Sentience

The first four techs are -

Thermo - dynamics
Electro magnetism
Biology
Process Metallurgy

I just downloaded the scripts zip from the Sentience depot and read that. If you need any info as to which techs depend on which, then you can have a look at that.

The things we need to thrash out calculations for are:

Speed
Energy used to move one square
View range (or is this based solely on the sensor chip
Maximum energy drain per turn

We also need calculations for:

Accuracy
Something else - I can't remember

I've done the things to calculate a units weight ;)

All mechs should have a basic view range (perhaps 1 tile out or something - like it is now). And a sensor chip can be used to upgrade this. We can also use varying sensor chips in sensor array buildings for extended view.

Pretty much as I figured.

This removes the need for a calculating a unit view range, it's merely the range given the by the chip.

We will have a seperate building for each of the 'listening posts' with their own view range. Easy.

mech movement points are determined by its speed (the distance it can travel per turn), which is in turn determined by its movement allowance.

Factors which affect movement allowance:

chassis
"Reactor" type (available energy to specific mech)
chip
terrain

(is weight going to be an issue, or is it simply connected with chassis type?)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
terrain & chassis type have already been interlinked. chip and reactor are also connected in energy management-

therefore the two factors required to determine movement are:

energy availabilty
and
physical movement factor
------------------------------------------------------------------------
hmm, i think im just dribbling now...

awwww, you got you own little thread going. (add number three to the list) :D

I've not touched the site in ages. The server is getting fuller by the day, I just don't trust this rag-tag bunch of drug crazed loons. It's time to take it all home I think.

Got loads done last night, my little spreadsheet's looking much more healthy.

Got the mapmaker screen fully functional, whacking the buttons now changes the settings for the mountains, forest, world size, continents etc Continent seeds are calculated by multiplying the map width by height, squaring the result and squaring that result. Seems to produce sensible figures. Everything else is a random value between two limits.

I've added all the load routines for the components now, so I can progress with the industry routines.

Modified the zoom function on the main screen, and it now uses the full viewing area when zoomed. Fixed a bug that meant the last column of the map wasn't displayed.

Tidied up the mountain formatting function (still don't work properly, but it's getting better)

The mapmaker now uses the createRMV function to create the initial units rather than assigning the values individually. The createRMV function produces RMV's properly though I'm having problems calculating the weight (I think it's 'cos I cacked up some info in one of the scripts in the component load)

I've built the basics of a unit viewer screen and component viewer screen, though these both need a lot of work.

And also converted the menu to click away as opposed to clicking a close button. Much better.

Minor cosmetics changes as well:

Changed some graphics colouring on MapMaker
Changed some textboxes formats on MapMaker
Fixed logo display on MainMenu
Added version number to main menu

I got to bed quite late last night....

You're a real Trojan...

Quit with your sarcasm butt face.

So, when am I going to get:

Unit graphics
Component graphics
Tech graphics

I also need to get the latest version of the code/game to you so you can modify the scripts and see what the graphics will look like in game

Also, how's your mate getting on with the movie?

Unit graphics - moving very slowly. I've completed a second draft 2 legs 2 weapons mech (like the one with the white border around it that you already have, but without the white border)

Component graphic - got some concept sketches together, but nothing is as yet in digital format.

tech - ground to a halt. Stuggling for both inspiration and colour schemes.

I've sent you a mail at work. Hopefully good communication practices today and tomorrow should focus us better.

oh, and it wasn't intended as sarcasm. I'm proud of your hard work. I just thought Trojan was a nice word for today.

Word of the day: Trojan :D

I'm trying to find us some hosting space so we can start up with the manual again. Any suggestions. I thought of geocities - after all it is simply a hobby at the moment. I'll let you know what I find.

There was a post in chit chat to do with that.

Someone suggested Spaceports or something like that.

PS - let me know the address and password so I can access it once it's set up.

Hairy Bloke,

What time are things going to happen this evening? Are you coming over to Gould St for a lift?

Sherry Drinker,

Have you been sober enough to play the game yet?

most probably i'm just like a kid with a new toy today.

Wow!

Just got that mail you sent me last night with the shapes in, talk about a delay!


Pretty cool. Currently, the faction graphic is displayed nowhere. Where're they going to go?

On the 'next player' screen and maybe on the diplomacy screen. Are the factions going to have any particular ideaologies or are they all going to be the same?

who knows. Its more access today, so I'm going to have trouble communicating today. I think im a bit freer this afternoon. I'll speak to you later.

OK.

Attached is the agenda for tonights meeting.

ok, I'm free now, although I'm a bit spaced out on cross-tab queries and self-joins.

sounds like a plan. I'll come down to meet you. What time do you want to finish at? I'll see if I can squeeze you in (ooh matron!).

those icons: I was playing about with Illustrator, practicing my vector drawing skills. I know theyre simplistic, but thats the whole point isnt it. I like the black and yellow one.

They are quite impressive those little things.

Spiffing.

Good to hear that your free. I wasn't planning on paying much for you anyway.

Have you perused the meeting agenda? Anything to add?

I prefer the idea of a dynamic agenda - we'll confront things as we get to them, using yours as a template

Behemoth you peasant!

You've got your phone off - when are you coming to Gould St?

sorry, I forgot. I'll get down to meet you about 5:00. Is that ok?

