PDA

View Full Version : 16: Ultimate Quest



Chippit
17-09-2007, 06:12 PM
Ultimate Quest is a retro-styled text adventure, with all levels designed entirely out of standard ASCII text characters. Embark on prolix adventures, exercise your typing fingers.
http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n234/ch1ppit/UQ1.jpg
This is our retro homage to ye olde Sierra text adventures. And yes, I said 'our'. For once, I am not working alone. I have enlisted Azimuth to assist with this game and provide the masterful ASCII art. (Or rather, she enlisted me :P)

Prerequisites:
.NET 2.0 (http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=0856EACB-4362-4B0D-8EDD-AAB15C5E04F5&displaylang=en) (Most people should already have this. If not, phear teh hueg 22.4 MB)
XNA Framework (http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=A7DA4763-6807-4BD5-8D18-18C60C437F93&displaylang=en) (Small download, for those who don't already have Game Studio Express. 1.9 MB)

FINAL VERSION (updated with documentation, squashed bugs, deaths of kittens, minuscule grammatical error fixes and a shiny new Vista compatibility sticker. Maybe if this list is long enough, someone will download the game. :P)
Get it here (http://gamedev.openhazel.co.za/filecloset/download.php?id=286) (A peasantworthy 60kb)

Extra note:
If anyone here has a pre shader-model 2.0 system I'd appreciate it if you would try the game on it. I have a bloom test effect running on the characters to give a retro screen-glow effect, and the effect uses a version 2.0 pixel shader. However, the game should omit the effect if it detects a card that's not capable, and it should still run. I'd appreciate it if someone could test this for me. I have no way to test it myself.

dislekcia
17-09-2007, 08:05 PM
Oh my. Wow. A bloom filtered text game... So very, very nice :)

Ran fine on my PC, I have XNA and the whole shebang already installed though.

Might I suggest a few things though? Colour words of interest in the description text, plus give people a few clues regarding how they should move around etc. Otherwise I'm really keen to see where this goes. Seriously, this team is made of awesome.

-D

Tr00jg
17-09-2007, 08:12 PM
Sweet! Im loving the effects. Pretty neato! Well, thats all I can say. Loving the the humour so far (hope you keep up with it).

Chippit
17-09-2007, 08:23 PM
@dis: The current scene is still preliminary, so I'll be sure to make a more fleshed out tutorial segment that will teach users how to play. Things like common commands and a few general hints.

And the colour idea is great, thanks. Added. It will work well on top of what I already have to try and make the game easy to play. The parser accepts a wide range of synonyms so you won't spend time trying to figure out which words to use. "Look around" is the same as "examine surroundings" to the game, for instance.

@tr00jg: It wouldn't be an adventure without the humour. ;)

Thaumaturge
18-09-2007, 06:51 AM
This sounds like a lot of fun!

It actually tempts me to go and download .NET 2.0 in order to play it...

FuzzYspo0N
18-09-2007, 08:48 AM
lol get the .net framework. a lot of ppl use it, and a lot of newer games even require it...

Chippit this is looking good. keep it up

Gazza_N
18-09-2007, 07:47 PM
Urk! The Chippit/Azimuth team cannot be stopped! A very noice start, guys. Keep it coming.

Tr00jg
18-09-2007, 09:34 PM
Urk! The Chippit/Azimuth team cannot be stopped! A very noice start, guys. Keep it coming.

I'm fearing the same! Why doesn't Azimuth say somethin?

P.S. Is that "noice" suppose to sound like Goldmember from Austin Powers?

Gazza_N
18-09-2007, 10:01 PM
Azimuth is probably too busy playing Bioshock to post here. :p

@Tr00jg: Yes, it was. Because this game is toit. ;)

Azimuth
19-09-2007, 04:01 PM
Toit loik a toiger.

Light
19-09-2007, 04:21 PM
It crashes when I run it :(

I'm using Vista (which I assume already has .NET 2?) and I've installed the XNA framework.

It is showing the standard Vista "Adventure has stopped working" popup.

Chippit
19-09-2007, 04:39 PM
Hmmm. As far as I know, Vista ships with .NET 3.0. I know that .NET 2.0 did not include version 1.1 runtimes, and it was occasionally necessary to install both versions, so perhaps this is also true for .NET 3.0?

I've unfortunately not tested it on Vista myself, though I see no reason why it should not work.

