Steph's next great project announcement

[Mirc]

Keroro, how can your post be ignored, when it's #1000?


Steph, I can:

- do static files (both 2D and 3D-like static files)
- I'm probably am able to make units (never got the time to finish one)
- I can program. Unfortunately, I'm afraid I might not know the language that you use, but after all I have been to the national Olympiad of programming (made it through the 4 rounds), am working with my father at his future software company, and I learned a new language of programming in about 40 days
- I have lots of ideas, for concepts and improvements. Actually, before Civ4 came out, I made tens of posts with my ideas, of which some were actually incorporated (though I'm sure they didn't take them from my posts)
- I have a somewhat good knowledge of history
- I would like to help.

Is there anything I can help you with?

 

[Synobun]

I'm gonna stupidly post at the bottom of this page, so that no-one ever sees my post.

Although Civ 4 looks like it has plenty of modding potential, it also seems like you have to put a hell of a lot of effort in before you get anything done. Unless the process can be simplified (which appears unlikely due to the relative complexity of the engine compared to Civ 3) I'll stick with Civ 3, and hopefully Steph's new project when it's ready. Really, there are only a few things that Civ 3 don't do that I would like it to do, like events and more flexibility in the editor, and it looks like Steph is attempting to remedy these shortcomings.

I was waiting for someone to mention about this subject, and now that someone has, I can say something.

Will the editor in this game be as easy to use as Civ 3's? So we don't have to do a whole bunch of random codes to get anything done (Quote above)

 

[Mirc]

Actually, though I might be wrong, from what I've seen, it's going to be easier to use.

 

[Synobun]

Actually, though I might be wrong, from what I've seen, it's going to be easier to use.

Yay!

(TEN CHARACTERS)

 

[Steph]

I'm gonna stupidly post at the bottom of this page, so that no-one ever sees my post.

Although Civ 4 looks like it has plenty of modding potential, it also seems like you have to put a hell of a lot of effort in before you get anything done. Unless the process can be simplified (which appears unlikely due to the relative complexity of the engine compared to Civ 3) I'll stick with Civ 3, and hopefully Steph's new project when it's ready. Really, there are only a few things that Civ 3 don't do that I would like it to do, like events and more flexibility in the editor, and it looks like Steph is attempting to remedy these shortcomings.

There, now it is at the top of the page...

I haven't really tried to mod CIV, but I'm not sure it is very user friendly.

For instance, with Civ3, when you make a spelling mistake, the game exits at the first error, with a "nice message".

With CIV, I tried to rename a folder for a leaderhead, and start CIV.

The game crashed with a Windows XP message that gives no clue about the error!!!

First, it's easy to make spelling mistake, second they are handled poorly.

In SSS, if you have mistakes, they are clearly listed in an ErrorLog, and can be review all at once, so it's easier to correct.

Here is a screen shot of the "UnitEffects editor". A UnitEffects file is similar to Civ3 .ini.

If a file is missing, instead of crashing, it is listed in red (like the default animation here). So you just right click on the list, select "change animation file path", and select it graphically --> no spelling mistake.

Beside, if you select the line, in the preview at the bottom left, it will not crash, it will just display nothing.

SSS is build on powerfull and user friendly editors, because I have in mind possible modders who want to be able to change almost everything easily, wants to be assisted in their work.

You don't need to learn XML, or Python, or something difficult.

It's the same for unit animation. An editor is included to create them, or convert them from FLC, or even a few other games.

 

[Steph]

Keroro, how can your post be ignored, when it's #1000?

Steph, I can:

- do static files (both 2D and 3D-like static files)
- I'm probably am able to make units (never got the time to finish one)
- I can program. Unfortunately, I'm afraid I might not know the language that you use, but after all I have been to the national Olympiad of programming (made it through the 4 rounds), am working with my father at his future software company, and I learned a new language of programming in about 40 days
- I have lots of ideas, for concepts and improvements. Actually, before Civ4 came out, I made tens of posts with my ideas, of which some were actually incorporated (though I'm sure they didn't take them from my posts)
- I have a somewhat good knowledge of history
- I would like to help.

Is there anything I can help you with?

Thanks for the offer, it is better to present it that way so we know what you can do.

What we need:
- Maps graphics: Bhiita is working on it, but there's a lot to do, so additional help could be welcomed. Contact Bhiita if you are interested.
- Icons could be nice: currently, I'm using Windows default icons (for instance the small disk to save). Specific icons may be nicer.
- Units are not needed yet, as we can borrow animation from Civ3 that's potentially hundreds or thousands or unit.
- What programming language do you know? We could need some help on "independant tools". Like for instance a random map generator.

Anyway, if someones wants to apply, use my MSN stephane.f.david@free.fr

 

[Steph]

Will the editor in this game be as easy to use as Civ 3's? So we don't have to do a whole bunch of random codes to get anything done (Quote above)

It should be a lot easier to use, although there will be much more options, so it will be more complex.

I'm working on a polished version of the unit editor. I think I'll post screenshots on the website in a week or so.

You'll see.

 

[Synobun]

That is great news that the editor will be easy to use.

As for the icons you need, what do you mean by that? (I've got some Photoshop Skills.)

