AlienDS

[Another World]

AlienDS
Test Version

PAC has released an updated version of his DS 1st person shooter AlienDS. This version is a "test" version which features only 1 level of play, but should demonstrate to users his future intentions of the project.

This version:

• Tile-map has increased from 32x32 to 64x64
• Random placement of Aliens, Alien placement is also triggered by random 'keyed' events
• Code clean up and minor bug fixes

Spoiler

[titleAC's Own Words]
This version should be considered a test, it only has one level and it's not even very good (it's the one I've used to try new things) but should give you an idea of the changes I've been introducing. I'll try to explain a bit what I've been doing.

First of all I've changed the map size from 32x32 to 64x64 tiles. Because it's a tilemap, and because of the way it's rendered, there's no real limit to map size other than the DS memory, but there's is a limit on the amount of interactive elements a map could have (doors, aliens...) before it starts to slowdown so I feel that 64x64 is a good size. Also a bigger map, given the game design, would be a drag.

The change in map size forced me to change the way the map screen works, I think the result is better than what I had before though. I've changed the aliens a bit too. Before I placed them by hand, now the DS gives them random starting positions so every time they are in different places. I've also implemented triggers, which can create aliens when you activate them. It means that now aliens can appear behind you when you enter a room or grab a key and things like that. All this, together with the map size has increased the number of aliens a lot; I think it should be less boring. It's also very customizable so in the final game I'll introduce difficulty levels.

There are also a lot of new scenery elements and I've corrected a few bugs. I've also learned a few new things about the machine (remember that I'm really new to the DS) and now the whole thing is more efficient and uses less memory. Right now I'm working on the level generator, with the level size increase and the lack of an editor (yeah I'm lazy) level creation has become a bit of a chore and if I can get it working like I want to you'll have infinite levels, so I think it's worth a try. After that I'll make the new weapons (shotgun and flame-thrower). Both are halfway implemented but I still want to improve some things, especially the alien’s reactions.

So I’ll stop the rant now. Please give it a try and tell me what you think.

Download

Source

Discuss

 

[tinymonkeyt]

wow its pretty good for a homebrew (not that homebrew cant be great)
graphics are pleasing
and im actually afraid of the random-alien-pop-out-of-nowhere thing (but then again, im afraid of a lot of things)
keep up the great work!

 

[eldhand]

I hope this is good, well I will try it.............

 

[4ppleseed]

I so thought this was a port of Alien Breed

Any screen shots around?

 

[pilotwangs]

Graphics are rather nice.

Can't wait for a full version.

 

[jaywilson]

i really like this
the bottoms screen map thing is really smart how it updates.

 

[Minox]

I so thought this was a port of Alien Breed

Any screen shots around?

Well here's a screenshot of the first demo released, I haven't gotten around to take a screenshot of the new demo yet.

 

[GameSoul]

I liked the first demo. Does this version let you look up and down?

 

[pilotwangs]

I liked the first demo. Does this version let you look up and down?

Unfortunately not,but the map is alot nicer.

 

[Another World]

I liked the first demo. Does this version let you look up and down?

Pac said "Though you can use the stylus to look around, you can't look up and down, not because it's difficult to implement but because you can't do it in the original control scheme."

-another world