GameMaker HTML5: System Date Bug Affecting Game Speed

by Alex Johnson 54 views

Introduction

This article delves into a peculiar bug encountered in GameMaker HTML5 projects, specifically affecting game speed when the system date is manipulated. This issue, reproducible in Firefox, can significantly impact game performance, leading to unexpected and undesirable results. Understanding the root cause and potential workarounds is crucial for developers aiming to create stable and reliable HTML5 games with GameMaker. We'll explore the details of the bug, the steps to reproduce it, and its implications for game development.

What Is The Bug?

The bug manifests in HTML5 projects within GameMaker when the system date is altered. Initially, setting the system date to a future date doesn't cause any immediate issues. However, the problem arises when the date is reverted to the current, correct date. At this point, the game's speed dramatically increases, causing it to run much faster than intended. This issue has been observed and confirmed in Firefox, while Chrome appears unaffected. Despite the increased game speed, in-game metrics like fps (frames per second) and hspeed (horizontal speed) continue to report the expected values, creating a discrepancy between the reported data and the actual game behavior.

Impact on Game Mechanics:

The increased game speed can disrupt various aspects of the game. Animations may play too quickly, character movements become erratic, and gameplay timings are thrown off. This can lead to a frustrating experience for players, as the game becomes unpredictable and difficult to control. Moreover, any game mechanics that rely on accurate timing, such as cooldowns or timed events, will be severely affected.

Example Scenario:

Imagine a platformer game where the player character's jump height and distance are carefully calibrated. If the game suddenly runs at twice the speed, the character will jump twice as high and move twice as fast, making it nearly impossible to navigate the level accurately. Similarly, in a strategy game, the speed at which units move and resources are gathered would be drastically increased, potentially breaking the game's balance and economy.

Importance of Addressing the Bug:

This bug can have significant consequences for game developers. It can lead to negative player reviews, reduced player engagement, and ultimately, a loss of revenue. Therefore, it is essential to understand the bug, identify potential workarounds, and advocate for a fix from the GameMaker development team.

Expected Change

The expected behavior is that changing the system date should not affect the game's speed. The game should maintain its normal, intended speed regardless of the system date settings. This is crucial for ensuring a consistent and predictable gaming experience for all players.

Why Consistent Game Speed Matters:

Consistent game speed is fundamental to game design. It allows developers to fine-tune gameplay mechanics, create balanced challenges, and deliver a polished experience. When the game speed is inconsistent, it can lead to a variety of problems, including:

  • Unfair Difficulty: A sudden increase in game speed can make the game much harder, as players struggle to react to faster-moving enemies or projectiles.
  • Gameplay Imbalance: Changes in game speed can disrupt the carefully crafted balance of the game, making certain strategies or characters overpowered.
  • Visual Glitches: Increased game speed can cause animations to glitch or skip frames, leading to a visually unappealing experience.
  • Player Frustration: Inconsistent game speed can be incredibly frustrating for players, as it makes the game feel unpredictable and unfair.

The Need for a Reliable Solution:

To ensure a smooth and enjoyable gaming experience, it is essential that GameMaker games maintain a consistent speed, regardless of any changes to the system date. This requires a reliable solution that prevents the bug from occurring and guarantees that the game runs as intended.

Steps To Reproduce

To reproduce the bug, follow these steps:

  1. Start the attached GameMaker project in Firefox.
  2. Change the system date to a later date (e.g., December).
  3. Change the system date back to the current (auto) date.
  4. Observe the issue: the game now runs at a much higher speed.

Detailed Breakdown of the Steps:

  • Step 1: Start the GameMaker Project in Firefox: This step ensures that the bug is tested in the environment where it is known to occur. Using the provided sample project will help ensure consistency in the reproduction process.
  • Step 2: Change the System Date to a Later Date: This step simulates a scenario where the user's system date is incorrect. It's important to note that changing the system date can have other consequences, such as affecting the behavior of other applications or services.
  • Step 3: Change the System Date Back to the Current Date: This is the critical step that triggers the bug. When the system date is reverted to the correct date, the game's speed unexpectedly increases.
  • Step 4: Observe the Issue: After completing the previous steps, the game should now be running at a noticeably higher speed. This can be confirmed by observing the movement of objects, the speed of animations, or the overall pace of the game.

