Last Online: 4/8/08

Nick Matthews

I've been working with the Torque Game Engine for about 3 years, and I am still getting to grips with all it has to offer. I started off just scripting in TorqueScript, but I have started to learn how to model using Maya (I used to use Milkshape but its very hard to use). I have also started to learn C++ but i'm finding it quite a challenge, as i'm used to languages like PHP (The first real language i learnt). I am currently working on my own platform game, and also on a mod (Return to Blockland) for a game called "Blockland".

My favourite types of games would have to be RPG style ones (such as Age of Time - although it has quite an "Eric Hartman" spin on it). I develop my own small RPG for my server on Blockland which has been quite popular, and has helped me learn a huge ammount about how TorqueScript works, and the various ways in which you can accomplish stuff.

I'm quite new to the GGE/GG Community but i'm looking forward to meeting all you guys and hopefully getting to work with a few! Feel free to add me as a friend, but be warned: I guard myself carefully against friend mongers.

Systems I Own:

This space unintentionally left blank

Report

Profile Comments (6) Friends (29) Activity Kudos (9) Portfolio

Scripting

I got my first experience in Scripting on Blockland when I was invited to join a modding group, which went on to became the dominating Blockland mod. It is very hard to put some code i've made into a gallery as there is no real way to convey it's features in a picture, so I will try to describe what i've been working on.

My main focus is the latest version of RTB (The Mod I work on) which showcases some of the versatile scripts I have been working on. I have been running an RPG Server on Blockland, for about a month or two, but had to close it due to engine stability (The server was hugely demanding object-wise and Torque 1.1 couldn't take it) but while it was up it was one of the most popular servers, and featured various scripts such as fully-functional registration that was tied into a MySQL Web Database, Item and Cash Storage/Retrieval and Land Ownership.

I am now moving onto bigger and better things, I have started my own single-player platform game (with a little help from Rotondo for the character) which I hope will be a small success. I am also starting up a Company with a friend (Mocheeze): We're working on providing community tools and resources for Torque developers.

Web Development

My first real language I ever learnt was PHP, and almost 5 weeks into learning this, I picked up a Job for some guy over in Ipswich (Im in the UK) who needed a website done for a Bar. I needed to make an admin panel that would allow him to modify the menu and front page text etc. and got paid $100 for the work, which took about 2-3 hours. I was about 13 at the time, so there was much rejoicing.

From there I began to put together my own website, Doing my own graphics for it too, which I actually did in MS Paint (call me old-fashioned). The website can be seen at www.ephialtes.co.uk. It features a huge variety of complicated systems from a dynamically-created menu to a complete shopping system and User Management System. I really only have it to try out my PHP skills, but I have started to use it as a Blockland Scripts website.

I had many other jobs further on down the road, including a website for some family friends who were travelling around the world, and wanted to keep everyone updated on what they were getting up to, which featured an image gallery and tagboard system. They still ended up paying about $200 for the work I did, despite them being friends.

Modelling

I started modelling initially using UnrealEd (if you call it modelling) for games like Deus Ex and UT2002 or whatever it was. This was fairly limited (although very powerful) but I had nothing else to use models for, so I stuck with it. When i was introduced to the Torque Game Engine, I began modelling in Milkshape which I found hugely annoying. It was very limited in use and tools.

Eventually I managed to get my hands on a student copy of Maya, which opened many doors and got me really interested in modelling. I can't say i'm very good at it yet, I can only really do very basic things. Shaders and all of that are beyond me :)

But I've decided to try making a game, which is going to be called Fruit Pursuit. You can read about it Here.

Fruit Persuit

This is the game I plan to make soon. It's basically Formula 1, but you're racing giant fruit.

I am going to try and model the vehicles in a fashion that makes it look like someone has just grabbed a fruit, and pushed a large rocket into the back of it. There will be a selection of different vehicles from the Banana Boat (See Gallery) to the Pineapple Car. I may also add an AppleChopper (Helicopter) and a Watermelon Hovercraft (I need a catchy name). The Fruitjuice (See Gallery) will provide a speed boost to overtake your competition.

Im going to have lots of fun with items and stuff. The models are made quite low-poly on purpose so that I can go all-out on the special effects (fireworks are my speciality) and other stuff. I have many strange and funny ideas to implement - and i'll be posting more of those later.

I have big plans for the weapons systems. Each vehicle will have specialised weapons. The Banana Boat is going to have water-to-air missiles that can hit cars, boats and planes. The Applechopper will have a minigun attached to it that will fire grapes. The Pineapple car is going to have simple surface missiles which can hit applechoppers, boats and pineapple cars.

Natural hazards will be a big part of the mapping, there will be things like volcanoes, earthquakes and avalanches. I think each vehicle will have its own specialised disaster, so you have to think harder about which vehicle you choose for each map. Overall I think the game will be very interesting to develop.

Upcoming Works

This one's based off a 2D Flash game i once made with a friend which was called "Cave of Cubes" but you'd only get the joke if you had played it before we upgraded to some new player artwork. The old character was literally - a cube. I'll upload the game later.

Basically this game is relatively similar, although there are no enemies to kill. You have to run about and collect coins / jewels to win the game. I got the inspiration for making this from Maze Runner, and made this game when i was ill for a week (or i was ill for a week while i made this game :D ) and I still havent finished it. The animations are slightly basic but a friend offered to re-do them for me.

It comes complete with lots of cool things such as fire blocks, which spray flames out of pits in the floor, and also issue smoke before to give you a warning.

There are also door blocks and switches, so that you have to press the button to open a door and move on in the game.

There are "broken blocks" that will wobble when stepped on, and fall down to the ground. These are a pain in the ass unless you have good reactions :)

Finally, i added a few fun items. On each level there is a "special" item which can range from being a little "indiana jones" hat, to a funny crown thing. You get bonus points if you find and wear it before completing the level.