Planet Cloudius IX

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Roobar
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Planet Cloudius IX

Post by Roobar »

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Download Planet Cloudius IX
Updated to 1.2.6

If you like the game, please give it a thumbs up. It really helps and supports the game. Thank you.

Version history moved down below.

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Alright! Alright!

G'day people! I've been developing this game with K1n9_Duk3. It has been in the works for many years and I was working on it in my spare time. Some of you may even have seen little glimpses of the development of it over the years. There were some ups and downs over that period, but in the end I hope we've managed to deliver a great experience! The development of the game is a project of mine that I'm glad it is finally ready!

Planet Cloudius IX features (as of the release date):
- 28 playable levels! And that number is without the world map and the secret levels! (36 is the total number of levels) Some of them are huge! Like 2 or 3 times bigger than the biggest from the original Keens!
- Many secrets, more than 1 secret level!
- New gameplay mechanics!
- New powerups!
- Vast world to explore!
- Dialogues!
- Checkpoints!
- Autosaves!
- A lot of enemies!
- A lot of goodies!
- New difficulty skills with health bar!
- New mode: Speedrun!
- Unlock-able content!
- Easter eggs!
- Native wide screen support!
- Window or full screen support! (not tested on ultra wide though)
- Controllers support! For example, you can set your Xbox controller and play with ease!
- VGA graphics (you need 3DFX Voodoo2 12mb to handle so many colorz!)
- Parallax background support!
- Plenty of music tracks and sound effects!

KEENGINE allows you to:
- Create big levels with a map editor! 5012x5012? No problem! (that's really huge though. It would take ages to create such giant map).
- Create huge tilesets with an easy to use tileset editor!
- Create as many actors (sprites) as you want! And place as many as you want. Create your own actor (enemies, items, scenery) by simply editing text files!

KEENGINE supports:
- Aplhablend for transparency. You simply draw and save in PNG file and you're good to go!
- Lua scripting. Lua scripting allows you to create cut-scenes, mini games for the wrist-watch, complicated than usual dialogues, modify scripted actors and level behavior, and much more.
- Many sound/music channels

These are some of the features, but not all...

I want to thank you all for all the support over the years. Also, in the game you may find some familiar art or assets from various contributors over the years.

Huge thanks to K1n9_Duk3! He spend a lot of his free time in developing the most advanced keen engine ever! It has been a long way of countless improvements from the initial versions of the engine to where we are today. Without his dedication this would not have been possible! The men's a legend! Thank you, K1n9_Duk3!

Version history:

What's new in v1.2.6:
- You can now collect items close to vertical poles on both sides while sliding down or climbing up
- Fixed some hazards that made the Pirate's Secret Treasure Cove impossible on Hard difficulty
- Added supporting platforms in that same level on Easy in the blue/purple area, so players won't be forced to use the op pogo jump in specific situations
- Few new secret in Dude, where's my pogo? level

What's new in v1.2.5:
- Fixed several tiles in Pirate's Secret Treasure Cove, Misty Hills and possibly other levels
- Ninja Run now has a different beginning of the level on Hard difficulty
- Minor addition/changes in Escape The Cave
- Several changes and more interactions in the Mushroom Village
- New Easter Eggs in Dude, where's my pogo? level

What's new in v1.2.4:
- Fixed missing windows of the crashed spaceship;
- Some tile fixes.

What's new in v1.2.3:
- New mini game added: Cloud Invaders!
- Fixed an issue where the Pirate's Cove level was unbeatable on hard difficulty
- Fine tuned the hard difficulty of that level. Some places on hard are now easier, others are harder
- Changed a part in that level where you were able to collect and leave with 2 gem shaped keys instead of 1. Now that's no longer possible. You're supposed to leave that place with only the blue key.

What's new in v1.2.2:
- This update allows you to use your old save(s) from the previous versions and be able to play the new level without the need to play the game from the beginning
- Updated to KEENGINE v0.64.0
- Several tile fixes

What's new in v1.2.1:
- Fixed tile poles in Mushroom Village
- Fixed several tiles in Pirate's Secret Cove.

What's new in v1.2.0:
- New level (Pirate's Cove)
- New music, tileset(s), pick-up items, enemies.
- The toll fee for the last guardian barrier is now 2 crystal shards instead of 1.
- Updated to KEENGINE v0.63.1.
- A few more secret areas added in some levels.

What's new in v1.1.1:
- Updated to KEENGINE v0.63.0.
- Jake now can land more easily on top of the left and right edges of single tile platforms. This can help in some hard sections, where players use to fall often when trying to land on small platforms.
- Fixed a bug where you could have fall through fast moving platforms with your pogo, while you were not supposed to.
- Fixed some issues where the player could get stuck temporarily on the edge of some tiles on the world map.
- Other internal engine improvements that came with v0.63.0
- Added an optional icon, if you would like to have an icon on your desktop.