*EDIT
Are you running 64-bit Vista?

Azimuth
19-09-2007, 04:44 PM
Nandrew had the same problem running under vanilla Vista.

Nandrew
19-09-2007, 05:44 PM
True, and it's a 32-bit home edition.

I haven't fretted with trying to get the game to work too much, sorries -- been rather occupied.

Light
20-09-2007, 10:52 AM
Hmmm. As far as I know, Vista ships with .NET 3.0. I know that .NET 2.0 did not include version 1.1 runtimes, and it was occasionally necessary to install both versions, so perhaps this is also true for .NET 3.0?

I looked in C:\Windows\Microsoft.NET\Framework and there are directories there for 1.0, 1.1, 2.0 and 3.0. I don't know much about .NET so I don't know how to check any further.


Are you running 64-bit Vista?

I'm running Vista Ultimate 32-bit.

dislekcia
20-09-2007, 04:14 PM
AFAIK XNA runs on the cut-down version of the .NET libraries (the exact name for it escapes me at the moment, I think I'm getting old...) so it might be that Vista doesn't install that explicitly.

-D

Chippit
22-09-2007, 10:43 PM
Moar texty adventures come your way:

We now have wandering NPCs, a heroic looking and smartly dressed avatar for you to order around, items to find, an extra scene to explore, a delightfully complicated backstory, some new interface features, more commands... Heck, just generally more stuff ;)

Oh, and wildlife, of course. It's not a game without wildlife.

Grab now (http://gamedev.openhazel.co.za/filecloset/download.php?id=203) (slightly less measly 39kb)

Azimuth
22-09-2007, 10:54 PM
Play it, peasants.

Cyberninja
23-09-2007, 02:56 AM
You guys ROCK. Seriously. This game is pure win. There will be sequels, I hope. ;)

Azimuth
26-09-2007, 09:01 PM
Aaaaaaaaaaaaaand it's here! (http://gamedev.openhazel.co.za/filecloset/download.php?id=212)

And as a teaser for upcoming thrills 'n' spills...

ULTIMATE QUEST II: NOW IN MOAR COLOURS

http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q258/azimuth666/hero.gif

COMING SOON...SOMETIME...YEAH.

Tr00jg
27-09-2007, 01:21 PM
Sweet! This is just awesome. It has real potential to become something "big".

Suggestions:

-I know in games like these it is mostly guesswork, but isn't there some sort of way to make commands more obvious (ie what command to use and where)?

P.S. Gotta love the Adventure Game Rulebook!

GeometriX
27-09-2007, 10:06 PM
Wow, what a kickass piece of game right there. Wicked humour, phenomenal use of the rules for this comp, and just totally fun.

This needs to become a point 'n' click adventure game - you both know it.

"Print screen?" - awesome :D


Oh, a couple of niggly bits: an F3 to repeat text would be great, as would a repeat rate for the backspace key (as opposed to having to tap-tap-tap-tap it, you know).

Chippit
27-09-2007, 10:35 PM
@Tr00jg, usually the command you need to use is obvious, or hinted to you. You can find an exhaustive list by typing HELP. It starts becoming more obscure later, though. We can't go giving you too many HINTs now can we? :P

@Geometrix: Actually, both of those suggestions had occurred to me at some time, though I guess I was just too lazy, or had other things to do at the time. :)

And as for point 'n' click, I do very much hope that can happen myself. See Azimuth's teaser image for epic hint ;)

Chippit
27-09-2007, 10:58 PM
Oh. I just realised I forgot to include a readme file...

Fixed that now, and added Geo's two little features.
Link to updated version (http://gamedev.openhazel.co.za/filecloset/download.php?id=216)

Thaumaturge
28-09-2007, 12:15 AM
I do hope that I remember this project once I finally get around to installing .NET 2.0 - I'd love to play it! (I can be a bit of a procrastinator at times, I'm afraid. ^^;; )

UntouchableOne
28-09-2007, 01:24 AM
I hear many praises but still cannot run the game for myself. I have all the required software, but it still fails to run, it gives the "Do you want to send this to Microsoft" message. I kills me that I can't play it but from what I hear, keep it up!

SkinkLizzard
28-09-2007, 11:44 AM
I have the same unfortunate problem as UntouchableOne

CiNiMoDZA
28-09-2007, 02:15 PM
Nooooo!!! It doesnt work for me either!!!

d-_-b
24-11-2007, 02:01 AM
Congratulation guys!

