| Q & A 181-190 |
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| Q & A 181-190 |
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| This Page was last updated on: Monday, April 07, 2003 07:26 PM |
| The Questions & Answers on this page are locked. |
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  ( Shadow )Q181: GEEZ! I am REALLY embarrased! The way you explain it, it sounds like a city has to be real big! But I don't have space for a city that huge. There are not enough maps. I've already used up all the rooms in map #4. Also, my game is going to be a reasonale size, but inside a dungeon for a week sounds huge! I don't know if I could even fit that much in all the maps. Anyway, I've just made an absolute stuff up or else I took it all in the wrong way. About Storyboards, I don't put them in every standard gaming hour like you advice, I just pu them in everytime something special happenes. (Like get the airship, etc.). (A) Can you tell me how to send you my work so far, like you suggested? (B) Hello Topaz. Please tell me if you recieved my e-mail and if I attached my WRX file properly. If not, I will do it again, and add the word "Scenario" in the subject. I've only got one question right now. (C) I know you can use switches to turn a sprite on and off, and up until now I've had to keep putting a sprite in in a different place where the same sprite was last time for him/her to say something different. Is there a way to make them say something different without moving them? In some ways, moving them is better because it's not like someone sits on a chair all day playing a piano. It would get REALLY irritating! Thanks Topaz. Or do you want me to call you David? (Call me  in
the Q & A) |
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 (  Topaz )A181: Greets Shadow: Your games are your own.  You are welcome
to make them any way you like, and cities don't need to
be so big, it's the Sprites and NPCs that make up a good RPG. Those can be big, up
to 99 pages to be precise.Now you don't need to go all out and do that kind of work where that one NPC has a different message and status all through the quest for every single person they talk to, but it is nice to come across one or two that give you pointers on where you should be and what you should be doing if you get sidetracked. Use the Storyboards as you like. I'll try to provide more every month so you have a good selection. (A) To answer your question, to send me a world, read the following below and then click HERE to act upon it: |
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| If you haven't
Authored your world file yet, that is, you have not
written in it who wrote it or how to reach you if they
have any questions about it, do the following: Bring up  with your world file, then hit  and select World, hit  ,select Author Project and , and then fill
in the information saying what your name is, your Email
address, and/or if you have a website you'd like others
to know about.Your world file will always be your own Shadow. No-one can take it from you and you reserve all the rights to copyright your own work. Once you have Authored your project you are ready to close it for transport over the internet. hit and select Goodbye.Then select Yes - Compress and Close. Press to save as your default filename,
press 
followed by to answer the next question of File Already Exists -
Okay To Overwrite ?It will say Closing This World File .. and be busy for a bit . When you get the Complete ! will shutdown
and you are ready to PKZIP it !Have you used Winzip before ? If so, just bring it up, select the directory \Worlds\ where your world file exists, and PKZIP that single .WRX file into a PKZIP. From there, click on the HERE listed in the prior message panel above and write me a message briefly describing your world file so I have a rough idea of what it is about. Use Binary Attachment or, if you are not certain what this is, have your parents help you make use of it. You are just Binary Attaching that single PKZIP file to your message so it will arrive in the mail to me. If I like what you did (and I should from all the questions you've asked recently!  ) with your permission
I'll beam it up to the Download Station so
everyone can get a chance to play in your world creation
and give you a bit of recognition for your fine work as
well.(B) Have not received your world.. Unless you're using a Spambot for an Emailer, it should arrive safely. If you are still uncertain on how to binary attach a file to your Email, as mentioned, check with your parents or someone who is net savvy and has done it before. (C)   There are actually 2 ways to have a Sprite say more then just one line of text. The easiest way is to use the lock  followed by
a  and
then a 
that tells that you want to TERMINATE on this
page once the text and commands have been displayed and
done.In this, the says that the next page to RUN will be the
one just after this one, and of course the says that
you want to end on this page. If you didn't have the it would
automatically run into the next page which IS
desireable if they said a very long intro text and you
just want them to repeat the last line they spoke.This is a very good and complicated question you asked so download the new Answers world by clicking HERE and talk to ALL of the Sprites in that room to see how to do interesting and varied effects like this. Go to the second map at position 01:16/31. Good question Shadow ! Thanks ! Hope This
Helps ! |
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  ( Sayanoran Avon )Q182: Regarding Q178: Senerao came up on my sister's computer [intro screen], then froze the whole system. She had plenty of memory and everything. Other than that she got the "Blue Screen of Death". We got it uninstalled and tried again. The "Black Screen of Death" came up and crashed the system. I've tried to poke about her computer to make it run [even tampering with your program], but it's no use. (A) If you do have a version of Sceneraio for Windows 3x lying around,can you put it up in the Download Station? (She keeps asking me!!!) In closing, you should have labeld that version 'Works on Win 95 on up' or something similar. (B) How do I make an introduction screen for my world? (I've looked at "Suzi's Quest" for answers and came up empty.) Also, I've found no clue on how to make them in the help file (unless my vision's going bad.) |
