Sonic Incursion (RELEASED)

Here is roughly 40 minutes of Sonic Incursion footage. There is a reason I'm showing off such a large chunk of the game, and I will talk about it in the next devblog.

 

I'll be releasing Sonic Incursion in it's current state at the end of the year.

This year, Incursion progress has been pretty slow. This can be attributed to various real life events I've gone through, some good, some bad, some outright devastating. That being said, I still managed to pick away at the game every now and then and it has steadily improved, and can be played through to the end. But there are still things I would love to do - I wanted to include a revamped Forgotten Ruin Zone as a reward for getting all the red rings, with a secret ending that tied it to the intro of Unleashed. I wanted a proper main menu. I wanted to do a couple more cutscenes. But this will take more time, and unfortunately, I am about to have very little time on my hands.

In the new year, I will become a father, and my life will change dramatically. I'm not going to fool myself into thinking I can still take every weekend I have working on Incursion. If I don't release the game, and continue working on it, it could be yet another year at best before you can play it. I don't want that. I want you guys to be able to enjoy this, even if it is a little rough around the edges, and missing some of the extras I wanted to have. That is why I have been working on making the levels themselves better and more refined.

This way, you guys can play the game, and, if I have any time, I can work on extra stuff. I can also see your comments and feedback for any potential, far flung re-release. I know this isn't ideal, but real life has caught up, and real life comes first. Always.

But you're all getting this for free, right

Recent stuff -

-Implemented yellow coloured springs, keeping red coloured ones for springs that launch you further.
-Pegasus Paradise 2 has a much better, flowing level layout, with more opportunities to change paths. Fixed a tonne of bad spline paths in this stage.

 

Apologies for the delay. I have been away from the computer the last couple of days, and I need to check everything is ok in the "packaged" version of the game before I release it. Soon!

 

After six years in development...Sonic Incursion is now available to download!

 

Last night I streamed a playthrough of the game as Metal Sonic. I'll be playing through as Sonic in the next few minutes, via my Youtube channel.

 

I've seen similar complaints about RRZ3 S. I've made the gaps smaller on those last two jumps. The death triggers not resetting has also been fixed, I have no idea what happened there (as well as the music not restarting after death).

I'll look at Sonic's final boss, as well as a couple of issues I found. I still have time at the moment to fix these, so reports like this are incredibly helpful.

I'm not sure how to do a patch, so it would have to be a whole new build ,which means I want to make it worthwhile redownloading a 3gb game.

EDIT - Ok, Sonic's final boss has a fail safe to totally reload the level which wasn't working when killed in certain ways. Now fixed.

EDIT 2 - Metal Sonic's pre-final-boss-stage has an additional block to jump onto where the shooting Metallix is, making this significantly easier.

 

Ok, fixed the MMZ2 boss fight problem, and I already sorted the final boss bug. However...the level select problem doesn't really have a proper fix without causing another. Let me explain further (hopefully someone with UDK knowledge may have an idea I hadn't thought of!)

Sonic GDK has a simple system for level progression. It currently looks like this within the ini files -

Spoiler

List of map names that create a sequence of unlockable levels:
+MapsSequence="Prologue"
+MapsSequence="SSZ1"
+MapsSequence="SSZ2"
+MapsSequence="IIZ1"
+MapsSequence="IIZ2"
+MapsSequence="RRZ1"
+MapsSequence="RRZ2"
+MapsSequence="CCZ1"
+MapsSequence="CCZ2"
+MapsSequence="PPZ1"
+MapsSequence="PPZ2"
+MapsSequence="HHZ1"
+MapsSequence="HHZ2"
+MapsSequence="DDZ1"
+MapsSequence="DDZ2"
+MapsSequence="AAZ1"
+MapsSequence="AAZ2"
+MapsSequence="TTZ1"
+MapsSequence="TTZ2"
+MapsSequence="MMZ1"
+MapsSequence="MMZ2"

This info is taken from a "pool" of maps that I could set up to appear in the level select, which looks like so -

