Project Development and News for ZEQ2 Lite.
Changes:
Changes:
First, a precursor. As many of you know, ZEQ2-lite has (encouragingly) been under full community/contributor development for well over a year and a half. During this time various artists, programmers, and other DBZ/game enthusiasts have stepped forward and offered their skills/time to help improve the project’s open source nature by coding additional features, fixing bugs, and adding supplemental content. They’ve all done a wonderful job on working to preserve the project’s longevity and improve it’s characteristics in their own unique ways.
While there are many talented contributors active on the project, additional support is always welcome. Any capable or interested individuals should make inquiries about contributing in the main #zeq2 IRC channel. Even those lacking in the skills/knowledge department when it comes to game design are highly encouraged to participate in IRC discussions, frequent the forums, and read some of the many guides available. What would a community-driven project be without it’s fans/community, after all!
Now, to the beef of this post.
Let me be direct in saying that there will NOT be a release today as some have predicted. Having said that I can now bring the news that the internal development Subversion (SVN) has been made publicly available as originally planned from the beginning. Whilst the first public beta SVN for the project was intended to be an abasement of the most active progress, an early Subversion split complicated this process and thus users who used the earlier link will have to once again re-checkout the new location.
What this means in layman terms is that that the most up-to-date versions of all ZEQ2-Lite models, textures, maps, and all-around media as well as the latest source code is now visible and downloadable by the general public. The curtains have merely been pulled back so that eager users may watch progress much more closely as it develops. This is to encourage additional interest as well as to clearly reflect all work being done on a timeline scale.
Warning. The files contained on this SVN are for primarily intended for developers/contributors only. If you are simply seeking a stable/updated/improved play experience, it is NOT recommended you download and use these files. The build is in a VERY strong state of flux, will likely update and change frequently, and is extremely prone to crashes/bugs at a rate well beyond the first stable public beta. It is strongly recommended that if you do test the experience that you do NOT use a listen server (the menu’s create option) — opting instead for the provided ZEQ2Dedicated.bat/sh file for servers.
Some of the changes you’ll find in Revision 1485 (written by Mima/Domitjen).
The internal SVN address can be found at https://zeq2.com/SVN/Build/ for the most recent build. Source and Media folders also exist from the root should you want access to them. Please use the SVN Guide for information on checking out and obtaining these files properly.
Follow up commits will be made frequently so be sure to use SVN->Update to stay on the latest stable version to avoid protocol conflicts between the server/client. This blog will serve as a means to relay SVN commit notes as well as to assist in stable revision numbers. It is highly recommended that servers use a prefix with the version name on their servers to label them accordingly. Example : [1485] ZEQ2-Lite Server
Yes, it has been about 6 months since the last news update, we’re sorry about that!
It’s been a busy time for the team in terms of Real-Life, with some of us in work or education of some sort, but don’t worry! Progress has been made, as you might have seen if you visit the forums.
So, what news do we have for you?
First off, I wish to thank all those that donated to help keep the website and SVN development repositories going! These are the people (forum nicknames) that donated:
Forza
DarkDemi
OldBean
SSJ50000
Skatter
Big thanks go out to them!
Next up, progress news!
Nappa has been going through some final touches, he’s pretty much ready to join the fight. Thanks go out to Blaize and TRL!
Damaera has rigged up those pesky little green men, Saibamen! Modelled by Blaize, and textured by DarkLink, here he is:
Nielsmillikan has helped out by contributing his Chiaotzu character! Here’s the latest WIP screenshot of him:
In other news, lots has been going on with upgrading the visual effects you will witness in the next public beta, thanks to the work of void adding in GLSL support! Check the forums for the lengthy development posts! 😉
Also, JadenKorn our resident Arnold, has been working with the code as well to better organize and keep it up to date with the latest ioquake3 sources. This also means, portability to other machines that are capable of running ioquake3, like Linux, Mac, and also including the Pandora handheld!