What's new in v1.1.0:
- New level: Escape the cave (very hard)
- New music track
- Several new graphics
- Mushroom village: changed "pressure" to "precious" in a dialogue from a blue villager.
- Mushroom village: if you skip through the computer hacking thing, the long internet noise can play after the conversation is finished. Now it is cut off when you move on to the next step of the event.
- Fixed a water in Jungle Caverns that didn't hurt player.
- Fixed several tiles in Jungle Caverns and some few other levels.
- Fixed a subtle checkpoint animation. It was a bit off.
- Ghosts on the world map can now escape.

What's new in v1.0.14:
- Raatlet quest in the Mushroom Village now gives more ammo as a reward, when completed on hard difficulty.
- If you turn on and off a switch in the sewers several times and look up, it will now drop an additional 5 ammo (on any difficulty).
- Several small tiles and actors adjustments in Secret level 4, Darmondia level 5 and 6.
- Several tile fixes in Ancient Ruins and Misty Hills.
- A little improvement of the sound when collecting several gold items at once.

What's new in v1.0.13:
- Fixed several "invisible" or wrong pixels from the Secret level 3 & 4 level tilesets.
- Reduced the amount of points in Secret Level 3 (the Hunt for Red Rover level).
- Fixed wrong tiles in Dude, where's my pogo? level.
- Fixed tile in Jungle Caverns.
- Transparent crystal key holder is now more distinct. Previously it blended too much with the environment and was not distinct enough. Also added door indicator for transparent crystal doors.
- Changed one door exit in Guardian Post 2.
- Added Ceilick in the credits, since I've used 2 characters portraits in the game.
- Several minor level name changes.

What's new in v1.0.12:
- Fixed a “troll” checkpoint in Jungle Post that used to kill the player after re-spawning from it.
- Fixes in the 1up secret level: fixed a platform on which you could use the op pogo jump to reach a place that was not supposed to be reached by without using a switch and turning on the platform first; moved a small secret area; adjusted several background tiles; more enemies and ammo on hard and more rooibos teas on all difficulties added; adjusted dialogue.
- Small dialogue adjustments of a secret character in Ancient Ruins.

What's new in v1.0.11:
- The Slimer (that green flying thing in the jungle levels) now can hurt the player. The original idea behind this creature was that you were supposed to pogo onto it to get an extra high pogo jump, but K1n9_Duk3 never actually implemented that.
- Added a dialogue and additional frames to an actor in a secret level, as well as several small changes in that level.
- The computer joke in Mushroom Village can now be executed only once.
- Added a new switch in Ancient Ruins that toggles some vines next to it.
- Several tile fixes and/or small additions in 7 levels (ctdarmondial03, ctdarmondial08, ctsecretl04, ctjunglel02, ctjunglel06, ctjunglel07, ctjunglel10) and refined the hard difficulty in 3-4 of these levels (now it's a bit more challenging in these levels).

What's new in v1.0.10 since v1.0.8:
- Sandy Tower is easier on one particular goplat section.
- Fixed a “troll” checkpoint in Jungle Post that used to kill the player after re-spawning from it.
- Several fixes in one secret level: fixed a platform which you could have used the op pogo jump to reach a place that was not supposed to be reached by without using a switch and turning on the platform first; moved a small secret area; adjusted several background tiles; more enemies and ammo on hard and more rooibos teas on all difficulties added; adjusted dialogue;
- Small dialogue adjustments of a secret character in Ancient Ruins.
- Fixed the background in Guard Post 1 to parallax scroll horizontally.
- Several small tile fixes.
- Fixed a secret within a secret in Guard Post 2, so it now works as intended.
- Changed one bit of a secret within a secret level, so you won’t get stuck.

What's new in v1.0.8 since 1.0.3:
- Various tile fixes.
- Lowered the volume of the entering level and shoot sounds
- Added additional unlock-able content in the "concept art" section.
- Added a new joke in the Mushroom Village level.
- Several levels optimizations.

What's new in v1.0.3 since v1.0.0:
- Fixes several tiles in various levels.
- Fixed one wrong switch and platform behavior in Darmondia Level 05.
- Credits update.
- Few decorations (lamps) added in Mushroom Village.
Last edited by Roobar on Sun Jun 28, 2020 20:17, edited 98 times in total.
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Re: Unknown

Post by Commander Spleen »

Ah, yes. The familiar loading screen of the Commodore 64 cassette version of Keen Dreams. It would always hang right there after 5 minutes and had to be loaded again from the start several times. It had a great soundtrack, pity it had to be cut from the PC version.
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Re: Unknown

Post by Nisaba »

oh I love it.
I wonder if it is possible to reproduce this star gliding effect with the Keen Engine... 'd be neat
out now (link) : Image
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Re: Unknown

Post by troublesomekeen »

I spent five minutes and twenty-three seconds waiting for the Apogee logo to appear.
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Commander Keen in... Canteloupe Quest!
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Re: Unkno̯̜̻͘w̙̭n̫̖̺̼̼͖

Post by proYorp »

Roobar wrote: Mon Apr 01, 2019 17:32 SOMETHING
IS
COMING
????????????????
"Friendly. Very friendly. Too friendly." Image
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Re: Unkno̯̜̻͘w̙̭n̫̖̺̼̼͖

Post by Commander Spleen »

proYorp wrote: Tue Apr 09, 2019 0:44
Roobar wrote: Mon Apr 01, 2019 17:32 SOMETHING
IS
COMING
????????????????
lunick wrote:?
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Re: Unkno̯̜̻͘w̙̭n̫̖̺̼̼͖

Post by Lunick »

Commander Spleen wrote: Tue Apr 09, 2019 15:03
proYorp wrote: Tue Apr 09, 2019 0:44
Roobar wrote: Mon Apr 01, 2019 17:32 SOMETHING
IS
COMING
????????????????
lunick wrote:?
?
Lunick is Here
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Roobar
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Re: Planet Cloudius IX

Post by Roobar »

Some of you were wondering what was all that about. No more! Over the past few days I've been preparing this project for a public release. So there you go! The secret project is revealed!

