Unfortunately, I don't have much to show in the way of progress this time. I made some small progress on the map design and some spritework (including a lighthouse), but for the last month and a bit my attention was focused on some major events outside of this project. Mainly, I started a new job - as a game developer! Hooray! This project played no small part in landing me that job, not just as evidence I am competent and committed, but also in what it taught me so I could be confident when applying. It's a big change in my career and life and I've had to focus pretty hard on organising my time and energy for now, so my side projects have been on hold.
I also spent about a week and a half looking deeply into converting my simple JavaScript 3D FPS engine to handle multiplayer. Nobody else has done it yet from what I've seen online - at least not perfectly - and the pieces required to make it work are just falling into place at the moment. Three.Js for the engine, web RTC (with customised binary data instead of json) for the client/server communication, frame saving and distribution serverside... it's all possible and very close to reality. With only a small team and using existing libraries it wouldn't take more than a few weeks to have a full 3D 60fps action FPS multiplayer game that runs entirely in a browser! I tried it myself but due to my new job I just didn't have the time or energy to get it working before I lost interest, but I'm certain it will be done soon.
To work out what steps I would have had to take to get my dream of my FPS game converted to multiplayer taught me heaps about multiplayer game architecture. I'm glad I looked into it even if I didn't end up making the game, because it taught me a lot.
I have some other ideas for things to write about in regards to Ecodustrial but I think I'll hold off until the next blog post, when I have some more progress to show.
Exciting times!
