Wii Internet Channel and Nintendo DS/DSi Browser Homebrew

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.

The WSDL file is located at http://hullbreachonline.com/webservices/webservice.wsdl.  For those not using the WSDL, the direct file reference to the Web Services is http://hullbreachonline.com/webservices/webservice.php. Currently included are four Web Service methods, called as follows: getHBCharacterInfo

• Returns information on a character, based on either a character name or character number.
• In - unsignedInt (for characterID) OR string (for characterName)
• Out - array(1) { unsignedInt character_id, string character_name, string character_race, string character_class, unsignedInt user_id, string user_name, string ship_name, string ship_class, unsignedInt sector_x, unsignedInt sector_y, int subsector_x, int subsector_y, string error }

getHBLeaderBoard

• Returns the top 10 user characters, based on search criteria
• In - string "stats" OR string "credits"
• Out - array(10) { unsignedInt character_id, string character_name, unsignedInt userID }

getUserInfo

• Returns information on a user account, based on the user_id
• In - unsignedInt user_id
• Out - array(1) { unsignedInt user_id, string user_name, string first_name, string signature, dateTime member_since, dateTime last_login, string wii_code, string error }

sendNewUser

• Creates a new user account with the supplied information
• In - array(1) { string user_name, string first_name, string last_name, string password, string email, string signature, string wii_code, string source }
• Out - string error OR string user_id

When applicable, methods may return an error string. "source" in sendNewUser is where a referral link should be placed so that an affiliate website can receive credit for the signup.  This referral link is stored in the database but not displayed for public view at this time. This documentation will be placed at http://hullbreachonline.com and http://wiioperasdk.com in a webpage to receive updates as new methods are add

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.

We’ve recently begun a new year, and with new years come New Year’s resolutions. I thought I’d jump on the bandwagon and place some goals for the Wii Opera SDK / HullBreach SDK. If these resolutions can be kept, expect to see many more features arise in the SDK this year. Some of these depend on Opera releasing the much rumored Wii Opera 2.0 / Internet Channel 2.0 that so many believe will see the light of day after a Photoshopped image several months ago. Inevitably, a new release will come on day. It will probably not have a spinning tab-cube and big, unproportioned buttons like the Wii Opera 2.0 / Internet Channel 2.0, but there will obviously be a newer Opera built.

These resolutions will be listed in priorities and based on dependencies of a new Internet Channel build. I would also like to optimize some of the existing classes for Nintendo DSi usage.


RPGStats Class (New)
Priority: Moderate
Dependency: None

This class will create RPG character and enemy objects with all their stats. There will also be another helper-class to perform calculations relating to battle damage and item usage.

Comm Class (Existing)
Priority: High
Dependency: None

This class has existed since the 1.x series of the SDK, so it’s in bad need of an update. This update will use more efficient serialized values and offer multiple asynchronous AJAX calls.

Mee Class (New)
Priority: Low
Dependency: None

This class will create an Internet Channel version of Miis so that games using the SDK can have avatar heads that will carry across any games for consistancy.

Mode7 Class (New)
Priority: High
Dependency: None

This class will reproduce the screen mode 7 effect of the Super NES where scanlines of rotated backgrounds are scaled in 3D perspective. This effect was popularized in games like F-Zero and Super Mario Kart.

Terrain Class (New)
Priority: Low
Dependency: None

This class will create height-mapped terrains by passing texture and height values to the class. It will effectively open voxel graphics for the Internet Channel.

Keyboard Class (New)
Priority: Moderate
Dependency: None

This class will allow developers to have a translucent on-screen keyboard pop-up on the screen for entering characters into textboxes and textareas without an entirely new screen appearing.

3D2 Class (New)
Priority: Moderate
Dependency: Canvas 3D

This class will wrap Opera’s 3D canvas much in the way that the Draw class currently wraps the 2D canvas. It will allow for much faster texture-mapping of 3D meshes.

In preparation for upcoming releases and changes at both http://wiioperasdk.com and http://hullbreachonline.com, I have set up both websites so that member accounts are shared.  Thus, anyone who logs into their accounts with one will be able to seemlessly carry the login session to the other one.  It makes much more sense than having to create two separate accounts for the related websites.

If I create any more websites with similar content, they will be expanded to share unified accounts as well.  I may eventually expand this technique to allow websites made by others to have unified accounts with http://wiioperasdk.com and http://hullbreachonline.com.  Wouldn't it be nice for all related websites to have the same login?

I will explain how to carry login sessions across websites to anyone who asks, but I will not bore everyone who reads this blog with the technical details.