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v1.0.0: Rebirth of the Arcade

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@Dr20Ervin Dr20Ervin released this 27 May 00:00
· 6 commits to master since this release
v1.0.0
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Release Notes: Pong Reloaded v1.0.0

🚀 Overview

Welcome to the official v1.0.0 release of Pong Reloaded! This release marks a significant milestone, transforming the classic retro game into a modern, highly optimized, and feature-rich arcade experience built with C++20 and Raylib 5.0.

Developed as an educational student project for the Helios Additional Activity initiative at the Technical University of Cluj-Napoca (UTCN), this release brings robust performance, premium customization, and complete portability to Windows.

🎮 Key Features & Enhancements

📦 1. Zero-Dependency Standalone Portability

  • PE Resource Embedding: All graphical textures, audio files, and system fonts are compiled directly into the executable binary (pong-reloaded.exe) using a custom Windows resource file (resources.rc).
  • Zero Missing Assets: You can copy, rename, or move the single executable anywhere on your PC without worrying about broken paths or missing resource folders.

🛠️ 2. Integrated Developer Console (F7)

  • Live Engine Diagnostics: Pressing F7 toggles a native Windows console overlay showing real-time engine state transitions, gameplay events, and performance logs.
  • Custom Logger (DevLog): Refined logging system with distinct message types to simplify troubleshooting and debugging during runtime.

🤖 3. Gameplay Modes & Custom Lobby

  • Dynamic AI Opponent: Play solo against an adaptive CPU opponent with three difficulty levels (Easy, Normal, and Hard).
  • Multiplayer Lobby: Local 1v1 couch-co-op featuring an interactive matchmaking screen where both players must toggle their "Ready" state (W and Up Arrow) before the game begins.
  • Visual Theme Engine: Customize your matches with custom background skins (Galaxy, Trap, Default), paddle designs, and ball textures.

⚙️ 4. Premium Settings Panel

  • Resolution Control: Selectable screen sizes ranging from standard windowed configurations to dynamic Fullscreen.
  • Framerate Configuration: Toggle targets between 60 FPS, 144 FPS, or VSync.
  • Custom Scoring Limits: Set matches to finish at 5, 11, 15, or 21 points.

🛠️ Technical Improvements & Code Quality

  • C++20 & Raylib 5.0: Leveraged modern language standard updates and the latest Raylib graphics pipeline.
  • Global Variables Clean-up: Decoupled and refactored state variables, centralizing state management.
  • Dynamic Icon Loader: Incorporated a high-resolution .ico resource mapped directly to the Win32 window class.
  • CI/CD Automation: Updated and refined MSBuild configuration workflow (.github/workflows/msbuild.yml) for automated compiler validation on Windows platforms.

💾 Quick Install Guide

  1. Download pong-reloaded.exe from the assets section below.
  2. Double-click the file to launch the game instantly.
  3. Use the following keyboard layout to navigate and play:
Player 1 (Left) Player 2 (Right) Action Key
W / S Up / Down Move Paddle —
W Up Toggle Ready (Lobby) —
— — Pause / Resume P
— — Reset / Game Over Space
— — Dev Console F7
Assets 3
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