RPGDX > Forums > General Discussion > Sup Dudes

XMark · Posted: Tue Apr 06, 2010 3:35 am Post subject: Sup Dudes

Probably been at least a couple years since I last posted around here...

I'm thinking of revisiting my stalled ARC Legacy project. And the idea that's been blooming in my head is to re-do the engine using HTML5 Canvas with Javascript. The capability is there (I've seen samples of Canvas games that run at a good speed with sprite graphics), and that combined with using PHP/MySQL for the game world data, and using JavaScript itself as the scripting engine, makes me think that this could be quite feasible.

I'm looking up tutorials on how to work with Canvas. I'm going to try to get a proof-of-concept up and running, like a basic walking engine. If I can do that, the rest of the project should follow shortly.

Hopefully this isn't just another short-lived flash of inspiration. I really do want to finish this game off some day, even if it ends up taking longer than Duke Nukem Forever :)
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Mark Hall
Abstract Productions
I PLAYS THE MUSIC THAT MAKES THE PEOPLES FALL DOWN!

tcaudilllg · Posted: Tue Apr 06, 2010 1:52 pm Post subject:

Sounds like an awesome idea.

Verious · Mage Joined: 06 Jan 2004 Posts: 409 Location: Online

Sounds good. I look forward to playing it.

tcaudilllg · Posted: Tue Apr 06, 2010 3:02 pm Post subject:

I heard recently that they did Quake 2 in canvas, so this should be definitely doable.

It also makes me feel a little more legitimate in moving forward with my own engine on that platform.

Something you need to know about canvas: every pixel has to be drawn at a half point. A pixel at 0,0 should be drawn at 0.5, 0.5; a pixel at 1, 1 should be drawn at 1.5, 1.5; etc. This because every line is drawn from the center of a point, rather than the edge nearest the origin. It takes some getting used to.

Terry · Posted: Tue Apr 06, 2010 4:30 pm Post subject:

Heya! Always good to see you back again :)

Are you sure about using Canvas/Javascript, though? Flash seems like a far more sensible choice these days, and would be a lot less work. But whatever inspires you, I guess.
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http://www.distractionware.com

XMark · Posted: Tue Apr 06, 2010 5:35 pm Post subject:

Well, developing in Flash requires using Adobe's software, while developing in JS/Canvas can be done entirely with notepad and a browser. (in my case, notepad++)
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Mark Hall
Abstract Productions
I PLAYS THE MUSIC THAT MAKES THE PEOPLES FALL DOWN!

Terry · Posted: Tue Apr 06, 2010 7:12 pm Post subject:

That's not true, actually...

But whatever works for you :) I just hope you don't get hung up on the engine too much! I'm looking forward to seeing some real content!
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http://www.distractionware.com

tcaudilllg · Posted: Tue Apr 06, 2010 10:12 pm Post subject:

JS will give you fits.

Although, now that I think about it, ActionScript is a variant of JS, so you probably know that already.

But JS is the most error-prone language there is. I spend a week making the draft of a program and a month debugging it.

XMark · Posted: Wed Apr 07, 2010 4:35 pm Post subject:

Yeah, I've got a lot of experience dealing with JS frustrations due to my job as a web programmer. So I think I'm ready :)

Luckily, since only newer browsers have support for HTML 5, I don't have to worry about making the JS compatible with older browsers.

Here's my first test of HTML 5. Use arrow keys to move the square around. The walls have a repulsive bounce effect.

http://abstract-productions.net/game/test.html
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Mark Hall
Abstract Productions
I PLAYS THE MUSIC THAT MAKES THE PEOPLES FALL DOWN!

js71 · Wandering DJ Joined: 22 Nov 2002 Posts: 815

Cool! Don't hesitate to rope me in again to finish that art I did for you :)

~Josiah

tcaudilllg · Posted: Wed Apr 07, 2010 11:16 pm Post subject:

I liked that. It was fun.

Would be neat if somebody would make a game lib in HTML 5.

XMark · Posted: Thu Apr 08, 2010 9:39 am Post subject:

I think I'm getting a hang of this...
http://abstract-productions.net/game/shooter.html
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Mark Hall
Abstract Productions
I PLAYS THE MUSIC THAT MAKES THE PEOPLES FALL DOWN!

tcaudilllg · Posted: Fri Apr 09, 2010 5:20 pm Post subject:

That's one really tough (first) boss.

Ninkazu · Posted: Sat Apr 10, 2010 1:56 pm Post subject:

Got to wave 3 boss. Fun game.

Jinroh · Scholar Joined: 30 May 2008 Posts: 173 Location: U.S.A.

Wow great games! ^_^ I got to Wave 2 boss and died. T_T

I started my web games in JavaScript too.

I think a new Canvas game would be cool, since you don't wanna move to Flash. I move from JS games to Flash from the FlexSDK using that and notepad I can use ActionScripts to make a game like my School Maze one.

Keep us posted on more development! ^_^
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Mao Mao Games
The wolf and his mate howl, taking solace in the silver moon. Pressing ever foreward to see what the future holds.