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| ( Topaz ) A182: Greets Spinner: (A) Now this may help, bring up the configuration filed called:"SCENARIO.CFG" and change these two items: music=1 change to music=0 sndfx=1 change to sndfx=0 I do see that I my new sound effect player is not looking for this variable so it will play sound effects irregardless, I am fixing the code on this NOW. This change will be available with next update. Then re-run and see if it works then.It was designed to run on a computer operating at least at 400mhz and some of the ways I am handling the media (music and sound), may not run on Windows 3.1. I know I remember saying that GFABasic is a Windows 3.1 programming language but I don't know if I outright said it will run in Windows 3.1. If so, I apologize for the confusion. It runs best in Windows 98. (B) Making a title screen is pretty easy to do. I took out the title screen in Suzi's Quest long ago since many people forgot about it and included it in their world creations even though it was not being seen. However, there are good details if you want to have a BLACK screen with text by clicking HERE. If you just want a full-screen bitmap 320x224 to appear, that's even easier. In the Sprite Messenger, type out: |
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    |
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| In this case, looks inside your \REALM\
directory for the bitmap named, "Logo" The screen doesn't need to be exactly 320x224 as the media driver will squish and compress it to fit exactly in the 320x224 area, but if it is already 320x224, it will look much better. Also be certain that you have a SPACE after the filename if you want to add other commands just past this. Hope This
Helps ! |
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 ( "Sam" Kwong
Hon )Q183: What language(s) did you use to create Scenario? Regards, Sam |
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| ( Topaz ) A183: Greets Sam: * English of course !  Actually, that's not entirely true.. * GFABasic is an all German Business programming language. German Files & Applications. Russell (also from Germany) introduced me to the language cause he saw I was trying to write Scenario in QBasic. He said I'm a helluva good programmer and would I leave QBasic ? Well the language itself was in German but with his help we got it all translated to English. One of my biggest complaints. ZERO support. I am (and still am) like the only game/graphic programmer for it. Everyone else in GFA uses it strictly for Business and making money. Since then, I paid $125 American currency converted to the German Deustche Marks to buy the Compiler. With it, I can compile true single .EXEs. Now GFA is no cucumber sandwich picnic. There is NOTHING inside it to do graphics just all on its own very easily. I chose GFA cause you get 3.7megs of variable space ! QBee only gave me 640k. I'm always writing drivers, libraries, and routines for everything I need (thoroughly despising Windows interface especially!) so Scenario was born in GFA 4.38 sometime last year. A very important person (and friend of mine) died a few months ago in GFA, Dale. . . . And since then, GFA Inc. has closed all of its doors to the American marketplace, removed GFA16 completely and is now going entirely with GFA32 (which is AWFUL cause you program in it just like C++).. Which I hate, and you can't program in it any other way. GFA16 was nice enough to allow you to program in it like BASIC. I'm not a very advanced programmer and all the neat GFX stuff you see I read and plot one pixel at a time or read a rectangle from one hidden screen to plot on the visible screen. GFA also allows you a bit more then 43,000 lines of source code. (I only found this out recently) And, since I'm just a bit over 12,000 lines of source code, I've gotta lotta space to go yet before Scenario needs to close up.  Hope This
Helps ! |
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| ( Shadow ) Q184: Hello Topaz. My goal of getting one of my questions into the answer world has finally been achieved! (You Betcha!) Anyway, instead of sending you my world RIGHT now I'm nearly finished, so I'll send it when I am finished. I have a few questions, Topaz. (A) When I send my world to you, boss combat will be avaliable in a few days time, so if I go back, upgrade my world and send it to you again, could you replace my old world with the new one? (B) My parents are not what you would call "Computer friendly" (no offence guys!) and my friend that is a computer wiz is always on the internet. I'm not bad on computers myself though (make my own websites) so could you briefely tell me how to binary attatch something, but don't go into every little detail, like zipping my world up in wizard, etc. Thanks Topaz. |
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| ( Topaz ) A184: Greets Shadow: DETAILS ON UPLOADING A WORLD FILE IN SECTION (B) BELOW Regarding you getting an Answer Room posted in the Answers World, that's fine. It was a good question and not an easy one to explain. Most RPGs can ask you a question but none to my knowledge actually remember which of the YES or NO you selected when you talk to them later, and that's an important strength of Sprite Messenger with Scenario. (A) It is always suggested. for you to send in the newest version of your world creation when you have made important changes in it, and you would like to update it from the prior one. Some Worldbuilders forget about their incomplete worlds so I have to nudge them a little like I plan on doing this month.  (B) If you still don't know how to do binary attachments, then hopefully this will be good information for you to carry not just to send me binary attachments but anyone else for that matter. And I used to do professional computer tutoring at $10/hour off college campus and on so be prepared to pay up at the end of this lecture !  