Profile for Xoid
Field | Value |
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Displayed name | Xoid |
Member number | 932 |
Title | Shock Trooper |
Postcount | 215 |
Homepage | |
Registered | Sunday, April 7 2002 08:00 |
Recent posts
Pages
Author | Recent posts |
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It's the A2Template! in Blades of Avernum | |
Shock Trooper
Member # 932
|
written Thursday, September 15 2005 06:54
Profile
quote:Not a chance in hell of reconstructing all of them. Major towns, (The Castle, Tower of Magi, etc.) are a strong possibility. Primarily dependant on whether others already have, or failing that, I might decide to include it under a second scenario file like I'm (inevitably) going to do with the Vahnatai's lands. Incidentally, just past Dharmon and the front lines is a section you can never get into - reconstructing this from Avernum 1 would be a highly subjective measure. Fort Spire (or it's ruins would be here. I know for a fact that Jeff never had a full section here - just enough so that can see mostly into it. However - there are two overlooked spots that a very observant person can see the road ends abruptly into this section - one from the Scree Pits (easy to notice), and one from the section Erika's Tower is in (very difficult...) - so things may not line up exactly. After going through Avernum 1 and investigating that section it is obvious that it will not properly fit into there. I am considering reconstructing this section and simply trimming some squares (approximately 5 to 8 would need to be) from the left edge. From a cursory inspection only a few minor side passages would be lost. Doing that section (Fort Spire's if you've already forgotten) will be a true *****. (Insert proper name for a female dog, as in I'm putting my b... out to stud, where the astericks are. Funnily enough, I do actually breed labradors. If I ever post about it I'm going to inadvertantly be censored by this infernal bulletin board.) I'm likely to end up doing it if even a couple of people show interest in my doing so. Also, I am aware of how to use an email client. And of course I'm going to compress it - regardless of how small it is my connection is slow - even a quarter meg seems to take millenia. (Sorry if all that reads like a snarky comment - I'm grumpy and tired.) I was merely unable to reconcile what to do if people pop up out of the woodworks, so to speak, and ask for a copy after I've already sent the email off. I'd prefer not to be constantly sending out mass emails if I can - so I'd prefer to keep the "beta" testing group relatively small. God, can I even call it a beta testing group really? It's not like it's an effort worthy of the name - merely reconstructing someone else's work. For the most part anyway. Might it more appropriately be called: 'poor batch of saps I've conned into bug testing the evidence that I lack a real life'? G'night people. I'm going to sleep. [ Thursday, September 15, 2005 22:49: Message edited by: CPeters ] -------------------- Microsoft Patents Ones, Zeroes (March 25, 1998) "Asians are good at Starcraft because they're always squinting, thus they can see things sharply. Remember to always squint in war." ~ Sun-Tzu Posts: 215 | Registered: Sunday, April 7 2002 08:00 |
It's the A2Template! in Blades of Avernum Editor | |
Shock Trooper
Member # 932
|
written Thursday, September 15 2005 04:08
Profile
Considering that none of you are mind (can't believe I added a 'not', even after the fifth revision of this post, note to self: stop editing my posts, and stop writing posts late at night.) readers I should have made myself clear - sorry about that. The original post was simply to gauge interest in the finished product. I will release it to the public when I'm done recreating the terrain. Whilst I'm on the topic of when I'll have it done: I've currently got about 4/7 of Avernum done, performing clean up on some sections and should be starting on the section containing the Tower of Elderan in 2 days at most. I'm actually unsure of the logistics when it comes to emailing a fair sized attachment over my god-awful and slow modem - so I'm not going to send it to more than a dozen at most for the beta stage. I should have the scenario (terrain only) ready for criticism in a week and a half, two at tops. [ Thursday, September 15, 2005 06:39: Message edited by: CPeters ] -------------------- Microsoft Patents Ones, Zeroes (March 25, 1998) "Asians are good at Starcraft because they're always squinting, thus they can see things sharply. Remember to always squint in war." ~ Sun-Tzu Posts: 215 | Registered: Sunday, April 7 2002 08:00 |
It's the A2Template! in Blades of Avernum | |
Shock Trooper
Member # 932
|
written Thursday, September 15 2005 04:08
Profile
