Is there any way to modify/change the starfield background in EVO? If this were possible games beyond space travel would be easier to implement graphically. For example, if the background could be changed to resemble an undersea environment players could sail around in futuristic submarines. Change it to a grass or earth look and you might be able to create a fantasy adventure with knights and dragons traveling the roads between castles and towns. Perhaps the physics of movement would need to be modified, but most everything else about the game engine is already well suited for a multitude of possibilities.

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I once thought of that, and I bet 99% of people here did as well.

Fortunately for us primitive 68k users, you can't do that. It would be good if you could, yeah, but imagine the refreshing time for the background. It would take me 10 seconds to move 1 pixel most likely.

Anyway, EV has such a sci-fi following that even if making a plug like that was possible it would never be as popular as most existing ones. Sorry.

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Nothing comes free.

AOL/AIM: EVMaridian

E-mail: maridian@angelfire.com

Quote

Originally posted by Maridian:
**I once thought of that, and I bet 99% of people here did as well.

Fortunately for us primitive 68k users, you can't do that. It would be good if you could, yeah, but imagine the refreshing time for the background. It would take me 10 seconds to move 1 pixel most likely.

Anyway, EV has such a sci-fi following that even if making a plug like that was possible it would never be as popular as most existing ones. Sorry.

**

I see your point, but a new background would not have to be complex. Even the option to change from black to another color would be useful. As for the sci-fi aspect I think many players would welcome some variety every now and then. Besides, more versatility for plug-in design could potentially attract a broader base of players, increase Ambrosia's profits, and make the world a better place :). Don't misunderstand me though, I think EVO is a great game just as it is, but I can dream.

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Well, the stars are PICT resources, so you could hack around there and see what you can do.

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"His Strangelove All-Purpose Do-It-Yourself Defensive First Second or Third Strike Indestructible Fantastic State-of-the-Art B-Ware Offensive Attack Bomber can't compare with our M & M E & A Sub-Supersonic Invisible and Noiseless Defensive Second-Strike Offensive Attack Bomber."
- from Closing Time , by Joseph Heller.

ColdFusion: it's been attempted many times before, and as far as I've heard, no one has succeeded in doing anything with the star Picts.

Also, folks, keep in mind EVO's physics. They might work for a submarine plug, but would be very odd for a flight-sim (planes flying sideways or backwards?) and bizarre for fantasy (nothing is animated unless it turns)

And of course, there's the matter of hyperjumps...

Sorry to sound so negative, just wanted to make sure you're aware of the long and rich history of this idea. (Almost as good as EV Multiplayer for longevity and recurrence!)

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“If a little knowledge is dangerous, where is the man who has so much as to be out of danger?” - T.H. Huxley

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Originally posted by Glenn:
**ColdFusion: it's been attempted many times before, and as far as I've heard, no one has succeeded in doing anything with the star Picts.
**

Actually, Glenn, it has been successfully done. I once had a plug which came with one of the big plugs, which changed the stars' size and color.

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God. Root. What is difference?
-Pitr

AIM: obormot345

Quote

Originally posted by Obormot:
**Actually, Glenn, it has been successfully done. I once had a plug which came with one of the big plugs, which changed the stars' size and color.
**

There is also a new starfield in Oreste, a semi-old plug for EV. Oreste, in my opinion, is a very, very good plug. It continues the Rebel/'Fed plot. Its not in the EV addons, and only some of the old timers know about it. Go find the link to it in the links section of grand-novice.com. I THINK it was grand-novice. I might have been some other free EV graphics site.

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"Do or do not. There is no try."
-Yoda

Somehow, Meowx Design managed to create a sort of desert background for the upcoming plugin Dark Realms (I think that's its name), which turns EVO into a fantasy adventure; check out the screenshots at (url)www.meowx.com(/url(.

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"His Strangelove All-Purpose Do-It-Yourself Defensive First Second or Third Strike Indestructible Fantastic State-of-the-Art B-Ware Offensive Attack Bomber can't compare with our M & M E & A Sub-Supersonic Invisible and Noiseless Defensive Second-Strike Offensive Attack Bomber."
- from Closing Time , by Joseph Heller.

Here's an answer to the physics problem. Simply make all ships have 0 for their speed, and give them all after-burners. As AI can now use that. You can change the background, I've seen it done, now someone go and make a medival EV plug.

Chamrin

Well, since clearly I was wrong and this has been done numerous times, does anyone care to explain how it all works? Back in the days of escape-velocity.com, I thought the general consensus was that it couldn't be done. What's changed?

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“If a little knowledge is dangerous, where is the man who has so much as to be out of danger?” - T.H. Huxley

Ok to change the background open up the graphics file, and look at pic id 700, and 701 (its mask). Also take a look at its spin file, also id 700. and yes I did a small experiment with it and it seems to work pretty well with anything, just as long as you get the spin right.

Chamrin

(This message has been edited by Chamrin (edited 05-27-2000).)

Quote

Originally posted by Chamrin:
**Ok to change the background open up the graphics file, and look at pic id 700, and 701 (its mask). Also take a look at its spin file, also id 700.:) and yes I did a small experiment with it and it seems to work pretty well with anything, just as long as you get the spin right.

Chamrin

(This message has been edited by Chamrin (edited 05-27-2000).)**

What numbers should the xtiles and ytiles be in the Spďn?

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Uh.. Yeah, I play EV...