Some orbz modifications for you all...
by wingman · in General Game Discussion · 12/02/2003 (1:22 am) · 7 replies
Hello all
Ive started spending alot of time messing around with Orbz. Im primarily a coder/scripter, and have already started working on creating some Orbz scripts (I did quite a few for Think Tanks, with a heavy background in Tribes 1 & 2 scripting). I plan on starting an Orbz fan site within a couple of weeks, and hope to have a mission editor released soon, cause Ive already started making new .dts models and have some great map ideas.
In the meantime, I have made two slight graphic modifications. I wanted a red crosshair, and an 'easier on the eyes' power bar. Here they are, just simple recolors done in photoshop. Readme is included.
Screenshot:
Download:
scripts.tribalwar.com/evita/orbz/wingman_orbz_mod.zip
Ive started spending alot of time messing around with Orbz. Im primarily a coder/scripter, and have already started working on creating some Orbz scripts (I did quite a few for Think Tanks, with a heavy background in Tribes 1 & 2 scripting). I plan on starting an Orbz fan site within a couple of weeks, and hope to have a mission editor released soon, cause Ive already started making new .dts models and have some great map ideas.
In the meantime, I have made two slight graphic modifications. I wanted a red crosshair, and an 'easier on the eyes' power bar. Here they are, just simple recolors done in photoshop. Readme is included.
Screenshot:
Download:
scripts.tribalwar.com/evita/orbz/wingman_orbz_mod.zip
#2
Do remember, GG did not make Orbz, 21-6 productions did.
Your wishes about orb modifications are possible.
-wingman
12/02/2003 (1:54 pm)
I bounce between TT and Orbz alot. Ive tried every major PC and console game release in the past 6 months, and none of them have pulled me away from Tribes until I bought TT and Orbz.Do remember, GG did not make Orbz, 21-6 productions did.
Your wishes about orb modifications are possible.
-wingman
#3
I like this first mod from Jason because even with the 6 crosshairs, I don't always find the one I want.
Unfortunately, I kind of blanked when I wrote the code for changing crosshairs. I should have just looked in the directory for any file named "crosshair*.png" and cycled through them as appropriate. Instead, I hard coded the options dialog (where you can select your crosshair) to use a maximum of 6 crosshairs.
I did notice that there is a way around this limit though. It means a little hacking of the preferences file but that's not to bad.
Open fps/client/prefs.cs and look for $pref::interface::crosshair and then set it to 6, 7, 8, or whatever you want. When the game runs, this value is appended on to the crosshair graphic filename - for example if the variable is set to 9, the crosshair graphic filename would be "crosshair9.png".
Keep in mind that if the options dialog is used or the "C" key is pressed to cycle through crosshairs, the preference variable will be reset to 0 through 5.
I've added a task to the list for the next Orbz release to allow for more crosshair files without jumping through these hoops.
Also, something to keep in mind about creating Orbz courses is that online ranking will not work with custom courses. We have put in saftey checks on the servers to validate courses are official before recording stats.
Jason, we should talk more if you are planning on releasing editors or new courses. There are some technical hurdles involved with adding courses (like the images shown in the lobby and keeping the client and server in sync) that need to be adressed.
Feel free to contact me at justin.mette@21-6.com to talk more about mods if you are interested. We will do all we can to suport these efforts.
Note I'm also in the #21-6 and #garagegames channels on irc.maxgaming.net all day under the nick "Justin_21-6".
Justin
12/04/2003 (9:10 am)
Wow, this is pretty cool. We we're wondering if anyone was going to start modding Orbz. I like this first mod from Jason because even with the 6 crosshairs, I don't always find the one I want.
Unfortunately, I kind of blanked when I wrote the code for changing crosshairs. I should have just looked in the directory for any file named "crosshair*.png" and cycled through them as appropriate. Instead, I hard coded the options dialog (where you can select your crosshair) to use a maximum of 6 crosshairs.
I did notice that there is a way around this limit though. It means a little hacking of the preferences file but that's not to bad.
Open fps/client/prefs.cs and look for $pref::interface::crosshair and then set it to 6, 7, 8, or whatever you want. When the game runs, this value is appended on to the crosshair graphic filename - for example if the variable is set to 9, the crosshair graphic filename would be "crosshair9.png".
