DieHard Wolfers

[Tricob]

The original code wasn't designed to let the rockets go by more than one map square in a single frame (nor any other actors, for that matter). If your arrow code doesn't compensate for this, and the arrows go through 2+ map squares instead of one in a single frame, then I think we've unveiled the problem.

[Adam Biser]

This is what I found for the solution:

::: CODE :::

#define ARROW_STEPS   16

void T_FastProjectile (objtype *ob) {
   int x;
   unsigned oldtics = tics;
   long oldspeed = ob->speed;
   long totalspeed = (long)ob->speed * tics;
   long donespeed = 0;
   tics = 1;
   for (x = 1; x <= ARROW_STEPS; x++) {
      ob->speed = ((totalspeed * x) / ARROW_STEPS) - donespeed;
      donespeed += ob->speed;
      T_Projectile(ob);
      if (!ob->state) {
         break;
      }
   }
   tics = oldtics;
   ob->speed = oldspeed;
}

Then I just change s_arrow and s_uball (the weapons' projectile states) to use T_FastProjectile instead of T_Projectile. Basically it should just divide up a regular projectile move into 16 smaller projectile moves.

[Adam Biser]

Does anyone who has experienced the inflictor bolt problem want to test the next version?

Also, does anyone have any v1.03 save games from various parts of the game they could send me?

EDIT:
@Metalor: What OS/CPU/RAM do you have? This choppiness was with the 1.03rc1 reissue, right? Did you try setting CPU cycles set to "max", which is the default?

[Metalor]

Ummm, let's see, the OS is Windows Vista, the ram should be a good 2 GB, I'm not sure about the CPU. I just ran it from the get-go., and I downloaded the version provided on page 10. It's been running somewhat smoothly though. I'm already at the last level of the 4th act. It's just I can't play with Textured Ceilings and Floors, and a few other features.

[RichterBelmont12]

I'm using Windows 7 ultimate 64-bit and soo far everything is running really really smoothly on my end.

[Adam Biser]

@Metalor: Hmm, it should work with textures, etc on your machine. Would try it again with everything enabled and the CPU cycles set back to "max"? What graphics card do you have?

@Richter: Thanks for the info.

[Tricob]

IIRC, my setup is Win7 Home Premium, with 6 GB of RAM. I have a quad-core, 2 GHz, hi-end processor.

Oh - good workaround with the arrows, BTW.

[MrWolfForever]

Adam, your link on the last page to the (new) DosBox from Windows version seems to be non-working, and I'd be highly interested in downloading it. Could you reupload the file please? That would be appreciated.

[Adam Biser]

I took the link down temporarily while the new version is tested.

Good news is that the inflictor bug seems to have been fixed! Just a few more checks to make sure things are set up as best they can be and I'll release v1.04.

[MrWolfForever]

I currently have v1.03 from ModDB. How do I get that to run properly for now?

Anyways I look forward to v1.04 and will be patient as I need to.

Thanks.

[Dean]

Just run the file and it will automatically install everything on your computer that you need to run the game.

[Adam Biser]

ModDB doesn't have the installer version. I will be releasing v1.04 within 24 hours.

[MrWolfForever]

Thanks for the help, Dean.

However if 1.04 is going to be here tomorrow I'll probably just wait for that.

[Adam Biser]

I would recommend waiting, too.

[Adam Biser]

OK v1.04 is now up on my site. This version fixes the inflictor bolts bug that is noticeable when playing in DOSBox. I've noticed that most (not all) people experiencing lag use Win XP. I've checked over the CONF file several times and I'm not sure there's much I can do. If someone who initially experiences choppy play and happens to find settings that allow the game to run better, please let me know.

EDIT: v1.03 save games should still work with this release. Could someone confirm this for me?

[Tricob]

I have saved games from v1.02 or v1.03 - I can't remember which. My apologies, but I'm not good with remembering numbers.

[Adam Biser]

Technically this should work with all but v1.00. v1.01 broke the compatibility of the save games.

[Chris]

Adam Biser wrote:

EDIT: v1.03 save games should still work with this release. Could someone confirm this for me?

Yes, works for me.

