Arena Ball - Test my engine please (Updated 10-13-2003)
Arena Ball is a 2D shooter that I'm creating and I'd like to know, before I continue, how well it performs at its current stage. Can a few people run the test program attached and let me know their computer specs and the FPS that they get when they run it? The program itself has a FPS counter at the top left. While testing, either use the arrow keys or EDSF to move. Moving the mouse left or right changes your direction.
Works on my computer (P-4 2.4Ghz 256DDR GeForce 4 128MB) in 15-16 FPS. Looks good.
I have just one comment:
Why did you choose to turn the ball with left/right of the mouse?
You could use the angle between the ball's center and the mouse position on screen.
Like you need to move the mouse around the ball.
For example: you want to go down, you put the mousee right under the ball, in a straight line.
I hope you understood my point there,
Arie.
P.S.
I would like to see how did you use the ball map to make the ball spin like 3D or something. Very cool.
Well, it looks like I'm going to have to turn up the game speed on slower computers, oh well. As for movement of the ball, I had it follow the mouse pointer but I thought it would take all of the originality from the game, and that it would have been too easy to shoot another player. I think having the movement the way it is makes the game harder, but I'll consider switching later or maybe making it an option. Thanks for the posts.
BTW: if anyone was wondering why the ball moves so slow, it's because the movement speed is turned way down. The normal game plays faster.
I actually bought the 1 gig and when I went to install, I found I had 4 slots (only 2 were filled with 256 MB), otherwise I would've just gotten the 512 MB
The time you enjoy wasting is not wasted time. Bertrand Russell
Alright, I've optimized the drawing routine so that it draws MUCH faster (almost 3 times faster). Your FPS should be higher in the newer version. Also, for anyone that tests it: can you please include your resolution settings? Thanks for the posts so far guys.
Arie: Sorry, I didn't see your question about how I got the map to wrap around the ball the way it does. I just used a combination of raster operations (5 in all) to make the map appear like it's wrapping around the ball. If you want to know exactly how, just PM me.
PT Exorcist: You fail to include your PC specs whenever you post, which makes it hard for me to know what you're working with, but thanks for testing it. Would you mind posting your specs with your resolution settings?
BTW, my FPS went from 31 to 82 (1024x768 res.) after the optimized drawing.
Arie, what resolution/color settings are you using?
Also, to anyone that's posted: thanks for the help, I'm documenting everything and hopefully I'll have everything running pretty good when time comes for a beta.