New guy needs some help

[DavidBeoulve]

I have coded 2d shooters before in QuickBasic, C and Java (though I haven't coded in any of those in years)

-- But I am at a loss as to how to make a large space backdrop scroll
-- How to make shots happen, how to make sure shots don't all disappear if just one shot collides with an enemy ship
-- How to make enemies appear in waves
-- Adding music (I've seen some threads on that)

I ran through the basic tutorials, but the later ones gave an error saying that an Actor can't have a Parent be itself (or something) - so I couldn't finish the more advanced ones. Besides, what I need is some detailed explanation online, and the docs don't do that.

Any and all help appreciated. I am considering making the full copy of this supplant my next game purchase -- if I can learn how to use it.

[Just4Fun]

Hi David,

1.But I am at a loss as to how to make a large space backdrop scroll
2.Adding music (I've seen some threads on that)

1.When in the Actor Control panel, there is a button on the right side that is initially labeled "normal". Select this button and choose "infinite" from the drop down box. Your game will then scroll in both directions. Pretty simple,huh. That is what GE is all about!

2.To add music to your game use the Event button and create some event. For example, on mouse button down event, create action -->play music.

Your other two questions would probably be answered by downloading and working through the tutorial that Makslane posted in the demo section. It is called "Moon Defender".

It is a good idea to study the help docs included with GE and don't forget to search this forum. There are many helpful threads here. GE does take some work and study, but it is worth it.

HTHs...

[DavidBeoulve]

1) Thank you for your help. I already did #1, but I am unsure how to tie the background to xvelocity to do anything -- though I can make that work with the ship actor. I update the background infinite actor's xvelocity on startup and nothing happens.

Furthermore, the ship in question follows the mouse, so how can I call a procedure to update the background actor's xvelocity & yvelocity? On create, I set both, but it never moves.

2) Gotcha. That's working.

I've made games in C and Java before, but I am more of a Graphic Designer. I'm not afraid of documentation, but I've also studied .NET and comparatively the docs aren't always so clear yet or easy to find here.

I've searched this forum (and the programming in general) and haven't found the basics of paralax scrolling yet. Pointers (no pun intended for you C pundits) appreciated.

I read through http://game-editor.com/tutorials/moonde ... l_eng.html now, but it didn't help with the background scrolling.

[Just4Fun]

OK David,
I'm not sure if this is what you are after, but have you tried using the view actor?
1.Add your background actor and make it infinite x.
2.Create your ship actor. Let's scroll the ship to the right on the x coordinate. Use a key down event -->right arrow -->script editor: x=x+5;
3.Add a new draw actor event to the ship actor and add the following script:
view.x = x-600;
I hope that I'm not steering you in the wrong direction here...

[DavidBeoulve]

Thank you I seem to be on the right course.

Once the view is moving -- how far away can an actor get before it's too far away?

If I just move the actor off the screen, how far off the screen can he go before the game engine spits?

If I am moving the view and not the background, how do I get other elements to stay put? Update their velocity? That'd be too simple

[makslane]

If I am moving the view and not the background, how do I get other elements to stay put?

Select the view actor as parent.

[makslane]

I ran through the basic tutorials, but the later ones gave an error saying that an Actor can't have a Parent be itself

Which tutorial?

[DavidBeoulve]

1) Ah ho ha! That works. Thank you

2) I just ran through the tutorials and they worked. I might have munged up GE by trying to cancel out of a tutorial by flailing my mouse around and hitting Stop when it appeared, not sure - but I can't get the bug to repeat. I saw more tutorials to boot.

Once the view is moving -- how far away can an actor get before it's too far away?

If I just move the actor off the screen, how far off the screen can he go before the game engine spits?

Any links to paralax scrolling, or tutorials?

Muchismas gracias.

[makslane]

The move limits (world size) for all actor is:
-1048576 to +1048576 (for x or y values)

To make paralax, you can use something like this:

On background1 Draw Actor event:
x = playerActor.x / 2;


On background2 Draw Actor event:
x = background1.x / 2;

Change the divisor value to get the desired effect