Next up, we have a trailer for some of what you’ll see in the next public beta, thanks to Domi! Take note that the melee seen in this video is not the final thing, thats being redone and tuned up! Enjoy:
Now that the summer holidays have officially started for most people on the team, you should see progress increase rapidly across the field.
Stay tuned.
First, I would like to thank everyone for playing ZEQ2-Lite! Not forgetting to mention the help and support we have had from forum members reporting bugs and making new content for others to play, it’s been a great success. Thank you!
Public Beta 2 is what a lot of people are waiting for, but first an explanation on how it works in terms of development :
The ZEQ2-Lite team is not the sole contributor to the game, anyone can help make content and help out with the code side of things, it is an open project! The more people that help contribute, the faster a Public Beta 2 will come. For example, if you wish to contribute a character or a map, all you need to do is post in the forum that piece of work. If it meets the ZEQ2-Lite’s quality standards, then it can be contributed to the current Team Build (latest version of the game being worked on), and you also get access to the Team Build if you need to fine tune animations or attacks etc.
When it comes to helping out with code development, it would be better to contact the team either through the forums or IRC channel, available from the Chat tab at the top of this blog. This way we can give you access to the latest Team Build source code via SVN, as the source that is available with the Public Beta is, as you can imagine, out of date. The team build source code now has Linux support, so if you’re a Linux developer that wishes to help out that is now available as an option thanks to JadenKorn. Mac OSX builds we are still having problems with, due to the team not having a Mac to develop on. So any Mac developers out there that want to see ZEQ2-Lite running on those machines, contact us!
Lets work together to make a great free game for as many platforms as possible.
Early on in 2010 we will hopefully get the time to write a mapping tutorial for those that wish to help out with that type of content. There is no limit to the content we need! And then later on perhaps a tutorial on how to take your modelled, skinned, rigged and animated character in game.
New things to look out for in the next Public Beta?
A big thank you to everyone on the team for pushing through the tough times!
Domitjen won the ZEQ2-Lite Tournament and managed to get a copy of the Team Build, congrats to him!
Lets have a great year!
In response of recent requests, ZEQ2-lite now has a set of complimentary forums to match the blog. For those of you who were registered at the previous ZEQ2 site, you may continue to reuse your previous user-name.
Keep in touch on the forums with project discussion, bug reporting, feature suggestions, and more!
Note : This character will not be available until the next version of the public build is released.
Krillin
Krillin joins the fray, with some unique skills that are enough to outwit even the most powerful of warriors in the universe. His skill set includes: Scattering Beam Shot, Kamehameha, Destructo Disk and Solar Flare.
Important : As usual, please bare in mind that all game mechanics/features are prone to change radically from extensions and fixes in future revisions as the current version IS merely in beta stages.
Walking is a type of movement performed while the player is on the ground. While plans exist in the future to extend the maneuver to more dramatic results as well as granting the ability of a mobile form of altering one’s power, it currently is simply used as a defense bonus. Hold Shift while pressing the movement keys when on the ground to perform a walk.
Dashing is the standard movement type while both on the ground and in the air. It provides a moderate movement speed and no particular bonus or defect. Hold the movement keys to dash.
Soaring is a specialized movement type reserved for air movement only. This is the fastest long-distance movement type available. While soaring, your character will have limited maneuvering capabilities and no battle techniques available. As long as your fatigue is above 80%, soaring has no cost. Otherwise, a very rapid rate of fatigue occurs. Hold Space while in the air to enter soar mode. While soaring, the movement keys slightly effect pitch/yaw. You may tap Q/E to do a spin roll or fly up /fly down for a loop roll.
Jumping provides a means to cover large distances of space while on the ground. It is the only base movement type that is airborne, yet receives the limited lock-on benefits of being on the ground. Jumping is performed by pressing Space while on the ground. Speed Jumps are rapid succession jumps performed by holding a movement key while jumping. They cover very little ground, but do so rapidly at a lesser fatigue cost. Power Jumps are slower, more lofty jump types performed by jumping while holding no movement key. This type of jump covers a large distance at a moderate cost of fatigue.
