BYOND Strategy Tech Tree: 156

My Gateway LCD monitor died.  Naturally, my warranty is up.  I need to go complain on the internet and pretend it resolves the issue.  Unfortunately, there doesn't seem to be any local service like the Monitor Depot USA references I keep finding.

I'm currently using a CRT that is roughly a decade old.  I'm getting used to it again, I guess.  If only it was brighter.  And wider.  And had an HDMI port to replace the only HD-ready device I had in my house.

Thank you to DarkCampainger and Tiberath for their donations.  I just wish I could find something reliable to spend it on.  I'm tempted to try a second CRT for a dual monitor setup, but I don't have anywhere to put it.  (Plus, it really only solves the resolution workspace issues.)

This edited version of Along The Tech Tree comes to you from BYOND Strategy, a guild run by unpaid volunteers on a game/development portal and software engine called BYOND.  Tech Tree focuses on recent developer activity.  For play suggestions, visit the guild.

EGUY has been busy this week.  He updated both his tile-laying game, Deus Rex, and his RTS demo, Templar.  Then he released a demo of what he describes it as a two-player strategy game inspired by Space Invaders.  It's called Space Invasion.

This post still uses an old screenshot, but Deus Rex's interface has improved.  The map borders can be adjusted with a child control and skin changes will be saved.  Unfortunately, a small verb panel is visible and there might a be a few anchor or text size issues in the menu.  That said, fixing these is simple and access to the skin means that I may even hand over some changes myself.

I think EGUY has proven that he's willing to provide updates and I don't see the point in delaying the inevitable any longer.  I've added Deus Rex to the featured list.  Go play it!

Geldonyetich submitted a review for Foomer's featured space dispute, Solar Conquest.  The short is that he likes the game.  The long is that you should read the frelling review because it's nice to have BYOND Strategy content that isn't written by me for a change...  Even if you disagree with portions like some of the comments do. ;)

Thanks go to Toadfish for convincing the sucker Geldonyetich to start writing reviews.  I have a list of chores opportunities waiting.

My territorial dispute, Occupied Forces, is no longer featured by the guild.  I've been nagging other developers to improve their interfaces.  Hoisting a game up that doesn't meet my current standards doesn't seem fair.  The colors make it hard to focus and I'd like to simplify navigation.  I'm too busy to update it right now.  I'd rather give the site-wide advertising to something else.

Vexonator updated the tactical fantasy, Surreal Dreams.  I've only skimmed it over so far.  The interface has improved with features that were not available when its original owner created it.  Unfortunately, the help files are a bit hard to navigate and black map borders appear in maximized windows.  Meanwhile, I think taking an average of the wood texture would clash less than the cyan used throughout the skin.

Geldonyetich searched for more inspiration from Bay 12 Game's Dwarf Fortress and compared it to Ginseng's abandoned strategy RPG, Dungeon Master.  His own Project Shock is expected to be less simulation-focused than either.  I like the excuse he gives for choosing a science fiction theme.

Meanwhile, Geldonyetich began an untitled project with random map generation and a some form of colony management.  His goal is to make it playable within a week.

I made a minor update to the interface of my abstract, competitive dungeon crawl, GrimTunnel.  I had planned on letting it wither.  However, working on Grim Prospects taught me that the mechanical changes I gave up on would have broken it anyway.

Speaking of my mining battle, Grim Prospects finally has a hub page.  I've implemented the cards and am currently working on basic player management.  I'm still trying to figure out how I want to handle those who quit.  Replacing them with rudimentary AI might be preferable to having the game end.