Indeed -- let the moderators do their job. And bringing up an old topic might merit a loss of a karma point, but certainly it does not merit a ban.
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Fallacy of the mind.
<GlueBubble> it came to me in a moment of inspiration*!
<Cone> shortly after you rejected "Phallus of the Mind"
<GlueBubble> 
Thanks for the responses that tried to help. I'm sorry to those who are somehow offended by someone bringing up an old topic that has never been solved.
In answer to your quustions:
I apologize. Stark and GlueBubble are right. I suppose spending all that time under the heel of AAC has an effect on you... 
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"I never let school interfere with my education." ΒMark Twain
(url="http://"http://www.evula.org/wolvenstudios/projects/tfm.html")The Four Mages(/url), an unfinished quest-oriented plug-in for Pillars of Garendall. | (url="http://"http://www.evula.org/wolvenstudios/projects/tfm_faq.html")TFM FAQ(/url) | (url="http://"http://www.evula.org/wolvenstudios/projects/tfm_log.html")TFM Progress Log(/url)
Β Cafalll, the only permanent employee of (url="http://"http://www.evula.org/wolvenstudios/")Wolven Studios(/url).
(This message has been edited by Cafalll (edited 10-05-2002).)
No problem Cafalll.
As far as the problem goes, I have figured a few things out:
Even though the error message is about registration, the problem that is causing it has nothing to do with registration.
It all seems to have something to do with the total number of files and/or the total size of the files within the game database, possibly just in the pictures folder. I can find no documentation regarding a maximum number of files or file size. I took all of the subfolders out of the pictures folder and the game built without the error message. I then added back folders a few at a time until I got the error again. I pulled the folders that I had just copied back and replaced them with other folders and still got the message. It doesn't seem to matter which files that I have in the game only the amount of files. If anyone has any insight into this, their help would be appreciated. This is a big problem since there is still a great deal of art that needs to be put into our game.
Dan
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Quote
Originally posted by DMan:
**No problem Cafalll.
As far as the problem goes, I have figured a few things out:
Even though the error message is about registration, the problem that is causing it has nothing to do with registration.
It all seems to have something to do with the total number of files and/or the total size of the files within the game database, possibly just in the pictures folder. I can find no documentation regarding a maximum number of files or file size. I took all of the subfolders out of the pictures folder and the game built without the error message. I then added back folders a few at a time until I got the error again. I pulled the folders that I had just copied back and replaced them with other folders and still got the message. It doesn't seem to matter which files that I have in the game only the amount of files. If anyone has any insight into this, their help would be appreciated. This is a big problem since there is still a great deal of art that needs to be put into our game.
Dan
**
Hmm. I seem to recall that the unregistered engine has a event cap of 40 events per game, but I don't remember anything about file amounts..........
Let me get this straight. You add a certain amount of files, pictures and whatnot, and then whenever you build the game with the engine, it gives you the 'Unregistered Version of Coldstone' dialogue? Does the actual engine do anything when it's building? IE: when the engine thinks it is unregistered, it has a time delay counter before it builds. Does this happen?
For now, I'd recommend deleteing the Coldstone License file, the Coldstone Preferences file, and doing a clean install of Coldstone off the CD (Remember to backup your game!). Then open the Register Coldstone application, and reenter your registration details. If it gives you a 'code expired' error, don't worry, click on the 'renew' button and it'll work fine.
After doing all that, launch Coldstone, locate your game folder and try to build it again. If it still returns the error, post here again and we'll see what we can do. Incidentally, can you tell me what system you are using, and in 9 or under, the version of CarbonLib? Thanks, and good luck!
-Andiyar
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"Any good that I may do here, let me do now, for I may not pass this way again"
Quote
Originally posted by DMan:
I'm running OS9.22 CarbonLib 1.5
Mr. DMan,
Not that I think this will help your current problem, but CL has an update to 1.6. I'd recommend getting it, if for no other reason than to be current.
You can snag it (url="http://"http://www.versiontracker.com/mp/new_search.m?productDB=mac&mode;=Quick&OS;_Filter=MacOS&search;=Carbonlib")here(/url).
(edit) Fixed a typo. Bad typo! (/edit)
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(This message has been edited by Stark Bledfast (edited 10-07-2002).)
Quote
Originally posted by DMan:
**Thanks Andiyar,
I've already deleted every trace of Coldstone and reinstalled and reregistered.
I'm running OS9.22 CarbonLib 1.5
When I run a build it looks normal until the very end. It never gets to include external files, hence the lackof music and sound.
Dan
**
OK, so first off, the files don't copy across, it has an odd file cap, and it claims that the game was built with an unregistered version of the engine. That's correct?
