I’ve been making major layout changes to http://wiioperasdk.com, matching it closer to the layout of http://dsoperasdk.com.  Wii versions of some of the DS Opera SDK apps will make their way onto the website, including WiiPaint and the WiiChatroom.  These changes will be on-going for about a week.  Members will be able to log in right on the menu now for using the apps.

Changes so far include:

• References to old versions of the Wii Opera SDK have been removed.
• Image links at the top have been removed since many of those links are now broken
• The main menu it now the default page instead of the raycaster menu

Mode7 Class Preview

An alpha preview of the new Mode7 is available at http://wiioperasdk.com/mode7.html.

Available features from the original goal list are as follows:

• Per landscape pixel coordinate mapping
  Default tiles for empty locations
• Variable pixel size Variable strip size (for speed vs. visual clarity optimization)
• Variable canvas size
• Controls for motion, turning, strafing
• Import custom tile maps
• Import custom tile images

Originally, the class was going to draw landscapes on a per-pixel basis, but that proved to be way too slow for not only playing but just for viewing.  This I’ve taken some shortcuts (in a similar manner to how the SuperNES did) which create a decent, but not mathematically correct, effect for games.

Much of the class is not yet automated in the manner that the 3DFPS one is, and some tweaking to the perspective projection math is required.  Beyond that, it is functionining.  I just need to run some benchmarks on the Wii before creating a game or two.

Mode 7 Sample

The new class for the Wii Opera SDK / HullBreach SDK that mimics the popular affine texture mapping of the SuperNES era is almost finished.  This class will give the ability to create graphical effects like those produced in Super Mario Kart, Pilotwings, F-Zero, and other games, by scaling scanlines of rotates planes on screen mode 7 of the SuperNES.  The interface will be similar to that of the Raycasting class on the homepage of http://wiioperasdk.com.

It is my hope that when this class is finished and fully-optimized that Internet Channel versions of SuperNES favorites will see their lights-of-day.

The demo image shows the functionality with a sample checkboard pattern.  Final game engines using this class will have the following abilities:

• Per landscape pixel coordinate mapping
• Default tiles for empty locations
• Variable pixel size (for speed vs. visual clarity optimization)
• Variable canvas size
• Controls for motion, turning, strafing
• Panoramic backgrounds
• Import custom tile maps
• Import custom tile images

The class will be ready in the next week with a simple demo.  Once this class is finished, I will begin work on the next project: Terrain Mapping.

A few Web Services for Wii Opera SDK / HullBreach Online are now available with many more to come.  Any Web developers wishing to take advantage of them, let me know.  Documentation will be posted shortly.  Below is a description of the methods that exist so far:

• getUserInfo – This retrieves information on a current user account based on the supplied User ID or Username.
• sendNewUser – This remotely creates a new user account based on the data supplied.
• getHBCharacterInfo – This retrieves information on a current user’s character in HullBreach Online based on the supplied Character ID or Character Name.
• getHBLeaderBoard – This retrieves a Top 10 list of HullBreach Online characters, sorted descenting by either Credits or total Stats.

Future methods include sendRemoteLogin, updateUserInfo,  getWOSTLeaderBoard, getWOSTQuestion, and getRecentChatroom.  As more websites join the unified Wii Internet Channel Homebrew community, customer SOAP Web Services will be added for them.  The Wii Opera SDK will soon add a few methods to the list, as well, which relate to meshes, dungeons, and more.

These Web Services were developing in PHP and make use of a WSDL, but they will be compatible with any other SOAP-supporting language. By request, I will create REST versions of these methods.

I’m in the process of creating several new Web Services for http://wiioperasdk.com and http://hullbreachonline.com.  These are being created for new games that will be coming soon, including WOS Trivia.  The first set of Web Services will be related to HullBreach Online.  Those wishing to query data can gather information on characters, users, and various other stats, to construct custom highscore tables, lists of Wii System Codes, etc.  Eventually, these Web Services will expand to allow other related websites to join in an effort to create unified log-in across all Wii-related websites.  As these features become available, they will be posted at both WiiOperaSDK and HullBreachOnline.

All Web Services will be created for SOAP (using WSDL files) and REST.  I can provide example code in PHP for setting up client access, but those using JSP, Flash, some flavor of .NET, Ruby, or anything else, will have to create interfaces based on the documentation I release.  Of course, once you create the interface, I will share it with other developers at your request.

For further information on Web Services and related standards, you can visit http://www.w3.org and look up WSDL, SOAP, and Web Services.