Topics

1

Traditional Roguelikes (Turn Based) / PRIME gets a proper license

« on: March 04, 2017, 02:39:04 PM »

Hello!

Time to come to terms with halted development of the game. This happens to hobby projects everywhere and Prime is neither the first nor last to experience such thing. The source was since long available but lacking a proper license, people are having doubts whether it is a good idea to make a variant or try taking it further. It has not stopped me or Psiweapon since we got on Cyrus' unofficial permission pretty fine but it is a real problem.

To address that from now on version 2.5 is released under Aladdin Free Public License. Visit http://prime-rogue.net/ for download or use this link. This is a source code only release. 2.5 does not differ significantly from 2.4a in non-technical aspects.

A somewhat frequently asked question might be why Aladdin license instead of something more common like GPL or more free like MIT. Trick is we do not possess the rights to sell PRIME and consequently cannot grant it to anyone. Free software licenses and many open source licenses typically make that allowance thus we cannot choose them. If you really, really want to sell the game or slap GPL on it you need to obtain the permission for commercial usage from the only person who has this right to PRIME sources - Cyrus Dolph, author of ZapM.

2

Temple of the Roguelike / Captcha impossible to pass for blind people

« on: November 25, 2015, 01:13:16 AM »

There has been one person who found it impossible to beat captcha without outside help. (link, see the note at the bottom of post)

It seems roguebasin has better solution for preventing spambot access, because while there is dozens of bots registered daily none seem to vandalize pages. On the contrary, for this forum I have reported a few spam posts last week in the off topic area.

3

Design / Sorting order of inventory

« on: November 09, 2015, 05:14:31 AM »

Games with lots of items may divide them into categories like potion, armor, weapon, scroll, book and so on. This is very helpful when hero carries wide assortment of equipment. Lately I have been pondering what should one see first when accessing player character's inventory?

Crawl: weapon, armor, wand, food, scroll, ring / amulet, potion.
NetHack: money, amulet. weapon / missile, food, scroll, book, ring, wand tool, gem.
ADOM: armor, amulet, weapon, missile, tool, ring, wand potion, scroll, book, food, money, gem.
...

Every game seems to take its own approach. I am interested how decision for the order war made. Also, what to do with items inside category? Sort alphabetically, by order of picking up, by assigned letter (if game has those)?

4

Traditional Roguelikes (Turn Based) / PRIME 2.4a (bugfix version available)

« on: July 24, 2014, 07:37:13 AM »

Greetings from outer space!

Pesky Reticulans, Improvoments, More Everything version 2.4 is available now!

Visit http://pesky-reticulans.org/ for downloads.

New stuff:

• Warp stabilizer implant
• Pick locks skillsoft
• Suspensor belt
• Ungooma
• Remote control
• Incongruously prussian helmet
• Transparent jacket
• Dispersal grenade
• Translocator pistol

New enemies, the Orz! Meet naked Orz, Orz scuba diver and Orz Go-Go.

Mutant power: magnetic mayhem.

Among other stuff: 36 new game lore entries, over fifty more tiles. Of course there is a new trap type because new release cannot contain only good things.

A word of warning: the exact day when website was updated someone actually found out! We were nicely surprised by the report. Next additional testing surprised us again but this time not so nicely because 2.4 contains a crash bug. Please avoid using suits of reflec armor. Expect bugfix version next week(end).

Enjoy!

added (02-AUG-2014): Bug fix version is available. Those crash bugs are gone. We have some wording and grammar improvements too.

5

Temple of the Roguelike / Have your own game's subforum

« on: March 12, 2013, 09:53:45 AM »

Santiago has generously offered to grant subforums for game developers. I think it is a great idea and would help to promote the Temple and help out roguelike authors who cannot afford web space with necessary infrastructure to support forums.

I have seen Z expressing interest in comments. This makes sense, finally there would be a designated place to discuss weapon setups for Hydra Slayer. Not yet major roguelike section is fine for this but then any such discussion would get lost among all the other posts. With dedicated subforum one may readily stumble on idea to search for such things. Who else would be interested? Speak your mind please!

