The Honourable Guild of Test Pilots

[andrax_iON]

Noble Sir, your opinion on the Nexus missiles (5 varieties) would be greatly appreciated ..

Okies; so, 's been bugging me - the thought that any of the following should be considered in any way as 'testing'. Any such would be both pretentious and presumptuous, I can't recall a single instance on the BB where a suggestion is raised that any of UK_Eliter's work does anything less than, or other to, what it says on the tin, an' I'm not about to be the first.

As a consequence, I thought that the best 'opinion' I could give should be based on a scenario where the Nexus variants were simply part of the canvas - where yes, they're expensive, but a well-heeled Cmdr. with decent cash reserves and a genuine incentive to protect his interests would deem them a viable choice as a weapon. On this basis, I thought, "What the hey? Let's have an adventure in UK_Eliter's Ooniverse!".

So.. I cooked me a fresh Jameson, 'gifted' him enough dosh to kit the boat (yes, another Firefly *grin*) out fully with triple front Vimana lasers, military rear, all the bling plus a couple of base-level Nexus; filled things out with "Harder Hermits" (plus spara's Spicy variety), the Super Sidewinder & Fer de Lance 3G and, as a gift to myself ('cos I'm such a nice bloke), "Cup of Tea" and "Ship's Cat" (I'm gonna need Cup of Tea later, 'cos I'm havin' me an Improbability Unit at some point, just bcos I've wanted one since at least 1983; I needed some cats 'cos I've been acting like a jerk, stirring up trouble all over south-west Chart 1 and no-one there will talk to me any more *sob*).

Result? Metric TCs of fun on the way to the fastest 'Above Average' rating I've achieved so far, for which I'd estimate the Nexus (basic only, to date) account for at least 30% of kills. Referring again to the 'canvas' - decent cash reserves and a genuine incentive - I think the Nexus family fits nicely into the Ooniverse; prob'ly an economic disincentive for pilots in the early stages of their career, but if you've a decent tonnage (70TC in the Firefly) to protect, and especially if you're trading New Cargoes, where the profits can be significantly greater, then the Nexus is a real addition to the arsenal. If you're hunting Thargoids, well.. get some.

FWIW - if I'm in any way affected by drugs or alcohol, I'm no match for either a SuperS/wndr nor an FdL 3G. Stone-cold sober, I've at least got a chance.

cheers!

[Cholmondely]

Noble Sir, your opinion on the Nexus missiles (5 varieties) would be greatly appreciated ..

Okies; so, 's been bugging me - the thought that any of the following should be considered in any way as 'testing'. Any such would be both pretentious and presumptuous, I can't recall a single instance on the BB where a suggestion is raised that any of UK_Eliter's work does anything less than, or other to, what it says on the tin, an' I'm not about to be the first.

From the perspective of one who gets regularly marmalised the moment anything turns into a real fight - and wants to know more about the item in question to put something coherent on the wiki - what you are doing is very definitely testing!

So would you go with a blue or with a violet "Gameplay and Balance Indicator" rating for the missiles? Or, say, a violet for the Ultimate and Bug-Offs, with blue for the rest?

[andrax_iON]

So would you go with a blue or with a violet "Gameplay and Balance Indicator" rating for the missiles? Or, say, a violet for the Ultimate and Bug-Offs, with blue for the rest?

Blue. They helped, they got me kills where otherwise I would nae have survived; I also died a lot, 'cos I'm a d!ck (at least, I tried to be here *grin*) & a pretty poor pilot. A better pilot may have better results & I haven't yet tried anything beyond the base level missile.

I think it's more about the fun factor. If yr playing with these, yr likely playing with other add-ons, too, and I think that's where&when you'll get the best enjoyment from them; adding the Nexus to an otherwise 'stock' install doesn't make a whole lot o' sense to me. I see these as being for 'gun' pilots who are looking to up the ante and have probably hardened at least some of the NPC opposition.

[Cholmondely]

So would you go with a blue or with a violet "Gameplay and Balance Indicator" rating for the missiles? Or, say, a violet for the Ultimate and Bug-Offs, with blue for the rest?

Blue. They helped, they got me kills where otherwise I would nae have survived; I also died a lot, 'cos I'm a d!ck (at least, I tried to be here *grin*) & a pretty poor pilot. A better pilot may have better results & I haven't yet tried anything beyond the base level missile.

I think it's more about the fun factor. If yr playing with these, yr likely playing with other add-ons, too, and I think that's where&when you'll get the best enjoyment from them; adding the Nexus to an otherwise 'stock' install doesn't make a whole lot o' sense to me. I see these as being for 'gun' pilots who are looking to up the ante and have probably hardened at least some of the NPC opposition.

