Release Name: JCraft_PreAlpha_v0.1
->by Stephan Kei Nufer & Mathias Bühlmann
Notes:
======
Introduction
************
Actually we are not ready for a real release but a lot
of people were telling us! Whow that looks awesome but
why ain't it ready for download? So now there you go...
(just for a little trial)...
I recommend that you read all sections carefully in order to
avoid having conflicts to run JCraft properly!!!
(How to Install, How to play later etc...)
Requirements & how to run JCraft (FOR DEVELOPERS ONLY WHICH DO KNOW JAVA, SRC-VERSION)
********************************
Note that you currently really need J2SE 1.4.2_xxx for this!
goto http://java.sun.com/j2se/1.4.2/download.html and download the
The J2SE Software Development Kit (SDK)
If you have Java5 or older JVM installed, remove their runtime or you know
how to configure that it takes the right jvm.
Further you need to install java3d Runtime environment!
goto http://java.sun.com/products/java-media/3D/download.html
and download the Runtime library only.
To run the engine in Windows (NT,2000, XP)
for which it is currently developed for (in order to
get a decent visual), simply execute jcraft_demo.bat
jcraft_demo.bat should take all efforts for you (Compiling & running it)
Linux optimization will be released at earliest in version 2.0
Expectation
***********
Initially the screen turns black at the moment...
so this is not a mistake... and it does usually take about a good
minute until the engine has loaded & initialized all resources.
Depending on you system the engine will run more fluently.
We recommend at least something like Radon9000 with
at least 64MByte of VRam, CPU >1.8GHz. With that
settings you should be fine...
In the gameplay JCraft currently shows fightings, resource
gathering of all kinds etc... For more information please
consult the change Log.
To enter into the in-game interface simple click the mouse.
In the game you should be familiar it is just like any other RTS game
(i.e Age of Mythology)
There are currently some bots inside. Your task is to discover and hunt
them down (tip: have a glance a little bit further down on the left right,
right accross the river. Check out their fighing skills!!! ;-)
Note that you have different units with different capabilities
(Speed, Strength, Shooting skills, Line of Sight etc..) Use them and test them...
Furhter note that their are peasants with working capabilities (Gathering
wood, gold and even fish). But because ther is no possiblity to bring
the collected resources back to some building we just simulate an
endpoint (virutal spot) where they bring them back and update the
players counter accordingly...
Known Bugs
**********
We do have a lot of problems with certain computers
running in different screen resolutions. But with
Java5 this should be solved. So preAlpha_v1.1 should
be out soon and solve that problem. But you might
be lucky and be able to run the engine with your platform.
Please note that this currently release is really
only meant for demonstration purposes only.
(To show its current capabilities and its potential)
Not for any real gaming intention.
Feedback & Contact
******************
For any feedback we are really grateful!
If you are having any issues running JCraft
Register an forum account on http://www.nullpointer.ch/forum
and post your issues their! Daily responses!!! Really!!!
Also enclose a copy of the logfile.out - File if possible
this should give us more information what might have happend!
else contact: admin at nullpointer dot ch
More Information
****************
More informations about the JCraft i.e:
screenshots, trailers (video, divX), Capabilities
and about the development process can be obtained
on our project website at http://www.nullpointer.ch
To all Game Developers
**********************
An article about isometric real-time games has been
published at http://www.nullpointer.ch
This article describes how isometric games can be created
effectively and highlights applied algorithms and
principles by example. [JCraft05].
The authors goals are to introduce important aspects
in developing such games by an example and points out
the essentials like isometric structure, collision detection,
game-loop programming, fullscreen-mode constraints and
pathfinding.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Changes:
Configuration Management Plan
*****************************
v0.1 Pre Alpha University - Version:
====================================
Basically Proof of Concept.
Implemented features:
Map Construction (Layering), Unit movements,
Unit formations, Unit fighting, Pathfinding,
Basic AI, Resource Collecting, Mostly
Game-Core work, Basic I/O handling,
(Mouse and Keyboard), Simple Persistence
Concept, Initial Sound Concept ...
********************* TODOS ***********************
v0.2 Pre Beta Elaboration of Pre Alpha,
=======================================
User interaction (Action menu) Constructing
buildings, educate peasants, Peasant-Action-Menu,
Warrior-Action-Menu, Computer AI basic
implementation, Resource-Collection-Algorithms
improvements (Tree-Fell, Gold-Digging, Fishing...),
General Performance Improvement, Intro
implementation...(Vision, Goals and publicity)
v0.3 Beta Elaboration of Pre Beta.
==================================
Network-Layer, Multiplayermode, Computer AI
finished, Game logic abstraction accomplished
v1.0 Real Version Elaboration of Beta
=====================================<
(Bug fixes, testing, improvements) Important: No more
functionality or Add-Ons! Further Ideas are
to be captured and considered at most in v.2.0
