Major design decision

Hello all. I've been mulling over several major options for the future of this project lately, and the largest one has just settled itself. I have begun coding two separate modules, one dedicated server, and one client for the players. The server will handle calculations and physics, accept requests from clients, and allow administration of players and game tools. The client will display all the graphics and allow a player to interface with the game. Among my reasons for doing this include simplified network synchronization, centralized control, discrete programming, and most importantly, to create a general communications interface for any "player" that will pave the way for automated intelligence (i.e. computer players!). Obviously this will slow my progress for quite some time, but it will be worth it.

Progress ongoing

Things are carrying along nicely... Finished porting many modules in the past weeks, such as the GUI and sound/voice effects. Now working on the networking port, which is by far the biggest challenge. Don't forget there will be working versions for Linux and Mac also, so I have a lot of work ahead of me. So far, no major stumbling blocks, and I have about 5000/15000 lines of code converted.

Graphics update

Not a visual update so much as a handling update from a programmer's perspective. I've been reorganizing the bitmaps to use masks for the faction coloring instead of individually saved faction-specific unit graphics. This will save a small amount of disk space, but more importantly standardize the way images are rendered and reduce the code needed to iterate through drawing the units. It's something that's much easier to do now that I've switched to a new universal-platform language.

In progress...

The final release of the original project was loosed on the world in October of 2006. Now, I have begun re-writing and updating the code for additional players, features, and operating system support (Mac and Linux will be supported). It will take some time, perhaps another year, so have patience and enjoy the original unoriginal in the mean time.