Considering that none of you are mind (can't believe I added a 'not', even after the fifth revision of this post, note to self: stop editing my posts, and stop writing posts late at night.) readers I should have made myself clear - sorry about that. The original post was simply to gauge interest in the finished product. I will release it to the public when I'm done recreating the terrain. Whilst I'm on the topic of when I'll have it done: I've currently got about 4/7 of Avernum done, performing clean up on some sections and should be starting on the section containing the Tower of Elderan in 2 days at most. I'm actually unsure of the logistics when it comes to emailing a fair sized attachment over my god-awful and slow modem - so I'm not going to send it to more than a dozen at most for the beta stage. I should have the scenario (terrain only) ready for criticism in a week and a half, two at tops. [ Thursday, September 15, 2005 06:39: Message edited by: CPeters ] -------------------- Microsoft Patents Ones, Zeroes (March 25, 1998) "Asians are good at Starcraft because they're always squinting, thus they can see things sharply. Remember to always squint in war." ~ Sun-Tzu Posts: 215 | Registered: Sunday, April 7 2002 08:00 |
It's the A2Template! in Blades of Avernum Editor | |
Shock Trooper
Member # 932
|
written Monday, September 12 2005 03:10
Profile
Got another trio of sections from around the center of Avernum done ontop of whatever else. @ Drakefyre: Yes, my scenario only fills about 10 sections, but I needed to tack on another two or so sections to prevent the appearence of the world suddenly ending. Got kind of carried away doing that done more than I needed to and figure I might as well finish the job. At a rate of 2-3 sections a day, shouldn't take too long to finish up the entirety of Avernum 2's terrain. @ Archmagus Micael: Didn't think about the Vahnatai. I'll finish up on this [Avernum proper] then most likely end up doing the Vahnatai's lands as well. Damn you for stirring another plot line idea in my head - even If I never get around to making a proper scenario set in the Vahnatai's land, I'm still gonna end up making the terrain for their lands so I at least have the possibility of doing so at a later date. [ Monday, September 12, 2005 03:13: Message edited by: CPeters ] -------------------- Microsoft Patents Ones, Zeroes (March 25, 1998) "Asians are good at Starcraft because they're always squinting, thus they can see things sharply. Remember to always squint in war." ~ Sun-Tzu Posts: 215 | Registered: Sunday, April 7 2002 08:00 |
It's the A2Template! in Blades of Avernum | |
Shock Trooper
Member # 932
|
written Monday, September 12 2005 03:10
Profile
Got another trio of sections from around the center of Avernum done ontop of whatever else. @ Drakefyre: Yes, my scenario only fills about 10 sections, but I needed to tack on another two or so sections to prevent the appearence of the world suddenly ending. Got kind of carried away doing that done more than I needed to and figure I might as well finish the job. At a rate of 2-3 sections a day, shouldn't take too long to finish up the entirety of Avernum 2's terrain. @ Archmagus Micael: Didn't think about the Vahnatai. I'll finish up on this [Avernum proper] then most likely end up doing the Vahnatai's lands as well. Damn you for stirring another plot line idea in my head - even If I never get around to making a proper scenario set in the Vahnatai's land, I'm still gonna end up making the terrain for their lands so I at least have the possibility of doing so at a later date. [ Monday, September 12, 2005 03:13: Message edited by: CPeters ] -------------------- Microsoft Patents Ones, Zeroes (March 25, 1998) "Asians are good at Starcraft because they're always squinting, thus they can see things sharply. Remember to always squint in war." ~ Sun-Tzu Posts: 215 | Registered: Sunday, April 7 2002 08:00 |
It's the A2Template! in Blades of Avernum Editor | |
Shock Trooper
Member # 932
|
written Saturday, September 10 2005 21:04
Profile
EDIT: Critique this, now. I command you. --- I'm making a scenario that is set inbetween Avernum 2 and 3, taking place (roughly) from Angierach to Almaria. While it is debatable whether the scenario will see light of day. (Yes, it is somewhat large, but I have oodles of time to waste, so that is not the concern...) Regardless, the terrain for these areas is still done. I've got roughly 15~16 of the 49 sections of Avernum 2 recreated, and was wondering if anyone would actually like me post the scenario, before/after I start making towns. (I will not include any NPCS, special encounters, etc.) I primarily envisage people using it as a template for scenarios taking place around that area/time. Note(s): There are subtle differences between Avernum 2's wall configuration and the ones I use - I altered the wall configuration in a few areas so that there was no 'clipping'. Area descriptions also more closely follow the 'contours' of the object they surround now. There are NO terrain #255 "solid stone" and #71 "pit" mixups like in Avernum 2. (What is he talking about, you ask? Ensure you have the Orb of Thralni for most of these, you can walk through the walls in some places... Check out Angierach, the 2x1 pit to the right of Kothtar, and the secret passage past the Lair of Sulfras - where the Jade Halberd is. Sloppy, sloppy, Spiderweb.) Apart from that, I have differed from less than 20 squares of the 2304 squares per section. [ Wednesday, December 28, 2005 13:35: Message edited by: CPeters ] Posts: 215 | Registered: Sunday, April 7 2002 08:00 |
It's the A2Template! in Blades of Avernum | |
Shock Trooper
