Forum:Pikmin Engine by Espyo

Use this thread to discuss Pikifen. This thread will also cover updates.

Version 0.13 and a rename
Time for a new update! This one is a bit different from the others in that the project got renamed. Allow me to explain.

When I started the engine, I realized it was ambitious, but in the last few years, I realized it's actually impossible. Not because it's a long challenge, but because creating an engine that can make people's Pikmin fangames come true is not possible. No one software will ever be powerful enough for that! If it were, it'd be a programming language. At best, users can use the engine to create a fangame similar to what they envision, but still very far off. Whether it's because they want their fangame to be in 3D (which my engine is not aimed for), they want there to be features I have no way of customizing, or they want features that are just flat-out impossible (like some MMO mode).

Editing something like an enemy's name, a Pikmin's attack power, or an area's carrying paths is a matter of simply specifying numbers or words. But customizing the exact behavior the main menu should have, or how exactly the mechanics behind treasure collection work, or how a boss should manipulate the terrain or your leaders, wouldn't be possible in the same way you just write "max_health = 300" or drag a point around in an editor. It'd have to rely on some base logic that I program, but said base logic could never work for all sorts of crazy and diverse behavior ideas and sub-logics. Again, if it could, it'd be a programming language, completely defeating the purpose of the engine.

To add to this, adding story mode to the engine is going to be very hard. Ignoring things like the game's appearance and forced camera perspective, we've got enemy scripting, spray types, area geometry, etc. built in a very powerful and flexible way. But adding a cutscene system, a progress saving system, or a gameplay system capable of handling corner cases (extinctions, sprouts in different areas, wild Pikmin, etc., as well as specific and dangerous interactions between these mechanics) is going to be one of my hardest challenges yet.

So, I sat down and thought about everything. First of all, I really don't want to continue development under the premise that the engine can make fangames come true. It is impossible, and I don't want to continue in that lie. In addition, I want to spend more energy on making the core gameplay fun, instead of debating how to make a story mode that can define a game. Basically, I want my project to be a fan-made engine with which other fans can create and play areas, enemies, treasures, etc. Not a mystical software that can make dreams come true.

As such, I've decided to rename the project to Pikifen! (It's short for "Pikmin fan engine", but it also works for the old name, too!) More than a rename, this is a rebranding. Having the new name, and the new mission statement behind it, means I can actually follow through with creating a fun engine, that focuses on the gameplay first, and maybe later, on the ability to create fangames. There are other reasons for this rebranding too:
 * Not having "Pikmin" or "fangame" in the name of the project makes it slightly less likely that Nintendo will interpret the project as violation of their IP's rights.
 * Not having "engine" in the name also makes it sound less like I'm creating a remake of the canon games's engine, and more like this is just my own thing.
 * The new name is short and catchy, as opposed to the cumbersome "Pikmin fangame engine" name.
 * If I want to stop development, at least the core gameplay will be developed, even if there is no story mode support.
 * I can spend less effort deciding what's the most powerful, flexible, and friendly way to make a certain feature such that it fits most fangames, and focus more on making it fun, while still keeping it customizable.

In short, I don't want to give the idea that the engine can make your dream game come true. I still want to make it very flexible, so people can create their own content in it, like always, but I want to make it clear that the ability to create a fangame with it is an afterthought, not the main goal. I hope you understand my views on the future of this project, but feel free to ask me if you have any questions!

With all of that said, let's get down to the changes in this version! I've changed the default resolution and zoom to make everything bigger and better to look at. Let me know how this looks, but know that you can still change the resolution in the options, or in the all-new options menu. You can also make the window fullscreen! Speaking of menus, they received a general overall, and the title screen now uses an actual set of living Pikmin flowers to show the logo. All of the user data was moved to its own folder, which should make sharing content that doesn't carry personal things much easier. I've also added the Whiptongue Bulborb, which didn't get included in the previous release due to time constraints. A more detailed and complete changelog can be found here, and the download link can be found here. As usual, let me know what you think! — {EspyoT} 13:56, 11 February 2018 (EST)

Version 0.14
Version 0.14 is here! This version mostly changes the way hitboxes and scripting work. For players, you will just see minor stuff working better, but for content creators, you'll have to do some things differently, and you'll also have access to more scripting options. This version also has the following highlights: leaders can now punch, added an Armored Cannon Beetle, Bulborbs now turn on the spot to align, like in the canon games, and dead leaders no longer lock up gameplay. Besides that, there are many more minor tweaks and bug fixes. I'm sad to say that content creators that wish to port their content to 0.14 will have a lot of work to do, as explained in the changelog, but as usual, I trust that these new formats are for the better. The changelog can be found here, and the download link for this version here. Let me know what you think! — {EspyoT} 10:47, 24 April 2018 (EDT)

A few words.
From what I've read, this update should be just what I need to make a good 75% of what my games were missing available.

