"DuneBUILD"

DukeLeto · October 19, 2003

As some of you probably know, the BUILD Engine Source Code (used in DukeNukem 3D, Blood, and Witchaven, among others) was released by 3D Realms earlier this year. Over the last couple days, I've been playing around with it, and was wondering if maybe we could use it to make a Dune game. The engine is programmed in Watcom C (http://www.openwatcom.org/) and uses (I think) mostly sprite-and-voxel graphics. However, with work, it could be made to look pretty good. Plus, no liscensing fee, since BUILD is Open-source.

So...idea or not? If so, who all can help? I can do some coding, but I suck at computer graphics.

Vanguard3000 · October 19, 2003

I don't know if it would be worth it. Last I checked, Duke Nukem 3D didn't run on my WinXP computer (or at least, I couldn't get the sound running with my newer hardware). I think a project like that would probably peter out pretty quickly.

DukeLeto · October 19, 2003

There's a simple fix for the XP thing; it could be built right into the game.

thomas · October 20, 2003

a warhammer 40k game would also be sweet, but anyways yeah a dune game would be sweet ;D

Vanguard3000 · October 21, 2003

Scytale: Wasn't "Fire Warriors" just released recently?

Leto: Well, if there is a fix, then that's great. I just don't know if it would be worth making a Dune-based game with such an old engine, whne a mod could be made for something newer. Although the build engine is pretty easy (I've only made one level though, and it was just a sort of zoo, with all the aliens and weapons from DN3D).

If you get something organized, I can probably help out a bit, with Build stuff, probably some graphics stuff as well.

Inoculator9 · October 21, 2003

Or you could just help with the REAL new dune game ;)

DukeLeto · October 21, 2003

Scytale: Wasn't "Fire Warriors" just released recently?
Leto: Well, if there is a fix, then that's great. I just don't know if it would be worth making a Dune-based game with such an old engine, whne a mod could be made for something newer. Although the build engine is pretty easy (I've only made one level though, and it was just a sort of zoo, with all the aliens and weapons from DN3D).
If you get something organized, I can probably help out a bit, with Build stuff, probably some graphics stuff as well.

The problem with a mod is that

A)It would require people to have the game, and

B)You couldn't charge for it. :P

Furthermore, the BUILD engine has produced some stunning graphics (EG: Shadow Warrior), and yet shouldn't be as complex to work with as, say, UnrealTech or Q3:TA. Pus, no liscensing fees.

Vanguard3000 · October 21, 2003

Stunning as they may be, I couldn't see anyone making a profit from a build-based game. As I said, though, I'll be happy to help in any way I can if you decide to start a project up.

thomas · October 21, 2003

I want a 2d FPS of warhammer that would be sweet in its 16 bit graphics of glory oops I meant 8 bit :D :D ;D

Caid Ivik · October 21, 2003

Good idea, this engine is rather easier than today ones and still with that pioneer nefesh of Doom. But voxel graphics? That would make it rather slower on older computers, if we'll get there too much objects on the screen, even my 384 MB might be insufficient...

Cyborg · October 21, 2003

Old 3d games made extensive use of voxel graphics.

It's a quite fast technique.

However, in newer games, voxel graphics is no longer used because it doesn't support rotation in the y axis more than a few degrees...

Caid Ivik · October 22, 2003

Easy to make, but it takes much RAM.

Cyborg · October 22, 2003

Yes, that's another downside with the idea.

DukeLeto · October 23, 2003

TibSun/RA2 use voxels for vehicles, and I can flood the screen in those games with tanks and experience little or no slowdown. And I only have 512 MB of RAM (although i do a GF4 as well, which probably helps).

But voxels are only used for certain environmental objects; sectors (rooms) are textured walls, enemies/NPCs are SHP-like (up to 32 frames showing the unit from varoius angle), and a few objects can be 2D FMEs (such as weapons, keys, ammo, powerups, etc.)

Cyborg · October 23, 2003

512MB RAM is ridicolously much when you you talk about voxels.

And yes, voxel graphic is rendered at fast speed.

A whole screen of tanks wouldn't need much RAM. The game itself requires much more.

Voxels could never have been used(like DukeLeto states) for objects with moving parts(like characters and such) because the the system uses an array of pixels, which would take very long time to move(and thus it's better to use normal polygon 3D for games like first person shooters).

Caid Ivik · October 23, 2003

OK, 512 should be enough. But don't forget Duke Nukem 3D was made for 486s, and my P120 with 16 MB had problems with running some sections. But of course, if made properly, the game would run easily.

Dunenewt · November 3, 2003

I'll help in anyway possible.

DukeLeto · November 4, 2003

OK, that's two. Anybody any good with graphics?

I've got some weapons ideas:

1 key: Crysknife

2 key: Maula Pistol

These in no order:

(Sub)Machine gun, or something to that effect

Sniper Rifle (a sniper scope in a BUILD game...there's a new challenge)

LasGun

Wierding Module

A sword of some sort (?)

The wilder ideas:

Grenade (launcher)

Atomic weapons or something perhaps

Plasma guns

Rocket Launcher/RPG

Shotgun-type thing

Mines/Det Packs/C4

The Voice

Perhaps you could get shields (which can be turned off and on, using some sort of power supply while on, but making you all but invulnerable to things other then Crysknifes and lasguns), armor (absorbs or reduces damage, duh), and of course, a stillsuit (provides basic health).

Cyborg · November 4, 2003

Doesn't DukeNukem have those security cameras or something which you can watch?

In that case, a sniper zoom shouldn't be too hard to make either.

Does the BUILD engine use cameras or something to "view the world"?

Vanguard3000 · November 4, 2003

Cyborg: Yeah, Duke has security cameras. It also has items like the jetpack, which could be edited to be shields and stuff.

The BUILD editor is based largely on WYSIWYG editing. A lot of room-building takes place from a 3D perspective of that room.

Dunenewt · November 4, 2003

I had to look around a bit as I've never played a BUILD based game.

I've found this site if it of any use:

http://jonof.edgenetwork.org/build/

The graphics look quite good on these games though.

Caid Ivik · November 4, 2003

I can make a few models of something in Milkshape, if you need.

Dunenewt · November 4, 2003

Sounds good. You're in :P

Dunenewt · November 9, 2003

Is this dead?

DukeLeto · November 9, 2003

I hope not. But to be honest, I'm not much good for anythign but ideas. (And perhaps wallpapers!) The source code can be found here and WatCom C here if anybody is any good at programming. If you're the graphical type, the voxel editor can be found here.

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