Information Solenttar Canceled, New Kickstarter for Engine and Toolset Launched

[tuluse]

TB = turn based, one of the holy tenets of the codex.

 

[slowdive]

Ahhhhh, gotcha...should have been obvious, haha

 

[Dorateen]

Hey, slowdive, I am pledging tomorrow. Yes, for turn-based like the Gold Box, and great justice!

Hope you and your family have a Happy Thanksgiving

 

[slowdive]

Thanka Dorateen, you're the best. You've always been a great support since early NWN2 days. Happy Thanksgiving to you.
Harrumph!

 

[slowdive]

The scripting language is c# and the program is written in c#. Currently, I am exposing all classes and functions (I know, I know) until I have enough scripting type functions created. So short answer is yes, it is very powerful. At this point, it may not be as user friendly (unless you know c#), but it is less restrictive than nwscript. As part of this project, I will be creating more scripting related functions to make it easier to use for the non-coders as well. One of the stretch goals may introduce a script generator wizard.

 

[slowdive]

Plus you can create your scripts in Visual Studio Express (free), #Develop (free), or others that use intellisense that is very helpful. Or you could just notepad ;-)

 

[slowdive]

The scripts are compiled at run time. There are many cool benefits to that.

I could spend a ton of time creating another c# editor, but there are already many good ones out there (and free). At this point, I am trying to spend my time developing tools for the game that do not already exist. Maybe after everything else is finished, and the community wanted me to, I could create a script editor specific to this project (but Visual Studio would still be much cooler).

 

[slowdive]

Maybe I'll make a video of me making a script in Visual Studio for the iceblink engine so everyone can see how cool and easy it is. I'll post it as an update on the kickstarter project site.

 

[Minttunator]

That's brilliant, I haven't had to fire up Visual Studio in years (used to develop in .NET before I got sucked into the Java world).

 

[slowdive]

AI mechanics haven't been implemented yet, but they will be and will be scripts so you can edit them or make your own for your own creatures. The game mechanics haven't been finalized yet. Probably a bit of Bard's Tale, AD&D 2ed, D&D 3ed and DAO. It will be simple though, not super complex system. The main focus is on storytelling and the mechanics need to support that goal.
Id like to make classes, races, skills, spells be data driven so you can make your own, but that will have to be at maybe the $4,000 stretch goal. Not a trivial task, and currently they are "hard coded".

 

[mindx2]

I'm just hoping this takes off and there are a bunch of people waiting to create "Ye olde Gold Box" style games so I can play them. I freely admit to having very little talent in the creating just enjoy the playing.

 

[udm]

Latest update: http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1719196889/iceblink-engine/posts/355011?ref=activity

And here's the most bit:

Stretch Goal #3 ($3,000)

• Allow for the creation of custom classes, races, skills, spells, etc. This will require a significant change to the code to make them data driven.
• Add editors to the toolset for creating custom classes, races, skills, spells, etc.

Doesn't seem likely since pledges have slowed considerably, but one can hope...

 

[Soilent Green]

First stretch goal reached.

Also, backed. I had done so for Solenttar and decided to re-pledge for the new campaign.

I, too, want to see the 3,000 dollar goal, but it really doesn't seem like it will reach it.

 

[slowdive]

We launched our web site and forums:
www.iceblinkengine.com

A couple of ideas about the stretch goals. I too would like to see the custom classes, races, skills, spells stretch goal (so I can make that Star Frontiers-esque adventure that I want to make). What about moving the customization goal up and moving the quest wizard and script generator back? So the stretch goals would look like:
$1,000: +4 classes (8 total), +2 races (5 total)
$2,000: create your own custom classes, races, skills, feats/talents, spells. Add editors to the toolset for creating these customizations.
$2,500: add quest/plot wizard to the toolset for quickly creating basic quests.
$3,000: add script generator to the toolset for easily creating basic scripts without writing any code yourself.

Any thoughts?

 

[slowdive]

I set-up a poll question on our forums for Stretch Goal priority order. You do not need to register in order to vote on this poll. Please take a few minutes to stop by and cast your vote.

http://www.iceblinkengine.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=24&t=10&p=10

Thanks again!

 

[Dorateen]

I voted, and I think a big draw is for people to see more variety in the stock classes and races at the $1,000 mark. But what I am interested in seeing at the $2,000 goal was the default script system instead of having to compile one's own scripts from scratch. I suppose those would be like the ga_ and gc_ scripts from NWN2?

 

[slowdive]

Actually, the general purpose scripts, like the ga_ and gc_ scripts of NWN2, are already part of the $500 job scope (I already have many of them working now). The script generator would be for custom type scripts that don't already have a ga_ or gc_ ... think lilac soul type generator thingy.

 

[oldmanpaco]

I am deeply disappointed that the Codex has not rallied around this KS.

For shame people, for shame.

 

[slowdive]

Actually, according to the kickstarter dashboard statistics, RPG codex backers are leading the bakers list by a large margin. A third of the backers come from here, but we will accept more

 

[Harg Harfardarssen]

Actually, according to the kickstarter dashboard statistics, RPG codex backers are leading the bakers list by a large margin. A third of the backers come from here, but we will accept more

How do you track that? Is it by username? If that's the case it may be more than a third if people have different names on the codex and kickstarter

 

[tuluse]

I really like this idea, but I'm concerned that no one is actually going to make anything worthwhile with it.

 

[slowdive]

Actually, according to the kickstarter dashboard statistics, RPG codex backers are leading the bakers list by a large margin. A third of the backers come from here, but we will accept more

How do you track that? Is it by username? If that's the case it may be more than a third if people have different names on the codex and kickstarter

I was just going by the referrer information. Keep in mind that probably half of the direct traffic (people who came from the email about the relaunch) are from the RPG codex as well. Some of the kickstarter referrers could be from here as well.

Come on Tuluse, have some hope . If anything, I will be making some absolutely, outstanding, super cool modules using the toolset after launch. Hopefully we have some fun, short stories to play during the launch weekend party (created by those with Alpha and Beta access). Maybe even some sci-fi, modern, or other setting stories if we make it to the $2k stretch goal :D .

 

[tuluse]

Dammit, somehow that convinced me. I just donated $20 to your kickstarter.

Merry Christmas.

 

[Jaesun]

Fuck yes codex

 

[slowdive]

Thanks Tuluse, I expect you to make a classic short story for us as well no pressure