Yearly Archive: 2014

Let me just begin explaining why Rockbot was seeing so few updates after the 1.0 release, I lost the job I had as a contractor for HP Brazil and the search for a new one was not easy nor without some stress. Finnally I was hired for a company that handles electronic funds transactions, while the tasks were actually good, I had to work ~9h/day and the bus I got to get back home took one to one and a half hours. Basically I barely had time for living, much less to code Rockbot. The free time I had was used to watch TV and play games on my Playstation 3.

Lady lucky smiled upon me however, and a new oportunitty in one of the best “companies to work for” in Brazil surfaced, and I grabbed it hard. So I started working for it on last 6th Oct., with usual 8h/day and the bus takes less than 10 minutes to reach. While in the first weeks I have a lot to learn, soon enougth I’ll again have free time to code my game.

And even with the little time I had, I made a plan for the road. I will not release Rockbot 2 soon, simply because I do not have an artist to assist me into creating bosses and stages right now. In the future, maybe I hire someone for the task, but first I’ll keep improving Rockbot 1, by putting new features that were planned for Rockbot 2 into 1.1 and 1.2 releases. Things like improved artificial inteligence, slippery terrain for ice floors, more stages with two castles like Megaman5 and more selectable characters will come into Rockbot1, using the same old bosses and graphics.

The 1.1 release should be smaller, as I need to set up the foundations and fix a lot of bugs from 1.0 that still ramains, with 1.2 being what Rockbot2 is supposed to be just with the same old stages and enemies.

If you know of any artist interest in helping to create a game, please send an email to protoman@upperland.net as any help is welcome.

1.0.3 was the last version on 1.0 series. The question that arises then is, what now?

There won’t be, for now, a Rockbot 2, simply because we do not have any artists to create graphics for bosses, enemies and stages. Also, I’m with little free time lately, you know, I like to play games besides creating them.

That does not mean I will not work on Rockbot anymore neither a new version won’t exist, it will, but it will look a lot like Rockbot 1. I’ve set up a planning for next releases and I want to share it with the community in hope that, while developing it, someone shows up to help with graphics, stage design and other artistic stuff. Here is what is planned:

• Version 1.1:
  • reformuled file-structure that use smaller sizes when possible, lowering memory usage. and adding support for all forecast features.
  • armor pieces.
  • in-game store and bolts usage.
  • replace capcom sounds for free ones.
  • replace capcom graphics for free ones.
  • slippery terrain type.
  • ports for OSX, iOS and PS2 CDROM.
• Version 1.2:
  • editable intro.
  • editable ending.
  • trophies.
  • simultaneous 2 player support (offline).
  • add effect (snow, rain, dark, auto-scrolling) to stage.
• Version 1.3:
  • network play (if platform supports it).
  • google play support in Android (cloud thophies and save).

Also, I want that with Rockbot 1.1 you are able to create a game almost identical to megaman 1 and with 1.2 games like MM 2 and 3. Rockbot was created to port Megaman 9 to older systems, and this goal is making a comeback 😉

First, let me explain:the 1.0.2 version was released only for Android. This is because I’ve found some bugs and felt the version wasn’t really ready, but needed a urgent fix for Android users. This version have some important bug fixes and improved the game a bit. I now started working on 1.1 version, that will have lots of new feature I’ll tell you guys later.

Changes in 1.0.3:

– fix stage boss jumping out of screen
– fix player falling beyond floor after dying to a boss
– password now stores the selected player
– restart stage music after dying to a boss
– fix Ape walking midair
– better control on player speed
– better speed limit (40 fps)
– lower touch damage

As usual, you can get it from our downloads page. Some ports will be released later, we now have both 32 and 64 bits Linux based on Ubuntu and Mint.

People asked me for Rockbot 2.

I listened. I wanted.

I then asked for help. Just a little, just some ideas, a few drafts.

No one answered. Not a single one.

This is a one person project, no matter what I do. And this person here started on a new job that takes 9h/day and lots of effort, meaning no free time to create graphics.

Unless I win the lottery and have money to pay an artist/designer, a Rockbot 2 won’t exist. What I will do is keep pushing slowly some updates and improvements in the game core, change some features and invest a lot in the editor.

Want Rockbot 2? Then start making graphics, mockups or ideas, even if you just draw with a pencil, and send me to protoman@upperland.net.

But Rockbot 1.1 and 1.2 WILL happen.

