ProjectX Readme file Created by Justin Heiner ProjectX Version Beta 0.19 - Internal Build - 4/14/99 Contents: I. Minimum Requirements II. Recommended Hardware/Software III. Notes about hardware and software IV. Plot and storyline V. Future plans for the game Section I - Minimum Requirements --------- -------------------- 486 SX-33 6 MB RAM MS-DOS 5.0 (or compatable) Extended/expanded memory capabilities 15 MB free hard drive space Remember, these are the bare minimum requirements for the game. At this point in development, I would recommend newer hardware and operating system, as it will greatly speed up the game. Graphic/Sound loading routines have yet to be optimized, so the loading time throughout the game depends heavily on the speed of the CPU. Section II - Recommended Hardware/Software ---------- ----------------------------- Pentium 100 16 MB RAM Windows 95 40 MB free hard drive space Section III - Notes about hardware and software ----------- --------------------------------- OK, here's the deal. At this point in development, I'm focusing on getting the game working properly, not getting it working quickly. With that in mind, I do things like loading graphics from the hard drive every time I want to access them, which significantly slows down the game if you don't have a decent computer. I would recommend running this game under Windows 95/98 because it handles loading from the hard drive very well (it keeps a lot of what you've accessed in RAM for you, making access to recently used files quicker). I've tried this game under true MS-DOS mode, and it's scary :) Also, due to the fact that I'm developing the game on a computer with a "Sound Blaster Live!" card, I have no clue how compatable the audio is. I know that it detects my MIDI device as ADLIB, when it should be detecting the MPU-401 instead. I'd suggest not just using the autodetect feature, but manually selecting some of the sound cards that you think might work, and seeing what happens. Section IV - Plot and Storyline ---------- ------------------ As of yet, I'm not quite sure where I'm going with this game. I'm thinking it will be some kind of cross between the Legend of Zelda series and the Final Fantasy series, set in the far future. As for character names and storyline, I'm not quite sure yet. Check back to this file for updates to all of the sections, especially the hardware and software notes. Section V - Future plans for the game --------- ------------------------- The map editor is somewhat completed. All it needs is the rest of the flags added (different enemies, weapons, items, etc). The map in the game is fully functional, along with the enemies. They have a simple form of AI that draws them towards the player. The enemies also re-appear when they die now. We don't want the player to run out of enemies :) I've also added the ability to edit a list of locations where cities are located and the maps that they point to, etc. This expands the game to unlimited capacity. Many smaller cities can fit into one 500x500 map. The next thing that I'm going to work on is the graphics for the enemies and gunshots, and the items and equipment menu. I'm hoping to get the game to a somewhat fully working version around the middle or end of Summer 1999. I'll hopefully have the game completed before, or soon after the millenium.