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The Betty Project
BattleTech On-Line
Created: 12Dec98
LastUpdated:14Jan99
[What is It]
[Who is Betty?]
[Current Status]
[Wish List]
[Back to BattleCalc
page] |
Although this project is still in the development
phase, I wanted to create a site where interested people could
come so see what's going on, what progress has been made, and
maybe provide some input.
What Is
It?
As a fan of both the BattleTech board game and the various BattleTech
PC-based games such as MechWarrior2 and MechWarrior: Mercenaries,
I eagerly awaited the release of a tactical level BattleTech
game for the PC. I wanted to play BattleTech on my PC and over
the internet against another person.
I hoped the new MechCommander game by FASA Interactive would
fit the bill. Although MechCommander is a good game on its own
merits, it didn't immerse the player in the BattleTech universe
the same way that the board game does. The chaos of playing a
real-time simulation on a PC (how fast can I click my mouse button?)
is so different from the tactical maneuvering that makes up such
a big part of the BattleTech turn-based board game.
Somewhere around the same time, I discovered IRC and #BattleForce.
Here was a little spot in cyberspace where BattleTech fans got
together to b.s., argue over rules, and <gasp> play BattleTech
over the internet through the use of ingenious bot programs.
More than once I stayed up until 5am playing a game over IRC.
One thing about playing over IRC, it really makes you realize
how slow a game of BattleTech can sometimes go. I recently wrote
a small utility called BattleCalc to help speed up to-hit roll
calculations (which also affect movement decisions) which is
available [here].
Anyway, I started thinking about how to build a BattleTech game
aid to automate the game phases, provide tools to help users
speed up decision making, and overall improve gameplay. Which
is how I came up with the Betty Project.
My idea is to create a set of tools and utilities to support
play of the turn-based BattleTech game on a PC over the internet.
The scope of the project has not been finalized and will probably
evolve over time. My ultimate aspiration would be to create something
of the magnitude accomplished by the VASL
team although we'll see how it goes. In the meantime, I'll
keep spitting out little utilities and slowly tie them together
into a single program.
Who Is Betty?
Betty (also known as Bitchin' Betty) is
the name given by pilots to the digitized cockpit voice that
provides them with information and instructions from the computer
while operating their aircraft (or mechs).
I gave the name Betty to the BattleTech
On-Line project because I hope for this to end up being similar
to a BattleTech combat computer in design and functionality.
In Battletech TR:2750, the SWF-606 Swift
aerospace fighter was equipped with a B-TT7i model master computer
which had been designated "Betty" or "Bouncing
Betty" by pilots. This computer was often disengaged by
pilots in flight because of the "nagging" they were
subjected to.
An article about a real-life Betty whose
voice is used in modern-day US military aircraft can be found
[here].
Current Status
OK...A lot of work has been done over the
last month. I scrapped the Microsoft Chat SDK for the initial
version in favor of a simple winsock client. Although this only
allows a simple peer-to-peer connection (no IRC support), it
was easier to build and maintain and will allow me to spend more
time working on the other components (instead of mucking around
with IRC protocols).
I have developed a satellite uplink (map
view) that will eventually be able to support any map (FASA or
custom). I have been working on the code for mech movement on
the map view and have worked it out for the most part, but it
still needs some refinement.
I am still working on the overall design.
I have been spending time considering the scope, what the interface
should look like, and what features are to be included in the
initial release. With the completion of BattleCalc3055, I will
have usable code for most of the combat calculations and will
be able to incorporate that into the design.
Once I finalize the interface, I'll get
some screenshots together so I can post them on this site.
Wish List
- Time to spend building this damn thing.
- Any VB experts lend occasional help or
support. Maybe one who knows the Winsock control (Is there any
way to gracefully close a winsock connection in VB6?) If so,
e-mail me.
- Graphic designers. As you can see from
this page, I am somewhat challenged in the graphics department.
Actually, I have been looking for some sprites to use to represent
mechs on the map. I figure they need to be top view, no more
than 30x30 pixels, and should be able to be displayed in different
colors and rotated to indicate hex facing.
- Some beta testers to shake things down
and provide feedback when I post new software. Thanks to those
who have volunteered thus far.
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