Dark Nation
04-07-2002, 08:57 AM
Please note: There is a new support file you need for this version. Get it at the bottom (the Beta 150 NewDefault Patch).
What's new in this version.
1. Added a test feature to ZQuest (under the Quest menu). All it does is run Zelda, so you need to save before you use it or you won't see your changes. Also, in the DOS version (haven't tested the Windows version yet), when you come back from testing, the menu is blacked out and mouse movement is jerky. No idea why. :shrug: If I can't get this problem licked soon, I'll take it back out.
2. Psuedo-translucency effects for layers.
http://www.armageddongames.com/darknation/images/blending1.gif
(nam)
Note:
-No, that's not 16 or 24-bit, it's still 8-bit color (using a translucency table).
-I haven't tested it with palette cycling, but I bet it won't work right. Colors that cycle probably won't appear to cycle any time they go under a translucent layer.
-No, the fog isn't scrolling. It's stationary.
-No, that's not an environmental effect, it's a layer. In fact, if you walk under the archway, it will cast a shadow on you.
-No, I don't want you telling anyone about this. This is probably not a production feature and will most likely not be given to the custom quest contest participants as it is still buggy. For instance, when the image is the size of your screen, the colors look a little odd. However, just for your enjoyment, I will probably stick it in beta 150 to get your opinions. I've decided to go ahead and let the custom quest people fiddle with it, too, if Cyclone wants to give them this version. However, I don't want this feature discussed outside of the beta tester or custom quest forums. And don't hint about it, either. Such as "we're currently testing a feature that I can't tell you about". Not until/unless I decide to keep it. To that end, I went ahead and update the beta reports thread so this information doesn't accidently slip out. :D
On another note... In ZQuest, pressing the 'b' button will now rebuild the translucency table. I'm working on making this an automatic thing without slowing down ZQuest too much. You mainly need to do this if you move from a screen with one color set to a screen with another color (either from pressing the F4 key or pressing one of the number keys). This will make the translucency effects look 'right'. To turn on translucency for a layer, go to the layer screen and click the 'Trans:' check box for that layer. Very simple. I've already tried different things with this and they work quite well. I've made the rain in newfirst translucent, the waterfall, some fog (as you saw).
The layer data screen looks different. Don't worry about the extra stuff for now. Just worry about the map, the screen, and the translucency. The other values may get pulled out one day if I don't get around to implementing them.
I'm sure that the bug that previously was corrupting quests that had exactly 256 combos is still around. I think it's a roaming bug, though, so something else may trigger it now. You might want to turn on the auto-backup feature.
Anyway, here are the files:
Zelda Classic 1.92 Beta 150 for DOS (http://www.armageddongames.com/darknation/beta/zc192b150/zc192b150d.exe)
+zelda.exe
+zquest.exe
Zelda Classic 1.92 Beta 150 for Windows (http://www.armageddongames.com/darknation/beta/zc192b150/zc192b150w.exe)
+zelda-w.exe
+zquest-w.exe
Here's the support archives:
Zelda Classic 1.92 Beta 147+ Support Archive (http://www.armageddongames.com/darknation/beta/zc192b147/zc192b147s.exe)
+1st.qst
+2nd.qst
+3rd.qst
+new enemy tiles.pdf
+new.til
+newfirst-fixed.qst
+zelda.dat
+zgp.dat
+zquest.dat
Zelda Classic 1.92 Beta 144+ Windows Support Archive (http://www.armageddongames.com/darknation/beta/zc192b144/zc192b144ws.exe)
+alleg40.dll
You will also need to download this file:
Zelda Classic 1.92 Beta 150 NewDefault patch (http://www.armageddongames.com/darknation/beta/zc192b150/zgp.dat)
+zgp.dat
What's new in this version.
1. Added a test feature to ZQuest (under the Quest menu). All it does is run Zelda, so you need to save before you use it or you won't see your changes. Also, in the DOS version (haven't tested the Windows version yet), when you come back from testing, the menu is blacked out and mouse movement is jerky. No idea why. :shrug: If I can't get this problem licked soon, I'll take it back out.
2. Psuedo-translucency effects for layers.
http://www.armageddongames.com/darknation/images/blending1.gif
(nam)
Note:
-No, that's not 16 or 24-bit, it's still 8-bit color (using a translucency table).
-I haven't tested it with palette cycling, but I bet it won't work right. Colors that cycle probably won't appear to cycle any time they go under a translucent layer.
-No, the fog isn't scrolling. It's stationary.
-No, that's not an environmental effect, it's a layer. In fact, if you walk under the archway, it will cast a shadow on you.
-No, I don't want you telling anyone about this. This is probably not a production feature and will most likely not be given to the custom quest contest participants as it is still buggy. For instance, when the image is the size of your screen, the colors look a little odd. However, just for your enjoyment, I will probably stick it in beta 150 to get your opinions. I've decided to go ahead and let the custom quest people fiddle with it, too, if Cyclone wants to give them this version. However, I don't want this feature discussed outside of the beta tester or custom quest forums. And don't hint about it, either. Such as "we're currently testing a feature that I can't tell you about". Not until/unless I decide to keep it. To that end, I went ahead and update the beta reports thread so this information doesn't accidently slip out. :D
On another note... In ZQuest, pressing the 'b' button will now rebuild the translucency table. I'm working on making this an automatic thing without slowing down ZQuest too much. You mainly need to do this if you move from a screen with one color set to a screen with another color (either from pressing the F4 key or pressing one of the number keys). This will make the translucency effects look 'right'. To turn on translucency for a layer, go to the layer screen and click the 'Trans:' check box for that layer. Very simple. I've already tried different things with this and they work quite well. I've made the rain in newfirst translucent, the waterfall, some fog (as you saw).
The layer data screen looks different. Don't worry about the extra stuff for now. Just worry about the map, the screen, and the translucency. The other values may get pulled out one day if I don't get around to implementing them.
I'm sure that the bug that previously was corrupting quests that had exactly 256 combos is still around. I think it's a roaming bug, though, so something else may trigger it now. You might want to turn on the auto-backup feature.
Anyway, here are the files:
Zelda Classic 1.92 Beta 150 for DOS (http://www.armageddongames.com/darknation/beta/zc192b150/zc192b150d.exe)
+zelda.exe
+zquest.exe
Zelda Classic 1.92 Beta 150 for Windows (http://www.armageddongames.com/darknation/beta/zc192b150/zc192b150w.exe)
+zelda-w.exe
+zquest-w.exe
Here's the support archives:
Zelda Classic 1.92 Beta 147+ Support Archive (http://www.armageddongames.com/darknation/beta/zc192b147/zc192b147s.exe)
+1st.qst
+2nd.qst
+3rd.qst
+new enemy tiles.pdf
+new.til
+newfirst-fixed.qst
+zelda.dat
+zgp.dat
+zquest.dat
Zelda Classic 1.92 Beta 144+ Windows Support Archive (http://www.armageddongames.com/darknation/beta/zc192b144/zc192b144ws.exe)
+alleg40.dll
You will also need to download this file:
Zelda Classic 1.92 Beta 150 NewDefault patch (http://www.armageddongames.com/darknation/beta/zc192b150/zgp.dat)
+zgp.dat