The new script action "Spawn" should help me (potentially) make random enemy spawns (perhaps using the new randomize variable thing), which was one of the key concepts behind my game.

A scripting update is just what is necessary, but hard to accomplish, and so I thank you for the work you put into it.

--I am the GreatBulborb! Bulborbs are the supreme race! Bow down before my might! (GreatBulborb) (talk) 13:10, 27 April 2018 (EDT)
 * Thanks for the words! The mob scripting is still a limited concept, but I hope it's powerful enough to accomplish most tasks that users need. — {EspyoT} 13:36, 27 April 2018 (EDT)

Question About The Spawn Mechanic
So, I tried using the "Spawn" mechanic to make an enemy (an imperial bulborb) spawn other enemies (dwarf red bulborbs) when it shakes. However, I wanted to spawn them on all sides, so I used negative relative coordinates, which promptly crashed my game. How do I get them to spawn behind and to the right of the bulborb? Am I doing it right? --I am the GreatBulborb! Bulborbs are the supreme race! Bow down before my might! (GreatBulborb) (talk) 08:15, 10 May 2018 (EDT)
 * How weird, I don't see why the negative numbers would cause a crash. Does it work with positive coordinates? I'll check what's up with this crash later today. — {EspyoT} 09:59, 10 May 2018 (EDT)

It didn't crash with positive coordinates. Here's the Code for the spawn parameter: shaking { on_enter { stop spawn Dwarf Red Bulborb relative 120 0 0 0 spawn Dwarf Red Bulborb relative 0 120 0 0 spawn Dwarf Red Bulborb relative -120 0 0 0 spawn Dwarf Red Bulborb relative 0 -120 0 0

set_animation shaking }       on_animation_end { set_state examining }   } Otherwise, it's script is identical to that of a Red Bulborb. --205.213.195.20 10:10, 10 May 2018 (EDT)
 * Weird, that exact code is working perfectly fine for me... Does Error_log.txt say anything? Also, maybe it's crashing because one of the Dwarf Bulborbs is spawning out of bounds, or something? — {EspyoT} 15:13, 10 May 2018 (EDT)


 * Actually, you're probably right. The bulborb testing map takes place in the middle of two small islands over the void. Thanks foor the tip.--I am the GreatBulborb! Bulborbs are the supreme race! Bow down before my might! (GreatBulborb) (talk) 10:18, 11 May 2018 (EDT)


 * Ah, that's good to know, but I should probably add some system to stop the game from crashing if a spawn happens out of bounds... Thanks for letting me know. — {EspyoT} 12:17, 11 May 2018 (EDT)

Version 0.15
This E3 didn't give us any Pikmin content outside of Smash, but at least I've got something to show for the E3 week!

Version 0.15 of the engine focuses primarily on improving the animation editor, which was really clunky and confusing. Between new features and streamlined menus, it should be much easier to use. Since I was already implementing some quality-of-life changes to the animation editor, I decided to port some of those to the area editor too. And since I was already messing with the area editor, I added a couple of new features I thought were important. The animation editor changes also came with changes in the way animations themselves work, though that also means that the file format for animations has been changed. If you made custom animations, you may need to port them, but not necessarily. For this update, I've decided to include a Yellow Wollywog – it doesn't match the topic of the update very much, but I needed to create something to test the new animation editor!

As always, you can get a list of what got changed, as well as a list of steps to follow to port your content in the changelog. Download version 0.15 here and let me know what you think! — {EspyoT} 15:53, 16 June 2018 (EDT)


 * Version 0.15.1 is now out! This revision fixes a crucial glitch in the sprite bitmap part picker, in that larger spritesheets on weaker machines could cause a stack overflow. I also fixed other minor problems along with it. Same as before, the full changes are here, and the download is here. — {EspyoT} 17:48, 23 June 2018 (EDT)

Just Checking In
Based on what I've heard from the detailed changelog, the most recent addition has added the ability for bomb rocks and with it the ability to have enemies eat enemies? If so, I can't wait for the next update- hyper-predatory bulborbs can finally be a reality! --I am the GreatBulborb! Bulborbs are the supreme race! Bow down before my might! (GreatBulborb) (talk) 16:07, 12 July 2018 (EDT)
 * Well, more or less. I've just tweaked the code a bit to pave the way for such features, but they aren't in the engine. I'm not quite sure what I want to do about enemy in-fighting just yet, but bomb rocks are planned to show up in the next update! — {EspyoT} 16:23, 12 July 2018 (EDT)

