[ian-reeds-games] Re: where to start
- From: "Allan Thompson" <allan1.thompson@xxxxxxx>
- To: <ian-reeds-games@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Tue, 19 Feb 2013 13:09:35 -0500
Hi Richard,
I am intrigued! I can't wait to see what you made!
Ok, I think what you mean is that you want a unit or structure to wait a
certain number of rounds before useing a certain skill.
A terrain by itself cannot do this, but the unit'/structure can.
I guess the best way to explain this is thru a few examples.
The first will be something that already exists.
If you look at the zombie map, at the zombie unit file, you will notice the
hunger_max=5.
Hunger is actually a timer point. It ensures that the zombie doesn't use bite
every time it attacks, but only once every five rounds.
In this case, the zombie starts with the full hunger. If you look at the bite
skill file, you will see that the hunger_cost=5 flag, and so what happens is
that the zombie will use the bite skill, then will wait five rounds before it
could use it again. I think the bite skill also has a ai_curse flag to make the
zombie attack with the bite the first chance it gets.
To make sure the zombie gets that hunger back after useing it, I put
hunger_start_turn_restore=1 in the default unit flag file so that it would
regenerate that point.
Now, it sounds like you want to have the unit/structure not start out with a
full "timer point".
That is easy. You would just use the point_current=X flag. Point being what
you use for a timer, X being the number of rounds you wanted it to wait till it
till it could be used again.
So for the zombie example, if I used all three flags in the file, it would
look like this:
hunger_max=5
hunger_current=0
hunger_start_turn_restore=1
With the skill that you want to go off, you will want to put in an ai_flag to
make it so the computer knows what to do. ai_attack or ai_curse works, and in
your description, it would be ai_tile_curse. I think the guide says that it
will cast the skill on a tile where enemy units are, so that might not
completely work, if you just want it to affect a certain tile with noone on it.
Then again, I would test it anyway, just to see what happens.
Other then useing the start and end restore flags for timers, I don't really
know how else to force the computer/evil unit to act at any given time during a
turn.
If you wanted the unit/structure to go first, you can actually put into the
map file, or the default map file if you want this to effect every map in the
map pack, the player_team= flag. So a player could have team 2 and actually
move their units after the computer takes it's turn.
Also, if the unit/structure is is the computer, you might want to winnow down
it's skills to what is essential. Alot of times, a computer controlled ai unit
will still not quite do exactly what you want, so narrowing it's choices helps
it to act appropriately to the situation. I have that problem with my starship
map. The enemy computer ships like to use the secondary phaser weapons, over
the much more damaging primary weapons like photons and disruptors.
If a specific tile is absolutely the way it has to be, and if the unit is
the computer controlled antagonist, then what might help is to stick a useless
unit/structure on the tile. When the skill for the evil unit becomes ready, it
will see the worthless unit/strcture and attack it witht he skill, as long as
it is in range, and is considered weaker then other potential targets. The ai
goes for the weaker units if it can,
I don't know if any of that helped, but hopefully it will give you some ideas.
al
"The truth will set you free"
Jesus Christ of Nazareth 33A.D.
----- Original Message -----
From: Richard Claridge
To: ian-reeds-games@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Sent: Tuesday, February 19, 2013 6:04 AM
Subject: [ian-reeds-games] Re: where to start
Hi Al.
That was extremely helpful, thanks.
I'm a good way into my first map pack now,, I've created all my units,
skills etc, and am just about to test everything out on a test map.
Then it'll be creating the proper maps, testing everything through and
I'll be done and ready to share it.
I just have one question, for now anyway lol. Is there a way to have
an effect that causes damage after a certain number of turns rather
than at the beginning and end of every turn. Like having a skill that
has the effect of putting a timer on a tile so the effect occurs after
x turns?
I hope that makes sense.
Thanks Al and everyone else.
Richard
On 2/17/13, Allan Thompson <allan1.thompson@xxxxxxx> wrote:
> Hi Richard,
> No problem and no worries. This is exactly the reason for a list int he
> first place.
>
> I think you should go to the user guide and follow the step by step
> instructions instructions on how to copy and rename the getting started map
> pack folder so you can do testing and experimentations without worrying
> about messing up a map pack that works.
> I did that myself and it was of incredibly huge value to me to be able to do
> that.
>
> units and structures are essentially the same thing. The only diffrences
> really, are that units are have seperate hot key scycle thru buttons then
> structures, and that structures are there to represent those objects that
> exist, but do not have a team that needs to take a turn and are , for the
> most part, inanimate.
> On the zombie map, for instance, the doors, and big window to the left side
> of the house are structures. So are the walls int eh shed and the fence bits
> that are destroyed by the zombies. As you play thru the map, you notice that
> the doors can do nothing without the interaction of a unit, and some are
> just "pretending" to be terrain. Terrain does not hold points, so they are
> not easily manipulated as a structure can be.
