Re:
 

Ok, maybe not the place to suggest it, but here's one thing I think would be great, and could make life easier for both the developers and the folks to who do the work to figure out the 'delta' in all the new patches. It's kind of a self-documenting patch feature also.

The developers could write some build targets to automatically generate "null" mods for all the defined game spells, items, creatures, nations, spells, etc, from the original source code base at the time they build the patches. Then deliver these full-content and authoritative null mod files as part of the patch. Once setup, it's easy for the developers since they never have to do more extra work per release to detail what has changed and what is current. And it's super easy for us users, since we always have the ability to check these 'database' parts of the content directly, and nobody needs to do has extra work to create big (and error prone) null mods every time a patch is out (no string searching executables, finding new unit numbers, weapon slots, and trying to decompose *trs files, etc.) As a bonus, it becomes a great modding tutorial in itself, so you can see exactly how the modding commands correspond to the creatures, items, etc, that already exist and use them.

It would also make it easier for us to do larger scale or longer-term projects like a total conversion mod. If I start a lot of work to mod changes into 3.14, and it takes a year to finish, I want it to be easy to propagate those changes into the current 3.xx without having to research the changes in each version between .14 and .xx and manually update things.

Sill

Re:
 

While your idea has merit, most things cannot be changed through modding, and so this couldn't happen without significant alterations to Dominions. Most likely, the effort required would be too great, and better spent actually creating content, and not just showing us what is already there.

Re: Vanilla Summon Costs
 

I think a good in between idea would be to release the spell list part of the manual* in an editable format to some dedicated players. Then a printable version with all the changes can be made by them, keeping the good presentation, for both vanilla game as it evolves and CBM or other spell changing mods.

* The game mechanics part of the manual would stay on paper only of course to avoid to encourage piracy.

Re: Vanilla Summon Costs
 

I think that NOT including a proper electronic manual is silly. Piracy concerns ? Security through obscurity ?
If it was up to me, there would be either no paper manual or it would only contain general stuff not dependant on patches. I may be strange, but I think listing all summons on inconvenient to use paper pages is waste of time, money, and trees.

Re: Vanilla Summon Costs
 

The problem is that this game is more of a project by someone that finds it fun than it is a commercial release. That tag comes with a lot of advantages and disadvantages, one of the disadvantages seems to be that he's very touchy about piracy and he'll make the game worse to try and prevent it.

Re: Vanilla Summon Costs
 

Even though, the suggestion of letting a few dedicated players update the manual and proposing their time to make updated version of it stays good for me.

It is a lot confusing to have whole nations that are not included in the manual.

Re: Vanilla Summon Costs
 

You could find .pdf version of the manual on net soon after game release anyway.

Re: Vanilla Summon Costs
 

I would just like to mention that I personally find a paper manual vastly easier and more pleasant to use than a pdf, and am very grateful for its existence.

Re: Vanilla Summon Costs
 

There is no 'search' option in paper one http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

Re: Vanilla Summon Costs
 

Yes! And I can bring it with me in the car when I've got to pick up the wife, 'cause I know I'll have to wait. And read it in the bath, without fear of electrocution.

Re: Vanilla Summon Costs
 

I think having the option to have both a print version and a searchable PDF would be idea. Or at least PDF updates to keep the print manual up to date.

Re: Vanilla Summon Costs
 

OT: I have never understood the concept of reading in the bath. I wouldn't take a disposable newspaper anywhere near water. Risking getting a book wet is unthinkable.

Re: Vanilla Summon Costs
 

Man, you've got to get a little excitement in your life. Have a beer in the shower, eat some red meat, use the pull-out method. I almost cried when I read that.

Re: Vanilla Summon Costs
 

Have some faith in yourself, you can't possibly lack the dexterity required to keep from randomly dropping things from your hands.

Re: Vanilla Summon Costs
 

Yeah lol I'm very carefull with my books but I love to read them in bath http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/laugh.gif

I keep some towels on hand to put my book in and to dry my hands if needed.

Re: Vanilla Summon Costs
 

I won't even lend my books to anyone, to give you a sense of how careful I am with them http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

Re: Vanilla Summon Costs
 

The manual thingy is Shrapnels policy, not Illwinters.

How has anti piracy efforts made the game worse?

Re: Vanilla Summon Costs
 

<Tweety>"He don't know me vewwy well, do he?"</Tweety> http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif

(Although to be honest, it's mostly only a problem with objects small enough to slip between my fingers.)

Re: Vanilla Summon Costs
 

I'm not sure what the actual anti piracy efforts are, but some people suggested there's no electronic manual because that would make pirates' lives easier. Of course, electronic manual would benefit legitimate users as well. For the same reason people are reluctant to make online resources (such as the one on strategywiki) too complete, lest they offend the gods of Illwinter.

My entire post is based on the assumption that electronic data is much more flexible and convenient to read (SEARCH function etc). If you don't agree, well... I don't know what to say.

Re: Vanilla Summon Costs
 

Well as I said, the physical manual is primarily Shrapnels decision. Perhaps Illwinter could storm the NC offices of Shrapnel cause a big ruckus and demand that shrapnel adopts a more positive attitude towards electronic manuals, but that seems a bit unlikely. As Scott Krol and Tim explained they believe that the physical manual is an effective way to deter pirates. Illwinter has no particular view on this, much less experience and knowhow than shrapnel with publishing and the games industry, and so illwinter defers it's judgement on this issue to shrapnelgames. Obviously illwinter does not go against their publishers wishes on this matter though, and thus makes no effort to facilitate the establishment of electronical manuals.

Illwinters anti piracy efforts are limited to JK combating cracks he finds on torrent sites. The results of which sometimes results in 'false' bugreports on this forum.