Homebrew RELEASE Gen7 Engine - Visual Programming Engine for Switch

[iyenal]

Gen7 Engine

The First Visual Programming Homebrew Engine, now for Nintendo Switch™
​

Gen7 Engine is an engine which I developed now for many months, at first to facilitate me the development of various homebrews. But after some point, Gen7 Engine was enough mature and developed... to make it a full engine, so I decided to make it a full software development kit.
And since that, everything have been designed with novices in mind, so everyone can make his own homebrew with very little requirement, and I hope make quality ones.

A multiplatform engine

Gen7 Engine uses wrappers (SDL is planned) which makes its code versatile on any platform where the wrapper is supported. You can use Gen7 Engine to compile for the Wii (I already done so), Wii U, 3DS, even the Dreamcast or mobile, as SDL are ported on these platforms.
As I didn't had enough time to test Gen7 Engine on other platforms than the Switch, I disabled Wii support for security reasons.

Visual Programming

Yes, you can make your own homebrew without programming knowledge requirement! With blocks, compose the code of your application using the smart system of visual programming providen by Gen7 Engine. And in the future, node programming will be supported to be able to make FSM states (Finish-State System) and global view hierarchy to empower your programmation.

Multiplatform itself

What better to be able to program anywhere? Gen7 Engine interface system is designed using OpenGL and hybrid Javascript which is supported on a wide range of devices, like mobile or tablets! And maybe even consoles in some cases!
To compile you code in these devices, a cloud compilation system will be realized to set your own server or Gen7 Engine services so you can test your productions without the need of your computer.

Extend your Gen7 Engine Installation

Customize Gen7 Engine for your needs and even use your own C code and librairies to not be limited by the engine, or use G3E files to extend the available events for your application and to share them.

Screens:

Download and Installation:

Extract the installer, and run Gen7 installation assistant. Install package available here:

The download transit through Microsoft Azure dedicated server​

MORE THAN 2GB IS NEEDED TO INSTALL THE ENGINE, SO CHECK BEFORE IF YOU HAVE ENOUGH SPACE!

Version 0.322.0.1p: more informations about this update on https://gbatemp.net/threads/gen7-en...-engine-for-switch.522648/page-2#post-8375029

.NET Framework 4.5 is necessary. Gen7 Engine have been tested on Windows 10 64bits.
Automatically, the installer will add a shortcut to Gen7 Engine Launcher on your desktop.

Support and Documentation:

Currently, I didn't had enough time to make a proper documentation. Therefore if you need any support, please join our Discord server: https://discord.gg/pXdeUqb
If it's needed, an exclusive Gen7 Engine Discord server will be created. I also plan to make video tutorials, so stay tuned!

For issues, please use Gen7 Engine's Microsoft Azure Dev Portal repository: dev.azure.com/IDStudioTechnologies/Gen7%20Engine
(Boards > Work Items > Bug/Feature/Issue or User Story). Thanks!

Misc. Informations:

Currently, I had to disable all the 2D sprite features, because of an update in devkitPro which makes me need to update most of the calls to the toolchain, which is not possible in the time frame given by the GBATemp Switch Bounty. Therefore a lot of updates will be done in order to restore quickly all the functionnalities.

Gen7 Engine have still a lot of room for development, for example:

• Advanced 2D support, including Collision System
• Customized event extensions
• Maybe in the future: 3D support, using software rendering for universal compatibility

And Gen7 Engine is not yet enough mature and developed to make a full project using it. But the most difficult have been done, now that the base is built and all the systems for compilation and code making are implemented.

Statistics:

Gen7 Engine, it's 22578 lines of code, the setup only is 300 lines.

Please always check updates there. By doing that, you always keep sure that you can benefit from all the new features. Also, I recommend to wait a little that I upload a Quick Start guide before to download and install, more informations there: https://gbatemp.net/threads/gen7-en...-engine-for-switch.522648/page-2#post-8368165 Also, Gen7 Engine ecosystem embed analytics for product improvements, so by downloading and installing Gen7 Engine you agree that anonymous data may be collected for statistics purposes.

Make sure you read before the (beta) documentation before to use/install Gen7 Engine: https://dev.azure.com/IDStudioTechnologies/_git/Gen7 Engine Thanks in advance!

About bounty results, check that post: https://gbatemp.net/threads/gen7-en...-engine-for-switch.522648/page-2#post-8398417

Gen7 Engine, in the current state, needs to be taken as a Proof of Concept only. Please wait Gen7.1 Engine for a functionnal engine to make your projects, which is coming soon!

 

[BoxNinPlay]

This look good, I hope many developers get into this

 

[BlastedGuy9905]

Holy fuck. Looks like a really high quality high effort thing. Something you wouldn't expect to be called homebrew. I hope you win the bounty!

 

[antiNT]

Okay this is quality content.

 

[iyenal]

Holy fuck. Looks like a really high quality high effort thing. Something you wouldn't expect to be called homebrew. I hope you win the bounty!

