Anna Comnena


In before Madagascar rage. :P

Gwen used to post in Scripting (her only posts for months was in there), but since I wasn't doing my job of entertaining her during her workday she got bored and started posting on the forums more. Oh and welcome back Brutal. :)

Snake… Ganondorf is very sick in the hospital. You should go visit him.

Oh yeah, the adult section. So why can't I see it? I'm older than most of the administrators. :D :P

You people are lame, she's referring to Trent Reznor. Anything about him or NIN is kryptonite to her.

Use the modify button; warned for double posting. Also the grass coloring isn't consistant with the cloud placement so I wouldn't argue they were shadows.

I know what's wrong with those clouds - no shadows on the ground to give a sense of height/depth.

Browser plugin problems? On my old computer I was having problems playing videos, but ironically I could watch youtube and other flv type movies, but any WMVs, AVIs, and some MPGs on my hard drive would stop playing or chug really slow. So I dunno it's like the opposite of what your problem is. Maybe try reinstalling audio software or codecs?

So what's been going on recently? I've been quite busy so I haven't been able to keep up with things. Everyone doing ok? :grin:

I'm looking for a large project to join, preferably as a mapper, but I have experience editing all kinds of graphics (besides GUI stuff), and have experience as a game developer (adding monsters and items that stay balanced with the current stuff). I really like to create gameworlds, it's a good mix of my interests and knowledge (history, geography, and cultural anthropology), and I feel that I'm very good at it. Technically I'm a good mapper and can produce several maps in a short period. EDIT: these threads are trashed or something, I'll have to find them. Some samples of my work on Tales of Adriana: http://www.touchofdeathforums.com/smf/index.php/,18467.0.html Samples of maps using my own custom tiles: http://www.touchofdeathforums.com/smf/index.php/,17329.0.html Samples of my work on Jashea Pathwars: Hmm I couldn't find the old site so I'll post the images. This game was my first time seriously mapping with RMXP tiles. [](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v400/annacomnena/gfx/jashea-cottage.jpg) [](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v400/annacomnena/gfx/jas-islandtemple.jpg) [](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v400/annacomnena/gfx/jas-plainsbluff.jpg) [](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v400/annacomnena/gfx/jas-forest.jpg) Reply here if you have a large project. Please have your server up 24/7 or a large span of time. I don't want to offend, but new users to Eclipse need not apply, unless you can show you are particularly talented. Jashea and Tales of Adriana were both very nice Eclipse games, and I'm looking for the same level of project to join. Update with recent map experience: Reiner style and Inquisitor's tiles: [](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v400/annacomnena/gfx/ambardia-test-1024.jpg) Test map for Ambardia Online [](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v400/annacomnena/gfx/7nations/west-luthia-1024.jpg) [](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v400/annacomnena/gfx/7nations/east-luthia-1024.jpg) The City of Luthia in Seven Nations

(l)(s) ^^

Well, my mom got my dad a new laptop for christmas (I don't know why, he doesn't do anything with computers but play solitaire and watch DVDs), and it has Vista Home Premium on it. Basically it's alright so far, but already there is a major issue. The AC adapter is plugged in, but the battery won't charge. At first I figured it was a hardware problem or maybe I had to change some settings (I'm not use to laptops). But I couldn't find anything to get the battery to charge when the computer is running (the battery is at 1% at the moment). Brand new computer, right out of the box - this shouldn't happen, right? So I google it at first looking for the brand (it's a HP pavilion laptop, dv6500 series or something). Find misc. hits about it, often it's from computers a bit older, not fresh out of the box. But then I notice some observations, that this phenomenon only occurs with Vista. So I check it out, and it does appear that a common thing is that this is in Vista - the battery doesn't seem to charge while to OS is running. This makes it easier to search for, but unfortunately there doesn't seem to be a common answer or known cause. I go up to try a few things, like shut down, re-plug the a/c in, then restart, or take the battery out and put it back in, etc. But at the moment I can't because he's trying out a DVD (and the HP DVD player is stupid and doesn't have a full-screen option that can be found). Why are new computers always such a hassle? Makes me scared to go buy a computer.

