A request to the developers: raise the unit limit!

Foodstamp · #1 November 11th, 2007, 08:13 PM

2nd test game. No crash so far, but I have some missing descriptions that have been replaced with "No Description Available".

I think that is enough proof along with the errors you got that modding out nations does not free up space.

Edi · #2 November 12th, 2007, 07:53 AM

Logically it would not free up space, since the unit array and the descriptions array are separate from the nation array and the array entries don't actually get deleted, they just get deactivated by the mod. In other words, a mod is just an overlay on the base game, a Halloween costume, if you will, but the plumbing is still the same underneath.

The only viable solutions are for the array sizes being expanded in a patch, but that probably entails the ranges of numbers being adjusted as well. IIRC modded unit range was 2000-5000 or something like that, and the number of units in the game already is 1917, so any more big expansions in patches and the base unit range runs into the mod unit range, causing conflicts.

Things could be somewhat alleviated if it was possible to add descriptions separately into an array and then reference them by #description <nbr>, or if existing descriptions could be referenced by #description

<monster nbr>, which is how the game handles descriptions (references them from a separate file).

I need to set aside a couple of days for mod related issues, make a coherent list of them and send it on...

HoneyBadger · #3 November 15th, 2007, 08:31 PM

How about this? what if Illwinter offered unit-expansion (and maybe some other nice bits they aren't comfortable just adding to the game) in a nice supplimental "Dominions 3, the Goddenning!" modder-friendly expansion pack, and charged us $9.95 for it? I'd pay.

Kristoffer could add maybe 3-4 new nations to the game, along with some supplimentary graphics, and we could hold a contest and vote for the 20 or so mods we'd most like to see added to the expansion-pack, purely for the community "feel-good" factor.

This way, the main game still works on an abacus powered by a gerbil, and nobody is forced into dealing with all those icky mods that apparently make certain people feel very uncomfortable, and the rest of us aren't punished?

And it's not a patch, it doesn't fix anything that's wrong, it just adds features that noone really needs all that very much to have a good time, so nobody has to feel ashamed of making money.

And it doesn't even have to cost a fortune to publish it. Just make it a pay-for-play download off Shrapnel that you need your serial number to access.

I'm sure there's atleast a hundred people here who would eventually spring for it. Atleast a hundred more would probably feel a little better about purchasing Dominions 3 for it being there.

lch · #4 November 15th, 2007, 08:53 PM

So, it'd be like a regular update, but this time you pay for it? I don't think you'll find many fans for that idea...

HoneyBadger · #5 November 15th, 2007, 09:20 PM

No it wouldn't be like a regular update. Regular updates are called "patches". If you read what I wrote, I'm saying, *specifically* "And it's not a patch".

Sombre · #6 November 15th, 2007, 11:28 PM

So you get some more nations and units from KO (like the stuff in the patches) and you get 20 mod nations as well?

...

These things are already free. I'd pay a bit of money to get a bunch of modding stuff put in the game, but only if everyone can use it.

HoneyBadger · #7 November 16th, 2007, 12:51 AM

Which is what I'm saying-you'd pay for extras, like extra unit-space in the game, which (the theory apparently is) would otherwise cramp up the kinds of computers the Devs want the game to run on, and that people with those kinds of computers don't want to have to pay extra for, in a game they then wouldn't be able to use anyway.

You'd also get the mods-which are indeed otherwise, and should stay otherwise, free-packaged conveniently in one download for whomever wants to pay for the service. Or not, it's just an idea.

And-here's the kicker-if something like this could show the Devs a strong (and profitable) interest in material for more powerful computers, it *might* just get them interested in creating Dominions 4 sometime in the forseeable future.

Yes, we all know it's not about the money, but sometimes, money spent can represent how we feel about a product. How much we appreciate it, and want it to stay alive.