ACSS InfoTech 2014-15 Day: 43

The next thing I plan to do, is create a custom loading screen for our RPG project. As a group we have decided to create one and so I looked further into making a loading screen by finding a couple youtube videos which show how to make one. I found that both videos have their own different way of making a loading screen, so I will try to experiment with both methods.

ACSS InfoTech 2014-15 Day: 42

Today, I was able to send Ty my mute button file using the same method I have used previously but by sending just the sprites, objects and .png files needed. The two .png files were the On and Off buttons used for the mute button. The object script sent needed to be slightly adjusted so that it will work with the final game. What also was adjusted is that the mute button only works when the pause menu appears so that it doesn't interrupt with the actual game. The game itself is coming along really well as of right now which is great to see.

ACSS InfoTech 2014-15 Day: 41

Today I was able to find out how to send compressed Game Maker files and import them into games.
The method I used was exporting the project by going to File > Export Project. This creates a compressed game maker file which holds all the objects, sprites and rooms. This makes it a lot more easier if you are sending it through places like email or Skype compared to sending a whole folder.

To add the compressed Game Maker file into my project, I went to File > Import

I was able to send my pause button file to the RPG game Ty, Justin and I are making. With a few adjustments to the script, the pause button seems to be working fine. Another option in sending Game Maker files is downloading a program called "Winraw" which allows you to extract compressed folders.

ACSS InfoTech 2014-15 Day: 40

Today, before I got started on creating sound effects for the pause button, I changed the script a bit so that it will work with the project Ty, Justin and I will create. By changing the script from
"pause" to "free" it will be able to work in the file Ty has. Fortunately, the pause button still works with the "pause" variable turned into "free"

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ACSS InfoTech 2014-15 Day: 39

Today, I moved the main pause button file that will be used for the RPG game into its own separate folder along with the mute button. For the pause button, I wasn't too sure if there was a faster way to move all the scripts used for just the pause button itself into another file, but what I decided to do was copy and paste the scripts which gets the job done as well.

Now what I have gotten started on is implementing a sound effect for when the pause button pops up. I decided use a sound effect that was provided by the school (in the hand out folder under #sounds). Using the "when ESC is pressed" action, I connected it with the sound effect I am using. The problem I'm coming across is that the sound doesn't pop up even when I use the "when ESC is pressed" action key.

ACSS InfoTech 2014-15 Day: 38

Today, I was finally able to center the text of the pause button. The script I used was this:
draw_text(view_xview[0]+view_wview[0]/2,view_yview[0]+view_hview[0]/2,"Game Paused")
in replacement of this script:
draw_text(room_width/2,room_height/2,"Game Paused");
draw_set_halign(fa_center)

The new script is basically a compressed version of the older one and fortunately this one actually works.

ACSS InfoTech 2014-15 Day: 37

So I am still having problems with centering the text of the pause button at the moment. I did a bit of research over at the Game Maker forums where others were having the same problem. The script that was suggested was:

draw_set_halign(fa_center) or draw_set_halign(fa_middle)

I tried both scripts but had no luck and resulted in this:

ACSS InfoTech 2014-15 Day: 36

I have decided to make a few changes to the pause option I have made. What I did was scratch the idea of adding a "resume" button for now as I felt something in those scripts were causing the game itself to scratch. With that being said, I made an individual object for the pause controller with no sprites included. I added similar events (create, draw, escape key) but changed the scripts.

For the create script:

For the draw script:

For the press <Escape> script:

Everything seems to work fine right now the only thing I need to work on is centering the text of the screen:

ACSS InfoTech 2014-15 Day: 35

Everything seems to be working fine in terms of creating the pause button. Although, I was able to find one issue in which the game crashes when the "Esc" button is pressed TWICE. Fortunately, the game itself is able to resume/pause with no issues at all. I'm not too sure at all if it has to deal with the scripting inside the game or the actually program itself. Whatever the problem is, I plan on maybe looking more into it as of right now and hopefully fix it in the near future.

ACSS InfoTech 2014-15 Day: 34

I was able to finish up the rest of the scripting of the pause button today. What I did was add a create, draw and press <Escape> button where I added individual scripts for them.