This minor release fixes several bugs and have revamped graphics for Mummy Bot’s stage. Get it from the downloads page.
– Removed down+jump for sliding on Android and added a button because touch controls aren’t precise
– Reworked Mummy Bot stage’s graphics
– Better speed for Rockbot by allowing decimal move-speed for players
– Fix getting on stairs out of position
– Enemies must not leave or enter water
– Better handling of save game error showing warning to user
– Enemies don’t drop lifes anymore
– Save icon in Playstation 2
– Better speed in Dingux
– Slower text in intro
– Fix crashes for Seahorse moving in spikes and spawning enemeis
– Fix items blocking player movement for a while
– Drop objects preload avoids slowdowns during game
– NPCs don’t move on wall-locked regions

[lang_pt-br]A versão Dingux foi atualizada com correções para rodar no antigo Dingux. Também foi adicionada uma versão CDROM para Playstation 2, basta gravar o arquivo ISO em um CD e colocar no drive em um console desbloqueado, os saves serão armazenados no Memory Card #1.[/lang_pt-br]

[lang_en]Dingux versionw as updated with fixes to run on old Dingux versions. Also, a CDROM version for Playstation 2 was added, you just need to burn the ISO file into a CD, put in the drive of a modded console and it will run, the saves will now be stored in the memory card #1.[/lang_en]

[lang_pt-br]Após cinco anos de desenvolvimento, várias versões 0,1, um monte de betas e um RC, nós finalmente estamos prontos para lançar a primeira versão estável do Rockbot, a 1.0.0!

Ainda temos alguns bugs, problemas e melhorias a serem feitas e mente para o futuro, mas trabalhamos muito duro para corrigir todos os problemas importantes e tornar esta versão sólida com toneladas de correções that nos deixam orgulhosos do resultado. Existem várias engines de Mega Man por aí, mas você irá descobrir que as capacidades únicas do Rockbot, tais como um grande suporte multi-plataforma e um editor que permite modificar quase todos os aspectos do jogo, um extra para quem deseja não apenas jogar, mas também criar seus próprios jogos.

Você pode obter os binários na nossa pagina de downloads, também um manual estilo famicom pode ser acessado aqui.

Novidades desta versão:

• Corrigido uso acumulativo de memória por não liberar dados de objetos e npcs usados em um estágio
• Corrigido memory-leak em objetos, npcs, mapas e estágios
• Reduzido o tamanho do pacote para algumas plataformas
• Não mostrar diálogos vazios
• Várias correções pequenas no posicionamento de gráficos
• Adicionadas bolhas da “respiração” em áreas submersas
• Adicionados nomes de várias pessoas que ajudaram em testes
• Os créditos da tela inicial são os mesmos do final, evitando duplicação
• A versão Android agora corretamente atualiza pacote de dados em uma atualização
• A tecla voltar no Android equivale ao “ESC”
• Adicionada mensagem e confirmação elegantes para deixar o jogo, evitando o uso de exit() se não for um erro crítico
• Removidos botões dash e shield dos controles de tela touch do Android
• Corrigido problema do jogador saindo da tela com slide
• Gráficos de nível 3 não apareciam quando da animação de porta de chefe
• Instalador para Windows
• Pacote para Pandora
• Várias correções para a Inteligência Artificial dos NPCs (AI)
• Removido código não utilizado
• Windows e Linux guardam save e configuração no diretório do usuário, permitindo várias pessoas jogarem na mesma máquina
• Transição de telas mais rápida
• Plataformas não estavam voltando após serem usadas
• Melhorada entrada e saída de escadarias e tornou-se impossível o jogador subir de novo ao ser derrubado de uma
• Revisados estágios com dificuldade re-equilibrada
• Arma de congelamento não estava sendo resetadas ao deixar estágio
• Pulo de NPCs agora inclui verificação de colisão
• Adicionados ícone e plano de fundo para versão PSP
• Animação de teleporte para entrada e saída de items Coil e jet. Não podem mais ser usados dentro de muro.
• Diversas correções para congelamento do jogo e outros problemas que impediam terminá-lo
• Evitado uso de SDL_SetColors que é uma função que consome muito tempo de CPU
• Muitas outras correções

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[lang_en]After five years in development, several 0.1 versions, a lot of betas and one RC, we finally are ready to launch the first stable version of Rockbot, 1.0.0!

It still have some bugs, issues and improvements in mind for the future, but we worked really hard to fix all important problems and this new release is solid and contains a ton of fixes and small touch that make us very proud. There are several Mega Man engines out there, but you will find Rockbot’s unique features as really great multi-platform ports and an editor that allows you to change almost all aspects of the game a plus for people looking not only to play a game, but also to create their own.

You can get the binaries and source-code in the downloads page, a famicom-like manual can be accessed from here.

New in this version:

• Fixed cumulative memory usage due to not releasing memory NPC and Object lists when finishing stage
• Fixed memory leaks in projectile, map and stage objects
• Reduced package sizes for some platforms
• Do not show empty-text dialogs
• Several small graphics positioning fixes
• Add “breath” bubble when player is underwater
• Add several people who helped in the credits
• The credits on intro screen now show the same credits from the ending, avoiding duplication
• Android port now correctly upgrades data when installing a new version over an older one
• Android back key now is equivalent to “ESC”
• Add elegant “leave” message and confirmation dialog. Update code to not use exit() unless critical.
• Do not show dash/shield buttons on Android’s on-screen touch controls
• Fix player sliding out of screen
• Fix 3rd-level tiles not showing when doing the boss door animation
• Windows now have an installer
• Pandora build and package
• Several fixes in NPC Artificial Intelligence (AI)
• Remove unused code
• Windows and Linux now save data to user home directory, allowing multiple users to have their own saves in same computer
• Faster screen transitions
• Fix platforms not returning after used, even if player dies
• Improve stairs leaving and grabbing and making impossible for player to grab it once hit while on stairs
• Reviewed stages and re-balanced difficulty
• Fix freeze weapon not working or stopping whole NPCs after leaving stage
• NPC jump includes collision detection
• Added icon and background for PSP port
• Teleport animation for Coil/Jet items. Do not allow to use it inside a wall.
• Several fixes for game freezing and other issues that avoided one to finish the game
• Avoid using SDL_SetColors as much as possible, as this is the most time-expensive method used
• Several other fixes

