[tuxracer-devel] Roadmap

[Jasmin P. <jf...@mu...>]

I've sketched out a roadmap (list of objectives) for Version 1.0.  I'd like
some feedback on these.  I think it's important to define a clear vision for
1.0 so that the development has some direction.  Here's what I propose:

    * View frustrum culling (performance enhancement, will help support larger
      levels, especially wide ones)

    * Better meshing of the terrain (you may have noticed that some sloped
      surfaces are smooth while others are rough -- this will fix that)

    * Sound and music.  I haven't thought about this much (and I have no
      experience with it).

    * High score list -- should be system-wide, not just per-user

    * Slicker, more professional UI -- better menus, better display during a
      race, perhaps a miniature display of course in a corner with current
      position displayed .  Most of the settings in configuration file should
      be settable from within the game.

    * A health/damage system (Tux takes damage when he collides with things --
      based on the magnitude of forces exerted on Tux)

    * Turbo boost pads on the course (like in MarioCart) -- pass over a surface
      and get a speed boost

    * Health power-ups -- floating objects (octahedrons, probably) that Tux
      must hit to get extra health

    * Joystick support

    * Paddling (Tux pushes on the ground to speed up)

    * Some extra Tux animation during race (rotates head, feet flap in wind,
      etc.)

    * Trick mode (Tux can do tricks in mid-air to get points)

    * Polygonal objects can be placed on the course, basic collision detection
      works with these

    * Elevation mesh can be resampled automatically (detail level selected by
      user) to improve performance on slow cards/machines

    * An optional system-wide configuration file (/etc/tuxracer) is supported;
      defaults are taken from this file.

    * Better course directory structure (not restricted to numbers)

    * ~/.tuxracer should become a directory: ~/.tuxracer/config would be like
      the current ~/.tuxracer file; courses could be added to
      ~/.tuxracer/courses.  The user could specify the order of courses in a
      ~/.tuxracer/index file.

    * Multiple tree types (different colours in trees.rgb file, or separate
      rgb files?)

    * Built-in level editor

Wow, that's a pretty long list.  I haven't estimated how long this will take.
I'll do that when I have a bit more time.

Here are some additional features that I left for "Version 2.0":

    * Other characters (e.g., Gown, Beasdie)

    * Can race against another (computer-controlled) character

    * Multiplayer (one same computer, or over network)

    * Other power-ups: e.g., rockets, oil slicks, terrain blasters, etc.

Please give me your feedback on this plan.  Is there anything that you think
should be delayed until 2.0, or are there things missing from 1.0 that you
would like to see?  Now's your chance...

Thanks,
Jasmin