From: R-Comp Interactive (RCI) <rci@arsvcs.demon.co.uk>
Newsgroups: comp.sys.acorn.games
Subject: Re: RCI sign deal with Interplay for RiscOS Descent
Date: 1998/06/19
Organization: R-Comp Interactive
For all you techies, we're currently updating much of the code
with Phoebe (grr. RiscPC2) in mind, particularly WRT CD audio
routine and available screen modes (the current version doesn't
play above 640x480).
We're also investigating adding a 16 bit sound system which
should make audio mixing cleaner and better. 16bpp colour is
also an option, but will depend on how long we decide to wait
before releasing the game.
Just for the sake of interest, could some of you guys email me
(yeah, I have no mates!) rating the following in order of
importance:
1) 16bpp gfx
2) >640x480 gfx (bearing in mind that the SA is fairly slow
at 640x480 on current hardware)
3) Run in a window
4) 16bit sound system instead of 8bit (improves MIDI mixing
etc)
5) The big splat cockpit graphic which takes over most of the
screen, but makes you feel like you're flying a ship rather
than playing Doom ;-> (Currently, we've removed it to make
it easier to play in different resolutions).
This would help us allocate remaining development time. Please
note that I haven't mentioned network support, as this is a bit
icky with Descent. We might be able to have a mess around with
serial links, but net play is done via IPX (or AppleTalk), rather
than TCPIP, which is not best suited to Acorns. We're well aware
that net support is important to you guys, but often it could add
6-8 weeks onto a product's development schedule, and I guess most
of you would rather have a game with no network support at
launch, than wait 2 months for a game you could be playing now.
Andrew
--
R-Comp Interactive
22 Robert Moffat, High Legh, Knutsford, Cheshire WA16 6PS
Tel: (+44) 01925 755043 Fax: (+44) 01925 757377
http://www.rcomp.co.uk/
(Ed's note: this message is unusual in that Andrew Rawnsley actually put his name to it ;)