FIFE 2007.0 (official src release based on FIFE engine SVN rev. 838 & content SVN rev. 87)

Intention of this release:

We've decided to release this little present as two of our coders were hard working in the last weeks to get some new fixes and features into FIFE. So here we go :-) Please note that there will be no groundbreaking new features in this release because we did concentrate on refactoring important parts of our codebase.

You can post problems in the help section of our forums: http://www.fifengine.de/module-pnForum-viewforum-forum-7.phtml

Thanks for your support.

Important changes since last version

Manipulate mapview by removing objects and critters (they get restored at elevation change)
New stylish console (yeah!)
Load maps & make screenshots via console
New guichan widgets
Scriptable LUA gui (see guitest and content/scrips)
Better code documentation
Taking screenshots
New renderbackend approach
A LOT of fixes :-)

For a complete changelog visit:
https://mirror1.cvsdude.com/trac/fife/engine/timeline

What works:

Loading Fallout 1 .dat archives
Loading Fallout 2 .dat archives
Override .dat files by using unpacked local files (first useful 'modding' feature)
Load Fallout 1 .map files
Load Fallout 2 .map files
Choose resolutions from 640 * 480 up to 1920 * 1440
Choose between SDL software rendering and OpenGL hardware accelerated render backends
Play your favourite song as .ogg or .acm background music
Map scrolling with the arrow keys
Cycle through map elevations (-> e)
Toggle roof tiles on / off (-> r)
Toggle objects on / off (-> o)
Increase (-> s) and decrease (-> x) the degree of alphablending for roof tiles
Increase (-> a) and decrease (-> y) the degree of alphablending for objects
Taking screenshots (-> p)
Ingame console for tweaking and testing (-> F10)
Tile and object grids (use "t" and "g" to toggle them off / on) if you use the guimap_test binary
Critter animations
Palette animations for Fallout .pal files (animated tiles & objects)

What does not work:

No transparency for force fields, nightkins, etc.
All the rest that worked in the Fallout games :-p

Custom settings

FIFE uses a file called "fife.config" to give the user control about some engine aspects
The file should be self-explanatory

Working with Fallout 1 maps:

Copy the "master.dat" & "critter.dat" from your Fallout 1 install to your FIFE install directory
Launch FIFE via: ./guimap_test content/scripts/demos/load_fo1_maps.lua

Working with Fallout 2 maps:

Copy the "master.dat" & "critter.dat" from your Fallout 2 install to your FIFE install directory
Launch FIFE via: ./guimap_test content/scripts/demos/load_fo2_maps.lua

Working with custom (XML) maps:

FIFE supports a (temporary) own map format so you can test the engine without having one of the Fallout games installed. The used graphics for these new maps are released under GPL and are just temporary versions. Feel free to provide us your gfx skills so we can create a high quality free FIFE map that will be featured in one of the next releases. You can add Fallout maps you created yourself to the list by editing /FIFE_dir/content/etc/maps_custom.txt.

Launch FIFE via: ./guimap_test content/scripts/demos/load_custom_maps.lua

Loading maps via the maploader interface:

Make sure that you've launched FIFE via ./guimap_test content/scripts/demos/load_custom_maps.lua Select the map you want to view from the dropdown menu and load it. Take screenshots (via the "p"-key) or do whatever you want. If you want to load the new map press F10, and click on the "Tools" button in the console. You can load another map via the maploader interface now.

FIFE searching for new members:

Last but not not least FIFE is always searching for new members that want to support the project by contributing. If you think that FIFE is worth being supported you visit the following page to get an overview over the free positions on the team:
http://wiki.fifengine.de/index.php?title=Help_wanted

You can contact the FIFE team @ fife-public@lists.sourceforge.net

The FIFE Team, 2007/01/13