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Elemental Beta Testers: Your characters in now

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Elemental Beta Testers: Your characters in now

from JoeUser Forums

As promised, we are going to start putting in Beta tester NPCs into the game.

If you want your NPC in the game here is what you need to do:

Step #1: Create a sovereign

image

When you create this guy/gal, bear in mind that this is going to be an NPC. So don’t max him. He shouldn’t be as powerful as your sovereign so don’t use up your points.

Step #2: Find your sovereign in the documents\my games\elemental\units

image

Step #3: Make them an NPC

This is relatively easy. Open up your created unit XML. Add these lines (preferably at the end just before the closing of </UnitType>:

<UnitDisplayName>Arvix</UnitDisplayName>

<Class>Mercenary</Class>
<NPCTalentValue>1</NPCTalentValue>
<NPCSpawnLikelihood>1000</NPCSpawnLikelihood>
<NPCRecruitmentText>I might be interested in joining you.</NPCRecruitmentText>
<Backstory>Put your backstory here.</Backstory>
<Rumor>There is a tale told by the people who live near %s that Arvix the mercenary will join up with anyone who has enough money.</Rumor>

Also, remove the <IsSovereign>1</IsSovereign> if you don’t want him to be one of your sovereigns to choose from.

 

Then change the display name (<DisplayName>) to Champion.

Example:

image

Step #4: Send it to us

We recommend Dropbox:

https://www.dropbox.com/

To share with others, just make a post in the modding forum with the tag [NPC]

You can test out your NPCs right now. Do the above with the file that is in your my games\elemental folder and add the tags I mentioned and your NPC should be in the world.

Here’s my NPC wandering around

image

Other Tips and Tricks

We use the NPCTalentValue to determine when then sovereign will spawn. 1 means they show up at the start of the game. The rest are triggered by getting a technology or an event.  For instance, we might choose to have a random event where the world is invaded by Demons and have a bunch of demons show up and have the NPCTalentValue be 37 or something.  The higher the number, the more powerful the unit.

NPCSpawnLikelihood is what we use to determine the likelyhood of it showing up. Eventually 1000 will mean it will definitely show up and 1 will mean there is a 1/1000 chance it will show up in a given game.

When you upload your NPC, include your name so that if we use your NPC, we can put you in the game’s credits.

Have fun!

124,624 views 64 replies
Reply #26 from Elemental Forums Top

Done.

I am assuming all we need to do to send it to you is post it in the mod forum? If not here is the link again

 

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/6606493/Denryu.xml

Reply #27 from Elemental Forums Top

Quoting Denryu, reply 26
Done.

I am assuming all we need to do to send it to you is post it in the mod forum? If not here is the link again

 

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/6606493/Denryu.xml

 

Keep in mind they probably can't use copyrighted names. ;)

 

Elemental: Reforged
Reply #28 from Elemental Forums Top

Quoting Orvidos, reply 27

Quoting Denryu, reply 26Done.

I am assuming all we need to do to send it to you is post it in the mod forum? If not here is the link again

 

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/6606493/Denryu.xml
 

Keep in mind they probably can't use copyrighted names.

 
Yeah, I thought about that after making 'Nick Danger' (based upon the Firesign Theater's "The Further Adventures of Nick Danger" from their 1969 album "How Can You Be in Two Places at Once When You're Not Anywhere at All"), so I added a second char to avoid embroiling Frogboy in copyright issues.

It's pretty cool to see my chars as NPCs ingame in beta, regardless of whether one would make it into retail.

Thanks Frogboy et al!

Reply #29 from Elemental Forums Top

Quoting Orvidos, reply 27



Quoting Denryu,
reply 26
Done.

I am assuming all we need to do to send it to you is post it in the mod forum? If not here is the link again

 

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/6606493/Denryu.xml


 

Keep in mind they probably can't use copyrighted names.

 

Denryu has been my online persona and martial arts name since long before that stupid Pokemon. So if they cannot use the name due to copyright, I will be sorely pissed. Besides, it is just Japanese for "electric dragon", how can you copyright "electric dragon"?? If it becomes an issue his full name is Denryu Darkbane, that should be OK regardless. And iof that doesn't work, my last and least favorite option would be to use "Chikara" That is another online persona I use that is NOT copyrighted for sure.

