Server, Client, Documentation and design progress
by 
Craig Macomber 1258261872|%O ago (%e %b %Y, %H:%M %Z)
I've been working somewhat on everything. I made some major progress in designing and documenting the server setup, as well as implementing it. I made some changes and improvements to the client's networking to match. I also fixed up and cleaned up the shaders a bit, and fixed some issues. I also generally tried to improve the appearance of some things. My friend developing the UI system I want to use has made some excellent progress, so I think I will be installing it soon. Also, recently the developers of Panda3D have made good progress on the next version which will include a great distribution system including easy mac windows and linux builds as well as plugin based web apps. I have don't some prerelease testing and initial work toward getting FG working with it. I have also been developing an effects/shaders system that should meet our needs for good looking ships make up lots of customizable materials. I have devised and/or partly implemented a few different terrain mesh approaches have been that might work better for our planets. I think I have also found a solution to most of the remaining precision issues for rendering the planets, and my new noise sampling system, which is mostly finished, should fix the precision, and increase the graphics and quality greatly, while solving the issue of how the server will sample data on planets as well.
I have been working on everything, and making pretty good all around progress. I'm looking to have a solid cross platform release of the planet viewer with login and maybe chat built in done by the end of the year. The server is far enough for this, but needs to be a bit more stable. The client can already login, so its mainly a matter of getting the user interface done, and getting a release put together. Once thats done, I'll work toward getting ground combat designed and implemented.
Here is a Large Screen Shot
Comments: 0 | category: Fragmented Galaxy / Game News
Game Play Page Updated
by Craig Macomber 1257133121|%O ago (%e %b %Y, %H:%M %Z)
I updated the game play page to actually include something useful. It has not even had a single editing pass, and it was just written mostly straight as I though of it. Thus, I imagine it needs some revising and editing (devs, feel free to fix it up), but I thought it was better than what was there (nothing but links to mostly empty out of date pages).
Comments: 1 | category: Site / Site News
New Video
by Craig Macomber 1252639608|%O ago (%e %b %Y, %H:%M %Z)
The old video on the main page was annoying me, so I replaced it. The quality on the video is pretty horrible though.
Edit: Quality improved. Still not great, but much better.
Comments: 6 | category: Site / Site News
New Background Image
by Craig Macomber 1252529658|%O ago (%e %b %Y, %H:%M %Z)
I did some messing with the new client so that it can export very large screen shots. A darkened and scaled down version of one of them is now the background to this site. I hope you like it. If it causes you any readability or functionality related issues, please let me know. Also, just let me know your thoughts about it: Is it nice? Is it annoying? Should it be moved to not go behind other stuff? Should it repeat vertically?
Eventually I will set up an image gallery system that is much more functional with ratings, comments, tags, various sorting options, and better support for viewing and downloading very large images. When this is done (it's a low priority compared to making the game work) I'll offer up some more nice high quality renderings from the client.
Comments: 3 | category: Site / Site News
Client Tuning
by Craig Macomber 1252215025|%O ago (%e %b %Y, %H:%M %Z)
I just generally fixed a bunch of appearance issues. The lighting is much better, and I added some nice low angle atmosphere from space. I'm looking forward to releasing this, but we will have to wait, likely a few months. Until then, lots of pictures for you:
There are also lots more new screen shots.
Comments: 0 | category: Fragmented Galaxy / Game News
New Screen Shots
by Craig Macomber 1252031133|%O ago (%e %b %Y, %H:%M %Z)
Head over to the new-screen-shots page for lots of nice pictures.
Comments: 3 | category: Site / Site News
Server (and other) Progress
by Craig Macomber 1251519962|%O ago (%e %b %Y, %H:%M %Z)
You may have used the downloadable client that we have now. It does some things, some of which it does ok. It, however, reached a dead end on the graphics front. Well, I could have pushed it, and eventually made something kinda nice, but there were limits I did not like. Thus, we scraped the client, and started work on a new one, from scratch, using different tools. It looks fantastic, but still lacks any basic functionality other than planet rendering.
Along with the new client, I designed a new server architecture, which I think will work much better. I have finished the basic architecture, and done some basic testing of it. Everything seems to work well, though there are some features missing as far as automatic crash recovery and distributed processing across multiple servers (basic multi-core support should already work, and the database server can be on another machine), but I think everything else major is solid.
