I'm tired myself, for an odd reason. Oh well. I fixed some more errors in the forum but it's still a mess.
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I'm tired myself, for an odd reason. Oh well. I fixed some more errors in the forum but it's still a mess.
Meh, from chaos, order =).
Z.
I just fixed up my windows, so now I can resize them, with the usual border dragging =).
Z.
Ah, the wonders of usual border drags :)
I have implemented console object function call to real object function call mapping =). For instance, those trees you saw int he screen shot... I can now command them to hide and show themselves =). Essentially, when you create a console object, you can specify a code object to map the console object to. Then the function is called, I parse out teh parameters and such, just like when calling a virtaul console object function, but I simply pass it along to the real object's Dispatch() function, which takes care of the actual function =). It works well =).
Z.
You're getting addicted Zaei, 4 =)'s in one post! You should cut back :D
I was pretty pleased with myself =). I am actually now implementing Units =).
Z.
The Times of War project jsut grew by almost a dozen files... I am trying to do this the right way, and separate data from output. For instance, a TOW_GameUnit only holds a mesh's moniker, while a TOW_GameUnitOutput will hold a TOW_GameUnit, and will grab the moniker, and draw the mesh =).
Z.
hey, seems everything is going good good good.
I dont mean to be a dick, but. is it just me or in some strange way do those tress seem a little... out of place?
I think, perhaps theyre too bright or too green, to me they seem a little odd.
Its still very good work and that console thing sure does sound cool.
The installer is effectivly finished and ready to use. All i need to do is add in a little bit of extra code for installing a mod or patch.
That is what Sas and I were talking about above =). I have changed the greenness to a much darker greenness, so they fit a bit better. Still need a bit of work to fit better, but it will be ok =).
Taking a look at the installer now =).
Z.
Looks good, but I dont have a script to run it with =). When I put something in(like "tow://install:www.crystal-rain.com/install.tws"), it get Run-Time Error 13, Type Mismatch.
Z.
looking at that now, what u can do is tho is run the exe as normal and it will give you a menu ;)
hmm, i dont get that error, it could be coz you need to replace the old hub exe with this. on ur PC you should have the hub (added here) and the installer (above) in the same directory. to set it up run the hub exe, then u can run the installer.
Found n Fixed.
I can run from IE now, but I get Run-Time Error 53, File Not Found.
Z.
Ok, no error =), when simply running the thing, though I think the link is invalid. Same error (53) when running from IE.
Z.
Save that to a .tws file and use that for a script (dbl click the exe, click install, then enter in the path to it).Code:
[Script]
Type=1
Version=1.0
[Server]
Address=www.crystal-rain.com
Port=80
[Install]
Directory=${ProgramFiles}\${Company}\${Name}\
License=http://127.0.0.1:8080/Install/License.txt
Method=Internet
[Group]
Name=${Name}
[Application]
Company=Crystal Rain Entertainment
Name=Times of War
System=Windows98
Version=2.0
Size=3.60MB
[Files]
Count=2
/files/towhub-script.tws;${Application}\install\towhub-script.txt;1
/files/image.bmp;${Application}\install\image.bmp;2
[Registry]
not sure about the error in IE, btw there is no working script on the crystal rain server.
rename the installer file (the 128kb one) to modInst and it'll work.
Psy... Damn =). Pretty slick =).
Z.
heh, cheers. still need to add a bit of code to make it download the license. and fix a few bugs etc and voila :D
Lots of progress, non?
Bravo to you both!
The last section (where you can execute stuff) looks a bit wierd =). Also, we should be able to customize all of the images in the setup, if you are up to it =).
Z.
Tons Jorj =). We are really about to get into the meat of the game itself soon =).
Z.
Yea thats kind of temporary just to see if it works, still need to write the code fo the execute/run bits.
I did have the images in a resource and so it loaded them out although for some reason this bumped up the exe size so i decided against it. i can spend the time to run through and change the images to other thigns if you wish. i could make them donwload them before the install starts/load them from the exe's directory (coz dont forget this is for installing times of war and mods etc so the same images may look odd). let me know more info on this.
Just made it so the Run button is only enabled if the game is installed and that it will now run the exe :D
You could actually probably write another program to append jpgs to the end of the real installer file, plus a number for the number of images, followed by a number for each image, with the size for the image, like so:
So, 2 images, each 1024 bytes, at the end of the file. You can simply read the file backwards =).Code:| EXE Code, etc | Image1 | Image2 | 1024 | 1024 | 2 |
Z.
If i want to execute a file but make the app wait for it to close then cotinue with the calling app, shud i use ShellExecute over Shell ?
