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True, but uncompressed the game is about 20mb at the mo - but it fits into a 3.25mb download.
When it does start getting bigger I'll split it into chunks.
i.e. I'll strip the sounds out so they'd be optional and I'd provide updates via new sencode drops
I'm also working on an automatic updater, so people will only need to download the Sentience launcher and it will get the rest itself... :)
That could still be a problem if the core files (exe, dll's, graphics, ect) are huge. Think if it took an hour or two to d/l on a 56K (wouldn't be much of a problem for me though :)). For me, it would only be 15-45 mins.
you'd wait 2 hours for a free game if it was good enough. Imagine if Blizzard put Starcraft or Diablo up for download - their FTP servers would be overloaded with requests. :D
Good point, although I may just pay for a CD then, or start it before going to bed.
Ok, i haven't been here for a while...
At that lanparty i downloaded 34 gb of trash (read : w*r*z) and about 6 virusses :mad:
Arb: i still get that sound error i spoke with you about a week ago.
and if you can make a 'game downloader', why not let it ask the user about his/hers connection and if it's better than x let the prog download from multiple server, that could speed up the download when on isdn (ect.)
Good to have you back Icheb!
Coupe of things...
1) I don't have multiple servers.
2) I don't have multiple servers.
Now, I realise that this is technically only 1 problem, but it's such a big one - I thought I'd mention it twice.
Also, I don't get that sound error. Post your full options.ini up here for me to have a look at.
1. maybe u can get a second serverQuote:
Originally posted by Arbiter
Good to have you back Icheb!
Coupe of things...
1) I don't have multiple servers.
2) I don't have multiple servers.
Now, I realise that this is technically only 1 problem, but it's such a big one - I thought I'd mention it twice.
Also, I don't get that sound error. Post your full options.ini up here for me to have a look at.
2. maybe u can get a second server
We can talk about it later, when i have some time to talk about it...
I MIGHT (not sure yet) be able to arrange a server of about 10 mb for u :) ;) :D :p :cool:
Ho ho ho!!!!
The new version of Sentience is going to be uploaded tomorrow!
I've listened to all your comments and this version really kicks some bottom! It even includes a cheap and cheerful FAQ in the documentation section.
The version after will include a detailed help screen for you all! Whoo.
The size of the download will also be smaller as I'm using a different compression method - about 2.5mb this time, with even more stuff in!!!
Try and contain yourselves people! :D
Hi,
Just a runtime i've stumbled upon...
I got the following error when both clicking on "options" from the main menu, and also when right-clicking my HQ and selecting to view details.
Runtime error 339
MSCOMCTL.OCX not registered.
Apparently the file is missing...
I have Visual Studio 6 installed with all the packaged dlls etc. I'm running Win98 SE with a Voodoo3 3000 AGP card and SBLive sound card.
Hope this helps you!
Karl
Ummmm.... Aren't those the common controls? They have to be there don't they?
Argh, my head. Anyone got any ideas about this, cos if I'm right every machine should have this file.... :confused:
Ben: This page may be of some use to you.
http://www.vbinformation.com/tut-ctrl.htm
Karl: Have you tried searching Windows for that filename?
Thanks for that Ian, though it told me nothing I didn't already know.
MSCOMCTL.ocx should be on every machine (as far as I'm aware) as it's the MS Common Controls (including list boxes, list views and all that jazz).
It should neither require installing nor registering. Of course, I could be wrong but hey!
The common controls are service pack dependant (SP2, 4 and 5)
Are they? Cool....
Umm.... Karl, you need to get that file then... :rolleyes:
http://msdn.microsoft.com/vstudio/sp...ldoverview.asp
One can just download the VBasic part from the middle of that page
Hi.....
the plot thickens.
I have found the file in my windows system directory, so it is there.
My first thoughts were that i may have a corrupt file on my system.... Although i don't know anything about the file, i would assume that this file.. being one which controls list boxes etc would have some effect on the Windows GUI if it was corrupt.
Just as a side thought, would you be able to put the required files into the final program?
Cheers,
Karl
It may simply need registering then.
