Anyway, the following are some of my plans for 5.6.3:
config-library unification. Right now, about half of our configuration variables are config.whatever, and half are library.whatever. The distinction is fairly arbitrary, based on where a variable is used, rather then on anything systematic. I propose eliminating the distinction, and just having config variables (with library being an alias to config for backwards compatibility).
Eliminate the extras/ directory. Extras have always been a bit problematic, as they aren't part of the demo game, which doubles as the main test suite I run when releasing Ren'Py. So I want to eliminate the extras entirely.
The functionality that's currently found in the extras/ directory will be dispersed to several different places. Mature functionality, like fullscreen.rpy and east_asian.rpy, will be integrated into Ren'Py proper. Less mature functionality, like voice.rpy, will be moved into the demo game... where at least it will get tested each release. Finally, the extras that haven't proved useful will probably get migrated onto the cookbook section of the wiki.
Rewrite kanamode. I'm thinking this release will be when I rewrite the kana mode. (The mode that lets us make NVL-type games, for those familiar with the Japanese notation.) I'd appreciate it if users could give some thoughts to requirements, and post them here.
Improved mixer selection. When config.has_music or config.has_sound are False, we should disable the corresponding mixers. (Minor, but useful.)
Multiple With Skip Clicking during a transition should terminate that transition, and skip all transitions until the next non-transition interaction. Coupled with the new Pause transition, this will let multi-part transitions be skipped as a unit.
Rewrite demo game. This is probably the biggest time-sink in 5.6.3. I want to rewrite the demo game to make it more useful. A big part of this will be breaking the current demo game up into a number of easily-understandable files, and indicating on the screen which file we are in. The purpose of the demo game is to demonstrate the power of Ren'Py in a reusable fashion... the purpose of the simple game (due out in 5.6.4) will be to show people how easy it is to make a game.
I'd also like the demo game's artwork to be improved. A number of community members have volunteered to help with this. Here's what I see the tasks as being:
- Background Art. DaFool has contributed some nice classroom shots. I need to figure out how to use these in the demo, as the current version uses a number of layers. These layers make the current version look really good... but I worry that they will be a bit confusing to someone reading the demo. Compare the current:
Code: Select all
scene bg washington
show eileen happy
Code: Select all
scene bg classroom
show screen
show eileen happy
show seats
Suggestions would be most appreciated here, as coming up with a way to do the backgrounds is the pacing factor on creating the new demo game.
- Music. "Sun-Flower Slow Drag" has been slowly driving me insane. We need new music reasonably soon, before I lose it. (IIRC, Alessio volunteered for this... is that right?)
- Voice. I'd like to demonstrate voice acting. While the game won't be fully voiced, I'd expect there to be a short section that is. So I'll need someone to be the voice of Eileen.
That's about it for now... I'd appreciate anyone's comments, suggestions, offers of help.