It's been a long while since we've updated, but there is still love being given to this project.
Perhaps let's put something first that usually comes last: Thanks to anyone who helped with this project in one way or another over the past years. This includes (but is not limited to) the following github users: Flow86, Flamefire, MarcusSt, jhkl, Peuc, shadowvzs and any other contributor. Also a big thanks to everyone who donated via PayPal, keeping this project running!
As of late, our team has been a bit smaller, and we would love some fresh minds and new people offering a helping hand to make "Return to the Roots" grow at a faster pace again. If you have a passion for Settlers 2, and some experience with coding, or would like to extend it, please get in touch with us via the Discord, Github or our webpage (see #1 below). We are hoping to hear from you.
The following will summarize the project's development ever since 21 Oct 2015:
1. Discord
As most people do not use IRC anymore (or never did) we are now also present on Discord.
You can join using this invite: Discord.gg It's a nice place to ask questions and meet people to play, or share maps.
2. Fixes, Changes, Additions
I first wanted to show a (nearly) full changelog here but that'd be more than 270 lines as there have been over 500 issues closed. To have a look at any closed issue, simply use the following search term on github: 'is:issue closed:2015-10-21..2019-12-24'.
You can also access the full list here: Pastebin.com
In more brevity:
Fixes:
- Fixed several crashes
- Fixed most (all?) remaining asyncs
- Fixed issues regarding controls (e.g. scrollbars)
- Fixed issues of the ingame random map generator
- Fixed issues the AI had
- Fixed visual bugs for storehouses (management)
- Fixed visual bugs when starting the game
- Fixed trade bugs
- Fixed several bugs regarding LUA functions
Changes:
- Charburner has been reworked (graphics)
- Layouts and functionality of some menus have been improved
- Improved shading a bit
- Player colors are now the same as in settlers II
- Trade has been improved
Additions:
- Addon: Auto demolish building if empty
- Addon: Change metalworks behavior on 0% (or no orders)
- Addon: Military building indicators are affected by reachability
- Addon: Disable coins by default for conquered buildings
- Added some missing Characters
- Added several functions for LUA scripting
- Added 3 new maps
3. Map editor included
The map editor which was written by Xaser now is included when downloading RttR. This means you no longer have to figure out where to put the files shipped by Xaser and can simply use the editor out of the box. Flamefire also fixed some bugs the editor had. One of the best additions is a map selection when loading maps, no more writing the name!
4. Settlers II Tools v1.0.0
Just some days ago we released Tools for working with the Settlers II file formats. You can find those here: Github.com They include the latest version of the lstpacker for example, which allows you to unpack all original *.LST and *.IDX files. You can also use this to help improving the font, see Github.com for further information.
Thanks for reading, and do leave your comments!
Whats been happening in the past years
It's been a long while since we've updated, but there is still love being given to this project.
Posted by Spikeone on
Hey totally amazing I had this project given up for dead.. Glad you guys proofed me wrong... I wish you best of luck in recruiting some new coders. It would be awesome.
After all there are only 3 major obstacles remaining:
The Campaign, perhaps even fanpaigns 1&2.
The AI
Finalization of the Babylonians.
Go help them guys if you got some spare time. Compared to modern titles the coding aspects must be rather simple for a game that age. Possibly a bit inconvenient but still simple as it lacks modern pc games complexity.
The opposite, backward engineering games like this is trickier because there were no coding standards or even normal encryptions/file extensions.