Zanzoken movement allows the player to cover a small-medium distance at a near instant speed for a moderate fatigue cost. While performing this movement, the player will pass through most objects — although energy attacks can still make impact. The technique is performed by pressing and holding Z.
The sensing area is a region located in the upper right-hand corner of the screen. This region gives vague feedback about the position of particular power signatures and how they relate to your own current power capacity.
Energy Markers are indicated in the sensing region by circles. If a character in this area has a lower power level than your current is, he/she may be mostly transparent or not visible at all (concealed). However, when a player has a greater current power level than your own, they will appear as a red circle of varying saturation — bright red meaning MUCH higher. Use this information to your advantage to target players that are near your power level, but be wary of those who have masked their true strength.
Surge Indicators will appear in the sensory region if a player exerts a sudden amount of energy — typically by expending energy in a boost or raising his/her power level. These appear as red glows around the existing energy markers.
Threat Indicators within the radius of sensing of your character flash to the screen when a large concentration of energy is being amassed. This usually occurs from a very large energy attack that is being charged. Threat indicators are presented as exclamation points along with an audible danger noise.
Starter Hits trigger when you have successfully engaged your opponent by approaching them close enough while moving forward as long as they are not already engaged with you. Depending on the start type used, various series of events will occur. If you approached normally without pressing boost, a speed melee sequence will occur with drifting in your favor. When the player approaches while holding boost for less than 2.5 seconds, a standard starter hit will occur with results depending on if your opponent blocked/evaded/starter hit back. Finally, if the player holds boost for more than 2.5 seconds prior to engaging an enemy, an automatic knockback hit type will result.
Evasion simply provides the player a means to avoid the enemy’s melee attack entirely, thereby causing additional fatigue to them. To evade attacks, hold back movement while in a melee sequence.
Blocking during a melee sequence is accomplished in the same manner as normal blocking — that is, by holding the Ctrl key. While blocking, the defending player will take reduced damage from all attacks.
Knockback style charged attacks are useful in sending the opposing fighter far into the distance stunned. Pulling off a knockback melee attack is merely a matter of pressing and continuing to hold the right mouse button until it automatically releases. Optionally, you may hold the left or right movement keys or the fly up or fly down movement keys to control the direction of the knockback hit. This attack generates a small amount of fatigue.
Instant Air Brake is only available when you have been knocked back. Consuming a moderate amount of fatigue, the player can opt to cause the knockback sequence to end instantly by using this technique. To activate this action, press the right mouse button while knocked back.
Block Struggling will result if you are blocking and an attack with a greater power level than your own makes contact. During this time, the character will extend his/her arms and attempt to repel the attack in the direction of the crosshair. As with any struggling type, you may speed up this process by holding boost.
Energy Attack Struggles come about after two energy attacks of high power collide with one another. The attacks will attempt to overpower one another by steadily draining energy. When one attack has a significant lead, the superior attack will begin to drift towards the opposing attack’s source. Any attacks may struggle, but the duration and mechanics depend on the energy type. In beam attacks, you may feed extra energy to the attack before and during it’s struggle to increase it’s power by holding the boost key.
Blocking enemy attacks becomes crucial in moments where you are unable to move or otherwise do not have time to react. While blocking, your character will automatically receive reduced damage. Additionally, if an energy attack is blocked with a much lower power level, it will automatically be swatted away. However, if the attack has a much higher power level, your character will begin a push struggle to attempt to gain control of the situation. Blocking is performed by holding the Ctrl key.
Ball Flips serve as a means of helping the player cover extended distances of ground by using a controlled flip at the end of a jump sequence. While performing this action, the player receives a moderate defense bonus as well as having a much more lofty drop sequence. You may perform a ball flip by holding C while in a jump.