Try registering it by going to Start --> Run (or use the command prompt)
and typing
"regsvr32 MSCOMCTL.OCX"
(obviously without the quotes... ;) )
In the final version of the program, all the files will be contained, but as most people have them I didn't think it was space efficient to include them with the test releases...
- Launcher fillbar flashed green/white when updating core files and launching the game.
- Launcher close button turned to a white oblong while files were updating, then turned to the over state (button appeared active, but I didn't play with that)
- Main menu/frame buttons have no over state
- You really need "sound", "game", "alerts", "misc", and "save" buttons for the options screen. Oh- look at the attached file...Happy Birthday!
- The new fillbars look cool
- The pics in SenMsg (except the battery) are *****in' A'!
- Dotted lines on building right-click menus don't look as good as the solid lines used to.
- Framerate at top res dropped to 1FPS! Yes, there were a couple of bits and pieces in the background but S really crawled along, expecially after I "discovered" all the map in the debug screen
- Sentience should be visible in the ALT+TAB menu, not SenLauncher
- research screen doesn't fill the screen at high-res, just sits in the middle and looks silly.
- Ditto world map- Its difficult to see with the real map around the edge
- Its not immediately apparent how to start a project - perhaps we could do with a start button
- RMV slurp priorities still act "dead wierd". trying to slide the sliders to attain anything more than a 0.1% increase forces the value up to 100%, and won't come down again afterwards.
- "build queue" and the number of items in it overlap when the number is big. I noticed this when my queue had 38 components in.
- on the debug screen, add a "skip next 10 turns" button
- Top left tile contains a "mobile building". I worked out that this is an as yet unconstructed building I had created.
- I had 2 buildings in my build queue, I successfully built the first, but the second never appeared (no error messages, and the construction yard wasn't ghosted, it just never arrived)
- minimap / mainmap zoom is screwey, but you knew that anyway
- mech design construction yard dropdown did not drop down after I had designed my mech (from scratch if it helps)
- remove scrollbar from SenMsg for messages less than one screen long
- Didn't reset my resolution after I quit the game.
Quote:
Originally posted by Behemoth
- Launcher fillbar flashed green/white when updating core files and launching the game.
# Odd. You hadn't clicked away from the splash screen so it lost focus had you? Dunno why it would do that, it doesn't change colour...- Launcher close button turned to a white oblong while files were updating, then turned to the over state (button appeared active, but I didn't play with that)
#Well stop pissing around then. When you're runnning Sentience stop pratting around with whatever else is running (inc launcher). That probably explain the above 'problem'- Main menu/frame buttons have no over state
#I know, I know. It's on my list.- You really need "sound", "game", "alerts", "misc", and "save" buttons for the options screen. Oh- look at the attached file...Happy Birthday!
'Cool. Ta.- The new fillbars look cool
- The pics in SenMsg (except the battery) are *****in' A'!
#Less of the self praise or your head will be so big you'll fall off the chair!- Dotted lines on building right-click menus don't look as good as the solid lines used to.
#The solid line is still there, it's only to break between unit and building if you had both on one square. I had to differentiate between the two- Framerate at top res dropped to 1FPS! Yes, there were a couple of bits and pieces in the background but S really crawled along, expecially after I "discovered" all the map in the debug screen
'Couple of bits an peices? Like copies of IE and stuff? And running at what res?- Sentience should be visible in the ALT+TAB menu, not SenLauncher
#Sen launcher can be visible too as it's a running program. Anyway, you don't need alt+tab when Sentience is running (except when debugging and that doesn't count).- research screen doesn't fill the screen at high-res, just sits in the middle and looks silly.
- Ditto world map- Its difficult to see with the real map around the edge
#I know, I'm putting borders around things as and when I notice them...- Its not immediately apparent how to start a project - perhaps we could do with a start button
#It will be in the manual.- RMV slurp priorities still act "dead wierd". trying to slide the sliders to attain anything more than a 0.1% increase forces the value up to 100%, and won't come down again afterwards.
#Yeah, not finished with these yet- "build queue" and the number of items in it overlap when the number is big. I noticed this when my queue had 38 components in.
#Added to list- on the debug screen, add a "skip next 10 turns" button
#No can do - would cause massive problems. Surely it's not too hard to simply holder [enter] down?- Top left tile contains a "mobile building". I worked out that this is an as yet unconstructed building I had created.
