I've just completed programming over 20 simple-to-edit templates of enemy unit flight patterns.

In previous Drakojan Skies games I did not have the knowledge to program them, so instead I animated the enemies' flight paths by hand. By using code to move the enemy units on the stage, not only will it improve the game's performance, but I'm now able to create enemy flight patterns never before seen in a DS game. For example:

.. Some enemies may fly randomly through-out the stage.

.. Others may chose to change their position, depending on where the player is located, and use a different form of attack.

.. Heavily damaged enemies may chose to do a "kamikaze" run, and try to crash into the player.

This reaches a whole new level of enemy artificial intelligence in the DS game series, making each play-through unique, unlike most retro 16 bit shooters of the past, in which all enemy flight patterns were mostly predictable.

Story: This is not only the Nachenyu tribe’s faction logo, but also represents the revered and legendary Nachenyu chieftain “Arganyu”, a blue-furred, silver armored guardian, who saved the tribe from almost certain destruction, far back in ancient times.

Warriors who receive this pendant are rewarded the title of “Arganyu”, as a symbol of their astonishing contributions to secure the safety and prosperity of the Nachenyu people. This item plays a key element in the DS story.

Post edited 15:24 – 5. December 2011 by Mike

1.) The Primary, Secondary, and Special Weapons Systems are done

The player no longer has unlimited Secondary ammo. Ammo for both secondary and special weapons can be purchased in a shop or collected during the stage. The player can switch between secondary weapons at any time during play.

2.) "Surface" Effects are done

Same as in previous games. Whenever the player flies close to the ground or over water, a cloud of dust/mist will be generated behind the player.

3.) Enemies can now “Block“

Some enemies can block player bullets, for a more tactical game-play approach. Imagine a boss character using a shield, or certain enemies which can only be damaged when facing away from the player.

4.) Enemies may “Crash” into objects

An improved system from DS:Acolytes. While this system is still being experimented on, it is planned to have some enemies fall from the skies, and destroy/damage other enemies when they crash into them. Imagine Domino stones falling one after another.

There have been some huge technical improvements over the past games. While the average DS player may not notice them, the game is starting to play better than ever before.

Overall the entire game engine is about 85% finished. The game is now considered to be playable. Pretty soon I can start working on the character and FX sprites.

Currently the file size is only 20kb!!! In the past, the engine test files were around 150-300kb due to the heavy use of animations. Now almost everything is done via code.

Post edited 23:21 – 1. January 2012 by Mike

Phase 1 is complete, and now we're at the stage of development in which all the graphics are being made, and added into the game.

Expect this thread to go silent for the next couple of months, since the process of designing and animating graphical elements is a very time consuming task.