NEWS

25 August 2009, Open source
  • Exodus Defence source code is now available here.
  • Menu system is now almost completely defined from a script file. As with other aspects of the game such as level design, this means it can be easily modified without code changes.
30 July 2009, Version 1.1 changes
  • Moved from JME1 to JME2, with a corresponding update to the LWJGL version. This made possible several of the improvements below.
  • Created an applet version of the game. Exodus Defence can now be played inside a website.
  • Significant performance improvements on some machines.
  • Various compatibility issues resolved to make the game run well on more machines.
  • Added Solaris natives to the distribution. Exodus Defence should now run out of the box on Solaris. Testing required.
  • Added 64bit natives to the distribution. Exodus Defence should now run in 64bit JVMs - notably Java 6 on Mac.
  • Consolidated the game, sound and graphics menus into a single settings menu. Removed some components that were not implemented.
  • Sound is now disabled by default. This may improve compatibility and reduce the startup time. Sound can be enabled in settings.
  • To help with testing, detailed logging can now be toggled in the settings menu. Logging is output to the Java console.
  • Improved error handling - should they happen, most exceptions should be caught and recovered from with details recorded in the log.
  • Improved the default crosshair and lockon graphics.
15 June 2009, Version 1.02 changes
  • Improved the appearance of many UI elements, with neater backgrounds and clearer checkboxes.
  • Moved the mission objectives HUD element. It should now not conflict with other elements even at very low resolutions.
  • Added contrasting backgrounds to various UI containers when they are viewed during gameplay, for better readability.
  • Added option in graphics menu to turn narrative backgrounds on/off.
  • Increased the default window size to 800x600.
  • Added a new game selector. This allows you to select the scenario you start, similar to the tutorial selector.
09 June 2009, Version 1.01 changes
  • Added mission objectives panel to HUD
  • Mission objectives now update the HUD when they progress
  • Made all helicopters on the island mission playable.
  • Improved target selection for AI turrets and aircraft.
  • Improved the narrative dialogue system - clearer text and more lines available.
  • Narrative now scrolls if several appear at once.
  • Added a tutorials option to the main menu.
  • Added a turret tutorial mission which teaches the player how to use turrets, upgrades, switch units etc.
  • Alien fighter is now a bit more vulnerable to cannon fire.
  • Tweaked the heavy gunship to be a little more cumbersome.
  • Increased the power of the scripting system:
    • New script actions.
    • Ability to run and kill scripts from other scripts.
    • Better interaction with the objectives system allowing more interactive scripts, and simple logic to be used.
01 June 2009, Version 1.0 released

Note that 1.0 denotes the first public test release, not the completed game.