Good-oh. I'll leave the wiki page as it is, then. Thank you!

[Cholmondely]

Does anybody know what this one does?

piratetraps.oxp v1. Chance encounters with pirate traps. popsch

From OoSat - and from 2006 or earlier.

No wiki mentions. No BB Thread (Thanks to the Great Deletion, one presumes). Just an .oxp with 4 files in it, not even a license/ReadMe!

How much tougher does it make the game?

Shipdata.plist

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<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<!DOCTYPE plist PUBLIC "-//Apple Computer//DTD PLIST 1.0//EN" "http://www.apple.com/DTDs/PropertyList-1.0.dtd">
<plist version="1.0">
<dict>
	<key>cobra3-trader-dummy</key>
	<dict>
		<key>ai_type</key>
		<string>route1traderAI_dummy.plist</string>
		<key>like_ship</key>
		<string>cobra3-trader</string>
		<key>roles</key>
		<string>trap</string>
	</dict>
	<key>cobra3-trader-trap</key>
	<dict>
		<key>ai_type</key>
		<string>route1traderAI_trap.plist</string>
		<key>like_ship</key>
		<string>cobra3-trader</string>
		<key>roles</key>
		<string>trap(0.05)</string>
	</dict>
	<key>moray-dummy</key>
	<dict>
		<key>ai_type</key>
		<string>route1traderAI_dummy.plist</string>
		<key>like_ship</key>
		<string>moray</string>
		<key>roles</key>
		<string>trap</string>
	</dict>
	<key>moray-trap</key>
	<dict>
		<key>ai_type</key>
		<string>route1traderAI_trap.plist</string>
		<key>like_ship</key>
		<string>moray</string>
		<key>roles</key>
		<string>trap(0.05)</string>
	</dict>
</dict>
</plist>

Script.plist

Code: Select all

{
    PoliceTrap = (
        {
            conditions = ("status_string equal STATUS_EXITING_WITCHSPACE",
			  "d100_number lessthan 10",
			  "systemGovernment_number greaterthan 3",
			  "systemTechLevel_number greaterthan 8",
			  "legalStatus_number equal 0"); 
            do = ("addShips: trap 1"); 
        }
    ); 
}