Spoiler

List of stored data related to maps:
+MapsData=(LoadingMovie=,PackageName="AAZ1",PreviewImage="SonicGDKPackUserInterface.PicAAZ",ReadableName="Asphalt Airway Zone Act 1",TinyName="AAZ1",UnlockEmeralds=0,UnlockRedRings=0)
+MapsData=(LoadingMovie=,PackageName="AAZ2",PreviewImage="SonicGDKPackUserInterface.PicAAZ",ReadableName="Asphalt Airway Zone Act 2",TinyName="AAZ2",UnlockEmeralds=0,UnlockRedRings=0)
+MapsData=(LoadingMovie=,PackageName="AAZ3S",PreviewImage="SonicGDKPackUserInterface.PicAAZ",ReadableName="Asphalt Airway Zone Act 3S",TinyName="AAZ3S",UnlockEmeralds=0,UnlockRedRings=0)
+MapsData=(LoadingMovie=,PackageName="AAZ3M",PreviewImage="SonicGDKPackUserInterface.PicAAZ",ReadableName="Asphalt Airway Zone Act 3M",TinyName="AAZ3M",UnlockEmeralds=0,UnlockRedRings=0)
+MapsData=(LoadingMovie=,PackageName="CCZ1",PreviewImage="SonicGDKPackUserInterface.PicCCZ",ReadableName="Crag Cavern Zone Act 1",TinyName="CCZ1",UnlockEmeralds=0,UnlockRedRings=0)
+MapsData=(LoadingMovie=,PackageName="CCZ2",PreviewImage="SonicGDKPackUserInterface.PicCCZ",ReadableName="Crag Cavern Zone Act 2",TinyName="CCZ2",UnlockEmeralds=0,UnlockRedRings=0)
+MapsData=(LoadingMovie=,PackageName="CCZ3",PreviewImage="SonicGDKPackUserInterface.PicCCZ",ReadableName="Crag Cavern Zone Act 3S",TinyName="CCZ3S",UnlockEmeralds=0,UnlockRedRings=0)
+MapsData=(LoadingMovie=,PackageName="DDZ1",PreviewImage="SonicGDKPackUserInterface.PicDDZ",ReadableName="Desolation Depot Zone Act 1",TinyName="DDZ1",UnlockEmeralds=0,UnlockRedRings=0)
+MapsData=(LoadingMovie=,PackageName="DDZ2",PreviewImage="SonicGDKPackUserInterface.PicDDZ",ReadableName="Desolation Depot Zone Act 2",TinyName="DDZ2",UnlockEmeralds=0,UnlockRedRings=0)
+MapsData=(LoadingMovie=,PackageName="HHZ1",PreviewImage="SonicGDKPackUserInterface.PicHHZ",ReadableName="Hex Heights Zone Act 1",TinyName="HHZ1",UnlockEmeralds=0,UnlockRedRings=0)
+MapsData=(LoadingMovie=,PackageName="HHZ2",PreviewImage="SonicGDKPackUserInterface.PicHHZ",ReadableName="Hex Heights Zone Act 2",TinyName="HHZ2",UnlockEmeralds=0,UnlockRedRings=0)
+MapsData=(LoadingMovie=,PackageName="HHZ3",PreviewImage="SonicGDKPackUserInterface.PicHHZ",ReadableName="Hex Heights Zone Act 3",TinyName="HHZ3",UnlockEmeralds=0,UnlockRedRings=0)
+MapsData=(LoadingMovie=,PackageName="IIZ1",PreviewImage="SonicGDKPackUserInterface.PicIIZ",ReadableName="Icicle Incline Zone Act 1",TinyName="IIZ1",UnlockEmeralds=0,UnlockRedRings=0)
+MapsData=(LoadingMovie=,PackageName="IIZ2",PreviewImage="SonicGDKPackUserInterface.PicIIZ",ReadableName="Icicle Incline Zone Act 2",TinyName="IIZ2",UnlockEmeralds=0,UnlockRedRings=0)
+MapsData=(LoadingMovie=,PackageName="IIZ3S",PreviewImage="SonicGDKPackUserInterface.PicIIZ",ReadableName="Icicle Incline Zone Act 3S",TinyName="IIZ3S",UnlockEmeralds=0,UnlockRedRings=0)