Version 0.16
The Nintendo Direct didn't bring any Pikmin news, but I do! Version 0.16 brings a lot of different features that allow the creation of more powerful and dynamic objects. These include linking different objects, making them have a parent/child relationship, sending messages between objects, the ability to walk on top of other objects, and rectangular collisions. To help demonstrate some of these, I have created a Beady Long Legs, the most complex enemy yet! It's not perfect, but given how complicated it is, even in the canon games, I think I did a good job. That said, I couldn't find a place for it in the usual area, so you'll have to create one yourself and spawn it in. I've also made several miscellaneous features, like a richer rendering system, more interactive Onions, and a handful of new actions and object type attributes. As always, the full list is of changes is here, and the download link is here. Enjoy!— {EspyoT} 13:26, 14 September 2018 (EDT)

Version 0.16.1
Much like version 0.15, version 0.16 launched with a couple of critical glitches. The most important change in the 0.16.1 update is that the sector deletion crash glitch was fixed. I'm so sorry for that. I've also added a way to specify a particle generator's Z offset, so particles can now be drawn above or below the objects that emit them, similar to how it was before 0.16. I couldn't tell how much that feature was missing till players reported it! It stinks that I broke some particle effects, but receiving the feedback was very important, so I'm glad that 0.16.0 steered the engine towards a better particle system, in the end. I've also tweaked the Beady Long Legs a bit, and brought some new features (which brought one format change), all detailed in the changelog. Download 0.16.1 here! — {EspyoT} 13:43, 22 September 2018 (EDT)
 * Quick note: If you downloaded it on its launch day, go download it again. Neo and Kman helped me fix a glitch with the Armored Cannon Beetle not working. Instead of launching a new version, I just updated the .zip file on GitHub. — {EspyoT} 10:48, 23 September 2018 (EDT)

Version 0.16.2
Version 0.16.2 is out! It fixes some more glitches and tweaks a few things. I've also added a couple of small requested features, like the ability to change the starting number of sprays, and the ability to make objects glow when under a status effect. As always, the full list can be found in the changelog, and the download for the latest version can be found here! — {EspyoT} 12:45, 3 November 2018 (EDT)

Version 0.17
Version 0.17 is out! This version introduces several important objects to the engine, like Pellet Posies, decorative plants, nectar, Candypop Buds, bomb rocks, and a few others. You can find some of these new objects in the "Play" area. As usual, there are also some improvements and new features in this version. Specific enemies can now drop specific things, like pellets or treasures, the editors got some minor quality-of-life features, Pikmin that carry a single-Pikmin object will now do it better, gameplay should have better performance, and perhaps most importantly, some nasty glitches with the area editor have finally been fixed! You can find the full list of changes in the changelog, and download 0.17 here! — {EspyoT} 14:04, 4 May 2019 (EDT)

Version 0.17.1
Version 0.17.1 is out, and it fixes a few annoying glitches that got introduced in 0.17. Most notably, it fixes some area editor problems. The changelog can be found here, and the download here. Enjoy! — {EspyoT} 15:16, 16 June 2019 (EDT)

Version 0.18
Pikifen 0.18 is out! This is the second "important objects" update, and as such, it introduces four new object categories: group tasks (Pikmin pose together to push, activate, etc., like cardboard boxes), scales (they measure weight, like seesaw blocks or crushable paper bags), tracks (they transport objects from point to point, like climbing sticks), and bouncers (they bounce objects away, like Bouncy Mushrooms and geysers). Some objects have also been added to the pre-packaged content to test these new categories and other features, though they are not present in the standard area. This update also revamps several things about object scripting and combat, like allowing the usage of variables in scripting in a lot more places. As always, the changelog can be found here, and the download here. — {EspyoT} 13:47, 8 February 2020 (EST)

Version 0.19
Happy birthday, Pikifen! The engine is now 7 years old. As a birthday gift, I bring you version 0.19! This version doesn't change the gameplay much, but it brings massive changes to the editors. First and foremost, they now use Dear ImGui for the widgets. With this, everything is more streamlined, easier to develop for, and more feature-rich. Plus it looks sleeker. Next up, certain object types can show you tips as well as widgets to let you change special properties with, edges can now be deleted for a new way of deleting sectors, sectors can now be split, and a bunch more editor features have been added! Another very important change is that the engine now includes a user manual. This manual contains the changelog, editing tutorials, and more information. So to see the full changelog of this version, please download the engine, and check the changelog page in the manual. As usual though, you can find the download link here. Enjoy!

