Okay, here it goes:
Newbies to MASCOT, like myself, hate having to punch numbers into 500 little text boxes. Therefore I propose that there should be a new thing that will open up MASCOT to all people. That thing would go like this:
1. Someone or sometwo people take up the job of Custom World Maker(s).
2. Someone e-mails a Custom World Maker with a custom combination of levels.
Example: Fire, Xichra, Forest, Caverns.
3. That level set is created, with no sprites or tiles in it, just blank levels (with backgrounds) .
4. The newbie is emailed with the level set and is content with a custom created level set that he or she can build off of.

How does it sound? I'm taking applications for Custom World Maker right here in this topic, and I would love to have some Moderators for the job!

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I think the transfer involved is more complicated than copying and clearing a level of its tiles. FW comes with levels of every background so you can copy whichever you like. All 52 of the levels in Dr Tall Land are copied from Amrbosia levels and then cleared of tiles.

If someone is having problems with nodes however, I could understand that. I'll assemble nodes for someone if they want me to.

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Dr. Tall says: Taller is Better
(url="http://"http://drtalll.tripod.com")Dr Tall Land(/url)

It isn't type of level, it's ORDER of levels. If that's 'nodes', I'd like a level set with forest, forest, caverns, and another with forest, labyrinth, labyrinth, for Lorien and Battle for Gondor, my two newest planned worlds for LOTR.

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Quote

Originally posted by Globzilla:
**It isn't type of level, it's ORDER of levels. If that's 'nodes', I'd like a level set with forest, forest, caverns, and another with forest, labyrinth, labyrinth, for Lorien and Battle for Gondor, my two newest planned worlds for LOTR.

**

Ok but what size do you want the levels to be. All the same size - all different sizes or doesn't it matter. Nodes are quite easy when you get the hang of them. I've written aguide on how to do them which is on (url="http://"http://www.enfield-uk.co.uk")CyberGran's site(/url). Or if you give me the sizes you want I'll produce the backgrounds and link 'em for you.

Liz the Wiz

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"I don't suffer from insanity,
I enjoy every minute of it."

Half the MASCOT screen going across, please. Just to verify:
1.Forest, forest, caverns
2.Forest, Labyrinth, Labyrinth
3.Caverns, caverns, caverns
With ice level music for all of them, if you can.

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I don't like this idea. That's like Ben asking another person to make FW for him so Ben could make his own levels. If you're a newbie in MASCOT, look at Ben's levels for help. Hack into the backgrounds file in ResEdit. Write things down. Learn a few things for @$€˘*%$ sake!!!!!

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"Gentlemen, you can't fight in here - this is the War Room!"

• Dr. Strangelove
  "For as long as I can remember, I've had memories."
• Colin Mochrie, Who's Line is it Anyway?

With all due respect, Ice, I am no Ben Spees, and you are good at MASCOT. This idea is for newbies, like me, and if you knew nothing of MASCOT, you wouldn't say that. I therefore propose that nobody can order a level set if they have made one COMPLETELY on their own.

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Quote

Posted by Globzilla:
it's ORDER of levels.

The order of levels? That doesn't matter at all. Its the noding that assigns levels to their locations. You can have Xichra's Lair be level #1 and still appear at the end of the game. That would be a stupid confusing waste of time granted, but you could do it. As far as size, the Ambrosia levels contain a wide variety, you don't need to get it exactly right, just as long as the level you copy is larger than the one you wish to make. Most of Dr Tall Land's levels don't fill the whole level because of this but I don't think a few extra lines of zeros hurt anybody.

Quote

Posted by lizwiz:
Nodes are quite easy when you get the hang of them.

And yes, lizwiz (who Malcom just informed me does not stand for Lizard Wizard LOL), nodes are fairly simple but most people are not willing to sit down and try to understand them...sigh....

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Posted by Ice:
< snip>

I would also be forced to agree with Ice, I do not see how someone who cannot create his or her own level could produce a quality world. Learning MASCOT is just trial and error. You can be given knowledge, but not understanding. Understanding only comes with experimentation.

And finally:

Quote

Posted by Globzilla:
I therefore propose that nobody can order a level set if they have (not) made one COMPLETELY on their own.