If you are using YAHOO mail (which is an ONLINE mail) then you can click on the blue underlined text just below the [_] Use Signature Box. Follow the directions from there. If you are using a default mail program like, Outlook Express. And it will tell you the name of the mail program when you bring it up. Click on [F]ile, [N]ew --> [M]ail Message. From here, you can maximize the size of the window by doing the TIP listed all the way below this answer. In the TO input box put: dw817@myway.com For SUBJECT type in: * Scenario World Submission * For the body of the message, type in a brief description of it, whatever you would like to have appear to the right of the screenshot. If you include a .BMP or .GIF screenshot as part of the PKZIP I'll use that instead of selecting one of my own. When you have done that, click on the [I]nsert menu tab at the top of the message window you are writing in and select [F]ile Attachment. A Filebox will pop up and you are to select the PKZIPed .WRX file you have and optional screen-shot as also part of that PKZIPed file. When you have done this, and you can tell that a Binary Attachment is part of the message by looking just below the subject in the "Attach" field, you will see the name of the PKZIPed file you are attaching. Click on [F]ile, and Se[n]d Message. QUICK TIP for all Window users. If you don't want to click on the smal double-box at the top-right-hand corner of the screen or double-click on the Title Bar of a window, to maximize it, for most windows you can hold down the  key and hit  followed by  to MAXIMIZE
that window.Just another reason to love accessing Windows from your keyboard !  To save typing in the subject, you can click HERE and send it direct. Now if anyone else has any more questions about "How Do I Submit And/Or Binary Attach Files?" so help me I will take away ALL your Fruit Cup Dessert Priviledges from you for a week without so much as an Oreo cookie MINUS the creme filling !  To ensure this question is not asked again, I may copy out my answer listed above and include it direct on the Download Station page a few weeks from now. Hope This Helps ! |
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  ( Shadow )Q185: Hi Topaz, I'm changing my persona to a wolf or something. I'm sick of the abnormal creature I am (literally). (A) Apparently I did it right the first time I sent you my e-mail so will you please tell me if you recieved my world. Also, please don't think any less of my world for the music if it doesn't sound right; I haven't got sound blasters or anything that will give me sound. (Don't worry, I'll get headphones soon!) Thanks topaz. Hello Topaz. Only one querrie right now. (B) Where would I get scrolling storyboards from, like the picture of the dragon in your "answers" world? |
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| ( Topaz ) A185: Hi Shadow: Regarding being a new Persona, that's fine. I kept looking at that ugly getch and started thinking of that little goblin in Disney's "The Black Cauldron." Good to see you change.  (A) I have yet to see your world file. Did you follow the directions above ? They should work. I have received world files from several other people so it's not my mailbox. Try sending a binary attachment to one of your friends or have them send you one if you like. You could call on Chibiness as well since he did say that he would help new Worldbuilders in Q & A. (Hehehe..) (B) That dragon was a gift from F.I.A. (Thanks!), however, you can use just about any picture you want. I had forgotten that this month of Add-Ons will feature 10 *bonus* Dragon Storyboards as well.. However, here is one I have prepared for you to use as a scrolling Storyboard. Click HERE to download it. To make your own, ensure the picture is or make it so it is 352 pixels across with a step of 32 pixels down like 32, 64, 96, 128, etc. or as in the case with this picture, 448 pixels down, which does divide evenly by 32 pixels to make 14 vertical tiles. Paste it on the screen as an Alpha Object. It is generally a good idea to decrease the number of colors of any imported bitmap to 256 because if you do not, your picture filesize will be 5x - 6x bigger ! And save it without RLE compression for best later PKZIP compression. Note that the far left 16 pixels and far right 16 pixels will not be displayed. This is because the screen of is 320
x 224 where there are 10
tiles across.. Since we always want the player in the
middle, we have to shear off the far left and far right
tiles by 16 pixels.To make it a scrolling storyboard, start the player in the center horizontally of the picture making sure the player is Invisible either at the top or bottom and then it's a simple matter to scroll around with the camera vertically as you like it !  Hope This
Helps ! |
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  ( Wren Pheonix )Q186: Yo! Hiya Topaz old buddy! (Hiya, how are ya !) Okay, some questions and some psudo-questions/statements. (A) Have you ever thought about changing the way Suzi Quest works? By this I mean have it work normally in 'play' mode just like a normal RPG, and add it to your 'examples' world? This would mean Suzi would start off wanting to become a World Builder, and she would travel about, leaning things from "Build Masters", each one teaching her(and the player) everything, starting with building a simple switch bridge to a massive cut-scene. This would be a pretty large undertaking, and I would try it, but even I don't know all of the newer commands and never did get a firm grasp on the shadow command. You would probably have to use scrolling storyboards showing each step, along with text, for each thing a "build master" would show Suzi, and you would probably need to make a "build master" for each active command in Scenario, and suzi would just have to ask people where to find the next one, or the one she just learned from could direct her to the next one, who would have a working example of whatever it was nearby. (B) I got the currently available Scenario and used the merger program, and then ran Scenario. I am using a PIII 800mHz computer with 384 Megs of RAM, and it was VERY slow at full screen mode, and still slow with a smaller window. (When I would hit a direction, it would take about a half a second to move). Could you point me to where you showed us how to make all other programs suspend while Scenario is running? I also couldn't get it to use Rapid Rabbit Mode. (C) I read that in the next version, you will reinstitute boss stuff in edit mode. How far have you got to go before the bosses will work in test mode? (D) Can you make Alpha Objects using any jpg or bitmap picture? If so, are there set pixel sizes? (E) If Winnie the Pooh fell into a crockpot, and was cooked for several hours, would he then become Winnie the Stew? (F) How are you doing with the items that do stuff idea? (G) I hope you are having fun and relaxing a lot more since it is summer. (H) If you made venture for GBC, how would people import files? Also, wouldn't you need to come up with original art and music for everything? (Boy this is a lotta questions !)  (I) Have you given any thought to linking this site with a free online billboard/forum service? This way posts would be instantly submitted and possibly answered by people other than yourself, giving you a bit more free time instead of constantly answering old questions. (C:) I still enjoy reading through your site, using the older versions of Scenario, writing new RPG's with current Scenario, and looking at your monthly add-ons. I still am amazed at all that you have achieved by yourself, and again want to give you thanks for the countless hours of enjoyment you and your program have given me. Please continue to update and refine Scenario, until you feel that you can move on to the next project (hopefully when a "world builder" can produce a full game easily, with many opportunites for customization and individuality). |
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| ( Topaz ) A186: Hi Wren Pheonix, long time no see ! (A) I thought that was Keiko's quest ? I am beginning to see that even the opening map for SuziQ brought up in the editor is looking rather intimidating, but I don't really want to remove some of the neat things I've put in it. I propose this to any and all Worldbuilders. If you would like to make some very small quests (say no more then one map used) and is a neat RPG that has a game length like one hour and demonstrates some useful Sprite Messenger skills then by all means please write one or more ! I have not rejected one world submission to date and there is ample room (pointing to the readers) for you and your creations. If you are stuck on story ideas, here are just a few I can think up right now: 1. Invading Goblins are terrorizing your home city and have captured the King's daughter in trade for the throne. You are the King's (secret) adopted son and set out to rescue your sister. Sub-plots could include references to you being adopted and finding your original family. 2. It is the future, you are aboard a starship patrolling borders to ensure they are clear and receive a panicked SOS from a planet. You go to investigate to find no-one but horrible creatures attacking. Your job is to remove all of them, find where the people went, and somehow deter them from attacking again (brain work). Sub-plots could include the Federation attempting to use these aliens for military purposes. 3. Back in the Wild West, you have long since left your home city to return and find that it is under marshall law because of bandits. Your job is to find and capture (not eliminate) the bandits, recover the loot, and become a hero. This introduces the Pistol and rationnig bullets (not yet in use). Sub-plots include making up with the woman you left many years ago and to rekindle your love for her. 4. You fall asleep to enter a colorful weird world where nothing is normal, and what you think is the wrong answer is the right one (usually humorous ones). Combat is not the strong point in here as it is to do strange tasks and deeds for others to return to the Waking Door. Much brain work is required and combat is minimal. Sub-plots are the mini-quests. 5. It is the era of B.C. and dinosaurs rule the land. Your small tribe of human friends is getting attacked constantly by the growing mass of Tyranosaurus Rex. A strange storm you remember from many many years ago "brought fire from the sky" You go to seek out the highest land as the elder has taught you far from where you are to bring this "fire" back with you to help defend your tribe. Sub-plots include group conversations with your tribe on times of the future and some brainwork is needed to keep them alive. If this isn't enough further sub-plots could include you finding high technology (showing time is circular) and perhaps some ruined cities of the future. 6. You and Sissy, your best girlfriend always hang out after school. She has been teased when she was younger because of her name, and as such you have learned martial artists to protect her. You uncover a small-time drug ring operation and are blackmailed into leaving the city with your folks and family for return of Sissy so they can control your home district. You go out to seek the ring leader armed only with your martial arts and confidence. Sub-plots could include many references and examples showing why drugs are bad including the deterioration of people's lives and their terrible addiction for them. Yep, this is a street-safe and drug-smart educational RPG. It's never been written so now's your big chance ! 7. It is the aftermath of World War III. Because of your parents' quick thinking you and them are saved by creating and entering an underground bunker. The radiation has passed and now you climb the surface initially to find food and perhaps help some survivors. You find out about a plot to launch another (needless) nuclear attack a week from now not by humans but from malfunctioning computers and you use all of your resources to end this. Subplots include moving your family to safer territory (but you must find the shelter first), and to navigate mazes of rooms with broken bits of buildings and debris everywhere. 8. Having been trained in the ways of Ninja in Japan, you are your Master's best pupil. He lies on his deathbed and says that you have an evil twin brother that seeks to usurp Japan of its leaders and take it for him and his vagabonds. He gives you some rare items to assist you and your job is to find him, defeat him, and return Japan back to times of peace. Sub-plots could include an evil current ruler that appears to help initially but later is in cahoots with your evil brother. 