Full notes
Full Battle Map Studio update
Read the full published notes in a cleaner layout. The original post stays linked below.
Repeated intro
Hey, I've got big news! Over the past couple years, I've slowly generalized the block-based grid system that powers Battle Map Studio. I call it Hewn Core. Since many games use a block-based grid, I thought a generalized 3D hex/square grid system might be useful for a lot of devs.
What changed
- Maps
- Store
- Gameplay
- Performance
Today I'm releasing Hewn Core on the Unity Asset Store! Check it out here.
About Hewn Core
Hewn Core is a grid system and worldbuilding framework that functions as the foundation for any block-based game.
Hewn Core provides easy-to-use methods for creating and manipulating world entities, like blocks and block decorations. Simply use the add, update, and remove methods, and the system will take care of the rest.
Hewn Core lets you build big without sacrificing performance. Powered by Unity's Data-Oriented Tech Stack (DOTS), Hewn Core is blazing fast when spawning, updating, and rendering world entities.
Hewn Core is super adaptable to many game types. Choose between hex and square coordinates, toggle voxel mode, and add grid layers to get the look and feel you need.
Whether you’re building a small puzzle game, a giant sandbox RPG, or anything in between, use Hewn Core and worry less about building your own grid system.
Hewn Core Features
High-Performance Framework: Powered by Unity DOTS, Hewn Core is optimized for speed and efficiency, ensuring smooth gameplay even in vast block worlds.
Block Components: Blocks can be decorated with props, plants, rocks for infinite visual combinations.
- Real-Time Grid ManipulationBlocks and block components are entities that can be added, interacted with, modified, and removed on the fly.
Grid Mathematics & Management:Hewn Core is equipped with intuitive tools and methods to handle grid calculations for features like fog of war and pathfinding.
Flexible Coordinate Systems: Whether it’s hexagonal charm or the classic square grid, Hewn Core has you covered.
Layers: Hewn Core layers can help organize your world, display or hide regions, and quickly move large groups of blocks.
Voxel Mode: Hewn Core’s voxel mode unlocks 3D coordinates to more easily create overhangs and caves.
Extensibility: Visuals, grid properties, and other aspects of Hewn Core can be extended, modified, and toggled on and off to better adapt to your project.
Lots of Samples: Hewn Core comes packed with a dozen sample projects to guide and inspire.
- Full Source Code AccessWith full access to the source code, you have the freedom to tweak, modify, and truly make the framework your own. New to DOTS? Hewn Core is a great way to introduce yourself to ECS and DOD concepts.
Thanks! Voxel update coming soon ~
Bradley
Source
Changelog.gg summarizes and formats this update. How we read updates.
