plutoengine/NEXT_RELEASE_DRAFT.md

Features targeted for 22.3.0.0-alpha.0

• [PlutoRuntime,PlutoCore] Initial implementation of the layer system (formerly known as "stage")
  • A "layer", in this context, is a set of assets bound together by programming logic. Layer switching and asset management are handled by the engine.
  • Layers can be stacked on top of each other and run sequentially from bottom to top
  • Upon layer switch
    1. Unload unused assets
    2. Load new assets
  • Provide multiple means of layer switching
    • Two modes with the initial release, asynchronous switching will come at a later date
      1. Instant switch
         • Assets will be loaded and unloaded synchronously
         • The layer switch will happen in one frame
      2. Deferred switch
         • The layer will continue running until all assets load
         • Assets will load synchronously, but at a slower pace to avoid frame stutter
  • Automated asset loading
    • All asset management will eventually be handled by PlutoCore
      • This includes audio clips, textures, sprites
    • Add a common interface for all assets
  • Let the stage system handle audio playback
  • This API should be as neutral as possible and avoid steering towards game-only use
  • The stage manager should be relatively low-overhead and allow multiple instances
  • Allow stages to be inherited from, creating a stack-like structure
• [PlutoAudio] Integrate the Audio API with the Stage API

Features targeted for an unspecified future release

• [PlutoSpritesheet] Expanded capabilities

  • Support for 9-slice rendering
  • Support for animated sprite rendering
  • Support for multidirectional sprite rendering
  • A spritesheet skeleton editor

• [PlutoRuntime]

  • Asynchronous switch
    • Assets will be loaded in asynchronously, where applicable
    • Falls back to deferred switching for synchronous loading, such as OpenGL texture upload

• [PlutoGUI] A fully-fledged GUI engine

  • Improve font-rendering capabilities
    • Subpixel rendering support [?]
  • Reimplement support for bitmap fonts

• Improve upon the support of thread-local Pluto instances

  • The long term goal is to allow an unlimited amount of Pluto applications at any given time