I'm not really much of a programmer, but I have some serious questions I need answers for because of an idea I have for a total conversion of Duke 3D.
1) First off, is it possible with the source code available, either in the original source or in JonoF's GL capable source to allow extra menus and screens to be added between levels that can be used for storyline or selecting options?
2) Secondly, is it possible for there to be more than one selectable hero-- that can be changed between levels/at the start of each level, each having their own set of weapons and inventory?
2.a) If the above question is possible, would it be possible to allow the picking up of each other's items but only affecting the respective owner of those items in the future?
2.b) In addition, would it be possible to where if you were to die as one character and choose not to load a saved game- and start clean at the beginning of the level - that the other character's stuff are not reset along with the chosen character for that level? (basically, you die as one guy but the other guy's stuff remains intact cuz you didn't play him or her that level)
3) Would it be possible to turn everything into one big episode of several dozen maps or does it have to be seperated like duke3d has it?
4) Is it possible to use a looping levels-specific MP3 for background music rather than MIDI? I'm no composer, but I know some stuff on OCRemix would sound nice for background music in a TC.
5) Also, since I obviously don't have voice actors, I am wondering if it is possible to have what the currently selected hero is saying appear on screen with an icon of their face showing their mood (as seen in some RPGs, such as Breath of Fire IV)? At least until a voice can be provided for the female character I'm planning.
6) Is it possible for there to be a different set of sprites for the heros, giving a vague difference based on what weapon they're using? (i.e. if they are currently switched to a melee weapon in weapon slot 1, the third-person sprite would show them holding a melee weapon? but if they have a massive rocket launcher out or something, it'd show the sprite of the character with a large gun) or is it limited to only showing one set of sprites for every weapon?
7) Is it possible to use JonoF's source for such a project, to allow for high-res, truecolor textures and sprites-- or even models if it has to come to that?
8) Is it possible for certain weapons to have a second mode that has a self-regeneratting ammo (personal energy) which will allow for occassional use of a special technique? An example is this, the girl character's melee slot weapon (1) can perform a critical thrust forward with an 100 ammo meter, when used would drop that ammo to 0, but will rebuild itself constantly to 100 over time?
9) Would it be possible to have seperate max HP, max armor, running speed, and jump height between the two characters? For example, male hero will have 125 maxhealth (200 with the 'atomic health' type items) and run slower but jump higher and can wear heavier armor. but the female hero will be shorter, having 80 max health (165 with bonus items) but very fast and able to duck into tighter spaces than the male hero can?
10) With these changes, provided all were possible, would it become impossible to allow the game to be saved?
If you want to contact me directly, use AIM name "Lazureus", or MSN handle ssjscale@hotmail.com, or email me at scale@cfl.rr.com.
This is a project I'd like to really try to do, using one of the best engines ever XD
It's an idea that's been accumulating in my head for awhile
-- James
TX at
Most of it is possible; you would obviously have to use EDuke32 for it.
Lazureus at
EDuke32? Care to explain what the purpose of that is?^^
EDIT: Nevermind, saw your link in the sig, checking it out now. Without being a programmer though, I wonder if I can find anyone willing to help me in that department to get some of the extra features (especially the dual-character idea and on-screen face+text things)
Kyoufu Kawa at
Extra menu screens? Yes. If you decipher the current menu system first. IMHO, it's a mess. I prefer the old Wolfenstein system, which I based Unkillable's on.
More heroes? Very yes. 2B is also very doable: on newgame, a whole lot of variables are reset. But what if you keep track of the deceased player's items, and remember where on which map they are left? Don't reset that data, and when the level is parsed by PrepareBoard or whatever Duke3D calls it, notice that it's that same level being loaded and spawn the items then.
One big episode? Very possible. Remove the episode select screen, for starters, and make sure boss death is handled appropriately.
MP3? Duke3D can't do it natively as far as I've seen.
Portraits? I have those in Unkillable. I guess something like that can be whipped up in Duke3D as well.
Third-person weapon-specifics? Doable, but a pain in the ass to create all those sprites.
Regenerating special attacks? Very doable.
Character-specific stats? Very doable as well.
Saving's just a matter of making sure every single bit of data is saved. Easy. Just don't try to save pointer-based data. They'll break on load.
Lazureus at
To elaborate on my idea. I want to design a TC where you can choose between a male hero or his young sister. They wake up to a lot of commotion, creatures that seem to have been grotesquely mutated have appeared and are killing and absorbing everyone into their DNA.
The rough hero, Warren, and his swift little sister, Karen, are the only ones left, and they must fight their way out of the town, but wind up fighting their way into the heart of the threat. Warren is big and able to properly use guns and ballistics, while Karen would have trouble with these, so she uses lighter weaponry and her smaller hands and quicker control over her nervous system allow her to use a lot of the dropped mutant technology.
Depending on how difficult it would be to do this, I would want there to be a character selection screen "Select hero" either at the start of the first level, or before each level starts. Also, additional splash screens showing a little bit of story between the levels would be nice.
Warren would use a katana for his melee weapon, and use various ballistic style weaponry (basically your standard guns, machineguns, rocket launchers, grenades, etc). His stats would be something like: Health=Higher, Armor=Higher, Runspeed=Slower, Jump=Higher, Height=Higher. ** Able to jump higher, giving access to some areas that Karen cannot go **
Karen would use a wakizashi or dagger for melee weapon, and use various projectile-based attacks- most of which are technology found on the ancient mutations swarming the place. Stats would be something like: Health=Lower, Armor=Lower, Runspeed=Faster, Jump=Normal, Height=Lower ** Can crouch in lower spaces, giving her access to specific areas just for herself **
Now I am well aware that level stats can be affected by out-of-reach areas. All secrets and monsters in shared areas will be accessible by both characters, however I plan on having a seperate tier of exits in some levels, giving some levels completely to a specific character (which would affect whom you can choose for those levels). basically this would branch the paths out a little bit off and on to lend uniqueness to the character usage. (this is where having one big episode comes in handy)
As for speech, instead of using wavs since i don't have a girl to provide voices, I wanted everything that is said to pop up near the to of the screen, something like:
xxxxx
xxxxx "That was a close call.."
xxxxx
xxxxx
The x's would be an icon of the current character's face, perhaps with various icons used for moods. (like some can be an angry face, or a surprised one, or normal)
Warren will have his own weapons and items, while Karen will have her own too. However, levels will show all items, and will allow one character to pick up stuff for the other one to use in a later level if necessary.
I'm aware sprites may be difficult to provide, so I'm thinking of dropping the weapon idea and provide sprites and normal textures for an 8-bit game, while using 3D models and high res textures for polymost modes.
Also, another thing, would ladders be a possibility? I noticed redneck rampage has them, but not sure if it's possible in the original duke.
There's more to say, but it'd be nice if I could find anyone interested in helping me with programming these things in and getting me started because my talent is not in programming ; ;
Lazureus at
This post and idea has been updated, as well as relocated to 3D Realms Duke Source forum.