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Mayhem Army Editor

 Post subject: Mayhem Army Editor
PostPosted: Fri May 02, 2014 8:30 pm 
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Welcome to mayhem army editor project thread.

Here were gathering all ideas, materials and feedback for the development of the army construction tool.

What we have so far:

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If you want i can look through the rule book and send you a list with page and sentence of the errors.


I would appreciate that. The print edition is coming out soon, and I'd love to have it error free. That's always the goal!


For easier tracking I made a spreadsheet in google docs.
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/ ... edit#gid=0
Everyone who has this link can update and use this sheet to record errors in the different PDF.
I will mostly find format issues and the like. Will take me some days to go through all documents to find most of the stuff.

One thing where i found the structure a bit confusing was page 14.
Quote:
War Machines SPECIAL
Much like monstrous creatures, war machines are purchased as
pre-generated profiles and have their own section. War machines
use the damage rules for harm

After building your core profiles and assigning designations, it’s
time to arm and equip your force. Unless otherwise noted, the
following restrictions apply.


THe change of subjects is very sudden and on the end of the page. THere should be an additional headline or something mark the change of subject.

Other things that came to mind. I would like an extende version of the armybuilder sheet. With the new unit types and maybe a stronghold one.

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Massive yes please!!! ;D

Though, why not ask the guys behind Armyforge! http://traitor-legion.appspot.com
They already got a front and back end set up and do feature Warmaster. Don't see why they couldn't be interested in expanding the fantasy side!


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;D I'm 100% in for an army builder myself, and I'm open to both options. If either of you need anything from me or have a contact you want to hook me up with, then let me know what it'll take to get this thing going. I personally think that tinkering around with various lists and builds is almost like a game in-and-of itself.


Yeah I would love a neat armybuilder. But I doubt that the Armyforge system will work with such a complex unit creation system. It is a tool for using "prerendered" armylsits (sorry - lack of words). Anything more comprehensive would require a massive overhaul of their system.

BUT i remembered a tool that could be of use. Its called battlescribe. https://battlescribe.net/
It has free version - the pro veriosn is still dirt cheap - a mobil app and can be used with every rule system. they give editors to create an army builder for your own system.
Your rulset then can be saved as a repository on the web and everybody with the link can use it through adding the repository to his verson of battlescribe.
If you make updates to the armylist they will sync with every subscriber of a repository.

Maybe this will sufficiant for Mayhem. Maybe it lacks the right feature for such an open system. I will check it after a game of mayhem with my wife. :)
I will make photos.


EDIT:

Did not get to the game tonight but the next attempt is after some sleep.
I still tested the battlescribe editor. I fear it is not up for the task wich (?) saddens me a lot. I asked for clarification in their forums. Maybe i get some information later this day.

EDIT 2:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/ ... G_uIs/edit

made this thing. Not finished and not a real editor but it helps a little. I fear getting is even harder then i thought. Maybe asking the guy behind Armyforge is a good bet. I still have one or two requests unanswered but... we will see.


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- Interface
My guess would be to keep it simple/minimalistic!
The aim should be to support usability and an easy visual. Nothing worse then your opponent handing you his army list and you need 5min to figure out what is what, haha
Maybe a nice 'fantasy' frame but with a clear list structure, using a easy to read font like Helvetica or Arial.

If needed, i am happy to help with some Photoshop magic for a mock-up or final design. Might have a bit of time later and would send you a mail if i manage anything worthwhile. :)


Excellent! The more the merrier. I agree with you on all points. I personally would go for Verdana but any Webfont would work. I Will add some sketches and thoughts at the end of this post.

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- Functionality
Why not follow the steps of Mayhem's unit build structure?!
MOV > QR > BAR > Designation > Standard/Musician > Equipment > TAG

Though Standard/Musician could be added to either Equipment or TAG for simplicity.

Another idea could be to 'force' the user to buy his CP value first, followed by the General.
That way you would have the mandatory stuff out of your way and it would always be on top of the list for easy reference.


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I think this is probably a really good approach and an easy design to implement from a build perspective. This would make for a very streamlined selection/creation process and avoids any advanced programming logic. It think it also helps that there are very few dependencies and/or restrictions in the game by design. ;)


I agree on most parts, but i would start with designations. Mainly because of the Monstrous Creatures and Warmachines.

Instead of forcing a generall we could display a legal warning. That way i could experiment with units combinations first and would not be forced to make general first.

Ok, here are my thoughts on the Unit building Process.
Set up Army:
- Army name ( saved under this name in your army library?)
- max Crowns
- Leadership die
- buy units from your templates
- buy spells
- buy strongholds from you templates

We should make a flowchart for using the editor. Will try to make one.

Some Designations like Elite require some more complex logic. Mainly to identify the exact same units. The easiest way would be an amount-of-this-unit box.

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- Game Aids
One thing that comes to mind would be an automatic calculation of the total CP dice.
Beside that, not really sure there is anything really essential.


That is a good idea.

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- Export layout
Again, simple and visually easy should be the way to go.