Just downloaded the game and the frameworks and I must say WOW! I't so pretty for a text game! I also like the humor ;)

Just one request and that actually goes for all developers that post link to downloads, please add the size of the download. Because I was really amazed to see the XNA framework is only 1.9 Mb(I'm normally scared for frameworks and big downloads) and if I knew that it was so small. I would have downloaded the game long before it won something :)

Regards

Chippit
24-11-2007, 12:33 PM
Congratulation guys!

Just downloaded the game and the frameworks and I must say WOW! I't so pretty for a text game! I also like the humor ;)

Just one request and that actually goes for all developers that post link to downloads, please add the size of the download. Because I was really amazed to see the XNA framework is only 1.9 Mb(I'm normally scared for frameworks and big downloads) and if I knew that it was so small. I would have downloaded the game long before it won something :)

Regards
My apologies. I usually post download sizes for the game itself and I did mention that the download for XNA was relatively small in the first post, but I'll make a note to post the exact file size of prerequisites in the future.

I'm glad you enjoyed it. Thank you, and everyone else, for playing. ;)

BlackHawk
24-11-2007, 08:29 PM
*sigh*
I can't get this to run either. I'm getting a system.argumentexception on startup.

Specs: XNA 1.0 Refresh, XP, 6600GT.
Could you guys make the source available so one of us can re-compile it and see if another compile can get it going?

Thaumaturge
26-11-2007, 04:49 AM
Alas, I too seem to be having trouble running the game. I'm pretty sure that I now have .NET 2.0 and the linked-to XNA framework installed.

As I recall, you make use of shaders - could the problem, in my case, at least, perhaps be related to my now slightly old graphics card - an FX5200?

dislekcia
26-11-2007, 01:08 PM
As I recall, you make use of shaders - could the problem, in my case, at least, perhaps be related to my now slightly old graphics card - an FX5200?

Yeah, I believe they need Shader Model 2.0 support. Check if your card can handle that. I remember my old FX5600 only going up to 1.2 or something like that.

-D

Chippit
26-11-2007, 02:14 PM
@ Thaum: Actually, this was something I always wanted to test. Theoretically, it's supposed to omit the 2.0 shader if it detects an incompatible card. I just never had the opportunity to test that functionality to see if it actually worked as intended.

I'll quickly set up a version without the shader effect at all if you would care to see if that one works instead.

EDIT:
Here ya go (http://gamedev.openhazel.co.za/filecloset/download.php?id=283) (44kb)
The game with the shader system stripped out. I'd appreciate it if you'd give it a try.

Azimuth
26-11-2007, 02:31 PM
You're far too accommodating, Chippit. I have failed you in your training, padawan.

Chippit
26-11-2007, 02:52 PM
You're far too accommodating, Chippit. I have failed you in your training, padawan.

I'm too stubborn for training. :P

dislekcia
26-11-2007, 03:16 PM
You're far too accommodating, Chippit. I have failed you in your training, padawan.

The Game.Dev speaks strong to the chipper one. Friends are your users, yes. Fun to help their fun, it is.

-D

Azimuth
26-11-2007, 03:52 PM
This world isn't going to plan. Time to build another death star.

Evil_Toaster
26-11-2007, 05:37 PM
@ Thaum: Actually, this was something I always wanted to test. Theoretically, it's supposed to omit the 2.0 shader if it detects an incompatible card. I just never had the opportunity to test that functionality to see if it actually worked as intended.

I'll quickly set up a version without the shader effect at all if you would care to see if that one works instead.

EDIT:
Here ya go (http://gamedev.openhazel.co.za/filecloset/download.php?id=283) (44kb)
The game with the shader system stripped out. I'd appreciate it if you'd give it a try.

Just so you know, that version also doesn't work under vista, so it's something else that vista is iffy about.

Gazza_N
26-11-2007, 10:06 PM
I can has problems with both versions. :( I can't imagine why, I've downloaded everything I need... Sad Gazza is sad.

Chippit
26-11-2007, 10:38 PM
Gah.

Okay, I've set up a debug version that may help me get to the root of the issues some people are having. I'd appreciate it if anyone who has been infected with The Quester's Plague would download this special (no-shader) version. It will generate a log file that I can use to try and squash the problem, hopefully.