Hmm. Well, with the 'unregistered version' error my solution worked for me... Does that still crop up for you? If so..... do you, by any chance, have a dual boot system, or another computer that you could install Coldstone on, and attempt to compile your game? If so, try it for me and let me know...
Also, check your preferences for Coldstone, make sure the 'Always save in appropriate folder' box is ticked. Now, instead of doing a 'build' release, do a build and lauch. Does that one work for you without the error messages?
Also, finally, try using the original version of Coldstone (1.0.0) with your game, and compiling it from that version.
Sorry if that was incoherent, it's rather late and I have Uni tomorrow. Let me know.
-Andiyar
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"Any good that I may do here, let me do now, for I may not pass this way again"
Okay, here's a summary of what I know so far:
I can build a generic medievil game with no problems, audio and all.
When I try to build the game I am working on (which used to build fine) the audio files are not added to the game and I get a message when I run the built game that it was created with an unregistered version of Colstone. Then the game plays with no audio.
When I remove a few sub folders from the pictures folder (regardless of which subfolders I choose to remove) the game builds with audio and the build plays with no error message. Like I said, it does not matter which specific files I remove, just the amount and/or size of the files.
The problem seems to have nothing to do with actual registration since I can build a different game with no message and have tried all the usual registration type problem fixes (deleting the prefernce file and reregistering, completely removing coldstone and reinstalling/reregistering, replacing the config files for the game with those of a game that is known to work properly).
Dan
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Quote
Originally posted by DMan:
**Okay, here's a summary of what I know so far:
I can build a generic medievil game with no problems, audio and all.
When I try to build the game I am working on (which used to build fine) the audio files are not added to the game and I get a message when I run the built game that it was created with an unregistered version of Colstone. Then the game plays with no audio.
When I remove a few sub folders from the pictures folder (regardless of which subfolders I choose to remove) the game builds with audio and the build plays with no error message. Like I said, it does not matter which specific files I remove, just the amount and/or size of the files.
The problem seems to have nothing to do with actual registration since I can build a different game with no message and have tried all the usual registration type problem fixes (deleting the prefernce file and reregistering, completely removing coldstone and reinstalling/reregistering, replacing the config files for the game with those of a game that is known to work properly).
Dan
**
OK, what is the actual limit on the number of folders/files you can have before it dies on you? I currently have well over fifty subfolders in my pictures folder and haven't had this experience yet.
As a temporary workaround, I'd suggest a subfolder system to avoid the cap, say
Pictures-->NPC
Pictures-->Forests
Pictures-->Towns
Pictures-->Dungeons
etcetera, and just place your NPC's as subfolders within the subfolders (I think this should work). The only problem here is that you'll have to redo the animation files... but don't worry about that just yet, simply try to compile it like that for me. If that works... we'll see what happens.
Thanks,
-Andiyar
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"Any good that I may do here, let me do now, for I may not pass this way again"
(This message has been edited by TarnΔlion Andiyarus (edited 10-10-2002).)
How the truth will make one free - Read the above posts and my contact has proven themself true - Coldstone has a file limit system built in the folder structure to prevent people from making any game that will compete with POG - THIS WAS DONE ON PURPOSE - People will not be able to create a game larger than a plugin without running into this "problem" ambrosia and beenox both know of its existance - they want to control any game of worth - if you run it through them they get part of the action and then the unregistered message will go away and the game will compile correctly.
This intentional crippling is a reality it results from whne you build a game using a demo copy, the engine at a data level marks all files created with the engine as 'demo', this would mean that you can under no circumstances create a product and sell it with anything you created using the DEMO, this is not crippling this is piracy protection, because quite simply someone could just use a the executable (996k) app, and use a package to conceal the art/resource files from being tampered with...this would effectively kill/negate registration...
Now This is the reality of the program...yes you are correct you shouldn't be able to build something as great as POG which hundreds of maan hours went into for free, the do control the economics ...you must pay $50 bucks before you can publish a worthwhile game, CGE enforces an all too common limitation seen many engines for example silverCreator limits the number of sprites present in your games, RealBasic kills apps after 5minutes/30 days, these limits are heree to prevent fast cheap skates from making a profit, especially since you can build a completely custom game in one day (assuming you have oyour art completely maapped out). This fail safe will become increasingly more important in days to come, siting CGE's popularity growing user base, and amount of projects nearing completion...why? because people will begin to write 3rd party tutorials, sort of like oreilly's definitve guides "insert expensive product name here" which will familiarize peole with the structure and capabilities long before they ever get their hands on it...frankly if you were to order the CD now, that leaves you with almost 2months to plan a game, and if you have a story ready and art again...that's sufficient time to build the game. Those EVils are there and they're present in many softwares no matter what they are.
point being the DEMO is try before you buy not build in the mean time with , As someone rephrased me before (official disclaimer that should have came on the CD)"NEVER BUILD ANYTHING OF VALUE WITH THE DEMO " at best use it to familiarize yourself with the mechanics, read the manual and prepare the necessary resources...that way you won't have to rebuild your game from scratch...your primary goal should be to become proficient before you build.