9. You are a forest fairy and there is a great evil tree that grew years ago and is sending hordes of monsters into your fairy village. Equipped with your dazzling magic and special abilities, you seek out the "Rowanda" seed which is said to kill the root of any plant, including the evil tree. Sub-plots include very creative and detailed storylines along how this "evil tree" could be the tree of life and how fairies are FORBIDDEN to take any life under any circumstances. Later you could be tryed in a court for taking a critter's life and how you must defend yourself and the accusations placed against you. 10. You used to live in a time and society where magic was everywhere. It was used on the slightest whim for anything but somehow later (it is believed but not proven) that doing magic deteriorates the fabric of the universe and it becomes FORBIDDEN and a crime. You are Sasha, born to your family in the future. Everything is HI-TECH and for some strange reason you have learned how to do magic by yourself without education since such information is also forbidden. Two of your friends who you presumed merely moved to a new district were in fact captured by the government because they were thought to be using magic. Your job is to rescue them using your magic abilities. Sub-plots include secret truths about how the government is using these magic-users to further their own profits. There's 10 to get ya started. (B) I shouldn't have to tell you this Wren, but if the last version you downloaded was using the merger, you're a bit behind times !  is on version 0.094c
and will soon be updated (48 hours from now or less)
to version 0.094c2. Go to the Guest/Download page and look for  . Click on the link nearby her to get the
latest version. is slow you are saying ? Please check that
with the newest version.How fast is your computer in megahertz ? Mine is 400mhz and Scenario downright BOOKS when I'm not running anything else. To do the Rapid Rabbit, tap the "+" key from the number keypad. If you want to remove other Window programs from memory, you can easily just close them by clicking on their close box or hit   to bring up the task list and remove them
yourself. This is a dangerous way to do it though and it
should not be required.Bring up the Scenario.CFG file and change: qsync=38 to qsync=1 And change: fsync=1 to Fsync=2 This should help. QSync is Quick Sync and delays 38 nanosparcs for smooth pixel movements (at least on my computer). FSync is Frames per Sync and changing it to 2 should double the speed at a cost of removing smooth animations. If that's still not fast enough, change it to 3. You shouldn't have any speed problems, however. hyper=0 Is not being used at this time and will soon vanish from the configuration file and menu options inside .(C) Bosses are complete. I am not acting on conditional values in them but you can battle them in Testplay. Please do this and let me know if you think the overall "feel" of the math is correct, or is too easy, or too hard. (D) Alpha Objects are expected to be in steps of 32 pixels. This means any of the Alpha Objects downloadable from the Add-Ons are perfect. If it is not stepped in size of 32 pixels, it may not look right or leave ugly black gaps. Alpha Objects can only be bitmaps. If you would like a JPEG converted to bitmap, I can do that for you, just ask.  You can also convert using Paintshop Pro 7. (E) You're - not going to be on my good side if you write things like this.. Watching and reading about Winnie The Pooh  is what keeps the demons in my head at bay.
My brain chatters constantly and both the stories I read
and episodes I watch of this light-hearted bear take my
mind off the chattering.. I take meds for it too.. No
more cracks about Winnie The Pooh, Wren. You wouldn't be
enjoying if it wasn't for him, A.A. Milne,
and Walt Disney.
(F)
I will probably not get to image
items till later. When I do, however, it will witness an
END to the 1-20 Weapons/Armor, Runestones, Keys, Potions,
and Miracle. |
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| ( Wren Pheonix ) (C:) Ah, erhm, sorry 'bout the Winnie da Pooh crack, I had no idea dude. Also, Logan has gone the way of the dinosaur, the plotline was too bland, and I would have to go back and rewrite all of the sprite messages to work in the intergration I wanted to achieve with all of the girls. However, I will spill the beans right here and tell you about the project I am currently working on with Scenario (I will have to go back just a little bit and work in the boss combat now that you have it working on the next release of Scenario). There are nine guilds in the Kingdom of Valoran. The Enchanter Guild (they make magical items), the Assassin Guild (they arrange for people to have "accidents"), the Verdamancy Guild (they use nature/plant magic), the Sorcery Guild (they use written spells), the Thieves Guild (they steal things), the Elemental Guild (they use elemental golems and spells), the Necromancy Guild (using dark and death magic), the Mercenary Guild (they are arms masters for hire), and the Witchcraft Guild (who use potions, and consumable costing magic) all are based in different territories of Valoran. Recently, there has been several deaths among the leaders of the Guilds, and Valoran has just been attacked by a adjacent Kingdom called Alcorast. The King of Valoran calls upon Jord to investigate the recent slayings and find out who is behind it all. I plan to have a few nifty features for this game: *(A) Randomly set main villan - each time you play, someone else will be the main bad guy!!! *(B) Alpha Object Castles, Caves, and Guild Headquarters. *(C) Imported Portraits and Sprites for the characters. *(D) Imported music and sound FX. *(E) Day and Night cycles with attatched plot elements. *(F) Randomly activated Side quests. *(G) Custom Title screen, and many story boards. Wish me luck, I am only just now finishing up the plotline, and only have a few maps built with no sprites at all. I will send you a few submissions within the next few weeks, from my work with the alpha stuff, as well as a few sound FX. |