Along with the basic architecture changes, I have now implicated a new networking protocol. It has basic error detection, and should be a solid base for the networking. There are a few details that are currently in need of optimization for high loads, but I will get that fixed soon. I still need to implement it on the client side in python too. (Edit After some testing, for small messages, my code is more than twice as fast as RealBasic's built in alternative, and about 11% faster for much larger messages. I also got it about half implemented on the python side)
Also, I should note that several developers other than me have been active recently working on various design and documentation tasks, as well as the ground combat system which will be ported to the new server, client and networking once finished.
I think that is it for now. No pretty new pretty pictures. I need to rig up a PHP script so I can easily update a gallery of new screen shots for all you (not very numerous) fans :)
Comments: 5 | category: Fragmented Galaxy / Game News
SIte Issues (Internal Service Error 500)
by Craig Macomber 1251269004|%O ago (%e %b %Y, %H:%M %Z)
Our host, while usually kinda fast (not great, but better than lots), and quite reliable, has started throwing error 500 (and some other "nasty errors") all over the place randomly. It seems to come in bursts, and thing have also been a bit slower. If you see said error, wait about 10 seconds and try again. It has been intermittent over the last day or so. I apologize for any inconvenience it might cause you. Apparently it is being looked into, and should be fixed soon.
On another note, the new FG Game server software got another critical piece finished today (start to finish it took about 15 minuets to make though). I just finished basic testing of our process manager, which currently does nothing but launch a few things. Eventually it will have also the job of detecting crashed and frozen parts of the server software, and trying to kill and relaunch them. For now it will launch the task manager, and any other things that need to get started, like the client communication servers which I will make shortly.
Comments: 0 | category: Site / Site News
Archive
Exploring Planets
1247712041|%O ago (%e %b %Y, %H:%M %Z)
Comments: 3 | category: Fragmented Galaxy / Game News
Improved Planets
1247453099|%O ago (%e %b %Y, %H:%M %Z)
Comments: 4 | category: Fragmented Galaxy / Game News
New Client in the works!
1246775197|%O ago (%e %b %Y, %H:%M %Z)
Comments: 1 | category: Fragmented Galaxy / Game News
Ground Combat App
1245270407|%O ago (%e %b %Y, %H:%M %Z)
Full structure roughed out!
Comments: 3 | category: Fragmented Galaxy / Game News
Database Setup
1243796694|%O ago (%e %b %Y, %H:%M %Z)
Comments: 0 | category: Fragmented Galaxy / Game News
Ground Combat Update and Long Term Plans
1243724020|%O ago (%e %b %Y, %H:%M %Z)
The plans are laid
Comments: 0 | category: Fragmented Galaxy / Game News
Ground Combat Game
1239842673|%O ago (%e %b %Y, %H:%M %Z)
Progress!
Comments: 10 | category: Fragmented Galaxy / Game News
Shaders
1234327224|%O ago (%e %b %Y, %H:%M %Z)
Finally where I can use them
Comments: 3 | category: Fragmented Galaxy / Game News
GPU Tex
1234138478|%O ago (%e %b %Y, %H:%M %Z)
Shaders
Comments: 6 | category: Fragmented Galaxy / Game News
Planet Thoughts
1232953626|%O ago (%e %b %Y, %H:%M %Z)
Comments: 8 | category: Fragmented Galaxy / Game News
Update
1232228754|%O ago (%e %b %Y, %H:%M %Z)
Some progress
Comments: 6 | category: Fragmented Galaxy / Game News
Planet Tool Design Delay
1226199536|%O ago (%e %b %Y, %H:%M %Z)
A small mistake.
Comments: 1 | category: Fragmented Galaxy / Game News
Planet Tool Progress
1223346120|%O ago (%e %b %Y, %H:%M %Z)
It is coming together.
Comments: 6 | category: Fragmented Galaxy / Game News
Slow Progress
1223264774|%O ago (%e %b %Y, %H:%M %Z)
We have been rather busy with other things.
Comments: 9 | category: Fragmented Galaxy / Game News
Back to work
1221872925|%O ago (%e %b %Y, %H:%M %Z)
HUD Progress
Comments: 2 | category: Fragmented Galaxy / Game News
New Server Build
1220922720|%O ago (%e %b %Y, %H:%M %Z)
I switched to a new server build
Comments: 6 | category: Fragmented Galaxy / Game News
Pricing
1220753907|%O ago (%e %b %Y, %H:%M %Z)
How will FG make money.
Comments: 21 | category: Fragmented Galaxy / Game News
HUD and Planet tool approaching usable.
1220402595|%O ago (%e %b %Y, %H:%M %Z)
The HUD and the built in editing tools are going well, and so it the planet tool.
