How can anyone be sure C2 will still exist in 10 years? What if I have a license that runs out right before a potentially program ruining bug is discovered?

There's a big trust issue here and the dev team is not in a great position after 0.x, no matter what regular 0.x users think or how much trust any of us have. Even big companies sometimes stop working on things sometimes, so why should anyone trust a few guys who didn't finish (yes, I know the details) their last project because it was bug-ridden and poorly coded?

So when you mention paying for a license (updates, whatever) for 10 years, that's pretty meaningless. When Microsoft says they'll provide updates to an OS until X date, everyone believes them. I don't see how Scirra is in any position to expect the same kind of trust, especially when there isn't a version 1.0 (like there would be with an OS) to begin with.

This is in not meant as an insult. These are facts essential to keep in mind.

> Really. So Construct 2 won't have Shaders? Guuuu...

>

Not necessarily. It just means that HTML5 games can't have shader effects.

Which means they don't need to be added for quite a while. (when exe is added)

The main things people are wanting are:

Variables

Custom Movement

Animations

Arrays

With all of those, you can do quite a bit.

Animation. Private Variables. Families. Shader Effects.

HTML5 can't use shader effects.

Custom Movement.

I thought I would post this question, as it could become a FAQ.

What do older videocards "like" more: directx (C0.x) or opengl (C2)?

Define "older video cards." My advice is, when in doubt, assume DirectX will run better. (especially if it is an Intel IGP)

I'm not sure, I haven't used an "old" video card in ages. I think the install base of half-decent graphics cards is now nearly everyone. DirectX and OpenGL seem to be equally well supported now.

Define "half-decent." Most people still have IGPs. Though IGPs vary, too. Some are pretty good these days.

Oh, I didn't realize it was actually working. I updated with the improved answer.

Q: Why isn't there an image editor like Construct Classic had?

or - How do I get alpha channel (transparency) support?

A: C2 is very early in development and we haven't made a built-in image editor yet. In the meantime, we launch the system default image editor. Unless you install something else, this is MS Paint, which does not have alpha support! Install another image editor like Paint.NET (free), which has good alpha channel support, and it will launch instead. We're still working on a built-in image editor which should be coming soon!

Q: I hear a licensing system mentioned. How is this going to work?

A: Scirra developers would like to make some money while developing C2. This in turn is supposed to allow them to work full time on C2, making it even better than they could do before by working part-time. Scirra are still considering their options on how the license can work. In the mean time, test builds are limited to 90 days. We're releasing at least once a month right now, so you won't ever be without a working build.

However, there will be an option for early adopters (you lot) to get cheap licenses!

Q: What are these exporters I'm hearing about?

A: Exporters compile projects into various formats for use on different platforms. They are modular and can be made by anyone, just like a plugin. This means C2 can support new platforms easily in future!

Q: Why is HTML5 the main exporter?

A: The HTML5 exporter is being made first mainly because it is multiplatform, and the future of the web. Having immediate multiplatform support is meant to attract as many users to C2 as early as possible.

Q: Will there be an EXE exporter?

A: Yes, eventually. Either the Scirra devs will make one, or a third-party will make one. With the modular exporter system, it could be both. By the time C2 can be used for much, there will probably be an EXE exporter.

Q: I hear HTML5 is slow. Is it?

A: HTML5 is a relatively new standard, and some old browsers don't support it very well. However, new browsers hardware-accelerate their canvases, and compile javascript to machine code. This makes for very fast running games. They won't be quite as fast as EXE games, but it should definitely be fast enough for games. As time goes by, old browsers will be phased out and everyone will have these fast browsers.

Q: Does HTML5 allow pixel shaders?

A: No, HTML5 does not support pixel shaders yet. However, there are some simple effects, like additive, available for sprites.

Q: What happened to (or where is) <some feature>?

A: C2 is very young. Features will be added in time. We probably want to add that feature, but haven't got there yet. We're trying to nail down all the basic features to make C2 useful first, then we'll come back to flesh things out later.

Q: Is Construct 2 still open source?

A: The IDE is now closed source, because Scirra can't sell it if it's open source. However, the HTML5 exporter is planned to be open-sourced soon.

Q: Can I import 0.x .cap files to Construct 2?

A: Unfortunately not - read the last section of this for why.

You say that as if he owned it, when actually its more the other way around.

Construct is open source, C2 is as well, at this point anyway, and despite the free software stigma, it's not really free.

He doesn't get it for free, as it takes his time and effort, and even though we get to use it for free, we don't get to decide what happens to it unless we contribute.

Although buddy40's point may come into play in selling any C2 add-ons while C2 is still incomplete enough that some potential buyers may be concerned.

I have to agree with Tulamide. HTML5 is a great feature, but its still just a web format. It's the replacement for Flash, not for full-fledged programs. For serious games, people are going to want to use .exe and with anything not small, .exe with external, encrypted resources.

BTW, I get similar slowdown as Tulamide in the latest version of Chrome.

Now for some feature requesting. I think Custom Movement needs to be very very high on the feature list. You can do so much with it so it makes sense to add it as one of the first plugins.

[quote:13xz7ybp]Thanks again for the responses everyone - overall it's been very positive and it's great nearly everyone's in favour of this! It's been really nice reading the responses.

"nearly"??

I've read all the replies from the beginning and all of us are in favour.

This.

C2 needs more developers. It is a big project, like Ashley said, which is why it really needs more than one or two developers who are pretty busy with other work. I'd consider this the most serious obstacle to C2's development. C1 is/was open source, but no other devs joined the team. The same GUI library isn't being used, is it?

What about people who were planning big games in Construct but weren't too far along? Should they continue it in 0.x or what? I'm also wondering if 0.x will really get bug fixes when needed and for how long.

One more thing, how difficult do you predict porting our events to C2 would be? I'm sure no one wants their events to all feel like a waste when C2 comes out. Will most of the event sheet system use the same mechanics and actions/conditions/expressions etc?