I am thinking of asking for section for PRIME too. I have not decided yet because it is a fringe game barely noticed by the world and a forum simply appears not to be needed. ZapM had boards though and those were actually useful. Will discuss this with rest of dev team first. :-)

6

Incubator / PRIME 2.0

« on: June 14, 2012, 07:29:08 PM »

Goals:

I: Turn this:

##########
#f@'A.a.aa
#.f#######
#.b#
#cb#
##+#

into this:


II: Introduce Yautja as very easy profession to allow inexperienced players to see more of the game. Related concepts requiring implementation are:
 - Yautja weapons: plasmacaster, combistick, Smart-Disc, speargun, razor whip, wristblade, net launcher.
 - Yautja equipment: self-destruct device, bio-mask, cloaking belt, plate armor, medicomp, sat-com.
 - Rules for worthy and unworthy game.

III: Introduce Deathless Robots.
 - The Robots themselves: Skeletal Warriors, Skeletal Fiends and Skeletal Overlords.
 - Self repair over time mechanic. Disabled Robots will come back online given enough time if their wreck is not destroyed.
 - Associated equipment: Staff of Light, Jackal Cowl, Orb of Slavery and Third Eye.

7

Traditional Roguelikes (Turn-based) / [Sil] Goodbye Leron the Noldor...

« on: April 18, 2012, 08:17:54 PM »

Here you have the character sheet.

http://img837.imageshack.us/img837/2964/silchampion.png

I was playing late and did not notice that blue character was a 'G'iant unique instead of merely 'o'rc champions which I sliced at leisure. It was the first encountered giant ever. Well, he took a swing and dealt whole 44 points of damage. My max health was 41. Sure, the armor took off 9 points from the punch but it was still really powerful. Well, thats you get for playing instead getting to sleep earlier. I was at 550 ft which is past halfway to Morgoth.

Leron had poison and blindness resistances. First from the mail second from the helm. The helm also grants bonus to perception and ability to see invisible things. Neato! The bow combined with flaming arrows talent is pretty powerful.

In my inventory there is axe for many common enemy types and a trumpet for tougher foes. I am wielding Orcrist! If I only recognized Nan, the Giant before getting hit I might have been able to waste him too. Orcobal, Gorgol and Othrond all fell to my might.

The luckiest thing was finding 'Orodruth'. It is the forge where Morgoth's mighty hammer Grond was smithed... and players get bonuses to their smithing while they are there. :-) I wanted to try using a potion of grace to see if it lets me create better things. It does but the effect needs to last for whole work to finish whatever you are forging.


  [Sil 1.0.2 Character Dump]

 Name   Leron         Age    1,379       Str   3
 Sex    Male          Height   6'7       Dex   5 =  4          +1
 Race   Noldor        Weight   168       Con   4
 House  Feanor                           Gra   3

 Game Turn   12,895   Melee  (+11,2d8)   Melee       11 =  0  +5      +6
 Exp Pool     2,643   Bows  (+15,1d13)   Archery     15 = 10  +5  -1  +1
 Total Exp   25,743   Armor [+14,6-16]   Evasion     14 = 10  +5  -1
 Burden       168.3                      Stealth      3 =  1  +5  -3
 Max Burden   172.8   Health     -3:41   Perception  14 =  7  +3  +4
 Depth         550'   Voice      34:34   Will         5 =  2  +3
 Min Depth     550'                      Smithing    10 =  6  +3      +1
 Light Radius     3                      Song         5 =  2  +3

 You are the only child of a bard from the house of Feanor. You have
 light grey eyes, straight auburn hair, and a fair complexion.






  [Last Messages]

> You have 40 Arrows (m).
> The Warg wakes up. <2x>
> The Warg notices you. <2x>
> The Orc warrior notices you.
> The Warg makes a low howl.
> You were wielding a Battle Axe of Wolf Slaying (-3,3d4) (v).
> You are wielding The Longsword 'Orcrist' (+2,2d5) [+2] <+2> (a).
> The Snow troll hits you.
> You hit the Snow troll.
> The Snow troll misses you.
> You hit Nan, the Giant.
> Nan, the Giant hits you!
> You die.
> Illegal object choice (equip)!
> Illegal command for target mode! <3x>


  [Screenshot]

    #T# 
    #.# 
    #G# 
    #@# 
   ##'###
   #.....
   #.....


