Re: [tuxracer-devel] Roadmap

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

I thought of a few more. :-)

On Mon, 6 Mar 2000, Jasmin Patry wrote:

> 
> 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:

      * Finish line/finishing area; there will be a large "Finish" sign
        suspended on a metal structure at the bottom, with pictures of
        spectators in the stands

      * The background drawing will be improved -- the distance of background
        will not change relative to viewer

      * A sky image will be drawn; this will be a texture that can be selected
        for each course.
  
>     * 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