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| ( Topaz ) (C:) Hi Wren: Well, just remember that some people are held today together by bonds others don't consider. Opening a door for someone who is not expecting it just may save their life when they think life is not worth living because everyone is out to get them. There's a fine line between genius and madness and sometimes myself and others are found to be tight-rope walking on that very precipice.  Regarding Logan's Quest, well Feel free to cut and paste as you like from your original game because there are some very nicely detailed maps in there that could and should be used in some of your newest presentations of it hearkens the end for Logan's Quest. However, unless you request it, I am going to leave it up in the Download Station. It really is a fine RPG and I have a long ways to go to get some nice things in the engine, and that is part of the limitations in posted RPGs today. (A) I haven't hooked in a true Random Number Generator, that is (I'll probably use a 6-sided Die - single for dice) followed by a letter after it like A -Z. What this means is when you start a NEW game, 10 dice are rolled and their numbers from 1-6 are stored in the 26 cels. To call up a random number would be: [Dice] A . Then if you have a 50% chance of something happening that MAINTAINS it's value all through the game, it would be [Dice] A <= 3 . So if it's >= 4 then it's the other 50%. Let me go to hook this up now. Very good suggestion of yours Wren to incorporate "fixed" random values, THANKS !  I'll also allow you to use a longer name besides just A - Z but only the first letter will be looked for. I may make a BOX too so you can store numbers in your boxes A-Z and check for those later too.. Huum.. Looks like a Yellow Whiffle Ball.. Good enough.. Right .. Actually no random numbers start
out to begin with. Use your Whiffle Balls of A -
Z to start out random numbers if you like, but
they all start at 0 . Can contain values from -9999 to to
9999 each, saved as part of the SaveGame File so you save
4 sets ultimately. One for the Editor/Testplay and 3 more
for Saved Game Files. Comparison for them is easy too.[Whiffle] A <= 3 . So to set a random # .. Huum .. [Whiffle] A = [Dice] 52 would give a random number from 1 to 52. Okay, got it. Use a space after if you want more commands on the same line. Let me go to write the coding for this .. done, will be in next release ! No comparisons can be made for them yet but they are loaded and saved now .. I still gotta do Add-Ons..  (B) Good deal, you'll like Beta Objects once I get them installed. (C & D) Be sure to check out the monthly Add-Ons. I try to include a nice variety in there. (E) That's fine, Wren, but know that it may be a very long time before I have auto-run Sprites like dimming the map based upon flags and upon entering a room that has auto-controlled Sprites. If you do a day and night sequence, you will have to monitor and adjust the flags and settings yourself for now. (F) Definitely possible with the new Whiffle Var. (G) I think I've given you all the Greeting Girls I have. If you neeed more, you may have to hoover out some of the newsgroups yourself.  Best of luck to you and your new worlds, Wren ! I think you'll do just fine. I'm always learning new things myself by trying out some of the games completed or not and determining what I could write or do to simplify the engine and make it easier for them in the long run as well as write new routines specific for tedious areas they worked hard in to assist later. Hope This
Helps ! |
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  ( Wolfette )Q187: Hiya Topaz! How've you been? (A) Any news on more default tiles for Scenario? I've run out of resuable tiles, and adding sprite for the graphics is really slowing down the loading and playing for me. (B) Would it be possible to have a damage tile for 30 hit points that would only activate when the player didn't have a certain item in their inventory... the item to be decide on by the game writer? (C:) I love boss combat in Suzi's Quest and
I'm gonna get to working on a couple of them for Quest
for the Planet soon I should also be sending you an updated version of Q4P within the next week. Take care guy :) huggles |
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| ( Topaz ) A187: Hiya Wolfette: Good to see you didn't get lost in the shuffle with the new changes. (A) That funny looking A with the line above and below (not yet in use for )will be used by hitting  to insert direct
right there a new Alpha
Object.I'm still fighting with getting 100% compatible
with the Win2000 platform but may give it a rest for a bit so I
can work more to adding code and features again such as this
which is listed in the immediate plans of current .(B) You're referring to having a custom Sprite Message unique and individual overriding a default tile's setting. I'm not there yet. 30 new tiles are planned and will be inserted into future 4 of which will have the definitions, Player
Hits -1, -10, -100, and -1000.These may appear before I have the coding to allow direct overriding of default tile settings. One suggestion for now is to check initially to see if the player has the item, and, if so, warp to an exact duplicate of the conduit they are traveling underwater minus the multiple Sprite Messages that take damage from the player. You may want to use the Passages as a Helper Grid to help you make an exact duplicate of a long or lengthwise region. Failing that, they continue traveling in the primary conduit which is riddled every tile with damage steps. When you are atop a Sprite you want to duplicate (like 30 Damage), press  and then move
the cursor to where you want a duplicate and hit again. You can
continue to paste a duplicate over and over again by
pressing
each time. When you are done pasting hit to return
back to normal map editing mode. You can tell you are
back in normal editing mode because the