Ultra special UQ download linky. (http://gamedev.openhazel.co.za/filecloset/data/files/284/DebugUQ.7z) (limited time only!)

Evil_Toaster
26-11-2007, 10:53 PM
Evil Unicode error of DOOOOM!



[2007/11/26 10:52:16 PM] <STATUS> Initializing
[2007/11/26 10:52:16 PM] <STATUS> Creating graphics device.
[2007/11/26 10:52:16 PM] <STATUS> Creating content manager.
[2007/11/26 10:52:16 PM] <STATUS> Setting resolution
[2007/11/26 10:52:16 PM] <STATUS> Starting game
[2007/11/26 10:52:17 PM] <STATUS> Switching to title screen
[2007/11/26 10:52:17 PM] <STATUS> Loading title screen.
[2007/11/26 10:52:17 PM] <STATUS> Opening level file stream.
[2007/11/26 10:52:17 PM] <STATUS> Preparing for reading.
[2007/11/26 10:52:17 PM] <STATUS> Checking file header.
[2007/11/26 10:52:17 PM] <STATUS> Reading...
[2007/11/26 10:52:17 PM] <--ERROR--> System.ArgumentException: The output char buffer is too small to contain the decoded characters, encoding 'Unicode (UTF-8)' fallback 'System.Text.DecoderReplacementFallback'.
Parameter name: chars
at System.Text.Encoding.ThrowCharsOverflow()
at System.Text.Encoding.ThrowCharsOverflow(DecoderNLS decoder, Boolean nothingDecoded)
at System.Text.UTF8Encoding.GetChars(Byte* bytes, Int32 byteCount, Char* chars, Int32 charCount, DecoderNLS baseDecoder)
at System.Text.DecoderNLS.GetChars(Byte* bytes, Int32 byteCount, Char* chars, Int32 charCount, Boolean flush)
at System.Text.DecoderNLS.GetChars(Byte[] bytes, Int32 byteIndex, Int32 byteCount, Char[] chars, Int32 charIndex, Boolean flush)
at System.Text.DecoderNLS.GetChars(Byte[] bytes, Int32 byteIndex, Int32 byteCount, Char[] chars, Int32 charIndex)
at System.IO.BinaryReader.InternalReadOneChar()
at System.IO.BinaryReader.Read()
at System.IO.BinaryReader.PeekChar()
at Adventure.Letters.LoadScene(String FileName, Letters AppendTo, Vector2 Offset)
at Adventure.Letters.LoadScene(String FileName)
at Adventure.Title.SwitchTo()
at Adventure.Adventure.Initialize()
at Microsoft.Xna.Framework.Game.Run()
at Adventure.Program.Main(String[] args)

Chippit
26-11-2007, 11:46 PM
Thank you, ET. That's all I need. :)

I've uploaded a fix that should solve the problem.

Hopefully final UQ version. Grab here (http://gamedev.openhazel.co.za/filecloset/download.php?id=285) (60kb)

Thaumaturge
27-11-2007, 05:55 AM
I'm afraid that no version that I've downloaded thus far has worked (I missed the debug version, I'm afraid ^^; ).

This time, however, I decided to see whether the Microsoft error message (which I don't recall having found terribly useful in past cases) had anything of interest, and found the following:

"EventType : clr20r3 P1 : uq.exe P2 : 1.0.0.0 P3 : 474b3d26
P4 : adventure P5 : 1.0.0.0 P6 : 474b3d26 P7 : 17e P8 : 0
P9 : system.io.filenotfoundexception"

Judging by the file counts in both the folders and zips, it does seem that all files were unzipped... I wonder what file it might be missing?

ShadowMaster
27-11-2007, 07:05 AM
Thank you, ET. That's all I need. :)

I've uploaded a fix that should solve the problem.

Hopefully final UQ version. Grab here (http://gamedev.openhazel.co.za/filecloset/download.php?id=285) (60kb)

Yay! It works! Oh, did I mention: Yay!

Chippit
27-11-2007, 04:10 PM
I'm afraid that no version that I've downloaded thus far has worked (I missed the debug version, I'm afraid ^^; ).

This time, however, I decided to see whether the Microsoft error message (which I don't recall having found terribly useful in past cases) had anything of interest, and found the following:

"EventType : clr20r3 P1 : uq.exe P2 : 1.0.0.0 P3 : 474b3d26
P4 : adventure P5 : 1.0.0.0 P6 : 474b3d26 P7 : 17e P8 : 0
P9 : system.io.filenotfoundexception"

Judging by the file counts in both the folders and zips, it does seem that all files were unzipped... I wonder what file it might be missing?

