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General => SFML projects => Topic started by: Trass3r on February 24, 2010, 10:19:11 pm

Title: articles about coding an Age of Empires like 2D engine?
Post by: Trass3r on February 24, 2010, 10:19:11 pm

There are some articles out there about 2D isometric tile-based games.

But are there also some about engines that implement smooth, variable height ground like found in Age of Empires or even better implemented in Cossacks?

Title: articles about coding an Age of Empires like 2D engine?
Post by: Walker on February 25, 2010, 03:39:22 am

I'm gonna go right out there and say no.  :)

I have looked for articles on a similar level and they are very hard to come by. I think people don't like to give away all the information, so you can't steal their jobs. Or they just like to be at the top.

I will say to first build a lot of your engine, isometric or otherwise. It seems easier to find articles on isometric tiles than square tiles, but that may be because it is considerably harder to implement.

Once you have something up and running, it may become clearer what you need to do. Ask questions at this stage. gamedev.net is probably a good place to ask.

Remember that in a 2D engine, as well as the height stuff is implemented, it's still just a 2D representation of a 3D terrain. All you have to do is give the illusion that it's a 3D world (whether it's purely visual, or affects gameplay like the disc throwers in C&C:TS).

Title: articles about coding an Age of Empires like 2D engine?
Post by: phear- on February 25, 2010, 05:50:03 am

ive wanted to make one as well. aoe is one of the primary reasons why i got into game development actually. if you find any articles let me know and if you happen to start on an engine keep me posted on its status, i can attempt to help you out as much as i can if you'd like.

Title: articles about coding an Age of Empires like 2D engine?
Post by: phear- on February 25, 2010, 06:05:50 am

Just found this:

http://wildfiregames.com/0ad/

Open source game engine/game modeled after age of empires (originally started as an aoe mod)

Title: articles about coding an Age of Empires like 2D engine?
Post by: Trass3r on February 26, 2010, 11:32:35 am

Quote from: "Walker"

Remember that in a 2D engine, as well as the height stuff is implemented, it's still just a 2D representation of a 3D terrain. All you have to do is give the illusion that it's a 3D world (whether it's purely visual, or affects gameplay like the disc throwers in C&C:TS).

Well the problem is that you always have to distinguish between the real (3D) height and the height the object needs to be displayed at.
Also I wonder how to implement smooth texture transitions, especially on hills.

Quote from: "phear-"

http://wildfiregames.com/0ad/

0 A.D. seems to be a 3D engine. But thanks for the link anyway.