Sentience: VB Game (comments please)

Oops, forgot to post the pictures. I will thereofre post them with this post, and the next post.

They will be split using a program I made (as there are 6 files).

Bugs0.zip is NOT a true zip file, rename it to bugs000.sfl (You need all 3 zeros)
Bugs1.zip is a true zip file, just unzip it.

Included in bugs1.zip is the program, along with the two parts of the split file (the data to tell the program how to unsplit it, and almost half of the file). Just open the program, and use the unsplit function on the sdt file (select unzip before selecting the file).

Here is the other half of the pictures.

Wow, that's much bugs!!

What did u do arb ?
Totally rewrite the game or something ?

Thanks for all these Gaming. :)

I'll take a look at your screenshots and post back soon.

Quote:

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Originally posted by Gaming_World
Some bugs:

1) The research screen displays lines after the right-most techs (not Sentince) that don't connect to anything. Screenshot attached (or will be to a subsquance post); bug1.jpg.
added to bug list

2) The generating mosters code seminly locked up the . It may have just been taking a long time, but I don't think this is the case, as the computer was showing almost no activity.
It's never locked for me. I'll make sure the fillbar is updated

3) The splash screen displays over the first player screen. Screenshot attached (or will be to a subsquance post);.
Didn't find this screenshot. I've never been able to duplicate this - I'll put a blind fix in

4) The start menu displays over the main menu screen. Screenshot attached (or will be to a subsquance post);bug3.jpg.
This occurs if you click off the splash screen, or select another program when the game is loading. If the main menu is displayed when you have focus on another app then the start menu stays there. To solve it, click on the start menu and then back on the game screen.

5) The black part of the right section of the Sentince logo bar disappers as the menu is sliding left. Screenshot attached (or will be to a subsquance post);bug3.jpg.
Known bug. This will change soon.

6) The sentince taskbar item displays the standerd icon, and no caption. The senlauncher displays a custom icon, and a non-professional looking caption (it would look better if it said Sentince Launcher, instead of SenLauncher). Screenshot attached (or will be to a subsquance post);bug4.jpg.
The caption's not a major beef and the application's called SenLauncher. It's easier to say than "Sentience Launcher Application V4.367 Beta Test"... ;) The Sentience taskbar name is irrelevant as alt+tab will be disabled. It's only enabled for testing.

7) The first transition between the main menu and new creen isn't smooth. Parts of the screen flash over instantly, while other parts take upto 1/2 of a second (although most take 1/10th of a second). Although barely noticable consintly, it does make the look less professional.
This is vb. Do you know any workarounds for this?

8) The text for the military fraction is incomplete. It ends in mid-word. Screenshot attached (or will be to a subsquance post);bug5.jpg.
Added to bug list

9) The code for displaying the text for the fractions displays it somewhat oddly, with words being partily placed on one line, then snapping to the next line when the complete word is displayed.
It's far too much coding to prevent this (unless I use a fixed width font - which would look crap). It's only a minor cosmetic issue.

10) The percentages of land use can be set over 100%. Screenshot attached (or will be to a subsquance post);bug6.jpg.
Added to bug list

11) The percentages of land use can go beyond the size of the text box. Screenshot attached (or will be to a subsquance post);bug6.jpg.
Added to bug list

12) When I minimized to save screen shot #6, the hut down. The resolution didn't snap back until I clicked on the SenLauncher taskbar item. I know that you will say that this is due to the fact the other programs were running (such as Photoshop, Task Manager, MSN, INet, SenLauncher), but they were running at other points when the was running perfectly (aside from non-proformance related bugs). --- NEVERMIND. It just disappered from the taskbar, and stoped using processer power (although it didn't lock up), the screen resolution did change though...
Totally lost me there. As long as you got your res back then everybody's happy. :)

13) After setting the percentages as you saw in bug6.jpg, the map was completly mountains. Screenshot attached (or will be to a subsquance post);bug7.jpg.
What do you expect? You told it to be 31433847363% mountain... :p This won't occur when I cap the values.