Keep in mind that if the options dialog is used or the "C" key is pressed to cycle through crosshairs, the preference variable will be reset to 0 through 5.
I've added a task to the list for the next Orbz release to allow for more crosshair files without jumping through these hoops.
Also, something to keep in mind about creating Orbz courses is that online ranking will not work with custom courses. We have put in saftey checks on the servers to validate courses are official before recording stats.
Jason, we should talk more if you are planning on releasing editors or new courses. There are some technical hurdles involved with adding courses (like the images shown in the lobby and keeping the client and server in sync) that need to be adressed.
Feel free to contact me at justin.mette@21-6.com to talk more about mods if you are interested. We will do all we can to suport these efforts.
Note I'm also in the #21-6 and #garagegames channels on irc.maxgaming.net all day under the nick "Justin_21-6".
Justin
#5
12/24/2003 (4:31 pm)
As a modder of ThinkTanks, I would be interested in creating levels for orbz. Manually editing the .mis files by changing object positions digit my digit is very tedious although. I will see what I can do!
#6
I want to add my voice to the throngs of people saying "Oi! Edit things!"
I still have a ton of fun on the existing courses (been about a week of ownership, and I'm #58 ranked now I believe). But I REALLY want to map for this; it has extremely unique dynamics and I know that I can create content that is polished enough for inclusion.
Lots of people want to map for this. I think it would work fine if we just sent the maps to you, and then you map them available as a patch, or rejected it and said "needs more balancing/cowbell".
I would have no problems just using the default Torque or Realm Wars editors, but I know that that probably won't work off the bat. I will try and get in contact with you -- Orbz just doesn't have that MANY courses right now, and I am obsessive about every aspect of mapping, particularly terrain. I know that myself and others really want to pop out some maps.
01/11/2004 (1:26 pm)
Pssssst.I want to add my voice to the throngs of people saying "Oi! Edit things!"
I still have a ton of fun on the existing courses (been about a week of ownership, and I'm #58 ranked now I believe). But I REALLY want to map for this; it has extremely unique dynamics and I know that I can create content that is polished enough for inclusion.
Lots of people want to map for this. I think it would work fine if we just sent the maps to you, and then you map them available as a patch, or rejected it and said "needs more balancing/cowbell".
I would have no problems just using the default Torque or Realm Wars editors, but I know that that probably won't work off the bat. I will try and get in contact with you -- Orbz just doesn't have that MANY courses right now, and I am obsessive about every aspect of mapping, particularly terrain. I know that myself and others really want to pop out some maps.
#7
I do believe that 21-6 mentioned the possibility of releasing an editor with the next release. There are some server ranking/map validation hurdles to overcome, etc. Im sure the dev would not have time to check every single map that would get sent to them for approval.
I have already made two maps, with one being released to the public. The map is Moon Base. You can check my other thread on it. Ive also made a handful of client-side scripts. These will be released within a couple of days.
Be patient. Shouldnt be long.
01/11/2004 (1:50 pm)
Luc, fellow tribes player? I saw you referenced T1 in your profile.I do believe that 21-6 mentioned the possibility of releasing an editor with the next release. There are some server ranking/map validation hurdles to overcome, etc. Im sure the dev would not have time to check every single map that would get sent to them for approval.
I have already made two maps, with one being released to the public. The map is Moon Base. You can check my other thread on it. Ive also made a handful of client-side scripts. These will be released within a couple of days.
Be patient. Shouldnt be long.
red-shift (Orbz); Preferred (TT)
Glad to see your starting a site. I just got TT and am amazed how many TT and Orbz palyers go back and forth. I wish we could correlate a who's who between aliases in both games.
Speaking of wishes, the one thing (besides more maps) I think would be most cool in orbz is more variation on the orb itself. For a game that goes by that name, you'd think you wouldn't have to settle so often for the same orb many others use. I mean it is all about the ORB right? GG needs to add customization. Like choosing general color, then amount of translucence if you want it, or differnt 'skins', etc., etc. Choose if the skin completeley or partially covers the orb. What the edges are like. Choose different inserts (i.e. like enigma and obsidian). Different con trails (color, shapes within, translucent, etc). Gold solo medals could unluck more custom option instead of just a few whole orbz. Waddaya think? GG?