Notices

Hi All,

i'm pleased to announce 'pre alpha' status for Netrek (COW Client) for the Nokia 770 (and 800).

For those who don't know about this classic piece of retro gaming, it derives from one of the first multiplayer online games in the history of the world: Empire (1974) on the Control Data PLATO system.

Netrek has been honed over the years and while simple in theory, it is deep in practice. Players join one of four teams and take-over planets in the galaxy, dropping armies, bombing, and engaging in space duels. The gameplay is relatively easy to learn, but hard to master, with myriad tricks and techniques awaiting your discovery.

http://www.netrek.org

http://www.playnetrek.org

This is an oldschool game, and it does require some reading and practice before you can play effectively. The beginner guide is here.
http://genocide.netrek.org/beginner/newbie.php

Most of the work so far has been reducing the UI from standard 1280x1024 down to 800x480 resolution without sacrificing playability. The chosen Cow client is shown here, running an actual game.




Initial release will require a bluetooth keyboard due to the large number of commands. Making it playable with just touchscreen and buttons will be a long range goal.

Cheers,
ARnim

Update:
-segfaults fixed! Played first netrek games on n770!
-Font size increased to 6x10, 5x7 too small at 200dpi
-Very playable (using synergy/desktop mouse+keyboard)
-No speed problems!

TODO for initial release:
-UI / Layout tweaks
-Fullscreen mode and fullscreen toggle button
-Hildonizing (make process appear in app selector)
-Sounds
-Debian packaging

TODO for 0.2 release:
-Keymap for BT keyboard playability (need feedback)

TODO for 1.0 release:
-Revamp UI for keyboardless play
- On screen buttons for various functions
- Button+StylusTap combinations for photon torpedoes/direction/shields
- Speed control via +/- buttons or onscreen slider
- Text input via stylus for messages
- ???