[XMAS_2013] Virtual Advent

[combatking0]

I have started work on a PHP / JavaScript monster that I call "Virtual Advent".

Every day from the 1st of December until Christmas Day, the PHP on my server will reveal a little bit more of the JavaScript code. The JavaScript will code for either a demo effect or a piece of scenery, depending on the day.

You will also be treated to a different tune each day, just to mix things up.

The Virtual Advent Calendar is available here: http://fx.barcodebattler.co.uk/virtual_advent/

[Raizor]

Bah, I clicked the link before reading about it going live on 1st December   Looking forward to it CK

[Hotshot]

Very good Readable Scrolling Cubey Words 

[combatking0]

Thanks guys. The PHP on the server will add more effects and scenery each day, so it will get more interesting over time.

[Knurz]

Great stuff, music is like a XMAS Arcade Version from the 80s.

[Pot Noodle]

Very Impressive mate, Can't wait to see what it does on the 25th 

[combatking0]

Hopefully it won't disappoint.

There's a new effect tomorrow, rather than a piece of static scenery.

[Punqtured]

Very cute and fitting theme for december. I'm a sucker for everything christmas related!

Nice touch with the calendar-approach too

[nikin]

Nice one  
The only problem is that i had the same "accident" as i  allways had with the chocolate advent calendars. 

[combatking0]

What, you found the secret code which unlocks all 14 days of effects which I have programmed so far?

I had better change the locks

[nikin]

I guess so  But i will not tell to anyone and won't do spoilers
Also wont praise about what i like But hey, there is a lot

[combatking0]

Now that the first week is up, I'll post a run down for those who might have missed it:

Day 1: Music & Scroller - Track #1 "It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas" by Mafialligator. The scroller is rendered using individually rotating cubes which grow as they move away from the right of the screen and shrink away at the left of the screen. Each day the scroller will display the names of more forum members in its greetings and read out Christmas "facts".

Day 2: Clouds - Track #2 "Feliz Navidad" by Mafialligator. The colour of the clouds is chosen depending on the time of day on the server: white during the day, pink at dawn and dusk and grey during the night. The position of the clouds changes when you re-load the page. The clouds are the only thing to be drawn from a bitmap until day 8.

Day 3: Snowfall - Track #3 "Let it Snow" by Bit Shfiter. 2.5D snow falls from the sky.

Day 4: Sound Synch - Track #4 "We Three Kings" by Rush Coil. The cube scroller cubes change size and colour with each beat of the music.

Day 5: Ground - Track #5 "White Christmas" by RecognizeBITSTEP. The ground is displayed. What could that dark grey stripe be?

Day 6: Hills - Track #6 "Joy to the World" by Rush Coil. 3 snow covered hills are displayed in the background.

Day 7: Sky - Track #7 "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" by Mafialligator. Like the clouds, the sky changes depending on the time of day. Watch out for those twinkly stars at night.

[spitfire]

This is such a cool idea! At first I didn't understand why you were releasing your demo before the deadline but now it all makes sense.

I'm looking forward to the next effect.

I would actually also like to release my demo in such a staggered way to get feedback

[combatking0]

Cheers Spitfire.

I got the idea from a Teletext advent calendar in the 1990's - for those who might not know what it was, Teletext was like a very early version of the internet, as it displayed all sorts of news and information on your TV using very simple 8 bit graphics.

One year there was a Teletext Advent Calendar: The first day had a completely black screen, but pressing the "Reveal" button brought up one element of the full picture, probably an elf or a present or something.
Day two had day one's image already displayed, with a second part visible when the "Reveal" button was pressed.
This continued until Christmas Day - I think the final picture was of an accident at the toy factory at the North Pole, but I can't find any pictures of it

[Punqtured]

I'm a sucker for everything christmas related This is just a wonderful addition. Excellent work and great idea!

If people can't get enough of this, there's a windows screensaver-thingie, that allows you to show a webpage for screensaver.

http://web-page-screensaver.googlecode.com/files/Web-Page-Screensaver.scr

Cheers, and merry X-mas

[ninogenio]

what an awesome idea ck!

i haven't had time too hang around the forum as much as i would like lately but i have been keeping an eye on your calenders progress on facebook. and i just ran through all the days there  ..

i really love the scrolling text. and well its all christmasy so whats not too love  . looking forward to seeing where this goes!

[combatking0]

Great idea Punqtured - I'll give it a try tonight.

Thanks for following my progress on FB, Ninogenio. I've finished day 19 but a still image doesn't do it justice. I won't be posting any images from the final few days on FB, so as not to spoil the surprise.

[ninogenio]

sorry mate, had not written that last post clearly when i said there, i meant just now. not on fb.

i ran each day on the laptop for a while and think it looks really great! im excited too see whats in store. the day by day progression is a brilliant idea.

[combatking0]

Thanks mate,

I've finished day 20, so if I get hit by a bus there's still more to come for a while

[Raizor]

Loving the fact that it changes each day CK How does the music work btw, is it audio streams or some kind of synth?

Your talk of Teletext made me remember playing the Bamboozled quiz game on Teletext years ago. My sister and I used to love playing that, even more than the SNES