The Ur-Quan Masters Discussion Forum

Hey there guys!

I've lurked around these forums for a couple of years now but never posted :(

However, now I have a reason! I've been writing a top down rpg-shooter like SC2 for a few months now and thought I should start getting some opinions on the look of the thing from people who also like to play these games!

So far I've got the first 10minutes of the game in there but a lot of the engine is done - it's mainly gfx and scripting work left. So if no-one minds I might occaisionally add to this thread if I make any serious progress!

(http://www.chibitamakuchi.com/tamachibikuchi/wp-content/uploads/2008/02/pioneer_gfx_test63.thumbnail.jpg) (http://www.chibitamakuchi.com/tamachibikuchi/wp-content/uploads/2008/02/pioneer_gfx_test63.jpg)

Alternatively you can see more screenies and such on the project page of my blog: Project page (http://www.chibitamakuchi.com/tamachibikuchi/?page_id=182)

(Quick point - some of the background textures look odd since I have not yet processed them to tile properly!)

Looks interesting. That planet looks really good, by the way.

Ah thanks!

I can't take credit for the planet really, another coder friend of mine did a fantastic job and made a special generator for me, it's animated too and looks great in-game :)

Cheers for taking a look!

Hello again guys,

I know a few people are interested so I just thought I'd put a vid up of the game showing the AI in action. Still got a long way to go, but I think it's really starting to look promising now!

Let me know what you think: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ptKXDhPDoN8 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ptKXDhPDoN8)

Hey, that looks pretty cool and I dig the soundtrack in the u-tube vid. Please keep us informed on your progress. I'd be interested in alpha testing if you need it but content to wait for a public release if you do not.

Hello RTyp06 - I will certainly keep you in mind!

I've got a lot more work to do first, I'd like it to be over 2 hours gameplay before I start expanding the tester list, but I'll certainly need the help later on! :)

Thanks for taking a look!

That looks cool - show us some more screens! :)

Still working away here, I reckon I'm about 50% through the story scripting so I thought I would share another screenie:

(http://www.thephorse.net/aymes/screenies/Pioneer_NewScreen1_small.jpg) (http://www.thephorse.net/aymes/screenies/Pioneer_NewScreen1.jpg)

This is showing automated turrets on the enemy ships which in this case fire mega powerfull lasers! Still plenty more to do but I think I can make out light at the end of the tunnel! :)

looks like an epic battle. so is it going to end up being a sort of Starcraft type game?

Hi geocorn - no it's definitly a top down shooter like StarCon except rather than 1vs1 combat, it's 1 vs Lots ;) Apart from the sections where it's you + AI friends vs lots (these are my favourite!) :)

(That screenie probably looks a bit busy, but not all of those sprites are ships - some of it is scrap from a battle held there a long time ago. I might have another go at making the non-ship objects less obstrusive)

New Screenshot:

(http://www.thephorse.net/mkportal/modules/gallery/album/t_a_6.jpg) (http://www.thephorse.net/mkportal/modules/gallery/album/a_6.jpg)

However the most exciting thing (for me anyway) is that the game is now completable. There are a load of missing side quests and stuff, but you can play from the start to the finish, so from now on it's mostly improvement work.

Holy smoke. Have to check this out. You should also post it on RetroRemakes or TIGSource.

Thanks guesst :) Yeah I'll definitely be mentioning it on those sites once I'm closer to release.

Hey guys - well I've been quietly working away on this for the past few months and I reckon I'm near the end of development with only a few gfx/sounds missing (or that need to be replaced!).

Very very basic info site here: www.thephorse.net/pioneer (http://www.thephorse.net/pioneer)

So I'm on the lookout for 2 or 3 beta testers who I don't know personally (honest opinions needed!) - Obviously anyone who tests will get a free copy(ies?) once I finally release this thing :)

Windows OS's only at this stage (until I can afford a mac...or be bothered to install linux...)

I'll beta test this. PM me an e-mail address or instant messenger account to communicate with.

I am willing to!

This looks like fun!  Is there an exploration element involved?  ;D
Nevermind, I just read a little about it...

"Explore more than 10 huge areas of a galaxy"

Sounds good to me! Is it possible to land on the planets to do stuff?  ???

Wait... it has that too!  ;D

So.. did this game make it finally out of beta? Is it still available somewhere?

Ahh.. it's over here... http://www.playwhat.com/Games/Pioneer@2%20Space%20Explorer

But the creators' site appears to be dead.
Anyway, nice game! Clearly influenced by Star Control, although it's a little less explore for yourself and more taken by hand then SC2.
PS: I think you're not able to download the demo if you use Firefox, something with a version incompatibility or something..

..which is (also?) a Firefox plugin, but I doubt it's "clean".