This update took a lot of time but it is going to pay off. Here is a video preview.

From the previous update, I had already decided to add the Mega Man X’s Giga Armor to Bass Abyss. I had the sprite sheet ripped for years, but that is a story for another post.

I seem to remember I had the Giga Armor implemented in relatively little time. But I decided to keep it on hold. I use to do that as my back up plan. It was too soon, and at worst, if I didn’t have the time to complete anything else, I could just show the armor. While that was the plan, I didn’t develop much for several weeks afterward.

Engine upgrades

Room support

As I approached my update deadline, I decided to revise some stuff I’ve been delaying. The concept of “rooms”. I’ll probably talk more about that in the next update, but the thing is, for something that started as simple experimentation, it went so well and I saw so much progress that I decided to hold the update and build a new level.

It was just going to be a demo level, but again, what started as a proof of several concepts, based on Boomer Kuwanger’s level, went so nice that I could not help to keep adding stuff to the engine. Then I went: “This is it, this deserves to be Level 19. At long last!”.

Boss battle support

Later on, I decided I didn’t want to have a simple exit. I wanted a boss battle. You know, this stuff takes time. I like to consider my options, decide on some music, and little by little I start to put things together. A boss has weapons, attacks, states, attack points, sound effects. Well, I was on a roll, weeks went on, I just didn’t mind.

Boss door support

Then, a few weeks ago I was debating over to stop there and release. But then I went. “Come on, this looks too good, just a little more. I want doors. Boss doors. Mega Man X Boss Doors. I had them on Fall of 21XX. I want them here now!”.

I pushed the release date again and I started to work on those doors.

This is oversimplified of course, but really, this must be the most extensive update in years. New character, new opening, new level, new boss, new music, new tiles, new editor. Complete insanity.

And still, you’ll have to wait for just a little longer. I expect to polish this a bit more and have this published before the end of the month. In the meantime, enjoy the video preview. I used to be strict with my “no spoilers” rule, but I really love to record these videos for posterity.

Canceled games

Fun fact. The last time I updated, Mega Man Universe was canceled. Now Capcom had to ruin my weeks of anticipation working in this update by canceling yet another Mega Man game: Mega Man Legends 3. Coincidence much? Still, such horrible timing.

I decided to post this update anyway.