14) After the odd occuriance of bug #12, it allowed me to shut down the launcher (which you fixed normally). After doing so, I attempted to shut down the . This resulted in the resolution going back to 800x600, and not changing back to my normal resolution. (as would be expeted)
Shut down the what? There's a blank space where the word should be. Not sure what you mean here...

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Thanks for these gaming. I'll make the fixes and post a new sencore for you (in a zip this time) as soon as I get chance. I appreciate this... :)

Quote:

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Originally posted by Icheb
Wow, that's much bugs!!

What did u do arb ?
Totally rewrite the game or something ?

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The majority were cosmetic. I'd been so busy trying to get functionality in that I hadn't bothered with bounds checking etc. Things like capping the values on the map maker screen were ditched in favour of adding cool stuff like the particle engine et al.

As people point out flaws, I add to them list and they get fixed (in most cases) by the next release.

Gaming/Icheb,

I've fixed all the bugs mentioned apart from:

The problem on the research screen (which I can't duplicate at all). What res were you running it at? Can you do it again?

The issue around the monster generation, which I'm tackling now.

I can't upload the new fixed exe until after 1800 this evening (don't ask... :rolleyes: ) and I'm leaving the house at 1745 - but when I get back in - I'll upload it straight away. :)

3) The splash screen displays over the first player screen. Screenshot attached (or will be to a subsquance post);.
Didn't find this screenshot. I've never been able to duplicate this - I'll put a blind fix in
This only happened the first time I ran the game during this testing run. After the first try, it never did it again. That is the reason for it not having a screen shot.

4) The start menu displays over the main menu screen. Screenshot attached (or will be to a subsquance post);bug3.jpg.
This occurs if you click off the splash screen, or select another program when the is loading. If the main menu is displayed when you have focus on another app then the start menu stays there. To solve it, click on the start menu and then back on the creen.
I know why it normally does it, but if I don't click the mouse at all during loading it still did it about 3/5 runs.

6) The sentince taskbar item displays the standerd icon, and no caption. The senlauncher displays a custom icon, and a non-professional looking caption (it would look better if it said Sentince Launcher, instead of SenLauncher). Screenshot attached (or will be to a subsquance post);bug4.jpg.
The caption's not a major beef and the application's called SenLauncher. It's easier to say than "Sentience Launcher Application V4.367 Beta Test"... The Sentience taskbar name is irrelevant as alt+tab will be disabled. It's only enabled for testing.
I hate which don't let you alt+tab out of them.

7) The first transition between the main menu and new creen isn't smooth. Parts of the screen flash over instantly, while other parts take upto 1/2 of a second (although most take 1/10th of a second). Although barely noticable consintly, it does make the look less professional.
This is vb. Do you know any workarounds for this?
The easiest way to fix this would be just to load all the screens which you can get to from the main menu when the main menu come up. Although when the new creen comes up, you should make sure all the forms which can be accesses though the new creen are loaded.

8) The text for the military fraction is incomplete. It ends in mid-word. Screenshot attached (or will be to a subsquance post);bug5.jpg.
Added to bug list
I know it has been this way for a long time...

9) The code for displaying the text for the fractions displays it somewhat oddly, with words being partily placed on one line, then snapping to the next line when the complete word is displayed.
It's far too much coding to prevent this (unless I use a fixed width font - which would look crap). It's only a minor cosmetic issue.
I like fixed width fonts... And yes, it is minor.

12) When I minimized to save screen shot #6, the hut down. The resolution didn't snap back until I clicked on the SenLauncher taskbar item. I know that you will say that this is due to the fact the other programs were running (such as Photoshop, Task Manager, MSN, INet, SenLauncher), but they were running at other points when the was running perfectly (aside from non-proformance related bugs). --- NEVERMIND. It just disappered from the taskbar, and stoped using processer power (although it didn't lock up), the screen resolution did change though...
Totally lost me there. As long as you got your res back then everybody's happy.
I began writting this, as I thought that the gane shut down (it disappered from the task bar). The game was still running (although the launcher didn't think so). The resolution switched back, I then shut down the luancher, then went back to the game, made a new game, exited the game (out to the desktop), and the resolution was at 800x600. You have a fix to normmlly prevent exiting the launcher, but the launcher thought the game was shut down.

