All posts by [EX3]

Programming, Tech

dx_lib32 Project

Details

Project: dx_lib32
Genre: Game Framework
Platform: Windows
Job description: Programmer
Technologies: Visual Basic 6.0, Win32 API, DirectX 8.1, OGG Vorbis
Supported languages: Visual Basic 6.0, Visual Basic .NET, C#, C++ (in theory, any language which can support COM/ActiveX technology)
Download: This binaries are 2.2.0 version. Last version, 2.2.1, is only available as source code:
- Development Kit (for development. Contains Compiled HTML documentation reference, Visual Basic 6.0 and VB .NET code samples and runtime dlls)
- User Redistributable (only runtime dlls for running any program or game developed with dx_lib32 2.2.0)
Source code: https://github.com/VisualStudioEX3/dx_lib32

Description

Game framework or API (or also wrapper) that enable to access the power of DirectX APIs to Visual Basic 6.0 developers. A simple framework composed of 5 specialised classes: a graphics class, an audio playback class, a game input device manager class, a video playback class and a helper class with a set of functions to cover multiple needs.

It's compiled as an ActiveX DLL, with a minimum dependency libraries (the Visual  Basic 6.0 runtime, the ActiveX library to connect with the DirectX 8.1 API, and the OGG Vorbis libraries), included in the setup, and it's compatible with any version of Windows, from Windows 98 to the current Windows 10 (desktop version only) and future Windows with Win32 and DirectX 8.1 support (today, it's working properly on Windows 10).

The project started development in early 2001, under DirectX 7 API (changed to DirectX 8.1 in 2002). The first functional version was released in 2004, with only a set of program samples as documentation reference and a forum to consult doubts. The second version was released in early 2006, with a full set of program samples, in Visual Basic 6.0 and .NET formats, and with a full API reference documentation in Windows Helper format. The final version, after several bugs fixed and new functionalities, was released as open source project in GitHub in middle of 2012.

Some user projects made with dx_lib32

Design, Levels

Counter Strike Map Design

Info: In these years I used [B-84] Nightmare as nickname instead of [EX3] on cibercafes where playing Counter Strike with friends. In the video not is appreciable my full name at bottom of the easter egg wall. You can see it better in the last screenshot in the gallery.

Details

Project: CS_Parcela
Genre: Multiplayer level for Counter Strike
Platform: Windows
Job description: Level designer
Technologies: Valve Hammer Editor 1.1
Download: cs_parcela.zip (1.89 MB)

Description

A small map for the classic Counter Strike (currently Counter Strike 1.6) composed with multiple usable spaces and differents routes to connect the two main areas.

This map was designed in 2001 and it's builded using an old version of Valve Hammer Editor, then known as WorldCraft Editor, included with any copy of Half-Life or expansions like Opposing Force and Blue Shift. This editor version doesn't has any advantage functionality like realtime rendering or precalculated lights, common functionalities in modern level editors or the current version of Valve Hammer Editor.

The map included waypoints for the old version 1.4 of POD-Bots, one of the various choices of the moment to get bots to play versus the CPU in Counter Strike. The video show the bots in action. In order to make the bot able to navigate the map, is necessary to set behaviour points to configure actions or define paths (the bot system includes an user friendly editor in game time for this task).

The map is available for download and it's fully compatible with Counter Strike 1.6 (the waypoint file is not included because of being incompatible with current versions of POD-Bots).

Extra

Also experimented other ideas for bigger maps than CS_Parcela, inclusive a map for the Half-Life: Oppossing Force expansion (and had the intention of creating campaing levels, for a single player mode). This gallery below show sections of these prototype maps.

Unfinished map of custom campaing: Star Ranger

Design, Gameplay, Programming, Prototypes

T.L.S.A.: Argos Operation

Full view of the background scenary.
Some enemy animations sprites and the player shoot animation secuence, like a FPS view.

Details

Project: T.L.S.A.: Argos Operation
Genre: 2D Point & Click - Graphic Adventure
Platform: Windows
Job description: Game Designer, Game Programmer, Graphic Desisgner
Technologies: Visual Basic 6.0

Description

Point & click graphic adventure game. Attempt to improve the concept implemented in the previous game, TLSA: The Light Star Adventure. This time, the game had the ability to display larger scenaries, the player could move with the mouse, making a side-scrolling movement, like a 180 º view.

This time, the elements of the game, like the characters, already had basic animations and sound effects. The game development is unfinished, due to the complexity of developing in Visual Basic 6.0 Windows Forms and User Controls system. The result is an advanced prototype of the concept designed, a little achievement.

The graphics are own made ​​freehand with mouse in Microsoft Paint. The sounds are a mixed of samples from other comercial games.

Design, Levels

Lode Runner level design experiment

Details

Project: Codename Atapuerca
Genre: 2D Platformer-Puzzle Adventure
Platform: MS-DOS, Windows
Job description: Level Designer
Download: ATAPUERC.PZL (15 KB)

Description

A small campaign levels for Lode Runner: The Legend Return game. Is an experiment that intended to create a platformer adventure using the mechanics of the original game, to create a game play experience, and the different level themes for create a variety of sceneries.

The levels are available to download.

Artist, Design, Gameplay, Programming, Prototypes

T.L.S.A.: The Light Star Adventure

Details

Project: T.L.S.A.: The Light Star Adventure
Genre: 2D Point & Click - Graphic Adventure
Platform: Windows
Job description: Game Designer, Game Programmer, Graphic Designer
Technologies: Visual Basic 6.0

Description

Point & click graphic adventure, in first person, set inside a spaceship, being attacked and boarded by enemy soldiers. The player taking the role of a prisoner who manages to escape from his captors and aims to try to escape alive from the ship.

The player can navigate the corridors of the ship, interact with various elements of the enviroment (look in wall panels, input controls, access to computer terminals, investigate corpses...), talks with characters (the conversations could have various lines of dialogue with different ways and results), inventary, which could be used with scenarios, and even was available ability to shoot enemies in specific scenes.

The game had only one level, the corridors of the ship and some rooms, giving a total of 15 different locations. The game had several situations, either by death or specific situations (terminate arrested by soldiers, for example). Were available automatic checkpoints to avoid losing the game progress from certain points. The graphics are own made ​​freehand with mouse in Microsoft Paint, and static, without animations. The game hadn't sound or music.

Gameplay, Programming

Pong

Details

Project: Pong
Genre: 2D Arcade
Platform: Windows
Job description: Game Programmer
Technologies: Visual Basic 6.0

Description

Mi first game, an own version of classic Atari Pong, for one player, with rudimentary IA, two players support, and scoring system, with bonus extra live to reach the high score.