07-15-2013, 06:14 PM
(07-15-2013, 05:41 PM)ixnay Wrote: EC is right up there, in terms of complexity. What's remarkable is that this complexity emerges from relatively simple mechanics. Mine raw materials, grow food, run factories, build ships from a small array of stock components -- it's all pretty straightforward, and random luck plays a minimal role in the game.
As for updating the user-interface, I suggest that you and Vern consider opening up at least part of the platform for open source development. For instance, if I had an unlocked copy of the database, I could build some new reporting screens. These would have no impact on the core functionality -- they'd just display data in different ways. This would not only free Vern up to focus on the core code, it would lead to surprising innovations from players and probably accelerate game development.
Any thoughts?
I actually have several tools including an MS Access application which is linked to every table in the game database. The MDB file is NOT locked but you can screw it up. Make a copy of it somewhere else and try linking to it with MS Access or ODBC to whatever development tool you are using. I would share some of what I have been doing in the last few days but it would not be wise to disclose my details to other players.
For example, I have a simple "Inventory" report I can run which can be filtered to identify where anything can be found and their quantities. Another report just for habitability and another for just unlimited mining deposits surveyed. Such relatively brief reports are very useful for maintaining focus on objectives. There are several other reports which I have been refining too.
The suggestion to add more information to the Actor and Target selection boxes is something I had suggested too. It would basically turn the list boxes into more complex sub-reports that are selectable.
Once I get a little further along in updating my reporting tool I will apply it to the database for a sandbox game that Vern and I played over a year ago. Then I'll publish some PDF's of those reports for feedback, etc.