*sigh*

Okay, all these method calls that return different values on different systems are simply getting ridiculous now.

Fix here (http://gamedev.openhazel.co.za/filecloset/download.php?id=286)

At least, I hope that fixes the problem. I'm assuming it's the method I'm using to get the application directory. It's apparently known to return an incorrect value sometimes. :/

Were you running the game from a shortcut, by any chance?

Gazza_N
27-11-2007, 05:21 PM
Teh_workage! Hooray! Thanks for the patchings, Chippit. :D

Chippit
27-11-2007, 05:39 PM
Teh_workage! Hooray! Thanks for the patchings, Chippit. :D
Shhhh. Not so loud...

Azimuth will hear us.

It's a pleasure.

Thaumaturge
28-11-2007, 05:20 AM
Too loud, perhaps, Gazza - I'm afraid that it still doesn't seem to be working on my end. ^^;;

The error message appears to be largely unchanged.

Meh, it's probably not worth worrying about - it seems that my experience is now very much the minority, and may well have to do with some aspect of my fairly old machine.


Were you running the game from a shortcut, by any chance?

Nope - I downloaded the zip file to a folder on my desktop, unzipped to a subfolder of that folder, and then ran the file "UQ.exe".

Chippit
28-11-2007, 12:21 PM
Hmmm... That's still no reason not to fix it. If you're not overly frustrated yet, I'll upload that debug version again, including all the past fixes, and see if I can solve your issue. It may still be nothing more complex than lack of shader support causing some other unexpected issue.

BlackHawk
28-11-2007, 07:22 PM
Yay! It works.

*brain freezes*
O_O
too.... cool...

Its so many shades of awesome, my little brain has trouble processing it. Chippit, Azimuth, you are well deserved for getting first place. This collaboration needs to happen more often ;)

Gazza_N
28-11-2007, 08:41 PM
*Ahem*

It doesn't work in the game, so let me try it here:


UPGRADE TO DELUXE EDITION

I wants my last two points. :(

Chippit
28-11-2007, 08:56 PM
*Ahem*

It doesn't work in the game, so let me try it here:


UPGRADE TO DELUXE EDITION

I wants my last two points. :(

GET SCORE

:P

Congratulations on actually finishing it, btw.

Gazza_N
28-11-2007, 09:24 PM
Heh, thanks! Applause to you and Azimuth for an awesome game. Sequel plz. :P

Chippit
28-11-2007, 09:28 PM
Heh, thanks! Applause to you and Azimuth for an awesome game. Sequel plz. :P
:)
It'll happen. Good timing on that motivation thread, then :P

Thaumaturge
29-11-2007, 01:54 AM
Hmmm... That's still no reason not to fix it. If you're not overly frustrated yet, I'll upload that debug version again, including all the past fixes, and see if I can solve your issue. It may still be nothing more complex than lack of shader support causing some other unexpected issue.

Oh, I'm not terribly frustrated - I was just a little concerned that you were starting to become so. ^^;

Please do upload the debug version again, if you're willing - I'd like to give it a shot, hopefully find out what is causing the problem, and, perhaps, even get to play the game. ^_^

Chippit
29-11-2007, 12:36 PM
Oh, I'm not terribly frustrated - I was just a little concerned that you were starting to become so. ^^;

Please do upload the debug version again, if you're willing - I'd like to give it a shot, hopefully find out what is causing the problem, and, perhaps, even get to play the game. ^_^
It's more frustrating to see people who cannot play the game for some ridiculous and obscure compatibility issue than it is to fix said problem.

Here ya go (http://gamedev.openhazel.co.za/filecloset/data/files/295/UQDebug.zip)

If this one works outright, then it is nothing more than a shader compatibility issue. If not, well. Gimme teh log file and I'll see what I can do.

dislekcia
29-11-2007, 03:18 PM
It's more frustrating to see people who cannot play the game for some ridiculous and obscure compatibility issue than it is to fix said problem.

Seconded! Half the reason people make games is so that other people can enjoy them, if there's a loony issue preventing that enjoyment, it'll get dealt with ;)

Also, Chippit, I'm expecting a Mass-Effect style verb selector ring (with corresponding nearby object selector ring) in UQ2. That way I can play it with my controller and/or port the code to 360 if you want ;)

-D

Evil_Toaster
29-11-2007, 04:20 PM
It's more frustrating to see people who cannot play the game for some ridiculous and obscure compatibility issue than it is to fix said problem.

