Link-Dead public alpha testing version is out! Finally after what is now years the anticipation is over. You can get a glimpse of what Michal Marcinkowski’s new game is becoming.

News in english - http://link-dead.thd.vg/en/post/ld_publicalpha
News po polsku - http://link-dead.thd.vg/pl/post/ldpl_alfa

Help me out in testing. Download and play for free the Link-Dead Deathmatch Test. Supports bots and split-screen mode for 4 players!

Read all about it here: http://mm.soldat.pl/news/link-dead-deathmatch-test-release

Things are going pretty smooth with LD now so I guess I'll layout a release plan.

Link-Dead deathmatch test

Should be out in the next weeks. This version will contain as the name suggests a deathmatch mode with split-screen mode and bots. I want to test the simplest game mode before moving to my bigger plans.

Link-Dead alpha release

I plan this version to have fully working networking such as dedicated servers and a master server. Also the basic form of the RTS gameplay mode.

Link-Dead beta release

This version will contain all of the functionality and gameplay elements I have in my head + bugs and glitches. They will be ironed out in regular updates. This version will continue for an indefinite time until I'm satisfied.

I also want to start making some money out of this somewhere between the alpha and beta release so that I don't die of hunger in the process. I'm not an academy teacher as some think! I do games full-time. Soldat is my only source of income and its not as much I would like for the work put in it. I don't have any definite model thought out yet but Link-Dead in contrast to Soldat will not be a free game with paid options but a paid game with free options. I'd also like to get this into Xbox and other systems (OSX, Linux, PS3?).

Link-Dead technology test is finally here on time and I welcome all to participate in testing. I want to test mainly video compatibility. Detect what doesn't work or shows incorrectly and performance on other peoples computers. So when the proper release is here we can all enjoy it without glitches. Besides that if all works you can test playing a gostek in Link-Dead. I made a special climbing map just for this test. Try to get across the whole map and collect all red glowing artifacts.

If you get to the end artifact (on top of the small building), post a bug report [f5] with your nick and I'll think of a prize later for everyone that has completed the test.

Link-Dead Technology Test features
complete map movement with climbing
full animations
shooting and effects
dust processor effects on bullet hit
collision and physics
particle system and effects
bug reporter integrated with TwitPic
auto-updater
pixel shader normal mapped lighting with shadows
shadows and lighting without pixel shader for low-end gfx
map rendered procedurally from bitmap sketch
3d sound effects
fullscreen smoothening shader
hanging lights
context menu GUI
Twitter news

What to report?

- Most of all tell me if it doesn't work at all
- Second if something works really badly. See the screenshot above for reference. It will look more flat if your video card doesn't support pixel shaders.
- Flashlight is seen only against walls and dust. If the lights don't show there report.
- If you have slow FPS (smaller than 30) please send a bug report (F5) so I can see your hardware
- Gameplay bugs
- Difficulty with controls
- What you like most

Please check the console (~ key) for errors and the Logs/app.txt and Logs/console.txt for errors.

When it doesn't work

As always be sure to have the latest video drivers installed. You should probably go to the ATi or NVidia homepage for that.

If the auto-updater works correctly releases should be frequent. But I have to know what to fix. If something doesn't work please describe as best as you can the problem and attach screenshots (if you can't use the in-game reporting).

Some things that might help:

Open the config /Base/Scripts/autoconfig.gm
set the following vars:

If graphics don't work or are really slow:
v_useshaders 0
v_savememory 1

If sound makes the game unplayable:
s_soundon 0

Switching to windowed mode might help:
v_fullscreen 0

Download

Note: loading for the first time may take up to a minute (I haven't optimized the ambient lighting calculation)

http://mm.soldat.pl/downloads/link-dead-techtest01 (7.85MB)

Come back later for updates. You should subscribe to my blog and Link-Dead media pages. Also follow the in-game news.

And most of all tell me if you enjoyed it!
Have fun!

Video of soldier holding flashlight with normal mapping and realtime dust: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pQS2m18ebEI