So, um, that demo release I’ve been promising, where is it you might ask?  The good news is, it’s ready to release (has been for a while actually).  The last thing was to set up an installer for it and that’s all done now (if you’re wondering, I used Inno Setup for this, found it a super easy tool to use, with great results!)

Unfortunately, I can’t release it just yet as I’m still working on getting my company set up.  This is turning out to be more complicated and expensive than I first realised.  Incorporating the company itself is easy, but because I’ve already been developing GearBlocks for a while, I’ll need to transfer GearBlocks IP to the company, which complicates things and adds to the cost (accountant fees on top of the lawyer fees!)  Anyway, I’ll keep plugging away at this and hopefully get it done in the next week or two.

In the meantime I’ve been adding more parts – some new sliding rack gears with integrated ball joints / hinges (makes for neater steering systems), more lights, and a seat.  I’ve also implemented limited slip functionality in the differential gear, with configurable “locking strength”, should keep that wheel spin under control!

I plan on adding various types of sloped / curved beams and plates to the game, this will make constructions look a lot better (and save on the number of parts needed in a lot of cases).  Next week I’ll start work on what should be the simplest of these, a resizable sloped beam.