Thirded!

I take bugs in the game engine very seriously, and murder them ruthlessly. ;) At the moment I'm working on windows only, but my ideal is for the games to run on -any- windows pc you put it on. Currently there's a minimum video card requirement, which I'd like to try and eliminate sometime.

There's this problem with my g/f's laptop where CC causes the video card driver to crash. You could blame that on it just being a bad driver, but it annoys the hell out of me, and I -will- fix it eventually, even if I have to reboot that thing 100 times!

Chippit
29-11-2007, 04:25 PM
Also, Chippit, I'm expecting a Mass-Effect style verb selector ring (with corresponding nearby object selector ring) in UQ2. That way I can play it with my controller and/or port the code to 360 if you want ;)

-D
Great idea. I'll make sure the game is playable with both keyboard/mouse and a 360 controller.

And as for a 360 port. Well, simply, that would be totally awesome!

Evil_Toaster
29-11-2007, 05:57 PM
Oh btw Chippit, whatever you changed regarding the unicode error, it fixed the game on Vista. and.. Lolz! :) The humour rocks, and the screen transitions look awesome.

Thaumaturge
29-11-2007, 06:00 PM
It's more frustrating to see people who cannot play the game for some ridiculous and obscure compatibility issue than it is to fix said problem.

Heh, fair enough - that I believe that I can understand. ^_^

Unfortunately, the debug version doesn't seem to work either - in fact, unless I'm missing it somewhere, it doesn't seem to be producing the log file. I checked the game directory and its sub-directories, but found nothing that appeared to be a log file.

Perhaps it's crashing before it gets far enough to create the log file...? o_0

Could it be that it doesn't like working in a particular location?

Could it be that my XNA installation is malfunctioning? I think that this is the first game that uses XNA that I've tried...

I doubt that it's related to my .NET 2.0 installation, as I've run another program that wanted .NET 2.0 - unless, of course, I've missed an update somewhere (I'm using the version that came with Visual Studio 2005 Express).

In case it's of some help, the error message now contains the following:
"AppName: uq.exe AppVer: 1.0.0.0 AppStamp:474e949c
ModName: kernel32.dll ModVer: 5.1.2600.2180 ModStamp:411096b4
fDebug: 0 Offset: 0001eb33"

Chippit
29-11-2007, 07:22 PM
Heh, fair enough - that I believe that I can understand. ^_^

Unfortunately, the debug version doesn't seem to work either - in fact, unless I'm missing it somewhere, it doesn't seem to be producing the log file. I checked the game directory and its sub-directories, but found nothing that appeared to be a log file.

Perhaps it's crashing before it gets far enough to create the log file...? o_0

Could it be that it doesn't like working in a particular location?

Could it be that my XNA installation is malfunctioning? I think that this is the first game that uses XNA that I've tried...

I doubt that it's related to my .NET 2.0 installation, as I've run another program that wanted .NET 2.0 - unless, of course, I've missed an update somewhere (I'm using the version that came with Visual Studio 2005 Express).

In case it's of some help, the error message now contains the following:
"AppName: uq.exe AppVer: 1.0.0.0 AppStamp:474e949c
ModName: kernel32.dll ModVer: 5.1.2600.2180 ModStamp:411096b4
fDebug: 0 Offset: 0001eb33"
If the program is not making a log file, then it is not running at all. Creation of the log file is the very first thing it does.

The fact that the program is failing in kernel32 is a bit suspicious. I don't see why that would happen unless it's missing a runtime library. DirectX, XNA, and .NET 2.0 are the only runtimes it uses.

Do you perhaps have an outdated version of DirectX?

Chippit
29-11-2007, 07:25 PM
Oh btw Chippit, whatever you changed regarding the unicode error, it fixed the game on Vista. and.. Lolz! :) The humour rocks, and the screen transitions look awesome.
Thank you. Solving the problem was just a matter of explicitly specifying a one-byte length encoding when opening the level files. I'm still not quite sure why the peek method was creating problems only on certain systems, though.

Thaumaturge
29-11-2007, 08:37 PM
If the program is not making a log file, then it is not running at all. Creation of the log file is the very first thing it does.

