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RF2 is being rewritten.
The reason? Irrlicht has proven completely unsuitable for out project. We are switching to OGRE, as well as changing other things, including the scripting framework - it is still Python, don't worry, but we are now using Boost::Python instead of the Python C API, which results in much faster development times and much more readable code.
Here is a basic list of why we are switching:
Not working with parallax mapping on OpenGL or Direct3D9, only Direct3D8
Ugly interface, split interfaces for tangent and non tangent generated models
Horrible art path
Slowness with large scenes
Very ugly shadows
Lots of ugly hacks needed to get a level editor running correctly - I had developed a nearly usable level editor (more of a scene graph editor really) called Envision, but cannot use it due to engine switch
Needs ugly hacks above to get it to work with wxWidgets on all platforms (our GUI library)
Not very object oriented; ugly hacks needed to make it look good in Python
No directional lighting (ie spotlights, non-baked sunlight)
I spent more time figuring out whether something was an Irrlicht bug and trying to fix it than I have learning OGRE so far. RF2 will be infinitely better because of it.
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RF2 is now hosted on SourceForge! Check out the site at http://realityfactory2.sourceforge.net/ , and the project page at http://sourceforge.net/projects/realityfactory2/ . The hosting is used mainly for information for those outside the RF community.
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Public CVS and, when I get it set up, Subversion access! Up to the minute code from RF2. Grab the code, build it, and check it out at any time using readily available, free utilities. Soon, task lists which tell exactly what is being worked on, who is working on it, and about how long it will take. Coders out there, feel free to take a stab at any of them, hint hint - if not assigned to a user, they are up for grabs, and once complete they can be submitted via the patch tracker system on the project page.
You can also view the old source in the SF.net project page's Browse CVS section (note that I might bring it down once the new source is up).
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More open development process due to the above! No need for status pages that are half a year out of date, you can look and see yourself at any time! That means, for instance, that if I haven't changed the source in a week, you can give me a much-needed poke or two!
Also, a bug tracker! Submit one, and watch me jump around swatting it!
Soon, mailing lists to keep up-to-date with RF2 news! Use the mailing lists to shape the path of RF2's development and RF2 itself!
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When done, useful developer documentation! Grabbing the source, compiling, and testing it out should be pretty simple, and will be documented, as should adding new features on the task list!
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This should help development time considerably. A more organized structure and help from others should speed things up nicely. Not everything is up yet, but it is going well. Comments?
