev-in-the-browser/

Also, there’s a newer “Post Compo” version of the game out now. There’s no new content, but it should run better for everyone.

NOOK - New Post Compo 60 FPS version

So ya, maybe HTML5 isn’t as good as Flash yet, but it’s getting there.

EDIT: Oops, Ludum Dare link is here, just in case you want to rate it: http://www.ludumdare.com/compo/ludum-dare-23/?action=preview&uid=19

Hey Folks.

I got several reports of my LD game running slow. I did my own benchmarking across several systems, and well, I can’t tell if we have different opinions of “slow” or if there’s an actual issue. So, it’s time for science!

If you could, fire up the game then press the 2 key to enable the FPS counter. Let me know what FPS you’re averaging, on what browser, and if you know it some specs of your PC (CPU, GPU mainly).

http://www.sykhronics.com/nook/ (or vote here </shamelessplug>)

Thanks!

EDIT: New 60 FPS version without “floating camera”. Apparently I’m the only one that likes floating cameras.

http://sykhronics.com/nook/60/

Also, in this version audio is broken in Chrome, but perfect without delay in Firefox.

EDIT2: New 30 FPS version which is secretly the 60 FPS version, but locked at 30.

http://sykhronics.com/nook/30/

Both versions (60 and 30) include a number of fundamental improvements after I did some profiling, and utilize a different way of Framerate Synchronizing. Chrome, for whatever reason, “totally flips out” as you start the game, but eventually stops complaining and works smoothly.

A game by me (Mike, AKA PoV, AKA Sykhronics) and Derek of Halfbot.

http://www.ludumdare.com/compo/ludum-dare-23/?action=preview&uid=19

Written in C++ and JavaScript (C++ compiled to JS with Emscripten).

I’ll eventually talk about that on my blog.

Here’s a shot:

Also: http://youtu.be/oWk5sJUEaIU

It seems I’m working remotely today. I had a car appointment at 11 AM this morning, and sort of just decided to stay.

As it turns out, that was a good idea. There’s a very good Shawarma place not even 10 minutes walk away, also a McDonalds. So for lunch I went for the good food, and then ended up at McDonalds for a drink and to utilize their comfy seating, tables, and WIFI to continue working.

Also this is the first time I’ve been able to seriously work “in a coffee shop”. Sure, it was a McDee’s, but the environment is much the same… albeit fuller of old folks than a typical coffee shop. Impressive enough, Derek and I were able to do a Google+ Hangout Screen Share, and I was able to walk him through setting the game up locally, all from the comfort of McDee’s.

I’m almost done all the features. I just need to make doors solid, add in the level exit (properly) and we’re done. There are bugs/things to improve and polish, but if we needed to ship, we could. Woot!

The game is completely roughed out now, from Title Screen to Victory Screen. Here’s a shot.

There are a few things that don’t work (door collision), or could work better (collision in general), but it’s very close.

It’s 6 AM, and I need to be up to take my car in at 11. Buh bye!

Well you can run around and play now.

The collision detection is a tad busted right now, but I’m okay with that. From nothing to playable in 1 day isn’t bad.

To sleep!

Just got back from my brother’s place. Map scrolling now works (paralleling and clamping), so it’s time to get the character Derek made in in.

Looking good.

Admittedly, I cheated to make this shot. I only have the art loaded, and displaying the one frame. Still not animating yet. That’s next.

Still working on this bastard child of JavaScript and C++. I now have artwork loading. Next up is to get the tile map rendering.

You should go over here and check out the mockup. It’s sweet!

http://www.ludumdare.com/compo/2012/04/21/can-you-guess-what-the-hook-is/

That’s some pretty artwork ‘eh?

It’s art. You just wouldn’t understand.

Seriously though, I’m making a game with Derek, the artist half of Halfbot. That’s what it looks like so far. I know you’re impressed.

It gets better though.

Technical brownie points are as follows. The above is a combination of JavaScript, and C++ code compiled to JavaScript (via Emscripten). It’s not much to see at the moment, but I’m coding a game in C++ for the web, and I’m doing it without any need for Flash or Native Client.

That’s art.

Hello and welcome everyone to Ludum Dare 23, celebrating our 10th year of the event!

Wow!

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Here is a list of discounts and extended trials for Middleware and Tools.

Unity Pro 3.x (Team License, iOS Pro, Android) – Expires July 13th (3 Months)!
Serial: T3-BVJ7-G9FV-WXBW-H9JP-S5N2 (200 uses) Gone! Waiting for more.
TIP: Unity is still usable without a Pro key.
Download: Here | More Info: Installation Help

For non-commercial use. I.e. Prototyping, portfolios, and creating a game to pitch/seek funding for (buying it removes a little Unity watermark).

PlayTomic Premium – Expires December 31st, 2012 (All Year)!
Create an Account at PlayTomic.com, log in, then click our special link to unlock your FREE YEAR!

Special Link: https://playtomic.com/dashboard/ludumdare

Supports a wide variety of platforms including Flash, Unity, HTML5, iOS, Android, and more. Details Here!

Corona SDK Pro – 2 Month Free COMMERCIAL License!
Sign Up, Download and Install Corona: http://www.anscamobile.com/corona/

Send an e-mail to David with your account name, and he’ll unlock 2 months of Pro for you: david@anscamobile.com

NOTE: For Judging, it’s highly recommended you use TestFlight for iOS users, and provide an Android Binary/Google Play Store link.

If any of the codes above stop working before April 23rd, let me know.

Freebie Tools and Middleware

As it turns out, free software can’t get any free’er, so here’s a list of free Middleware and Tools where the developers got in contact with us.

• jMonkeyEngine – Java Based 3D Game Engine – Tweet
• PyxelEdit – Pixel Art Editor – Free for Ludum Dare!
• Spriter – Component Based 2D Animation Editor – NEW BETA FOR LD
• Scoreoid – Cloud Gaming Features

If you’d like to offer a deal or freebie, contact me or leave a comment.

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Viewers, look below. Participants, post a comment with a link to your live video stream.

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For fun (and science), I printed up a pack of Ludum Dare themed stickers (bringing 40 with me). Come find me at PAX East, and ask for one. I’ll be around all 3 days, occasionally helping exhibit Vessel (NOT MY GAME) at the PAX Indie Megabooth. See you there!

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