The fact that the program is failing in kernel32 is a bit suspicious. I don't see why that would happen unless it's missing a runtime library. DirectX, XNA, and .NET 2.0 are the only runtimes it uses.

Do you perhaps have an outdated version of DirectX?

Hmm... that's a good point.

According to DXDiag, I have DirectX 9.0c (4.09.0000.0904) - is there a more recent version?

Another thought occurs to me - it may be that I have old video drivers. I haven't had many problems of late, I don't think, so I haven't thought to go looking for updates in some while. I think that I'll do that, and report back.

[edit] I downloaded and installed new drivers from the NVidia site, and the game still refuses to run.

[edit 2] Is there a way to test my XNA installation, perhaps? It may be that that didn't install correctly...

Chippit
29-11-2007, 10:30 PM
I think I may still have a controls/geometry demo I made a while back in XNA hosted somewhere... You can test it with that.

Ah, here it is (http://gamedev.openhazel.co.za/filecloset/download.php?id=90).

Also, I'm fairly sure DX 9.0c should be okay.

Thaumaturge
29-11-2007, 10:53 PM
Nope, I'm afraid that that doesn't seem to work either.

I'm guessing, in this case, that the problem lies with XNA somewhere. I re-ran the XNA installer that I'm pretty sure that I downloaded from this thread, and selected "repair", to no avail.

Perhaps there's some other update that's called for? I think that I'm behind in Windows updates as well (although I have Service Pack 2 installed at least, as I recall)...

Chippit
29-11-2007, 11:08 PM
I don't think Windows Updates will make a difference. Something is amiss either with your XNA installation, or your .NET installation. Other than that, I'm at a loss, I'm afraid.

dislekcia
30-11-2007, 12:54 AM
It'll be the .Net install... Watch.

Remember, XNA uses the Compact Framework, some early .Net installs left out the CF, plus users sometimes don't install the CF because they believe it's only for mobile devices...

-D

Azimuth
30-11-2007, 01:32 AM
There was a new DX9.0c distro a few months back. It's still 9.0c, but it's ... different. It includes 3 .dll files not seen in previous versions. Just throwing that one out there...

Thaumaturge
30-11-2007, 04:15 AM
Remember, XNA uses the Compact Framework, some early .Net installs left out the CF, plus users sometimes don't install the CF because they believe it's only for mobile devices...


There was a new DX9.0c distro a few months back. It's still 9.0c, but it's ... different. It includes 3 .dll files not seen in previous versions. Just throwing that one out there...

Hmm... Either sounds plausible. Unfortunately I don't remember what options, if any, I selected while installing .NET 2.0, although I think that it happened more or less automatically during the installation of Visual Studio 2005 Express.

Acquiring and installing the newer version of DirectX is probably the easier of the two possible solutions, so I may give that a shot fairly soon.

Coolhand
30-11-2007, 07:52 AM
God I miss console development...

dislekcia
30-11-2007, 10:29 AM
God I miss console development...

Hehe, yeah. And these are all issues that you're going to have to deal with soonish too ;)

-D

BlackHawk
30-11-2007, 01:18 PM
One of the first requirements for Game Studio Express (and maybe for XNA run-time) was that you had to be on the Aug 2006 release of DirectX. If you haven't updated your DirectX since Dec 2006, I'd say that could be a more likely cause than the .Net 2.0 install that comes with VS2005 Express. I'm running the game using "that" .Net 2.0 (plus all the released updates through Windows Update).

Thaumaturge
03-12-2007, 07:47 PM
Well, Azimuth mentions a release from "a few months back" - although, of course, the one that you mention and the one that she mentioned may well be the same release. Whenever it was released, I still intend on trying the latest DirectX 9 release (although I haven't done so yet).

(My apologies for the delay in response - there was apparently a fault in the ADSL connectivity for my area over the weekend, and Telkom would seem to have only completed repairs today. ^^; )

Azimuth
03-12-2007, 07:54 PM
We can rule out Windows updates. My games machine has updates disabled, as it doesn't connect to the intertrons.

Thaumaturge
03-12-2007, 08:05 PM
That's good, at least - I think that that more or less brings us down to DirectX (or at least, I hope so - I suppose that it could, theoretically, be something related to my hardware, or some other strange effect stemming from my combination of elements, but that seems improbable, and, quite frankly, I would rather that it weren't. ^^; ).