Metagolf Beta 5 is here

Much effort has been invested in this new version.

Your feedback greatly help me to improve some aspects of the game: Thanks a lot !

Pack of levels

In this new Beta I introduce the idea of Level Pack.

Collections of levels can now be dropped in your maps folder to extend the game. At the moment you will find 2 different level Pack in Metagolf. The first one is call Championship and is a collection of unlockable single player oriented levels. And while the second is called called Multiplayer Pack you can still play them in solo (and vice versa).

I still need to finish both packs but currently you can enjoy more than 20 levels, 7 types of Golf Ball, 3 different game modes and 22 soundtracks in the Full Registered Version.

OpenAL

OpenAL is now by default the new sound layer under Linux but also a new alternative to Windows and Mac Os users. The sound engine was completely revamp for this occasion. This should allow Metagolf to be more widely fully supported under Linux distributions. Hope Tux enjoy this one

A few words about Metagolf

It is now more than 3 years that I’m working on this project alone with my own savings. So you can rest assured that I will lead this project to fruition no matter what!

The idea behind Metagolf was to build a modern in-house game engine allowing me to produce more ambitious and great games in the future. Now that the project is getting mature, I hope you will welcome this first title and enjoy it as much as I enjoy making it after all these years.

I also would like to thanks anyone on the Internet who recently made a nice review or video preview of Metagolf

Finally the retail price of Metagolf has been lowered as well as the discount. It’s probably the last time you can get Metagolf for so little guys

What is new on this Beta ?

Here’s the changelog:

• Added 5 New Levels.
• Added 4 New Particles effects.
• Added 3 New Sound effects.
• Added 1 New Golfball Type, Sticky Ball.
• Added Players can have a customized skin team.
• Added Auto-popup parameter for dialog box.
• Added Falling Platform object.
• Added OpenAL as the default sound layer under Linux.
• Added OpenAL as an alternative sound layer under Windows and Mac Os.
• Added Level Editor documentation – http://www.metagolf.net/level-editor/.
• Changed Player walk easily on slope.
• Changed Clicking on dialog box and level box easier.
• Changed Level box working on Joypad.
• Changed Power gauge start from zero.
• Changed Level Editor check grid is now on the TileMap Editor.
• Changed Reduce Buoyancy forces on a few objects.
• Changed Spiky Ground Medium skin is now by default.
• Changed A few tiles on the main TileMap.
• Changed Fullscreen mode by default under Linux.
• Fixed Surface grip.
• Fixed Level Settings updated after saving.
• Fixed Unicode characters bug.
• Fixed OpenAL silence on some events.
• Fixed Zoom issue while loading level.
• Fixed Many level improvements.

Metagolf is available on digital distribution platforms !

We are proud to announce you that the Public Beta of Metagolf has reached v0.4

With this new release we have reached an important milestone since Metagolf is now available on Desura and Indievania.

To celebrate this and for a limited time only we offer a discounted price of 68% on the official download page as well as on these distribution platforms.

Alphafunding ?

It’s a real pleasure and a great opportunity to be part of the Desura Alphafunding program

The idea behind this program is supporting kick-ass upcoming games by crowdfunding their release, and get instant access to rewards in the form of frequent updates.

We recommend you to take a tour on their website for other quality indies games.

Indievania Distribution Site

Also do not forget to give a browse to Indievania games collection !

Indievania is an online indie game marketplace for independent developers to sell their games directly to players, no DRM client required, where 100% of the cost of the game goes to the developer.

What is new on this Beta ?

Here’s the changelog:

• Added 6 New Levels.
• Added 5 New Musics.
• Added 2 New Golfball Type, Rugby Ball and Cubic Ball.
• Added Textured Polygon edges.
• Added Championship Courses and submenu.
• Added Unlocking level system with color code.
• Added F1 Respawn Ball to last checkpoint in Single Player mode.
• Added Compass system.
• Added Big Swing effect.
• Changed A few tiles and textures.
• Changed Improved loading time.
• Changed Loading Screen.
• Changed Improved Interface.
• Changed Default folder is now in users folder.
• Changed Default folder is now in users folder.
• Changed Documentation and spelling (thanks Patrick David @MrHyeron).
• Fixed Destructible platforms by players.
• Fixed Loading level error.
• Fixed Unicode characters bug.
• Fixed Loading JPG or BMP bug.
• Fixed Zoom edition bug.
• Fixed F11 Screenshot transparency.
• Fixed Underscore is now allowed in editbox.

Want to learn more about the creator of Metagolf ?

Last but not least Adam Ames from True PC Gaming conducted an Interview of the sole developper behind Metagolf.

Finally !

Metagolf Beta 0.3.3 is available to you
Proceed to The Public Beta Page to download and try the current Demo version.

For a limited period of time you can buy a Full Registered License Key in a Pay What You Want model.

Payment is made through a secured Fast Spring shop, that’s why a minimum of 4$ is required. That minimum will rise with time and updates until we reach the final version.

So grab them fast

Technical Video about Meta-Engine.