Air-based combat gives the user great flexibility in movement and superior vision coverage over that of ground combat. The Soar movement type and some skills are only usable while in the air. To enter flight mode, press the R key while on the ground.
Ground-based battles offer players a means to escape the clutches of an air pursuer. While on the ground, you have an added defense bonus, access to the jump movement type, and the ability to NOT be targeted by someone in the air. Being as the ground is an impedance, explosions are more of a threat. To descend to the ground while in flight, hold the C key until the character lands. Additionally, the quick-drop approach can be employed for automatic dropping by holding F then pressing the C key while in the air.
Fatigue is a representation of how tired your character has become. As this statistic accrues, your character becomes much less capable. It presently has a direct effect on : zanzoken distance, base defense, damage dealt by energy attacks, rate at which you can power up, and knockback recovery cost. When your fatigue is full, your character will go unconscious for a short period of time. This statistic will gradually diminish over time as long as you aren’t over your limit. This rate of recovery increases by not moving and/or maintaining a low current power level. Fatigue is represented by a silver bar on the HUD, but may overlap as orange or bright red when the character has raised his current power level over the fatigue amount or has suffered both health and fatigue loss. In rare cases, fatigue boundaries may represented by a light orange color when the character’s current power level is raised where there is a loss of both health and fatigue.
Damage simply reflects how much physical trauma has been dealt to the player. When the damage bar reaches full (thus no health), the character dies. Damage is represented on the HUD by a dark red bar normally.
Current power level is the amount of power your character has chosen to appear to others as in regards to sensing. A player’s current power additionally effects the following : zanzoken speed, melee damage, stamina recovery rate, and power level growth rate. This statistic is shown as a blue bar by standard, but may also overlap fatigue as orange or damage as light red. It is additionally represented as the number value displayed on the HUD.
Maximum is an indicator of your character’s overall power capacity. If the player attempts to power beyond his/her maximum power level, it permanently raises slightly while simultaneously generating fatigue. A glowing yellow marker will appear when exceeding your limit. This statistic determines all energy costs, scales up all damages, and generally affords more luxuries in capability to the player. As damage is dealt to your character, his/her maximum power level is increased respectively. Visually, your maximum power level is indicated by the highest point on your bar.
Manipulation of one’s current power level is performed by holding the F key and then pressing the respective direction keys to lower or raise it.
Lowering of your power level is accomplished by holding F and pressing the left movement key. Maintaining a low current power level means you will be much more difficult to sense, receive a much better fatigue recovery rate, and receive bonus’ to increasing your maximum power level.
Raising of one’s power level is performed by holding F and pressing the right movement key. Maintaining a high current power level means that your melee damage, zanzoken speed, and other scalar values will be greatly improved. If the player continues to raise his/her power level beyond the maximum, it will increase the stat permanently while also removing some of the damage that has been dealt.
Boosting is a maneuver performed by holding the middle mouse button or holding tab. While boosting, the character will move at an accelerated rate and be able to charge energy attacks more quickly. Boosting generate a steady flow of fatigue at the cost of these gains.
ZEQ2-lite Public Beta 1 can be downloaded using Subversion at the following :
https://zeq2.com/lite/SVN/Build
For those of you unfamiliar with Subversion, please follow this simple guide.
Be sure to check the link as you should NOT download the files manually in your browser.
NOTE: Visual C++ 2008 Redistributable Package is required to play the game.
Important : The current build is for sandbox play only — to let the player grasp the core mechanics of the game before game styles/modes are implemented. There is no scoring/end to matches aside from your own personal agendas and experimenting with reactions.
What ZEQ2-lite Public Beta 1 does not contain :
The first public beta release of ZEQ2-lite does feature the following :
Updates for the project will arrive VERY frequently, so be sure to stay focused on the information provided through this blog as additional content/code becomes available.
We have a IRC channel setup at irc.freenode.net #zeq2 . Please visit for finding out how to get connected to servers and any help/information you may need.