+MapsData=(LoadingMovie=,PackageName="IIZ3M",PreviewImage="SonicGDKPackUserInterface.PicIIZ",ReadableName="Icicle Incline Zone Act 3M",TinyName="IIZ3M",UnlockEmeralds=0,UnlockRedRings=0)
+MapsData=(LoadingMovie=,PackageName="PPZ1",PreviewImage="SonicGDKPackUserInterface.PicPPZ",ReadableName="Pegasus Paradise Zone Act 1",TinyName="PPZ1",UnlockEmeralds=0,UnlockRedRings=0)
+MapsData=(LoadingMovie=,PackageName="PPZ2",PreviewImage="SonicGDKPackUserInterface.PicPPZ",ReadableName="Pegasus Paradise Zone Act 2",TinyName="PPZ2",UnlockEmeralds=0,UnlockRedRings=0)
+MapsData=(LoadingMovie=,PackageName="PPZ3M",PreviewImage="SonicGDKPackUserInterface.PicPPZ",ReadableName="Pegasus Paradise Zone Act 3M",TinyName="PPZ3M",UnlockEmeralds=0,UnlockRedRings=0)
+MapsData=(LoadingMovie=,PackageName="PPZ3S",PreviewImage="SonicGDKPackUserInterface.PicPPZ",ReadableName="Pegasus Paradise Zone Act 3S",TinyName="PPZ3S",UnlockEmeralds=0,UnlockRedRings=0)
+MapsData=(LoadingMovie=,PackageName="RRZ1",PreviewImage="SonicGDKPackUserInterface.PicRRZ",ReadableName="Ruined Relic Zone Act 1",TinyName="RRZ1",UnlockEmeralds=0,UnlockRedRings=0)
+MapsData=(LoadingMovie=,PackageName="RRZ2",PreviewImage="SonicGDKPackUserInterface.PicRRZ",ReadableName="Ruined Relic Zone Act 2",TinyName="RRZ2",UnlockEmeralds=0,UnlockRedRings=0)
+MapsData=(LoadingMovie=,PackageName="RRZ3",PreviewImage="SonicGDKPackUserInterface.PicRRZ",ReadableName="Ruined Relic Zone Act 3",TinyName="RRZ3",UnlockEmeralds=0,UnlockRedRings=0)
+MapsData=(LoadingMovie=,PackageName="SSZ1",PreviewImage="SonicGDKPackUserInterface.PicSSZ",ReadableName="Sunkissed Shore Act 1",TinyName="SSZ1",UnlockEmeralds=0,UnlockRedRings=0)
+MapsData=(LoadingMovie=,PackageName="SSZ2",PreviewImage="SonicGDKPackUserInterface.PicSSZ",ReadableName="Sunkissed Shore Act 2",TinyName="SSZ2",UnlockEmeralds=0,UnlockRedRings=0)
+MapsData=(LoadingMovie=,PackageName="SSZ3",PreviewImage="SonicGDKPackUserInterface.PicSSZ",ReadableName="Sunkissed Shore Act 3",TinyName="SSZ3",UnlockEmeralds=0,UnlockRedRings=0)
+MapsData=(LoadingMovie=,PackageName="TTZ1",PreviewImage="SonicGDKPackUserInterface.PicTTZ",ReadableName="Terror Terminal Zone Act 1",TinyName="TTZ1",UnlockEmeralds=0,UnlockRedRings=0)
+MapsData=(LoadingMovie=,PackageName="TTZ2",PreviewImage="SonicGDKPackUserInterface.PicTTZ",ReadableName="Terror Terminal Zone Act 2",TinyName="TTZ2",UnlockEmeralds=0,UnlockRedRings=0)
+MapsData=(LoadingMovie=,PackageName="MMZ1",PreviewImage="SonicGDKPackUserInterface.PicMMZ",ReadableName="Metallix Mainframe Zone Act 1",TinyName="MMZ1",UnlockEmeralds=0,UnlockRedRings=0)
+MapsData=(LoadingMovie=,PackageName="MMZ2",PreviewImage="SonicGDKPackUserInterface.PicMMZ",ReadableName="Metallix Mainframe Zone Act 2",TinyName="MMZ2",UnlockEmeralds=0,UnlockRedRings=0)
+MapsData=(LoadingMovie=,PackageName="Prologue",PreviewImage="SonicGDKPackUserInterface.PicPro",ReadableName="Prologue",TinyName="Prologue",UnlockEmeralds=0,UnlockRedRings=0)