Comments: 4 | category: Fragmented Galaxy / Game News
Site fixes and cleaning
1220402063|%O ago (%e %b %Y, %H:%M %Z)
The main page was to crowded, so I fixed it.
Comments: 0 | category: Site / Site News
HUD Redo and Ground combat design
1220083912|%O ago (%e %b %Y, %H:%M %Z)
Remaking the HUD system
Comments: 2 | category: Fragmented Galaxy / Game News
Planet Tool
1219033190|%O ago (%e %b %Y, %H:%M %Z)
I just put up a new page.
Comments: 6 | category: Site / Site News
In-Game Mail Interface
1218175214|%O ago (%e %b %Y, %H:%M %Z)
A taste of the GUI...
Comments: 6 | category: Fragmented Galaxy / Game News
HUD, Planning and Planet progress
1217887373|%O ago (%e %b %Y, %H:%M %Z)
More done, more to do!
Comments: 1 | category: Fragmented Galaxy / Game News
HUD Progress
1217039655|%O ago (%e %b %Y, %H:%M %Z)
Comments: 3 | category: Fragmented Galaxy / Game News
More Planets
1216693197|%O ago (%e %b %Y, %H:%M %Z)
Better tuning, more layers!
Comments: 9 | category: Fragmented Galaxy / Game News
Planets
1216511059|%O ago (%e %b %Y, %H:%M %Z)
Planets and their Textures
Comments: 10 | category: Fragmented Galaxy / Game News
Further HUD progress
1216182968|%O ago (%e %b %Y, %H:%M %Z)
Progress! :)
Comments: 1 | category: Fragmented Galaxy / Game News
HUD Progress
1215755670|%O ago (%e %b %Y, %H:%M %Z)
The HUD works now, minimally.
Comments: 2 | category: Fragmented Galaxy / Game News
Fixes
1214437427|%O ago (%e %b %Y, %H:%M %Z)
Lots of bugs
Comments: 5 | category: Fragmented Galaxy / Game News
Formations and AI
1214202672|%O ago (%e %b %Y, %H:%M %Z)
Today I designed something...
Comments: 2 | category: Fragmented Galaxy / Game News
Bug fixes up - 1.4.1_33
1214087651|%O ago (%e %b %Y, %H:%M %Z)
I fixed some things
Comments: 1 | category: Fragmented Galaxy / Game News
New Release 1.4.0_31
1214024667|%O ago (%e %b %Y, %H:%M %Z)
1.4.0_31 is up!
Comments: 7 | category: Fragmented Galaxy / Game News
Upcomming Release
1213506464|%O ago (%e %b %Y, %H:%M %Z)
Coming soon!
Comments: 8 | category: Fragmented Galaxy / Game News
New Engine Rendering
1213229265|%O ago (%e %b %Y, %H:%M %Z)
Comments: 5 | category: Site / Site News
New Cruiser Model
1212989070|%O ago (%e %b %Y, %H:%M %Z)
First new model in a while!
Comments: 1 | category: Site / Site News
Design Progress
1212554366|%O ago (%e %b %Y, %H:%M %Z)
We have been planning!
Comments: 0 | category: Fragmented Galaxy / Game News
Database Design
1211696146|%O ago (%e %b %Y, %H:%M %Z)
I've been laying out the database design.
Comments: 2 | category: Fragmented Galaxy / Game News
Ground Combat Progress
1210827585|%O ago (%e %b %Y, %H:%M %Z)
First success
Comments: 21 | category: Fragmented Galaxy / Game News
Back to Work and Future Plans
1210395707|%O ago (%e %b %Y, %H:%M %Z)
We had some idle time, but now I'm back.
Comments: 3 | category: Fragmented Galaxy / Game News
General progress
1208236128|%O ago (%e %b %Y, %H:%M %Z)
Ground Combat Update, In game help/encyclopedia functional
Comments: 4 | category: Fragmented Galaxy / Game News
Client 1.2.0_25 Released
1207189663|%O ago (%e %b %Y, %H:%M %Z)
Better performance, less functionality
Comments: 1 | category: Testers / Testing News
Ground Combat, On its way!
1207123385|%O ago (%e %b %Y, %H:%M %Z)
The plans are laid, designs are made, it will be played. Soon you will crusade, let us hope it shall not be delayed.
Comments: 3 | category: Fragmented Galaxy / Game News
Anniversary
1207011046|%O ago (%e %b %Y, %H:%M %Z)
FG has been going for a year!