It's nice that there's 60 save slots. In ATAW, I just let it save your stats from the start of every level (health, ammo, score, etc.) so you could warp back to any previous levels with F1 (takes up like 10 bytes a level/checkpoint), but this way works too.

By the way... "max" still works better than any cycle number on my XP computer, if you were curious. "auto" was the worst, it takes literally 33 seconds with a frozen screen to load the shading tables every time I start a level/die in that mode.

[Adam Biser]

Thanks, Chris.

Are you able to play the game decently? Or is it too choppy?

I found "auto" to be terrible for me, also. And the pre-load pause seems unavoidable (though maybe I should look to try to stop it when you die) since the shading tables differ per level. It's probably all the math involving doubles slowing it down, but I'm not sure.

[Chris]

Adam Biser wrote:

I found "auto" to be terrible for me, also. And the pre-load pause seems unavoidable (though maybe I should look to try to stop it when you die) since the shading tables differ per level. It's probably all the math involving doubles slowing it down, but I'm not sure.

Hi Adam,

Yeah - it's pretty easy to stop loading the shading tables again when you die (with an if statement) I guess...

http://diehardwolfers.areyep.com/viewtopic.php?p=50979&post#50979

You're probably right. I remember when we had a 386, it took like 2 hours to make a fish on El-Fish, then we got a math co-processor and it went down to like 10 minutes! That's what the difference between "auto" and "max" reminds me of.

EDIT: Ok, guess what? I bought a new netbook yesterday (Acer Aspire One 522), and it runs Orb in DosBox the exact same speed as my old Acer ZG5 (8 fps); lol! Like Metalor, the framerate is pretty smooth once I disable Textured Flats though (about 16 fps).

[Adam Biser]

@Chris: Well, cool that it runs on your netbook. Have you tried using different SDL displays like openglnb? I get about 30 fps with all options on using my desktop.
And thanks for pointing out the shading table solution. I figured it was probably something pretty easy. Actually there is a shading table and a lightning table that can load, I believe. It has been awhile since I looked in that code. Obviously though, a similar solution would apply.

[Chris]

Hey Adam, I was just thinking... if you send me the DOS source code by email, I can take a stab at making an SDL exe for you (most other big name addons are being ported already anyway). I kind of enjoy doing this stuff, and Orb would be a nice challenge, that would keep me busy for a while (ie. porting over it's file structure and features). I'd aim to get everything, and send you the SDL source code to look over if you wish. Let me know if you're interested.

[Adam Biser]

Version 1.05 has been released!

Full list of changes:

• Fixed upper bound for map amount for various checks. This bug allowed the player to exit "Subterfuge" and go to "Looking Glass" instead of "The Unholy" as it should. Probably broken since v1.02.
  
• Fixed a reinforcement tag so a guard spawns correctly in "Devil's Library" allowing the player to get 100% kills on that map.
  
• Changed a few ceiling tiles to open sky in "The Unholy".
  
• Corrected some book text.
  
• Reworded the bestiary text for the Warrior.

Currently only available at: http://winwolf3d.dugtrio17.com/downloads.php
Both an installer and a ZIP version are available.

[AlumiuN]

Did the SDL port ever end up getting made?

[Adam Biser]

AlumiuN wrote:

Did the SDL port ever end up getting made?

No, never got around to looking into the SDL stuff. Have some other plans for it for the future though.

[Chris]

AlumiuN wrote:

Did the SDL port ever end up getting made?

Just for clarification: My post was never responded to by Adam and the source code was never sent (as far as I know).

[Adam Biser]

Chris wrote:

AlumiuN wrote:

Did the SDL port ever end up getting made?

Just for clarification: My post was never responded to by Adam and the source code was never sent (as far as I know).

Sorry for not responding. I appreciate the offer and it is very tempting. I did put the Orb source into a private git repository so that the code changes could be seen more easily.

I'd actually like to write my own engine for an updated version of the game. Something with original graphics as well instead of patched together rips. Basically something that frees the game from any copyright issues.

Too many plans, too little time. Seems to be my mantra.

[Chris]

Thanks Adam. I probably could have done it in under a month in 2011 but I don't really use SDL much any more. Your approach definitely sounds unique and interesting! You have done more wolf-projects the last 10+ years than me, I'm pretty sure.