Rebuilding Open Source Game Engine

Hi again, folks!

I know I had mentioned possibly releasing the source code for this game engine before, but I've been holding back from a pretty big reason: I simply won't support this engine with any documentation. It's complex, and is pretty much like duct tape holding Game Maker and U3D (3D rendering engine) together. The game was never really efficient, thanks to Game Maker's limitations, and Level Building was about as enjoying as punching myself in the face.

So here's a bit of news. This past week, I've been working on developing 3D games with C++, OpenGL, and Irrlicht. What does this mean? This means I'm rebuilding the Ballad of The Windfish engine from the ground up, in an environment that can be ported to run on pretty much ANY system.

WHAT is the point of me doing this? I need to very quickly build up experience using this new game development environment.

WHAT do I plan to do with this game engine? I don't intend on building an entire Zelda game remake with this engine. I am simply rebuilding a game engine that will run like Ballad of The Windfish/ Ocarina of Time/any 3D Zelda, but it will be in a development environment that is MUCH more powerful, and will work on many different systems.

WHAT does this mean for supporters of the project? Well, I won't be building an entire game, but after I make considerable progress on this game engine, I will most likely release the source code publicly. Yes, that's right, I'll rebuild the game engine to make a game identical to Ballad of the Windfish/Ocarina of time, and you guys can have it.

C++ and Irrlicht have a very wide support base and the community for these development tools are very good. No doubt, if I release the source code for a 3D Zelda engine, there will be enough support out there for people to really do something with it.

Thanks for hanging around.
Jerrel

Moving On

Hey everyone!

I see a pattern emerging. Every new post I make seems to be an apology of some sort. Following that, I sincerely apologize for ceasing the updates, posts, and making any progress on this project.

I'd love nothing more than to continue working on this project and share it with you guys. You all have been great supporters and I sincerely appreciate that! However, running my small business and working in the photography industry has become a full time job for me. I develop educational software and games, teach, advertise for technology and photo-imaging, and am writing a series of Zombie/Thriller/Drama books.

Earlier this year, I built an intense Video Game Design Portfolio and applied to various gaming development companies. The results? The hiring agencies were too stupid to understand the positions I was applying for and told me I was shit. This was extremely disheartening for me as a game developer. I said to myself, screw trying to get hired. I'm going to run my own damn company!

Over the past year, I've been unable to work on the Ballad of The Wind Fish project for the sole fact that it can not, and never will make me any money. Am I all about money? No, of course not. But I need money to survive. Fan support doesn't pay for the house!

So here's the deal. I'm considering releasing the source code of this project to the general public. That's right: every resource, every 3D, texture, animation file, every programming script... I might just release it to the public. I'd love to work on this project again when my contract jobs slow down and I have heaps of free time. This won't be happening any time soon.

That being said, I might work on this project again and add more to it, but in the future. Definitely not right now. Thanks for being great supporters. Again, I appreciate all the offers for help and for building a team to work on this, but it wouldn't be fair if I could not sustain the project as a full-time project manager.

If you need to contact me personally, or are even remotely interested in me releasing the source files to the project, let me know. My email address is jerreldulay@gmail.com

Again, I'm sorry, but careers come before childhood fantasies!

Best wishes to you guys
Jerrel

Project moving to C++ and OpenGL? Most likely!

Howdy do!

For a wee bit of news, I just wanted to let you guys know I am in the process of leaning C++ and OpenGL.

What does this mean? How does it affect the project?

C++ and OpenGL are much, MUCH more powerful than the Game Maker program I have been using for Ballad of the Windfish. The Windfish project has pretty much pushed Game Maker to its limits, and thanks to the physics and 3D collision detections, the project has hit a wall in terms of gaming performance.

Also, OpenGL is support cross-platform, making the porting of games possible.

I must learn C++ and OpenGL for my work and commercial products, and in order to master this, I will most likely be rebuilding the Ballad of the Windfish game engine from the ground up, completely from scratch in a programming language and environment I have very little experience in! =D

But Jerrel, you say, why would you need to recreate the game engine you won't be able to commercially benefit from? On the contrary! I originally built the Windfish game engine as a universal game engine for all of my 3D action adventure games, and I was even able to refine this gaming engine into a Resident Evil 4-5 game clone. By rebuilding the game engine in C++/OpenGL, the game will not only run smoother and on more machines, but I will be able to casually take a step over the graphical limitations that were holding me back while working in Game Maker. Not to mention, I have been learning new, more advanced 3D modelling programs, such as Maya.

The Windfish engine will evolve into the new "Windfish 2" engine, and I will then use that new engine as a base for my commercial projects.

The new game engine will most likely feature :

• Higher definition / smoother / higher polycount 3D Models
• Enhanced Lighting and Texture Effects
• Hopefully improved animation-linking
• More reliable 3D collision detection
• Faster/more reliable Speed
• Sexy post-screen shading effects
• Dynamic Shadows for models
• Shadow Maps for terrain and architecture
• Overall increased sexiness
• More Hawaiian Punch

Thanks for sticking around!
Colon Capital P!
Jerrel

Found some killer LttP HD Fan Art

Heya folks! I recently came upon this artwork by a very talented fellow who takes images of retro games and draws up "mock HD" concept screenshots. He's got some brilliant work, especially with his mario, sonic, and donkey kong stuff! I don't know about you guys, but I'd pay premium for a Link to The Past Remake that looked JUST like that /\.

Go on and check out Orioto's Deviant Art gallery!
http://orioto.deviantart.com/gallery/

Cheers
Jerrel

Project Update - Blue Tunic

Hello everyone!

First and foremost, I owe supporters of this project a huge apology. Yes, there has been a complete lack of updates for a while, despite my reporting that there would be more progress on the project. I pretty much lied. Yes, I'm sincerely sorry about that.

To get right to things, here are some quick renders of the first version of the Blue Tunic. This Tunic will grant Link a Defense Boost as well as underwater breathing capabilities. Long-time supporters may recognize the design from the original sketch. I hope to have the Red Tunic posted sometime soon as well.

I do apologize for leaving the scene without much notice. The only thing that keeps me coming back to this project is the support I see online from all over the world from dedicated Zelda enthusiasts.

My career circumstances have changed, and I no longer have the amount of 'spare time' to work on non-profit projects like I had in the past. I'm learning C++, OpenGL, Flash and xCode/Objective-C for work. I'm running my software development and marketing company full bore, and am tied up in working in the photography industry right now.

I've also published a new book yesterday. The writing is the easy part... Marketing for the book is both expensive and time consuming.

This is very off-topic, but if anyone enjoys Zombies, please do check out my new book that published just yesterday. You can download the PDF eBook for free or buy a paperback for $22.99.

Please check out The Ripper Infection Book Series Website

Yes, I am a novelist and it earns me money, unlike non-profit fan games :/
Really though. If you like Zombies or gaming, you'll probably like this book.


**End of shameless plugging




Thanks guys. I know it's excruciating to crawl like this, but I can only work on very small aspects of the project at a time now. I'm literally clawing for the time to work on Ballad of the Wind Fish.

To be honest, we should only be expect small updates for a while, such as new items, weapons, equipment and minor bug fixes and graphic updates.

I appreciate your loyalty and for staying interesting. I really am sorry for be so slack.

Jerrel

New Chatbox

G'day mates. I've implemented a new chatbox, since the previous "flooble" chatbox just seemed so dodgey. This new one should be over 9000 times better.