Aero Chimera - [R E L E A S E]

[Sasupoika]

It isn't exactly implemented yet, sorry.
Also, new demo version released. Fixes novice-mode a bit and stage 4. Also changes name-entry screen.

[BPzeBanshee]

And now it doesn't run fullspeed for me anymore.

Guess you really weren't kidding about the performance requirements being really high.

[Sasupoika]

Ah shit. The previous version ran at full speed? I can cook you up another version. The current build uses static linking to avoid certain known problem with ATI-drivers and to reduce filesize.
I will build you an exe using dynamic linking, but you will need the SFML .dlls.

Just a sec.

Here:
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/52769410/Aero_Chimera_DL.zip

Mind you, there might be problems with ATI-drivers with this version.

[BPzeBanshee]

I ran the older and newer model on two different computers, which the Mac (in XP with ATI card) ran fine in the older build but now slows down a lot, and the other one I've written off as being underpowered (nVIDIA GeForce 7600 GT), and just today has carked it anyway - probably dust in the PCIe slot again.

I'll try the build you posted there and get back to you, thanks in advance.

EDIT: Not only did it still not run fullspeed (though performance at the first stage boss was somewhat better) but upon finding the old ZIP download of the previous version, extracting and running that, it ran the same.

I officially have no idea what's going on now - I swear this thing ran perfectly the first time but I can't get it to work properly for the life of me. Must be something weird with this machine like why Broken Thunder didn't always run smoothly for reasons still unknown to me. Must be on my end though, sorry to trouble you.

[Ed Oscuro]

64-bit and AMD (aka ATI) graphics card, you really have it in for me huh?

The error I get on the full download (linked from first post) is a missing libsndfile-1.dll ("Try reinstalling the program to fix the problem.")

[Sasupoika]

I've had that before. It is kinda weird, since the file should be included. Oh well, place this in src-folder:

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/52769410/libsndfile-1.dll

[Sasupoika]

Still working. Death mode scoring will be changed a bit. Novice mode will have autobomb etc.

[Sasupoika]

2nd demo release ( version 0.94 )
Download

[BPzeBanshee]

Have you done anything in regards to performance optimisations? I'm seeing slightly better rates in some spots but areas like just before the 2nd stage boss and the main menu seem to stutter between going to 30 FPS and going to 60+ FPS. It's a shame that I can't seem to run this thing consistently - in fact I don't know of any computer in the local area that runs this and I've given some i7s a shot. What kind of beast are you running Sas?

[Sasupoika]

CPU Intel Core2 Duo E8500 @ 3.16GHz
GPU Radeon HD 4800
4GB RAM.

Runs without any problem, even when I am overusing bullets&particles.
Intel GPUs are known to cause problems.

[BPzeBanshee]

Some beast you've got there.

I've got a Core 2 Duo @ 2.8 Ghz with an ATI Mobility Radeon HD 2600 and it can't make up it's mind when it wants to slow down or not - first shmup I've seen do this since Broken Thunder. I'm guessing Aero Chimera is more intensive on the GPU aspect rather than CPU?

[Sasupoika]

Hey. If your FPS behaved weirdly ( for example: capped at <60 and jumped during intensive moments ), here is fixed exe.
http://www.mediafire.com/?y4c862i6gjtep3i

Please report any problems.

[BPzeBanshee]

I'll have to test it more to be sure but things certainly seem somewhat different, but then after some testing with the EXE the older EXE performed exactly the same. Does the EXE modify source files at runtime to affect program speed or something? :S

[Sasupoika]

In short: SFML's build-in frameratelimiting doesn't work too well.
This should fix a problem where fps is constantly 50 and then jumps to 100 on intense spots.
At least it is supposed to do so. It worked on my laptop, but I haven't received word from anyone else.

[Suslik]

I like it. Novice mode beaten with one ship so far.

[Sasupoika]

[Udderdude]

Almost a year later .. new screenshot! :O

Looks cool.

[chum]

I tried this game today and I'm really liking it. Couldn't quite clear normal mode because wow stage 4 is brutal. That boss, man.

Anyway, just want to show my support! This game rocks!

[Sasupoika]

Thanks. I just started working actively on AC again.
Making lots of progress.

[Sasupoika]

Okay, I was asked to do some update on this project.
Stage 5 is finished ( well, it does need some tuning ) so I am moving to last stage now. So there's not too much left. However, I am super-busy with university and drawing things ( and being lazy in general like always. I mean, jessus, I have kept so long breaks on this ), so without some good luck, AC will probably be out early next year.

[nZero]

AC will probably be out early next year.

[Sasupoika]

Oops, not this year, definitely. My HDD broke, so I need to get some new parts - plus I am super-busy with university this december. Let's hope I can find some time.

[Sasupoika]

Still working on.
There is not too much to do however! Release in month or two.

Hopefully

This has taken so long jesus christ

[Sasupoika]

I am proud to announce that Aero Chimera has finally entered the testing phase!
In about 2-3 weeks the full release will follow.
Some time to make snazzier announcement-things, like trailer or whatever.

Anyway, feels good.

[BPzeBanshee]

Any under-the-hood changes to get some speed consistency? Last I checked even with talking with you on IRC about the game things seemed hit-and-miss. One run I'd get consistent 60fps and the next 50/100/22922929292fps even with exe patches.

[Sasupoika]

Yeah, I've been experimenting and I know where the problem comes from.
Enabling vsync now fixes the problem, although I am still testing the vsyncless option.

[Sasupoika]

Release next week I guess. Not sure on weekday. There could be unfortunate overlap between this and Dark Souls II, although I cannot even compete.

[nasty_wolverine]

Can I ask how do you go about making the graphics? workflow wise?

I had played a very old demo of this long time back, and thought it was good. The recent demo kicks it up a notch. good job, looking forward for the finished game

[nasty_wolverine]

Can I ask how do you go about making the graphics? workflow wise?

I had played a very old demo of this long time back, and thought it was good. The recent demo kicks it up a notch. good job, looking forward for the finished game

also, there seems to be a glitch in the input, I guess there is no capping. if you hold down any of the direction buttons you cycle through all the menu item fast as f**k. Ideally you would want something like, move to next menu if arrow key is just being pressed but not held down from last frame, if held down for last 45 frames, keep moving to next.

edit: sorry for the double post, sleep deprivation is making me sloppy...

[Doctor Butler]

Very solid. Are the graphics final, or placeholders?