To celebrate this first public release, I screencast a Technical video about Meta-Engine.
Meta-Engine is a custom Engine I created specially for Metagolf.

If long technical video is not your thing, I recommend you to skip to the conclusion to learn a bit more about my intention and why I need your help for the rest of this venture.

Get involved !

You are very welcome in our Community Forum, the best place to talk and share contents about Metagolf!

Follow me on Twitter @Metagolf or @Armitage1982 the best way to get more regular news.

Don’t forget that if you have any problems you can also email me to metagolf@arm42.com I will try to fix things up as soon as humanly possible .

Finally I would like to thank people who spread the word but also you for trying my game.
Metagolf is actually my first title and through there is still a few things to improve here and there I hope you will enjoy every bits of it.

Happy New Year everyone !

Metagolf Beta 0.3 is nearly fully featured.
Most of the development task is now is reduced to adding graphics, sounds, new levels and tweaking every game objects to reach optimal gameplay results.

A new video is available in the Media Page.

Here’s the news for this beta:

• Xbox 360 Controller support, greatly recommended.
• Each player can move his own camera.
• More trigger possibilities for puzzles.
• Rebalanced golf ball movement.
• Tiles can be rotated and mirrored.
• Smooth Zooming system.
• One way platform.
• Pattern to easily create your own level.
• 6 new sound effects.
• 3 new levels.
• 3 new soundtracks.
• 3 new backgrounds and atmospheres.
• A few bugs fix.

But where is the Demo version ?
Many of you asking me via Email where to download the Demo version of Metagolf to give it a try.

First of, thanks a lot for your interest in Metagolf, your feedback is always greatly appreciated !
Since I’m working alone on this spare-time project with no real budget, each times I read comments on Metagolf make my day .

Metagolf is a work in progress.
The gameplay, graphics and sounds ressources are subjects to change while approaching a final release (and beyond).
Because of that, demo and preview versions are only available in private for beta-testing purposes.

I hope to release a public demo before the end of the first quarter of 2012.

Stay tuned

To celebrate the new Metagolf Beta 2.9 version, I screencast two new videos to feature this progress.
The videos are available at the Media Page.

So, What’s new in this version ?

• Water Caustic Effect performance improved by 300% !
• Several visual speed improvements.
• Destructible object.
• Point of view object.
• Light and atmosphere effects.
• Reduce the memory footprint.
• Weird netbook resolution support (like 1024x600).
• Many built-in level editor improvements.
• 10 new sound effects.
• 4 new levels.
• 3 new soundtracks.
• A few bugs fix.

The “Meta engine” is faster than ever !
Supported Windows and MacOs X (Lion) version are stable.
While a Linux version is available and run correctly, this platform is not actively supported.

Many efforts has been made in order to support old configurations as well as slow system (netbook, laptop, etc.).

You finally can play golf at night, like those Australian folks at Coober Pedy

Metagolf reached the 0.2.6 Beta version .
I now inform you that I’m back to business after my last year successful project called: “Voyage Austral“.

It has been a delightful year for your humble Indie Game Developer. Full of adventures and exciting scenarios that I hope to include into many of my future projects.

As always, here is a list of the best improvement since the last version :

• Particles engine performance improved by 200% !
• Game and Level loading speed increased by 2.
• Better Finite State Machine for Artificial Intelligence.
• Object highlight as well as many addons to the built-in level editor.
• New Intel Mac support, Power PC support discontinued.
• New Tutorial level, easier and more concise.
• A few bugs fix.

I am currently revamping every existing levels to use the full set of objects created last year (around 40 toys to play with now) as well as adding musics and sounds effects.

You can be sure that a Linux version of Metagolf is also in the making. I just need a decent production machine to work with (mine still working with charcoal ).

No release date yet as my professional situation is a bit tedious at the moment. But my wish is non only to work at full-time on Metagolf but also on any future Indie Game projects I will be able to sustain thanks to you.

It’s finally happening!
Metagolf reached the 0.2.0 Beta version

To celebrate this, I take some times to deploy this little new website.
Nothing really fancy for the moment but I plan to add a few screenshots and videos of the latest version.

As always, here is a list of the best improvement since the last version :

• Artificial Intelligence based on Finite State Machinery.
• Birds, Fishes, Rabbits and Slug playing, eating or hunting the Golf Ball.
• A new game mode called “Capture the Rabbit“.
• Player can now dislodge the ball when this one is stuck in a corner thanks to the Down Key.
• Vertical Synchronisation available.
• The player is invincible for 3 seconds when he respawn.
• You now have to click on the panel to read them (non–intrusive messages).
• Maximum shoot option.
• Debugging View is now directly available inside the Level Editor.
• A few bugs fix.

The most interesting is yet to come since I need to revamp every level of the game with the complete set of objects (more than 36 currently).  A new simpler and more concise tutorial level will help you to quickly assimilate the rules of the game. I still need to smooth things over a bit before releasing a technically up to date video presentation.

Also, if you want to see Metagolf on Mac OS I still research people willing to test the beta on that platform.