Right, I'm ready to release the first issue of the DOD mod and I'm looking for playtesters. If you sign up here I will send the file to you so you can play.
If I get too many people offering, then obviously I'll cut it off somewhere to keep it as playtesting and not general release.
Notes to playtesters:
[spoiler]
--------------------------
There shouldn't be many actual 'bugs' in this issue because it's been played through and tested quite a lot. Having said that, the creator can never fully test anything because he already knows how to solve puzzles, beat mobs and the like.
However, there may be missing files (since I've not got a separate computer to test on (yet) it's a possibility that there are one or two textures/music missing that are in my data folder but not mine. But, if you tell me I can fix that).
So, there are a few things I'd ask you to look out for:
*Gaps in the story (what doesn't make sense, what needs rewriting)
*Script (what could be said better, what could be funnier)
*Difficulty (this one's a biggy, I'm aware I play at a lower difficulty level than most people. So, what is way too easy, what is too hard, how do you suggest I alter it)
*Artistic Choices (does the music fit, does anything need reskinning, could a level be laid out better)
*Additions( I'm aware that the first level is rather disappointing and am perfectly open to suggestions on improving it/completely redoing it, do I need more secondary objectives, generally: what could be fleshed out)
*Very specifically 'cp', you'll notice in the final level that you get loads of cp. Although this is easily spent, is it too much? I like to level up my chars and unlock new powers but does it make it too easy. Again, this goes with difficulty
*I'd be grateful if you could have a look at the powers which heroes get later on. I'm a bit of a 'raw power' player so status moves are rare. What chars need less/different/weaker powers?
Obviously, feel free to comment on anything else and bare in mind I'm very open to anything. If you want to say "this level's crap, boring and easy" then feel free ;)
The first issue is 3 missions long (but there are 5 levels) and ends on a base level with a spoiler for the next issue. The download is 60mb but I can break it into parts if anyone wants it that way.
Just post here if you want to be a playtester, and I'll get back to you with the download link :)
[/spoiler]
Thankyou very much
Lunarman
I'll do it. It will give me bit of a break from LB and hopefully give me some inspiration.
I'm interested in playtesting it.
Good, you two were very speedy. I'll send you the link right away ;)
Just to wet your appetite:
[spoiler](http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a176/lunarman/DOD%20Mod%20shots/sneak.png)
(http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a176/lunarman/DOD%20Mod%20shots/ship.png)
(http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a176/lunarman/DOD%20Mod%20shots/scan.png)
(http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a176/lunarman/DOD%20Mod%20shots/park.png)
(http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a176/lunarman/DOD%20Mod%20shots/NSandTC-1.png)
(http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a176/lunarman/DOD%20Mod%20shots/meeting-1.png)
(http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a176/lunarman/DOD%20Mod%20shots/dod1-1.png)
(http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a176/lunarman/DOD%20Mod%20shots/bossbattle-1.png)
(http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a176/lunarman/DOD%20Mod%20shots/blackout-1.png)
(http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a176/lunarman/DOD%20Mod%20shots/beamstrike-1.png)
Like them?
[/spoiler]
I'd be interested in playtesting it. I wouldn't be able to try it until Monday, though. By the way, if you need any new skins\skopes, just give me a PM.
So far, I've discovered there's a problem with the shortcut. It doesn't match the mod folder, which shouldn't say issue one, by the way, because all the issues will have to end up in the same folder for them to work together.
I've given up on getting it to work for today, but it should be easy enough.
Hmm, I fixed that before release but instead of reraring it all up I used the 'replace' function that winrar claims to have. Looks like it didn't work though.
Change your shortcut to read:
"C:\Program Files\Irrational Games\FFVTTR\FFVT3R.EXE" -game DoDIssue1 -log
and the name of the folder to:
DoDIssue1
and it all works. Actually, it has just occured to me that some people used a different installation folder, so you may have to change that so it matches yours rather than FFVTTR that the Digital Jester's release had.
BTW: The playtesting packages will be named in Issues but the actual mod (released in parts you put on top of one another) will just be called DOD
The playtesting packages will still need to install onto a previous version in order to continue with those characters, and hence should NOT be named in issues.
Now, onto the mod itself.
