Loki's blog

Braid: Soundtrack + Level Editor!

14 Apr 2009
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gaming

Braid is finally out on the PC. Jonathan Blow is working on some bugs. AAAAND there's the official release of the Braid Soundtrack, and a Level Editor!

Soundtrack

The Braid Soundtrack is available on Magnatune with two remixes of songs from the game (Maenam and Undercurrent by Jami Sieber, Jon Schatz remix)! The soundtrack itself is amazing. You can stream the music and listen if you don't believe me.

Level Editor

To get the level editor on Braid, add a "-editor" argument when running the game and press F11. The interface might be a little confusing but fortunately, documentation will be released soon:

Yeah, after I get a new version out in a few days that fixes the problems some people are having, and when more people have played/finished the game, I am going to post some documentation for the editor. The way it works is you can make levels with the editor (up to a full game, potentially) and run that with -universe later... also a tool will be released that lets you take Photoshop files and import them into the game, if you want to put new graphics in your levels.

-Jonathan Blow, Steam Forums

Now that the "what if" there was a level editor has been fulfilled, we can expect user-created "what ifs" in the coming months, weeks, ...or even days? I'm excited :D

[gallery]

Source:Steam Forums (On Braid Soundtrack, Map Editor)

Our Flag is Secure!

6 Jan 2009
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Tribes community free gaming

Shazbot!!! I'm so excited that the TribesNext project has stepped up to fill in the gap that formed since Sierra dropped the Tribes 2 online multiplayer servers last November 1, 2008. On the site they boast:

Robust, fully integrated and automated account system. No need to wait or worry, you can create and log in to your account to play right away!
High-grade account security. Your account is protected by a 512-bit (or higher) encryption key generated on registration.
Authentication server down, but you've already created an account? No problem! Just log in and play.
No waiting for a human to create your account; no need to alt-tab to fully use the game; no need to worry about account theft.
No need for a CD-Key! The game is completely free to download and play, so go ahead!

It's a FREE, ONLINE, MULTIPLAYER game people! An FPS/TPS game complete with futurisitc weapons, vehicles, classes, large scale maps, flags, bases and jetpacks! ...with 64-on-64 epic battles! If you were too busy playing Counter-strike in the summer of 2001, you might have missed this awesome game. And now, here's your chance! Oh Sierra, I just hope you don't away our dreams! If you do, we'll be going after you with our spinfusors!

Inverse Square Root

5 Jan 2009
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Programming Share Technical Technology gaming geek

I just bumped into a clever little code snippet used to find the inverse square root:

float InvSqrt(float x) {
    float xhalf = 0.5f * x;
    int i = *(int*)&x;   // store floating-point bits in integer
    i = 0x5f3759d5 - (i >> 1);  // initial guess for Newton's method
    x = *(float*)&i;  // convert new bits into float
    x = x*(1.5f - xhalf*x*x);  // One round of Newton's method
    return x;
}

[ taken with comments from Kalid Azad @ BetterExpalined.com: Understanding Quake’s Fast Inverse Square Root. ]

Ok, it does not get the exact value but you get a good enough estimate, FAST!

There are two important things to note here:

Newton’s method (also known as the Newton-Raphson method)
The ‘magic number’: 0x5f3759d5, an optimized first guess

For a better explanation, I suggest reading Kalid Azad’s article and the paper by Charles McEniry.

Wait a minute, so why is this useful?

In graphics programming, this can be used to normalize vectors quickly. If you noticed the title on the first link, it’s used in the Quake 3 engine. So does that mean the legendary John Carmack wrote this code? If you’re interested, you can read the Origin of Quake3’s Fast InvSqrt() at Beyond3D.

What did I learn?

I usually forget one thing: there are times when speed trumps accuracy. A close quick estimate would be better and there are a number of optimations that can be made. Much thanks goes to Doc Mana who first introduced me to the Newton-Raphson method & how to apply it on code.

Quadrox: Yet another Tetris clone

10 Nov 2008
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Personal Programming gaming projects tetris xna

I had to make one myself. I just had to. I just started last Friday and it didn't take long to get it going with XNA. I just wanted it to behave similar to Tetris DS + other rules I picked up from Heboris, and that took some time... (plus, I wanted to watch Madagascar 2 & Quantum of Solace, too, and did. :D). If you want the game, it's here: Quadrox v. 1.1. Quadrox v. 1.1.1.

Installation:

Unzip Quadrox_v1.1.zip into a temporary folder (doesn't really matter where, as long as you remember where it is).
Open that folder and run "setup.exe" and continue with the installation.
If you don't have the prerequisites ( .NET & XNA frameworks, the setup will download them)
When it's done, it will automatically run the game in windowed mode.
I'm not sure but I think the temporary folder can be deleted at this point...

Uninstallation:

It can be found in the Add/Remove programs in XP and in Vista's counterpart (not sure what it is, sorry).