With those scripts added in, this is the finished product as of right now when the "Esc" button on the keyboard is pressed

ACSS InfoTech 2014-15 Day: 33

Today, I was able to add a neat feature to improve on the presentation of the pause screen. By creating two sub images of the resume button I made (one white and the other yellow) it highlights the text when the mouse hovers around it which changes the colour from white to yellow.

I also finished off the scripting that I started from the previous day which basically controls when the menu screen pops up and when it disappears when any button (in this case the resume button) is clicked. When the resume button IS clicked, the pause menu screen disappears and the game...resumes. 

ACSS InfoTech 2014-15 Day: 32

Today I began working on the scripting of the pause button. For now, I decided to do just a "Resume" option on the pause screen just to get things started. What I had to do was create two objects. One representing the "Resume" button and the other representing the pause menu placeholder.

  For the pause menu screen, I used this script which basically allows the pause screen to appear when   (in this case) the escape button is pressed:

The next script I added works when I press the "Resume" button that I have placed. When this button is pressed, the entire pause menu screen disappears which returns back to the game:

For reference, I used this video below which kind of went through most of the stuff I needed to do. 

I also recommend checking out another game developer who teaches you everything you needed to know about Game Maker including making things like a pause button, menu screen, etc. For people who are working with Game Maker, his channel will probably sound familiar.

https://www.youtube.com/user/999Greyfox - (Shaun Spalding)

ACSS InfoTech 2014-15 Day: 31

Today, I got started on creating the pause button. Though before that, I did some back-pedaling and created a separate game file for the mute button. I did this so it would be easier to transfer over for our RPG game. Now for the pause button, I decided to create two sprites. One for the "Resume" button and one for the "Controls" button. 

What I'm focusing now on doing is adding actions and scripts (similar process for the Mute Button). What I plan to do is control it so that when the "Esc" button is pressed, the pause button appears.

ACSS InfoTech 2014-15 Day: 30

My next objective in our major project is creating a pause button. To start off, I've been watching a few tutorials on Youtube that kind of goes over everything that needs to be done (step by step):

What I found interesting is that both videos have different ways of making a pause button. With that being said, there's probably many options/ways in getting this pause button done which I feel is an advantage for me. What I plan to do with this pause button is add a "Resume" option and stops all movement in the game when the pause button is used.

ACSS InfoTech 2014-15 Day: 29 (November Plan)

My plan for this month is working on an RPG  with Ty and Justin. Since I have little experience with the program, I thought I should also learn the basics along the way by making a small workable game as well. Our objectives are still the same with them being:
                                                   At least 15 story missions

At least 30 side quests

Character animation

Functional combat

Functional enemy AI

At least 17 bosses

A relatively open world

Volume Control

Save/load functionality

Different weapons/spells

An inventory screen

I was able to get a working mute button and am currently working on the sound effects. At this point I feel like I know most of the basics in this program and have decided to look into more advanced features. 

ACSS InfoTech 2014-15 Day: 28

I was able to add a decent amount of new features to my "test" game that I can use to the final project such as:

- Sound effects

- Proper jumping 

- Restart room when you die

I used these two sprites as objects for the main sprite to touch. When the main sprite comes in contact with these two sprites, the room restarts. The process was pretty simple as all I needed to do was add a "Restart Current Room" action.

I found a bunch of sound effects in the "Hand Out" folder that the school provided. There were many sounds to choose from that could be used for the game. I also found more through the internet. Adding sound effects is pretty similar to adding background music. Basically the only changes is to the looping, in this case it is set to "False".

I also fixed the jumping as it felt really sloppy. I played around with the settings a bit and was able to fix the jumping by adding the vertical speed (of the collision between the blocks and sprite) to 0 instead of 1 which prevents it from bouncing repetitively.

ACSS InfoTech 2014-15 Day: 27

So today, I looked more into adding sound effects to my sprites when they move such as when they jump. Justin was able to provide a very useful link that included many sound effects that could possibly be added into our game: http://opengameart.org/content/rpg-sound-pack
Basically the RPG sound pack includes many action sounds like weapon swinging.

I also decided to look for some sound effects on the internet for the more basic movements. I also was looking at a few tutorials on Youtube. Basically what I'm hoping to do is implement some sound effects onto my sprites without running into any issues that affect the actual gameplay.