VP8 Support File Tutorial shivaengine3 template and latest build released

[shiva]

Due to the lack of time I now have, I am releasing the latest build of shivaEngine3, and a very basic template for people to use. The build has several new features, but quite a few have been remarked out, as I really do not have the time anymore to be able to work on this.

Please note that this is labeled a Build, and may contain bugs

The new features added to the engine include multiple background sound support, and multiple bonus count sound support, both key features for Williams type tables, as well as a bit more polish in a couple areas, and extra ball prompts. As well, text boxes can be used instead of reels for those that have the reel bug errors. This is very basic, and may cause errors with the se3 tables released before.

The template is as stripped as possible, only enough to drive the engine, and a couple examples for scoring, but nothing else. The less code within the template, the less confusing for beginners. It comes with a Williams sound pack, but you can change it by using the sound editor and replacing the sounds. The images used are also stock images, again, you can replace or add your own.

Features
shivaEngine3 is the latest in the shivaEngine series, though completely rethought out and written with the latest techniques. The following is a list of the features of shivaEngine.

* Reel based 7 digit scoring with 4 player support
* New preset "style" section, with preset values to simulate various systems and era's in terms of scoring, match, bonus countdown etc. Bally '79 already added, but the engine will simulate any era and company from 1975 to 1984 by changing one value in a variable.
* Custom Style section, gives the user the ability to set his own style, so he can mix and match as well (Optional)
* Hook feature for user access to parts of the engine, without having to go through all the code.
* Code snippet idea modified from se2. Now uses collections, so nearly everything is done within the editor, so code can be generic. This allows for far easier use by beginners, as they can hook up a routine already written preset with scoring, lights and other features very fast. Took me 5 minutes to create the most complex one, 30 minutes to create a entire table, and everything scripted. Advanced scripters can expand or write their own routines as well.
* Skill levels for features built into the engine, to simulate pin settings used by the companies for their games
* Simple player memory system, that will hold values automatically from player to player for each new ball.

se3 additions

* 2 system scoring, one for Bally type interval scoring, a second for instant scoring as found in most games
* Scoring has overflow protection, that keeps track of the proper score even with multiple trigger hits, and simulates Bally's method of updating scores if they are in que
* Removed nearly all object code, and objects. To confusing to beginners, so now they can use code snippets, which gives them expanded capabilities.
* added delay display effect and flash's player score at ball start
* Removed High score/credits/GamePlayTextBox text code
* Added Credit Light for apron, and shaped lights (for bg) for credits
* Light Attract, Backglass lights such as B.I.P., match, game over, tilt and high score, all as collections, so you can add or delete as many lights as you want
* Tilt code replaced, added routines for "polish"
* Added se2 menu system for rules and keys
* Bonus Collect etc have been removed, to make the engine as compact as possible
* Changed save/load to VPReg.stg (Systems stores by table name as defined by user)

Custom Settings (adjustable styles)

* Replaced Bonus Count routine, now scores up to 159 points. Added variables so user can change the count delay time, change the amount of bonus, and the value for bonus system will also add a score value automatically if you are at max bonus already
* Replaced Multiplier system, now up to 15x, selectable by user
* Match routine shows last 2 numbers, number fade out, and has new and different match countdown routines
* Simple delay for ball start and other delays, with extra sounds added.
* Built in multiple background and bonus sounds system
* "Arcade Style" sound channel system for auto cutoff and auto play of background sound

The file can be downloaded here directly at the se3 dev forum:
http://www.shivasite.byethost22.com/forums/showthread.php?p=163#post163

Please note that a updated build of se3 is attached to fix a couple bugs

 

[Slapnuts]

Sweet, thanks for this build of your ShivaEngine3 Shiva

 

[shiva]

Should mention that if people who do actually use it get stuck or need a bit of help on some things, they can post at the dev forum, and when I have time, I will write up a tutorial for it. I will ignore posts elsewhere, my time is very limited now, and I don't even visit a couple of forums anymore.

Same goes for suggestions, I did try and make it as easy to use as possible, but I have run out of time to do any more work period, especially to the styles feature. It's a lot more powerful than people think, just I no longer have any free time. If someone wants to add code directly to the engine script, they can, as long as I have a look at it to make sure it doesn't break the existing tables.

The script is set up for Multiball, Bonus hold and Bonus Collect features, as well as the ability to add a custom bonus countdown routine, and has hooks for extra flippers and lane change features, plus Hooks for various sections like the match routine, where you can have a bonus ball like BK with multiplayer.

I also ask that those that use the engine, make a effort and make their code as code snippet files, like I do for my tables. The biggest problem with VP has always been the scripting, and se3 was set up to make it as easy for beginners to use as possible, but that depends on other people as well. A good set of code snippets, with some basic info on objects and collections, means a absolute beginner should be able to have a fully 100% working script in about half a hour. Think about all the tables we haven't seen because of the scripting issue.

dev forum: http://www.shivasite.byethost22.com/forums/

 

[shiva]

Just a update to the engine, to correct a couple bugs caused by adding a text box to the system, as it will cause errors with the existing tables. It also has a couple other minor fixes, and some cleanup of the script from the last major build release a few days ago. You can download the attached file from the first post.

If people get any errors using this build with the 3 tables released, please let me know, so I can correct them while I have the time still.