I stuck that "not" in there becuase I think thats what you meant to put. In response, I don't think someone would need to order one if they could make one on their own....and if you didn't mean a "not" there, the same thing applies. You have a nice idea with this ordering thing but I don't think its really necessary or pratical.

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Dr. Tall says: Taller is Better
(url="http://"http://drtalll.tripod.com")Dr Tall Land(/url)

(This message has been edited by Dr Tall (edited 11-11-2001).)

I find myself agreeing with Ice, if not in tone at least in spirit. If you try and try and try, you will improve. Besides who would want to be Custom World Maker? It does not sound like a fun job. Globzilla, I advise you narrow your efforts. It appears you are currently making a large number of worlds. If you reduce this number to, say, one, you may have more success. Remember, it is important not to spread oneself to thin. Good luck.

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Bushes are nice 'cause they don't have prickers -- unless they do. This one did. Ouch! -Ralph Wiggum
Extemporaneous since November 2, 2000
Download (url="http://"http://www.ambrosiasw.com/cgi-bin/vftp/dl-redirect.pl?path=ferazel/addons&file;=Extemporaneous.sit.hqx")Extemporaneous 0.5(/url) for Ferazel's Wand.
Visit the (url="http://"http://homepage.mac.com/emudevelopers/ferazel.html")Extemporaneous Website(/url).

Quote

Originally posted by Ice:
*I don't like this idea. That's like Ben asking another person to make FW for him so Ben could make his own levels. If you're a newbie in MASCOT, look at Ben's levels for help. Hack into the backgrounds file in ResEdit. Write things down. Learn a few things for @$€˘%$ sake!!!!!

**

I don't really see why we can't help someone who is new to the MASCOT editor. When I first opened it and looked at the setup I nearly ran off screaming, and I've been programming for a long time.

It's not an easy application until you get the hang of it, and reading through the web board for the last year you will find that most unanswered questions are about backgrounds, and most people had trouble with nodes. This problem still comes up quite often. Globzilla is not the first one to have trouble with them, and he probably won't be the last.

Liz the Wiz

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"I don't suffer from insanity,
I enjoy every minute of it."

Lizwiz, are you like a guardian angel or something? You have helped me like 5 times now! Dr. Tall, Ice, Emp. Ent: My little inspiration was brought up a long time ago, in a topic far, far away... (actually it was on the EV(O) addons page.
It went like this: 'More interested in the plot than the fighting? If so, this plugin is for you!....'
So my little backup is: you have a great idea for a Ferazel storyline, and then you: 'first opened it and looked at the setup I nearly ran off screaming'
quote LizWiz
See my point? Here is an example: I come up with Ferazel's Wrath, an all out awesome idea. 50 levels. Then I find out that MASCOT is like a really, really big math problem. I hate math, I love writing. I kick my computer. THE END

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Quote

Originally posted by Globzilla:
**Lizwiz, are you like a guardian angel or something?
**

You're making me blush :redface:

Seriously don't give up - it's not nearly as difficult as it seems at first, and when you get into it it's much more design than maths - ok you have to put numbers in boxes but you don't have to add them up at all.

If you can get a storyline you can soon get some levels together but go for the easy ones first. Don't try the complicated until you have the easy off pat. You don't have to show anyone unless you want to. I wouldn't like to say how many levels I have thrown away because they were too pathetic for words.

Liz the Wiz

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"I don't suffer from insanity,
I enjoy every minute of it."

This is the way I see it: I started out just as confused as you. But I still stuck with it. I don't see why you shouldn't do the same.

But if you really can't stand making levels in MASCOT, you could probably end up finding someone with nothing to do. I would make your levels for you if I found the 'plot' interesting and I had nothing else to do. But that is not the case. We're all busy right now (or so I think) and we aren't going to scrap our current projects for someone else (except Ben Spees :)). So if you're patient, and you can get your ideas to someone before they start something new, you might be in luck. (Note: you might have to wait at least a year.)

And no, I don't want to be a custom world maker.

Actually, you probably have it easier off than anyone else. We found out lots of tricks and tips that we didn't have before. You're lucky you even have MASCOT! I think Spamguy started out without any sort of editor at all! But he's still here. And we hope you'll be here for a while too.

So just keep trying, and don't give up.

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