In general--very well done! It's fun, interesting, and challenging. Solar Flare, while being a fire-based character, manages to play differently from El Diablo, which is good. Unfortunately, his fire cage swap is not working at all.
A couple of other minor issues:
Mission 1--I had the mission fail when the lead Thug was still a bit away from the exit. I could have nailed him no problem.
Mission 2--The healing cannister was in a place were my character had a lot of trouble getting close enough to use it. It took like ten tries, moving him around to different angles. You might want to move it out just a little bit.
The background pics for all the screens disappeared at one point, although I'm not sure how that could have happened at all.
QuoteIn general--very well done! It's fun, interesting, and challenging. Solar Flare, while being a fire-based character, manages to play differently from El Diablo, which is good. Unfortunately, his fire cage swap is not working at all.
Wow thankyou, and if you're only up to mission two then you've yet to see the better bit. IMHO the last 3 levels are considerably more fun. I don't know why SF could swap fire cage, lunarman should also have anti grav flier, did that work? If not I'm guessing FFX isn't working on your comp. If you have an old copy of FFX3.0 then I'd ask you substitute that for your FFX3.2 folder for a bit (as I have not upgraded the DOD mod to FFX3.2 since you said it was a pain in the neck). I think there might be a few scripts that have manual paths in them pointing to the FFX3.0 folder in the FFVTTR folder. However this may not be the problem, it could simply be a 'unexplainable' issue. Sometimes on that level SF swap just doesn't work.
A couple of other minor issues:
Mission 1--I had the mission fail when the lead Thug was still a bit away from the exit. I could have nailed him no problem.
Fixed
Mission 2--The healing cannister was in a place were my character had a lot of trouble getting close enough to use it. It took like ten tries, moving him around to different angles. You might want to move it out just a little bit.
Np, I'll move that.
The background pics for all the screens disappeared at one point, although I'm not sure how that could have happened at all.
Like you, I don't know why. I presume you mean the textures just disappeared from the main screen and the loading screens? Was it the normal 'pink texture of doom' or did they just go black/return to the FFVTTR ones?
Thankyou for the info :)
Thanks
Lunarman
I won't be able to playtest right now, but I will be able to later in the week. Sorry. :)
QuoteWow thankyou, and if you're only up to mission two then you've yet to see the better bit. IMHO the last 3 levels are considerably more fun. I don't know why SF could swap fire cage, lunarman should also have anti grav flier, did that work? If not I'm guessing FFX isn't working on your comp. If you have an old copy of FFX3.0 then I'd ask you substitute that for your FFX3.2 folder for a bit (as I have not upgraded the DOD mod to FFX3.2 since you said it was a pain in the neck). I think there might be a few scripts that have manual paths in them pointing to the FFX3.0 folder in the FFVTTR folder. However this may not be the problem, it could simply be a 'unexplainable' issue. Sometimes on that level SF swap just doesn't work.
Keep in mind, I am one of the developers behind FFX 3.2, so I am probably more aware of how it works then you are, and I was the first to get it working in a mod.
At any rate, FFX3 works independently from the FFX folder. It has nothing whatsoever to do with any version of FFX separately installed, and it doesn't need to be installed at all.
Yes, the attributes work. It's a fact that the swaps can be broken fairly easily. There are a few I've had trouble getting to work at all, so do check this out.
Ok, I think I'll wait and see if Alphanaut, Lugaru, Nymph or Kkhohoho experience this problem.
----edit---
I just had a look at ffx.py and those paths I mentioned are ones involved in the writing of the powerids and the ffx custom files. So that won't make a difference.
------EDIT------------
Found the problem. Basically, just before I exported I ran the power id generator, but I forgot it only exports to the ffx folder. So, SF's power needs the new powerid files to work.
http://thedod.freedomforceforever.com/downloads/ffxID.zip
Plonk those in your missions/scripts folder and replace the current ones and it should fix it.
p.s. I think I might make a patch for the shortcut and those .py files. Can someone please post the path to the FFVTTR folder that was standard in the american version. The I can have a euro shortcut and an american shortcut.
Thanks
Lunarman
----edit-
phew, another edit. Hmm, Cat I see you posted during my editing. Anyway, yes you're right and here's the new power id file.