route1traderAI_trap.plist

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<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<!DOCTYPE plist PUBLIC "-//Apple Computer//DTD PLIST 1.0//EN" "http://www.apple.com/DTDs/PropertyList-1.0.dtd">
<plist version="1.0">
<dict>
	<key>ATTACK_SHIP</key>
	<dict>
		<key>ENTER</key>
		<array>
			<string>setTargetToFoundTarget</string>
			<string>sendTargetCommsMessage: This was a trap, your action has been monitored. Face the consequences!</string>
			<string>markTargetForFines</string>
			<string>scriptActionOnTarget:  setLegalStatus: 800</string>
			<string>spawn: police 3</string>
			<string>setTargetToPrimaryAgressor</string>
			<string>groupAttackTarget</string>
			<string>setAITo: interceptAI.plist</string>
		</array>
		<key>EXIT</key>
		<array/>
		<key>UPDATE</key>
		<array/>
	</dict>
	<key>GLOBAL</key>
	<dict>
		<key>ENTER</key>
		<array>
			<string>setStateTo: HEAD_FOR_PLANET</string>
		</array>
		<key>EXIT</key>
		<array/>
		<key>UPDATE</key>
		<array/>
	</dict>
	<key>GO_TO_STATION</key>
	<dict>
		<key>AEGIS_IN_DOCKING_RANGE</key>
		<array>
			<string>dockEscorts</string>
			<string>setAITo: dockingAI.plist</string>
		</array>
		<key>ATTACKED</key>
		<array>
			<string>setTargetToPrimaryAggressor</string>
			<string>setStateTo: ATTACK_SHIP</string>
		</array>
		<key>COURSE_OK</key>
		<array>
			<string>setSpeedFactorTo: 0.5</string>
			<string>performFlyToRangeFromDestination</string>
		</array>
		<key>DESIRED_RANGE_ACHIEVED</key>
		<array>
			<string>dockEscorts</string>
			<string>setAITo: dockingAI.plist</string>
		</array>
		<key>ENTER</key>
		<array>
			<string>setTargetToStation</string>
			<string>setDesiredRangeTo: 5000.0</string>
			<string>setDestinationToTarget</string>
			<string>checkCourseToDestination</string>
		</array>
		<key>EXIT</key>
		<array/>
		<key>INCOMING_MISSILE</key>
		<array>
			<string>setTargetToPrimaryAggressor</string>
			<string>fightOrFleeMissile</string>
			<string>setStateTo: ATTACK_SHIP</string>
		</array>
		<key>TARGET_FOUND</key>
		<array>
			<string>setTargetToPrimaryAggressor</string>
			<string>setStateTo: ATTACK_SHIP</string>
		</array>
		<key>WAYPOINT_SET</key>
		<array>
			<string>setStateTo: GO_TO_WAYPOINT</string>
		</array>
	</dict>
	<key>GO_TO_WAYPOINT</key>
	<dict>
		<key>ATTACKED</key>
		<array>
			<string>setTargetToPrimaryAggressor</string>
			<string>setStateTo: ATTACK_SHIP</string>
		</array>
		<key>COURSE_OK</key>
		<array>
			<string>setSpeedFactorTo: 0.5</string>
			<string>performFlyToRangeFromDestination</string>
		</array>
		<key>DESIRED_RANGE_ACHIEVED</key>
		<array>
			<string>setStateTo: GO_TO_STATION</string>
		</array>
		<key>ENTER</key>
		<array>
			<string>setDesiredRangeTo: 50.0</string>
			<string>checkCourseToDestination</string>
		</array>
		<key>EXIT</key>
		<array/>
		<key>INCOMING_MISSILE</key>
		<array>
			<string>setTargetToPrimaryAggressor</string>
			<string>fightOrFleeMissile</string>
			<string>setStateTo: ATTACK_SHIP</string>
		</array>
		<key>TARGET_FOUND</key>
		<array>
			<string>setTargetToPrimaryAggressor</string>
			<string>setStateTo: ATTACK_SHIP</string>
		</array>
		<key>UPDATE</key>
		<array>
			<string>scanForHostiles</string>
			<string>pauseAI: 10.0</string>
		</array>
		<key>WAYPOINT_SET</key>
		<array>
			<string>setDesiredRangeTo: 50.0</string>
			<string>checkCourseToDestination</string>
		</array>
	</dict>
	<key>HEAD_FOR_PLANET</key>
	<dict>
		<key>AEGIS_CLOSE_TO_PLANET</key>
		<array>
			<string>setStateTo: GO_TO_STATION</string>
		</array>
		<key>AEGIS_IN_DOCKING_RANGE</key>
		<array>
			<string>dockEscorts</string>
			<string>setStateTo: GO_TO_STATION</string>
		</array>
		<key>ATTACKED</key>
		<array>
			<string>setTargetToPrimaryAggressor</string>
			<string>setStateTo: ATTACK_SHIP</string>
		</array>
		<key>DESIRED_RANGE_ACHIEVED</key>
		<array>
			<string>setStateTo: GO_TO_STATION</string>
		</array>
		<key>ENTER</key>
		<array>
			<string>setCourseToPlanet</string>
			<string>setDesiredRangeTo: 30000.0</string>
			<string>setSpeedFactorTo: 0.5</string>
			<string>performFlyToRangeFromDestination</string>
		</array>
		<key>INCOMING_MISSILE</key>
		<array>
			<string>setTargetToPrimaryAggressor</string>
			<string>fightOrFleeMissile</string>
			<string>setStateTo: ATTACK_SHIP</string>
		</array>
		<key>TARGET_FOUND</key>
		<array>
			<string>setTargetToPrimaryAggressor</string>
			<string>setStateTo: ATTACK_SHIP</string>
		</array>
		<key>UPDATE</key>
		<array>
			<string>scanForHostiles</string>
			<string>pauseAI: 10.0</string>
		</array>
	</dict>
</dict>
</plist>

