DEVELOPMENT: P.E.B.K.A.C. The Game - Problem Exists Between Keyboard And Chair

Produx

Core
Problem Exists Between Keyboard And Chair
a cyber mmorpg inside a computer world, where humanity's stupidity makes your live a mess.
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It took some time, but I'm finally ready to (proudly) present you a proper installer/launcher/updater for the game.
In case you're not in the Steam group yet, drop me a message and I'll invite you to the steam group where you can find a download link to the client.

This completes the first functionality steps in a solid framework for patch delivery during the alpha period of about all of next year.

I've dropped most systems in game for the moment to rethink and set them up properly and progressively in this new version. This includes skills, combat, harvesting, crafting, etc. So for the moment there is not much to do once you're in game, but .... You can already explore the first layout of the "City of BIOS". This is where you will start as a new player and it will turn out into a sort of "tutorial" level where you will get the hang of the basic game mechanics in the future.

What to expect and test in this version:

- Windows Installer/Uninstaller
The game will now be delivered in an .msi file and should properly install itself on Windows 7, 8 and 10. A shortcut to the launcher will be made in the start menu and uninstallation should work from Control Panel -> Programs and Features.

- Launcher/Updater
The game will start with a Launcher/Updater to keep the game up to date. For the moment it will not find any patch until one becomes available. This has been tested and retested and I'm confident about it's functionality.

- Account creation
For the moment you can create your account directly within the client before you log on. This will change in the future and will migrate to the website where a full account management system will be put in place. At the moment the only email verification working is if it's already existing in the game's database.

- Character creation
Right now you will only have 1 race and 1 class available to select from. You will also feel a bit nude since the playable character has no textures whatsoever to hide it's parts behind. The character in place is a first draft of a playable or animated character to show you a bit of the style I want to go to with the game. Please don't become too emotionally attached to it since there are high chances that this character will one day be downgraded to a simple NPC.

- City of BIOS
As the game plays inside a computer, I'm thinking of making the first "tutorial" level inside the chip of the BIOS. As this is also the main component that checks and configures a system before it boots, it sounded more than logical to start with this part: The City of BIOS, where you adventure will start.
For now it's only a rough cut layout without any details in it, but it should give a bit of feeling of where this is going to.
p.s.: watch out for Infected Data on the outskirts, you don't have any attacks yet, but they can attack you already. I know, life is unfair and I'll give you a hug in case you need to be cheered up after dying from one of these. We will first laugh at you though ;)

- Hover Transport
The first draft of a mount model and it's functionality are present in this first version as well. You can find it in your baggy when you press the B key, Simply click or right click on it to activate or deactivate it. No animations or textures on this model available for the moment, but it sure does increase your run speed by a lot !


That's all I have to show for the moment. Basically the framework some of you already saw before, but more towards the (final) style of the game and with a functional installer and launcher for easy and clean delivery. This step was really needed for the project to continue and keep everybody easily on the same version before continuing adding features and assets to the game.

Please use the P.E.B.K.A.C. Launcher shortcut created in your Start Menu to keep the game up to date. The patch notes showing in the launcher windows should update by itself as well as it loads from an html file from my webserver.

Let me know if you run into any difficulties or find any bugs with this current framework build. I'm working on setting up a bugtracker system like Mantis, but this is for the future when we actually start testing gameplay content.

Thanks a lot, let me know what you think and pop a message in case you want to join the test group. I will send you a download link to the client and invite on the Steam test group.

For now I'm taking 2 weeks of holidays from the project and will continue to work on it in January 2016.

In case we don't see us anymore, have a crazy Christmas and an even crazier new year! Take care everybody!!!

Produx ... out ....
 
Last edited:

Noodleguitar

Staff member
Admin
Oooh, that sounds interesting and cool! Definitely looking forward to screenshots / gameplay videos or a testing version :D

In what language did you write the game logic and physics etcetera?

Since I have been interested in game developing myself I'd love to help you test your game.
 

Produx

Core
Cheers Noodle!, game logic and physics will all be handled by the Unity engine and it's scripts will be mainly java based for that purpose.
 

little P

Super Mod
Good on you buddy, I can't offer any technical support but I can help test it for you. Sounds interesting, I like the names you have thought up like Chipset Boulevard etc. :icon_cool:
 

Produx

Core
Cheers Guys :)

Everybody will be able to join in if they want but I would like to put a test event online with a few players on Teamspeak so we can coordinate some tests together.

I will make a backup right before I'll open the DEV-environment and server-event logs are turned on so please hammer it and try anything possible in game to provide me some feedback on features.

I'll keep you updated during the week about my progression with the few blockers and additions needed to start the tests next weekend.
 
Last edited:

Shilka

Hardcore
You're moving fast Produx! By the end of the year you should have smashed enough bugs to start your own pest control company XD
 
E

ElektroVodka

Great work Paddy!

I was impressed with the first framework, but seeing this changelog boggles me as it's a 1 man project only.

Let me know what you need on TS and we'll get it set up before the weekend.
 

Produx

Core
As some of you have seen last night, the combat bug has been solved.

Coming another step closer to a first more massive test upcoming weekend.

