Testing Help

Alex Mars wrote:
> On Feb 21, 12:40 pm, JB <jtb....TakeThisOut@columbus.rr.com> wrote:
>>I've been working a bit on a module that I plan on hosting on a regular
>>basis for online play. It's a homage to the ancient BBS "door" game
>>"Legend of the Red Dragon". Would anybody care to help me with some
>>online playtesting and seeking out bugs before I make it completely
>>available? I've got time in the evenings Eastern Time.
>
> Post the times you'll have the module online, and where we can find
> it. I'll take a look at it.

Module will be running (at the very least) from 6pm - 10pm ET every day
from now on. When I'm satisfied it's bugfree or close, I'll remove
password protection. Password is 'usenet'.

I'll be putting it online today at 4pm ET. Please post bugs and
comments at the URL mentioned in-game.
 >> Stay informed about: Testing Help 

JB wrote:
> I'll be putting it online today at 4pm ET. Please post bugs and
> comments at the URL mentioned in-game.

Er, oh yes - the game will be hosted under the Action category, server
name is xyzzy and the module name is "Legend of the Undead Trio"
 >> Stay informed about: Testing Help 

On Feb 25, 12:56 pm, JB <jtb....RemoveThis@columbus.rr.com> wrote:
> JB wrote:
> > I'll be putting it online today at 4pm ET.  Please post bugs and
> > comments at the URL mentioned in-game.
>
> Er, oh yes - the game will be hosted under the Action category, server
> name is xyzzy and the module name is "Legend of the Undead Trio"

Can you leave it running overnight? I'm in PST and shutting down the
server at 10pm EST will close it half an hour after I get home and
have dinner.
 >> Stay informed about: Testing Help 

Alex Mars wrote:
> Can you leave it running overnight? I'm in PST and shutting down the
> server at 10pm EST will close it half an hour after I get home and
> have dinner.

Server will be up overnight most nights now. I'll also reverse am and
pm so you can have some light while you're looking around.
 >> Stay informed about: Testing Help 

I created a cleric last night and I will have some time to get into
the module tomorrow and this weekend. Is the module aimed at any
alignment or class or is it open to all comers?
 >> Stay informed about: Testing Help 

Alex Mars wrote:
> I created a cleric last night and I will have some time to get into
> the module tomorrow and this weekend. Is the module aimed at any
> alignment or class or is it open to all comers?

It's open to all; as always Fighters have the easiest time of it at 1rst
level, but I've fooled around with a Wiz and it wasn't too bad as long
as you've got a familiar and/or a monster summoned.

Out of curiosity, have you ever played the ancient original LORD BBS
game that this is loosely based on?

The rules are that if you die, you get resurrected the next real/game
day (just like the original). For the testing period I am thinking
about just resurrecting you immeditately so you don't have to lose time
if you die. As a matter of fact I know I'm going to do that.

I've also decided that the town is too big and spread out for the
limited purpose it serves. I'm going to make a much smaller version
that is easier to navigate, but that probably won't be done before it
comes up today at 6pm ET (2/28/2008). Game time will be 6am at that
time, and I'll plan on leaving it up overnight.

Again, everyone is welcome to come by. I'm really the only person who
has spent any real time in it right now so I'm sure there are bugs.

I've also got a lot of player-duel code written that I'm fairly
confident about but has had no testing whatsoever because there's never
been more than 1 player on at a time up til now.

I've got a yahoo group created for bug reports, comments, and
suggestions. The game is in it's infancy right now, so please anyone
feel free to give me an earful.

Again, the game will be posted under the Action category, servername
xyzzy and module name Legend of the Undead Trio. There will be no
player password.
 >> Stay informed about: Testing Help 

Having spent a bit of time in this module I have to say that I fail to
understand what is going on (and no, I never played the game this is
based on). I run into an area, kill one or a few critters, and then
get teleported back to town. I think you may have to give the player
a bit more of a clue on what is expected of them.
 >> Stay informed about: Testing Help 

Alex Mars wrote:
> Having spent a bit of time in this module I have to say that I fail to
> understand what is going on (and no, I never played the game this is
> based on). I run into an area, kill one or a few critters, and then
> get teleported back to town. I think you may have to give the player
> a bit more of a clue on what is expected of them.

Here's a bit of background. It would be very helpful to read this first.

http://lord.nuklear.org/about.html

In summary, there really is no plot (maybe a paper thin one). The game
is designed to be played once a day for a short period of time. You
can't play any more because you have a limited number of "fights" per day.

It is a character (pc) building exercise, as well as one of strategy -
but the strategy part really doesn't come into play unless there are at
least a few other people playing on a regular basis (not necessarily at
the same time). The "Fights" exist so that each day you have something
to do - run into the forest/cave/crypt and kill a few things, gather
loot (although this is by no means "power" loot), and come back to town
to resupply. You are racing the other players of the game to reach
maximum level (I haven't decided what this will be for my game yet, in
the original BBS Lord game it was 12th) and defeat the game's enemy (in
this case the Undead Trio). The fun comes from interacting with the
other players (even when they are not online at the same time as you).
The game provides opportunity to do this. The game is also set up to
allow both on-line and offline fighting with other players. This is
encouraged - and it really doesn't spoil anyone's fun because death only
lasts for a day, and it's set up so that you have a chance to make your
full gameplay per day as well.

If I can get at least 8 or 10 people who play 20 minutes every day I
think this would turn out to be pretty popular. The original LORD games
used to have dozens of people playing every day on a local BBS.
 >> Stay informed about: Testing Help