No problem,

Try and get here as early as you can so we can miss the rush hour traffic please.

Ta

Hello my hairy friend!

Implemented the calculation for speed last night and the units all now have speed limitations. Doesn't take into account chip benefits yet as we have no chips!

Movement doesn't take into account the energy used per moving a square yet, but then again - we haven't worked anything out for that yet.

That's going to some combination of weight, energy efficiency (chips), chassis(?) - anything else?

Code:

---


Function CalcUnitEUPM (tp as byte, uid as integer) as single

dim x as byte, temp as single, cumchipben as integer

temp = player(tp).unit(uid).weight / 10

for x=1 to 3

if components.chip(player(tp).unit(uid).chip(x)).type=2 then 'May not be two - check when get home
cumchipben=cumchipben + components.chip(player(tp).unit(uid).chip(x)).ben1 'May not be ben1 - check this as well
endif

next x

temp = temp - ((temp/100)*cumchipben)

temp=temp / components.chassis(player(tp).unit(uid).chassis).chassismod

CalcUnitEUPM =temp

end function

---

Behemoth,

In case you're reading this the above calculates the EnergyUsedPerMove as follows

EUPM = ((Units Weight / 10) - (Cumulative % of all energy management chip benefits)) / Chassis modifier

The chassis modifier is the same one we used to calculate the units top speed.

Apologies:
sorry

Introductions:
Behemoth, this is Arbiter. Hi Arbiter, I'm Behemoth.

Brief mission statement:
Build a funky game.

Progress update from all parties:
Behemoth- Slowly approaching completion of research tech icons. Planning colour schemes etc.

Debating points:

Factions:
Warlike
Miners
etc (throw me a bone here?)

Different names/types:

Benefits:

Associated Graphics:
TBC (based on first draft I submitted earlier in the week)

Fitting them into the game flow:

Components:
List of names of components- within spreadsheet

Required technologies:

Arrangement for producing graphics:
LATER!

Attributes Technologies:
Short descriptions
Long Descriptions

[we can work on these as time goes on, I've got a really good science dictionary at home. I'll make a start later]

Points required
Formulae:
Speed
Energy used per move
Max energy drain
Standing charge
Processing cost of unit
Factions might

I think these last few are either a) already covered, or b) can wait.

Omega lead?

Omega lead please respond...

Support, Omega lead is down - repeat - Omega lead is down.

-------------------------

Debating points:

Factions:

Conquest
Defensive
Miners
Curators / Archives?
R&D
Administrators
A. N. Other

Components:
Weapons (as per attached spreadsheet)
Armour
Sheilds
Torsos
Chassis
Ammo
Chips

Arrangement for producing graphics:
Please be a little more specific – assign yourself some deadlines

Formulae:

Speed (done)

Energy used per move (done)

Max energy drain (The value of the reactor + 25%) + (cumulative energy benefits of chips)

Standing charge (=the total value of all the energy requirements of all the components on the mech (bar ammo - which is used when fired))

Processing cost of unit (the sum of all the processing requirements of all the components on the mech) – (the cumulative benefits of all the chips)

Accuracy (no idea)

Damage (done)

Factions might (no idea)

These formulae cannot wait – they’re an integral part of the industry.

Omega lead, please respond....

1) did you get my mail?

2)

Faction: Cartographic?

Graphics arrangements: very small piecemeal. If I overload myself, I'll crash & need to be rebooted. (thanks for last night BTW.)

Accuracy (bear with me, I'll think this out loud)
- 5% for every square over half max range of weapon
- 10% for weapon fired at max range
- 1% for every kph target moves during turn
-(any special effects weapons - epoxy etc)
+(any chip benefits)

Final %age is %age damage from shot?
if under 50% and single shot weapon, then miss.

Faction might: we'll play with this later. for the time being, you've got the basic version I sent you last month.

Anyway, I'm back in Access this afternoon, so I should be able to read anything you post, but I shall maintain radio silence.

Good luck Omega lead. *Copy*

Right,

That's the faction ideals sorted.

I have read your mail - I have not composed anything salient yet.

Like the minus % for every square over half range.

Err.... how are we calculating how far away something is?

My first idea is that we calculate the number of pixels the centre of the target square is from the centre of the originating square using Pythies' drunken ramblings involving triangles.

We then assign each ammo a range based on the number of pixels it can fire. To provide a firing range of one square means an ammo range of 57 (including shooting diagonally - do the math).

I've realised that we could have used this to provide the viewing range as well, and maybe, just maybe I'll convert it.

We'll see.

I've also asked Phil, my boss at work, to have a look at and comment back. We'd do well to heed any comments he gives as he knows what he's on about...

Wow,

This is three pages long now - lots of rambling in here...

hows this for wierd?(Fox, have you replied here at all?)
[IMG]C:\Documents and Settings\isaunders\Desktop\shapes\email.jpg[/IMG]

Ian,

I've no idea what that last post was but it had a duff image in it.

How are you getting along with the web site? Should I begin to send you content for it yet (or should I wait for you to put up what I've already sent you?)

As req. from now on I'll send the manual bits with MANUAL in the subject.

PS - can't wait to get back to that Heroes III game...

hehe :)

I'll try to amend that post. I'ts kind of surreal.

is this better?

That's tremendous.

How's the site doing? Are you going to get chance to work on it some today?

we'll see.

I still don't love you.