The first rule of optimization for performance is "Don't do it", and the second rule is "Don't do it yet"... but when your unable to add new features and keep the game above a single digit frame rate, you have to do something.
I have been spreading my efforts between adding in a light weight particle system (to give some much needed flair to the visuals of the galaxy), improving my audio manager, creating sound effects, and catching up on my art backlog... that is until I hit a wall with my particle system and turned all of my efforts towards performance optimization.
I am not the best programmer in the world, so working on getting my game engine to run at a good clip so I can continue to add new stuff to the game is going slower than I had hoped. I have done a great deal of work on my game engine this past week, but unfortunately, there really hasn't been any progress made that is at all worth writing about.
I wanted to create a new video for you all to enjoy last week, but until I get the particle system working and keeping the framerate above 30 there really isn't much worth showing... but I can have you listen to something.
I finally received permission to use music for the game, so I would like to get your opinions about it.
Go and check out the artist <myspace>, <1>, <2>, <3>, <4>, <5>, <6>, <7>, <8> and <8bc>.
As for what tunes I am planning on using:
Cruisin The Cosmos
Intergalactic Disko Dance Party
Octagon Moon
Right Back To You
and Three Million Light Years Away
So thats all for now, but once I get the particle effects in, I will have more to share :)
- fidgetwidget
