GarageGames: RTS Starter Kit
  (average customer rating: 3.7) | GarageGames: RTS Starter Kit
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The Torque RTS Starter Kit provides foundational technology and modifications to the Torque Game Engine to make it easier for Indies to quickly produce their own strategy games. The RTS Starter Kit will give you and your team the leg-up you need to quickly prototype your game, and start adding the features you need to make your game shine.This kit is invaluable for anyone aspiring to make a Real Time Strategy game using Torque. This starter kit, however, is not limited in it's usefulness to an RTS game. A top-down RPG, similar to Dungeon Siege or Baldur's Gate, could greatly benefit from the selection and camera features, as well as the built-in, efficient multi-player support. Maybe you have an idea for a puzzle game that includes running little things around, this starter kit will give you the foundation to make your game work.
Commercial License
This Starter Kit consists of an installer which contains the full Torque 1.5.2 codebase along with the changes needed to make use of the RTS code. Note: You must own Torque to purchase the RTS Starter Kit. Once you download the RTS Starter Kit, you'll have a working code base from the second you run the installer. The kit comes with an example directory containing example scripts and UI demonstrating how to take advantage of the features and technology offered. Included documentation explains the code and technology so that you not only have a start on your Real Time Strategy game, but you learn each step of the way. Both intermediate and advanced users will find lots of useful code and techniques in the RTS Kit, although beginners should be warned it doesn't pull any punches!
This pack was built on Torque 1.5.2
WATCH THE RTS MOVIE
QuickTime Format
Windows Media Format
Features
The camera system provides "god-view"-style behavior and lets players control the position, zoom, and pitch of the camera. The camera is flexible and easy to customize. The camera smoothly follows terrain heights, moving up and down with the terrain. The camera system's networking routines are optimized for RTS-style scenarios, offering smooth client-side control no matter how busy the server (yet, without sacrificing security).
The customized mini-map system draws an overview of the mission area and displays tactical information (building and unit locations, known positions of enemies, etc). The mini-map can be used to control the camera, and can display event alerts and also teammate pings.
The specialized RTSUnit class have a highly optimized networking scheme so that efficiently managing large numbers of units is easy. The RTSUnit's simplified physics help make it easier to process large numbers of units. You can also customize what features RTSUnits have turned on - disable shadows, look animations, or water interaction to save resources. The RTSUnit also uses a customizable Datablock and Modifier system, which make it simple and quick to define new types of units without sacrificing the ability for individual units to have buffs, debuffs, and special abilities.
Players can place DTS buildings in real-time, complete with build, idle, and destruction animations, as well as the ability to preview building placement. The RTSBuilding's simple script interface allows buildings to receive commands, and scripted behavior can easily be hooked-in. Since buildings are derived from RTSUnit, adding mobile structures (like StarCraft's Terran buildings) is easy.
The RTS Starter Kit ships with an example selection system in place. Combined with some group management optimizations, the RTS Starter Kit lets players click- or drag-select units, group them, bind groups to hotkeys, and rapidly issue commands. The selection GUI feedback system is easy to customize and provides players with immediate feedback about the status of the units they have selected. The selection system is easy to modify and clearly documented, so that you can tweak and customize the way it works to suite your particular game design.
A simple multiplayer Lobby is included, defining a customizable system to allow players to gather, chat, and prepare before starting their game, just like you find in most RTSs.
GarageGames is becoming known for its voluminous documentation and the RTS Starter Kit is no slouch. The docs explain each of the systems in the Starter Kit, and the simple example game the pack ships with has well-documented source-code to demonstrate how to use the systems in the pack in a hands-on fashion.
System Requirements
You must own an Indie or Commercial TGE License in order to purchase or use the RTS Starter Kit.
