Hi all,
long time no update...
well, progress has been pretty slow im afraid to say, but better slow than not at all...this is due to commitments relating to my own life outside of TAOC. Once again, if only i could work on this full-time
: maybe one day :upray
The time i have had free i have spent on optimization stuff, trying to improve frame rates after some unexpected performance glitches popped up, so no real 'obiously visible' updates to report.
I'm hoping in a week or so to be well back on track with the game, which will begin with a roundup of glitches and loose ends created by the optimizing process and stuff that popped up.
One thing i did add since last update which relates to gameplay is the batting powerbar. The powerbar will now operate differently depending on if the match is test or limited overs. The 'test match' powerbar will consist of the same three zones as the 'limited overs' powerbar, but the first 'block zone' will be much larger than the limited overs block zone. i.e. in the limited overs powerbar the percentage breakdown for the different zones would be this approximately: block = 0-25 , ground stroke = 26-95 , lofted stroke = 96-100
Test match powerbar would be: block = 0-50 , ground stroke = 51-99 , lofted stroke = 100
kinda hard to explain this next part, but it would make sense when you play it: Instead of holding down the stroke button for a while to build up the powerbar, it now rises much quicker, meaning you can wait until very late before pushing the button and it almost has the effect of making the stroke happen as you push the button with a slight latency depending on how far you want it to rise. This means a tap in 'limited overs powerbar' would get you a block and slightly more than a tap would get you an attempted ground stroke.
The test match powerbar is designed to allow for more blocking and lofted shots would occur rarely, only when the player deliberately 'maxed out' the powerbar. I also put in place a system to allow for variation in lofted shots, regardless of the lack of variety from the powerbar.
While still effecting the final overall power of the shot (along with many other factors including timing and batsman stats), shot choice becomes more tailored towards the particular pacing of a match.
The problem with the last system was that you really had to premeditate any lofted shots as there was not enough time for the powerbar to rise after the ball left the bowler's hand so you had to start building it up before it left his hand. I didn't like this 'total premeditation' so i decided on this method. You'll have to trust me that it now works really well
LM