gameCore 2 update: Alpha 4 is uploading now.

Here are the release notes from the build.

NOTE: This version of GameCore will require re-activation of the Alpha. You will need to re-enter your old BV 1.1 serial key at the activation prompt in order to activate the software. You DO NOT need to re-purchase the software from the GameCore Alpha store, simply re-enter your old BV 1.1 serial key in order to re-activate the Alpha.

-------------
Version: v2.0 Professional Alpha 4
---------------------------------
- ShowWideScreen() functions work again
-- forces the viewport into 16:9 mode (useful for cinematics etc)
- Realtime Cubic Environment Maps fixed
- removed run game as fullscreen option from editor
-- directx9 forces us to reload the entire game if we do this so it's just not a good idea
- added 'export as single file' option for game export
-- packs the game data and executable into a single file
- streamlined game data export
-- only 2 files exported now
-- instead of the exe & 'gamedata.dat' being exported, it exports 'projectname.exe' and 'projectname.dat'
- bvo object cache files optimized considerably to streamline exported game file size
- optimized texture cache support added (bvj files) reduces game size considerably.
- re-added depreciated 'SetTexture()' function to improve BV 1.1 backwards compatibility
-- use SetDiffuseMap() readded for additional backwards compatibility with older scripts
- displacement mapping support
-- displacement map needs to be added as the 'alpha' channel of a normal map. Adjust the 'displacement value'
-- occlusion maps can be also added to enhance the displacement appearance.
--- add as a detail map with blend mode 'multiply' and adjust
- new Sprite class exposed in script
- new FX management functions (new FXObject class) allows script-based modifications of FX.
- bug fixes from forum / community
- new integrated Object Viewer with complete support for surface editing / animation viewing
-- editor can be switched between two modes 'object mode' and 'game editor' mode.
-- select an object in the world and click 'open in object viewer' button to jump to object viewer mode

Is Gamecore 2 still using Angel script same as B.V. ?

Yes. It is told to be compatible to the previous BV projects.

GameCore Beta is coming. read about the various improvements and cool new features on the official dev blog i linked below.

http://www.gamecore.ca/blog/2008/06/23/gamecore-beta-public-launch-updates/

1) Integrated / updated FX Editor
2) Integrated Menu Editor
3) New streaming texture management system
4) statistics in the editor
5) profiling in the editor
6) surface layers
7) optimizations, optimizations, optimizations
8) new TreeView enabled listbox
9) Completely redone Store / Website

Sounds interesting. Also the Lightwave-Connection is a real time saver.

But it seems there is a problem with timing. I played this level ( the first video... http://www.gamecore.ca/blog/video-gallery/ ).

Sometimes movement and rotation of the camera is slow, normal, slow, fast, slow, normal... and so on.
Usually movement and rotation should be FPS-independent.

sounds like a scripting/programming problem, not an engine problem.

Hmmm....the website says :
"GameCore Beta will begin July 4th 2008."
So far, i see any beta Ohhh, I'm so excited

//well, the website exactly says,

A era ends, another begins

We have reached the end of the GameCore Alpha testing period. What does this mean? Well, for starters, it means that we have temporarily closed the Alpha testing site for all logins. This is required so we can rearrange a few things and take the wrapping off the new site & framework.

If you have been involved in the Alpha test, don’t worry - all of your accounts and logins are still valid - we just needed to close the doors for a moment to get a few things polished prior to launch.

Launch you say?

Yes, the next phase of GameCore’s evolution is to open the doors to the general public and let everyone in on the fun. We will be launching the new site, store & gamecore Beta all at the same time. This should be interesting (eek), but if all goes according to plan, later this week, everyone will have access to the next generation in game development - GameCore!

Stay tuned for more details as we get closer to the Launch.

Its a bunch of PR, i hope the engine is on par this time around

Here the news :

"
Oh the joy of release day

Ok, we missed our internal date of July 4th. Was hoping to have a nice present for the american’s in the crowd, but alas, it was not to be. Our goal with the next release is to throw it out to the masses - yes, the GameCore Beta will be our official ‘unveiling’, both of the new engine and the new community site that we’ve been developing. But, as with any project of this size, there are always a billion things that you want to get finished before things get exposed to the public scrutiny that is the internet.

At this point, we are down to the nitty-gritty. Technology (both for the site & engine release) is good to go. At this point it’s down to a crapload of writing, for documentation and marketing materials for the site. The ‘Beta’ part about the release is going to mostly be the lack of documentation about the new features. We try to make our software as self-documenting as possible, but it’s still a very crucial component of the big picture.

But, the world can’t wait forever, so tomorrow is the big day. One final pass on the engine to fix a few known issues, and a mad rush of writing for the site, and we will be live, ready or not (here it comes!)

Stay tuned for more info.

"