Which engine (TGE/TGB/TSE) to Use?
by Bryant Schaper · in Torque Game Engine · 08/10/2006 (7:13 am) · 3 replies
I have been playing with mainly TGE and TGB for the last year or so, and now I want to start a game, and I am not sure which engine will be the best choice?
In essence it is an RTS, I want a city builder/battle map, and then switch to a higher level world view where you can control your empire and economy. As I am not great with 3D graphics my thought was to use T2D, and use a mix of 2D and 3D shapes for the sprites.
But a couple of issues have already come up.
1. Lack of an isometric view
2. Can you rotate the map in 90 degree incements similar to other RTS games, and have the effect of 3D. For example if a unit stands near a wall, at one angle the wall will obscure most of the unit, but after rotating the map 90/180 degrees the unit appears to be in front of the wall, not behind.
3. The ability to hide units "out of range"
1 and 2 seem to be easier to implement in TGE/TSE, but the I have yet to find a way to have the grid effect when you build stuff, like in other RTS games. Three I think I can figure out with some scripting in any engine.
Any thoughts?
In essence it is an RTS, I want a city builder/battle map, and then switch to a higher level world view where you can control your empire and economy. As I am not great with 3D graphics my thought was to use T2D, and use a mix of 2D and 3D shapes for the sprites.
But a couple of issues have already come up.
1. Lack of an isometric view
2. Can you rotate the map in 90 degree incements similar to other RTS games, and have the effect of 3D. For example if a unit stands near a wall, at one angle the wall will obscure most of the unit, but after rotating the map 90/180 degrees the unit appears to be in front of the wall, not behind.
3. The ability to hide units "out of range"
1 and 2 seem to be easier to implement in TGE/TSE, but the I have yet to find a way to have the grid effect when you build stuff, like in other RTS games. Three I think I can figure out with some scripting in any engine.
Any thoughts?
#2
1. YOU make the sprites conform to isometric view - you simulate the isometric look with well planned sprites. There is a thread somewhere here where a guy is using "borrowed" art to get started.
2. Rotating the view 90 is something you would do in code, and change your sprites accordingly - it's a sprite trick.
3. Hiding units / fog of war again done with sprites, and shadow patches and code.
I would suggest doing it in TGB to learn all the nuts and bolts of this genre and the challenges involved. Do a simple one first - just have two types of units fighting each other in a forrest - get that working first before tackling a full game. Then after you do a TGB game, grab the RTS packs for TGE and convert it to GLORIOUS 3D!!!!!!
Good luck!
08/10/2006 (7:25 am)
I think TGB would be perfect for what you want. 1. YOU make the sprites conform to isometric view - you simulate the isometric look with well planned sprites. There is a thread somewhere here where a guy is using "borrowed" art to get started.
2. Rotating the view 90 is something you would do in code, and change your sprites accordingly - it's a sprite trick.
3. Hiding units / fog of war again done with sprites, and shadow patches and code.
I would suggest doing it in TGB to learn all the nuts and bolts of this genre and the challenges involved. Do a simple one first - just have two types of units fighting each other in a forrest - get that working first before tackling a full game. Then after you do a TGB game, grab the RTS packs for TGE and convert it to GLORIOUS 3D!!!!!!
Good luck!
#3
I am not opposed to starting in 3D, cubes attacking spheres could be cute :-) but if it lacks some organization when placing buildings it may be a problem. The other issue was roads? If a road it build in 2D I can script benefits of using the road, but in 3D I am nto sure if this is possible without making a road a 3D shape?
08/10/2006 (7:35 am)
Thanks for both comments. I have the RTS pack already, but in the 3D enviroment, I run into trouble trying to build things uniform, or in grid pattern, like a typical neighborhood may be layed out. Similar to Sim City or something.I am not opposed to starting in 3D, cubes attacking spheres could be cute :-) but if it lacks some organization when placing buildings it may be a problem. The other issue was roads? If a road it build in 2D I can script benefits of using the road, but in 3D I am nto sure if this is possible without making a road a 3D shape?
Associate Anthony Rosenbaum