The power IDs could be the problem. They are only needed for certain people whose computers have issues. Mine is one of them. If you didn't generate the ID's and manually move them over. . .
Well, I can test that easily enough.
just a bump so new edit shows up ;)
Just played the first 2/3 missions. Very well done! A couple of points:
* Have someone read over the script. While it was well written for the most part, there were some parts that were spotty, and there was a definite lack of periods in most of the dialogue.
* I found that some of the FF1 objects, namely the gas tanks, would become unselectable if the we're touched by anything but a character, ie if Lunarman picks up one gas tank and as he does so hits another one, the second one cannot be picked up from this point on.
Otherwise, good job! Keep up the good work.
While I don't have time to test the mod at the moment, I'd be happy to proof the script if you wanted to send me a copy. I have a Master of Arts in Literature and I write copy and proof stuff at work, so it might be a good opportunity for me to help out if you want or need help in that department.
Just PM me if so, I usually check the forum 2-3 times a day. :cool:
Oh wow, I'd be very grateful if you would. My script writing is not that good in my opinion, so feel free to rewrite most of it if you like :).
I'll be pming you
Thankyou
Lunarman
It'll be a pleasure,
I'll look over it this evening
Is there any room left for another person to playtest? Let me know if there is.
No bugs on the first mission as far as I can see.
The mission that leads Captain to being transported to his ship caused the game to crash in the middle of the fight between The good guys & The Befusco brother (with his 3 gangsters). I'll try it again later to see if it was just the computer of mine or if it's really a problem there and get back to you all tomorrow.
I'm on Mission 2b now, and boy is this turning out to be fun!
(Is Nightshadow supposed to be missing a voicepack, by the way? If so, I might be able to help with that)
The one thing I've noticed is that object weights seem to be a bit wonky. Lunarman can throw gas tanks across the screen, but wooden crates he can barely move.
Nightshadow is supposed to have a voicepack, so I'll fix that. *blast* He's supposed to have the TuffGuy voicepack so if you have EZvoice then you could copy it to the DoD folder. I've updated it here now
Hmm weights I'll take a look at that those more closely. I've never paid too much attention to them because all the templates were there. But, I'll see what I can do. In my experience FF is very fickle with weights. Captain's sword attack knocks gangster back as it should do but sends thugs flying simply because they're a few values less.
Alright, new bug, also in Mission 2b.
Some of the cutscenes have Nightshadow talking, but there's nothing to keep him from being KO'd. If he is the cuscenes don't make sense.
How do you think I should deal with that? If I revive heroes it may make the level too easy. Maybe I could revive any dead heroes for the CS and then kill them again.
I'll take a look at it, although I'm welcome to ideas
The Blood Brothers Part 2 mission was played again and this time I got through the mission without any hitches, glitches or crashes. I guess the crash was just a fluke.
I do love this mod so far and The Captain would have to be my favorite with Lunarman being a close second.
Zorro
Just want to check: Are there any more bugs/suggestions anyone wants to make or is this good to go now?
thankyou
One last, bump. I'm hoping to get this issue up next week. Sorry for being so lazy about it....
so, any last minute bugs?
Thanks
I'd be interested in playtesting it
No need! It's here
The moment you've all been waiting for! (well, most of you :P )
The first 5 missions of the DOD mod are out. They follow the forming of The DOD and their fighting of crime in Patriot City.
Go to http://thedod.freedomforceforever.com/ (http://thedod.freedomforceforever.com/) and click on The Mod for more info and a downloads page.
Enjoy
Lunarman
:thumbup:
I haven't spent a lot of time on it yet, but what I've played thus far has been really fun..
Nice job.
Fun mod! I enjoyed the story and the concept of a Freedom Force 'next generation.'
The heroes all had a good range of abilities and had interesting personalities (Though I kinda felt Lunarman was a little underpowered -- I ended up having him use lampposts more than his real powers).
Now I'm on the first mission with Blackout and I've run into a technical glitch. The enraged civilians are only showing up as purple boxes, which tells me I'm missing a mesh or other resource file. Let me know what I can do to fix this problem. Thanks!
Still having not figured out how to have a mod end in a base level that Blackout mission is not supposed to be part of issue one it's actually Issue 2.
