I was at work when this idea hit me. To design a game like Liero. Which, for you guys who aren't familiare is like Worms, except for it isn't turn based, and instead of being on land, you're inside of it. and you dig through it or blast through it. Like this::


Well, the point here is. Does anybody have even the slightest clue to whether it's possible to create a "dirt" that could be destroyed from any angle. It would matter whether it was done 2D or 3D. But I couldn't even think of a single way to acomplish this effect. But i can believe it's entirely immpossible.
PS: I posted here because I awsnt sure where else to post, but I figure like anything in programming a game, it starts with script.

Hey bro...

The first (and only) way that comes to mind is be created an "array" of blocks (like minesweeper). Then just removing them to create a tunnel. However, on the front of the block, draw a somewhat round shape thats bigger than the block, so it all looks rounded...

hmmm, it's inventive. but I'm kinda afraid it might come off corny in appearence and functionality. Esp. in comparison to other cames of that kind

((PS: sorry about metal forum dude, I'm having server problems so it's been down))

I'm thinking that to render an effect like this (at least in 2D) you'd need to use direct x. Like what it you could have it draw a circle or clear away vertices or a model being rendered, and some how player entities could only pass through that... Just an idea. thought it's kinda way out there.

Lotsa sprites could do it really well You need both horizontal and verticle types for ground and ceiling plus walls or just walls if you already have a hollow enviro to use.
No matter which way you approach the shot the effect should be created with good results I reckon

A friend of mine wrote a terrain system where verticle positions are stored in voxels (so you can deform it any way you like) ... that would work. Would probably be a bit overkill for 3dgs though

Picture files (sprites) are used to show the underground surface area to the camera . The sprites cover the camera view and when shot at, they are replaced with the explosions, dust and debri of a tunnel being formed by force.
Small tunnel areas would have their walls represented by the sprite inages of the walls whilst the resulting 'cave' look would be shown as the base model or blocks.

Larger areas would do the same or similar.

I just had a similar (or the same?) idea as ready's friend had:

you have one huge block. floating above it, there's a terrain, that is straight. when moving forward or shooting, you move the affected vertecies back behind the block, so that the block's visible at these places...

?

Micha

Pixel instructions on bitmap tiles.