Again, I agree. But how do you write down your units? Do you make unit cards?
Thats how I rolll at the moment.
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/ ... G_uIs/edit

How would you like a printable layout for you army? With or without weapon stats list? A spell list? Or should we make Spellcards and tokens to print for yourself?

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If this was done in something like html5 or javascript, then it could actually be added to the download as a self contained executable. That way it could be used in a browser window offline as well. Interesting possibilities here...


That yould be the case, I asume. Selling it with book could be problematic if he made it for free or a very low price. We will have to discuss about licensing issues anyway.

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In case your friend wants some (beer) money, i am happy to chip in a tenner. ;)


perfect :)

So the process will be as following:
1 - plan out and create everything that is needed for the app
2 - give him the materials and wait for his response
3 - fall on my knees and begging him to do it

Image



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I have done a basic text format for unit profiles.
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Army Name: XXX
Leadership: dX
Total Cost: XXX Cr

General
Name: XXXXX Cost: XXX Cr
MOV dx /CQ dx /BAR dx
Designations:
XXX, XXX, XXX
Weapons and Armor:
XXX, XXX, XXX
Traits, Abilities and Gear:
XXX, XXX, XXX

Units
Name: XXXXX Cost: XXX Cr
MOV dx /CQ dx /BAR dx
Designations:
XXX, XXX, XXX
Weapons and Armor:
XXX, XXX, XXX
Traits, Abilities and Gear:
XXX, XXX, XXX

Strongholds
Name: XXXXX Cost: XXX Cr
MOV 00 /CQ d10 /BAR d8
Traits, Abilities and Gear:
siege attrition, XXX, XXX

Spells
Name: XXX Cost: XXX Cr
Upkeep: xx



This is a version without any additiona rules. So what do you think? I am sure I forgot some stuff. Should we make a seperate thread for the development of the army editor?

edit:

an example would be:

Name: Imperial Pikemen Cost: 25 Cr
MOV d8 /CQ d10 /BAR d10
Designations:
Infantry
Weapons and Armor:
Spears
Traits, Abilities and Gear:
Standart, Musician, Disciplined


Lets continue on this epic task!

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 Post subject: Re: Mayhem Army Editor
PostPosted: Sat May 03, 2014 1:14 am 
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Hear hear! ;D


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 Post subject: Re: Mayhem Army Editor
PostPosted: Wed May 28, 2014 10:46 am 
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Hi,

Any updates on this?


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 Post subject: Re: Mayhem Army Editor
PostPosted: Thu May 29, 2014 12:15 am 
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Quote:
Any updates on this?

There are no updates on the free form builder yet.

On a related note, rumor has it that there is going to be another more structured builder making an appearance soon. My source is a reliable one... ;)


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 Post subject: Re: Mayhem Army Editor
PostPosted: Thu May 29, 2014 6:08 pm 
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At the moment it is only me. As I am in a deep slumb developent is not really happening. If ther eis another/better solution on the way I am all for it. Saves me time and work. :P

What does more structured mean? :confused:

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 Post subject: Re: Mayhem Army Editor
PostPosted: Thu May 29, 2014 6:24 pm 
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Quote:
What does more structured mean? :confused:

Instead of the open freedom that all MAYHEM players have out of the box [which as you know is more difficult to write a program for ;) ], a 'more structured builder' would have armies of pre-generated profiles, unit types, and upgrades. While a builder like this does take some of the creative power away from the player, it has the advantage of allowing for army specific rules, specialized unit types/rules/weapons, and other features that you can't include in the open system while maintaining balance. A structured builder is also good for new players that are overwhelmed by the freedom and choice that an open build system provides.

Of course, players can still create their own forces from scratch. ;) ;D


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 Post subject: Re: Mayhem Army Editor
PostPosted: Thu May 29, 2014 7:02 pm 
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Ah ok i understand.

Quote:
While a builder like this does take some of the creative power away from the player, it has the advantage of allowing for army specific rules, specialized unit types/rules/weapons, and other features that you can't include in the open system while maintaining balance.



i think it would be possible to include army wide special rules. But yeah balancing would be a more difficult. You could try to balance the rules in itself out. Giving a special rule but you cant use magicianss. (Maybe a bad example)


Ok i will try to push this project harder. I am thinking about wich license to use (CC is most likely) and how to distribute the development verions. (Sourceforge or Github maybe)

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 Post subject: Re: Mayhem Army Editor
PostPosted: Tue Jun 03, 2014 5:27 pm 
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Don't give up, billiges Alien!

We all know that sometimes life doesn't allow much time for hobby projects, but there's no shame in puttings thing on hold for a bit to be picked up again! :)

As to license, with Mayhem being a niche game in a niche hobby, i'd go for CC.

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 Post subject: Re: Mayhem Army Editor
PostPosted: Wed Jun 04, 2014 10:10 pm 
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Quote:
Don't give up, billiges Alien!

Quote:
As to license, with Mayhem being a niche game in a niche hobby, i'd go for CC.

I agree on both counts [but especially the first one]! ;D


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