Jason Tribbeck has said he will produce a RISC OS version of a 3D space battle game currently in development. Described as 'Elite without the trading' and 'Starship Command in 3D', ACED is expected to be released freely once finished, with an open beta testing scheme for players to join initially.The game is cross-platform, and uses SDL so it can run on RISC OS, Windows, x86 Linux, Mac OS X and on the ARM-powered GP2X hand-held console. The gameplay revolves around flying through space and blasting enemies; the graphics at the moment remind us of golden oldie Magnetoids.
Jason, who ported Dune II to the Acorn platform, told users: "ACED's mostly there, and I'll start a RISC OS version this weekend."
When asked if this will turn into another 'slow boil project', Jason added: "This one really should be finished - I know it often doesn't seem that way. I'm using it as training for the GP2X. Over Christmas, I've been building a car, which took up all my spare time, but now I'm waiting for bits and I've got a large hole in my schedule."
A beta version for Windows users is available now for download. Jason's other game in development, Equinox, is still on his todo list to finish. He had to abandon his other title, ArcCommand, due to legal issues surrounding the game. He also worked on operating system components included in the A9home, such as the IDEFS Filer.
Links
ACED website with work-in-progress screenshots
Acornarcade forum thread on ACED