I have to go.

14) After the odd occuriance of bug #12, it allowed me to shut down the launcher (which you fixed normally). After doing so, I shut down the game. This resulted in the resolution going back to 800x600, and not changing back to my normal resolution. (as would be expeted)
Shut down the what? There's a blank space where the word should be. Not sure what you mean here...
I know, my home computer seems to have a few odd functions of deleting words. Its not the same words every time, and there seems to be no pattern. I fixed it in this post. The launcher thought that the game was shut down.

Quote:

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Originally posted by Gaming_World
3) The splash screen displays over the first player screen. Screenshot attached (or will be to a subsquance post);.
Didn't find this screenshot. I've never been able to duplicate this - I'll put a blind fix in
This only happened the first time I ran the game during this testing run. After the first try, it never did it again. That is the reason for it not having a screen shot.
Never mind it then. ;)

4) The start menu displays over the main menu screen. Screenshot attached (or will be to a subsquance post);bug3.jpg.
This occurs if you click off the splash screen, or select another program when the is loading. If the main menu is displayed when you have focus on another app then the start menu stays there. To solve it, click on the start menu and then back on the creen.
I know why it normally does it, but if I don't click the mouse at all during loading it still did it about 3/5 runs.
It 'never' does it for me. Weird

6) The sentince taskbar item displays the standerd icon, and no caption. The senlauncher displays a custom icon, and a non-professional looking caption (it would look better if it said Sentince Launcher, instead of SenLauncher). Screenshot attached (or will be to a subsquance post);bug4.jpg.
The caption's not a major beef and the application's called SenLauncher. It's easier to say than "Sentience Launcher Application V4.367 Beta Test"... The Sentience taskbar name is irrelevant as alt+tab will be disabled. It's only enabled for testing.
I hate which don't let you alt+tab out of them.
I don't care. :p It's not worth the extra coding as far as I can see

7) The first transition between the main menu and new creen isn't smooth. Parts of the screen flash over instantly, while other parts take upto 1/2 of a second (although most take 1/10th of a second). Although barely noticable consintly, it does make the look less professional.
This is vb. Do you know any workarounds for this?
The easiest way to fix this would be just to load all the screens which you can get to from the main menu when the main menu come up. Although when the new creen comes up, you should make sure all the forms which can be accesses though the new creen are loaded.
I do, and they are. These forms are all loaded at the splash screen and unloaded when the map is created

8) The text for the military fraction is incomplete. It ends in mid-word. Screenshot attached (or will be to a subsquance post);bug5.jpg.
Added to bug list
I know it has been this way for a long time...
Fixed

12) When I minimized to save screen shot #6, the hut down. The resolution didn't snap back until I clicked on the SenLauncher
Never come across that one either. SenLauncher has never thought the game has quit when it hasn't. Weird

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Fixed exe is uploaded now.

Sencore.zip

New bug:

I set the continant seeds to 0, and got a divide by 0 error. I didn't see a need for a screen shot for this one.

After starting a new , and using the cheat to explore the whole map & research all techs, I was scrolling around the map and found out that in the top-left corner of the map (yes, map) was the selection circle.

After getting finding the bug above, I attempted to move my mech to the left over a pod. Instead of moving, I got an error message: "Subscript out of range". I have attached a screen shot.

Quote:

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Originally posted by Gaming_World
New bug:

I set the continant seeds to 0, and got a divide by 0 error. I didn't see a need for a screen shot for this one.

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Is that after you got the fixed exe? 'Cos I was sure I fixed that when I was fixing the others...

Quote:

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Originally posted by Gaming_World
After starting a new , and using the cheat to explore the whole map & research all techs, I was scrolling around the map and found out that in the top-left corner of the map (yes, map) was the selection circle.

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Known bug, still working on it.