Member # 932
|
written Saturday, September 10 2005 21:04
Profile
EDIT: Critique this, now. I command you. --- I'm making a scenario that is set inbetween Avernum 2 and 3, taking place (roughly) from Angierach to Almaria. While it is debatable whether the scenario will see light of day. (Yes, it is somewhat large, but I have oodles of time to waste, so that is not the concern...) Regardless, the terrain for these areas is still done. I've got roughly 15~16 of the 49 sections of Avernum 2 recreated, and was wondering if anyone would actually like me post the scenario, before/after I start making towns. (I will not include any NPCS, special encounters, etc.) I primarily envisage people using it as a template for scenarios taking place around that area/time. Note(s): There are subtle differences between Avernum 2's wall configuration and the ones I use - I altered the wall configuration in a few areas so that there was no 'clipping'. Area descriptions also more closely follow the 'contours' of the object they surround now. There are NO terrain #255 "solid stone" and #71 "pit" mixups like in Avernum 2. (What is he talking about, you ask? Ensure you have the Orb of Thralni for most of these, you can walk through the walls in some places... Check out Angierach, the 2x1 pit to the right of Kothtar, and the secret passage past the Lair of Sulfras - where the Jade Halberd is. Sloppy, sloppy, Spiderweb.) Apart from that, I have differed from less than 20 squares of the 2304 squares per section. [ Wednesday, December 28, 2005 13:35: Message edited by: CPeters ] Posts: 215 | Registered: Sunday, April 7 2002 08:00 |
My thoughts on hex editing and keygens... in General | |
Shock Trooper
Member # 932
|
written Monday, August 15 2005 23:35
Profile
Before reading the post, please take these two things into consideration: 1) I have paid for every Spiderweb Software game that I've played past the demo section of. Actually, I've paid for every game I've played the full version of. 2) I do not condone using cracks, hacks, serials, etc, to defraud ANYBODY, even Micro$oft. After reading the Code of Conduct I was somewhat annoyed to have discovered that discussion of hex editing was listed under infractions. I often use a hex editor to re-register my copy of Avernum 1-3 after I finish formating my computer for the billionth time. I find that it is simply a matter of convenience to hex edit a particular file, so that I can re-register my game without needing to email Jeff & Co. for a billionth time. Considering the fact that there is probably at least one other person who has purchased one of the Avernum series, who then formats their computer, WITHOUT backing up the necessary file due to momentary lapses, or the fact that their A drive is always on the blink, they don't have a CD burner, can't afford a memory stick, etc to store it on, I thought that writing a small tutorial on how to re-register the game you already own would save Spiderweb some effort of checking personal details and emailing out registration keys. [If I didn't use my method, or a keygen, spiderweb would have been emailing me a new code nearly every second month for the last three years - something I'm sure they'd not appreciate.] Admittedly, I'm likely breaching the EULA by 'reverse-engineering' or somesuch, but I really don't see an issue with what I do: I've already paid for the game, the code is NOT one that has to be unique for every user (unlike CD Keys for Starcraft, for instance) so using hex editing to re-use my old key isn't affecting anyone. Using a keygen falls under the same banner as far as I'm concerned. Whilst I can understand that giving information out on how to find a keygenerator is crossing the line, I'm wondering... Would providing a tutorial on Hex Editing four bytes of data to re-register a game you've already paid for would also be crossing that line? Certainly - one could trawl Usenet to find a registration code and its subsequent key, and defraud Spiderweb using the tutorial I was planning to write, but anyone who could do that is undoubtedly capable of finding and downloading a keygen to do the same. I'm curious to other's thoughts on this, nevertheless, until the Code of Conduct changes the half finished tutorial is staying that way. [ Monday, August 15, 2005 23:35: Message edited by: CPeters ] -------------------- Microsoft Patents Ones, Zeroes (March 25, 1998) "Asians are good at Starcraft because they're always squinting, thus they can see things sharply. Remember to always squint in war." ~ Sun-Tzu's The Fart of War Posts: 215 | Registered: Sunday, April 7 2002 08:00 |
Avernum 2 - Empire Caches in The Avernum Trilogy | |
Shock Trooper
Member # 932
|
written Monday, August 15 2005 22:46
Profile
Does any one know the SDFs and what they need to be set to for the Empire's supply caches? I've already found four of them, and I'm fairly certain that there were only four, yet the Scimitar operatives near Fort Dranlon(sp?) don't recognise that I've found them all. Summary: If my memory is off, and there are more than four caches, please tell me. If there are only four caches, I would like the SDFs and what they need to be set to for that quest. EDIT: Damn I feel like an idiot, found the fifth. And to think I used to know Avernum 2 inside out... *sigh* [ Tuesday, August 16, 2005 04:40: Message edited by: CPeters ] Posts: 215 | Registered: Sunday, April 7 2002 08:00 |