  [Equipment]

a) The Longsword 'Orcrist' (+2,2d5) [+2] <+2> 3.3 lb
   It improves your perception by 2.  It slays orcs and trolls. 
   It cannot be harmed by the elements. 
b) a Longbow (+1,1d10) [-1] 3.0 lb
   It can shoot arrows 19 squares (with your current strength).
c) an Emerald Ring of Evasion [+1]
d) a Sapphire Ring of Sustenance
   It reduces your need for food. 
e) (nothing)
f) a Brass Lantern (with 4590 turns of light)
g) a Mail Corslet of Venom's End (-1) [-3,2d4]
   It provides resistance to poison. 
h) a Cloak of Stealth [+2] <+2>
   It improves your stealth by 2. 
i) a Round Shield [+0,1d3]
j) a Helm of True Sight [-1,1d2] <+2>
   It improves your perception by 2.  It provides resistance to
   blindness and hallucination.  It grants you the ability to
   see invisible creatures. 
k) a Set of Gauntlets (-1) [+0,1d1]
l) a Pair of Steel Greaves [-1,1d2]
m) 40 Arrows
   They can be shot 19 squares (with your current strength and bow).
n) 7 Arrows (+3)
   They can be shot 19 squares (with your current strength and bow).


  [Inventory]

a) 8 Pale Herbs of Rage
b) 2 Russet Herbs of Sustenance
c) a Black Herb of Terror
d) 2 Fragments of Lembas
e) 5 Murky Brown Potions of Orcish Liquor
f) a Brilliant Blue Potion of Quickness
g) 5 Sky Blue Potions of Strength
h) 2 Grey Potions of Dexterity
i) a Bright Orange Potion of Constitution
j) a Bronze Trumpet of Thunder
k) an Ebony Staff of Imprisonment (6 charges)
l) an Oak Staff of Understanding (3 charges)
m) 5 Wooden Torches (with 2000 turns of light)
n) a Brass Lantern (with 6467 turns of light)
o) a Longsword of Final Rest (+0,2d5) [+1] 3.5 lb
   It slays undead. 
p) a Bastard Sword (-2,3d4) [+1] 4.5 lb
   It does extra damage when wielded with both hands. 
q) a Greatsword (-2,3d6) [+1] 9.0 lb
   It requires both hands to wield it properly. 
r) a Great Spear of Spider Slaying (-1,1d13) [+1] 7.0 lb
   It slays spiders.  It requires both hands to wield it
   properly.  It counts as a type of polearm. 
s) 17 Throwing Axes (+0,2d4) 25.5 lb
   It can be thrown effectively (9 squares). 
t) a Battle Axe of Hador's House (-3,3d4) <+1> 4.3 lb
   It increases your strength by 1.  It grants you the ability:
   Follow-Through.  It does extra damage when wielded with both
   hands. 
u) a Battle Axe of Rauko Slaying (-3,3d4) 3.8 lb
   It slays raukar.  It does extra damage when wielded with both
   hands. 
v) a Battle Axe of Wolf Slaying (-3,3d4) 3.8 lb
   It slays wolves.  It does extra damage when wielded with both
   hands. 
w) a Shovel (-3,2d2) <+1> 5.7 lb
   It improves your tunneling by 1.  It requires both hands to
   wield it properly. 


  [Notes]

Leron of the Noldor
Entered Angband on 17 Apr 2012

    Turn     Depth    Note

       0     50 ft    (Versatility)
   2,024    150 ft    (Dexterity)
   3,539    250 ft    (Flaming Arrows)
   3,827    200 ft    Slew Gorgol, the Butcher
   4,511    250 ft    (Lore-Keeper)
   6,883    300 ft    (Weaponsmith)
   7,608    350 ft    (Lore-Master)
   8,674    400 ft    (Crowd Fighting)
   9,853    400 ft    Entered the forge 'Orodruth'
  10,186    400 ft    (Artistry)
  11,880    500 ft    Slew Orcobal, Champion of the Orcs
  11,883    500 ft    (Precision)
  11,900    500 ft    (Channeling)
  12,113    500 ft    Found The Longsword 'Orcrist'
  12,242    500 ft    (Song of Slaying)
  12,386    550 ft    Slew Othrond, the Orc Lord

  12,895    550 ft    Slain by Nan, the Giant.
  12,895    550 ft    Died on 18 April 2012.

