Before I get into the main blog this month, I wanted to quickly recognise that in this 100th blog post, I had hoped to be nearing completion by the middle of this month. Well, although I don't think I will hit that estimated target, I do think I have come that much closer over the last month. Furthermore, while I cannot yet post "The End is in Sight" post, I think I can say I can say that I am about to reach the crest of the hill and start the final stages. Other than this, I have also something more to report in general, especially for a MP gamer, who like to play with a friend or two. Read on to find out more...
Proper Co-op MP Testing
To begin this months post, I want to tell you that I managed to setup my wife's laptop with a third copy of NWN2, so that she is now able to play two Main PCs (as if two players) from two different computers to properly test the Co-op MP operation (gameplay) of this campaign. This now provides a significant improvement for testing a co-op environment. All such previous co-op testing was being done more intermittently and usually when I was able to use my wife's computer when she was not.
There was some other basic MP testing previously, but only where my wife would play as the only connected client and there were no other players present. While this did help to spot many potential MP code issues, it could not, of course, represent a true MP environment where the scripts could be checked when other players were also present. This latest change means that moving forward co-op testing should be more straightforward and directly accessible than it has ever been before.
Already with this latest setup, my wife and I were able to pinpoint a few MP issues. Some were to do with another client connection, another with item handling between clients, and even another to do with the amount of gold a client would receive on a gold find! These have all been quickly addressed and included in the latest v1.43 release. Furthermore, now that my wife has played a significant section of the first module in this setup, I am hoping that all such MP errors will have been squashed now. However, if any more show up between now and when the module is fully played, I will update as required.
There were a couple of minor issues that I also addressed that would affect the SP game as well, such as a journal entry not closing or some quality of play adjustments. However, all in all, the first module is stable and makes a good foundation for moving onto the second module, Predestinated Days. Speaking of which...
So Where Am I Up To Now?
In short, I had a relatively good month last month and managed to finish a number of aspects that needed doing, including all the final areas main designs, and a few conversations. The conversations I have not yet finished, I have placed templates ready to complete.
I did a lot of pre-design work, which was basically copying the areas involved into an art package to make notes of what was happening where and how the story could unfold and the PCs develop within the areas involved. With these "maps" and notes added, I was then able to start managing the quests, conversations and mechanics involved... which is probably one of the more complex stages of this second module. I had wanted to show all these area maps to you in images, but that would have clearly been a massive spoiler, and so you will just have to wait until they are likely to appear in a walk-through if I ever get to that stage.
Today, I will mark the module as being 90% complete, but bear in mind that 95% means complete all except Alpha testing. Therefore, when you see me report 95% complete, we are only waiting for the alpha testers to complete their game before I open up to any potential beta testers for very final testing. If, by the way, being a beta tester interests you, then let me know in this forum post. If I can keep at my current rate of building, I am hoping that next month's blog post will be the one that reports the end being in sight. However, I also just remembered that I also have to finish off some load-screen images, and so that also has to be considered in the timescale. All in all though, I am very excited about reaching this point, as it feels like a significant step for me.
Finally, I just want to leave you with a couple of screenshots from areas I have been working on, which I hope do not give away too much detail. Until next month, please keep me updated with any ideas, requests or questions you may have and I hope to have some exciting news for you then.
 |
| Strange Words From An Even Stranger Situation! |
 |
| I need to Get Across There! |
