ProSonic Progress Report

The progress on the engine is steady, but it is slow in terms of how many goals of my 7-point plan are actually being accomplished. I have had a background layer for a good while now, and more recently the scripting language (although no MMF-like event editor to work with it.) The other day, I got the configuration file working so that key bindings, screen resolution settings, and other options can be set there instead of using hard-coded defaults.

I am planning to work on step #4 of my plan next. I have a few ideas of how I want to do it. I haven't decided which idea to go with yet. I will be making up my mind very soon though.

On the side, I've also been doing some extra things to the engine not part of the plan. The hope is that I can claim more than one front which to grab people's attention for the next major release which I'm planning for September. I'm sorry to say I won't have the 7-point plan completed by late July which is when SAGE '09 is.

As it currently stands, I'd say I'm about 40% complete in regards to where I want the engine to be by September. Keep in mind that I've done a lot of other things to the engine outside the 7-point plan, so it's different in more than seven ways.

My Beef with EPR ProAudio Electronics

I have an Ensoniq DP/4+ effects processor that had some issues with the audio. Ensoniq is defunct now, so EPR ProAudio Electronics does all the work on Ensoniq's old products. I sent in my processor to EPR somewhere around October or November. I have called them at least five or six times since then, and everytime they kept telling me they were still working on it, that they needed a replacement board for it and such. These people never call me, I always have to call them to find out what's going on.

Well I called EPR one last time about four or five weeks ago, and they said it couldn't be fixed. That was fine. They asked if I wanted it scrapped or shipped back. I told them I wanted it shipped back. They understood and said they would fill out the appropriate paperwork.

I'm still waiting on my processor, and I'm not happy at all with these people. My dad has thought all along that they may have made the problem with the processor worse and just don't want to admit to it. I'm beginning to subscribe to that too, and this long waiting period to get my processor shipped back has be very suspicious. I'm thinking of calling them again tomorrow. EPR has had more than six months now, and to me that is uncalled for.

ProSonic Scripting Update

It's been a while since I wrote anything about my game engine on here. I have been working on the scripting support in ProSonic, and I'm very happy with the progress so far.



I think a second public release by August is a real possibility. How far along the scripting support is by then will be a major determining factor in regards to any potential release date.

I'm Miserable Right Now

Usually when I have back pain, it's my lower back. Right now, I'm in pain, and it's all through my upper back, neck, and right arm. I can't stand it. I was like this all day yesterday, and I'm like this again this morning. I woke up thinking some of my back troubles were over, but within 10 minutes of moving around, I was feeling the same way I felt yesterday. I don't understand what I did. I slept on my stomach like I usually do, and I realize that can lead to back pains, but I haven't felt anything like this in a very long time.

I'm thinking of calling in to work and telling them I'm staying home. I am absolutely useless right now. It hurts to even type. I can't sleep comfortably, I can't sit comfortably, I can't do anything.

Hoops and Yoyo

A few weeks ago, I was shopping for cards. I came across a whole section of cards featuring these two characters named Hoops and Yoyo. Hoops is a pink cat, and Yoyo is a green bunny. I was listening to the audio that many of these cards had, and I laughed like crazy! I bought one to have around in case someone's birthday comes around and I want to give them a funny card. The card says "you are lookin' fine!" There's much more audio that goes with it.

Anyway, I did a search on Hoops and Yoyo and found they have an official website, hoopsandyoyo.com. Oh my gosh, this website has some hilarious stuff on it! There's a ton of animations on the website that you can watch. Some of the animations I recommend are:

- Brushing Your Teeth
- I Love You!
- Tie One On, Dad!
- Lookin' Fiiiine (audio from the card I bought)

There are many more too. I don't get into the business of endorsing websites, but the Hoops and Yoyo website is one I must! Whoever invented these characters is pure genius. They're obviously geared towards a younger audience, but the people at Hallmark clearly left the door open for an older audience to enjoy them too. So check out the website!