Just Released - FreeVector 1.5

[PickleJarGames]

Just Released - FreeVector 1.5

Bookshock Publications has just released version 1.5 of the FreeVector Engine adding some enhancements and removing many bugs. You can play free demos made with FreeVector at http://www.picklejargames.com/ and find the engine at http://www.bookshock.com/ Below is the changelog for this version.


Version 1.4.1
-Added three commands to control animation times. This is used for multiple anims on a single track.

Version 1.4.2
-Add WINDSPEED variable to the level file to control the swaying of the grasses effect.

Version 1.4.3
-Fixed bug in foliage system.

Version 1.4.4
-Added code to prevent toon outlining of tree foliage.

Version 1.4.5
-Corrected bug in the Menu Image memory manager.

Version 1.4.6
-Pawns can now cause damage to one another if shot at.

Version 1.4.7
-Pawns are checked against explosions. 100 is returned as the bullet if hit by an explosion.

Version 1.4.8
-Pawns can now through the script command SetEffectDead(bool) command, set an effect variable named Dead.

Version 1.4.9
-Fixed bug in environment mapping for pawns.
-Added texWorldAdjMat effect parameter.

Version 1.5.0
-Added PAWNDEPTH variable to the config file which if set to false, will prevent pawns from being rendered to the depth texture render target.

Thanks.

[lennard]

Congrats on your latest release! Monopolize can be played in the browser but the other games have to be downloaded - how come?

[oNyx]

Now that's a pretty weird announcement. You skip the whole explanation part and head straight to obscure details in a changelog excerpt style.

Yea, I know. It has been a long day and it's the fifteenth announcement etc, but getting anyone interested like that is rather unlikely. You didn't even pick a meaningful headline.

[Sybixsus]

Some full size screenshots would make all the difference to me. I've visited your site several times but can neven find the inclination to download anything because the screenshots are too small that they could be showing almost anything.

[Desktop Gaming]

Some full size screenshots would make all the difference to me. I've visited your site several times but can neven find the inclination to download anything because the screenshots are too small that they could be showing almost anything.

Got to agree - and the list of revisions is pointless as an announcement, at least.

I may be in a minority but I've never heard of it - your announcement implies that you expect me to know what it is.

What is it? What does it do? Any screenshots?

[Bad Sector]

...and all the above posts basically mean that if your name isn't well known, your post doesn't have a few amazing screenshots, your description doesn't actually describe the library (in no more than a few lines of text), no (commercial) game was made using this, then even if you give the whole thing for free despite it being better than some non-free libraries (i just speak in general here, i don't know your lib), then nobody will give a damn and you're just wasting database space :-).

Ah cruel world...

Ok. Now how to fix it:
1. Put shots in this post.
2. Put a more descriptive topic. What your library does in a couple of words. Is it a vector 2D engine? Is it just a 2D engine. What kind of free? Free as in "open source/free software" or free as in freeware? Example: FreeVector 1.5 open source 2D vector graphics library released
3. Put some text in the body that describes the library. This means that people other than you with low telepathy skills should be able to understand what the library is ALL about.
4. If there is a game made with this library, mention it, put a screenshot and a link. People love this. If it was commercial, thats better. If it was a success, you'll be the local hero for a few seconds. If it was a failure, though just don't mention its even commercial :-).

Also a bullet list with the library's features (thats outside the description's scope btw) is much much better than the changelog :-).

[PickleJarGames]

Like I said, my posts don't even get a view! LOL! anyways....

>>Monopolize can be played in the browser but the other games have to be downloaded<<

Thanks! I'm glad you like Monopolize but it's just a javascript game on the Bookshock site like the others.(?) The other games though are installables they are at the pickle jar site. Is that what you mean.

>Some full size screenshots would make all the difference to me. I've visited your site several times but can neven find the inclination to download anything because the screenshots are too small that they could be showing almost anything.<<

Do you mean at the Booshock site? Because at the pickle jar site, if you click on a picture, it shows you an 800x600 pic in another window? Do you mean the bookshock site? (EDIT) Oh wait a minute you must mean the one page that shows all the games. Ok, click on the download and it takes you to another set of screenshots (6) with the download link at the bottom. I should probably chnage that.(EDIT)

>>and all the above posts basically mean that if your name isn't well known<<

Ok that's true, this post is not for people who do not use FreeVector. This post is for people who do use FreeVector. You see FreeVector 1.4 was released free and X number of people downloaded it. So with the release of version 1.5 and this 'obscure' email, I will then now exactly (sort of) how many people actually use FreeVector. Makes sense, no?

In my defence though, I did add links to the engine bookshock site and the pickle jar site. Both of them have exactly what everyone is saying this post is lacking. But like I said, man, I usually don't even get a single view of any of my threads around here. If anyone ever did read my threads though, they would know exactly what Freevector is and see large screenshots in the post. It's funny but that's what's going on here.

Anyways, thanks all for posting. I appreciate the advice and will put it to use next time.

[PickleJarGames]

Ok, I changed the links on the games page to read "Screenshots and Free Download". Hopefully this will help fix the problem with finding screens.

The exact link to the engine info is : http://www.bookshock.com/software/frv/freevector.html

Thanks

[Backov]

The funny thing is that you've replied and I still don't know what it is. :)

[lennard]

The funny thing is that you've replied and I still don't know what it is. :)

Likewise for my question. Is their a technical reason why the others can't be played in browser?

[PickleJarGames]

>>Is their a technical reason why the others can't be played in browser?<<

What others? The ones at pickle jar games?

>>The funny thing is that you've replied and I still don't know what it is<<

Does anyone believe in clicking on links?

The exact link to the engine info is : http://www.bookshock.com/software/frv/freevector.html

[lennard]

[QUOTE=PickleJarGames;164399]>>Is their a technical reason why the others can't be played in browser?<<

What others? The ones at pickle jar games?

Yes, I've been assuming they have all been built with the engine.

[PickleJarGames]

>>Yes, I've been assuming they have all been built with the engine<<

No no, the javascript games are just that. Each one written about 10 years ago. The games at the pickle jar are full 3D games made with the engine. Each game needs a graphics card that is pixewl shader 2.0 capable.

Thanks