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Technical Information
To make the system mean and lean, I chose to utilize as much of Direct-X as possible.
This includes:
DirectDraw: Graphics
DirectInput: Mouse and keyboard
DirectMusic: Music playing
DirectSound: Sounds
DirectPlay: Networking
Customizing:
All graphics are in the standard BMP format to make it easy to modify. Initially there will be
8 avatar bodies and 8 npc bodies which you can change. The skin will even be changable through
a bmp. The system uses a IE browser control so the game's intro and cut-scenes can be changed
by editing an html or script file. An added advantage to this is that it can draw files either
locally or over the internet for things like news and update notices. Sample generic scripts
will be included.
The NeoRealm Editor can be used to edit maps and objects and place NPC's. Up to 255 maps of
255 x 255 squares in size can be used. One map of that size could be used to make up a world,
that should give you an idea of it's potential. BIG.
The 640x480 client window will work even if you only use a 640x480 desktop. This makes it
practical to use more than 1 client at the same time. Video ram
requirement is low, I've tryed it on a card with as little as 2 megs of VRAM. To cut down on
system ram usage many animations like the magic effects will use a combination of DirectDraw
primitives and regular graphic animations. One of the reasons I think this project is so
unique is that it's not bogged down with splashy things like lighting FX and particle
fountains which come at the expense of SPEED.
Another memory saver will be reusing sounds but playing them at different frequencies through
DirectSound. Sounds will be 3D as well, if an explosion goes off to the left of you the sound
will come from that direction.
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