23 replies to this topic

[Littiz]

We need:

• 1 Writer.
  Consider this "frozen" since we seem to have a valid "candidate", ATM.
  
• 1 Dialogue coder,
  to help me out with these damned .d files.
  Be warned that RtW dialogue pathing is as intricated as it can get.
  But, there's the chance of starting right now with an existing dialogue to update, and this is the best way to start, while I'm still drowning in a 40 pages long one
  
• All_purpose_coder #1,
  who would focus on scheduled issues, like needed cutscenes, area scripts, editing, monster spawning and such.
  
• All_purpose_coder #2,
  who would take a slower approach, taking the time to read through our plot docs, dialogues, and all, to understand the big picture. Then he should run through the existing builds to uncover problems, forgotten unfinished stuff, holes of any kind, and possibly take care of them.
  Ok, all_purpose_coder #1 might even suffice, but I wouldn't take chances.
  
• A separate team for the new NPC:
  we need 2 helpers, here. We are considering the idea of aiming to a release without the NPC, and add it as a separate module when it's ready.
  Of course, we would consider this a terrible sacrifice, since we all *love* the NPC, and we hold it as an integrated part of the mod under every aspect.
  But, we must at least remove it from the list of open issues, and know, for our own peace of mind, that it proceeds "by itself".
  Consider that the RtW content for this NPC is more or less ready: what's missing is the development for the rest of the "regular" ToB.
  No SoA content is needed, obviously, so there isn't really a "full" NPC to implement. Plus some ideas are planned, at least.

There isn't that much new content to be added, since about 80% of the planned features is in, somehow.
But the pieces need to be put together, hence the need of more all_purpose_coders.
We have The_Bigg already, and he is a Force of Nature, but we can't let everything to him, and he has all the WeiDUing, too.
Unfortunately, facts have proven beyond doubt that, despite the occasional outbursts of production (as the present one), we are unable to reach the Critical Mass of Average Work needed to keep the wheel turning.

Without these numbers, the mod can't be completed, simply.
So, if you have modding skills (or if you are one of those IE gurus out there) and you can provide a reasonably continuative help, please apply.
It's a lot to ask, we know

[Kellen]

What is this new npc like? If he sounds interesting enough i could probably help. I have no experiance however.

[Quitch]

To get an idea of the sort of thing we're working for:

http://www.shsforums...showtopic=17146

[Littiz]

What is this new npc like? If he sounds interesting enough i could probably help. I have no experiance however.

I can't really spoil it, since it is deeply interwoven with all the RtW content.
And, it is one of the few things we agreed NEVER to spoil
But I can say that the whole team loves it, and I'm sure, that it's a NPC everyone would try in his party.

I admit we are after experienced coders, but if you're not you might take care of the writing part, if you're interested. And besides, experience comes with, he, experience

So you're after people who can produce bright-green beholders at a steady pace?

Those ones are glowing
Anyway, we don't need to create new monsters, nor areas.
Everything is done in these fields. We need people to take care of small pieces of generic AI, specific purpose area scripts, little snippets of code, linking between parts. Things like that.
On the purely creative side, we are only missing some dialogue.

[Andyr]

What sort of help exactly are you looking for with the NPC?

[Andyr]

Oh, right.

[Zyraen]

I might try for All_purpose_coder #1, but what is the commitment level to be expected? ^^;; How many hours approx, a week?

[Littiz]

I might try for All_purpose_coder #1, but what is the commitment level to be expected? ^^;; How many hours approx, a week?

Lol, no such thing, really

Possibly one of the main problems of this mod is that in average each team member has always had to work with big chunks of stuff.
It's easy to lose motivation when you have to face a big assignment each time, and you see little to no activity in the yahoo group ("home" of RtW).
Result: sometimes work restarts in a collective frenzy, and then it goes dormant again, possibly for months. And when this happens, we start fearing for the survival itself of the mod, of course.

