3D "Mode 7" Racing in TGB - Part 2

Back in September I previewed an engine modification for TGB -- one that enables "mode 7" style 3D. I thought it was pretty fun. But it wasn't perfect. It didn't utilize the suite of 2D options available from the engine: collision, physics, etc, etc. I didn't think much about it after that. I had Xeno Versus part 2 rolling and figured after that I'd come back to this.

As it turns out, however, there is a lot of interest in what I've put together. I've gotten emails, IMs, google traffic, etc. So I thought I'd give an update.


* It now utilizes the power of the TGB engine. Simply toss in a few lines of script to enable a 3D view of your existing 2D racer.

* Racing fundamentals are in. Checkpoints, laps, powerups, boosts, jumps are all added. More to come here.


* Particle effects, yay! Just like sprites, you can lay 'em flat or stand them up.


* Sprites now in sprite sheets. A small change, but a good one!

Here's what I am going to do: make a kit. First, I need to round out the features: add in a simple AI, real-time car ranking (1st, 2nd, etc), and so forth. Then I'll clean up the code. Finally, I'll port it over to the latest and greatest versions of TGB, writing documentation along the way.

I should have something done (at least on my end) by the end of this month. I'd like to follow in the Platformer Starter Kit's footsteps... so Mr. O'Shea, if you're willing to swap emails with me, I'd love your input.