Oh, and a quick note: I'll be removing some Pikifen-related pages from this wiki, since the manual covers that already. — {EspyoT} 16:07, 15 August 2020 (EDT)

About Pikifen
Is it easy to use? (She/Her) LongTailCat3 (talk)
 * Of course! Why don't you download it and give it a try? — {EspyoT} 20:39, 24 April 2021 (UTC)

Version 0.20
Version 0.20 is out! Initially this update was going to be much bigger, but I figured it was best to split it into three. So, this version focuses on menus! There is now a menu in which to manage the Onions (and ships that store Pikmin), a pause menu, and a results menu for when you finish playing an area. Since areas have no goal right now, you can use the statistics presented in the results menu to go for a high Pikmin count, low Pikmin death, all enemy knockout, and more! Menus in general are also more unified, better looking, and more powerful. The Master Onion has also been added, since now Onions can manage multiple Pikmin types at once. Several minor things have also been added and improved, so make sure to check out the changelog in the manual included with the engine. As usual, you can download 0.20 here. Enjoy! — {EspyoT} 20:39, 24 April 2021 (UTC)

Version 0.21
Version 0.21 is out! This update adds Rock Pikmin! Now, some time ago, I had said Winged Pikmin would be too complex, and their flight would be too hard to represent in a top-down format. But over time I realized that they work like regular Pikmin, but can just be given free vertical movement when going places. Also, they can just be given a penchant for staying some units above floor level, when idling or following a leader. As for representation, well, they're Winged Pikmin -- they're always flying! There's no real need to show if they're on the floor, slightly floating, or very high up, since the vast majority of the time they'll be flying at the same distance above the floor, and all other cases are pretty intuitive. So after some weeks and a lot of work, I'm happy to say I was wrong, and that Winged Pikmin have now been added too! You can't have these Pikmin without something for them to do, so I've added Skutterchucks, Puffy Blowhogs, crystals, flukeweeds, and more. And you can't have Pikmin 3 Pikmin without Pikmin 3 leaders, so I've also added Alph, Brittany, Charlie, and the S.S. Drake! And you can't have all main Pikmin types without finishing the list, so I've added Bulbmin! And you can't have Bulbmin without their parent, so I've added adult Bulbmin too! Finally, this update also brings some major improvements to object behaviors and the cursor, and some new controls. As per usual, check out the full changelog in the included manual. Get version 0.21 here! — {EspyoT} 19:19, 22 October 2021 (UTC)


 * Fantastic job as always. This project has come a long way. If I may add some feedback, I have noticed how empty the sounds are, with very few sfx and no music. I am sure this is because you cannot use copyrighted materials, which is probably the reason the Pikmin sfx seems homemade. However, I will say that I make music, and have made some Pikmin music in the past. Perhaps I could make a soundtrack, one simple looping song for use in the engine. I could make it an original composition as well, considering it is probably legally tenuous to use the melodies from the franchise. Let me know if you are interested in this proposal. 19:09, 23 October 2021 (UTC)


 * Of course! Indeed, copyrighted sounds are a no, in my book. The entire sound system is by far the weakest point of the engine right now, but version 0.24 aims to resolve that. By that point I'll go through the effort of adding more and better sounds, code a nice and powerful sound managing system, and add music. I will also want to compose some songs myself, but I'll be more than happy if other people want to compose some tracks to add to the engine as well. In the next update, 0.22, I'll be adding some new areas (including areas made by others), so it'll probably be best to figure out what those areas will be first, and only then start composing music that fit their themes. — {EspyoT} 13:59, 24 October 2021 (UTC)


 * Wait, you can add Bulbmin without Puffmin? (Unless puffstool and co already exist and I don't know about it in which case I'm dumb.) Still an amazing update! Can't wait to see what's next!


 * Hehe, I guess you can. Nah, I went without Puffmin because they're basically like normal Pikmin, except in an altered state. As opposed to a new species of Pikmin. Some parts of their behavior can be easy to implement, but others are deceptively tricky. So in order to get things going, I decided to just release 0.21 without them. I can always add them later. — {EspyoT} 13:59, 24 October 2021 (UTC)

Version 0.21.1
Version 0.21.1 is out! This fixes two glitches involving Pikmin attacking enemies, and also fixes the manual when viewed under Chrome. These glitches were a bit annoying, so please make sure to download this version. — {EspyoT} 19:41, 5 November 2021 (UTC)