T H E G A M E S M A S T E R S Y S T E M VERSION 0.8 BETA SEPTEMBER 1997 Hi there, and thanks for downloading GMS V0.8B! In this new version the final design model was implemented: Complete Object Orientation. And not just any kind of object orientation, but OO at the system level - in the kernel. As a result over 40 functions have been removed and now replaced with about 15 "action" functions, like Draw(), Get(), Free() Init() and so on. These functions now serve as the core of the system. This change is very significant for the Amiga, because we've never had our own object oriented OS until now. I hope you like it! VERSION 1.0 ----------- Do you want to see the first official release come out faster? I have lots of things that need to be done, some of which are listed in this text file. If you are -seriously- interested in helping then write to me about this. I also have some more technically challenging things for advanced programmers to work on. If you have some of your own ideas on how to help then I would like to hear from you too... Please Remember --------------- It is okay to write games and demos in GMS (that's why it's available), but you are not allowed to release anything publicly until V1.0. If you have written something you want others to see, then please send it to me so that I can include it in the next beta. Changes to make to existing sources ----------------------------------- If you have written demos/games with the last version of GMS then you will have to make the following changes if you want them to work for this version... * Functions like AddScreen(), LoadPicture(), InitSound() etc have been replaced by OO functions like Init(). This mostly means just changing the names of the function calls, moving registers, and for C programmers altering the order of the parameters. * GMSBase renamed to DPKBase. * All structures are now deallocated by the Free() action. * Blitter allocations (AllocBlitter()/FreeBlitter()) are now handled internally, so remove those calls from your programs. * Old JoyStick functions no longer exist, they have been replaced by OO actions. * Preservation of registers a0/a1/d0/d1 is no longer guaranteed (since many of the functions are written in C now). Look at the source files for further clarification of these and many other changes. Mailing List ------------ If you want to receive announcements of new GMS releases, please send an e-mail to paul@ethos.co.nz with "SUBSCRIBE GMS" in the header. If you later want to unsubscribe from the list, send a message with "UNSUBSCRIBE GMS" in the header. Icons ----- You can now use workbench icons to run your executables. I have made a couple of these in the GMS:Demos/ directory which you can look at. All you need to do is make a reference to the GMS:C/StartDPK tool and your program will run correctly. Joystick module needs an owner ------------------------------ The joystick object and module definitions are finalised and I am now looking for someone to take care of the source code for me. This is the easiest module to look after, but I need someone to add support for joypads, analogue joysticks etc. So if you have lots of different joysticks and are interested, then send me a mail. Anyone want to write an editor? ------------------------------- Someone other than myself needs to write the object editor for GMS. It will have a GUI front end and lots of boxes and windows for the user to enter data for all currently available structures. It also needs to be able to write out data as tag lists, in a file formatted to Amiga file hunks. Look at Data Objects in the autodoc for detailed information. [NB: You do get a free GMS license for as long as you work on this.] Translation of autodocs ----------------------- If you're interested in converting the docs to your own language, then write to me and I will give you my support. Currently there are people working on French and Swedish translations, but I would like to have some people help them with these conversions as well. The usual free GMS version applies. Anyone want to finish writing IceBreaker? ----------------------------------------- You can find the source to IceBreaker in this archive. What it needs is a GUI with options to turn the output of specific messages (eg AllocMemBlock()) on/off, and the ability to view structures would be nice. You do not need my permission to create new versions of IceBreaker but you *cannot charge for it*. Better Chunky 2 Planar ---------------------- In this archive you will find the source to the C2P module (Asm/Chunky/ 000.CPU1.s). If anyone wants to implement a faster routine such as the one by Peter McGavin, go ahead. Remember to send me the source if you want it working for the next GMS release. GMS Logo -------- I need some logos for GMS, something small enough for people to put on their programs to show they support our system. Maximum of 32 colours, plus an 8 or 4 colour version needed. Any resolution is okay. I'll use whatever logo is the best one, winner gets a permanent license for as long as I use it. Web Master Required ------------------- Richard is too busy to look after the web site. I am looking for someone who wants to take care of the web site and update it every month or so. Write to me if you're interested. Paul Manias Email: paul@ethos.co.nz WWW: http://gms.ethos.co.nz/gms/