Thanks a lot, yeah I really spent a lot of time in this. And there's still a lot of things to fix and develop.

 

[Naendow]

That looks really nice. O.o
Out of interest: Wouldn't this software be disqualified from the bounty due to the fact that this isn't a homebrew application (even if it allows to create them)?

 

[ShonenJump]

this to me feels like a absolute homebrew bounty winner. Very well done!

 

[iyenal]

That looks really nice. O.o
Out of interest: Wouldn't this software be disqualified from the bounty due to the fact that this isn't a homebrew application (even if it allows to create them)?

No, this month (which finishes today) is dedicated to homebrew tools for development.

--------------------- MERGED ---------------------------

this to me feels like absolute homebrew bounty winner. Very well done!

Thanks, I hope so as well!

 

[Naendow]

No, this month (which finishes today) is dedicated to homebrew tools for development.

--------------------- MERGED ---------------------------



Thanks, I hope so as well!

Good to know. And yea, I agree that you should be the winner. I can't test the software myself, but if it is nearly as good as it seems to be, then you would deserve it.

 

[Cyan]

Nice idea, you probably spent a lot of time on it, and I hope it'll be useful to many developers and non developers wanting to try to create something.

But I don't think I'll even be able to test it (for the bounty vote, I should test and not randomly choose based on promises only, it must work), 2GB of tools and data is a little too much for me to just test and see if it works. I hope voting users will be able to test it.
You mentioned the possibility to work and develop on any device and use/lent Gen7 Engine services, is there a way to get that version of the tool ? it's probably a lot smaller (and won't require net framework, not windows).
Or maybe I didn't understand and the installer will let the user choose what to install ? the interface (without the engine?), the standalone engine (2GB), etc.

You said it can compile for many targets and you already used it for the wii, but disabled it for security? what's the risk ?

For now, I'm more curious to understand how it works and see it in action or see what can be done than running it blindly. Do you have any compiled game or app you did with this tool we could try? See what it's capable of creating and compiling.

 

[iyenal]

Nice idea, you probably spent a lot of time on it, and I hope it'll be useful to many developers and non developers wanting to try to create something.

But I don't think I'll even be able to test it (for the bounty vote, I should test and not randomly choose based on promises only, it must work), 2GB of tools and data is a little too much for me to just test and see if it works. I hope voting users will be able to test it.
You mentioned the possibility to work and develop on any device and use/lent Gen7 Engine services, is there a way to get that version of the tool ? it's probably a lot smaller (and won't require net framework, not windows).
Or maybe I didn't understand and the installer will let the user choose what to install ? the interface (without the engine?), the standalone engine (2GB), etc.

You said it can compile for many targets and you already used it for the wii, but disabled it for security? what's the risk ?

For now, I'm more curious to understand how it works and see it in action or see what can be done than running it blindly. Do you have any compiled game or app you did with this tool we could try?

Gen7 Engine services are for the future, I didn't even started to make it, for now you need the 2gb to be able compile yourself your application.

Wii support have been disabled because I was using an old version of devkitPro which I need to update for security, therefore updating all the old libraries used.

And finally, as said in the main post, Gen7 Engine is not yet mature enough to make a full project with it. But nonetheless, modtendo! Wii homebrew (you can find it on GBATemp) download system have been done using a preliminary Gen7 Engine version, as it saved me a lot of time. In fact that's from where came Gen7 Engine, at start I never planned to develop and release that.
That's why a lot of bugs needs to be fixed along more event capatibilities in order to make a full project with it.

 

[BoxNinPlay]

Gen7 Engine services are for the future, I didn't even started to make it, for now you need the 2gb to be able compile yourself your application.

Wii support have been disabled because I was using an old version of devkitPro which I need to update for security, therefore updating all the old libraries used.

And finally, as said in the main post, Gen7 Engine is not yet mature enough to make a full project with it. But nonetheless, modtendo! Wii homebrew (you can find it on GBATemp) download system have been done using a preliminary Gen7 Engine version, as it saved me a lot of time. In fact that's from where came Gen7 Engine, at start I never planned to develop and release that.
That's why a lot of bugs needs to be fixed along more event capatibilities in order to make a full project with it.

Hey iyenal, just to let you know, @Cyan is a moderator from GBATemp since long time ago, all time he is just trying to understand better to help as much as he can.

 

[Cyan]

He is a member for 2 years, I think he already saw me and know I'm a moderator.
But, yeah, I just try to understand better how it works, even more while I'll have to note each homebrew bounty entries and it would be bad I can't test and understand it to make it properly. I tell it (maybe I shouldn't?) but I won't be able to test your tool to compare and vote.
I'll do the vote based on what I can test (I just hacked my switch, don't have many tools and files yet), and if I can't test it I'll based my opinion on user's report and benefit they found in the tool they use. there's no user report or anyone produced anything yet (I'm sure it'll take time to learn before releasing anything, time we won't have for the vote) with it to see how easy and convenient it is for everyone. not be able to test, and nobody used it yet, it's just harder to judge.
I'm not talking bad for the project itself, it might have taken lot of time to do it, I'm just annoyed about the bounty and my own view on it.

for now, the only thing I see is the pseudo, blurry, screenshot of a random interface. Not even sure it's in a working state, and wondering why it requires 2GB for an IDE over devkitpro. Even my multiple toolchain folder doesn't reach that size.
I hope to see more, and see what can be created with it by other users.

