After a while I found re-working the water algorithm in C++ was taking too long. I recoded it in Lua with a much lower resolution and numbers over the water so I could see exactly what was happening.

I first reproduced the classic demo-scene effect. The problem with this effect is that it does not maintain volume at all, it is a rapid simulation of the waves only.

I found an algorithm that would preserve volume, however it was very slow and did not have a very wavy / water feel to it. I’m not even sure if I implemented it right.

I did a lot of experimenting with different ideas until I made one that did work! This effect is wavy and maintains volumes. It also settles down over time. Quite a few of my experiments would never result in a calm pool.

I then re-coded it into C++. Initially I was disappointed to see it not work at all, but I found by adjusting the parameters I was able to get the effect I want. With a larger area for the waves to wave in, they behaved much differently than in a small area.

I did a bit of optimization work on the algorithm and the rendering and it now works at a decent speed even for large bodies of water.

-Phil

I tried playing around with water effects. This first one is a pretty standard cellular water effect.

I was messing around with the settings and got this really fun effect.

The tough bit is getting the water to distribute in a way that no water is lost or gained. Haven’t quite figured out how to do that yet. The basic effect really gives “infinite” water and just models the waves.

-Phil

I spent a bit more time fooling around with my light / shadow engine. Got it running nice and fast with a ton! Changed the colors to make it look better.

This shot has about 200 moving light sources.

-Phil

I put together a lighting engine this week.  It took a lot of coding before I could really test anything.

My first test effort I just rendered things as boxes to ensure that I even had the correct data.

Next I did some ray casting so I could see if I got that working.

Lastly I rendered those rays using a triangle fan.

I found that the CPU was being maxed out pretty bad, it turns out my first step (showing the boxes) was using the most. So I turned those off and things ran at a nice clip.

-Phil

So I spent some time adding time rewind to a simple breakout style game.  Once you miss a ball, it rewinds a few seconds.

The rewind worked, but I didn’t feel it really added much to the breakout experience.  It would do just as well to just give the player more balls.  While creating this prototype, I named the folder “breakwind” and only an hour or so later did I realize the double meaning.  I’m not sure if that makes it the best or worst game name idea I’ve ever had.

-Phil

Part of the trick of time rewinding is to have as little state as possible.  This fire effect is generated from just this:

I’ve been playing around with various prototypes over the past few months.  I decided I might as well start sharing what I’m doing.  Gifs are easy to make!

I made some simple time rewinding code the other day.  I’m pretty pleased with how it came out.  I updated it with fancier particles and a slightly different pattern and got a really neat effect:

Anyway, hope to make some more fun prototypes off this concept.  We’ll see!

-Phil

Yo, I made a crazy multiplayer creative tank battle game! Please check it out and tell your friends!