Reply #30 from Elemental Forums Top

Quoting Denryu, reply 29

Quoting Denryu,
reply 26


Denryu has been my online persona and martial arts name since long before that stupid Pokemon. So if they cannot use the name due to copyright, I will be sorely pissed. Besides, it is just Japanese for "electric dragon", how can you copyright "electric dragon"?? If it becomes an issue his full name is Denryu Darkbane, that should be OK regardless. And iof that doesn't work, my last and least favorite option would be to use "Chikara" That is another online persona I use that is NOT copyrighted for sure.

 

I'm not trying to malign you. I just had this feeling I'd heard the name before and Googled it. It's a Soul Calibre character or somesuch.

 

I'm sure the entire name removes the problem entirely.

 

(Edits: Or a weapon used by a Soul Calibre character. If they've managed to copyright that. . .*Shrugs* I have no doubt you're fine, just keep it in mind, everyone else.)

Reply #31 from Elemental Forums Top

Quoting Orvidos, reply 30


 

(Edits: Or a weapon used by a Soul Calibre character. If they've managed to copyright that. . .*Shrugs* I have no doubt you're fine, just keep it in mind, everyone else.)

You'd be talking about trademarks here anyway instead of copyrights.  You don't copyright a name.

Reply #32 from Elemental Forums Top

Quoting Denryu, reply 29



Quoting Orvidos,
reply 27



Quoting Denryu,
reply 26
Done.

I am assuming all we need to do to send it to you is post it in the mod forum? If not here is the link again

 

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/6606493/Denryu.xml


 

Keep in mind they probably can't use copyrighted names.

 



Denryu has been my online persona and martial arts name since long before that stupid Pokemon.

 

Sorry Den, I couldn't resist....O:) XD

Reply #33 from Elemental Forums Top

That's awesome as hell!!! I'll be making mine tonight when I get back from the show :). I'll have it sent in no later then Tuesday.

Question, is it Ok to have a space in the name? I'd like to name mine "Raven Xavier" and not "Raven X".

Frogboy, how about you give us a number limit on how many skill points we can use on these guys. I don't want to make one that's over-powered, but I don't want to make a total wimp either.

Reply #34 from Elemental Forums Top

Well ... I'm not sure how making a Sovereign is going to translate to NPC attributes, unless an Engineer NPC just has the Mason trait.

Also, there is no small-arm (daggers) dual wielding yet, no ranged weaponry, no mounts ... all we have is armor that doesn't yet have all the proper values and a few Melee Weapons.

Oh, I'll still try to send in an NPC at this time, but I'm saving my more inventive ones for, say, beta 2 or 3.

Reply #35 from Elemental Forums Top

Perhaps submitted npcs will be able to be 'upgraded' later after new abilities/etc. are implemented.  Granted, as release approaches they'll be even busier than they are now and understandably may not have time.  If so, better a 'lesser' char now than not have an upgraded char later...  Heck, even if the npcs don't appear in release, just the chance to appear in beta is a very nice gesture on their part.

Reply #36 from Elemental Forums Top

ok i must preorder now :D

Reply #37 from Elemental Forums Top

At this point, I wish I was a beta tester :-p

-Phal

Reply #39 from Elemental Forums Top

Just a few questions before i start looking to make an NPC does NPC Talent value go down as well as up and what is the highest on average we can expect to see in a game. so say if i wanted to make an NPC that always shows late game but only if the game has escalated enough so i make the NPC talent Value 200 and the spawn 1000 would that do the trick?

and from what it appears the stronger the NPC the higher the Talent value should be.

 

Edit: also it would be cool if there was like a rival trait that would could make two that were each others rivals and would not join the same side

Reply #40 from Elemental Forums Top

I wish I could model, so I could make a magical hobo-esq man.

Reply #41 from Elemental Forums Top

omg the beta acces is closed :( i want my name in the game

Reply #42 from Elemental Forums Top

So, is it normal for a webpage to display the code as I open it, and for editing to only be accessible via Microsoft Word?

My XP computer was the only one I ever coded in prior, and for that I think I used an independent program called Notepad + or something. Will I need that here as well? (probably)

In other news, I've managed to pump out about 10 NPCs, with 3-6 main characters and the rest as primarily supporting cast. As well as a stand alone rare.

