Mana²

Since I found a rather fatal bug for PCs with older hardware or Windows, I was kinda forced to rush the next version asap. Namely, the game wouldn't start by giving a dxgi.dll file not found error, and there was no way to get around this (other than having DX10+ installed). This however also means, that I had to include the current version of Jobs/Classes as well with it (as I don't have a older source to work from).

Hi it's been a couple of months, but it's finally here. The new update to the Mana Squared Demo !
The general user interface has been largely re-made, and has a new layout. It should now also be compatible when using on a portrait-style screen. Some changes have been made to the user data files and the hi-score files, resulting most likely in loss of all your previous game data.
Some of the the biggest changes are:
- Check for updates in-game. This will check for updates, download and install them
- Re-newed layout using HP-Bars

This update includes bug-fixes and a little improvement on the mouse interface to work more like you'd expect it to be.
Fixed:
- Pause now works correctly on computers that don't have a joystick plugged in
- Low quality main menu now loads correctly
Also:
- Added Credits
- Changed some GUI elements
- Added command-line parameter "--nojoy" to completely disable joystick support should you still have problems with controls, or simply don't wish to enable it

I fixed a small bug I stumbled alone that would allow a player to cheat in a online match, but I've updated the download section with a new installer.

Edit: I quick-fixed the pause game bug

The new demo of Mana Squared is now available.
New features include; new menus, and online play, updated achievements, a few bugfixes.
I will try to keep the server up as much as possible, if it isn't running or is unreachable for you, then please let me know. (it should be called "Ixion Alpha [BE]")
Please note that the online matchmaking features requires at least 2 people on the server doing this at the same time :p
Due to the game being not at all that popular at the moment, you might be hard pressed to find a opponent this way.
Enjoy ...

So all the online game play code we need for now is in the game. That just leaves us to build a new interface for the game when it is online (currently uses a commandline to get things done)
Another problem I still have is, on what and where will I run the game server.

The in-game code for playing online (or in a network) is nearing it's completion.
It will still be awhile before I release this as a new demo however. The interface for lobbies is pretty much non-existent as of now (have to do everything with a command-line atm). Also I'd like to make a little "Automatic Match Making"-button first that will group players into a single lobby to play.
I am however interested if you want me to help me do some tests with 4 or more players in a online game.
Hope I can finish this soon.

Haven't updated this in a while, but that's because I haven't done anything on the game for a couple of months.
But the last week I've been making some good progress on it again.
My internal test client and server are done. (only need to add new function to them when I need them)
And I've integrated a debug version in the actual game that for now does about the same as the test-client.
I hope to be able to make a new updated Game client to put on the site soon, but it will not yet contain a personal server.

The progress on making a dedicated game-server is moving along nicely. In my local client I am now able to connect to the server, create a game lobby, join a lobby, perform a teamswitch, perform a readycheck, and the server will send a game-start event to all players in the lobby when all users have performed the readycheck. This might not seem like a lot, but it does all this without any error (so far :p)

I've added a installer to the download section for a new version of the Demo.
The most notable updates in this demo include.
- Support for Gamepad (hardcoded for a XBox360 controller layout at this moment)
- More particle effects
- Upgraded the score for various magics that kill blocks
- Implementation of the following Magics and Skills: Meteor, Multi-Magic, Recycle (they do require a lot of CP to unlock)

Enjoy !