Comments: 5 | category: Fragmented Galaxy / Game News
Status update
1206918781|%O ago (%e %b %Y, %H:%M %Z)
Things are moving forward.
Comments: 9 | category: Fragmented Galaxy / Game News
Client 1.1.1_22 Released!
1206587109|%O ago (%e %b %Y, %H:%M %Z)
Download and try the new release.
Comments: 0 | category: Testers / Testing News
Client Updates
1206581724|%O ago (%e %b %Y, %H:%M %Z)
There has been some work on the client.
Comments: 2 | category: Fragmented Galaxy / Game News
Mucis App is back!
1204514024|%O ago (%e %b %Y, %H:%M %Z)
Download out music app
Comments: 1 | category: Site / Site News
Videos and theme update
1204501954|%O ago (%e %b %Y, %H:%M %Z)
Changed the videos page and side nav bar.
Comments: 1 | category: Site / Site News
Client 1.1.0_16 Released along with new Server
1204439182|%O ago (%e %b %Y, %H:%M %Z)
The server is back, and the new release is up!
Comments: 11 | category: Testers / Testing News
Excuses
1204346054|%O ago (%e %b %Y, %H:%M %Z)
We need justifications for stuff right?
Comments: 1 | category: Site / Site News
Server will be unavailable for a while
1203880505|%O ago (%e %b %Y, %H:%M %Z)
The game server is getting upgraded this week.
Comments: 12 | category: Fragmented Galaxy / Game News
First Successful Login
1203726403|%O ago (%e %b %Y, %H:%M %Z)
The login framework works
Comments: 10 | category: Fragmented Galaxy / Game News
Logins
1203324006|%O ago (%e %b %Y, %H:%M %Z)
Work started on managing logins
Comments: 14 | category: Fragmented Galaxy / Game News
Development Plans
1203146238|%O ago (%e %b %Y, %H:%M %Z)
We have plans!
Comments: 0 | category: Fragmented Galaxy / Game News
Music Handler
1203145663|%O ago (%e %b %Y, %H:%M %Z)
Work started
Comments: 12 | category: Fragmented Galaxy / Game News
New Scheduling Engine
1201396583|%O ago (%e %b %Y, %H:%M %Z)
I just rewrote the scheduling engine in the server to be much more expendable, capable and efficient.
Comments: 33 | category: Fragmented Galaxy / Game News
New Music Up!
1200413165|%O ago (%e %b %Y, %H:%M %Z)
Comments: 1 | category: Fragmented Galaxy / Game News
Graphics Update
1200115444|%O ago (%e %b %Y, %H:%M %Z)
Comments: 29 | category: Fragmented Galaxy / Game News
Game Play Pages
1199845873|%O ago (%e %b %Y, %H:%M %Z)
I added some game play pages.
Comments: 1 | category: Site / Site News
New Models on Display
1199404222|%O ago (%e %b %Y, %H:%M %Z)
3 new ship models, the first (completed) in a set, are now on display.
Comments: 11 | category: Site / Site News
Camera Control Progress
1199003016|%O ago (%e %b %Y, %H:%M %Z)
New video!
Comments: 8 | category: Fragmented Galaxy / Game News
RSS Feeds
1198191327|%O ago (%e %b %Y, %H:%M %Z)
New RSS links in side bar.
Comments: 2 | category: Site / Site News
New Music!
1198086941|%O ago (%e %b %Y, %H:%M %Z)
Comments: 2 | category: Fragmented Galaxy / Game News
Mid-December Status Update
1198024678|%O ago (%e %b %Y, %H:%M %Z)
Expect Delays.
Comments: 5 | category: Fragmented Galaxy / Game News
Gravity and controls
1197158486|%O ago (%e %b %Y, %H:%M %Z)
Yesterday I added gravity and tested an AI Control.
Comments: 4 | category: Fragmented Galaxy / Game News
Client 1.0.0_11 Released
1196740695|%O ago (%e %b %Y, %H:%M %Z)
New version, major improvements!
Comments: 5 | category: Testers / Testing News
Screen Shots
1196639709|%O ago (%e %b %Y, %H:%M %Z)
Screen shots page finished
Comments: 3 | category: Site / Site News
Improved Server
1196630595|%O ago (%e %b %Y, %H:%M %Z)
The new version of the server is up
Comments: 8 | category: Testers / Testing News
AI Framework works!