Graphics Question in Blades of Avernum Editor | |
Shock Trooper
Member # 932
|
written Friday, September 24 2004 19:24
Profile
This is pretty much most of the email I sent Brett on this. FYI I'm the culprit responsible for the graphic that raised this issue. quote:I do not have web space to host the scenario. Basically any scenario would do for testing. The only issue with the method I outlined is that if you are referencing a 46x55 cell that is that if your reference past the first "row", e.g. "te_which_icon = 22", then that might (i.e. most likely will) cause problems. So apart from the first row of 46x55 cells, the rest of the sheet would have to consist of the 16x16 icons, or vice versa. Might save space in rare circumstances when someone is using a 16 Bit image or higher, or if the icon sheet would only consist of 1 icon otherwise. I'm not too sure if this makes sense without a drawn example. Since I can't host the scenario, unless someone is willing to, we'll have to wait for Brett to test it - because I'm not going to spend all day emailing it out if you'd feel like being my guinea pig. Keep in mind, if this does not work on a Mac, then in the unlikely situation that your graphic would meet the obscure requirements needed to save space - enough to make stuffing around like this actually worth it - then the resulting graphic would only be useful on a PC. Posts: 215 | Registered: Sunday, April 7 2002 08:00 |
Graphics Question in Blades of Avernum | |
Shock Trooper
Member # 932
|
written Friday, September 24 2004 19:24
Profile
This is pretty much most of the email I sent Brett on this. FYI I'm the culprit responsible for the graphic that raised this issue. quote:I do not have web space to host the scenario. Basically any scenario would do for testing. The only issue with the method I outlined is that if you are referencing a 46x55 cell that is that if your reference past the first "row", e.g. "te_which_icon = 22", then that might (i.e. most likely will) cause problems. So apart from the first row of 46x55 cells, the rest of the sheet would have to consist of the 16x16 icons, or vice versa. Might save space in rare circumstances when someone is using a 16 Bit image or higher, or if the icon sheet would only consist of 1 icon otherwise. I'm not too sure if this makes sense without a drawn example. Since I can't host the scenario, unless someone is willing to, we'll have to wait for Brett to test it - because I'm not going to spend all day emailing it out if you'd feel like being my guinea pig. Keep in mind, if this does not work on a Mac, then in the unlikely situation that your graphic would meet the obscure requirements needed to save space - enough to make stuffing around like this actually worth it - then the resulting graphic would only be useful on a PC. Posts: 215 | Registered: Sunday, April 7 2002 08:00 |
Please Help Me Experienced Editors... in Blades of Avernum Editor | |
Shock Trooper
Member # 932
|
written Wednesday, September 15 2004 20:45
Profile
I'm fairly certain that unless you had them backup whatever graphic you wished to replace, then put the new one into the folder there is no way. I am talking from a Windows user perspective here, and I understand that there is far more that would need to be done for a Mac, enough so that there is little to no point in trying. Apart from that I can't think of any other method to modify the default graphics. I could be wrong mind you. Posts: 215 | Registered: Sunday, April 7 2002 08:00 |
Please Help Me Experienced Editors... in Blades of Avernum | |
Shock Trooper
Member # 932
|
written Wednesday, September 15 2004 20:45
Profile
I'm fairly certain that unless you had them backup whatever graphic you wished to replace, then put the new one into the folder there is no way. I am talking from a Windows user perspective here, and I understand that there is far more that would need to be done for a Mac, enough so that there is little to no point in trying. Apart from that I can't think of any other method to modify the default graphics. I could be wrong mind you. Posts: 215 | Registered: Sunday, April 7 2002 08:00 |
Possession & Rage Script in Blades of Avernum Editor | |
Shock Trooper
Member # 932
|
written Tuesday, September 14 2004 02:57
Profile
I've tested this, and it seems to work. If anyone would like to test it more thoroughly, comment on it, whatever, go ahead. EDIT 1: Oops. Forgot to check for party size... Shouldn't have been coding at 2am. [ Tuesday, September 14, 2004 13:48: Message edited by: CPeters ] Posts: 215 | Registered: Sunday, April 7 2002 08:00 |
Possession & Rage Script in Blades of Avernum | |
Shock Trooper
Member # 932
|
written Tuesday, September 14 2004 02:57
Profile
I've tested this, and it seems to work. If anyone would like to test it more thoroughly, comment on it, whatever, go ahead. EDIT 1: Oops. Forgot to check for party size... Shouldn't have been coding at 2am. [ Tuesday, September 14, 2004 13:48: Message edited by: CPeters ] Posts: 215 | Registered: Sunday, April 7 2002 08:00 |