Importance of Accurate Reproduction:

Being able to accurately reproduce the bug is crucial for understanding its cause and developing a solution. By following these steps, developers can consistently trigger the issue and gain insights into its behavior.

How Reliably Can You Recreate This Issue Using Your Steps Above?

This issue can be recreated reliably every time the steps are followed in Firefox. This consistent reproducibility makes it easier to analyze and debug the bug.

Implications of Reliable Reproduction:

The fact that this bug can be reliably reproduced has several important implications:

  • Easier Debugging: Consistent reproduction allows developers to repeatedly test potential fixes and verify that they are effective.
  • Improved Analysis: Reliable reproduction makes it easier to analyze the bug's behavior and identify the underlying cause.
  • Faster Resolution: The ability to consistently reproduce the bug can speed up the process of developing and implementing a solution.

The Value of Consistent Testing:

In software development, consistent testing is essential for ensuring the quality and stability of the product. By consistently testing and reproducing bugs, developers can identify and fix issues before they reach end-users.

Which Version of GameMaker Are You Reporting This Issue For?

This issue is being reported for GameMaker version 2024.1400.1 Betas. This information is crucial for the development team to identify and address the bug in the correct version of the software.

Importance of Version Information:

Providing the correct version information is essential for several reasons:

  • Targeted Fixes: The development team can focus their efforts on the specific version of GameMaker where the bug is occurring.
  • Regression Testing: The version information can be used to track whether the bug has been introduced or fixed in previous versions of GameMaker.
  • Accurate Communication: Providing the version number ensures that everyone is on the same page when discussing the bug and its potential solutions.

The Role of Beta Versions:

Beta versions of software are often used to identify and fix bugs before the software is released to the general public. By reporting bugs in beta versions, users can help improve the quality and stability of the final product.

Which Platform(s) Are You Seeing the Problem On?

The problem has been observed on the HTML5 platform. This means that the bug is specific to games built for web browsers using HTML5 technology.

Platform-Specific Bugs:

In software development, it is common for bugs to be platform-specific. This means that the bug only occurs on certain operating systems, web browsers, or hardware configurations. Platform-specific bugs can be challenging to debug, as they may require specialized knowledge of the platform's architecture and behavior.

HTML5 Game Development:

HTML5 game development has become increasingly popular in recent years, as it allows developers to create games that can be played on a wide range of devices without requiring users to install any additional software. However, HTML5 game development also presents unique challenges, such as ensuring compatibility across different web browsers and optimizing performance for low-powered devices.

The Importance of Cross-Platform Testing:

To ensure that games are working correctly on all supported platforms, it is essential to perform thorough cross-platform testing. This involves testing the game on different operating systems, web browsers, and hardware configurations to identify and fix any platform-specific bugs.

Sample Package

A sample package demonstrating the bug is available at: https://api.gamemaker.io/api/github/downloads/311a2144-8a5f-4315-86dc-e8d4e6fcbaf9. This package allows developers to quickly reproduce the bug and investigate its cause.

The Value of Sample Packages:

Sample packages are an invaluable resource for bug reporting and analysis. They provide a self-contained example of the bug, allowing developers to quickly understand the issue and begin working on a solution. Sample packages should include all the necessary code, assets, and instructions to reproduce the bug.

Creating Effective Sample Packages:

When creating a sample package, it is important to:

  • Keep it Simple: The sample package should be as simple as possible, containing only the code and assets necessary to reproduce the bug.
  • Include Clear Instructions: The sample package should include clear and concise instructions on how to reproduce the bug.
  • Test the Package: Before submitting the sample package, it is important to test it to ensure that it correctly reproduces the bug.

Conclusion:

The GameMaker HTML5 system date bug presents a significant challenge for developers, potentially disrupting gameplay and impacting the overall user experience. By understanding the bug's behavior, following the reproduction steps, and utilizing the provided sample package, developers can contribute to finding a solution and ensuring the stability of their HTML5 games. Reporting bugs and providing detailed information helps the GameMaker community improve the engine and create better games for everyone.

For more information on GameMaker and its features, visit the official YoYo Games website. This external resource provides extensive documentation, tutorials, and community forums for GameMaker developers.