Hello everyone! Just dropping by to post some progress reports of my current project in Java.
For the last month or so, I've been working on and off with a new game engine, inspired by the classic "Endless Online."
This is entirely coded in Java, to allow for cross platform support on both the client and server.
The client will be using LibGDX for their tremendous library of amazing features.
I'm building my server model and client connection class off of Java's NIO library.
I've got screenshots from the first attempt at the project, as to mark early stages of the idea and to look back on for memories. I'll create sort of a "timeline" of screenshots for the project, opposed to the traditional way people share their projects.
This is the first successful rendering of the map, and player. Though, without animation..
(Outdated Screenshot, pre LibGDX)
I then worked out a basic camera system, animation, and player movement. (Outdated Screenshot, pre LibGDX)
Soon after; I added basic methods for displaying Player properties (HP/MP/SP), I also created temporary objects for an ESC Menu and Chatbox. These would be removed after finding an artist of some sort.
After an annoying battle with understanding how networking really works, I successfully rendered other players to the screen, as well as displaying Admin Chat logs. This is where I decided to restart the project.
(outdated screenshot, pre LibGDX)
Since then, I've moved on to using LibGDX and would not regret it one bit!
Here are current versions of Main Menu & then a Character Selection concept. LibGDX uses a "UISkin" to create it's version of swing components, I am currently still waiting for my UI Artist to finish creating this for me.
Upon actually having these GUI concepts, I decided to start REALLY getting into LibGDX's Scene2D, using stages and tables to my advantage. I did not style, nor continue with anything else as I'm still waiting for the custom uiskin files. Create button was placed in a separate part of the table to better understand the origin points of table row/column corners.
Soon after, Map Rendering, player rendering (without data yet! I'm not trying to get TOO far ahead of myself and make things complicated once I get the uiskin files)
Movement is pixel based for now - may or may not be subject to change. (I found the tiles on the internet, and will not be included in official releases.)
As I progress with this project, I will be seeking pixel artists as that will be seemingly the hardest position to fill. Once I've got a better model to show off.. I'm sure you guys will jump on it
Give me design ideas, what you think I should add to the game/engine, and I will try to share my project as I develop the engine. Important notes:
For now, the project is named "jEndlessOnline," solely to reach out to the dying community Endless Online left behind and grasp interest into a new game.
The final, finished product, will not use any artwork or names from Endless Online.
I am going to reiterate that this is NOT a remake of the game, it will NOT be compatible with the "Endless Online" Client, Server, or Private Server software.
Credits belong to EndlessOnline for their character sprites, and Im afraid I can not find the source of the tileset used. Let it be known that I do not intend to claim any of the artwork currently in the project as my own.
I would absolutely love input, suggestions, what you would like to see in the client.