RLX: a cross-platform graphical roguelike engine

Welcome to the RLX project page. RLX is a next-generation roguelike game engine currently being ported to Common Lisp.

• http://dto.github.com/notebook/invader.html – Invader Tactics home page (game using RLX)
• http://dto.github.com/notebook/blast.html – Blast Tactics homepage (another RLX demo)
• http://github.com/dto/rlx/tree/master/INSTALL – QUICK START INSTALL GUIDE
• http://dto.github.com/notebook/rlx.html — this page
• http://dto.github.com/notebook/rlx-todo.html — the public RLX todo list and note file
• http://www.youtube.com/dto1138 — Standard-definition youtube videos
• high-def videos are down for now…
• http://github.com/dto/rlx/tree/master — github repo page
• http://github.com/dto/clon/tree/master — you also need this small CL program
• http://common-lisp.net/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/rlx — public mailing list
• irc.freenode.net, channel #rlx — discussion and socializing
• http://www.assembla.com/spaces/rlx/stream — assembla.com development group thing
• mailto:dto@gnu.org — me

About 85% ported to Common Lisp. Many things are working (see the images and video links above.)

RLX is a portable free-software graphical roguelike engine written in Common Lisp. The system provides a number of tools to build graphical roguelikes:

• Graphical tile map display engine with transparent PNG overlays
• Turn-based action
• In-game objects' properties and behaviors can be defined in Common Lisp
• Basic combat AI support and pathfinding
• Line-of-sight and dynamic lighting
• Point light sources on any object
• Heads-up-display (HUD)
• Terrain/dungeon generation and pattern-based map synthesis
• Integrated menu browser system

RLX uses a custom object system designed especially for games, and defines a reasonable set of default behaviors and functionalities for in-game objects:

• Object weight, containers, inventory, and weight calculation.
• Category keyword system for classifying cells.
• The "Action Points" system measures actor speed and event durations, and thereby determines who gets the next turn.
• Configurable equipment and weapon system not restricted to humanoid actors.
• Basic combat mechanics.
• "Stats" are numeric character attributes able to maintain specified minimum and maximum values, as well as track both temporary and permanent effects on the stat, such as stat-draining monsters. Hit-points are also implemented as a stat.
• Ability for actor cells to move, search, and manipulate their environment.

The first RLX game is called Void Mission. It's a sci-fi roguelike influenced by all the old-school 8-bit stuff I used to play as a kid. I use it to test RLX, but it is also my attempt to (eventually) redefine the boundaries of what is possible in a roguelike, and hopefully to create the best sci-fi roguelike ever!

An outdoor scene. Note the cool transparent targeting reticle.

The ray-casting engine at work.

The emacs-based development system.