Remember that time back in September of 2022 when I said I was trying to "knock it out before the end of the year"? LOL. Here we are almost a year later and NOPE. It's been a while, and I've actually been making progress, so I figured it was time for another update.
Major changes since then include:
* I figured out how to effectively use lookup tables, thus cutting my big sprite boy (6x6) draw code down from something like 800 (600? eh who cares) lines to only 80ish.
* I fixed the weapon select bug, so that system works perfectly now. Just need to figure out what my weapons will be.
* I have made a Gradius Option-like Helper upgrade that loops around the ship and looks super cool.
* Started working on sound stuff. I have incorporated CutterCross's Sabre Sound Driver into the project, so DPCM should be an option for me now.
* Started designing a few boss fights.
* General code optimization stuff. << This has been probably the biggest part of what I've been doing. A lot of the work has been behind the scenes boring code stuff.
And perhaps my FAVORITE update so far: I've got the graphics for a boss fight (maybe the penultimate one?) 99% done, so HERE IT IS. THIS A BIG B!TCH!
Meet the SERAPHIM.
This thing is 2 full main tile sheets, but I couldn't NOT make it huge. This is exactly what I wanted out of it. Right now the only mechanic I have programed in is the eye follows the player, but more will be done soon. I'm hoping to make this one challenging.
Hopefully more will be coming soon!