Speeding Up
by Nick Lissner, 22:20 17/4-12 GMT +1
Since last Summer when the activity reached new heights during the Tour de France, I've been on a long struggle to improve the speed of the site. The effort paid off right away - a new server was rented (made possible by the many donations - thank you all for the support!) - and I spent hours improving the performance.
Here, more than half a year later, I'm still improving here and there, and I'm happy to say I'm almost there. Most recently, I've been improving the search engine in the system which now is much faster. Going from 3-5 seconds per search to now less than 1 second, the search feature suddenly comes in handy!
Try it out here.
Next I'll work on the features I disabled due to performance issues. I'm determined to bring them back, but I can only do it if it doesn't hurt the performance, so I'll be looking for a way to achieve this.
Best regards,
OCM Developer Nick
- Comments (1)
New Tactical System
by Nick Lissner, 4:31 12/2-12 GMT +1
Today I managed to finish a feature that been in the making for quite some time: The new tactical system.
This will provide some extra game elements and decisions to make while playing. Basically, the system allows the riders to have roles and sub roles.
The roles are those already known, while sub roles add a new dimension. But what can you actually do with this new system? Most importantly, it's now possible to build a 'sprinting train', just as seen by the professionals. You are also able to guide your captains down tricky downhills if you have a fearless rider for the purpose!
As a side bonus, I also managed to slide in a little feature that has been requested by many; it's now possible to actually decide whether or not you are going to use your energy bars and canteens for a race - all quite smoothly integrated to the system in a realistic manner.
Most importantly though, this also leads the way for further improvements, such as side wind attacks. But more on that later.
Read the full announcement.
Best regards,
OCM Developer Nick
- Comments (0)
Hold on, just 1 second
by Nick Lissner, 23:15 17/8-11 GMT +1
It has been ages since I last wrote a post here at the developer blog. That does though not mean nothing happened...
The main struggle recently has been the performance on the site. This has lead to massive optimizing along with a server change - a change that is not even fully complete yet (the domain still hasn't been transfered).
The struggle has though, luckily I might add, been worth it. The site now runs with quite an impressive speed. Basically, each page is displayed within just one second compared to the earlier three to four seconds on average and even higher on busy times.
With everything now finally working fine again, I would like to add a special thanks to all those who made it possible for this server change to happen. I have received plenty of donations and has covered the hosting expenses for at least a year (depending on whether or not I'll need to upgrade the hosting solution for more capacity during the next year or not - something that luckily easily can be done with the new host).
I appreciate every single donation I have received, and it's a big motivation for me, that many managers have a big enough interest in the game to donate and help it running. Thanks to you all. :o)
Best regards,
OCM Developer Nick
- Comments (0)
2011... What to Expect?
by Nick Lissner, 1:36 1/1-11 GMT +1
A year has gone by without any posts here in the developer blog and once again it's New Year, which leads me to thinking: What is going to happen in 2011?
I have many plans and dreams with this game, but unfortunately not enough time to fulfill it all just like that. I guess slow and steady wins the race. :o)
Anyways, 2010 has been a year with quite some time inbetween each update, simply due to the fact, that there aren't many "small" and "simple" features left to make. What is missing now, is the big and complicated ones like wage systems, the possibility of getting sponsors, the live updates...
Speaking of live updates, I was hoping to have it done in 2010. My own ambitions kind of came in the way, as I had no specific km-by-km stage profile that the live updates could follow as I wanted to, which lead me to creating that first - something that wasn't quite easy. It will though make it possible to continue the development of the live updates. How far am I? Well, it's hard to say. I've written a quarter of a million characters in that feature - for now. What I have completed already, is the overall structure of the races, openings, break away and sprint finishes, and various stuff that happens along the route like injuries, crashes, feeding zones. Of importance, I have left do make the climbing, hilly and cobblestone finishes, so there's a good hurdle left. I have though decided not to include time trials for the first release of the feature, in order to get it done earlier and I'm also thinking of releasing a beta (the release was going to be anyways, but what I mean is a real beta - one that you simply know not is completely instead of a complete version where only trouble shooting and bug finding is left).
I've recently finishes two rather big features: The stage profiles and the new jersey editor - two features that game-wise doesn't add much game play, yet it's features that give the game more soul and make it come more alive - something I appreciate a lot.
So what will 2011 bring? There are a few features already in the making. A new improved tactical system (which again will be improved later on - all something that will be reflected in the live updates) is one.
Apart from that, I plan to make:
- The sponsor system
- Experience system (include new invisible "stats" that determine how good a team mate, captain, lead out or break away rider a rider is) - Improved team profiles (with more information, for those interested - this is more a soft feature)
- A new training system
- A way for teams to recruit new young talent (Youth Academy, to some. Still working on that perfect idea. Almost have it cleared out.)
- And a lot more...
My time these days goes by with studies and my spare time job. I'm hoping one day that I can turn Cycling Simulator into my "spare time job" instead. For that to happen sooner than I expect, I'm thinking about making a "release" in Denmark alone. My problem is mainly, that the game is currently too small for international companies and too widespread for the local ones. By releasing the game in Denmark (press releases, Danish translation, etc.), it might be possibly to get some smaller Danish companies interested which they aren't now as the players are from all over the world - something that they don't benefit much from, unfortunately. The game will though always be open to everyone - I'm just thinking about some Danish "advertising". I haven't decided if I should do that yet or not. All I know is that 2011 is a perfect year to do it in. Danish cycling will be at its heights this year (Tour de France with Bjarne Riis on Saxo Bank, Kim Andersen on Team Lux - conflict - Michael Rasmussen hopefully to compete in the Tour of Denmark, TV coverage of the Vuelta, and finally the World Championships in Copenhagen. It is certainly going to be a big year in Danish cycling).
So, to sum up: 2011 will be a year where I will try my very best to improve and expand the game. 2010 was a somewhat turbulent year and I think 2011 will provide a much more settle base for me to focus on the development which I hope to take far this year. I have so many things I want to add to the game - I can't wait to have the features done. May 2011 become a productive and important year in Cycling Simulator's history.
Happy New Year everyone. :o)
- Comments (0)
Christmas and New Year
by Nick Lissner, 0:07 31/12-09 GMT +1
A little delayed Merry Christmas to everyone. :)
I've been a bit busy recently, mainly because of Christmas, so I haven't been able to work as much on the development as wanted. Nonetheless, I'm now back in action again, and have this evening been working on a feature I just finished: Ranking Data.
Ranking Data
Ranking Data will give you information on your points scored over the season, so that you'll easily have an overview of when you are going to lose ranking points. Another feature I fit in here, is the opportunity to look a bit into the future and see what rank you'll have in 1, 2, 3 or 4 weeks ahead! This rank is of course only based on the current scored points that disappear, as it's impossible to predict how many points a team may earn during that time.
I know the feature has been requested at least by a few people, so I hope you'll find it useful. I don't quite know yet where to put the link for the page, but I'll figure out shortly so that you can see it. :)
Happy New Year everyone.
Best regards,
OCM Developer Nick
- Comments (1)