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Manual/Readme

N

NathanKell

...
Meigger is -- <img src="http://www.piratesahoy.com/forum/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/bow.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":bow" border="0" alt="bow.gif" /> <img src="http://www.piratesahoy.com/forum/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/par-ty.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":cheers" border="0" alt="par-ty.gif" /> -- writing up a a manual for the latest incarnation of the build, and brought up some good questions that we need to figure out...

First, a big <img src="http://www.piratesahoy.com/forum/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/wavarr.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":warr" border="0" alt="wavarr.gif" /> for Meigger!

Question 1: on items. Specifically the four meds items Alan added that you need to find; but this applies as well for items in general.
Just how much information should we have in the readme?
Should we keep some stuff secret? Like, say you need to find four mysterious medicaments, but not their names or pictures?
Or even say four?

Same for the various skill-enhancing--and decreasing!--items, and the high-level swords.
 
I think you are on the right track, Nathan. The right up should contain a little, non specific, information on the mdicants more like hints than specifics. On the high level blades I could go either way.
 
Yup, mystery is always fun! <img src="http://www.piratesahoy.com/forum/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile2.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":))" border="0" alt="smile2.gif" />

Must leave something to be discovered in the game, after all! <img src="http://www.piratesahoy.com/forum/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/yes.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":yes" border="0" alt="yes.gif" />
 
Great job at doing a tutorial, Meigger! <img src="http://www.piratesahoy.com/forum/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/william.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":will" border="0" alt="william.gif" />
I had been thinking of doing something like that myself, but hadn't gotten to actually <i>doing</i> it yet. And it would've taken forever, because I've also got 100 of other things to do. So it's really great that you're doing it!!! Can't wait to see it. Any questions, we'll be happy to answer. At least, I know I'll be happy to give all the help I can.

As for the first question: I also reckon keeping some stuff secret. About the medicaments, I would just say that there is an apothecary somewhere; when the player reaches the apothecary, he will tell about the med items when the player asks for it. Maybe this should be added to the game's rumors, so that the player can find out where the apothecary is. Same for other new locations. I don't think you should mention exactly where they are; just say that they exist and state somewhere in the manual that the player can ask citizens in the town about what interesting locations can be found in the town.

I don't think all the swords need to mentioned in the manual. Actually, just state that there are several swords rating from bad to good and in different qualities. The player him/herself can find them easily enough. Especially with a high-quality trader. I think some of the <i>really</i> excellent sword shouldn't be available from any traders. Maybe have them available from blacksmiths or have them being given to the player by the governor as reward for great services to the country.

You are writing a manual for Build 13 or something like that, right? Might be a bit tricky writing a manual for an update of which it's not clear what will be changed. So I wish you the very best of luck at it. <img src="http://www.piratesahoy.com/forum/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/me.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":onya" border="0" alt="me.gif" />
 
<img src="http://www.piratesahoy.com/forum/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/hi.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":gday" border="0" alt="hi.gif" /> I keep wanting to mention that we need to to put in this document a list of all the things that and in build settings that are modifieable, toggleble etc. <img src="http://www.piratesahoy.com/forum/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/poet.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":hmm" border="0" alt="poet.gif" />
 
Huzzah to Meigger! <img src="http://www.piratesahoy.com/forum/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/wavarr.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":warr" border="0" alt="wavarr.gif" /> <img src="http://www.piratesahoy.com/forum/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/danse1.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":dance" border="0" alt="danse1.gif" />

Instructions on how to edit BuildSettings.h would be MOST helpful, I agree, Jason! <img src="http://www.piratesahoy.com/forum/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/yes.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":yes" border="0" alt="yes.gif" /> <img src="http://www.piratesahoy.com/forum/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/par-ty.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":cheers" border="0" alt="par-ty.gif" />
 
Hey Cat, <img src="http://www.piratesahoy.com/forum/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/monkeydance.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":mi" border="0" alt="monkeydance.gif" /> <img src="http://www.piratesahoy.com/forum/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/monkeydance.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":mi" border="0" alt="monkeydance.gif" />

Welcome back.
 