  ['Score' 011087105]

8

Traditional Roguelikes (Turn Based) / PRIME 2.2 (27th March 2013)

« on: January 01, 2012, 12:38:26 AM »

Name: Pesky Reticulans, Improvements, More Everything (PRIME)
Synopsis: Hacklike roguelike game with all kinds of aliens.
Post containing latest release (27th March 2013): link

Pesky Reticulans, Improvements, More Everything -- version 1.7 released!

In short this release brings:
- Operating systems for computers (reflected by enhancement value) which may help you not to get hurt as much by all those unidentified floppy disks. Be very wary not to format your computer's hard drive or be prepared to install new OS.
 - Weapons with cone area attack. Say hello to flamethrowers ... and orc pyromaniacs!
 - Defiler with plague vomit, High Templar with Psionic Storm. Khaydarin crystal shards.
 - Several new tools, grenades, armor pieces. Introduced skillsoft bionic implants and a new medical service.
 - Matter compiler. Pile up unwanted stuff, break them into particles and see if you can assemble something useful from the chaos.
 - A great number of bugs were eliminated.

For those who like to be presented with long change log DarkGod usually gives for ToME releases here you go: full changelog

Direct download links: WINDOWS LINUX SOURCE

You may wish to visit the website.

Enjoy! Happy new year to all of you!

9

Traditional Roguelikes (Turn-based) / A ZapM quiz for you

« on: February 22, 2011, 09:13:22 PM »

Under influence of Andrew Doull's article "The Power of You" I thought about exploring different ways to promote my favorite roguelike games more. Here is a quiz but it aims more to make unfamiliar reader wonder about the game rather than getting the right answers from veterans. Enjoy!

ZapM: newbie level questions

1) What does a buggy mini computer do with optimized cracked floppy disk of identify?
a) execute it but with a high chance of summoning lawyer
b) fail to execute it
c) eat it
d) execute it but identify only single item despite its optimized status

2) Pick the odd one out:
a) aquamarine marine
b) low ping bastard
c) stormtrooper
d) high ping bastard

3) A restraining bolt will not work on:
a) protocol droid
b) clerkbot
c) Cylon Command Centurion
d) astromech droid
e) scrubbot

4) Which of these items ZapM does not feature:
a) laser cannon
b) cortex crossover
c) portable hole
d) nanotech scalpel
e) laser rifle

ZapM: veteran level questions

1) Which of these is NOT contaminating you with radiation constantly?
a) room with mutant human generated
b) gamma ray gun
c) mutagen canister
d) a spot with sludge vat

2) The night vision power cannot be gained through:
a) some mutation
b) any eye implant
c) targetter goggles

3) Which of these daemons may not be found at the mainframe?
a) nntp daemons
b) mail daemons
c) ftp daemons
d) cron daemons

4) Which of these actions is possible?
a) writing a hacking program
b) improving armor piece over +5
c) have both programming and unarmed combat skills trained

ZapM: bonus question

1) You cannot die:
a) during childbirth
b) from a Dalek attack
c) by a transportation accident
d) by decapitation

10

Temple of the Roguelike / Join Roguetemple staff

« on: January 07, 2011, 09:20:45 PM »

You are invited to join Roguetemple staff. Content Temple of the Roguelike could very much use is:

• Playthrough videos
  There are many worthwhile roguelike games that could use some attention. A gameplay video (five to ten minutes) can tell much more about a title than a review. You may also add it to Roguetemple youtube channel. PM Getter77 on how to do this. I have no idea.

• Game reviews
  To write a thorough review with well chosen screenshots is not easy task. The more valuable these are! Currently we are in progress of reviewing roguelikes released during ARRP 2010 but any review is welcome.

• Roguelike news
  Some events happen buried deep in certain game mailing lists but could use more attention. For example Frozen Depths pre-release when Glowie asked for testing is valid topic to elaborate on and notify wider community. Other are fairly known but shout out is very beneficial for them. Example is recent Ascii Dreams roguelike of the year poll.

• Articles
  Quite recently it popped up that people rarely know several roguelikes are party based. An article summarizing how party adventuring looks in roguelike genre could be pretty interesting. Also articles detailing evolution of some mechanics (like pits and boulders for example) over development span of several games.

Anything else you think is worthy of Roguetemple probably will be accepted too. Please send your first piece of work to Slash. His email address can be found here.