#I'd already told you this - it's on my list- I had 2 buildings in my build queue, I successfully built the first, but the second never appeared (no error messages, and the construction yard wasn't ghosted, it just never arrived)
#Added to list- minimap / mainmap zoom is screwey, but you knew that anyway
#Yep- mech design construction yard dropdown did not drop down after I had designed my mech (from scratch if it helps)
#Did you already have a building going to that construction yard?- remove scrollbar from SenMsg for messages less than one screen long
#No- Didn't reset my resolution after I quit the game.
#I don't understand this - it works fine 100% on my machine.
no new version for me to find bugs in yet? :(
Not just yet Gaming, tonight maybe... ;)
One waits with bated breath
Well... there is a dev version up at the moment if anyone wants to play, but it does have a known bug on the help screen (that's right - help screen) when you look at a factions help.
If anyone wants to play then they're more than welcome but the official release is this evening. :)
Try to have it done by 3:30, as that is when I get off school. Until then, I will wait.
Arb : How do i get to the debug screen ?
and how do i get to the cheat screen (and what are the cheats ?)
I will reinstall sentience tonight after you release it and test it on another comp, maybe the sound problems are just that i have a new motherbord (with onboard sound) and haven't reinstalled windows.... :rolleyes:
Icheb
Okay dokey boys and girls, the new version is up now!!!!
There's new graphics, new sounds, loads of bug fixes, and an all new help screen (which is still in its infant stages).
You can get at the help screen from the menu button on the main game screen.
Play, and marvel!!
(Oh, and let me know what bugs you found... ;) )
Nice.
Now, time for the bug list:
1) When you exit a game, not all of the screen is visible.
2) The splash screen stays up over the next player screen.
3) I got 0 base minerals from a pod (it popped up a message and said this)
4) The torso menu never displayed (at 1280x1024, didn't try other resolutions).
5) The other menus were in the wrong place (at 1280x1024, didn't try other resolutions)
6) None of the torsos have a small image, and only one has a big image.
7) Not every pod popped up a message.
8) You need more graphics. (so start chewing out Behemoth ;):p)
Now, feature requests:
1) Need advanced turn skipping. (such as skipping until build que is empty, an enemy comes into view, research is complete, a message should come up, or any combonation of them.)
I'll let you know when I find more... :D
6 more bugs (and yes, I know some are repeats from above):
1) VERY slow fps at 1280x1024 with a fully explored screen. (2 fps)
2) The menu erases the black line ahead of it.
3) It is possible to get 0 minerals from a pod.
4) The splash screen appears over the next player screen.
5) After exiting from a game, you either get the main menu, or the new game screen. Either way, the screen is messed up.
6) This one is really two bugs:
a) The screen shots aren't always what is visible on the screen. Don't bother to ask me why.
b) The units appear black in game.
For pictures, click on the following link: www.kaynor.net/games/planetwars/bugs.zip
Points adresssed in order.
Quote:
Originally posted by Gaming_World
Nice.
Now, time for the bug list:
1) When you exit a game, not all of the screen is visible.
#Screen print please
2) The splash screen stays up over the next player screen.
#You know, I can't get it to do this! I put a blind fix in but it clearly hasn't worked. Bonkers. I'll try something else.
3) I got 0 base minerals from a pod (it popped up a message and said this)
#Yeah. The code needs fiddling to actually give things, but it's a step in the right direction... :)
4) The torso menu never displayed (at 1280x1024, didn't try other resolutions).
#Torso menu where?
5) The other menus were in the wrong place (at 1280x1024, didn't try other resolutions)
#Screen print please
6) None of the torsos have a small image, and only one has a big image.
#All torsos should have images. Screenprint please...
7) Not every pod popped up a message.
#Not every pod does something yet
8) You need more graphics. (so start chewing out Behemoth ;):p)
HA HA HA HA HA!!! You trying getting him to do some work!!!
Now, feature requests:
1) Need advanced turn skipping. (such as skipping until build que is empty, an enemy comes into view, research is complete, a message should come up, or any combonation of them.)