Thank you, Jason. I wasn't far away, just not getting on the boards this weekend. I do that, sometimes. <img src="http://www.piratesahoy.com/forum/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/icon_mrgreen1.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":cheeky" border="0" alt="icon_mrgreen1.gif" />
 
Talking about BuildSettings.h: I was thinking of splitting the file into BuildSettings1.h and BuildSettings2.h. The first file would include all regularly changed defines, while the second one would contain the defines most people would leave alone. That would make for a much smaller and thus clearer BuildSettings1.h file. Is that idea any good? <img src="http://www.piratesahoy.com/forum/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/unsure.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":?" border="0" alt="unsure.gif" />
 
Ditto. A very good idea indeed.
I think better to have BuildSettings.h and InternalSettings.h as the names? Then it's clearer which is more likely to be user-modifyable.
 
Thanks everyone and <img src="http://www.piratesahoy.com/forum/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/par-ty.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":cheers" border="0" alt="par-ty.gif" /> to you for all your efforts on the different mods. This will be a comprehensive readme text that will be updated as mods and releases are made. The version I am working on now is basically the foundation on which the document will continue to evolve. This version will cover up to build release 12.2 or whatever it is eventually called. Once we have a <img src="http://www.piratesahoy.com/forum/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/type_1.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":nk" border="0" alt="type_1.gif" /> foundation document, it will be easy to update.

Rather than bother everyone, I will work through (bother) Nathan. But everyone's input is definitely welcome. I am not as knowledgeable about the game as most of you so this document will only be as good as the information it contains.

<img src="http://www.piratesahoy.com/forum/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/par-ty.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":cheers" border="0" alt="par-ty.gif" /> to one and all.
 
Quest hints might be useful on occasion (say, as where to take the letter that FB gives you, some people were confused about that) but no more, not a fully in depth guide on how to do it. Also, the Artios Voysay quest could use some of that too (to take him with you on Conceicao)
 
HKD -- I wonder if we might want to put quest hints in separate section and put a spolier warning on them. What do you think.
 
<!--QuoteBegin-Hu Kwan Do+Jul 14 2005, 06:06 AM--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Hu Kwan Do @ Jul 14 2005, 06:06 AM)</div><div class='quotemain'><!--QuoteEBegin-->Quest hints might be useful on occasion (say, as where to take the letter that FB gives you, some people were confused about that)
<div align="right">[snapback]123795[/snapback]</div><!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
<img src="http://www.piratesahoy.com/forum/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/unsure.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":?" border="0" alt="unsure.gif" /> I thought there was a journal entry telling you where to go. <img src="http://www.piratesahoy.com/forum/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/bookish.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":mm" border="0" alt="bookish.gif" /> Yep, when you hire him, the last "Help the Boatswain" entry tells you where to go to find the lady. <img src="http://www.piratesahoy.com/forum/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/yes.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":yes" border="0" alt="yes.gif" /> <img src="http://www.piratesahoy.com/forum/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/par-ty.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":cheers" border="0" alt="par-ty.gif" />

Biggest quest hint: READ YER LOG BOOK!!! <img src="http://www.piratesahoy.com/forum/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/rolleyes.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":rolleyes:" border="0" alt="rolleyes.gif" /> <img src="http://www.piratesahoy.com/forum/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/laugh.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid="xD:" border="0" alt="laugh.gif" />
 
Meigger, first, you're not bothering anyone. <img src="http://www.piratesahoy.com/forum/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":)" border="0" alt="smile.gif" />
Not in the least.
( And whatever method you prefer is fine with me. )

Cat: Yeah, that's usually first & best place. <img src="http://www.piratesahoy.com/forum/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":)" border="0" alt="smile.gif" />
(I love in-game hints...)

A thought, a possible solution to the 'how much information' question:
Split the guide into two parts. A manual, and a, well, guide.
The former including such prosaic things as sidestep, how divide-the-plunder mode works, difficulty levels, etc.; and the latter including stuff about the content.
Either straight, or as a 'People/Places/Things of the Caribbean' travelogue; and further, either in straight travel-brochure style or even as a story...
That way those who don't want to be surprised need read only the manual, and hit the guide when they want to know more/get stuck; and those who want to read every bit first, can.
 
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