double-white-black lined cursor will vanish.Both conduits warp to the correct exit either entering or leaving. But when you initially enter, a check is made for the item to see if you are instead warped to the "duplicate" conduit where no damage occurs, or vice-versa. (C:) Hey, glad you do ! SlimeBob isn't a very good example and I have since changed it to RedJack who is the leader of the pirates and attacks with FlameSword but is weak against Ice attacks. Look for double-size Bosses coming soon ! They won't be splotch just double-sized pixels but intelligent Super2xSal graphically rendered. I'm looking forward to seeing your newest updates !  Hope This
Helps ! |
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  ( Guthrie )Q188: Ok. first question: (A) first question: how do I change what a person will say once I complete a task like if a guy joins and he keeps asking do u need help and when you complete the task i dont want him to still say do you need help. (B) second question: how do you put items in like bushes or pot where the main chracter can just walk up and take it |
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| ( Topaz ) A188: Greets Guthrie: (A) Take a very careful and close look at the Answers world. The very first examples with Keiko as the adventurer and Mr. Grubbes as the Sprite that changes message according to Keiko having or not having his Shovel show how to do this. You can download the Answers world by clicking HERE. The Answers world also answers many other interesting and complex questions. Try out all of the demo rooms by pressing 
to instantly enter and try out Testplay for them !(B) First off, you need to understand that treasures are not just placed in Treasure Chests or require you to type a Sprite Message in order to have one. To create an easy one, say a Blue Key inside a set of drawers: Press  (move the cursor to the set
of Dresser Drawers which is Tile # 06) press then you get to pick the contents of this
treasure.Note that if you chose Invisible as the tile earlier, it would use whatever tile is currently beneath the cursor, whether it is furniture, or floor so it is not really invisible but does not ask for a a new tile image the cursor is already on top of. Press  and you're all
done !You can see from this example that it is not just keys but upgradable Armor and Weapons, Gold, Potions, Miracles, Runestones, and any of the other 5 colored keys if you wish. Remember to hit often to Testplay your creations. This is
the best learning tool and the quickest way to understand
features and subtle complexities of by getting your feet wet and entering the
environment you just created. Feel free to write again with any new questions or if you are still having trouble, and Good Luck in your Worldbuilding, Guthrie ! Hope This
Helps ! |
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  ( J.T.C. )(C:) I downloaded your softawre and was surprised by the ease of use. I would have liked to use the mouse but you I have gotten use to the all keyboard method... Now a couple of questions. (A) I wanted to use the Airship on a map outside of the Outside map. I created a sprite of the Airship and then had it mask by typing [player][mask]=14 and then added a fancy switch to the sprite hiding the ship from the departing point. It worked great until I noticed that as the Airship sprite I could not land it anywhere as it wouldn't respond to the return key and I couldn't get it to recognize sprites as the ship. So in test mode I drove my airship around for a while and noticed that Directinal and Named Warps will kill the mask. So I went back in and kludged together some landing pads with directional masks and warp catches. Is this the best way to do this or is there a better way? (B) Also I am using some fancy transformations in my world I need to know exactly which warps will kill the mask. I have found out by trial and error that directional warps will but Absolute warps will not. Anything else I should know about this? (C) Along with the transformations I want to reset the players experince level. I tried [player][star]=0 and [star]=0 but the exp won't drop to 0. Is it possible to reduce a players experience or am I just doing something wrong? (D) Also with the transformations... I was wondering if it was possible to make the mask show up in the battle mode? That would be neat. (E) I also built some custom shops. I have figured out how to make the sprite sell/buy 1 Item at a time. Is there a way to allow multiple sales like the potion and runestone shop? You may have answered this one but for the life of me I couldn't find the answer on custom shops anywhere. |
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| ( Topaz ) A189: Greets J.T.C.: (C:) I'm very glad you like !I often worry that it won't run correctly on some computer platforms (such as Windows 2000) and it's very good to hear from someone that it is running well for them. (These are some good questions of yours!) (A) The Airship is meant to be easier to use then this. To place the Airship, which is always visible and located on Map # 00 (1st map). From the editor , put yourself on Map # 00, and use the backwards apostrophe (just below the key) and zoom the map until you can only see 7 tiles
down at a 32x32 pixel level scale.Then hit
 and you will see that the cursor will change to the Airship ! Use the     arrow keys to
position it where you want it to initially appear and hit
one more
time to lock it down. If you hit from here instead, the Airship
will jump back to wherever it was originally.In Testplay, get on top of the Airship and hit
or as
both are now being looked for and based upon the music
you have set for it, the music will change and you will
be airborne ! This is 2x faster then walking as well ! Note
that all Sprites are ignored when you are flying (as you are supposed to be above
them).To land again, just hit or .That's all there is to it. You can find
the Airship in Suzi's
Quest (the sample game that comes internal to the engine) at 00:50/61.If you want to use the masking ability to change the player to the Airship, that is fine but note that I am not checking for this and it may cause problems later, especially if you activate it outside of the 1st map. (B) You certainly are a busy-body !  I hadn't planned for the mask to carry
outside any warp but I see now the benefits of it.
