This is my first dev. diary, so please bear with me as I get the hang of this!
I released the DCUG originally way back almost 10 years ago, but I was never happy with the massive, unfinished mod. I've wanted to return to it, upgrade and expand it, ever since, and I am finally back to work on the project. So, if you're interested in DC Comics, superheroes, or just great games, you can follow along on my journey by catching these developer's diaries. Before we get started, here is some basic information:
This mod is created using EZScript, a Python interface designed by M25, a fellow much brighter than me, which simplifies the process of scripting and makes it more accessible. The terminology I use is based on a familiarity with that tool. You can learn about that HERE.
You can learn about the basics of modding in FF HERE.
So, while traveling this summer, I had a really helpful email correspondence with Unkoman, who helped me plot several new campaigns and expansions for existing ones. The centerpiece of my DCUG 2.0 update/expansion is a finished/polished JLA campaign that also provides a significant expansion in the form of half a dozen new missions featuring Green Arrow's recruitment to the team, the first encounters with the Injustice Gang, and the first battles with the Key. I created a really fun but, of course, overly ambitious outline. I wrote it all up, added new materials to the mod, set up the maps, and got it all ready to test weeks ago. Since then I've been very busy, and of course, only able to test and troubleshoot occasionally. Of course, my attempts to get fancy have led to tons of bugs and lots of frustration. I had a little time recently and got back to it.
I've been working on level 14 of the JLA campaign, where Green Arrow is jumping from pocket universe to pocket universe to rescue the JLA who have been scattered through the multiverse by the Key. I'm using the 'disk worlds' maps from the finale of FF1, which makes for a really cool level. Unfortunately, the maps have some issues. More unfortunately, my scripts had issues! I think every single encounter had bugs, and I eventually had to create workarounds for certain parts of it.
The mission was designed with GA encountering four heroes, Batman, Flash, Aquaman, and Superman, each imprisoned on their own diskworld, which was a threat specifically for them. GA could teleport between them, recruiting each hero as he rescued them. First I discovered that the individual encounters were not ending properly, meaning the mission never progressed past the first one. This seems to be a result of using custom encounters that had an ally join your team.
I fixed that by just starting all the encounters at once. Then, inexplicably, the Flash would somehow join your team twice, meaning there was no room for poor Aquaman....again. I had to split that up into two encounters, one where you rescue Flash, one where that Flash is destroyed and a different one joins the team. After I finally solved that I discovered that the diskworld he is on has pathing issues.
I've got an idea about that, but I haven't tried it yet. Finally, Aquaman's wasn't properly rescueable in his custom encounter, so I had to change it up too. I've finally got this mission mostly sorted out...and now I face another one in mission 15, where you save the rest of the team. I honestly don't know that I've ever had a mission with so many problems per-capita!
Let this be a lesson to you, future modders: don't get fancy!
The good news is I'm still making progress, and the campaign is coming together well. I'm also really happy with a lot of how I've designed these missions and the base scenes. I know SO much more about modding these days than I did when I made the DCUG in the first place, and it's nice to be able to bring a little higher production value to the stories I'm telling. I'm still often limited by EZScript and the available maps, but I've been able to find some fun ways to change things up. I hope y'all will agree with me when you get a chance to play these missions!
I also just got a small pile of new and updated skins/skopes from Deanjo2000, and they look fantastic!
Finally, I posted an add for a map maker here on ModDB. Since it's just an unpaid position working on a decade old game, I didn't expect anything to come of it,but I actually got two responses! We'll see if my newfound allies will enjoy their artistic endeavors and stick around for the duration, but I'm sure glad to have their help!