Hardware requirements:
Windows 2000/XP
Pentium III 700mhz or better
128 MB RAM
250 MB free hard drive space
4x CD ROM Drive
OpenGL or DirectX Compatible 3D Graphics Accelerator
DirectX compatible Soundcard
Internet access
Mac OS X 10.2+
G4+, 128MB RAM
OpenGL-compatible 3D graphics accelerator
Supported compilers: XCode
Linux
Pentium 500 or AMD 500
128 MB RAM
NVIDIA TNT2 or better 3D Graphics Accelerator, Linux-supported sound card
XFree86 4.0 or newer with NVIDIA OpenGL drivers
glibc 2.2 or newer (e.g.: Redhat 7.x+, Mandrake 8.x+, Debian 3.0+)
SDL version 1.2 or newer (1.2.3 or later is recommended)
OpenAL Runtime or SDK Installation
Mesa3D version 3.4 or newer (3.4.2 or later recommended)
Supported Compilers: GNU make and g++ (version 2 or 3)
About GarageGames
 | GarageGames GarageGames is a unique Internet publishing label for independent games and gamemakers. We are a band of professional gamemakers committed to publishing truly original and exciting titles on our own terms. We want to give any and all gamemakers the opportunity to publish their games, find their audiences - and perhaps make their fortunes. |
Community Reviews and Discussion
Customer review from Wolf Dreamer, Oct 18, 2006 at 01:35 GMT 
"Deleting bad reviews again guys? I recall seeing negative reviews here before, them all gone now.
There aren't that many people active in the private forum room created for those who purchase the RTS Starter Kit these days. Many of those who do post, have mentioned some legitimate complaints, mostly the apparent lack of support, the RTS Starter Kit not even listed in the pull down menu of the support section of this website. Everyone click on Support up top, and notice its not listed among the dozens of other entries.
There was a user made MOD that apparently at one time worked, and added many wonderful features to this, but as I and several others have posted in recent months, it doesn't work now. Should they ever get those working again properly, and have a proper tutorial for things, then this would have great potential for anyone wishing to make an RTS game.
No one has yet made a RTS game with this in the two years since its been out, however it has does have its benefits.
Pros:
The camera is very nicely done.
The chat lobby is a nice touch as well. The Torque multiplayer features are the main reason any would develop a game in it.
Cons:
The documentation wasn't that great. The wikipedia even has some faulty information telling people to read two .pdf files before they begin, the staff informing on the forum that was a mistake, and those two help files never even existing apparently. What is there, isn't really that helpful for all the features.
No pathfinding included, as mentioned by some reviews above, although it isn't listed as a feature, and I did find a post made back in August of a customer trying to add it.
You need to learn how to program in Torque script, as well as some in C++. Making even the simpliest of game with this, as certain Garage Game employees admited, does require a lot of effort. One of their veteren programmers took 9 months to make Wildlife Tycoon: Venture Africa, and as you can see by the demo, it has just the most basic features.
No collision with other units, or the building.
So, in conclusion, if you want something that can help you easily make a game right away, this isn't it. If you want something that will save you a bit of time in making the minimap, camera, and a few other bits, then it'll save you time with that."
Read all ReviewsThere aren't that many people active in the private forum room created for those who purchase the RTS Starter Kit these days. Many of those who do post, have mentioned some legitimate complaints, mostly the apparent lack of support, the RTS Starter Kit not even listed in the pull down menu of the support section of this website. Everyone click on Support up top, and notice its not listed among the dozens of other entries.
There was a user made MOD that apparently at one time worked, and added many wonderful features to this, but as I and several others have posted in recent months, it doesn't work now. Should they ever get those working again properly, and have a proper tutorial for things, then this would have great potential for anyone wishing to make an RTS game.
No one has yet made a RTS game with this in the two years since its been out, however it has does have its benefits.
Pros:
The camera is very nicely done.
The chat lobby is a nice touch as well. The Torque multiplayer features are the main reason any would develop a game in it.
Cons:
The documentation wasn't that great. The wikipedia even has some faulty information telling people to read two .pdf files before they begin, the staff informing on the forum that was a mistake, and those two help files never even existing apparently. What is there, isn't really that helpful for all the features.
No pathfinding included, as mentioned by some reviews above, although it isn't listed as a feature, and I did find a post made back in August of a customer trying to add it.
You need to learn how to program in Torque script, as well as some in C++. Making even the simpliest of game with this, as certain Garage Game employees admited, does require a lot of effort. One of their veteren programmers took 9 months to make Wildlife Tycoon: Venture Africa, and as you can see by the demo, it has just the most basic features.
No collision with other units, or the building.
So, in conclusion, if you want something that can help you easily make a game right away, this isn't it. If you want something that will save you a bit of time in making the minimap, camera, and a few other bits, then it'll save you time with that."
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Product Support
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If you are having problems with this product please contact GarageGames directly via this support mail system. Submit a Support Request