In this scenario, having a person who helps us closing little issues here and there, may make the difference between activity and inactivity, and, ultimately, between life and death for the mod.
No kidding.
Examples?
Xyx asking for an item in order to finish a boss_AI, and nobody doing it.
Months pass.
Me asking for a cutscene.
Months pass.
I've been dragged to work again after the_bigg solved a couple of old issues, bringing closer to completion some dialogues I coded months ago.

As you see, we really need someone to take care of various generic issues, because they are as much important as the "big" ones, yet they don't get done, presently.
But, it's certainly not a matter of working hours a week, as long as one doesn't disappear

If you confirm your interest, I'll let Quitch invite you in the group.
And thanx in any case!

Edited by Littiz, 19 September 2005 - 10:26 AM.

[Zyraen]

If generic issues are that small and infrequent, such as an item or a cutscene, it should be OKAY

However, there's also the problem of download I usually like to test my coding/itms myself first, before announcing that they are "done", and if each time I want to do that it means I have to download a large zip file, or reinstall a huge number of files, it might be a little difficult. A minimalist approach to testing would be great, such as sending me bare bones to test my "generic bits" with.

Meantime, I'm quite "available" on MSN Messenger, if you want it I'll PM (whichever of you who requests it) my MSN email. I find it much easier to discuss in "real time", so to speak. I also have some... places of inexperience, so to speak, so yeah, I might not yet be the guy you fellas need. A talk (preferably with one person at one time) would sort that out as well.

Why that? Well really, I am myself fairly new to IE modding. I can think of some odd way to work around issues, but bar that I'm not one of the most experienced coders / modders out there. I like to think I get things done, though though I'm sure there are people who disagree.

Edited by Zyraen, 19 September 2005 - 10:33 PM.

[Littiz]

However, there's also the problem of download  I usually like to test my coding/itms myself first, before announcing that they are "done", and if each time I want to do that it means I have to download a large zip file, or reinstall a huge number of files, it might be a little difficult. A minimalist approach to testing would be great, such as sending me bare bones to test my "generic bits" with.

You'll need to download it once, install it (in a separate installation, if you want), and, from there, things can become as minimalist as needed
Normally one works on a few files, and when they're ready they're passed over to the team.
Bigg sets up a new build when there are enough additions, but indeed, he always provides incremental packages, too
There's really nothing to worry about such issues

Edited by Littiz, 20 September 2005 - 12:32 PM.

[Zyraen]

Hmm ok, I think I'm cool. Anyone I can talk to on MSN? Just to make sure I'm not getting out of my depth (which I still have a sinking feeling I am)

[Quitch]

What sort of help exactly are you looking for with the NPC?

The NPC in RtW is effectively done, as are a third of the NPC interactions. We have a plan of where we want the NPC to go and what we want them to do, but the details have not been worked out. Obviously by this stage there is enough written that it should be easy to get the idea of this characters personality. PM me if you're interested and I'll get a group invite out to you.

Hmm ok, I think I'm cool. Anyone I can talk to on MSN? smile.gif Just to make sure I'm not getting out of my depth (which I still have a sinking feeling I am)

PM me and I can get you into the group, or if you still need to talk I can send you my MSN contact details and I'll keep an eye out for you. Everyone on the mod has their fields, though some of us can work on pretty much anything (even if our memories of certain things are pretty rusty).

In terms of all purpose coders, we're looking for handy men who can work on anything we need. No big projects, but tidying up all the little things that seem to get ignored. Your pace is your own to determine.

Edited by Quitch, 21 September 2005 - 01:40 AM.

[Kellen]

Well I may not be able to commit very strongly but I can certainly try to help out with the New NPC dialogue and possibly coding dialogue. I have absolutely no coding proficiency so be warned.

PS: Really sorry for not responding sooner forgot to turn on email notification.

[Shed]

I'd be interested in coding for RtW, but not until JZ is released . Obviously, I have other commitments too.

[Shed]

shed@spellholdstudios.net

What's the yahoo group for?

And I'm not committing to anything quite yet .