"A Love Letter To FreeBASIC" Competition (Oct 2018 – Feb 2019), 1000 $ 1st prize

[Lachie Dazdarian]

I think it's false detection. I'm running a pc with updated Windows Defender. No detection.


https://i.imgur.com/leETLxJ_d.jpg?maxwidth=640&shape=thumb&fidelity=medium

[nkk_kan]

Yeah, I read that but that was 2 years ago.
I use Windows 10 and it is fully updated daily.
Better just check for infections just in case..

EDIT: Maybe it was a false detection, I redownloaded it and now it's not detecting anything.. hmm

[landeel]

But the game seemed to be running too fast for me. Is there any fps limiting done?

The game should use VSYNC at  60Hz. So either it's not working on your system, or it's syncing to a higher frequency. Is your monitor 60 Hz?
Anyway, you can edit the .ini file, under [VIDEO] set timesync=1.
Please tell me if it works.
Glad you like it, thank you for your comments.

[nkk_kan]

landeel,

Yes, So I had turned off vsync in my graphics card settings, which is why it was running too fast.
I tried the timesync=1 first, it kind of worked (as in slowed down the game) but was not smooth (movement was jerky)
So, I set vsync to application controlled in gfx card settings and then the game ran fine after that.

Played through the first level (couldn't finish it; too hard for me xD) and had fun time discovering different "punny" powers

Obtaining new powers can be a bit disorienting sometimes since some powers can be replaced/modified or swapped based on what command you pick up.
Maybe you can simplify choosing a palette slot for a power somehow;

Also, maybe the power sprites can be shrunk a bit? They seem a little bit big to me; I suppose they introduce difficulty but I feel they get in the way too much sometimes.
I see that you have different colours for different 'types' of powers; I'm guessing all the powers are all same sprite because it is a demo?
It would help if the sprites gave a hint as to type of power (for e.g. clear is a 'bomb', line is a 'grab', double/goto is 'shot' and so on)

Fun game overall!   

[landeel]

It would help if the sprites gave a hint as to type of power (for e.g. clear is a 'bomb', line is a 'grab', double/goto is 'shot' and so on)

Hey glad you like it, and glad it works.

White is shot, yellow is shield, purple is bomb, green is misc., red is potentially dangerous.

[landeel]

I will call this a beta, but it's already fully playable:
https://drive.google.com/open?id=1Alx6zsW3vZ_4eWf53IKYBHpih1AUEuZH


I have made many changes based on the feedback, mostly to the engine:
-Timesync=auto is the new default. Timesync will engage if vsync is not available;
-Added option "showfps" to display the framerate during game. It should always be 60 or close to it;
-Fullscreen=auto is the new default. In Windows with Intel graphics, the game will start windowed (resolution bug);
-Separated threaded input from multithreading. Due to instability reports, threaded input is now disabled by default;
-Can use SDL 2.0 or 1.2 for audio;
-The "select" button/key now rotates the action palette;
-Some gameplay and physics changes based on player suggestions;
-Some other stuff I can't remember;

I have followed some suggestions, and some I didn't.
I didn't want to end up with a regular shootem'up. I wanted something different, and I think I have accomplished that.
The real challenge to the game is to discover what each keyword does, and learn how to survive with them.
You will need multiple weapons, it's impossible to survive using only one kind.
It gets pretty fun and easy once you master them. Just continue playing and you will see. I promise.
It's not nearly as hard as Gradius, Zanac or the airplane stages of Cuphead.
And yeah, I have beaten it twice today.B)

[ssjx]

@nkk_kan, not sure why it was triggering Defender as that's what I have here, very odd...

I really need to investigate pixel perfect collision, maybe next time!

[landeel]

Small update.
SDL 2.0 music bug fixed.
Some minor physics fixes.
Minor cosmetic changes.
Same link.
https://drive.google.com/open?id=1Alx6zsW3vZ_4eWf53IKYBHpih1AUEuZH

[landeel]

FB Shooter Force 2019 updated:
https://drive.google.com/open?id=1Alx6zsW3vZ_4eWf53IKYBHpih1AUEuZH
-Added joystick force feedback (vibration) on Windows, thanks to SDL2 haptic. (Testers needed. Works on wine, fails on winxp);
-Animated starfield background in the intro movie by cycling the palette;
-Fixed a bug in the gamepad setup;
-Many minor fixes and improvements;

[nkk_kan]

landeel,

Managed to beat level 1! (took 15 minutes!)   
Died in Pythonia by those pesky small green snakes 

Gamepad vibration works great! (on Windows 10 with xbox like controller)
Gamepad button bug also fixed;
Personal opinion:
1. I see that you changed amount of powers that spawned; It feels perfect now!
2. Level is/are a bit too long
3. Timesync turned on automatically for me I think; it stutters sometimes when you press buttons especially when you're moving forward or back. It gives the game a sluggish feel.

