Screen Tests

Post by **Vice** » Tue Jul 20, 2010 11:34 pm

The universe data for Mercenary is kept internal/encrypted (common player request). However, an external modification option may become available at some point and if that happens, I suspect you would simply see a background of stars if no nebula data is present.

verbosity · Post by **verbosity** » Tue Jul 20, 2010 11:42 pm

Originally posted by Marvin
... do you find yourself in a void, empty of stars and AI and nebula and anything else you'd expect to find in otherwise defined space?

you'll find AI , and having been further than anyone else I know there can be some strange background effects too......

Post by **Marvin** » Tue Jul 20, 2010 11:44 pm

Originally posted by Vice

The universe data for Mercenary is kept internal/encrypted (common player request).

Guess I'm an uncommon player (I'll bet MM had something to do with this). Well, that cuts my bulk order by one (no need to run the game on one machine while modding on another if I can't mod it anyway ... which, additionally, cuts down on the number of computers I'll need to have built). So, every cloud has a silver lining, I guess.

Anyway, put me down for a copy of the "external modification option" when it becomes available.

warsign · Post by **warsign** » Wed Jul 21, 2010 11:50 am

I never see a custom universe mod about 2 years... Any custom universe mod around?

verbosity · Post by **verbosity** » Wed Jul 21, 2010 11:54 am

Originally posted by warsign
I never see a custom universe mod about 2 years... Any custom universe mod around?

My custom universe mods are near fully functional, the dynamic server is rigged to work via a web UI ( it was originally intended to work using a launcher, but that was never developed ), and is available to any server operator who wishes to use it. I also have a small test universe that includes an orbital mechanics system, but it wasn't built beyond the sapphire system since it was never tested.

Post by **Marvin** » Wed Jul 21, 2010 4:22 pm

Originally posted by warsign

I never see a custom universe mod about 2 years... Any custom universe mod around?

Mine was nearly finished but, while testing some of the star systems located at the far edges of my galaxy, I continued to get some odd results. I could "fix" things by deleting areas of space that were even further away ... but it finally got to the point where I had to delete some of the systems needed to play the scenario.

I can understand the decision to compile the Mercenary universe data file. It was far too easy to "discover" all the hidden objects and planets in Legends without ever actually exploring the game's universe. But I will continue to hold out hope you'll eventually be able to mod the Mercenary universe in the same fashion you mod ships ... by inserting a folder that overrides the default universe. That way, hidden thingys in the default game stay hidden without depriving Asimov of his Foundation.

'Till then, I think I'll work up a Pilot's Checklist for Mercenary. With all the added options, I figure one might be necessary. Leastwise, for those of us who suffer Yoda moments.

verbosity · Post by **verbosity** » Wed Jul 21, 2010 4:45 pm

@marvin:
there is a good chance that I'll be hosting MM's replacement once mercs goes live ( depending on certain hardware needs I have ). Once the membership declines I'm going to host my dynamic server again, and I'd love to use your universe as a starting point if thats cool...........

Post by **Vice** » Wed Jul 21, 2010 4:47 pm

I'll implement a custom universe option for the release build. I'll need to provide some individual coaching on it though as a lot of things are different with this game. Sending you some info via u2u.

Post by **Marvin** » Wed Jul 21, 2010 5:03 pm

Verb, I'll package the current version of what I have and add a readme to explain what it was I was attempting to complete. We can then decide if it's do-able and, if so, what changes need to be made.

Vice, I'll read the U2U and probably reply via email ... seems somebody once told me you prefer to correspond that way. Unless you'd rather keep it in PM form.

verbosity · Post by **verbosity** » Wed Jul 21, 2010 5:11 pm

@marvin : thanks , I know the foundation universe rather well as well as the data format for the games universe so I could probably help sort any issues you may have.

@vice: could you send me details too please? I'll probably never do anything with it, but you know how much I like toying around with this stuff.

Post by **Vice** » Wed Jul 21, 2010 5:16 pm

E-mail would indeed be best, it's kind of my internal checklist for getting things done

Yes Verb, once I put together some sample stuff, I'll send it out to both of you.

Post by **Marvin** » Wed Jul 21, 2010 7:40 pm

Okay, nearly done packaging the EL mod. Turns out I slacked off on completing the FAQ ... so it's taking some time to finish it up (even though most of it is old hat to Verb). The package will probably need to be zipped into two parts (because of the bitmaps ... maybe even three parts).

It'll be done some time today, that's for sure. Ergo, that Agate asteroid will need to be explored at a later date.

Maarschalk · Post by **Maarschalk** » Wed Jul 21, 2010 9:17 pm

Wow, some nice developmental cooperation going on here....very cool....