Alternate Reality X – Release 1.0 – Target Release Date!

Based on the solid progress I’ve made with development of ARX during 2016 I now feel that I can confidently announce a target release date for release 1.0 of the game. I have always envisaged 1.0 as completing my original vision for my Alternate Reality remake project – a full recreation of both The City and The Dungeon in a single, easy to use, seamless game for modern systems.

At the beginning of 2016 the game was still a confused mangle of code which I’d built up steadily between 2009 and 2015. It was full of workarounds, hacks and was very difficult to expand and add new features to. I’ve spent a lot of time reacquainting myself with some of my earliest code during the last few months which was a big challenge. I kept asking myself “Why did I do that????” Back then the main problem was that I was learning a lot about game programming for the first time and at the same time trying to develop the game. This often led to me making short sighted decisions without realising their longer term consequences. Later I would then struggle to bolt on a new feature to an increasingly precarious code base.

I’m pleased to say I’m now a lot more confident in my programming and game development skills and I’ve managed to gradually start to restructure my ARX code into a more sensible project. I’ve learned and read a lot about programming, C++, SFML and game development so I’m a lot better equipped to complete the project. I still have more work to do (and plenty to learn) but I expect to have a complete, well organised and (easily) expandable game by the end of 2016.

There is still a lot of work to do and features to complete before then but I feel really confident and excited that this is achievable and realistic. I can’t think of any area or feature that I’m particularly daunted by. I know that completing the game will be hard work, challenging but also extremely satisfying. If the 1.0 release is well received then I can look to really expand on the Alternate Reality universe during 2017 with additional scenarios and other enhancements to the City and the Dungeon.

As you can see from some of the screenshots here I’ve finally set up Alternate Reality X so that you can finally encounter some of the more exotic Dungeon encounters that haunted the corridors and halls of the original game. I’m also continuing to add in the special behaviours and actions for each encounter type.

So, without further delay I’m pleased to announce that my target release date for Release 1.0 of Alternate Reality X is:

It’s a date I’ll be putting in my calendar! Hopefully something of an early Christmas present for some people. This is likely to be Microsoft Windows only initially and will focus on completing 100% of the original features from The City and The Dungeon. You will also be able to complete all the Dungeon quests and complete that scenario.

I just want to take this opportunity to say a big thank you to those people who have supported me through Paypal, Patreon, the AR forums, Facebook or by sending me personal emails of support and encouragement through the life of the project. It has made a big difference to me personally that you’ve had faith in what I’ve been working on and continued to support the project. If you have questions about this release or how I plan to achieve it then please post them here, on Facebook, the forums or send me a private message / email.

I’m not announcing this release date lightly – I take it very seriously. It’s not only a commitment to those who’ve supported the development of the game – some from the early years – It’s also a big commitment that I’m making on a personal level to myself. I think for me setting this release date will only strengthen my resolve to complete the game and help me focus on reaching my development targets. Regular releases of the game will continue to appear leading up to the final 1.0 release. Release 0.75 will focus on numerous improvements around City and Dungeon encounters. Thanks for your patience and support.