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[XtenDSProgrammer]

I understand that a long time ago, when XtenDS was first released, people discarded it as trash because of it's lack of functions and options. I agree with them now, it was overly simple, however let's forget the past and concentrate on what XtenDS 7.2 has to offer.

If you don't know what XtenDS is, it is a gamemaker where you can make DS Games by just clicking to assign backgrounds, where you want sprites and more. See below.

+ Sprites - on either/both screens, any size that PALib supports, simple click to add, right click to remove, supports Magenta transparency
+ Backgrounds - on either/both screens, high 16 bit or average EasyBG mode, backgrounds too large automatically resized in either tile or stretch mode (ideal for photos, wallpapers, images from Google)
+ Sounds - 57 .raw files included, easily playable with XtenDS events system. Option to choose sound channel for sounds to be played through in preferences screen, can add own sounds easily converted with Switch/Audacity
+ Splash Screens - Set a condition (Start, stylus etc), screen - top/bottom, and image to show
+ If - Test condition using the inbuilt expression builder, easy to make conditions using drop down boxes, such as Pad.Newpress.A, also includes End If and Else functions for complex structures
+ Scripts - Easily execute scripts stored in XtenDS/Scripts folder. They will need to be in PALib C++ format, but a code editor/script manager is included with Insert Varilable tools, comment tool etc.
+ Move Sprite with D-Pad, ability to move a sprite on the screen using the D-pad with just one event added
+ More error handling and high compile-success rate with newer system
+ Emulator support - launches an emulator straight after compile with your game in it, you can configure 2 if the first falls out, e.g. exe not found
+ Ability to have the game pause when the DS lid is closed
+ Advanced Options - set Palet name, Transparent color, Background Quality, Sound channel, compile includes and more
+ System scan - finds errors with PALib/devkitpro setup, like missing environment variables, missing paths

Not only are all these changes positive, your games are strored in just 1 file (e.g. Monkeys.xds), meaning less chance for bugs, and they can be stored anywhere on your PC.

Much more is included than what I can think of right now, plus the install is less than 5 megabtes! Also, there has been a big documentation rewrite, it is now a full step-by-step tutorial from download to scripting.

Please try to forget what the Alpha was like, now we are striving for the best DS Gamemaker available!



Website: http://invisionsoft.co.uk [Download Link is on front page]


- Invisionsoft

[uzumakishade]

this sounds great i might try it out, some screenshots of what can be accomplished or possibly a demo would be great though

[XtenDSProgrammer]

Sorry uzumakishade!

I've modified my post with a screenshot (I didn't have any decent graphics to hand, sorry)


- Invisionsoft

[Devil_Spawn]

now THAT sounds more like it!

[uzumakishade]

wow this looks great and iteresting would it be possible to make something like a platformer like mario or a trading card game like pokemon or yugioh with this?

[XtenDSProgrammer]

  Well, you can make some of the features in those games in XtenDS, and use the code to learn how to do the rest. Lets say you were to make an RPG, you can have a nice splash screen, then have a character moveable by the D-Pad, and trees, with a nice green grass background. Then, when the User presses A, you can play a gunshot noise and execute a shoot script you have written. Already, you have cut out quite a bit of time and code. The idea is to look at the code and learn from it, or for people who know what they are doing, the idea is to save them alot of time rewriting the code template, drawing backgrounds etc. All the code XtenDS makes is pretty much exactly written how a normal person would.

In the documentation (http://invisionsoft.co.uk/xtendsdoc.php) you will find a link to the PALib wiki which shows you exactly how to code in c.

- James

[XtenDSProgrammer]

Update: XtenDS 7.3 is out fixing Win32 icon crash on Windows XP & bug where you couldn't delete Sprite events. Plus new function: Move Sprite to custom co-ordinate location. Useful for moving the character to user-defined positions or for dynamically shifting trees about to confuse your player.

I am not sure, but I think I may have fixed another bug where the toolbar has a giant red cross over it. Let's wait and see.

Download: http://invisionsoft.co.uk

- James