 

[iyenal]

Hey iyenal, just to let you know, @Cyan is a moderator from GBATemp since long time ago, all time he is just trying to understand better to help as much as he can.

He is a member for 2 years, I think he already saw me and know I'm a moderator.
But, yeah, I just try to understand better how it works, even more while I'll have to note each homebrew bounty entries and it would be bad I can't test and understand it to make it properly. I tell it (maybe I shouldn't?) but I won't be able to test your tool to compare and vote.
I'll do the vote based on what I can test (I just hacked my switch, don't have many tools and files yet), and if I can't test it I'll based my opinion on user's report and benefit they found in the tool they use. there's no user report or anyone produced anything yet (I'm sure it'll take time to learn before releasing anything, time we won't have for the vote) with it to see how easy and convenient it is for everyone. not be able to test, and nobody used it yet, it's just harder to judge.
I'm not talking bad for the project itself, it might have taken lot of time to do it, I'm just annoyed about the bounty and my own view on it.

for now, the only thing I see is the pseudo, blurry, screenshot of a random interface. Not even sure it's in a working state, and wondering why it requires 2GB for an IDE over devkitpro. Even my multiple toolchain folder doesn't reach that size.
I hope to see more, and see what can be created with it by other users.

Oh, sorry if I sounded rude I didn't wanted that at all, again sorry I think I probably worded my reply like this as I was pretty tired, but my goal was just to reply naturally to your interrogations.

About the size, in fact the setup is 1Gb, and the engine itself 1gb. Why this size? To be honest I don't know why also in details, but I used the best compression quality so size doesn't become a big problem, because me also I need to pay for the Azure bandwidth in order that everyone can download it without speed limits. Also, in that release, devkitARM, devkitPPC and devkitA64 are there, so I can add the multiplatform pack easily.

And to be honest, I would just advise to test Gen7 Engine yourself without being offensive for sure, but an engine is not a game you can't judge it by its screenshots, that's why I given only one screenshot. The interface could be random, but I really spent a lot of time in design to make it visually appealing and attractive to develop with conveniently.

And, as always, all the questions are welcome.

 

[orangpelupa]

whoa this looks like to be as easy to use as "construct 2" from scirra but with much more capabilities!

gonna download overnight! thank you so muuuch.

 

[iyenal]

whoa this looks like to be as easy to use as "construct 2" from scirra but with much more capabilities!

gonna download overnight! thank you so muuuch.

Thanks! But it's not yet finished, so take it as a demo.

 

[hippy dave]

I feel like this would be more at home in the Homebrew section, but I'm not a mod.

Nice idea & looks like solid execution, will be good to see it progress once you get sprites back in etc.

If anyone tries running it with Mono on a Mac, let me know

 

[Jayro]

Wow, not only does it have capabilities, but that GUI is super impressive! Looks like a modern UI that a professional company would put out! Dude, this is LIT AF brotha. Amazing all-around. I look forward to seeing things developed with this badboy!

 

[Cyan]

Oh, sorry if I sounded rude I didn't wanted that at all

No, you didn't. Maybe BoxNinPlay found it rude, but I didn't. I hope you didn't find my comment rude either.
I'm often reluctant to install tools with fear it would mess with my system, install many files in many places, generate conflicts with other installed tools, changes the environment variables (I already have devkitpro, would it change my variables to your path?), etc.
I might try to install it in a VM or another computer. Maybe I'll be able to use the bundled devkitpro as standalone version too ? if I type "make" it'll use that version or not?
that's just me and my fear

I hope you can make it a great tool that lot of users will enjoy.

I feel like this would be more at home in the Homebrew section, but I'm not a mod.

you are right, it should be in Homebrew & Software Projects, not in rom hacking section. I'll move it, thanks for noticing.

 

[BoxNinPlay]

No, you didn't. Maybe BoxNinPlay found it rude, but I didn't. I hope you didn't find my comment rude either.
I'm often reluctant to install tools with fear it would mess with my system, install many files in many places, generate conflicts with other installed tools, changes the environment variables (I already have devkitpro, would it change my variables to your path?), etc.
I might try to install it in a VM or another computer. Maybe I'll be able to use the bundled devkitpro as standalone version too ? if I type "make" it'll use that version or not?
that's just me and my fear

I hope you can make it a great tool that lot of users will enjoy.


you are right, it should be in Homebrew & Software Projects, not in rom hacking section. I'll move it, thanks for noticing.

Ok we are all happy, lets just get going on fire, on this project