Note that in the pool I have included the Act 3's for each character (some are missing, as I decided to split up the Act 3's after I made this file). However, adding these to the actual level progression causes problems. Here is what I could do -

Spoiler

List of map names that create a sequence of unlockable levels:
+MapsSequence="Prologue"
+MapsSequence="SSZ1"
+MapsSequence="SSZ2"
+MapsSequence="SSZ3"
+MapsSequence="IIZ1"
+MapsSequence="IIZ2"
+MapsSequence="IIZ3S"
+MapsSequence="IIZ3M"
+MapsSequence="RRZ1"
+MapsSequence="RRZ2"
+MapsSequence="RRZ3S"
+MapsSequence="RRZ3M"
+MapsSequence="CCZ1"
+MapsSequence="CCZ2"
+MapsSequence="CCZ3"
+MapsSequence="PPZ1"
+MapsSequence="PPZ2"
+MapsSequence="PPZ3S"
+MapsSequence="PPZ3M"
+MapsSequence="HHZ1"
+MapsSequence="HHZ2"
+MapsSequence="HHZ3S"
+MapsSequence="HHZ3M"
+MapsSequence="DDZ1"
+MapsSequence="DDZ2"
+MapsSequence="AAZ1"
+MapsSequence="AAZ2"
+MapsSequence="AAZ3S"
+MapsSequence="AAZ3M"
+MapsSequence="TTZ1"
+MapsSequence="TTZ2"
+MapsSequence="SFF"
+MapsSequence="MMZ1"
+MapsSequence="MMZ2"
+MapsSequence="MFF1"
+MapsSequence="MFF2"

You stated that when you get to the final boss as Metal Sonic, you have to play through MMZ again. If I included the final bosses, it would be worse - you would need to play through TTZ (Sonic's final level) and Sonic's final boss before any MMZ stage appear if you hadn't already played that far as Sonic. If I included all the Act 3's, the first one that is seperate for each character is Icicle Incline Zone. So...you would have to go all the way back to that point as Sonic, just to clear his Act 3's and let the progression system know you completed that level. The only reason you are be able carry on playing until the end of the game is because I use console command Kismet actions in each level to load the next level / cinematic. Modifying the save file in such a way that the game thinks you've passed the Act 3 you didn't actually play is well outside the capabilities of Kismet.

Now, I could re-implement this system and allow you to select all the Act 3's. But as you rightly say, it's frustrating to go back to the level select and have to play through a stage you've already completed just to fight a boss you just fought. But imagine finding that you may have to play through the whole game again. I could have the final bosses appear in the level select, but you would still need to play though any prior levels...

I imagined that having a custom menu would have eliminated this problem, as I may have been able to have circumvent this problem entirely, maybe having a save file for Metal and one for Sonic. However, seeing as I got absolutely no interest every time I asked for the help, removing the Act 3's from the progression system is unfortunately the best it will get.

Now if someone does have a solution to this, I'm all ears.

Edit - Regarding the cutscene...remember that the Emperor has the cyan emerald at that point. I was going to explain a lot during this cutscene. Using Gerald Robotnik's stolen research, the Metallix were able to understand Chaos Emeralds far better than anyone and use them (which is why the Metallix have weapons capable of hurting Super Sonic). The cannon is fully charged (much sooner than possible due to having a Chaos Emerald) when it would have been forcibly removed, causing massive damage to the station and allowing Sonic to turn super...cue the final fights - Sonic chases the Emperor while Metal finishes the job on the station.

Someone suggested the Metallix Sentinel that Sonic fights in TTZ2 should drop the Emerald, but it still didn't explain why the Emperor was running away.

In addition...even small cutscenes take time. And I wanted to do this one right...

 

I won't release the bug fixed version just yet - I can't release a patch, it would have to be a full new build which is a large download for some people. I'll wait and see if any more bug reports come in, if they don't, I'll upload a new build.

 

Your thoughts and your feedback are definitely appreciated, it's just that implementing a lot of it is difficult and requires knowledge of Flash / Scaleform / Action Script, which is what all of UDK's UI is based on. Without that knowledge, I am completely stuck, which is why I've always been asking for help regarding menus etc. Your bug reports are incredibly helpful, I'm fixing things as soon as you mention them.

Hmmm. If a character somehow gets access to an Act 3 they shouldn't be in, it boots back to the main menu (as I intended). I'll have to look at how that happened in that stage, an invisible wall blocks Metal Sonic's path and opens only for Sonic, I'll have to investigate that.

 

Compiling the game in 64 bit mode is impossible with the free-license UDK, only the 32 bit mode. I can only suspect that that is a remnant of something left from an experiment ages ago. Nobody else has reported that, (either that or you are the only person who downloaded it :P ) I guess most people have just then booted it up directly from the Win32\UDK.exe after installation. Good find!

Edit - Now fixed the RRZ2 ending bug as Metal Sonic. This only seemed to happen if you died during the level. Also fixed the fireball timings being off following a death.