[Release] Apollonia v0.04

[GlennNZ]

Hi everyone. The Code Tactics team (meaning Justin and myself) are pleased (and relieved) to share the release of v0.04 of our 3D helicopter shooter, Apollonia.

This release is also our entry into the Dashhacks Homebrew Idol 2 2009 competition.

Quoting the changelist details from our website:

Features
* Chase camera - The default camera view is from behind the helicopter, rather than from isometrically above. The original (retro) camera view can be selected from the controls screen.
* Player profiles - Player names and data can now be saved to a database.
* Enhanced particle effects -ÊThese are used for missile impacts and bullet to ground impacts.
* Airstrike! - An A-10 Thunderbolt II can be called using L+R trigger. Includes audio.
* New Apache model.
* Ingame messages can be printed to the HUD.
* Briefing screens - To add meaing to the madness, there are short mission descriptions for each mission (excludes Instant Action).
* Three new missions.
* Friendly tanks.
* Player Statistics - Mission data is saved to a player's profile. This includes flight time, accuracy, deaths etc.
* Post mission score board -ÊThe score board summarises statistical data of a just completed/failed mission.
* New Ammo and Health display on the HUD.
* The player helicopter can start some missions airborne.
* New factory building.
* Existing buildings have been scaled more accurately.
* Tweaked existing missions so that the player is less likely to be overwhelmed.

Under the Hood (for your interest)
* Particle Engine, Terrain and rendering optimisations.
* Splash Screen fixes.
* You can now shoot through destroyed buildings so that units inside them can be hit.
* Using the sqlite database for player data.

Known Issues
* Sometimes there is incorrect textures loaded (very elusive).
* Three Player Profile limit.
* High memory usage. Beware of too many PSP background processes.
* Suspend mode not supported.
* There is a delay between the mission being won/lost and the scoreboard being visible. This is because of the time taken to write data to the database.
* Slow load times; about 8 seconds (minus Sony logo).
* Some instances of near plane clipping of the terrain resulting in small amounts of unrenedered terrain.

This release has been a really tough one and has had a stupid amount of hours spent on it.

We have a huge amount of stuff planned for this game; the addition of sqlite support opens up huge RPG possibilities. In the meantime, I hope you enjoy v0.04.

As always, I'd like to thank those amazing s out there that allow us less hacky people to make something that is all-time-consuming. We also welcome any ideas or feedback you would like to share.

Enjoy

The download link is here

website: latest news - codetactics

[Mraellis]

Awesome dude. Love this game.

[qwikrazor87]

This game is kick ***. great work on the game, it's a lot of fun.

[nickxab]

Yes i like this game.

[elite999]

Well nothing was imported from my ideas in the recent thread, but anyways I like it also.

[DruNk3n]

I love you =)

EDIT: only for slim? laggs as hell for me )=

[GlennNZ]

only for slim? laggs as hell for me )=

I'm using a PSP-1002 with CFW 3.52 MM3. I'm not sure what Justin is using but it's definitely a phat.

The lag is a result of not shooting the bad guys fast enough. It occurred to me we should restrict the amount of 'active enemy units' deployed at a time. We could then queue those that are scheduled to have been deployed so that the player (and PSP) don't get overwhelmed.

Some of the missions are less intensive.

Well nothing was imported from my ideas in the recent thread, but anyways I like it also.

We're getting there...
-=Double Post Merge =-
Question for everyone: Is the frame rate okay or does it get really crippled at some point? Are missions 5 and 6 frame rate friendly?

Also, there should be a good youtube vid coming, but in the meantime, there is and old dev vid