Quote:

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Originally posted by Arbiter


Is that after you got the fixed exe? 'Cos I was sure I fixed that when I was fixing the others...

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Sorry, just double checked the code and I'm setting it to 0 instead of one. Fixed now. :)

Quote:

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Originally posted by Gaming_World
After getting finding the bug above, I attempted to move my mech to the left over a pod. Instead of moving, I got an error message: "Subscript out of range". I have attached a screen shot.

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Thankyou. I'll go on a big pod hunting expedition next time I test it.

Is it possible to enter in nagitive values? I haven't tested it yet to find out.

No, I've trapped negative values. Feel free to try though...

No point in trying it then..

But, a bug I know about, but forgot to post: you can lead the number with as many zeros as you feel like. You may want to limit to textbox length to around 4 digits...

I'll set it so that the leading zeros are nuked. Thanks Gaming.

Some needs to post a reply here, as I want my 800th post to be the 2000th reply to this thread...

Come on...


I also have a quick bug to report, but I refuse to report it until someone makes one post after my last post here.

Someone just post one useless post after this one for me (and I will stop the useless posting for a while...).

Sience everyone else was refusing to make a post here, I just had to delete one of my other posts to make it...

This is my 800th post, and the 2000th reply to this thread...


And that is about all I have to say.



Just to make this post useful, I have a bug to report:

There is no back button on the documents form...

Gaming,

There will be. ;)

Also, you might want to consider a smaller signature. That one's massive and barely legible....

Quote:

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Originally posted by Arbiter

Also, you might want to consider a smaller signature. That one's massive and barely legible....

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Arb,

I kinda agree with that


Gaming,
I tried to read the thread but your signature is larger than the thread (text) itsself :eek:

I know, but as the computer that I normally use is off line, I can't do much of anything.

Gaming,

I've just noticed the 6 ridiculous posts you've cluttered my thread with.

DO NOT DO THAT AGAIN!!!!

If you persist with this kind of crap I'll have a word with an admin.

I don't plan to, I just wanted my 800th post to be the 200th post to this thread...

By the way, is my new image better?

Gaming! You're doing it again!

It's nice that you like Sentience enough to want to mark your 800th post here but it's worthless spam. Arbiter and I do not want 2½ years of work to be binned by the admins because of crap posted in here. Imagine how you'd feel if the Unlimited thread were deleted because people were messing about in there...The same applies here. We appreciate and value your testing input and ideas, but we don't want to see random posts with no value. Thank you.

BTW, your sig picture is much better now, but Sentience has an E in it.


Arbiter: how did you get on last night with diplomacy? Been thinking, and that canister I sent would make a good plastic heart :)

I was thinking about a corrosive biosludge stylee weapon and the canister would be its ammo. Ooooh, the possibilities are endless. :D

For the next version I'm planning on addind a bit more functionality to diplomacy (sending messages, techs etc) and also fleshing out the scripts a bit more.

If you can work towards tidying any half finished buildings you have as a quick win for the time being, that would be good.

Just thought that I would let you know that I will be unable to test the game for a while, as the only computer I can test the game on has kinda had it harddrive die (FDisk and PQMagic can't even fix it...).


I'll have to fix the image spelling (I just noticed that part of your post after reading it 3 times).

Icheb,

I've fixed that problem with the options screen. That was a bit fun! It only happened on the second time you went in, cancelled the save and then came straight out again. Bizarre!

Good job on finding it.. :)

Quote:

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Originally posted by Arbiter
Icheb,

I've fixed that problem with the options screen. That was a bit fun! It only happened on the second time you went in, cancelled the save and then came straight out again. Bizarre!

Good job on finding it.. :)

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Ok, no problem...

Have you taken a look at the 'close' button of the option screen already ? (as discribed in the screenshot :D)

Icheb,

I think so. Just check to make sure when I put the next version up please...

Ta!

Just thought that I would let you guys know that I have gotten a new harddrive for my computer, so I will be able to begin work on testing the game again.

Why is this thread dying (again) ?!!