#Behemoth also requested this and the answer's no. As the game becomes more developed you won't be skipping turns like that anyway - you'll be exploring, moving mechs, making stuff etc
I'll let you know when I find more... :D
And these...
Thanks for these Gaming. Just noticed the link to the zip so I'm going getting them now. I'll post back when I have something salient to say, might be a couple of hours...Quote:
Originally posted by Gaming_World
6 more bugs (and yes, I know some are repeats from above):
1) VERY slow fps at 1280x1024 with a fully explored screen. (2 fps)
#So? Buy a faster machine... :p Hell, I get slow fps when I run games at high res, you just run them at a res that your machine can support.
2) The menu erases the black line ahead of it.
#Yep. I'll get round to sorting that one day
5) After exiting from a game, you either get the main menu, or the new game screen. Either way, the screen is messed up.
#Messed up? Screen print.
6) This one is really two bugs:
a) The screen shots aren't always what is visible on the screen. Don't bother to ask me why.
b) The units appear black in game.
#Odd
[/B]
The 2nd post is B.
1b) What, a P4 1ghz isn't good enough?
The blind fix worked half way, it doesn't do it during the game now, just at the first next player turn screen (haven't tryed with more then 1 player).
I'll edit more in around 3:30 to 4:00 PM (my time, with is GMT -8)
Quote:
Originally posted by Gaming_World
1b) What, a P4 1ghz isn't good enough?
Obviously not. Sentience isn't a simple game you know, it's far more complex than you imagine, there's bog loads of stuff that's happening behind the scenes that won't become apparent until we add more stuff. I get 9 fps out of it at 1280*1024 when I've explored the whole and that's on an Athlon 700.
The blind fix worked half way, it doesn't do it during the game now, just at the first next player turn screen (haven't tryed with more then 1 player).
Hmm... I'm looking into that today...
Ok, here's something i discovered...
1. In the RMV slurp windows (priorities) if i try to set it useing my mouse to drag the 'switch' it or goes to 0 % or goes to 100 % (if no other priority's are set), i cannot drag it to 50 % or something...
2. In the same screen, if it (#1) happens while allready other priorities are set you can't change them (higher or lower) until you 'reset' the problem by dragging the 'switch' back to 0 %, when it happens you are unable to change the others (higher or lower)...
3. at some point, no screenshot (sorry), when i began playing with the factory and the status window to see what it does (lower left window, to see what is explored) and i clicked somewhere else on the main map (or rightclicked, or leftclicked on the factory again) i was unable to go to another building...
4. what the h*ll does 'debug ?' do in senlauncher ?
5. after #3 happend the game kinda crashed, i tried to resign but after clicking 'ok' nothing happend.
6. when you begin you are able to scroll in the main map but it doesn't work very well after i got to deal with problem #3, i started scrolling but the map didn't change.
sorry, i couldn't get any usefull screenshots out :(
He kept capturing the wrong things :mad:
Icheb
[edited later]
read : 'switch' as : scroll bar...
[/edited later]
Hey Icheb!
Right-ho...
1/2) I know. I'm on my way to fixing that...
3) Ummm.... doesn't help me a great deal...
4) Allows access to the debug options (explore all map etc) in game by pressing '@' and also displays the FPS
5/6) As it was 3 that broke Sentience I can't fix these as they're knock on effects. If Sentience breaks, restart it and try to duplicate these problems....
-----------------------------
For any interested, I've managed to fix the problem with the AI now so in the next version you'll be able to play against the computer... :)
i will try try to duplicate it tomorrow... (/me wants to go to bed now, have a long school day tomorrow).
I allready tried it once but no sign of the problem.
The system which i used was stable, so it had to be a conflict or an 'mouse' error of some kind.
i 'hope' i will be able to duplicate it succesfully :rolleyes:
Icheb
Did you manage to duplicate it Icheb?
In fact, it's been a while since the last super furry bug list from Plend?
Are you alright Irish? We're missing ya dude! :D
Howdy :)
Ya know me, half asleep at the best of times ;)
Ain't that just the truth!
Say Plend, how would you (or your missus) like to do the voices for one of the in game help personas?
Hahahahahaha.
Heh sure ;)