Does anyone else play this? It's a cutesy eastern MMO with an interesting job system (like Final Fantasy 5), and a nice community (so far). I was wandering a dungeon and I came across someone named Bobosk and I was like hmmm it's probably him but I'll check. So it went something like this: Marona: does eclipse mean anything to you? Bobosk: the engine? Marona: yes Bobosk: oh god, you aren't anna are you? stalker! I guess he was in the closed beta, I joined on the 1st when the open beta started (after my birthday friday night I stayed home the rest of the weekend xD ). So I'm just wondering if anyone else plays this game. It's a little grindy, but there is a bajillion quests in the game so you always have something to do, and it's very skills-based, like there is a ton to do as far as working and craft types skills. The game is also almost designed around AFKers, as it can run in a window and you can even minimize it and do other things, and it will pop up a notification in the system tray if any event needs your attention (like if you've walked to your destination or finished chopping wood). I know some games like FlyFF and others barely let you run an instant messenger client along with the game. Well here is the website if anyone is interested: http://domo.aeriagames.com/ Here are a couple screenshot (Sprites are so cute): [](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v400/annacomnena/domo/domo02.jpg) [](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v400/annacomnena/domo/domo05.jpg)

There are many mapping tutorials out there, most of them are good, and so I was hesistant to write one myself. One thing I have noticed about them all, is that they are concerned with maps on a map-to-map basis. However, your gameworld isn't a single map, it is the vast territory as depicted by all of your maps combined - so why not map with that in mind? I'm now mapping with a style that allows me to make several maps of good quality at the same time, which makes the mapping go faster, and the gameworld expand much more than usual. In a way this type of mapping is a bit more mechanical, like a production line type of mapping: I go through the area I'm working on (I call these areas "zones" or "regions"), do one step on all maps, then the next step, etc. So I basically get X amount of maps done at roughly the same time, instead of having 1 map done and X blank maps left. Dealing with these regions, instead of maps one-on-one, also helps put the entire gameworld more in focus, since you are dealing with a larger piece of it at a given time. _But, I do realize this method won't work with everyone, and although I can map quickly, it still does take much more time to commit to this method of using zones instead of just working on single maps. So right now I will just list some aesthetic tips to make normal maps better:_ **Avoid overuse of straight lines.** Nature isn't a bunch of straight lines: between the many forces of erosion (wind, water, gravity), many nooks, cranniess, gullies, and canyons will be carved out of a mountain. Also not only does a straight block for a mountain look unnatural, it also looks repetitive. **Limit repetitive tiles.** This is the main thing about tileset mapping, is you are making a map of often the same tile. So you need to avoid repetition as much as you can, especially with cliff faces. This can often be avoided by making the cliff curve inward and outward often, related to the first tip. **Terrace your hills and mountains instead of having a high cliff.** This is essentially tip one, but used vertically. Often people will make their mountains a big block of a high cliff, which ends up looking too straight, and also looks repetitive. The thing is, RMXP tilesets come with a great pre-set height that is easy to place on your map: [](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v400/annacomnena/gfx/map%20tutorials/mt-cliffsize.jpg) **Vary the amount of trees and foliage** Don't use the exact same tree and bush all over the place, have atleast a couple vari.ations of them. Again, this helps repetition, the primary enemy that mappers of tileset style maps should avoid. In the same light, however, you don't want to have to much difference, as often in one area the foliage will be the same. For example planting a bunch of bright tropical flowers in a dark mountain forest doesn't look right, nor would mushrooms growing in the middle of a desert flat. Alright, those are probably my main concerns with what mappers need to work on, in my opinion. I will make a tutorial about my "regional mapping" style, using an example area of 4 maps, in the next post (getting example screenshots and writing it takes longer than the mapping does). If there is demand for it as well, I may make an advanced tutorial dedicated to terracing and mountainous areas (since that is where most of my criticisms come from). Anyway, if you are not interested in the methods used to make several maps at the same time, then you don't need to read ahead…