So long story short, you finished issue 1, lol
I'm glad you liked it. Lunarman is a difficult character to judge in terms of power. I find his gravitic punch is fairly good and his orbital smash is a tad too powerful (like Solar Flares stupidly strong beam attack) but early game Lunarman makes a good tank. Get him armored and gravity well and he's basically untouchable by those nasty thugs with guns making him very good for taking out Mafia. However later in the game he gets his more powerful skills, which are normal 1 target heavy damage things, but they are very good.
Okay! Then I look forward to issue 2! Thanks again!
QuoteStill having not figured out how to have a mod end in a base level that Blackout mission is not supposed to be part of issue one it's actually Issue 2.
Simply delete the mission's level and script, but leave the base in that mod folder intact. You can still reach the base and cutscene, but the next mission button won't work.
That's what i tried first and I think it worked for a time, but then simply stopped working and you couldn't load the base. I only removed Mission.py and Mission.dat.
Oh well
Lunarman,
I am having major problems with the hordes of thugs in mission 2. I need to go back to an earlier save and I have a question. If in the first part of mission 2 I choose to attack the thugs rather than sneak by them like I did the first time will that reduce the amount of thugs I have to face later in the mission? (when I have all 4 heroes) Thanks.
No it won't, the numbers of thugs are the same in lvl 2b even if you clear 2a. Because you move into a different part of the map.
Tips for 2a:
I recommend you buy Lunarman Armored, he then becomes a very effective tank. As does Captain.
Captain's rolling fog will drastically reduce the damage output of ranged thugs and when overpowered his Sword of the Sea will kill a thug in almost one hit.
Keep Nightshadow out of major gunfire, but his fast accurate, stunning punch make good finisher for Mafia that are on their own.
Solar Flare has your only area attack. He's immune to the damage it causes too. There's a lot of objects you can use it on, so use it frequently!
Once you get passed the meeting fight then it's not too hard. Keep captain in front, use Lunarman to offtank, spike with Solar Flare and probs keep Nightshadow invisible, maybe throwing and hitting things with lamposts.
And for the meeting fight. What I normally do is start Captain off with an overpowered Rolling Fog. Nightshadow should be turned invisible. As the gunfire stops move solar flare to next to a large group of thugs and use Overheat (overpowered) on as much stuff as you can find. the crates make good targets. Move Nightshadow to the alley he came out of and start lobbing stun grenades. Once NS is stunning, use Captain and Lunarman to clear all the little thugs (with Captain using Rolling fog when it needs it) and use Solar Flare to kill off the tougher mafia members.
Hope that helps. And btw, This is the hardest mission :)
Ok thanks I'll try those tactics.
Ok I tried that a couple of times. Results were worse than before. I was getting people koed after the meeting battle before, now I am losing them at the meeting battle. I find armored Lunarman to be sooooooooo slow that he is good for little more than target practice. Before he was using his flying attack to actually do some damage. When I try to pick up a lamp post or throw something I almost never get to use it because incoming fire knocks it out of his hands. It really hurts to have Nightshadow start in the midle of the thugs as the bombs do damge before he sinks into shadow and I find him getting koed before he gets to the alley half the time since the bombs work even when he is invisible. I might try again later but my frustration level with this is mounting.
I don't know what to suggest, A lot of other people have done this level no problem. Although I will say it's a hard one. Sadly, the big meeting fight isn't the hard bit for most people, it's the bosses at the end. Anyway, the only thing I can suggest is lowering your difficulty which, although there are no scripted hooks, should still lower the health and AI of everything.
I got past the meting battle before but was badly worn down(as in burning the hero points of all but the Captain) the first time around. I finally figured out that Nightshadow could use lamp posts while invisible and went back to an earlier save where I had already gotten past it. Since they didn't react to him I was able to complete the level. The problem is that your thugs are too fast compared to an armored Lunarman. The Mafia guys in particular. If one of them is shooting at him he can't do anything. He drops the lamp posts or stuff I try to throw due to incoming fire, his ranged attack is poor and his punch a losing proposition by the time I run over there (taking fire) once(hit the bad guy for less damage then taken running in) they run away and I lumber after them.
I don't mean to bust your chops and you had some nice ideas but I hope you don't make anymore overpowered minion types when you complete the mod.