[Sonic CD X]

'Sup? So I just downloaded Taxman's "Retro Sonic" engine, and I absolutely LOVE it. The graphics, the programming, the audio quality, it's all outstanding! It really gives me that classic Genesis/CD-style gameplay feeling to it.

However, as all of you know, an "engine" is an editable program, but I don't see where I can go to make my own levels. Am I missing something, or is it not done yet? Do I need a certain program to "break in" and start editing?

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

[Guess Who]

No authoring tools were ever released for the engine, and it's unknown when or even if that will ever change.

[Sonic CD X]

Well that sucks...it's such a good engine, it's a shame no one can edit it...

Hey, Taxman!!! If you're reading this, how come there's no way to edit your engine!?

[Felik]

Sonic CD X, on 23 April 2012 - 09:36 AM, said:

Well that sucks...it's such a good engine, it's a shame no one can edit it...

Hey, Taxman!!! If you're reading this, how come there's no way to edit your engine!?

Yeah! It almost feels like there's some sort of DRM in it!

[The Taxman]

Sonic CD X, on 23 April 2012 - 09:36 AM, said:

Well that sucks...it's such a good engine, it's a shame no one can edit it...

Hey, Taxman!!! If you're reading this, how come there's no way to edit your engine!?

You're talking about this 2007 demo right?



Originally, I had planned to have user made levels in Retro-Sonic but never got around to releasing the Retro-Sonic editor. The "Retro-Sonic" engine is actually completely different to the "Retro Engine" and "Retro Software Development Kit" (RSDK) which were made after and first tested in Sonic Nexus 2008 (I'd say it was maybe %50 done at that stage). The "Retro Engine" and RSDK were made because I wanted to do more than just have custom levels for the one game and of course, it lead to Sonic CD 2011 etc.

So long story short, many things changed from my original Retro-Sonic fan game idea and the "custom levels" feature was never really used. Sorry!

[Sonic CD X]

Yeah, that's the demo! And it's OK. I can't be too mad at you; you're probably the most talented Sonic programmer around. I mean, you helped remake Sonic CD, which was the first video game I ever played (age 3)! And the end result is beautiful!

As for the level editor, are you planning to release one? I think a lot of people could make great games with this engine; it's so accurate to the classics, it deserves an editor!

This post has been edited by Sonic CD X: 23 April 2012 - 10:18 AM

[Neo Hazard]

I don't think Taxman has any plans to release a level editor anytime soon, either. However, you might look into Stealth's E02 Engine, which can be used for some pretty accurate Sonic games as well as other types of games as well. Just a fair warning, the documentation on how to use it is fairly hefty and complex, but I imagine if you're willing to put the time into it, you can make some pretty killer stuff. Good luck!

[Machenstein]

Neo Hazard, on 23 April 2012 - 07:46 PM, said:

I don't think Taxman has any plans to release a level editor anytime soon, either. However, you might look into Stealth's E02 Engine, which can be used for some pretty accurate Sonic games as well as other types of games as well. Just a fair warning, the documentation on how to use it is fairly hefty and complex, but I imagine if you're willing to put the time into it, you can make some pretty killer stuff. Good luck!

It's good timing you posted that since I'm assembling a team on understanding the Mettrix Engine right now. I intend to make what is basically a Sonic version of Streets of Rage Remake (as in a new game that reuses levels from the previous games plus some extras) and I think Stealth's engine would be perfect for that. I hope he's not too busy at the moment. I might contact him soon once I finish reading the documentation.

[Sonic CD X]

Yes, I looked into Project Mettrix. It's good, but I think RSE has more of what I'm looking for; killer graphics, smooth physics, and amazing level startups*.

Well, that's a shame; I was really looking forward to making a killer game with a killer engine. But I guess if he will eventually, I'll just have to wait.

*Name of zone, act number, you know, that stuff.

This post has been edited by Sonic CD X: 26 April 2012 - 08:33 PM

[Aerosol]

Mercury's making an engine that is just as accurate, more or less. Wait for that.

[Sonic CD X]

Any YouTube footage or screenshots, or is there a thread I can check out?

[Aerosol]

Not that I know of. But Mercury made the Sonic Physics guide. I'm sure he knows what he's doing as far as accuracy is concerned.

[Stealth]

Sonic CD X, on 26 April 2012 - 08:32 PM, said:

Yes, I looked into Project Mettrix. It's good, but I think RSE has more of what I'm looking for; killer graphics, smooth physics, and amazing level startups*.

Well, that's a shame; I was really looking forward to making a killer game with a killer engine. But I guess if he will eventually, I'll just have to wait.

*Name of zone, act number, you know, that stuff.

Hey, don't hold my lack of design skill against E02 and Mettrix Engine :P

That hasn't improved much, but the fact that you refer to it as "Project Mettrix" seems to indicate that you may be looking at material from before 2003, before E02. That would most certainly function inferior to the 2007 Retro Sonic demo. What you'll want to have a look at is this; Run that and get the games from the download menu. The existing graphics, the level gameplay, and the construction of the levels don't do it much justice, but those things and how well the engine gets used really fall on the actual game developer(s)... It's not like you're just going to be rearranging things somebody else did, right? :P

Machenstein, on 24 April 2012 - 10:22 AM, said:

[...] I'm assembling a team on understanding the Mettrix Engine right now. I intend to make what is basically a Sonic version of Streets of Rage Remake (as in a new game that reuses levels from the previous games plus some extras) and I think Stealth's engine would be perfect for that. I hope he's not too busy at the moment. I might contact him soon once I finish reading the documentation.

I'll be waiting :P
Now is a bit of an odd time, considering I'm still working on a major E02 and Mettrix Engine update, but I think it may be finished soon, and will be coming with a big-ish announcement. Still, you and your group may do better to get into direct contact with me sooner than later if you're still interested. Some things can be made a whole lot easier

[Sonic CD X]

Oh, I didn't know it wasn't Mettrix anymore...

But, anyway, I'm not saying you lack skill. It's very good gameplay; there are some bugs, but not too many. What I lack is the ability to figure out how to break into advanced engines like yours and Taxman's and figuring out how to make my own games. I usually use GameMaker, but no one makes good engines for that. The only one I ever found was the "Sonic Dash" engine by Damizean (however you spell that) and RougeYoshi, and...well, to be honest, it's terrible in every way.

Your engine and Taxman's engine are much more advanced, but not as easy to break into. But development-wise, I perfer Taxman's because it also has the capability to move from level to level like the Genesis/CD games did, and it features high-quality audio. While yours has good gameplay, it does not have more than one level and lower-quality audio. You're on the right track; but the engine, for me, anyway, just isn't the best.

But aren't you helping with Megamix? That's looking pretty good! I can't wait for the new version to come out; I love the Starry Night Zone music!!!

[LordOfSquad]

Sonic CD X, on 27 April 2012 - 10:49 PM, said:

Your engine and Taxman's engine are much more advanced, but not as easy to break into. But development-wise, I perfer Taxman's because it also has the capability to move from level to level like the Genesis/CD games did, and it features high-quality audio. While yours has good gameplay, it does not have more than one level and lower-quality audio. You're on the right track; but the engine, for me, anyway, just isn't the best.

Umm. So does Stealth's. The demo is just one level and the lower quality audio is because they're lower quality sound effects.