Could you all let me know when would be the best time to get as many as possible players online for a pvp-stress-test upcoming weekend ?
 

Noodleguitar

Staff member
Admin
I am available Friday and Sunday after 20:00 GMT. Possibly Saturday as well if I'm not doing an iRacing endurance race then.
 

Produx

Core
This weekend's test have been postponed.

I was not happy with the way client download and updating was planned and changed that into a launcher instead. This allows for much easier updating the client and keeping track of version numbers.

The launcher is not completely ready yet, but the system behind it is 95% working. I'll be back later this week with more information.
 

Produx

Core
First post edited to reflect update:

It took some time, but I'm finally ready to (proudly) present you a proper installer/launcher/updater for the game.
In case you're not in the Steam group yet, drop me a message and I'll invite you to the steam group where you can find a download link to the client.

This completes the first functionality steps in a solid framework for patch delivery during the alpha period of about all of next year.

I've dropped most systems in game for the moment to rethink and set them up properly and progressively in this new version. This includes skills, combat, harvesting, crafting, etc. So for the moment there is not much to do once you're in game, but .... You can already explore the first layout of the "City of BIOS". This is where you will start as a new player and it will turn out into a sort of "tutorial" level where you will the hang of the basic game mechanics in the future.

What to expect and test in this version:

- Windows Installer/Uninstaller
The game will now be delivered in an .msi file and should properly install itself on Windows 7, 8 and 10. A shortcut to the launcher will be made in the start menu and uninstallation should work from Control Panel -> Programs and Features.

- Launcher/Updater
The game will start with a Launcher/Updater to keep the game up to date. For the moment it will not find any patch until one becomes available. This has been tested and retested and I'm confident about it's functionality.

- Account creation
For the moment you can create your account directly within the client before you log on. This will change in the future and will migrate to the website where a full account management system will be put in place. At the moment the only email verification working is if it's already existing in the game's database.

- Character creation
Right now you will only have 1 race and 1 class available to select from. You will also feel a bit nude since the playable character has no textures whatsoever to hide it's parts behind. The character in place is a first draft of a playable or animated character to show you a bit of the style I want to go to with the game. Please don't become too emotionally attached to it since there are high chances that this character will one day be downgraded to a simple NPC.

- City of BIOS
As the game plays inside a computer, I'm thinking of making the first "tutorial" level inside the chip of the BIOS. As this is also the main component that checks and configures a system before it boots, it sounded more than logical to start with this part: The City of BIOS, where you adventure will start.
For now it's only a rough cut layout without any details in it, but it should give a bit of feeling of where this is going to.
p.s.: watch out for Infected Data on the outskirts, you don't have any attacks yet, but they can attack you already. I know, life is unfair and I'll give you a hug in case you need to be cheered up after dying from one of these. We will first laugh at you though ;)

- Hover Transport
The first draft of a mount model and it's functionality are present in this first version as well. You can find it in your baggy when you press the B key, Simply click or right click on it to activate or deactivate it. No animations or textures on this model available for the moment, but it sure does increase your run speed by a lot !


That's all I have to show for the moment. Basically the framework some of you already saw before, but more towards the (final) style of the game and with a functional installer and launcher for easy and clean delivery. This step was really needed for the project to continue and keep everybody easily on the same version before continuing adding features and assets to the game.

Please use the P.E.B.K.A.C. Launcher shortcut created in your Start Menu to keep the game up to date. The patch notes showing in the launcher windows should update by itself as well as it loads from an html file from my webserver.

Let me know if you run into any difficulties or find any bugs with this current framework build. I'm working on setting up a bugtracker system like Mantis, but this is for the future when we actually start testing gameplay content.

Thanks a lot, let me know what you think and pop a message in case you want to join the test group. I will send you a download link to the client and invite on the Steam test group.

For now I'm taking 2 weeks of holidays from the project and will continue to work on it in January 2016.

In case we don't see us anymore, have a crazy Christmas and an even crazier new year! Take care everybody!!!

Produx ... out ....

p.s.: Duke, is that offer for a dev-blog still up? In case it is let's talk soon(tm) ;)
 

Daunt

MLG Pro
I'd like to see a proper devlog for it, some screens and better insight to the project. Exciting that you're committed to it!
 

Kenadian

Staff member
Site Admin
p.s.: Duke, is that offer for a dev-blog still up? In case it is let's talk soon(tm) ;)
Got your message so I'll certainly give it a go.

The dev-blog thing is entirely up to you on how you want to approach it. Either it's a sub-section that we create on the existing blog or a sub-domain running its own blog.

You give it some thought and let me know which you'd prefer.

I have a Developers License with Thesis for Wordpress so I can use the theme engine as many times as I wish so that won't be an issue. You will have to help out with design a bit and I'll worry about implementation.

Also, an idea of your long term plans would help tremendously because it would likely determine the best and easiest route. If possible I'd much rather create a page for you on the Blog (easiest), custom skin it and point to an exclusive forum here for discussion, tech support, release/patch notes, etc.

We can talk this weekend if you want. I'd suggest you bring in a few people closer to the project than I am so we can bounce ideas around.
 

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