[/lang_en]

[lang_pt-br]Adicionado pacote de instalador para Windows na página de downloads.[/lang_pt-br]

[lang_en]Added a Windows installer package to the downloads page.[/lang_en]

[lang_pt-br]É com imenso prazer que damos a partida para a finalização da versão 1.0 do nosso querido jogo/motor estilo Mega Man (Rockman). Em uma longa jornada, nos deparamos com muitos percalços trabalhando no tempo livre de cada um sem receber um tostão, mas muito felizes pelo reconhecimento que o jogo já recebeu, mesmo antes de ter uma versão realmente estável.

Lembranças à parte, o que significa o RC no nome desta versão? RC é sigla para Versão Candidata (a se tornar a final, do inglês Release Candidate), ou seja, uma versão já estável e polida o suficiente para até poder vir a se tornar a própria versão final; o que não é o caso do Rockbot pois planejamos pelo menos mais um RC após este. Resumindo, nenhuma feature nova será implementada, nenhum bug crítico (exceto por alguns específicos de uma plataforma) deve existir até a versão final ser lançada, após o qual, começa o trabalho na versão 1.1 que será basicamente uma versão com melhorias, nada radical.

Um aviso para os usuários Android: por conta de uma limitação no SDK nativo, você deve desinstalar a versão anterior antes de instalar a nova. Estamos procurando a solução para o problema a fim de ser possível atualizar normalmente o app.

Novidades desta versão:

• Todos os estágios foram revisados e melhorados
• Nova versão para Nintendo Wii (obrigado ao Akira Faganello pelos testes)
• Plataformas agora mostram uma animação quando ativadas
• Editor suporta opção “beaten” para msotrar estágios como quando revisitados após derrotadosEditor can swap stages order
• Melhor balanço entre armas e vulnerabilidades
• Correções para o congelamento quando usado pelo Dynamite no jogador
• Correspondência direta entre número de estádio e de arma
• Correções no colorcycle
• Limpeza no código do editor com remoção de ponteiros desnecessários
• Novas imagens para os controles de tela do Android
• Estágios reordenados (o skullcastle#1 era o quinto na ordem)
• Correções para armas não aparecendo no menu de armas
• A arma de congelamento agora dispara projéteis normais após ter sido ativada
• Introdução melhorada
• Final de jogo melhorado
• Melhoria nos tempos de duração da intangibilidade após ser atingido (tanto para jogador, inimigos e chefes)
• Melhor menu de configuração, podendo setar botões e pedindo para reiniciar após mudar configuração de vídeo

Como de costume, o jogo pode ser obtido em nossa página de downloads.

[/lang_pt-br]

[lang_en]It is with enormous pleasure that we do the kick off for version 1.0 our our dear game/engine, Mega Man(Rockman)-style. In a long journey we faced several obstacles working on each person free time without any gains, but happy with the acknowledge that Rockbot already received, even without a real stable version.

Rememberings aside, what the RC in this version name means? RC is short for Release Candidate, a version already stable and polished enought to even becode the final release; that is not the case of Rockbot, as we already have plans for a second RC. In short, no new features to be implemented, no critical bugs (except for a feew platform-specific) must exists until the final version to be released, after what we start working on 1.1 that will be just an incremental release, nothing radical.

A warning for Android users: due to a limitation in the native SDK, you must uninstall previous version before installing a new one. We are looking for a solution to this issue, so users can upgrade it normally.

• All stages were revised and improved
• New port for Nintendo Wii (thanks to Akira Faganello for testing)
• Platforms now have some nice animation when activated
• Editor supports “beaten” mode to see how finished stages will look if revisited
• Editor can swap stages order
• Better weapon balance and vulnerabilities
• Fixes for Dynamite when he uses freeze on player
• Direct correspondence between stage-number and weapon-number
• Fixes in colorcycle
• Clean editor code to remove several uneeded pointers
• New images for Android on-screen controls
• Reordered stages (skullcastle#1 was the 5th one)
• Fixes for weapons not showing in the weapons-menu
• Freeze weapon shoots normal projectiles after activated
• Improved intro
• Improved ending
• Better intangible timing after hit (both player, enemies and bosses)
• Improve config menu, ask for restart when changing video mode, change keys.

As usual, the game can be obtained from our downloads page.

[/lang_en]