![\";)\"](\"http:\/\/www.ludumdare.com\/compo\/wp-includes\/images\/smilies\/icon_wink.gif\"\/){kind=icon}
<\/p>\nAfter a small multi-month ludum dare break of almost a year, its time to dust off some old game code, review the years progress on code libraries and\u00a0 take on some ambition\u2026 So, armed with my current, modular subkernel based architecture or yester-year, a prometheus build from yester-month, some thought from yester-week and some ideas from yester-day it looks like I\u2019m all set to take on another Ludum dare challenge. Or maybe, we\u2019ll. Depending on how the computing freshmen turn out. We shall see\u2026<\/p>\n
In the meantime \u2013 the game.<\/p>\n
What it is: Thats a tough one. MMORTS with a few RPG qualities coupled with SVG style graphics and one objective: race to the finish. While wiping out the odd impudent soul trampling on your empires turf along the way.<\/p>\n
Whats the objective: Simple. Own a major portion of the galaxy more than all the other players\u2019 combined. Or gain superiority through some means\u2026 And hold that superiority for 72 hours\u2026<\/p>\n
Whats it going to look\/play like: Played neptunes pride much? Then the UI should be somewhat familiar. Similar game mechanics in terms of what your empire is defined by. Just with the thrown in tech tree, few unit types, strategic location, multiple star system\/nebula type things and lots and lots of relaxed gameplay against lots and lots of enemies\u2026 Sins of a solar empire much?<\/p>\n
Whats it going to cost me: I dont know what its\u2019 going to cost you. A lot of hours for starters. And a donation should you feel so inclined.<\/p>\n
Its HTML5\/flash\/unity\/xyz-web-tech based right? NOPE. Yep, thats a nope. And heres nope: windows. Its looking like a Mac\/Linux submission. I\u2019ve had issues with windows messing me around with dlls, violations and the like in the past. I\u2019ve also had people put at the mercy of windows\u2019 userbases\u2019 disinclinement towards indie games cause some trouble\u2026 Not to mention the abomination that microsoft deludes will be the future. So sorry guys, open source, kremlin-source, virtualbox or bust here\u2026 Though I might be tempted to roll he win32 hatred should some people with donations be so inclined <\/p>\n
It\u2019ll be ready soon right? Well\u2026 Its currently 5,500 lines of framework and game backend. Which isnt bad for 40minutes worth of typing and recylcing. Truth is, this one is 90% new and original. Yes, its not complex by design but it\u00a0 is new. And that means its going to need time. Beta builds? You bet. The gameplay is meant to be a couple weeks long and I\u2019d like the dust to clear by mid november time so thats that. In-game updates and expansions galore ![\":)\"](\"http:\/\/www.ludumdare.com\/compo\/wp-includes\/images\/smilies\/icon_smile.gif\"\/){kind=icon}
<\/p>\n
Open source, closed source\u2026 Can I roll my own? Well yes, you can. Its centralized around one binary so if you want a game with your friends you\u2019ll just need to hit server mode and remember that IP . Thanks to the donations market model \u2013 open source is no biggie.<\/p>\n
Screenies? Well, its all backend stuff I\u2019m working on right now. Programmer art soon. Promise <\/p>\n
Whats it called then? For now, project ellipsis was my most creative thought about 10 minutes ago\u2026<\/p>\n