This is also why some art files from POG weren't included, think about it...you could definitely recreate POG almost to a T before the DEMO period ended, and release it as free POG...do you understand now?
i believe the programmer was simply pulling your leg because you are so eager to believe in conspiracy i.e. your mantel...do you really just hang around crusading around like don quixote making Drunken charges at beenox/ambrosia or do you actually have a project in dev and vent your frustration under this avatar?
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I have sent this in to ambrosia and hve gotten this reply.
exact email from David Dunham:
Thanks for sending this in.
I've had multiple reports of this recently. Beenox is aware of the
problem, and is looking into a solution.
In the meantime, can answer a few questions?
What OS was this built on?
What platform was it developed for?
If the Mac OS, what OS versions have you tried this on?
Do you recall what point you first started to have this problem?
Had this project ever been developed at all on an unregistered version
of Coldstone?
Please include text from previous emails in your reply.
David Dunham, Technical Support Ambrosia Software, Inc.
(url="http://"http://www.AmbrosiaSW.com")http://www.AmbrosiaSW.com(/url)
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------
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Thanks,
GrahamVH
graham@vhpublications.com
Quote
Originally posted by Death Coldstone:
How the truth will make one free - Read the above posts and my contact has proven themself true - Coldstone has a file limit system built in the folder structure to prevent people from making any game that will compete with POG - THIS WAS DONE ON PURPOSE - People will not be able to create a game larger than a plugin without running into this "problem" ambrosia and beenox both know of its existance - they want to control any game of worth - if you run it through them they get part of the action and then the unregistered message will go away and the game will compile correctly.
Nonsense.
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Dee Brown
Beenox inc. - (url="http://"http://www.beenox.com")www.beenox.com(/url)
(url="http://"http://www.AmbrosiaSW.com/games/coldstone/")Coldstone Game Engine(/url) / (url="http://"http://www.AmbrosiaSW.com/games/pog/")Pillars of Garendall(/url) developers
Quote
Originally posted by Dee:
Nonsense.
I dunno about that Dee...
I think you and Ambrosia are a part of that new US government super computer project, with Coldstone serving as just a stepping stone to world domination and subjugation. We've heard about your new engine, "Goliath." Aptly named I'd say, for your twisted purposes. And the "VaTz" running on Xbox? Another strategic alliance with a corporate partner of the Governmental conglomerate.
You see, we're on to you guys. We know that you intentionally crippled Coldstone so that it would not compile our games. We know that you know that we would not know what to do and so would send to you our games that wouldn't compile. You would then, using the super-computer architecture, dissect our games and from our coding style deduce our personal information, credit card numbers, personal email passwords, and whether or not we prefer boxers or briefs.
We also know that you thought that we wouldn't know that you would then take this information and enter it into the secret database that stores all of this vital information.
And you thought we wouldn't be on to you just because you're "Canadian." Uh huh. We checked up on you, yes we did, and we found out that you're not from Canada. Imposter! You're from Quebec!
So just you be on the look out, because we're on to you and your tricks.
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(This message has been edited by Stark Bledfast (edited 11-19-2002).)
Quote
Originally posted by Stark Bledfast:
**you're not from Canada. Imposter! You're from Quebec!
**
Indeed. I won't go into any political debate here but there's a huge difference between the two. Side note on this: did you know that Molson has a beer named "Canadian" that sells very well all around Canada except in Quebec? Actually, the product sold so bad that it was simply removed from the shelves. When I went to Ontario, however, it was everywhere. Strange.
Anyway, with some chance, a moderator will find that this topic is now going nowhere and will close it, giving me all the freedom I require to conquer the world.
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Dee Brown
Beenox inc. - (url="http://"http://www.beenox.com")www.beenox.com(/url)
(url="http://"http://www.AmbrosiaSW.com/games/coldstone/")Coldstone Game Engine(/url) / (url="http://"http://www.AmbrosiaSW.com/games/pog/")Pillars of Garendall(/url) developers
Quote
Originally posted by Dee:
**Anyway, with some chance, a moderator will find that this topic is now going nowhere and will close it, giving me all the freedom I require to conquer the world.
**
Your wish is my command, O Great One. And anyway, wer're not getting anywhere apart from a bit of incidental flaming... so this one goes bye-byes. If and when you still experience issues, please feel free to post them again, or petition me to open this back up.
iLock.
-Andiyar
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"Any good that I may do here, let me do now, for I may not pass this way again"
lol