Update 41: Code Reorganization

This last week has been productive and I have almost completed path finding! This involved a complete reorganization of the code files to implement namespaces. The new structure really enabled me to connect all the pieces together so that I can now click around my levels, moving my units from side to side. My new namespace structure looks like this:

Characters
--Actions
--Pathfinding
--UI
Common
LevelEnvironment
Main
--UI

I debated having UI at the root level with "Main" and "Character" children, but ultimately decided that these UI elements would be completely different. The diagram below should what the code map looks like after the new reorganization:

I've also developed a process to implement new features in a safe and comprehensive way, using several levels of prototyping. This is similar to branching, which many software development processes use (but I do not). My process usually starts with an almost blank level. Once the feature has been implemented, I usually integrate my new feature up to one of my intermediate test levels, testing in a controlled environment with a few buttons to test movement and shooting. This is typically my 'tank test' level which has a few static objects and buttons to constrict movement, almost in a unit test sort of way for regression testing. The final step of my process is to integrate in the feature with my actual game levels. This means it can take a while for a new feature to make it into the game, but it's also a comfortable way for me to test new features and not put them into the main game until I am ready. 

I've been using this with path finding really successfully, which is why I'm confident I will have it complete by the end of November.

Finally, I have the bug of the month. In the top design view panel, you can see an in progress picture with a sample level. All of the red nodes indicate areas that are not-walkable, generated by my path finding. In the bottom game view panel , you can see that... I have no grass/ground. Where did my ground go? It turned out it was a relatively simple problem, my camera had turned off the option to show the ground, but it did create a few interesting levels...

Update 40: Dynamic Pathfinding

The last two weeks have been focused on getting a basic dynamic path finding algorithm to work. This includes getting the object to follow the seeker path, and allowing for dynamic environments.

The first screenshot shows where I've been up until today. The path finding is 'baked' into the screen and there is a path from the beginning (green gate) to end (red gate).

The second screenshot shows me what it looks like with some dynamic objects added to the scene and dynamic 'baking'. Here I can see that my green path adjusted to avoid the new dynamic obstacles and created a new path to the end gate.

The ultimate test of this is to move the end gate to the other end of the screen. 

This is all good news. Now that my prototype is working, I can integrate the path finding within my game.

Update 39: Exploring Pathfinding

Another week, another round of bugs fixed.

• Added some basic sounds for explosions and shooting
• Fixed some bugs around shooting when I missed. The bullet would stop at the target, instead of continuing into the sunset. 
• Upgraded the shooting range modifier using the formula:
• RangeModifier = 50 - ([tiles between source & target * 5)
• Upgraded the AI to choose the best target based on the difficulty, instead of taking the first enemy off the list
• Started work on creating a path finding solution. I'm using the Aron A* Pathfinding Project. You can see an early prototype below. The first screenshot shows no smoothing, the second with smoothing.

Update 7: Pathfinding

I need to be able make my players move from point A to point B, avoiding any objects on the way. This is basic pathfinding. Pathfinding is one of those simple features that seems to be difficult to do properly. There are plenty of games that just don't quite get it right. Taking this into account, I knew I wouldn't be writing mine from scratch.

I analyzed a number of different tools, before selecting the A* Pathfinding Project. I found this project both really simple to use... and difficult to use. The primary problem I was having was that my character was stopping half way towards his destination. The sample wasn't quite right and I pulled my hair out for a few days, still unable to get it to work. 

I added in some basic movement, but my player kept hitting walls and falling over (shown below). While hilarious, it wasn't the result I was looking for. It turned out to be a physics problem. While my pathfinding is not complete, I was a good introduction and I did have some positive results (not shown below).