The Naked Ninja's site

Wii fit plus

Tue, 02 Feb 2010 15:17:49 +0000

Tis a good game, much more entertaining than the original and an excuse for some exercise while having a good time, yet still avoiding the sun's harmful rays on my paled complexion.

I mostly enjoy that snowball fight game, earlier today I found myself in battle against an army of Hitlers and my fiance's family... I won, so jews fear not the cyber snowball.

I recommend this to anyone who has a wii, can possibly enjoy a game that doesn't require sitting on your ass, and hopefully has the original wii fit (otherwise you gotta buy the balance board package)

<3 Ken.

Side note: I'm thinking of getting back into WoW a little, does anyone still play or should I wait for SWTOR?

A useful way to handle text.

Sun, 31 Jan 2010 04:13:52 +0000

Since I feel this doesn't really merit an actual demo of any sort, I figured on sharing this useful tidbit with anyone who might require something similar down the line.

/* NOTES: Description macros
    %n = src name   %t = target name    %k = spell name
    %m = melee calc %s = spell calc     %r = spell's mastery 
    %c(1-5) = a calculation based on mastery and the power of the spell
*/

proc
    skillcalc(obj/A, mob/player/B, N as num)
        return "[round(B.skills[A]*N,1)] - [round(B.skills[A]*N,1)+round(N/2,1)]"

    parse_text(mob/M, T as text,obj/skill)
        while(findtext(T,"%n")) T=swaptext(T,"%n","[M.name]")   
        while(findtext(T,"%t")) T=swaptext(T,"%t","[M.target.name]")
        while(findtext(T,"%m")) T=swaptext(T,"%m","[M.dmg_calc(0)]") 
        while(findtext(T,"%s")) T=swaptext(T,"%s","[M.dmg_calc(1)]")
        if(skill)
            while(findtext(T,"%k")) T=swaptext(T,"%k","[skill]")        
            while(findtext(T,"%r")) T=swaptext(T,"%r","[M.skills[skill]]")
            while(findtext(T,"%c1"))    T=swaptext(T,"%c1","[skillcalc(skill,M,1)]")
            while(findtext(T,"%c2"))    T=swaptext(T,"%c2","[skillcalc(skill,M,2)]")
            while(findtext(T,"%c3"))    T=swaptext(T,"%c3","[skillcalc(skill,M,3)]")
            while(findtext(T,"%c4"))    T=swaptext(T,"%c4","[skillcalc(skill,M,4)]")
            while(findtext(T,"%c5"))    T=swaptext(T,"%c5","[skillcalc(skill,M,5)]") 
        return T

    swaptext(t,old_t,new_t)
        return copytext(t,1,findtext(t,old_t))+new_t+copytext(t,findtext(t,old_t)+length(old_t),0)

What that does.
In short I was looking for a way to define my skills without having to create objects for each possible rank. Since my skill levels work on a mastery/training system, similar to those found in old Smaug/SWR MUDs, that could lead to 10-100 different rank definitions for each skill... That's not happening.

I tried researching the text handling functions available to me and nothing provided a way of easily swapping text. I took a look at Deadron's TextHandling, and I feel the man really over-complicates things (that or it can seem that way to a noob). In the end I decided upon creating my own macro-handling system. With this I can easily insert a macro (%n for the player's name) and use parse_text to translate it for me. I also took this idea from my good ol' days of MUD creation.

Now I'm not entirely sure if I went about the parsing process the best and most efficient way, but it works and that's good enough for me right now. Any alterations and/or improvements would be much appreciated. As for the desired result, I can now create one reference object (image, description, name) for each skill and it'll appear to each player uniquely. I'm sure I'll find more uses for this system later on.

If you're still not sure what I mean I'll link a small snip below showing how I define my skills.

obj/cache/skill
    var{passive=FALSE;auto=FALSE};

    attack{icon_state="attack";ID="skill_attack";name="Attack";\
        desc="Automatically attack your target.";auto=TRUE}

    strike{icon_state="strike";name="Strike";ID="skill_strike";\
        desc="Instantly attack your target dealing %c2 dmg (+%m)."}

Hopefully others will improve upon this and/or find it somewhat useful.

<3 Ken

Note: Yes this is for Blood Legend.

A star wars fan game?

Sat, 30 Jan 2010 15:34:32 +0000

Why is there no decent one? I may be forced to create such a thing when I get Blood Legend playable. :(

I request that anyone with at least a little talent with art and/or game design create one for my enjoyment.

<3 Ken.