[landeel]

FB Shooter Force 2019 updated:
https://drive.google.com/open?id=1Alx6zsW3vZ_4eWf53IKYBHpih1AUEuZH
-Power-of-two fbo textures are used by default: can improve compatibility;
-Gamepad and force feedback improvements;
-Game tries to adjust automatically if the requested resolution is not correctly set;
-Many internal changes and improvements;

[landeel]

landeel,

Managed to beat level 1! (took 15 minutes!)  
Died in Pythonia by those pesky small green snakes  

Gamepad vibration works great! (on Windows 10 with xbox like controller)
Gamepad button bug also fixed;
Personal opinion:
1. I see that you changed amount of powers that spawned; It feels perfect now!
2. Level is/are a bit too long
3. Timesync turned on automatically for me I think; it stutters sometimes when you press buttons especially when you're moving forward or back. It gives the game a sluggish feel.

Hey, thanks for testing.
Nice to know vibration works.
I agree the levels are a bit too long, specially 3. Already talked to Lachie about this. I'll reduce them a bit before the deadline.
I don't think what you describe is timesync's fault.
Some shots will cause you to move slower while you use them, and that's intentional. You must stop shooting to move faster.
Anyway, you can disable timesync completely by setting timesync=0 in the .ini.

[Dr_D]

I don't know if I'll have time to participate, but I hate goodbyes. However, if I do, it wont be my last FB project... unless I die. I get the itch to program something in FB, every once in a while.

I've always felt a strong connection to this community, so there is something I'd like to say...

I know I haven't been the same... or just entirely gone. I'm sorry. My brother killed himself. My best friend took his own life. I haven't been the same. He was my best friend. We talked just shortly before... It's been a couple years now, so the people who don't love me say I should be better, but I'm not. I fake it, but I'm almost always sad or angry. I go hide in the bathroom at work, so I can cry. I lash out at people who have done nothing wrong... I totally ignore people... I'm sorry to bring this up in  here. We used to have like instant IRC chat and shit... Now we have fucking facebook.

Anyway, sorry for the rant. I'm excited to see what you talented mother fuckers will create... I have too little time.

Don't kiss her(FreeBASIC) goodbye, though... Please, don't do that.

One more thing... I didn't donate anything. Good Golly, Miss Molly... HOW MUCH? WOW!!!!

[Lachie Dazdarian]

I don't know if I'll have time to participate, but I hate goodbyes. However, if I do, it wont be my last FB project... unless I die. I get the itch to program something in FB, every once in a while.

I've always felt a strong connection to this community, so there is something I'd like to say...

I know I haven't been the same... or just entirely gone. I'm sorry. My brother killed himself. My best friend took his own life. I haven't been the same. He was my best friend. We talked just shortly before... It's been a couple years now, so the people who don't love me say I should be better, but I'm not. I fake it, but I'm almost always sad or angry. I go hide in the bathroom at work, so I can cry. I lash out at people who have done nothing wrong... I totally ignore people... I'm sorry to bring this up in  here. We used to have like instant IRC chat and shit... Now we have fucking facebook.

Anyway, sorry for the rant. I'm excited to see what you talented mother fuckers will create... I have too little time.

Don't kiss her(FreeBASIC) goodbye, though... Please, don't do that.

One more thing... I didn't donate anything. Good Golly, Miss Molly... HOW MUCH? WOW!!!!

I'm sorry to hear all that. I wasn't aware of the extent these events troubled you. Sorry if I felt insensitive sometimes. I hope you are aware I love you. Perhaps it feels cheap, with the ocean separating us, but I consider you one of my best friends. I wish I was less useless atm, but there you go. Whenever you need me, I'll do my best to respond. For what's it's worth.

For me, making a farewell to FreeBASIC of sorts is important, because I failed to contribute in any capacity for the last 4 years, and probability that this will change is close to 0. And honesty is imporant to me. I want to be honest to myself and to the community, and from my side give a final salute. This doesn't mean I won't maintain the site or visit the forum, or answer people's emails. I just won't pretend this is an alive project anymore. It's just sad, because the stuff I did around FreeBASIC is probably the best output of any sort I ever did in my life. Still failing to translate that to other areas of life, but I need to move on. It's hard to communicate that to people who built better skills outside FreeBASIC, hobbyst and professional. Something I failed to do, and is troubling me deeply.

[landeel]

Fb Shooter Force 2019 updated:
https://drive.google.com/open?id=1Alx6zsW3vZ_4eWf53IKYBHpih1AUEuZH
-Added command-line options that override settings from the .ini file. Check the readme for details;
-Some fixes in the gamepad setup;
-Many internal fixes and improvements;

Hey Dr_D, so sorry to hear that. I hope things get better for you.
Let's keep doing amazing stuff and never abandon FB.