A PC game based on the classic Commodore 64 game
Written by Mark Rosten, using Blitz 3d

Original version (c) 1984, 1985 Electronic Arts
Programming: Rick Koenig & Connie Goldman, Sound: Dave Warhol

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    Information  

After getting to grips programming with Blitz Basic writing my popular Bruce Lee remake, and after a bit of a break from programming, I decided to start a new project using Blitz 3d (the 3d incarnation of this great programming language). As I like the remake challenge I decided to try and create a new version of Racing Destruction Set, based on the original Commodore 64 version (were there other versions?).

The game will be 'based on' the original Commodore 64 version and a not a direct remake (like my almost pixel-perfect Bruce Lee remake was). I'm hoping the game's original look and feel will still be there in this new version, but as it's using a 3d engine instead of 2d it will of course look different to the original. I'm hoping that all of the original's features will be included with a few enhancements here and there.

If you are not familiar with the original game, view a review of it at the Stadium 64 website >here<.

    News  

2002-08-10 - Progress update and new screenshot.
I've just posted a new screenshot showing the first version of the menu system. The menu options are all 3d bars which rotate on changing menus. I'll need to tweak the textures of the highlighted options and the logos displayed (the Blitz3d logo is faded in and out every now and then), I'll also probably remove the moving sprite 'Racing Destruction Set' texts which bounce around the screen behind the menu. All I have left to do on the actual menu system is make it work in-game.

The menu system works differently if you call up the menu in-game as the split screen cameras cause a few problems. Hopefully this will be working by the end of the weekend and I can get on with all the menu option screens needed (control selection, inputting player names, track load/save, etc.)

2002-08-05 - Progress update.
After several failed attempts at a new physics engine (just couldn't get the controls how I wanted them) I'm putting the physics re-write on the back burner until a book I've ordered arrives. Until then I'm going to make a start on the menu system and all the things that go along with choosing all the various options of the game. So, progress is moving slowly forward, Just .

The good news is I've got lots of nice little ideas for enhancing the game options.
Things like:
1) Saving and loading race options preferences in different files (pre-made ones will be themed like 'bouncy bouncy' and 'endurance')
2) Saving and loading player profiles (keeping controls per player and any stats the game will keep track of)
3) 'Play lists' for which tracks to play. Simply select a bunch of tracks, along with their race properties (gravity/laps/etc.), save the play list, and play all the tracks one after the other

I've lots more ideas for enhancements to the game, but I'll keep them quiet, for now.

2002-07-21 - Progress update.
A too busy week Real Life (tm) has not left me any time for coding unfortunately . What little time I've spent today has been on a new physics system to replace the one I have. After playing the original game a bit more (via an emulator) I've realised that I need to scrap my current physics code and start again. This isn't a big problem but due to the lack of time spent coding has meant I'm not as far along as I'd have wished.

Plans for the week: Try to find more time to code and continue with the new physics code

2002-07-08 - Progress update, site update, and new screenshot.
After spending more time than anticipated on creating the new curved corners and narrow width track pieces I've finally finished the track designer. No doubt it will need a bit more tweaking when I throw more weird and wonderful tracks at it, but that's to be expected when I'm the only one testing the program (for now).

I've uploaded a screenshot showing the new 3d track view mode within the designer. This is handy to see how the track looks as the above view mini-map cannot show you the heights and widths selected for each track piece. I'm not sure if I'll add anything else to this view at the moment as I really need to leave the designer alone and get on with the main game code .

I've moved the 'Progress' section to a seperate page as the bulk of the text shown there doesn't change that often.

Next item on the agenda: Re-playing the original game on an emulator to try to get my game's control and physics to 'feel' similar. I'm not sure how long this will take but it's important my game feels like the old game. I may have to get a 'best guess' system in place and see what other people think.

2002-07-05 - Progress update.
I've been fixing some problems with the new narrow width track pieces in the track designer this week. I've also added a track view option to the designer which renders the whole track in 3d. This is shown from above but I may add the perspective view used in game to better show the final look of the track. This weekend I'll be concentrating on making sure the new track pieces work fine and adjusting the new collision code I'm adding to stop you from going against the track's route.

2002-06-29 - 2 more screenshots.
2 more screenshots have been added showing the new curved and narrow track pieces.

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    Screen shots

All screenshots are WORK IN PROGRESS!
Models/Textures will be changed before a demo is released.