1196574860|%O ago (%e %b %Y, %H:%M %Z)
Well, the first half works
Comments: 6 | category: Fragmented Galaxy / Game News
Music has Started
1196519130|%O ago (%e %b %Y, %H:%M %Z)
We have our first piece of music uploaded
Comments: 6 | category: Fragmented Galaxy / Game News
We need music
1196361064|%O ago (%e %b %Y, %H:%M %Z)
Drop by the music site and apply
Comments: 5 | category: Site / Site News
Server Switch
1196302953|%O ago (%e %b %Y, %H:%M %Z)
I just moved the server to another computer
Comments: 6 | category: Fragmented Galaxy / Game News
Modeling Developer Site Re-furnished
1196162070|%O ago (%e %b %Y, %H:%M %Z)
The Modeling wiki has been updated to gear up for a larger modeling community.
Comments: 12 | category: Site / Site News
Server Status
1195962985|%O ago (%e %b %Y, %H:%M %Z)
There is a new server status page
Comments: 2 | category: Site / Site News
New Downloads 1.0.0_8
1195946771|%O ago (%e %b %Y, %H:%M %Z)
Slightly improved user interface
Comments: 12 | category: Testers / Testing News
First Downloads
1195889993|%O ago (%e %b %Y, %H:%M %Z)
The first downloads are available!
Comments: 1 | category: Testers / Testing News
Networking Test Sucess
1195883741|%O ago (%e %b %Y, %H:%M %Z)
More news, the networking works. The client works!
Comments: 14 | category: Fragmented Galaxy / Game News
Thanks for the Support!
1195794499|%O ago (%e %b %Y, %H:%M %Z)
FG forums are growing fast!
Comments: 2 | category: Site / Site News
Late November Update
1195791403|%O ago (%e %b %Y, %H:%M %Z)
Particles improved, AI planned, some physics details and modeling progress
Comments: 6 | category: Fragmented Galaxy / Game News
New Ship in Game!
1195417517|%O ago (%e %b %Y, %H:%M %Z)
We have our first FG ship in the FG engine!
Comments: 11 | category: Fragmented Galaxy / Game News
Organization and the engine
1195286623|%O ago (%e %b %Y, %H:%M %Z)
More news!
Comments: 7 | category: Fragmented Galaxy / Game News
Video!
1195272359|%O ago (%e %b %Y, %H:%M %Z)
Our first video is available.
Comments: 7 | category: Site / Site News
November Preview
1193966092|%O ago (%e %b %Y, %H:%M %Z)
The run-down on what we're planning to accomplish this month
Comments: 1 | category: Fragmented Galaxy / Game News
Destroyer Pics Available
1193964696|%O ago (%e %b %Y, %H:%M %Z)
Some recent images of a destroyer have been uploaded for your pleasure.
Comments: 3 | category: Site / Site News
Game Name Vote
1193789847|%O ago (%e %b %Y, %H:%M %Z)
We might be changing the name of our game, and we want to see what you all think!
Comments: 16 | category: Fragmented Galaxy / Game News
Frigate Pics Added to Renderings
1193702282|%O ago (%e %b %Y, %H:%M %Z)
The Renderings page now includes pics of a frigate-class starship.
Comments: 2 | category: Site / Site News
New Ships added to Renderings Page
1192760582|%O ago (%e %b %Y, %H:%M %Z)
The renderings page now has seven new renderings of two new ships.
Comments: 9 | category: Site / Site News
October: Development Update
1192418911|%O ago (%e %b %Y, %H:%M %Z)
Progress is happening in various sections of development this month
Comments: 3 | category: Fragmented Galaxy / Game News
Economy Resources and Trade
1191806017|%O ago (%e %b %Y, %H:%M %Z)
We have started work on an economy simulator.
Comments: 0 | category: Fragmented Galaxy / Game News
Renderings page Updated
1191707581|%O ago (%e %b %Y, %H:%M %Z)
Now some weapons!
Comments: 4 | category: Site / Site News
Added Renderings Page
1191557044|%O ago (%e %b %Y, %H:%M %Z)
The renderings page is now up.
Comments: 1 | category: Site / Site News
Updates: 30 Sep 2007
1191185232|%O ago (%e %b %Y, %H:%M %Z)
Six new weapons, work on resource system and explosions
Comments: 3 | category: Fragmented Galaxy / Game News
News Changes
1191184294|%O ago (%e %b %Y, %H:%M %Z)
We realized that it would be best if we frequently posted updates
Comments: 0 | category: Site / Site News
Site Goes Public!
1189831243|%O ago (%e %b %Y, %H:%M %Z)
The Fragmented Galaxy site (this site) is now available to the public!
Comments: 3 | category: Other / Announcements