Paranormal Activity

Fri, 29 Jan 2010 18:39:49 +0000

Lousy movie. Throw me a few $$$ and I could do better, that's all I'm saying.

<3 Ken.

What an unproductive week...

Tue, 26 Jan 2010 17:30:29 +0000

I would like to say I had accomplished something in the last week or two, but that would be a downright lie.

See it all started with a trip to the doctors for a sinus infection. Angelica had signs of a bad infection so we figured we'd get her some antibiotics for that, she has had severe asthma since she was 2 years old mind you. So the doctor prescribes her some Avelox for the infection and the steriod Prednisone for her breathing.

Long story short, you aren't supposed to mix those two. Angie winds up in ICU for a few days due to a reaction to the combined medicine severely limiting her breathing.

So I figure that was a rough encounter, I come home for a few things and continue on the way to stay with her. The exhaust in my car was getting a little loud so I got pulled over assuming a simple fix it ticket. Turns out my license was suspended due to a ticket involving a suspended registration regarding a lapse of insurance I had in early August. I took care of the insurance ordeal with the DMV without the slightest idea I had a court date to meet, nor did I realize I had a suspended license since.

So I get arrested on the way to the hospital, luckily I had just enough on me to make bail, and here I am today after my court shenanigans... lets just say it has been one hectic week.

In lighter news Angie's doing fine and my daughter turns 4 tomorrow. Luckily I built her her own computer a few weeks prior to this, so I still have the better gift between me and my ex :)

<3 Ken.

P.S: There is no P.S.

A little more info about Blood Legend.

Mon, 18 Jan 2010 01:47:34 +0000

I know I really hadn't gone into too much specifics about the game, so I figured I'd take a little time (before the Simpsons comes on :) and delve a little into the available classes and subclasses of Blood Legend. The goal of this post is to familiarize my readers with the play styles and their inspirations, my personal goal for the game is to make each class uniquely fun to play in a world that is somewhat new.

The Classes

Crusader: A symbol of light throughout Elesmasia, this soldier focuses on spirit-based melee abilities and powerful enhancements to conquor the darkness of the land.
~ Their play style focuses on spirit-based melee abilities, defensive spells, and an array of self-buffs allowing the player to change between a tank and a berserker.
My inspiration for this class is a cross between a paladin and a jedi knight.
Spirit Warrior: Very attuned to the spirits of their world, this martial artist is known for manipulating their own spirits as weapons against the adversaries.
~ The play style for this class focuses on being a fighter of all styles and master of none. Initially they are simple martial artists with the ability to channel their spirits as weapons, but as they progress they learn the ability to 'spirit walk', enhancing their spirit powers while disabling their melee, and eventually the ability to shift into a spirit beast form. This form is pure melee with spirit enhancements.
My inspirations for this class is a mix of various Fighting Animes and oddly enough the warewolves from Eclipse
Gladiator: A master of all forms of hand to hand combat, their strength and agility are their greatest allies. In war they are the frontmen, in times of peace they provide brutal entertainment for kings and kin alike. Battle is their passion and a good challenge is all they ask for.
~ The play style is powerful melee combat with abilities to keep your target in check. They benefit the most from using hand-to-hand weaponry.
The inspiration for this class has nothing to do with Meg Ryan movies
Sorceror: A master of the arcane and manipulator of the elements, these magicians and their vast knowledge are unmatched in the arts of magic. While deadly from a distance, some are also very difficult to kill.
~ Their play style is designed to provide the feel of a magician who has total control of their surroundings through manipulation of the elements.
Honestly every time I'm working on this class I think of that movie fight scene between Dumbledore and Voldemort.
Shadowknight: This warrior of death is well known throughout the lands for their tainted blades and necromantic magics. Instead of using the spirits for balance, these warriors enslave them in acts that generally defy the laws of nature, casting them as weapons against any opposition.
~ Their play style focuses on a mild melee offense enhanced by a wide variety of dark magic and afflictions.
They're designed to feel like a cross between a Sith Warrior and a Necromancer.
Vampyr: While others of their kind are slaves to the Beliazar, the Dark King, they somehow retained their souls. Although most of their mortal memories are hazy and some of their old passions still exist a new one has surfaced, the need for mortal blood.
~ Their play style focuses on hit and run tactics. While the basic skills cost nothing, their true power comes from drinking blood, which allows the use of more powerful psychic abilities.
There are alot of inspirations to this class, but generally I think my biggest vampire inspiration are those from Buffy.
Ranger: A flexible soldier, some serve as scouts in battle due to their amazing accuracy with ranged weapons and abilities to adapt to their surroundings, while others uphold the law in smaller towns as gunslingers.
~ Their play style focuses heavily on ranged combat, with an ability to temporarily hold their own in melee range.
The inspirations for this class is a cross between the general fantasy archers and old western gunslinger movies.

