You can now download the next build of S.A.D. for testing and experimenting purposes, as well as for enjoyment.  I have highlighted in bold all new features, so if you read the news for the previous build, your biggest concern is the stuff in bold.  I salute Netham45 and his band of lobsters





This version of S.A.D. allows you to preview the human race.  You can select a ship, construct a building, check the progress of your buildings, and move across the map.  Collision is also implemented to the point that buildings cannot be placed on top of each other or on top of solid objects and space.  You can add refineries and processing units to increase your income, and you can view your income.  Buildings cost money now, although ships don't cost money yet.  Buildings have more realistic costs and construction times.

When you see the loading screen, please be patient.  The loading screen is not a "goodie," the game really does take time to load.

Controls
------------------------------

2nd -- Displays the "Construct Building" Menu
Alpha -- Displays the "Select Ship" Menu
Mode -- Toggles the cursor on and off
X_T_Theta_N -- Allows you to drive your ship.  You can toggle this mode on and off with the same key.
Enter -- Place a building after you choose where you want it placed.  If you press Enter over a refinery, you can build processing units to increase your income.
Arrow Keys -- Move
Soft Keys--Adjust the speed at which the map Scrolls
Clear -- Exit a Menu, or exit the game entirely
Plus Key -- Toggle the resoures view, meaning how much money and supplies you have.

Hot Keys (For Menus) -- 2nd, Mode, Del, Alpha, X_T_Theta_N, Stat, Math, Apps, Pgrm

-----------------------------

A download link is provided below.  I have a forum available for bug reports, so please list any bugs there.

Please limit yourself to 25 buildings (NOT including processing units) per test-run.  I recommend testing this on an emulator.  The game, for right now, requires 21 KB of memory and 4 app pages.  The game does not check to see if you have enough memory.  I WILL NOT BE HELD RESPONSIBLE for any damage to your calculator.

Enjoy, and please let me know of any issues that exist, except for the following:

1. Please don't mention any errors that might occur when a player makes too much money
2. Please don't mention any errors about incorrect collision.  There are some tiles I accidentally marked as "collidable," and others that I forgot to mark as "collidable."  This is not a program bug, just a data bug.




Download Link: http://www.omnimaga.org/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=4324.0;attach=3092

Download Link to Nspire-Compatible (hopefully) File: http://www.omnimaga.org/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=1315.0;attach=3094

Things to look forward to, for sure, in S.A.D. Alpha 4:
------------------------------------------

Simple 2-Player gameplay:  You can connect two calculators, and move ships / construct buildings against each other.
Actual Buying and Construction of Ships

There may be surprises, but the above two items will be included for sure

Quote
Things to look forward to, for sure, in S.A.D. Alpha 4:
------------------------------------------

Simple 2-Player gameplay:  You can connect two calculators, and move ships / construct buildings against each other.
Actual Buying and Construction of Ships

There may be surprises, but the above two items will be included for sure
Awesome! Do you think the game will work fine between a 83+ and 83+SE? I know Nspire is out of the question because of the innacurate speed of its 84+ emu, though.

As long as the Nspire has interrupt emulation and link emulation, games should be fine between an 83+ and the Nspire.  The multiplayer mode uses interrupts to keep games in sync (meaning once one calc reaches an interrupt, it has to wait until the other calculator reaches the interrupt), so things will for sure be fine between an 83+ and an 83+SE.

Is it very slow, btw, to do that?

Well, it's too early to know for sure, but I'm using the Bell Multiplayer library, http://bell.timendus.com/, and I've found it to be quite excellent.  Furthermore, since interrupts occur about 120 times a second, it isn't long before both players sync with each other.  For right now, I'd say you have nothing to worry about.

Also, if the calc is accidentally unplugged or if you use a crappy link cable with poor contact, will the game stops until they're connected again?

Yes, the game does stop.  However, a user can press a certain key (I don't know which one I'm using yet) to pause the game so that when the calculators are connected again, the game won't start until both players are ready.

This is a very nice looking game! I can see that Hot Dog spent a lot of time with the presentation aspect of the game.