route1traderAI_dummy.plist

Code: Select all

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<!DOCTYPE plist PUBLIC "-//Apple Computer//DTD PLIST 1.0//EN" "http://www.apple.com/DTDs/PropertyList-1.0.dtd">
<plist version="1.0">
<dict>
	<key>ATTACK_SHIP</key>
	<dict>
		<key>ENTER</key>
		<array>
			<string>setTargetToFoundTarget</string>
			<string>sendTargetCommsMessage: This was a police test dummy, your action has been monitored. You will be fined!</string>
			<string>markTargetForFines</string>
			<string>scriptActionOnTarget:  setLegalStatus: 50</string>
			<string>becomeExplosion</string>
		</array>
		<key>EXIT</key>
		<array/>
		<key>UPDATE</key>
		<array/>
	</dict>
	<key>GLOBAL</key>
	<dict>
		<key>ENTER</key>
		<array>
			<string>setStateTo: HEAD_FOR_PLANET</string>
		</array>
		<key>EXIT</key>
		<array/>
		<key>UPDATE</key>
		<array/>
	</dict>
	<key>GO_TO_STATION</key>
	<dict>
		<key>AEGIS_IN_DOCKING_RANGE</key>
		<array>
			<string>dockEscorts</string>
			<string>setAITo: dockingAI.plist</string>
		</array>
		<key>ATTACKED</key>
		<array>
			<string>setTargetToPrimaryAggressor</string>
			<string>setStateTo: ATTACK_SHIP</string>
		</array>
		<key>COURSE_OK</key>
		<array>
			<string>setSpeedFactorTo: 0.5</string>
			<string>performFlyToRangeFromDestination</string>
		</array>
		<key>DESIRED_RANGE_ACHIEVED</key>
		<array>
			<string>dockEscorts</string>
			<string>setAITo: dockingAI.plist</string>
		</array>
		<key>ENTER</key>
		<array>
			<string>setTargetToStation</string>
			<string>setDesiredRangeTo: 5000.0</string>
			<string>setDestinationToTarget</string>
			<string>checkCourseToDestination</string>
		</array>
		<key>EXIT</key>
		<array/>
		<key>INCOMING_MISSILE</key>
		<array>
			<string>setTargetToPrimaryAggressor</string>
			<string>fightOrFleeMissile</string>
			<string>setStateTo: ATTACK_SHIP</string>
		</array>
		<key>TARGET_FOUND</key>
		<array>
			<string>setTargetToPrimaryAggressor</string>
			<string>setStateTo: ATTACK_SHIP</string>
		</array>
		<key>WAYPOINT_SET</key>
		<array>
			<string>setStateTo: GO_TO_WAYPOINT</string>
		</array>
	</dict>
	<key>GO_TO_WAYPOINT</key>
	<dict>
		<key>ATTACKED</key>
		<array>
			<string>setTargetToPrimaryAggressor</string>
			<string>setStateTo: ATTACK_SHIP</string>
		</array>
		<key>COURSE_OK</key>
		<array>
			<string>setSpeedFactorTo: 0.5</string>
			<string>performFlyToRangeFromDestination</string>
		</array>
		<key>DESIRED_RANGE_ACHIEVED</key>
		<array>
			<string>setStateTo: GO_TO_STATION</string>
		</array>
		<key>ENTER</key>
		<array>
			<string>setDesiredRangeTo: 50.0</string>
			<string>checkCourseToDestination</string>
		</array>
		<key>EXIT</key>
		<array/>
		<key>INCOMING_MISSILE</key>
		<array>
			<string>setTargetToPrimaryAggressor</string>
			<string>fightOrFleeMissile</string>
			<string>setStateTo: ATTACK_SHIP</string>
		</array>
		<key>TARGET_FOUND</key>
		<array>
			<string>setTargetToPrimaryAggressor</string>
			<string>setStateTo: ATTACK_SHIP</string>
		</array>
		<key>UPDATE</key>
		<array>
			<string>scanForHostiles</string>
			<string>pauseAI: 10.0</string>
		</array>
		<key>WAYPOINT_SET</key>
		<array>
			<string>setDesiredRangeTo: 50.0</string>
			<string>checkCourseToDestination</string>
		</array>
	</dict>
	<key>HEAD_FOR_PLANET</key>
	<dict>
		<key>AEGIS_CLOSE_TO_PLANET</key>
		<array>
			<string>setStateTo: GO_TO_STATION</string>
		</array>
		<key>AEGIS_IN_DOCKING_RANGE</key>
		<array>
			<string>dockEscorts</string>
			<string>setStateTo: GO_TO_STATION</string>
		</array>
		<key>ATTACKED</key>
		<array>
			<string>setTargetToPrimaryAggressor</string>
			<string>setStateTo: ATTACK_SHIP</string>
		</array>
		<key>DESIRED_RANGE_ACHIEVED</key>
		<array>
			<string>setStateTo: GO_TO_STATION</string>
		</array>
		<key>ENTER</key>
		<array>
			<string>setCourseToPlanet</string>
			<string>setDesiredRangeTo: 30000.0</string>
			<string>setSpeedFactorTo: 0.5</string>
			<string>performFlyToRangeFromDestination</string>
		</array>
		<key>INCOMING_MISSILE</key>
		<array>
			<string>setTargetToPrimaryAggressor</string>
			<string>fightOrFleeMissile</string>
			<string>setStateTo: ATTACK_SHIP</string>
		</array>
		<key>TARGET_FOUND</key>
		<array>
			<string>setTargetToPrimaryAggressor</string>
			<string>setStateTo: ATTACK_SHIP</string>
		</array>
		<key>UPDATE</key>
		<array>
			<string>scanForHostiles</string>
			<string>pauseAI: 10.0</string>
		</array>
	</dict>
</dict>
</plist>

[Cholmondely]

Any chance of somebody trying out The Assassins Guild with modern Oolite?