Just a summary on the project:

Motivations

Something to play while waiting for a download job. (Does not require an internet connection & can just pick up and play)
Tetris with my desired ruleset (at least attempt to get it)
Simple UI that does not distract you from the game
Practice C# and using XNA :P
Non-intrusive app
Lightweight (well it is, except for the need for the .NET & XNA frameworks... )

Features

Can select starting level: 1-30
Can spin the current block while it hasn't been locked.
Can hold blocks
Always in "Endless mode" - You don't stop after reaching level N.
Shows you your next 7 blocks = more strategy, less luck.
Can run in windowed or full screen mode
"Secret" INVISIBLE MODE - toggled at the Game Over screen (F9). Well, not a secret anymore...

Known Bugs:

Rotation when trying to slip in some bricks does not behave as intended. (Thus some S/Z/T-Spins might not be possible)
Starting position of some blocks may seem lower or higher than others.

Future of the Project:

Add pre-spinning blocks before the blocks spawn on top.
Add ability to pause the game - hahahaha!
[Change UI]
[Might add some sounds]

If you find any bugs, have comments/suggestions, please leave a comment or contact me using the Contact link. Thanks.

E3: Nintendo and Sony: Need less "meh"

16 Jul 2008
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E3 Nintendo Sony gaming

Is it just me or does Nintendo's E3 press conference feel a bit weak? Well, three things stuck after watching the conference:

Animal Crossing:City Folk on the Wii!
WiiSpeak = The voice chat everybody wanted but not exactly what they asked for (A "room-wide" mic? I don't know how this will work in noisy room-mates...)
MotionPlus: True 1:1 motion recognition (also something new for those who hack the Wii to mess with :D)

A GTA on the DS was also mentioned, with the same gameplay as other GTAs, as well as a new Guitar Hero (Decades) on the DS. At the end of Nintendo's press conf., Reggie talked about creating Nintendo being a company that seeks and creates "new advantages." Nintendo has clearly done this with the Wii and the DS and I can't help but think of this book that I'm reading: Blue Ocean Strategy: How to Create Uncontested Market Space and Make Competition Irrelevant. If you like reading about business strategies, you might want to pick it up. I've only read the first few chapters so far and it's really interesting. The press conference seems quite light. No big surprises. -- On Sony: well I could say is that the stage was set up quite nicely and presenting would have been awesome. The conference itself, well, seems quite boring (and as I watch the speaker, I can't help but think of him thinking: "Yeah, FFXIII is not exclusive after all. Yeah, Rock Band 2 is exclusive to the Xbox 360. Yeah, we don't have Bioshock. Yeah, whatever and sorry.). It's probably because I don't really own a PS3 or a PSP (well, that can change with your help >:) ), but probably not considering they also talked about the PS2 and that might get a PS3 if the price is right and the games, sufficient. Right now, I am more likely to buy a PS3 because of Blu-ray rather than because of its exclusive games (at the moment, I can only think of MGS4). In consolation, the use of a custom Little Big Planet level to do the presentation was pretty cute. Also, if you're still awake later in the conference, they show Resistance: Retribution for the PSP and DC Universe Online for the PC/PS3. Finally, there's inFAMOUS and MAG: Massive Action Game (massive 256-player action game on the console, specifically the PS3). If MAG turns out well, it may just be the game I'm looking for. (If ANYONE can make a game close to the Starsiege:Tribes and Tribes 2, I'm sold.) -- The Big Three have spoken at their respective conferences but news, gameplay pics and videos, demos are still everywhere...

E3: Microsoft Press Conference = Sony Fails!

15 Jul 2008
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Final Fantasy Microsoft Square Enix gaming

Guess what? Final Fantasy XIII is NOT exclusive to the PS3 after all! Wiki has been updated. Also check the bottom part of the Gamespy article referring to the conference itself. Finally, here's an article dedicated to that surprise.

Closing out the Microsoft press conference was an announcement by Square Enix President Yoichi Wada. After commenting on his company's growing relationship with Microsoft, one of the biggest announcements of the show was made. The next game in the company's blockbuster mega-franchise, Final Fantasy XIII, will be coming to the Xbox 360 as part of a simultaneous release in North America and Europe.

Now, if only MGS4.... Oh yeah, Fallout 3 looks awesome! I didn't think Bethesda could pull of a Fallout game in first/third person. After looking at the demo, I just can't wait!

Geekgasm: All 11.5 inches of Sams Aran

11 Jul 2008
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Nintendo figures gaming

First 4 Figures is at it again! By just looking at the pictures and reading the specs, I'm having a major geekgasm!

First 4 Figures is extremely proud to present the ultimate version of the Samus Aran's Phazon Suit. ...has used the official game files in order to create an extremely accurate recreation of the Phazon suit, with pose inspiration taken from official Metroid artwork. We completely reengineered the original Varia suit model to make the Phazon suit by casting it entirely in transparent resin, adding over 25 LED lights through the suit and finished it off by adding a mirror base which really shows off the lights. When the lights are turned off, an internal IC chip allows for the lights to fade out slowly. ... The Phazon Suit is highly limited at just 1500 pieces worldwide. Height: 11.5 inches across base SRP: Price: $224.99 Available: Q1-2009

I'd gladly accept this as a Christmas/Birthday/No-occasion-at-all gift. :D (Just in case you didn't know, my birthday is January 9.) Remember: Phazon Suit. First 4 Figures. Gift. Richard. :P Will also be accepting an Optimus Maximus Keyboard in black. :D