> Not alls tructures are inanimate objects. They can also represent a type of
> object that can produce units like spawn points. Or can be used for
> representing giagantic objects that don't get involved with other units in a
> combat oriented fashion. For example Craig's command and conquer map has the
> construction structure which can build other structures around it, which can
> also produce units. The structures do not fight themselves, but are able to
> be destroyed, so they are structures.
> For example, using star wars as an example...
> A jedi knight would be a unit, an x wing fighter can be a unit, the death
> starshuld probably be a structure. A door that blocks the units from going
> thru it should be a structure, if you want the player to get thru the door
> in some way involveing destroying it thru attacks of some sort. r2d2 should
> be a unit, as would a battledroid. Jabba the hutt I would make a structure
> since he isn't a fighter, doesn't do much of anything but lay there. See how
> that works? I hope that helps you .
>
> Skills and points are diffrent in that skills use points to perform an
> action or ability..
>
> Points in and of themselves do not do anything, except when their values are
> at zero, which a certain flag allows them to perform an effect. An example
> of that is the point file labeled health. It will have a at_zero=death
> flag.
>
> Skills are actual powers and abilities of a unit. Points are really just
> containers that hold a number value.
> Points are always found int he flag line of the object. A flag gives
> points, takes points away, holds a points current value, and are used for
> allowing a unit to perform skills.
> Some points are restored every turn, while some are static. It all depends
> ont he flags that manipulate points that you put into a unit's flag line, or
> what flags you put in the default unit flag text file.
>
> The default unit flag text file, includeing the structure and map default
> files hold flags that are used by all the objects within the folder it
> represents.
> So if you put in actions_max=20 into the default unit flags file, all units
> will now have that flag in it. It won't be in the individual units, but it
> will none the less be there in game.
> These are great to have cause alot of the same stuff everything uses can be
> placed in it and it would cover the entire folder. Flags that restore or
> inflict point values can also be placed within. Any flag would work in it. I
> sometimes wish there was a default unit skills text file sometimes, lol.
>
> Anyway, I hope all that helps. I don't know if I explained very well what
> information you are looking for.
>
> After you play around with the copy of the getting started maps, you can
> start to build your own. I did mine from the copy itself, but then, I
> decided to build them from scratch. I did that so that I could become more
> familiar with everything, which would help me to trouble shoot. I also made
> a lot of stupid mistakes but hey, I had to do that to get proficient.
>
> When you are ready to build your own map pack, remember that you need at
> least onedamage type as the default. You need at least two or three diffrent
> points int he points folder, and you will need at least one map file. Skills
> you will need are movement and one type of atttack, and at least one unit
> which you can flip teams on int he e map editor.
>
> Everyone builds their maps diffrently. I like to think about the points I
> am going to use, then jump to units and skills. Others map out the entire
> thing before working on anything else. Some work on units first, or sounds
> even. It is all good, however it works for you, is just fine.
>
> Do you know what your first map will be? I am really interested. Also, I
> would recommend checking out all the maps with the latest dev version of the
> game to see what the broad possiblities of this fantastic game. I really
> like star wars, and tomb robbers, while Kingdom of war is the trail blazer
> map pack that was a real source of inspiration and enjoyment. Austen does a
> really good job of balance, especially the first map of the series.
>
> Also one more thing. When you make your map pack, you might want to decide
> on how the units use actions/movement. The standard way is to have actions
> do both. I seperate actions and movement so that they are independant of
> each other. Either way is valid and just fine, but knowing how you will do
> that will affect everything else you make, since the classic method will
> require more points for actions since it can be used for two diffrent
> foundational skills. Seperating them uses less points, but if you plan on
> making skills that affect movement and actions in a positive or negative
> way, putting more points in and then adding or subtracting the cost might be
> useful. It all depends onwhat you like and what makes sense to you.
>
> Well, I hope that helps you out. I really am interested in what you want to
> make for a first map!
>
> al
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> "The truth will set you free"
> Jesus Christ of Nazareth 33A.D.
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: Richard Claridge
> To: ian-reeds-games
> Sent: Sunday, February 17, 2013 1:25 PM
> Subject: [ian-reeds-games] where to start
>
>
> Hi all.
> I love this game already, and have played through a few different
> peoples maps. I love One Shot Wonders although I've not finished it
> yet, so complex and detailed, I think its great. I also love the Star
> Wars one, as a big Star Wars fan I was wondering if you are going to
> add more to this as I think its absolutely awsome.
> What I was wondering is if anyone can give me advice on how to start
> on doing my own maps and game. What should I do first and what do I do
> if theres something that I can't work out how to do.
> Theres a lot of detail in the user guide but I am still getting
> confused with some of the bits, like what exactly points are and how
> they differ from skills. and the difference between units and
> structures. there are other things but I hope to work some of them out
> myself as thats half the fun. But really, where do I start?
> Any advice from you experts would be much appreciated.
> Thanks
> Richard
>
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