Roadmap
"Planned" means the creator intends it. "Idea" means it is only an idea. Nothing here has a promised date.
nowExperimental multiplayer (Lab)
A peer-to-peer connection test, not yet a playable match. See the Lab tab.
A peer-to-peer connection test, not yet a playable match. See the Lab tab.
nowSoundtrack player
Plays the built-in soundtrack in matches, and you can import your own tracks. The built-in tracks are by El Topo and Precursor, early aliases of Travesty.
Plays the built-in soundtrack in matches, and you can import your own tracks. The built-in tracks are by El Topo and Precursor, early aliases of Travesty.
plannedMore Travesty soundtrack and the guest appearance
More tracks from Travesty, including a long live hardware set cut into tracks. The guest appearance has drum-and-bass sound effects and a trippy look (a preview is in the menu).
More tracks from Travesty, including a long live hardware set cut into tracks. The guest appearance has drum-and-bass sound effects and a trippy look (a preview is in the menu).
plannedMultiplayer beta
The beta release is planned for when multiplayer actually works.
The beta release is planned for when multiplayer actually works.
plannedLonger match option
Matches are currently a sprint of about one and three-quarter minutes. A longer mode is planned for a later release.
Matches are currently a sprint of about one and three-quarter minutes. A longer mode is planned for a later release.
plannedRecorded voices
The creator's own voice recordings replace the device voices.
The creator's own voice recordings replace the device voices.
plannedCharacter art from photos
The Travesty characters are currently cartoon sketches. Art based on real photos is planned.
The Travesty characters are currently cartoon sketches. Art based on real photos is planned.
plannedOfficial website and community area
The official site is at https://shardfront.dredarkroom.com/info/ and the Shards micro-site (splash page, blog, behind the scenes) is at https://shards.dre.me.uk. A community area is planned.
The official site is at https://shardfront.dredarkroom.com/info/ and the Shards micro-site (splash page, blog, behind the scenes) is at https://shards.dre.me.uk. A community area is planned.
plannedShort link
A short link to the game is planned.
A short link to the game is planned.
ideaFree house, techno and drum-and-bass tracks
More soundtrack options from free and Creative Commons sources, selectable in the player.
More soundtrack options from free and Creative Commons sources, selectable in the player.
ideaMore maps, unit abilities, fog of war, narrative and campaign
Ideas only; none are promised.
Ideas only; none are promised.
Experimental multiplayer (Lab)
The Lab is for experiments that are not ready to be real features. Multiplayer is the first one. It may be broken. That is fine.
Today the Lab can connect two browsers directly (peer to peer, no game server) and send messages and pings between them. That proves the hard part, the connection, works on your devices.
It does not yet play a match between two people. Both players would need the exact same simulation running from the same commands.
How to try the connection test
- Both players open this page and go to the Lab tab.
- Player A taps Host. A code appears. Player A sends it to Player B (a chat message is fine).
- Player B taps Join, pastes the code, and taps Make reply. Player B sends the reply code back to Player A.
- Player A pastes the reply code and taps Connect. The status turns to Connected.
- Tap Ping to measure the round trip, or send a short message.
Tips
- On the same Wi-Fi or on a desktop it should just work. Across the internet it often needs the Public STUN option; some networks still block it.
- Nothing is sent to a game server. The only outside contact is the optional STUN server, used to find your public address.
Where it is going
- Deterministic lockstep: send only commands, both machines run the same simulation (the simulation is already deterministic and seeded).
- A match code or link so a friend can join with one tap.
- A small server for matchmaking and for players behind strict firewalls.
- Spectating and replays from the same command log.