Ambrosia Garden Archive
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    • Coldstone tutorial?

       Coldstone Web Board
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      Hi,

      Stark suggested I post my question here, as this is not necessarily a bug or anything. BTW, some of you whippersnappers (whippersnappers!? :-)) wiill tell me to forget the tutorial, well being an old lady (on this board anyway) it just isn't cutting it to just "jump in". Anyway, how soon should it take to get some kind of scene when you launch the game?

      I have gotten this far: I have a NPC guy; a map; a start up screen; a weapon; a shop ;etc (I must be on page 18 or so). And yes to (mr.:-)) Stark that I have done the engine calls and teleports, etc. and the data is looking correct (at least as far as the tutorial is concerned). But all I am getting thus far is a black screen and a rather snazy looking bar that says "game data loading" (or something on that order).
      It seems I should be getting something by now. Though I know the tutorial is not entirely correct so maybe I am missing something. I am also finding if I get stuck and stop for awhile I can figure it out. But I must be stuck somewhere.

      A few BTWs:
      BTW, someone said those who wrote the tutorial might be reading, so I have a suggestion: That at certain points that you show what should be in the data folder (devs) so that if you are missing something you know that you need to go back. I know this would add a few pages to it, but it would be useful. I think it might also be useful to use a couple elderly people (over 25 say) as beta testers on your tutorial. So they can comment if you lose them somewhere. Though I am honestly not sure how many buyers of the software are over 25, so you might disregard the later. 🙂

      And yes the thing does seem familar somehow. A bit like using hyperlink software (ie Hyperstudio) but I have to say I had more luck with that, and did not even use the manual.

      --des (that ms to you, Stark :-))

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      Glenn,who worked directly with the translation/proof reading from French to English, whould be able to clarify.

      The tutorial is vague. The user Manual which the Tutorial alludes to regularly, is far richer.
      -----------
      ::non condescending dialog::

      Does your game data loading bar complete and then you recieve a black screen?
      If so there may be an issue with;
      the (map/main)interface images you're using may be defunct
      your game may be missing a fade from black (if any) to match your fade to black

      However as long as you don't notice the clock stop(CGE is capable of freezing the clock and not the system)
      and the game doesn't throw an excception, or an error of type2...you're in redeemable condition.

      a good way to test that your game did in fact load, is to use audio. IE when the map has loaded use a music file.
      If it plays you know that it has loaded, and it is a visual issue. This is similar to the medieval game's start Game event.

      ------additional
      This is a good practice to detect any event(i suggest adding the sound at the end of the event, that way you know it executed)

      also for events that deal with numerics, attach a dialog to a disposable button/keyDown. Make sure you type the tag of the global(s) you wish to test:

      _
      Testing:
      &&gb;_funnyFace
      &&gb;_titanSlain
      &&level;
      &&hp;
      _
      ---------------

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      The tutorial is vague. The user Manual which the Tutorial alludes to regularly, is >far richer.

      Hmm, well maybe I should start going thru the manual in a sequential sort of way, perhaps I would get further?

      ::non condescending dialog::

      I'm not going to take it that way if it was not intended.

      Does your game data loading bar complete and then you recieve a black screen?

      No it does not. It definitely seems to start, but then it doesn't really finish. At a certain pt. (I am going to say about half way it just stops doing anything). Also shouldn't the game data go thru images, etc. (Although I realize there are no sounds, etc.).

      If so there may be an issue with;
      If not??

      your game may be missing a fade from black (if any) to match your fade to black

      Hmm, I do not remember anything about fades in the tutorial. Not at all.
      I know about these from multimedia stuff.

      However as long as you don't notice the clock stop(CGE is capable of freezing the >clock and not the system) and the game doesn't throw an excception, or an error >of type2...you're in redeemable condition.

      The clock doesn't actually stop. Or maybe it does? Ok not sure what you mean.
      The load meter just doesn't complete. Perhaps that means it has actually stops.
      There are no error messages (type 2 or otherwise). The game is stoppable with the quit.

      a good way to test that your game did in fact load, is to use audio. IE when the >map has loaded use a music file.

      Ok, I'll jump to an audio example, see if that works. I'll indicate if this works here.

      also for events that deal with numerics, attach a dialog to a disposable >button/keyDown. Make sure you type the tag of the global(s) you wish to test:

      Hmm, you lost me here. Perhaps we need Coldstone for Dummies. 🙂
      (BTW, I have thus far boycotted all those titles. :-))

      --des

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      The 'startGame.cet' is just an initial event and loads very little into memory, and assuming you just have a normal main location, you shouldn't see more than 'loading game data' and because it is a very lightweaight thing to load, the progreess bar will get to the halfWay mark and then jump to the end at a nearly invisible speed.

      (i)Game data is loaded 'on the fly', when you call it it loads.(/b)

      I guess what i was trying to ask was;
      does the progress bar actually go away or does it completely sit there? You answered and said it never finishes loading...my response to that...Gee golly gosh a-roo...i've never heard that one before...perhaps you have a very large 'bit wise' picture for a main location? Large as in over 1.4mb (the equivalent to taking a screenshot under millions of colors) ??

