Games Unbalanced !

Theo · Contributor Joined: 23 Aug 2006 Posts: 11

I'm working on a program that basically provides Apricotslice's Handbook in an easy-to-search form. Needless to say this has not began yet so I'm asking for any idea's towards the programs developement.

I have Apricotslice's backing on this, and I will begin to write the program as soon as some idea's come through.

apricotslice · Posted: Thu Sep 07, 2006 9:12 pm Post subject:

To document some initial discussion :

The program would use the Handbook as a base for a database, and allow searching on terms and concepts to be easier. Lets face it, the search at Egosoft is pretty useless.

Possibility of an in game pop-up searchable handbook has been raised. Feasability uncertain at this point.

At some point, a thread at egosoft to identify the type of search words that are failing to give desired output will be posted.

I think this is a great idea, from 2 perspectives.

1. A program that can take say a url as input and incorporate the OP or even the whole thread into its database and then allow decent searching for game terms and concepts and how to's is a great idea. And very needed.

2. To get something in-game would be awsome, as then people would not need leave the game while looking up advise.
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CLICK HERE for : X3 Handbook; Guides; X3TC Apricot Mapping Service (Gunbus) Mod v1; X3TC Scripts; X3 Mods & Scripts.
Apricot Download Mirror Site

Theo · Contributor Joined: 23 Aug 2006 Posts: 11

Of course an in-game system would all ahve to be hardcoded. but this should not be much of a problem knowing how rarely you do updates for your handbook.

apricotslice · Posted: Thu Sep 07, 2006 9:33 pm Post subject:

The next update to the handbook is likely in the next couple of months. There are some gaps being written to fill now.

After that, I hope another update wont be needed anytime soon.

If you design the program based on inputing the existing document, but retaining the ability to overwrite with an updated one later. By the time the program is written and debugged and betatested, the update should ahve occured and the release can contain the newer version.
_________________
Apricot Mapping Services HQ

CLICK HERE for : X3 Handbook; Guides; X3TC Apricot Mapping Service (Gunbus) Mod v1; X3TC Scripts; X3 Mods & Scripts.
Apricot Download Mirror Site

Theo · Contributor Joined: 23 Aug 2006 Posts: 11

Any chance I can have some sort of HTML file with the original document? i cannot copy and past the data from acrobat and it would make it alot easier than typing said data word-for-word.

apricotslice · Posted: Thu Sep 07, 2006 9:50 pm Post subject:

RavenIII · Posted: Thu Sep 07, 2006 9:50 pm Post subject:

Hmm, ingame search of database sounds awesome.

I don't know whether either of you two have used xfire, but that somehow overlay's a window onto the game screen to chat with... a similar idea (using a different shortcut/hotkey) would be brilliant... unless you mean as in some sort of script?

Anyway, a great idea and I'm presuming pretty feasable Smile

I'll certainly use it with great joy Very Happy

Theo · Contributor Joined: 23 Aug 2006 Posts: 11

The plan was to script it in - to be honest there is very little in X3 that the player cannot put off long enough to search and read about something in game. So i thought a scripted in system would be fine.

apricotslice · Posted: Thu Sep 07, 2006 10:15 pm Post subject:

Can you do the scripting yourself ?

Or will you need some help ?
_________________
Apricot Mapping Services HQ

CLICK HERE for : X3 Handbook; Guides; X3TC Apricot Mapping Service (Gunbus) Mod v1; X3TC Scripts; X3 Mods & Scripts.
Apricot Download Mirror Site

Theo · Contributor Joined: 23 Aug 2006 Posts: 11

scripting is as easy as BASIC, so ill have no problem Smile

the only real trouble I may have is when i wanna do something that is physically impossible inside X3's parameters. but considering all im creating is a basic search/find it should be easy enough.

apricotslice · Posted: Thu Sep 07, 2006 10:45 pm Post subject:

Can you do this as a purchasable product ?
_________________
Apricot Mapping Services HQ

CLICK HERE for : X3 Handbook; Guides; X3TC Apricot Mapping Service (Gunbus) Mod v1; X3TC Scripts; X3 Mods & Scripts.
Apricot Download Mirror Site

Theo · Contributor Joined: 23 Aug 2006 Posts: 11

it should be possible to set it as a purchasable product, although i suggest if it is made as scuh it should not be made expensive - it does contain alot of guides for people new to the game. Should we set it to say, i dunno, 2k or less?

apricotslice · Posted: Thu Sep 07, 2006 11:25 pm Post subject:

Perhaps as an ongoing contribution service. Say 2k for each activation of it ? Buying it activates it the first time, and installs the command for the future.
_________________
Apricot Mapping Services HQ

CLICK HERE for : X3 Handbook; Guides; X3TC Apricot Mapping Service (Gunbus) Mod v1; X3TC Scripts; X3 Mods & Scripts.
Apricot Download Mirror Site

Theo · Contributor Joined: 23 Aug 2006 Posts: 11

it would get a bit expensive for those trying to use it... remember its a guide. a guide is useless if no-one can afford it Wink