Aldebaran 2: Smax

[Chaunk]

Drag dropping worked, looks like it'll take me a while to get my head around this though...

The ai versions didn't show up as ai versions on the selection screen (If that makes sence....) There was no "ai" on the end. Did I download the wrong version (2.0.4 I think)?

The ascent also still costs 2000 rows

[GeoModder]

Tried to play Aldebaran, but the game gives an error in either SMAC or SMAX before the start screen appears (Start new game, Scenario, Multiplayer, etc...). When starting up in SMAC, a 'unable to draw buffer' error screen appears, in SMAX a 'sent error report' screen appears. O yes, I tried to start it in XP. Any ideas what can be the fault?

[smacksim]

Chaunk. Thanks. I think I forgot to add the text files, being too happy with the graphics. So lemme re-upload in a minute. I'll call it 2.0.5.

Geo, not having an install of XP on this machine, I can't test this. I would guess Darsnan's running XP and it worked for him. The draw-buffer error sounds like the old Force-old-voxel algorithm bug. Would you post your .ini when you get a chance? or just email it to me.

So look for 2.0.5 in 20 minutes or so.

-Smack

[smacksim]

Here's Aldebaran 2.0.5 with the proper text files (Thanks Chaunk) (edit: fixed-got rid of the Colonists which snuck in before)

Geomodder, let me know if you get it figured out. There really shouldn't be any problems with the files. It's just .txt and .pcx . Perhaps there was a problem with the factions not finding the proper graphics files? Make sure the .pcx files are in the game directory too.

[GeoModder]

Well, I did look in the faction.txt files and some have another 'calling name' (ie. colonists) then the .pcx files. That might be a problem. And all the files were put in the root folder, I've got quite some experience in adding new faxtions to the game, so such a mistake I won't make. I've got none of the usual 'no faction found' warnings when loading up. The game crashes simply just before the main screen should popup.

Also, did you create Aldebaran under the no-CD crack of SMAX? On my XP partition it's still running under the original terran(x).exe file.

Ah, just readed your post before this. Must the 'ForceOldVoxAlgorithm be 1 or 0?

[smacksim]

Darn. I added the Colonists text file and not the graphics. Will fix right away. I got a little distracted from my usual cautious approach and havn't been re-installing the updates on 'fresh' installs of Smax since 2.0.3. I see I should have done that.

I did the mod working from the CD, assuming that the No-CD patch will work just as well. On my machine I have to have Force-Old-Voxel=1. I doubt you'd have to change it from whatever you normally use. I'm guessing your crash is from the Colonists not having graphics. They are a splinter of the Galactics (long story).

Again, apologies for the Colonists.txt. You can remove them and Colonistai.txt (if that's there) or just re-download in a minute. I'm removing and re-uploading 2.0.5 now.

[smacksim]

Aldebaran 2.0.5 sans Colonists (Thanks Geomodder)

About the Smac version: I just tested the Smac version and it works fine! It ignores the Faction special abilities that it doesn't understand (Like the Syndicate Super AI getting free clean reactors upon discovery). This is great news and saves a big hassle in creating separate mods. I have yet to test the files on a non-Planetary Pack install of Smac, but I'm sure it'll be fine. The only thing I'd like to change in the alpha.txt is to add my newer worldbuilder.

I declare Aldebaran2 fit for either Smax or Smac (Ok. Now I'll go make sure )

-Smack

Darsnan,
I havn't made a graphical tech-tree yet. Been exploring using scripts to pull out the data and feed it to a graphics program. There are several Data-mining applications which can do this. I just havn't tested them all out now. One certainly could draw the tech tree by hand. I'd like to automate it though, considering changes may yet be made. There is some in-game help for restriction-lifting techs under the 'General' category in the help menu. I suppose I should add even more. It's on the back burner at the moment. -S

[Chaunk]

I'm loving this game

Tis refreshing not being able to plant farms at the start. I think the peaceniks are actually close to my faction, the faction I would run if I were a faction leader. Awesome

Having to rethink traditional beelines is refreshing too... "Robotics? What the chuff is that?"...

Is there an official map of Aldebran anywhere? There should be!

[smacksim]

I made a few Scenarios for Aldebaran-1, but was never happy with the world shape. Whoever makes an official 'Map' of Aldebaran first gets to claim the honors. Aldebaran isn't too different than Chiron, in general habitat. Who will make the map?

[Darsnan]

Originally posted by smacksim
Aldebaran isn't too different than Chiron, in general habitat. Who will make the map?

Depends on if you want Sea Monoliths or not.....


D

[smacksim]

Considering you can now terraform mine-fields (sea-bunkers) and xenophagi (sea condensors) as well as sonar-nets (sea sensors), I think sea monoliths would fit right in

[Darsnan]

Here are 3 maps. One map (Beta Lyrae) I used for my February CGN Challenge. The "xplanetx" is the same map, only with boreholes scattered about it (I've been experimenting with giving boreholes nutrients, as the AI's are then inclined to use them, which gives a nice mid-game boost when the AI's discover the restriction lifting techs). The last (Spelunkers Delight) really isn't a good map for aquatic factions.

D

[smacksim]

All three are really nice Darsnan. Very balanced. I would love to play a pbem on the Spelunker's Delight. 5 Jungles! But yeah, Aldebaran should emphasize water power since it's much improved: Very fun playing with the early Aircraft Carrier or just taking advantage of sea-terraforming, which is now enjoyable. So my vote is for the Beta Lyrae map. Have you read the backstory at all? It might help inspire further tweaks to the map.

The Beta Lyrae map is the current champion. I'll add it to the next major zip of the game. Other maps are welcome. Soon it's time to make or remake the scenarios, something I'm not all that clever about.

Here's a picture from Darsnan's Spelunker's map. One of the great jungles

[#endgame]

Where was I? Not checking the thread after my comp went on strike.

Might I suggest:

For installing:

@echo off
::fancy text goes here
::backup old files
mkdir original
copy ..\*.* original
copy mod_data\*.* ..
::optional
cd ..
terranx

assuming all .pcx and .txt files live in mod_data and are to go into the root SMAC dir. Use additional directories as the mod becomes more elaborate.

to uninstall:

@echo off
::fancytext

::Might not need to delete stuff, just copy over it...
cd ..
del *.*

cd aldebaran2\original <-- Change this once you get yourself an 8.3 compatible name for the mod (aldebara.n2, perhaps?)
copy *.* ..\..

This could be all you need.

[#endgame]

Double Post!

Leave the Huge Gnome Project in, though.