Ok, in 2.x the maps were changed so they are reset when no players are on, to lower lag. However, it has no thought into how this affects NPC spawn times. Essentially it makes spawn times worthless, as a player can just walk off a map and then walk back on it and all the NPCs will be respawned. This really isn't so bad with the general grind monsters I guess, but for special NPCs, and boss monsters are now useless. Boss monsters and rare NPCs no longer work, and with the current system can even have gameplay exploits. For example, you design a monster that is extremely rare (spawns maybe 4-6 times a day) and drops a good item. But with the current system, sorry you can't do this, because the second you kill it then walk off the map, it's right there again for you to kill. Even for normal grind monsters this causes problems, as you can no longer spread out your monster spawns through multiple maps to spread out your player base (and force them to do some exploring). Since there is essentially an instant spawn for everything now, all you need to do is go to 1 map for an entire grinding cycle. Ok so anyway, the wish: Change the maps back to the old system, so NPC data is retained even if a player is not on the map. OR, make a new Map attribute called "Save" or something, which tells the engine to keep that map going even if no other players are on it. This would fix the issue with boss and rare monsters.

I know this is probably easy for source editors to do themselves, but for us who need pre-compiled versions this would be a little something nice. Simply change the string "The sign reads:" into "You read the following:" - this will make it so Sign tile attributes will be more robust and useful for other things rather then simply signs.

(The topic was locked as I was writing this - I miss being a moderator sometimes.) Can the people making the newer EE versions remove VBMP.ocx from the next and subsequent releases please? If we are going to have some passive-aggressive fascist pulling liscense rules out, it might be better to remove it. According to this set of drama, anyone who edits EE source must remove VBMP.ocx OR place some credits in the MAIN WINDOW. For some small thing Eclipse doesn't even need, and something that caused hassles with the first couple EE versions it was used with. It's not like amatuer game developers have enough potential problems with copyrights and liscensing, we don't need to have this one looming so close to Eclipse. I implore the Eclipse developers to nip this in the bud and remove VBMP.ocx so this doesn't happen to future Eclipse game creators. And to DemonX, although this is your perogative, I want to let you know that any personal respect I've had for you is now gone. Taking some personal fued you have and using an Eclipse component as a weapon in your petty little dispute, is damaging to the entire Eclipse community. :(

Since Tales of Adriana has no publicity I'm going to post a few maps from it.    There is atleast 100 outdoor maps made, depicting several different regions: mountains, foothills, forests, fields, and deserts. Plus a city and two villages (will be 3 villages shortly), with their own atmosphere and backstory. Since it isn't my game (it's Jordan's) so I can't go into much more detail than that. But I can say I'm mapping for it and so the gameworld is in top quality for an Eclipse game; and so far the game is balanced and plays nicely - and has working paperdoll and quests!

Some old ruins in the wilderness. Why did the people here leave? What's in that cave? :neutral:  A peaceful creek flowing into a fertile valley below.  A highway winding its way up the mountain pass.  A pristine mansion on the hillside looking over the city.  The detailed interior of that mansion.  One of the large temples in the city.  A calm plaza in the middle of the city.  A commercial street just south of the plaza. 

This topic has been moved to [Forum Games](http://www.freemmorpgmaker.com/smf/index.php?board=62). http://www.freemmorpgmaker.com/smf/index.php?topic=16395.0 Ok people I'm getting really tired of moving topics that don't belong in Questions, and will be going full out in Fascism mode, until I get bored of it. :P

This topic has been moved to [General Chat](http://www.freemmorpgmaker.com/smf/index.php?board=17). http://www.freemmorpgmaker.com/smf/index.php?topic=16371.0

This topic has been moved to [General Chat](http://www.freemmorpgmaker.com/smf/index.php?board=17). http://www.freemmorpgmaker.com/smf/index.php?topic=16230.0

This topic has been moved to [Forum Games](http://www.freemmorpgmaker.com/smf/index.php?board=62). http://www.freemmorpgmaker.com/smf/index.php?topic=14362.0

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oHg5SJYRHA0 ^-^