UnrealCrash
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Plazma Burst 2 HTML5 port & poll
🕑 Added 2024-10-13 17:52:16 +0000 UTCYou can already try it here (it is unfinished, can take some time to load):
https://www.plazmaburst2.com/h5/
It seems that players do generally have a better performance playing it than Flash version of Plazma Burst 2.
What should I do with Plazma Burst 2 HTML5 port? This is a supporter-only poll, multiple options are welcome.
UPD: I removed previous post because I can't edit poll options and there was one missing and one duplicate option.
Plan "Copy/paste"
Make a 1:1 version of Plazma Burst 2 with existing features such as Campaign, Custom Maps, Multiplayer. Can take about a month.
Plan "Copy/paste/improve"
Plan A but try to make multiplayer better. Can take about 2 months.
Plan "Hibernate"
Abandon, work on Plazma Burst 3 instead.
Plan "Everyone contributes"
Abandon and release source code of unfinished port, let everyone work on it.
Plan "Give away"
Give port to someone to continue working on it (who do you suggest?).
Comments
UnrealCrash
I believe player numbers in multiplayer gone down when Flash was removed from browsers. In theory it could grow slightly if multiplayer will be accessible once again, but it is kind of hit or miss. I can try porting it as is and time will tell whether there is any point in improving anything in PB2.
O
I haven't played multiplayer much, so my opinion is a little biased, but I think the campaign and custom map support for the HTML5 port is just enough to keep players satisfied. Last time I checked, multiplayer servers only have around ~20-50 players active give or take 20, and that's on the popular servers, correct me if the numbers changed though. I believe the multiplayer support can wait until major game elements in PB3 are finished and the polishing phase begins. Or maybe you can occasionally work on the HTML5 multiplayer to take breaks from PB3 development, similarly to the Star Defenders project.
SupremeVoid
It would greatly boost your popularity or that of PB
SupremeVoid
From what I have heard, its not that hard. Steam only wants an initial 100$ developer fee then you are good to go releasing games on there. Maybe search up people like PirateSoftware, they explain the process. Its not that hard I think.
Misha
Yes, the one I downloaded from the website. It almost stutters sometimes
UnrealCrash
Noticeable drops in fps were in Flash version, right?
casey
I personally think taking the 2 months off pb3 to work on finishing and improving the port would be great, and can maybe consider open sourcing/getting help from community after it is finished or if there are more problems and it would take longer than expected to finish the port but you don't want to spend too much time. After playing the HTML5 port, even at 60fps, Flash PB2 feels like such a downgrade. I would much prefer you finish the port at the very least to a similar playable state of Flash PB2.
Misha
I prefer the improved version. The PB2 I have been playing recently has a significant and noticeable drop in fps, where there was none before.
Nyove
I am not sure if you want your source code to be out in the public, but I think allowing people to contribute can immensely speed up the process of development. I think a private organization with trusted people in it making pull requests sounds good too. A bad scenario I can think of when making your project open source is that someone may steal the copy of the work you did and then claim ownership. Depending on how you see it, it may be good or bad. (Just like Linux having many different flavors) But ultimately it should come down to what you enjoy the most. If you enjoy rewriting PB2 as 1 for 1 copy by yourself then you should do it! :) Don't let the community expectation dictate your action.
(Basilix)
i think you should not give away any of your projects to anyone personally, but allowing them to co-develop or pitch ideas or code alongside you sounds more bearable. in the end an eric gurt game without eric gurt being the one in charge of it is not an eric gurt game at all, and personally i stuck to the series because it is yours. any wait is worth it if it means you get to release something that can help shine some light on the series and give it the playability it once had, imo, this is so far an amazing improvement
Yann Le Diraison
Playing PB2 at 145 fps constantly is really pleasant, have a game who have frequently fps drop when too much action could be off putting to discover for new players, could be interesting to upgrade that before PB3 for encourage more people to discover the game ( i have no expertise, just an idea)
UnrealCrash
Do you think you you'd suggest any community member specifically?
UnrealCrash
I have never released games on Steam, can take time to learn how to do it properly I guess. (Can't add options to poll)
Ocean Weep
I would say work on your next project, and leave the port for someone else to deal with. You have other matters to attend to, PB 3 is a dream that many of your players have been waiting for forever.
SupremeVoid
"Could I suggest a copy/paste/release on steam with steam multiplayer" instead?
DukeofLeet
I actually failed to tap the option I wanted to, I wanted to vote for finish and improve.
UnrealCrash
[Comment from SupremeVoid is missing, I removed post by the time it was send, could not read it]
UnrealCrash
If it will be done on something like GitHub - all code modifications would need to be approved, usually it is not hard to manage.
UnrealCrash
[Comment from previous removed post] by Suicidal Chicken "Prolly will get more support for the new one if more people can play the old one"
UnrealCrash
[Comment from previous removed post] by Misha "I grew up playing plasma burst. I don't want to see it given away. You worked hard on it"
Nucl3ar
If you let the source code out for anyone to edit, them some internet troll is probably going to come in and modify things in the game that people won't like. I think you should pause your work on Plazma Burst 2, finish and polish Plazma Burst 3, and then continue working on Plazma Burst 2 after Plazma Burst 3 is finished.