This is one of the classic missions and provides much lore for G7 (and the Eight generally - law courts, The Galactic Zero-G Hockey Association, etc).

LittleBear summarised the situation as he sees it here:

I think the code still works, so you can play through the missions.

However, this was my first OXP written about 15 years ago. Back in the day NPCs were really dumb and Military lasers where much less powerful.The cloaking device was a bit of a game breaker as ships would completely ignore you even if you were shooting them (if you were cloaked). I wouldn't have stopped the player from cloaking today as the cloak is now much less drastic as NPCs are now smart enough to twig that if something is ripping their shields to bits they are under attack (even though they can't quite make out where you are where you are on their scanner) and will take appropriate action. The only way back in the day to make a really challenging mission target was to stick military lasers on it and give it tons of energy. If I was writing it today I'd have given the mission ships just a little bit more energy than the standard ship of the same type and just made them smarter than the average bear to make the challenge.

I did play it through with a standard (but Iron Assed) Cobra Mk III before I released it and completed it (albeit with a fair few hefty repair bills). However, running on modern Oolite where the NPCS are automatically a lot smarter (and have absurdly high energy levels by todays standards) it would be massively harder than I intended it to be. I think today the mission's ships would rip even an iron assed cobra to bits pretty quickly and the difficulty level was set at hard but do-able in a standard cobra. Difficulty did assume a full iron ass but I felt that was balanced as getting blown out of the sky if you were unwise enough to try being a professional assassin with nothing but a pea-shooter was the intended effect. This was also why its set in G7. If you can afford the hyperdrives to get there, then I'm assuming you have reach the point in your game where you have enough cash for reasonable combat equipment.

Equipment to protect the player though has come on a lot as well though. It will be much more difficult than intended. You might still be able to complete it but it might be very frustrating. And you're gonna need a bigger boat.

I would like to know if there is extra equipment recommended beyond the Standard Optional set (which presumably includes CD/NEU by the time one gets to G7). Or if the OXP needs tweaking (NPC's need drastic toning down).

[Cholmondely]

I think that's where&when you'll get the best enjoyment from them

Sir!

If you are still in the trade, there are a couple of large oxp's needing test pilots which are looming over the horizon!

[Cholmondely]

I think that's the best enjoyment

I can't program, but I can play Oolite . If you need a second opinion, I'm happy ...

Paging all test-pilots!

There is a new version of the mammoth Xeptatl's Sword mission looming over the horizon. We need people willing to circle the Eight, fighting off the ravenous hordes of Thargoids, gallantly defending the cradle of civilisation against alien buggy marauders armed with lousy poetry!

Of particular importance:

*Are there any wrecking OXPs which should be listed as "incompatible" in the manifest.plist?
Eg. Fuel Tanks, particular Überships, The Galactic Almanac, Telescope (do we just need to blank out a couple of items from Telescope - or do we need to remove the oxp?), etc.

*Should we need to incorporate any GNN news broadcasts?
At various stages of a player's accomplishment - or to give dramatic background to new invasions etc.

*Ditto for e-mails

*What synthesis with Library.oxp should be done?
Thinking specifically of the PAD device on the F4 docked screen: which important persons need inclusion, are there any systems which need inclusion, etc.; but also eg of including dynamic map briefings (ie StarMap demo).

*Crummy textures which need sorting out

*Anything else which comes to mind

Kindly apply below...

[Switeck]

I might be able to test the latest variant of Xeptatl's Sword a little...but no promises on anything major.

[Cholmondely]

The Honourable Guild of Test Pilots

Mr President!

It is with great pleasure that I present Mr Flibble for consideration for membership of The Honourable Guild of Test Pilots.

He has over the past few days performed great deeds of derring-do in the service of analysing one of the better-known Antipodean Modifications of the Ooniverse (that of the Galcopian Missions).

His demeanour, enthusiasm and diligence have convinced me that his inclusion in this August Body would redound to the benefit of both the Body and to the Ooniverse as a whole.

I beg, Sir, to remain your obedient servant,

Cholmondely of Digebiti

[Cody]

Cookies are in the jar!