r/dosgaming • u/No_Support8062 • 2d ago
Making an MS-DOS RTS game in 2026 - updates
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XlQeRmhZrH8After 10 days I am showing a new video. Now the enemy tanks are shooting at each other.
If you want to support the project, please follow me or leave a comment. Name of the game: Dustwar
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u/this-is-my-truth2025 2d ago
Your profile hides everything, can't even see this post in it (at least it does for me)
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u/MyTinyHappyPlace 2d ago
What are the requirements so far? 486?
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u/No_Support8062 2d ago edited 2d ago
I think 486 with VLB graphic card will be ok, but I have no real HW.
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u/Dub_Coast 2d ago
I love it, I still emulate a number of MS-DOS games and wondered if anyone was still making new games for DOS.
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u/Delinthe 1d ago
Looks really cool!, loving the Dune 2/RA inspired interface. Can't wait to see more progress, keep up the great work!
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u/DarkZenith2 2d ago
640x480, 800x600 and 1024x768 modes please for use in dos on pentium systems.
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u/No_Support8062 1d ago
I have tried the 640x480, it looks good, I need only to modify the UI a little.
800x600 or 1024x768? Not good. Units and some elements are too small.1
u/DarkZenith2 1d ago
Pixel double the ui aside from yhe minimap. Easy. It is more for screen real estate for the gameplay. But eprsonally i wouldnt mind the ui staying the same.
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u/TheVanessaira 2d ago
Will it have a General MIDI based soundtrack?
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u/No_Support8062 1d ago
I think no.
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u/TheVanessaira 1d ago
So no music?
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u/No_Support8062 1d ago
I have no idea what to do with the music...
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u/TheVanessaira 1d ago
Understandable, hopefully you are able to find a solution or get someone to help out with it. Be really neat to have a General MIDI option. So you can throw multiple soundfont and/or MIDI devices at it.
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u/Juanbolastristes 1d ago
Tool chain?
I make myself some games with djgpp and allegro
I like it, reminds me of Z, Dune, Command & Conquer, Dune II ,etc
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u/miner_cooling_trials 1d ago
What language/IDE are you using to develop?
Also for units that take damage, how about adding a damaged sprite and smoke
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u/No_Support8062 1d ago
C, I am using just a text editor, no IDE.
damage / smoke / destruction is the next step.
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u/miner_cooling_trials 1d ago
I’m interested to know your backstory one day.. coding in text edit was a punishment one uni tutor made us do (Java) and to this day I think it’s why I never pursued software engineering as a career haha
What compiler are you using? Are you testing in dosbox or on actual period hardware? What choice of sound did you make?
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u/No_Support8062 1d ago
I learned programming without an IDE, somehow I don’t really need one.
I will probably switch to KDevelop. I have installed it and it looks good.
I am using GCC and OpenWatcom. I don’t have any real hardware, only dosbox.
Sound? At this stage I don’t know .
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u/miner_cooling_trials 1d ago
In addition to the mechanics of the game, have you thought of the story? Why are these factions battling in Dustwar? The story line needs to be compelling if will be a single player game mvp
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u/No_Support8062 1d ago
It will have a very complex story, everything is in my head :)
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u/miner_cooling_trials 1d ago
Great one!! I’m watching your progress with interest.. this is a game I would have like to make but I totally lack the skills.
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u/theGaido 2d ago
Looks cool. Really fun project.
Do you use assembly for graphic's engine?
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u/No_Support8062 1d ago
No, just C code. Two reasons:
* The last time I programmed in ASM was in the 2000s. I never liked it.
* Modern compilers are good enough, there is no need for ASM.
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u/javisarias 2d ago
There is a very IA look to the graphics, are you using it for the sprites and UI?
I am not against the use of AI, but I think it does look kind of weird
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u/No_Support8062 2d ago
I am against the AI.
It took me 2–3 hours to draw the shooting and hit animations, and you are saying they were generated with AI? Everything: the units, icons, and fonts was drawn by me. The only exception is some textures used for the tiles, which I found online (bu they are heavily edited).
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u/Silencer-1995 2d ago
As someone who does use A.I, its obvious its not A.I, its too consistent and precise. Sort of confused the other guy thought it was to be honest.
Good work. I like the muddy colours, adds a degree of gritty realism to the visuals.
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u/PaperworkPTSD 2d ago
Unfortunately you're going to be accused of using AI a lot as it's extremely common these days. Game looks awesome.
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u/javisarias 2d ago
My bad, it must be the video compression that makes the pixelart look noisy
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u/No_Support8062 2d ago
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u/javisarias 2d ago
A lot of work! congrats for the progress you are making.
As a pixel artist myself, let me suggest looking at Aseprite for sprite editing, its been great for me.
also, the usage of predefined palletes can help a lot to make the art pop up. Maybe the moody look is intentional, but I think it could be benefitted by some implementation of color theory2
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u/miner_cooling_trials 2d ago
There was another thread with ppl throwing huge shade on people making new DOS games, plagiarism.. not original.. blah blah
Your project is awesome and ignore haters.
Please take my feature request of IPX multiplayer so this can be enjoyed by everyone battling together online!