Thanks! There's a lot to unpack here, I'm loving some of the suggestions
I tried to add an O[FF]ENCE button (w/ keyboard binds) that either summons reinforcements one at a time during combat, or all of the remaining survivors at the same POI as a single wave (to restart SPACE_COMBAT / collect XP ). I tool tipped these as “- AMPLIFY REINFORCEMENT SIGNAL” and “- SEND REINFORCEMENT SIGNALS” respectively.
And noticed:
- in the HUD Draw code,
var mid_btn_h, mid_btn_ware separated from their values by theif(global.space_view)logic. This was synchronized with the `if(reinforced_area) logic that depends on these values being set not to crash.- Moving these the values together (instead of nesting reinforced_area into space_view )
allows the modified [reinforced] HUD to become interactable behind the loot menu(s) with ‘entertaining’ results:
=Dit is exceptionally easy to get into this state by spamming[FF]to rush enemies in as the combat phase ends.- the ship’s main weapon stays inert after disposing of the loot.
XDwhile in this state space_view does not get set, disabling the option to[E]SCAPE.- This state does not end until either the drone(s) or the enemies win.
- Moving these the values together (instead of nesting reinforced_area into space_view )
allows the modified [reinforced] HUD to become interactable behind the loot menu(s) with ‘entertaining’ results:
Which leads me to this suggestion:
If allowing players to O[FF]END all of the defenders at once using a button in the sidebar;
Please intentionally reset the [E]SCAPE cooldown to a value between its upgraded and longest default delay =3 And also keep it hidden it if O[FF]END is activated while the loot-screen is open …
… For a time proportional to {the player’s ship and drones} versus the predicted damage output (simple triangle formula?).
The idea is to startle players with a ‘good’ scare, dropping shields and at maybe triggering a hull alert.
>:3… with a chance (ofc) of an ‘Elite’ making a guest appearance if the player is predicted to trivially defeat the normal reinforcements. ( Maybe unlock another upgrade path that trades a faster-recovering [E]SCAPE for a greater probability that an Elite will pop in.
(Lore-Justifiy by saying that its abusing the tactical-escape subsystem to contact the reinforcements? )
Also noticed:
- other puns in the code following the explicit pattern
_x = max(0, ...); if (_x <= 0) { _x = 1; }; - ( bug from my modding attempts ? ) Freelancer upgrade is reset to 0 on loading save after restarting but not on main-menu bounce.
- POIs are regenerated after reloading (bounce from main menu), useful when I can’t find the jump gate, (or other specific POIs).
- (edit:) “ENEMY ALERTED” by running scans don’t interrupt jumps.
Thank you for all of this. I've made a lot of corrections based on your feedback. The masochist in me is also liking the idea about the escape abuse punishment, but I want it to have predictability, to be a litteral escape jump, especially in the next update I've added a roguelike mode. You'll see what i mean when I upload the update tonight.
WIN070
I see what you mean about the Roguelike, Progressive and Hybrid modes.
I’ve yet to gain traction in the roguelike state, but will report if prestige has significant effect.
=== meow:
Been using [C]ANCEL to run down the fuel and generate extra fodder to [F]LAG.... This (combined with the menu bounce) seems to be my preferred way to complete more missions/jobs in a sector than normally possible.
Noticed that while I may run out of fuel before arriving, I can coast into the POI anyways (and [F]LAG extra enemies in while the locals are jumping in (if I’m quick). but…
If I [F]LAG ENEMIES immediately on arriving at a POI, the interesting part might be lost -(not yet duplicated)- . Apparently this ended the asteroid hazard, dunno if bug caused by crudely modding out the Steam dependancy/entanglement.
=== bugs and oddities:
While spamming the pause key (imitation slow-motion/bullet time) with the [E]SCAPE engaged to get out of the asteroid hazard POI, I encountered a temporary glitch state when the emergency jump fired in during a pause. – I’ve not characterized -(or duplicated)- this state, but have had PAUSE emblazoned across the screen during a battle.
I had to mod out the Steam integration to run the game (outside of the mod/dev tools), because it kept loading (or focusing on an already loaded instance of) Spacewar instead, after it insisted on me logging in to install Spacewar (default appid). (I dunno if this is a specific anti-piracy response by Steam as Spacewar was used/abused by previous Steam DRM unwrappers.)
The integrity system does seem to encourage swapping out modules/drones/augments frequently, leading to more variety.
Were tier upgrades intended to add integrity, or is there no mechanism to recover it?
Also; I guess the Derelict Ships refilling with salvage when they loop around the screen wasn’t intended as a minigame. :I
edit 5: sometimes the POI icons stop being clickable. bouncing from the Main Menu works around this by replacing them with new POI’s. ( Also exploitable )
Suggestions:
Change “Your first upgrade is free.” to “Your first upgrade was free.” after spending the {voucher/coupon/garuntee/instrument/bonus (?)}. And maybe lightly-shadow/hint the most expensive item avail.
Edits 3+:
[ALT] to toggle between {level} and {cost or unlock requirement) in upgrade screen?
If a player enters an unidentified “tier upgrade” POI without an upgrade-able drone or module, instead offer them the least effective weapon upgrade (by “-wins- DPS above replacement” ?)
win070 (Mew;)
I gathered that there was/is an intended way to restore derelicts; I was exploiting the wrapping (previously seeming to be accomplished by) cloning the old derelict by running them all down to minimum scrap (and only destroying the last one targeted), then only destroying them when they’ve refilled.
(edit 3/4: Strike this, couldn’t reproduce. edit 5: Wait, I just did need to run out of fuel 1 ly before bumping into the system, but wait for the rocks to start to fade in before [F]LAG. ) I think the uninteractable POIs are happening when I [F]LAG an attack at the start of an asteroid hazard (‘drifting’ into the edge w/ low fuel ?);
The hazard logic is disabling the POI’s while enabling the emergency [E]SCAPE, but the [A]TTACK is going to “EXPLORATION” mode instead of back into “HAZARDOUS”, causing the POIs to reappear without enabling them. (I think … )
It could be ‘!fun’ if instead of going straight into ‘combat’;
Enemies jump in as a group and fatally collide (allide?) with the asteroids;
Then as opponents randomly {start shooting the asteroids, try to initalize a jump out but are vunerable to (one shot) being smashed by the hazards, or take shelter behind the player};
Then (take turns) jumping out while the survivors try to keep the asteroids back… (random player turns = smashy smashy) …
… all while the player gobbles up the spilt scrap and fuel w/ the option to start ‘normal’ combat early by manually targeting the opponent ships …
But that sounds like alot more effort than having them all jump in, crash, mostly jump out. (free fuel, and lol).
===(edit)
Also, exploiting running out of fuel, to bait fodder to feed on the XP.