Version 0.3.3 released

Release 0.3.3 is out — a performance update featuring a new redrawing algorithm called CCR (coalesced clipped redraw).

What's improved?

1. With the new redraw algorithm, redrawing no longer causes chain reactions across the map. This was major performance bottleneck in previous versions (and in the original game as well). Preventing spillage by clipping redraws to tiles is the major idea. Coalescing tiles into larger rectangles is an extra step to enhance performance.
2. In addition to that, the causes for redraw have been reduced.  Infantry and vehicles have tighter bounding boxes, scrolling only redraws new tiles and rubber-band selection only redraws tiles where necessary.
3. Idle building/infantry animations are throttled, and the AI is paused while you scroll or rubber-band. This is auto-enabled on 8 and 16 MHz ST/STe/MegaSTe only. Have a look at CONQUER.INI for options.
4. HardwareFills=1 in CONQUER.INI can enable the Blitter on systems where it would normally be disabled (68040+ CPU or TT-RAM).

Benchmarks show performance increases of up to 51%!

What's fixed?

1. Dialogs no longer paint twice.
2. Title menu shows the correct release version number.
3. Radar navigation now lines up with where the box cursor suggests.

How to play?

Download the new release zip and drop CNC.TOS over your 0.3.2 game folder — MIX data did not change for this release. Extract onto your (emulated or real) Atari ST hard drive and run CNC.TOS.

Don't hesitate to report any problems. Command & Conquer for Atari ST is a work in progress.

Have fun! — Jonas