To put it into perspective, one of the main characters grew up without any knowledge of his family, and searches for them (a potentially futile quest) ... well, turns out his family is alive and well, and about 4 NPCs are family members of his. These family members are a bit ... more interesting than the other supporting NPCs imho. Although I like the other supporting NPCs as well. There are no "children" because they have no place in battle, however there are siblings and parents, etc. A similar "familial" thread is tied into the remaining supporting cast. In some cases, I would imagine the supporting NPC to give a quest to the player in regards to one of the main characters. Depending on your attitude towards one of the main characters, you may have drastically different answers for the NPC's quest offer. In fact, its possible that one of the main characters would give a counter-quest once hearing of the state of their family member. Again, your disposition and alignment could seriously affect the decisions you make, as well as those decisions affecting your relationship with the main NPC (like, if they follow you or not).

Alternatively, sometimes there could be struggles within the supporting cast, and then you could decide to throw support for side A, or simply do any non-commital quests and let their plans play itself out.

One important thing to note is that only the 3 most important main characters are in 100% of the games. The other 3 main characters (and a few supporting characters) are in 75% of games, while the rest of the supporting cast is divided between 50% and 33%, and the two rares are in the 33% arrival rate.

Also, one of the 3 Main characters has a relatively high "unlock" level, while the other two have an unlock level of 1.

Reply #43 from Stardock Forums Top

@Tasunke  - re: xml - sort of.  Default file type associate for .xml extensions is your system default browser.  Just edit it using notepad or any other plain text editor.

Reply #44 from Elemental Forums Top

Just edit it using notepad or any other plain text editor.

Aesir is correct.  You can use any plain text editor to edit XML files.  There are some editors like Notepad+ and XMLMind that are syntax-aware editors and can be easier to use if you need to code XML tags and are new to it, but for creating these characters it's not necessary.

Reply #45 from Elemental Forums Top

Cool, thanks. Maybe I can start uploading NPCs over the next couple days.

I'll probably reduce chances of appearance to avoid clutter. Maybe eventually I will make a "Map Scenario" that includes all the characters present and interacting with quests and such.

Reply #46 from Elemental Forums Top

Quoting Publius, reply 44

Just edit it using notepad or any other plain text editor.


Aesir is correct.  You can use any plain text editor to edit XML files.  There are some editors like Notepad+ and XMLMind that are syntax-aware editors and can be easier to use if you need to code XML tags and are new to it, but for creating these characters it's not necessary.

This is true. If/When you start modding though I would recommend a program that you know FOR SURE won't leave any extra hidden HTML or anything like that (which notepad Does). I recommend using a program called UltraEdit. I do all my code scripting in it. It works amazingly well and has a lot of advanced options for when your knowledge in it's use increases.

Frogboy, any word on a recommended point total? I'm making my NPC tomorrow (Monday). I don't want to over power him but I don't want him to be a wuss either. He's a Mage Type not a warrior so he won't have a sword or armor. Should use half of his creation points? A little more? A little less?

I think it's awesome we're being included in this. Well done Stardock and staff!!!

Reply #47 from Elemental Forums Top

So does the beta actually needs to work in order to make these characters? I for one would very much like to contribute, but at this point the beta crashes at world generation. Does this hinder me making a character?

Reply #48 from Elemental Forums Top

-> Shurdus: you have to be in the game to create a sovereign. What MAY work is taking a copy of another Hero (if you can get a hold of one from the links or another generous creator), and the editing it with ultraedit (which I also use) :D

Unless the game generates some unique identifiers for each this should work.

 

Working on my few. Thanks Frogboy and team!

 

Reply #49 from Elemental Forums Top

"Frogboy, any word on a recommended point total?

I also was curious.Started a couple then sorta sat there wondering...

Raven X, would you think that using actual dice would be a good medium?

Say 2 x 6, or 3 x 4 dice (+1) per roll, perhaps, (got lots) might make a viable middle ground, say with 8 as the Min.?

The SoV max is currently 15 per stat, editable in the .XML of course, but I too wondered what a good starting # might be? ;)

Reply #50 from Elemental Forums Top

I spared 20 points. Only used them for a magic book, attributes and a trait. No equipment at all (only clothing)

Does anyone used more than that ?