Youve got me =).
Z.
Holy!! I didn't know so much could be posted in a two-hour period! The meat of the game, eh? Sounds.... 'tender', shall we say? (groans)
Psyvision, I can make a Script Manager that manages the scripts on the server. This would make it much easier (ie. double clicking will get a copy and edit it, saving it will upload it again). I'm not sure how that's going to work, probably by invoking an ASP page with a querystring, and it would take your session and get your u/n and pwd from that... actually that's genious ^_^. I think I'll do that.
ShellExecute, I believe, gives a return value. I think you need to monitor that with the API, to find out when it terminates.
TOW has about 11,000 lines of code =).
Z.
One of Zaei's earlier posts triggered a thought: If we're about to
"get into the meat" of the game, we'll want to start to talk about how the game is played, the theme, and of course, the story. I'd like to have a discussion, firstly, about the story.
We had discussed, earlier, the story, but reducing the factions to fantasy stereotypes won't help the game's realism, which is one of its strong points. We could go in many directions with the story, and that will influence a great many other decisions. I think that we should have at least a reasonably clear idea of the series of events that Times of War will be depicting.
To help stimulate this, I'll say the following:
Not all ages of history have the same conditions in all worlds. So far, every RTS I've seen has fallen prey to this concept.
What if the 'New World' in ToW's world was a lot closer to their 'Old World'? They could have a colonisation race with just swords and shields?
What if there was a situation in ToW's world that involved extensive alliance systems à la 18th and 19th century Europe? Suppose monarchy was already very well established in their Middle Ages due to the concept of divine right being much older there?. Perhaps they had a Monotheistic-esque religion in ancient times that was followed almost universally?
What if their Middle Ages was their Age of Revolution? The players could see the old world order being shattered before their own eyes! That makes for interesting gameplay, as a revolutionary or a status quo leader.
What if their Middle Ages resembled the Fall of Rome? Say that some event on the other side of the world set off a horde that would face the 'civilised' world on equal terms?
Perhaps their Middle Ages could be like ours. They could have feudal kingdoms, crusades, et cetera... but if this is so, we should twist the concept. Maybe the players are the ones being crusaded against!
Just some thoughts there, feel free to add your voices to the discussion! I'll probably have some more thoughts later too. Agree, disagree, add new ideas--that's what a forum is for.
Well put! I like all of the ideas there. My favourite is the idea of a crusade - morale drops if you don't go on one and such. There could be dark alliances, and basically have any kind of scenario you want - from King Arthur style to even Lord of the Rings. I think this is an excellent twist on the gameplay - making it seem realistic in a however unreal world.
Do I sense multiple game types? =).
One thing though. if following a monotheistic religion, mages == priests, if we follow that priests have powers granted by thier gods. To take another path, mages could be simply splinters, using the powers of nature, while priests could either use powers granted by the god. Perhaps priests fear the mages for thier powers. Perhaps priests may be charlatans, and be jealous of mages. How much power does the priesthood have in a civilization? You could generate an entire story line from those questions =).
Also, since we originally agreed to go after a multiplayer version first, and then a single player later, are we still going with this plan? If yes, do we want to have some sort of overriding story to influence the multiplayer game? Scenarios? Different game styles, to follow not one of these world ideas, but several? All of this is possible, along with standard multiplayer, as well as a few other game play styles (I have a few ideas running around in my head that seem fun =).
Z.
Heck, we could have a game style that is more RPG then RTS =).
Z.
For the multiplayer, I'm thinking of something like the starting of civilization, for example people are starting to work with metal, chop trees, etc., but a bit later than, for example, AoE's starting period. Something that will allow for maximum expadability... I don't really know myself. Though, since Jorj is good with this stuff (really good :)) we can all pool ideas and find out where they would fit.. primitive pirates, ships, swordfighting, advisory type government, etc.
I could see that a King Arthur-type game would be good. You'd have to unite the bickering factions, et cetera. However, this would involve a more detailed map if were to keep the same size of map, comprenden?
That is what I was talking about when i said it would influence other decisions.
Yeah, that's what I've been thinking ever since DivinityScript. :)Quote:
Originally posted by Zaei
Heck, we could have a game style that is more RPG then RTS =).
Z.
Wow! I started that post, had to go on the phone, came back, and already there are three more! I'll respond to those soon.
How about just a king arthur styled crusade then. A huge crusade in which what bickering factions ally with you are your allies, and those that you can't are your enemies. Would allow for every style of gameplay!! I really do think that's a good idea for the multiplayer.
I will build it to be expandable, so we can add scenarios as we feel like it =).
