Bay 12 Games Forum

Was it necessary to build a scale Space Needle fort this project?

(I voted for this!)

Okay, so I like where this is going, but I need to throw in a few ideas else I'd feel like I'm wasting my time having just read this thread (after all, you put a lot of work on this, and it seems you're wanting good feedback.) Let's start with games.

Mind you, these are suggestions--nothing else, nothing more.

1). Games should be designated in an arena zone; an audience zone is any place that is adjacent (and has visible access) to the arena--this means that you could set an audience zone one z-level higher. This doesn't preclude then the addition of multiple z-level buildings.
2). Games should have their parameters defined in the raws, allowing modders to generate their own fun new games; as well, on world creation, semi-random raws could be generated for games. The raws will contain things like teams, and players; you could specify a range, have a token for equal teams, or set teams at radically different numbers; items with interaction tokens; and goals. This would mean a simple game of soccer would look like:

[GAME:SOCCER]
[TEAMS:2][PLAYERS:2:10][EQUAL]
[ITEM:leather ball:1]
[PUSH:leather ball]
[INTO:goal]
[ITEM:stone block:4]
[SCORE:goal:leather ball:1]
[WIN_SCORE:10]

[ARENA:SOCCER]
[AREA:goal:2]
[ITEM:stone block:2]
[ITEM_PARAM:1:3]
[ITEM_LAYOUT:stone block:goal:stone block]
[GOAL_OPPOSITE_LONG]
[ARENA_SIZE]
What this code does is, when it's time to play soccer, two sets of two stone blocks are set on opposite sides of an arena zone (longwise), with a space in between them. The token 'push' means use the body to move the object (a ball) 'into' a predefined space, as defined in the arena, scoring 1 point. . You can then move it around (using distance parameters instead of simple [ITEM_OPPOSITE_LENGTH] use [DISTANCE:10], so the goals are always 10 squares away in the most convenient placement. Instead of playing 10 points, you could instead define [TIME:500] for 500 ticks, and use the token [WINNER_HIGHEST]. The problem is, there will have to be many permutations to the code to permit EVERY game that you can think of; such an idea should be implemented small, then more and more tags added in as the updates roll out.

Once the game ends, the dwarves pack up and clean up the arena. This allows you to run multiple games in one zone, instead of arduously having to build each arena for a specific game.
3). "Vermin games" (as oppposed to "large games" as I demonstrated above) could be done a lot smaller, because they require luck and possibly skill, and aren't so well defined in the RAWS. There wouldn't be a point to adding all the tokens in to make poker or bridge work, it would to be much work; same with jacks or chess or clue--this can be added in with required mats. The only problem is that playing them in adventure mode will get boring, unless each game has randomized "win" and "lose" tags that display whenever you lose.) A game of pool might then end up being a vermin game, instead of a big game.

As for arts (such as bone crafting), I think even idling dwarves might want to go and not just paint, but perhaps widdle on some wood for a while, making a few spare items on his free time--a handcrafted (perharps marked by a single grave accent on each side, ``, would have its value calculated differently. The subject `Launching of Orbs` would have a different cost if it was *`Painting of Launching of Orbs`*, versus an engraving of *Engraving of Launching of Orbs*. Same with `Handcrafted Statue of a Triangle`--they would also qualify differently to dwarves. An artist dwarf might get happy thoughts from `handcrafted` item, while an unartistic dwarf would only get happy thoughts from the manufactured sort.

That's all I can think of at this moment...

Also depends on the quality of your graphics core. I now exclusively use an HP Pavilion with a 2.6 (or something) AMD quadcore, six gigs of RAM, and a Radeon HD 4600 that has a gig of vram on it. In a site with a 12-level waterfall and about 50 dwarves (because setting the popcap seems to be worthless), I see about 80 fps.

I do like the idea of a contract negotiation for specific dwarves, though i think it would be more trouble than its worth as long as training/waiting for moods is so easy.  I feel like you should be able to put out a call for specific types of dwarven skills, and then get a semirandom selection within that area.

I think perhaps it's why I suggested two things that it can do: You can contract non-dwarven labor, and you can contract (sometimes exotic) mercenaries. Building a big bad army to defend your fortress can be daunting, and when your numbers run thin year after year, it's a much better option to replenish your soldiers than trying to thin your own labor base.

But I agree--perhaps it should be more simple, you create a contract for specific types of labor, and then you get a semirandom dwarf for the job.

I like the idea of dwarves leaving under certain conditions.  If those conditions are player-friendly to understand and alter.

I propose that the critical variables should be Attachment to fort and Discontentment.  Attachment to fort should depend on length of residence, deeds done (interesting kills, quality items produced, successful strange moods, etc.), and number and intensity of positive personal relationships.

Discontentment should be fairly strictly defined.  Dwarves getting no work or no vittles will be much more likely to leave.  Dwarves getting nothing but hauling, pumping, lever-pulling, etc. tasks will be somewhat more likely to leave.  They should first complain (in a way obvious to the player), then start taking actions (like hiding food somewhere) that indicate their plans to leave, and only after a while actually decamp.  Taking some stuff with them.

I agree with this wholeheartedly. Dwarves who are attached shouldn't want to leave, and dwarves who are too discontent should first consult their leadership; these demands can be met, alleviating their problems or desire to stay.

At the same time, certain personality tags should come into play. A dwarf might like hauling, for instance. Or a dwarf might simply request that they gain new skills. They might request glass making instead of farming, and that might change it.

It creates an interesting challenge, balancing a social aspect (the desirability of your fort) amongst the general survivability. Of course, this should be an option that can be deselected in the init file.

Now that you mention it, should be a world-gen parameter. Magic is something that will shake up an entire world but should be able to be easily removed if you don't want it.

So, instead, have RAW-enabled in files, and an option (perhaps as a world gen parameter, or simple an init line) to opt in or out of magic? I can see that happen rather effectively.

So you're telling me it has a short lifespan.

Got it.

Might be a partial underwater source (does the embark region have an underground lake?). I've seen chasm-like on sources, but not on major rivers...