Only proYorp has managed to get most, but not all of all the clues that I've been giving you over the past few days in this topic. Congrats!

Now, there are plenty of secrets to explore in this game! I hope you enjoy!
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Re: Planet Cloudius IX

Post by Nisaba »

I'm already in love with the screenshots you've posted. Can't wait to get home. Gotta test things out, that's for sure!
out now (link) : Image
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Re: Planet Cloudius IX

Post by proYorp »

Aaaaah I remembered seeing the development thread for this! I should've gone back and looked at it, you even put the title in there! That would've explained the cloud picture! Everything makes sense now!

I see this whole scavenger hunt thing also ties in with the game's story:
Image
Well, that was fun. :D


I've played a couple of levels so far. The dynamic sound effects for the waterfalls is cool (a tiny bit loud though considering it's background), as well as the NPC dialog, the horizontal poles, just a lot of neat little new features. The doors in the Deep Forest were a bit confusing at first, since they didn't have their gem holders right next to them. I managed to figure it out, but I feel like the first couple of levels should have the doors and gem holders next to each other so the player can learn what they look like.

Interesting choice, using an original character rather than Keen. Was this done to be able to open the game up to a wider audience beyond the Keen community, avoiding cease-and-desist?

Does this use the default VGA palette for the graphics?
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Roobar
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Re: Planet Cloudius IX

Post by Roobar »

proYorp wrote: Thu Apr 18, 2019 19:59Everything makes sense now!
Hah. I'm glad you figured this out!
proYorp wrote: Thu Apr 18, 2019 19:59Does this use the default VGA palette for the graphics?
This is not a Keen mod, but a KEENGINE game and is not using any palettes. Basically, no limit of the colors at all.

BTW on what difficulty are you playing?
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Re: Planet Cloudius IX

Post by K1n9_Duk3 »

proYorp wrote: Thu Apr 18, 2019 19:59Interesting choice, using an original character rather than Keen. Was this done to be able to open the game up to a wider audience beyond the Keen community, avoiding cease-and-desist?

Does this use the default VGA palette for the graphics?
Yeah, this game went through many changes over the years. The oldest Demo I got to play still had tons of Keen assets and was called "New Commander Keen", but that was way back in 2011.

By the way, the graphics don't use VGA, nor do you need to mess with any palettes at all. You can limit your graphics to a 16- or 256-color palette if you really want to, but the graphics use True Color images with Alpha Blending anyway, so you have basically no color limitations in this engine.
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Re: Planet Cloudius IX

Post by Commander Spleen »

Graphics look excellent, particularly the foreground stuff.

I'm getting an EXCEPTION_ACCESS_VIOLATION error under both WINE and Windows 7 VM.

log.txt (same thing for both):

Code: Select all

KEENGINE: Planet Cloudius IX - KEENGINE Version 0.62.3
======================================================

Date: 19 Apr 2019 - 10:11:18

PathManager :: Listing current paths ...
User Path: ""
Data Paths: 1
 1. "Data"	(ARCHIVE)


Log closed: 19 Apr 2019 - 10:11:18
Any chance of a Linux port at some point or is it all DirectXy?
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Roobar
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Re: Planet Cloudius IX

Post by Roobar »

Try editing keengine.ini by changing some of these:

WINDOWED = 0 to = 1
DRIVER = D3D9 to D3D7 or GL.
Last edited by Roobar on Wed May 15, 2019 8:54, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Planet Cloudius IX

Post by K1n9_Duk3 »

Commander Spleen wrote: Fri Apr 19, 2019 0:16 I'm getting an EXCEPTION_ACCESS_VIOLATION error under both WINE and Windows 7 VM.
Could you try running the game with the parameter /log=all and see if the log file shows some more information?

I'm not sure why, but the game appears to crash before starting the graphics mode, so maybe creating a KEENGINE.INI file with these settings might help:

Code: Select all

[GRAPHICS]
BPP               = 32
DRIVER            = D3D9
HEIGHT            = 640
HZ                = 60
INTEGER SCALING   = 1
KEEP ASPECT RATIO = 1
WIDTH             = 480
WINDOWED          = 1
Commander Spleen wrote: Fri Apr 19, 2019 0:16 Any chance of a Linux port at some point or is it all DirectXy?
The engine is written in BlitzMax, which has compilers for Windows, Linux and MacOS. When I release the source, you should be able to just build and run the code as-is and create a native Linux or MacOS program.
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