The original design called for VERY large terrain. This hasnt changed. I will simply page terrain data as the camera moves. Not a big deal =).
Z.
I'm really excited about all these ideas! I'd like to get unanimity before we make groundbreaking decisions, but a consideration for the crusade idea: who would you be crusading against? Would they be playable?
I really like the idea of dealing with problems at home and abroad simutaneously.
I also really like the issues Zaei put forth about spellcasters. That merits extensive further discussion.
Finally, I wholeheartedly agree with Zaei on the multiplayer-first plan and the different game types via scenarios. OPTIMVM!
Oh, and if you hadn't already noticed, I've instituted a new policy of inserting multilingual portions into every one of my posts.
Missed one =).Quote:
Originally posted by Jorj
Wow! I started that post, had to go on the phone, came back, and already there are three more! I'll respond to those soon.
On the crusades... It would be similar to Counter Strike. When the game starts, you are put on one of the sides. You then crusade against the other side. Or in pre-game, make alliances, and crusade against people no allied to you.
Z.
I think that one of the game types should have fixed teams like that. We should call it Crusade. My reasoning is that the other is just like a regular game.
We also need an in-game reason for the crusade other than, "You're on the other team!" Although, sadly, that reflects many of our historical wars.
This justification could lead to new aspects of the Crusade game type. If if was religious, maybe occupying all holy sites of the enemy would quality as victory.
OR
Building a religious structure on them (the captured ones).
OR
Defending the captured ones for a length of time.
AMATISNE?
Sastraxi, i needed the code coz i had it so u could view readme.txt and execute the exe. im thinking to change it so that it just has the view readme or make it even cleaner and pop a message box up as the app closes asking about it.
Im not into playing games too much so ill stick out of the how the game itself should be and leave it to the professionals, im just an engineer :D
King of the Hill =).Quote:
Originally posted by Jorj
[B]Defending the captured ones for a length of time.
[B]
We could do a combination... crusade game style, with a King of the Hill objective, or Destroy Religious structure objective, etc.
Z.
'Ey, youre gonna be playing to do tests, you youd better be sure its a game that you want to play =).Quote:
Originally posted by PsyVision
Im not into playing games too much so ill stick out of the how the game itself should be and leave it to the professionals, im just an engineer :D
Z.
heh, i play some games, and this is one im going to definatly play!!!!!
Call to anyone, i lost my code line counter for VB a while ago when i got my new pc, anyone know where i can get one for free from ?
Code line counter? Hmm, maybe on PSC?
Got one ;)
A holy crusade :DQuote:
Originally posted by Zaei
King of the Hill =).
We could do a combination... crusade game style,... with a Destroy Religious structure objective...
Z.
=)
Z.
I have changed the directory dialog to one that comes built into Windows, much better and cleaner looking.
I have changed the final dialog around a bit and have it creating a shortcut on the start menu.
I gotta make an uninstall app next.
Awsome =).
Z.
There is, as earlier discussed, a lot of options.
If we had an Empire, a Feudalism-Monarchy, one King/Emperor, people suffers from evil king-standard type of setting. We could follow the evolution from beginning to end of the great middle age revolution. This is just an example from my side, of course.
BUT!
Whenever we make the story BE SURE to have a small-time setting at first, so that players think they get a grip of what's going on. THEN, bit by bit, in small portions, we reveal the rest of the story, the greater destiny awaiting them all. You see what I mean?
Play Final Fantasy 7. After 7-10 hours, you'll get what I mean :P
After 15 more hours, you'll get me again...
Nevertheless. In two hours, I'm leaving for Prague and won't be back until next week. Be sure not to make the story without me, ok? Cya.
Umm so what exactly is it that you guys are making?? It appears to be a RTS .. but which is period is still unclear.
Have you actually made the game yet?? When I saw "meat of the game"... surely this would have been the place to start first??
Pc_Madness: As im only a coder im not too sure on details as to the time period.
For "meat of the game" Zaei, i think, meant in coding stages. Weve known for a long timw how we want this game to be and now were needing to finalise it so it can be coded.
What we're basically done right now is got a very nearly complete game engine. Soon we can create the mod for the base game, which is what is meant by the meat of the game. And yes, it is a real-time strategy game. And by not developing the aformentioned "meat of the game" before the engine, it gave us time to think, add, brainstorm, edit, remove, and tweak all of the info into a much better game.
I hated FF7, but I know what you mean =). It might be good to reveal the story in such a way as to allow the player to realize what is going on fairly early, but then give it twists at various points.
But that is later, for the single player. For now, we need to focus on the multiplayer =).
Z.