      (the clock, i'm rferring to is your computer's system clock)

      fading if oyu don't know what it is theen you probably didn't use it by accident.
      there is an action in CGE called 'fade effect' , you need to have two every time, they work in tandem/pairs...like parenthesis.
      Some times preople forget to reverse the fade effect and they end up with a black screen...

      however if your game is stoppable with a quit thaen it definitely has finished loading, i don't believe that you can quit a CGE game while loading...

      globaals...your best friend. They are containers that can hold numbers, you then in turn use a condition(al) to test if something is true aand if its true you usually set up something to happen from there...chain of events.
      ie

      if gb_CarrieIsEnraged = 1 then
      activate telekinesis
      else
      walk around and moap

      well let's say 'activate telekinesis' (which in CGE terms would be a spellWizard action with parameter 'add spell: telekinesis to player's spell book') never happened. One way to check this would be to physically ask Carrie..."pssst...psst Carrie, hey are you ticked off".
      Well let's say you haven't gotten around to drawing up the animation where barbedWire appears on Carrie's skin(this would be your visual clue to her being enraged) or you don't feel like it...or whatever. Then one sure fire way would be to create an event with a 'dialog box action' in it. THat way you could test the mechanics of game before you invest aall your time and have absolutely no idea what happened and begin taking pot shots at your computer with your shoe.

      ...end example

      I agree there should be a 'CGE: the book that should have come in the box by O'Reilly.'

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      (B)The 'startGame.cet' is just an initial event and loads very little into memory, and >assuming you just have a normal main location, you shouldn't see more than '>loading game data' and because it is a very lightweaight thing to load, the >progreess bar will get to the halfWay mark and then jump to the end at a nearly >invisible speed.

      If it is invisible speed maybe that is why I am not seeing it. It could be moving for all I know. 🙂 Though (see further down)...

      I guess what i was trying to ask was;
      does the progress bar actually go away or does it completely sit there? You >answered and said it never finishes loading...my response to that...Gee golly >gosh a-roo...i've never heard that one before...perhaps you have a very large 'bit >wise' picture for a main location? Large as in over 1.4mb (the equivalent to taking >a screenshot under millions of colors) ??

      How could that be? I am loading the standard graphics in the PoG game?
      This is all stuff in the tutorial.

      (the clock, i'm rferring to is your computer's system clock)

      Ok.

      fading if oyu don't know what it is theen you probably didn't use it by accident.
      there is an action in CGE called 'fade effect' , you need to have two every time, they >work in tandem/pairs...like parenthesis.
      Some times preople forget to reverse the fade effect and they end up with a black >screen...

      Well I know what it is, just didn't know about it in CGE.
      I'm following the tutorial and that hasn't come up yet. Though if it is necessary then they might explain the black screen.

      however if your game is stoppable with a quit thaen it definitely has finished >loading, i don't believe that you can quit a CGE game while loading...

      That occured to me as well. It is like any other program in that respect.

      globaals...your best friend. They are containers that can hold numbers, you then in >turn use a condition(al) to test if something is true aand if its true you usually set >up something to happen from there...chain of events.

      Ok at least this makes sense. Not sure I am quite ready for them.

      I agree there should be a 'CGE: the book that should have come in the box by >O'Reilly.'

      Ok, O'Reilly, that' s an improvement (over the Dummy books). I always liked the third party books over the manuals/tutorials any day. I think my point is that they are real writers. Also because they didn't write the software they don't have blinders about what is easy and what is not. I have seen manuals go into great detail on thngs lilke changing text color or bolding and none and something far more esoteric.

      I give great kudos to any computer program that can make itself almost totally understandable right out of the box particularly if it is a complex one. My nominee is MacSpeech's iListen. (speech to text).

      Of course what is one person's intuitive may be another's gibberish. 🙂

      --des

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      WHy didn't someone tell me i had something like, 48 grammatical errors...well i'm a perfect speller, with near calligraphic cursive/block handwriting and i'm a lefty...and really that's all that counts 😛 .

      But anyhow:

      Wow if you'r using the preFab art...try the following.
      use CGE and create new game-->medieval template.
      Run it. if it finishes loading and you can play it all the way through without error, interact with all the NPCs etc.

      theen you can consider the following;

      • CGE and your comp don't get along(compatibility).

      • you are having an Human issue(your scenario needs debugging, ).

      so again(repetitious content ensues), dissect the template game, all the actions are clearly marked, and if you can wadde your way through the manual you should gain an even greater understanding of the Engine.

      Globals...they are essence/essential. (for instance ever play a game where you defeated the boss and the hideout explodes into rubble...ever come back later in the game and the hideOut's still there...did it leave you feeling like this---> ???. If you want your users to avoid this feeling you'll be needing to make your own globals...don't be scared they won't bite...
      Posted Image

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      (This message has been edited by ellrx (edited 12-15-2002).)

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      Originally posted by ellrx:
      WHy didn't someone tell me i had something like, 48 grammatical errors...well i'm a >perfect speller, with near calligraphic cursive/block handwriting and i'm a lefty...and >really that's all that counts 😛 .

      I'm sorry. Ok, you have 48 grammatical errors, perfect spelling, near callgraphic left handed handwriting and that's all that counts. Please forgive any over sight. 🙂

      Wow if you'r using the preFab art...try the following.
      use CGE and create new game-->medieval template.
      Run it. if it finishes loading and you can play it all the way through without error, >interact with all the NPCs etc.

      Ok that sounds like something i saw something about.

      Globals...they are essence/essential. (for instance ever play a game where you defeated >the boss and the hideout explodes into rubble...ever come back later in the game and the >hideOut's still there...did it leave you feeling like this---> ???. If you want your

      All the time. I think the name is LIFE. But then I used to work for a manic depressive
      boss.

      --des

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