Subclasses

Shaman: Those who are one with the land and are capable of invoking it in times of need. This subclass will focus on healing abilities as well as some buffs.
Soldier: Any class with a soldier subclass will be more suitable for melee-ranged abilities, as well as having access to a wider variety of weapons and armors.
Assassin: This sub-class will add skills of stealth and deception to their abilities, making them an even deadlier force.
Tamer: Becoming a tamer will allow the class long-lasting pets who will fight and even die for their masters. You may only have one active pet at a time.

I know it may be a bad move expressing my inspirations for these classes, but be assured that I am not making them true to anything specific, they are ONLY inspirations (Things I think about when writing the spells that make me go "I want to feel like I can do all that cool stuff"). . By expressing these I am hoping that readers would better understand what to expect when they select their class. The stories and NPCs will be completely my creation, as will the bulk of my abilities, to my knowledge. Currently I am also working on making the art also all of my original work. I'm not a big fan of plagiarism :)

That's all for today, for smaller and more frequent updates I suggest you follow me on twitter if you're interested.

<3 Ken.

Follow my development closer.

Thu, 14 Jan 2010 16:20:21 +0000

As you probably know by now, I suck at giving updates on my development process at regular intervals. My problem is that I rarely feel anything I accomplish actually means anything to anyone interested in my progress.

The biggest thing is the lack of graphical representation, I've noticed that if updates are lacking in this department, most people really don't care what you have to say. For those that do, you can follow my progress a little closer on my new account. I plan on updating this anytime I finish any given goal with my creations, Blood Legend being the main focus until completion. I figure this would be a more appropriate approach than spamming the members page with a 60-150 word post every time I finish something small. I've also redesigned my layout here a little, but I'm still new to CSS designs, so if it's faulty please help me fix it.

-Ken

Note: Random picture for flare.

Tweets and other design requests.

Thu, 14 Jan 2010 03:02:20 +0000

My request this time is a simple one, and I feel would be a beneficial one for any development blog out there... "Member Tweets".

This could easily be a box on the member's main page separate from actual blog posts, and possibly be a members-only feature. Personally I'd find this very useful, especially on development blogs.

Secondly I'd like to draw your attention to this post regarding the layout of the games page and the overall presentation of BYOND to outsiders. In short, it's currently very cluttered and unappealing. My suggestion is that the games page should be reworked to follow more of a trend set by popular online gaming communities. Your main page at http://www.byond.com could also use a bit of work, maybe even do away with it and introduce people with a redesigned games page.

Just some honest suggestions, hope you consider!

- Ken

Soda bottle funnel.

Tue, 12 Jan 2010 05:26:52 +0000

Yeah I made it...

Story: Well a little into my Monday's overtime at work I suddenly had this inspicraving (Kinda like an inspirational craving) for some Blueberry Tea. Not just any Blueberry Tea mind you, but a giant spaghetti pot full of the stuff. Boiled with sugar in bulk and then chilled for Iced Blueberry Tea the following morning, that was enough to bail me away from my job and my progress with the Star Wars: Episode II audiobook (Working on listening to the series from start to finish).

Fast forward roughly 40 minutes later and I'm home, the tea is successfully brewed to my taste's satisfaction, and now I face the hurdle of how to pour this spaghetti pot's contents into an empty Arizona Green Tea jug. If you hadn't caught on by now, this is when the flash of brilliance and possible divine intervention occurred. In the recycling bin located in my kitchen corner I spotted an empty Mountain Dew bottle and in seconds I had transformed this $0.05 deposit into a marvel, of which Leonardo Da Vinci would have been green (If only because of death)... Behold!

Now if only I had thought ahead and produced iced cubes, I wouldn't have to wait for morning...

Macros solely for Shift, Ctrl, and Alt.

Mon, 11 Jan 2010 13:54:28 +0000

On request, I'd very much like to see the ability to define macros strictly for the Shift, Ctrl, and Alt keys, without any other buttons tied to them.

My reasoning is a mouse_pointer_icon one. In my game shift, alt, and ctrl alter the effect of a Click(). I'd really like to have the icon of the pointer change to a respective one when one of those three buttons are held down. If there is a possible work-around I'd gladly take it however.