Previous Novalis logo. What will the new one look like?
Loss of one will give rise to another.
Some consider the demise of the Online Game Core a telltale sign of decline. Others will argue that the developers outgrew their pet projects and departed to conquer new territory. Such is the nature of the independent spirit.
Novalis development suffered from lack of finances and was ultimately canceled. Its resurrection begins now. Krankzinnig has returned and is working on a more powerful rebuild of his engine. One of the planned features is support for embedded devices via OpenGL ES (2.0 specification). I’m not well versed in the ways of programming, but the developer assures that Novalis will be much friendlier to novice coders. Below is a sample of an empty application.
#include “m_video.h”
using namespace Muubo;
void Draw()
{
Clear();
Swap();
}
int main()
{
Init(“Muubo”, 440, 280);
Run();
return 0;
}
Early benchmark tests show that the engine is capable of drawing 10,000 2D on-screen images in about 371.439546 milliseconds. According to Krankzinnig, “the images are POT safe for older hardware, use mini-maps and optionally compress to DXT.” Promising results considering that Novalis is still in development. Click here to see some old screenshots and information.
Wicked, right?
Categories: Engine · Novalis
I returned from a family vacation earlier this month, but needed more rest and relaxation. During this time off, I was mercilessly burned by the Texas sun and avoided contact with technology. I have provided a brief summary of what occurred while I was away.
If anything slipped past my radar, please notify me at: zajenmail [at] gmail [dot] com. More information (and a bunch of links!) after the break.
Keep reading →
Categories: Alpha · Amateur · Beta · Blogger · Eclipse Origins · Malachite · Merrimint · NetGore · Odyssey · Paxtenus · Release · Saturn Valley Online · Seyerdin · Silverdale · Xtremeworlds · vbGORE
MrMiguu Productions has made available the original version of their flagship title, now dubbed Lostica [Retro Edition].
Keep reading →
Categories: Eclipse · Lostica Online · MORPG · MrMiguu Productions · Project Vertigo · Release
Internal struggle split and shattered the original Benign staff. Dreamer’s Software remained in a weakened state and only the rallying cry against injustice prevented the team from completely dissolving.
In late April, a former member of the Benign development staff posted a thread on the XtremeWorlds forum and falsely claimed the game was open to the public, allowing others to create and host their own MORPG. Other staff members soon caught wind, and in their defense revealed the truth: the author of said thread crippled the team, scared players away, and ultimately caused the game’s demise.
Since then the perpetrator has faded into the shadows and Dreamer’s Software has merged with Legends of Arteix. Soon after, Benign Online Classic was announced. This new joint effort aspires to rid the game of all inconsistencies and implement changes to core game mechanics. The revamp will include, but not limited to: dungeons that require a group effort (3-4 players), larger areas to explore, guild inclusion in the story line, and a more balanced leveling system. In addition, an expansion is in the works.
The beta period ended yesterday and only developers are able access to the server. Once preparations are complete, expect an official launch soon after. Download link
Update: Benign officially launched. Please note that there has been an account wipe. [link]
Categories: Benign Online Classic · Beta · Legends of Arteix · MORPG · Release · Xtremeworlds
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