For now, next release of which is v0.094c2 I
will set it so it will keep the mask so long as you do
not change maps.Remember that masks for the player (at this point in development) are supposed to be temporary. I will have it so you can permanently change the mask of the player but that will be for v0.094c2. I should have that version posted no later then the 15th of July. This is also a reminder (to myself mostly) to have the player start out initially INVISIBLE when you are running a Quest from New Game. The player will become visible once the (if any) Sprite Message for New Game finishes. (C) Once again I hadn't anticipated anyone changing the Experience points directly. I see now this is wanted so I will have it also available v0.094c2. (D) Changing the permanent mask of the player will directly affect the combat sprite as well. I see now a new Editor variable will be needed to recall the initial Sprite for use in starting a new game. Returning to the editor via will also reset the Player's Sprite to the
true initial default. These are not active yet but will
be for next release.(E) Adding multiple custom inquiries is going to be a bit of work and programming on my part and won't arrive until after this next release. You will be using the  Sprite Messenger Command when it's available.For now though, no, you cannot do more then a simple YES or NO inquiry. It is suggested to use the default mercantile ability of with the Merchant Tiles of.      until it is available. You can, however,
make a simple merchant to sell keys with the YES or
NO inquiry.Hope This
Helps ! |
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| ( Sayanoran Avon ) Q190: I have two problems with the mask (it's driving me nuts!!) I'll lay them out for ya. (A) Our hero gets hexed by an evil mage and he becomes a little boy. The spell wears off once he leaves the place where the mage is training. [at first, our hero kept becoming invisible, but I've used reset vaules on this near the door, but it kept pausing the system] There is a special case where it is full of past warrior's prized weapons. Our hero touches it,and he becomes one of them. (with beefed values and stuff!) The spell wears off near another door, keeping some of the beefed values. [This time the wear-off has a message attached to it. If you missed the case, and head straight for the door, the message would come up, spoiling the suprise!] (B) So.... how do I reset the image value without having the message come up (if you miss the case??) Is there another way to keep the character visible without having to set another value????? (C) I still can't transfer my game from the older scenario into the newset! I keep having to debug and rewrite!!! It's making me insane! |
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| ( Topaz ) A190: Greets Sayanoran Avon: First off, I'd like to apologize to everyone for being absent from for so long. If you haven't been
to my main page, I have recently had a hard-drive crash
of the very worst kind. The only retrievable file was the
original source-code to which was vital
if I was to continue my project. After that, the
hard-drive threw a bearing and is completely cut off now.I have lost - everything else .. It will take me years to catch up and even then there will be gaps as some software I had at the time was irreplaceable. I have yet to find a copy of my compiler for GFABasic in my archives. If I cannot find it, I will be forced to use my own compiler (which I wrote for GFA a year before) and although it works well, for those of you with a low-end spectrum computer ( < 400mhz ) it will run about half speed and MAY not run in Windows 2000 EVER. It is to the advantage to find the compiler I purchased from Germany. To answer your questions: (A) Ah, I see you want to have the mask retain. Well, that is fine.. I think in current v0.094c2 it has two mask elements now where the secondary "image" is now a permanent one and the primary is used solely for keeping tabs on transports. This way you can use the transport Sprites without entering "Transport" mode. It has been a few weeks since I worked in so I will need to get back into
coding to be certain.(B) I would need to see either your .WRX or a .CLP sample to understand your question more clearly. Now, this is important for everyone. I will have much better results and albeit make changes to the way you would like them if I have a .WRX
or .CLP as a testing board to see if it
works. I am constantly making changes in my coding and
one version may have absent what another earlier version
didn't. I can't know unless you tell me and the best way
to tell me is with an example. This is entirely
how I program as well, debugging and running my RPGMaker
once every 5 minutes to see if my coding worked.It is up to you, the Worldbuilders to let me know, but I cannot solve some of these complexities by a description alone and an enclosed .WRX or .CLP along with an explanation (possibly included in a Sprite Message) will help me better understand and solve it. I cannot solve or debug earlier versions of as prior coding of mine is almost
always 100% incompatible with my newer coding so if you
see something missing or amiss, you need to let me know
so I can repair it with new code.I am just one person and although Suzi's Quest is a good test of the system for me, it may not meet your expectations entirely. Do not hesitate to send a .WRX or .CLP sample or example to point out the problem. Click HERE to send me an Email where you will use binary attach to your PKZIPed files and I will mail them back to you after conversion (usually the same day since Email with binary attachments always receive priority with me). Click HERE for a more detailed explanation of sending a binary attachment via Email. If I do receive an Email that helps others, I will make your question public in here so you do not feel the need to believe all Email sent to me will not get posted in here. Anything that gets posted in here goes to my Mailbox anyways. I just have to cut and paste with Notepad to put it in here. As always, if
your question is really good and difficult for me
to explain a proper answer, I will add your question and
my solution to the ANSWERS world so everyone can get a
chance to try out your inquiry and to see the answer to
it.(C) As mentioned in earlier Q & A, if you would like to send me either your .WRL and/or .MDZ, I will send them back in the proper format of .WRX and .MDX. If your .WRL is very old, then I will have to convert your world to an .WRX manually, but I will do so as long as it contributes to the promotion of new Worldbuilders' creations. I am pleased to say that I have collected 740+ RPG music since last night and I am going to get the 12,000 listed there. It will take me a few days as I can only link to the Internet at 26k Baud (it is because of my phone lines and housing location), and, hopefully in the future will be able to link at 56k Baud like the rest of you. Oh, and Sayanoran, save some of that insanity for me. I should be the one going insane without having even a workbench to vise down into.  Hope This Helps ! |
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me, please use this picture, it's just under 10k )
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I am happiest in the Wintertime, especially
SNOW which is so rare down here it's like something
magical..! 
