A Land Far Away

I figure the best way to help now is to document everything and put together the manual. It makes sense for me to (although cipher will ultimately decide) given I don't have the technical foo most of you have, and it means that when it comes time to test, I know for sure that everything has been covered.

This is something I've thrown together to keep track what we're doing. I only started today, so don't expect to see anything thorough. It's necessarily a work in progress, serving both as tracking device and as a layered manual writing exercise.

Let me know what you think. I can output the data into a Windows Help File, or PDF. Personally I think the web output is best, and that's what I've used for now.

LATEST VERSION
http://www.thesavagefrontier.net/Uploads/DMC003/

I think that's terrific Indio! I was hoping we'd have an ALFA wiki sooner rather than later with which we'd organize and tie everything together (similar to the DLA ccg), but I've seen neither hair nor hide from Haltoc and not a word more about the wiki he proposed when he took over.

So, as we finalize our base mod documentation, your "compendium" looks like a great format to store it all in. We can then archive the base mod forum stickies to clear the clutter for each phase. Hopefully, we can migrate the end result onsite once Haltoc can weigh in. Having it all organized will be a big boon whatever direction we eventually choose to go with it.

Excellent.

EDIT

This is an update incorporating the contents of Basemod - Contents.

It does not yet include Basemod - Technical, a major part.

I could use some advice on the layout at this stage. All I've done is pasted what appeared to be the consensus post from respective threads into the applicable category. Obviously it could be formatted to high heaven. Before I tackle the next installment (and rework the existing), some functionality review would be helpful.

This looks great indio.
Far easier to gather the info now than try and piece it together afterwards.

Don

Thanks Don. I appreciate that very much.

Doh! I just realized the links are different (the link in your main post isn't the same as the one further down), so here I've been scratching my head wondering what's changed...

Anyway, I agree with Donrath, though belatedly. It looks great and is FAR FAR easier to wade through than any forum would ever be.

Looking forward to the next installment.

P.S. I think the formatting is fine.

SEE FIRST POST

The link has changed, again

On your note in the script naming conventions, I resolved the prefix issue by just adding a "Var Prefix :" label in the header (see conventions thread). Seemed like the most practical way to get it in there. Works for everyone? We should explain how it's formulated as well.

One thing I think we should elaborate on are the actual subtypes. That's a finite list we would do well to explain clearly.

Not sure what else changed besides that. Layout looks promising.

Gotcha.

The bulk of the work needs to be done to the doc. As it stands, I've simply dumped and formatted locked thread summaries into it. I'll begin tackling fleshing each category out and begin working with you on how the categories and subcategories can be better worked.

I'll offer as much up front direction as I can but let me know if there is any specific guidance you require. I presume the content will be going into the Technical section. Organizationally, we should leverage the high level diagram you put together (remember that ol' thing? ), which was the basis for the repository as well.

So:

1. Core Systems

• Architecture & General Systems
  Movement & Encumbrance
  Drugs, Curses, and Sickness
  Environment & Weather
  Diminishing Returns
  Pick Pocketing
  Loot Notification
  Resurrection
  Death
  Healing (Herbs, Medicines, Potions)
  Knockout and Nonlethal Damage
  No Stack
  Portaling
  Resting
  Bleeding
  NPC/Mob AI
  Omega Wand & Emote Ball
  Spawns, Patrols, & Encounters

2. Game Systems

• Travel System
  Moveable Placeables
  Shops & Merchants
  Animal Empathy & Handling
  Reputation, Quest, & Rumor System
  Weapon Breakage & Armor Damage
  Special Materials

3. General Scripts

• Chests
  Conversations
  Doors

I think we'll likely move things around between core and game systems until we're satisfied with what goes where. It's a minor matter at this stage really.

Thanks.

"Organizationally, we should leverage the high level diagram you put together"

What does leverage mean in this context? Sounds like fun.

It means use it as a guide. I referred to ACR content as "core systems" and global scripts as "general scripts". Everything in the BM is global but the collection of scripts that do not fit into core or game systems seemed suitably characterized as "general". Minor revisions to what's in your diagram in any case.

FYI, I believe the process forward is to put forth the compilation of features we have thus far, get some guidance from Admin as to priority or cutbacks (given recent Obsidian announcements), and then delegate the work accordingly. I realize some people are already working on things on the list or off it as that's what they want to do and how they wish to spend their time. I would nevertheless like to see that work integrated into the base mod when ready, but it will still be subject to review and standards which I suspect is already expected.

It would be ideal if such behind-the-scenes works already conformed to our stated standards and even better if they were stored in our global repository while in progress. That would ensure the work is never lost and could be built upon if abandoned by the author.

*nudge*

Any progress, Indio?

I posted the update on Apr 24 with a new link