 

[Mirc]

Thanks for the offer, it is better to present it that way so we know what you can do.

What we need:
- Maps graphics: Bhiita is working on it, but there's a lot to do, so additional help could be welcomed. Contact Bhiita if you are interested.
- Icons could be nice: currently, I'm using Windows default icons (for instance the small disk to save). Specific icons may be nicer.
- Units are not needed yet, as we can borrow animation from Civ3 that's potentially hundreds or thousands or unit.
- What programming language do you know? We could need some help on "independant tools". Like for instance a random map generator.

Anyway, if someones wants to apply, use my MSN stephane.f.david@free.fr

- Hey I could help with map graphics! I actually started work on a terrain pack (but gave up when I discovered there are other ones out there and there was no need to work so much when I could just download a different one)

- Icons? I think I could help with that too, I'm not sure either if I fully understand what you mean by that, but I know Photoshop pretty good (I can show you some of my sigs or graphics if you want )

- Great, I was anyway not sure if I could do that

- I know C and and 2 other pretty much dead languages of programming, that's without counting the Internet programming stuff which doesn't matter in this case. I can learn this quickly though, it's just the syntax and specific of the language that I have to learn (if you need some other language, which is very likely actually), I know very well how to do the programming in general (well, I think so, at least ).
I'm not exactly sure of this, but I think a random map generator could be done pretty easily... (I think I could, I don't really see much trouble in this, but maybe there are other "details" that make it very complicated )


I'm on Yahoo, but if you have the latest version of MSN I can add you. Should I?

 

[Steph]

- Hey I could help with map graphics! I actually started work on a terrain pack (but gave up when I discovered there are other ones out there and there was no need to work so much when I could just download a different one)

Maps graphics are not so easy, as they are plan to go a LARGE step ahead of Civ3 or CIV, it's a lot of work. Try to coordinate with Bhiita about that.

- Icons? I think I could help with that too, I'm not sure either if I fully understand what you mean by that, but I know Photoshop pretty good (I can show you some of my sigs or graphics if you want )

Contact me on MSN.

- I know C and and 2 other pretty much dead languages of programming, that's without counting the Internet programming stuff which doesn't matter in this case. I can learn this quickly though, it's just the syntax and specific of the language that I have to learn (if you need some other language, which is very likely actually), I know very well how to do the programming in general (well, I think so, at least ).
I'm not exactly sure of this, but I think a random map generator could be
done pretty easily... (I think I could, I don't really see much trouble in this, but maybe there are other "details" that make it very complicated )

Do you know object orienting programming?
You can try a bit of random map generation. It's not very complicated. Well, not extra simple either, but still doable. However, it will probably require trial and error to make it right.

I'm on Yahoo, but if you have the latest version of MSN I can add you. Should I?

Should you?

 

[Synobun]

OT: Mirc, what is your MSN?

On Topic: I've added you Steph, as you've noticed.

 

[Mirc]

Maps graphics are not so easy, as they are plan to go a LARGE step ahead of Civ3 or CIV, it's a lot of work. Try to coordinate with Bhiita about that.

OK, I'll contact him. (I can't wait to see what it's about)

Contact me on MSN.

Adding you now...

Do you know object orienting programming?

I do (actually I like it much more...) but again I'm afraid I might know some stuff that is not useful to you (or not know some stuff that is useful) I would certainly love to say "I do, I know a lot about it", but I'm afraid I might find myself in an embarrassing situation of not even knowing what you're talking about. I don't actually think this will happen, but I shouldn't make statements like that unless I have a strong basis.
Thing is, I know exactly what object-oriented programming is, and I did some stuff, but I'm afraid I won't be experienced enough, that's why I said this. I'm pretty sure I do know the basis...

You can try a bit of random map generation. It's not very complicated. Well, not extra simple either, but still doable. However, it will probably require trial and error to make it right.

OK. First, of course, I'm going to need some details, because from what I've seen in the file you gave me on that Civ3 Animated Terrain forum, I think it's going to be more complicated than civ (with the layers & other stuff).

Should you?

Should I?

Spoiler :

Yeah, I should.

 

[Synobun]

Will this game be a retail or freeware game?

 

[Steph]

Depends of what we can actually achieve.

 

[Synobun]

So by estimation of the quality you have already, will it be freeware or retail?

 

[Kyriakos]

I think that it would be a better plan to make it freeware, but with built in ads. This way it can become more popular easily, while you can still get some ca$h out of it
Of course if you can contact french software houses and sell it to them, it would obviously be even better

 

[Synobun]

I think that it would be a better plan to make it freeware, but with built in ads. This way it can become more popular easily, while you can still get some ca$h out of it
Of course if you can contact french software houses and sell it to them, it would obviously be even better

Hmm, if it went retail, North American and other continents wouldn't be able to get it, unless Steph made enough copies to go world wide....

 

[Steph]

Hmm, if it went retail, North American and other continents wouldn't be able to get it, unless Steph made enough copies to go world wide....

I don't see why

 

[Synobun]

I don't see why

Doesn't it cost loads of money to get it global sold?

 

[Steph]

Not via internet. Make download version
Or sell it to an editor.