The Fixx

I am working with a helper who is developing some quests, and today I spent time creating a made-it-from-scratch NPC assistant to aid in the helper's development:



Isn't she helpful?

I had not intended to spend the time that I had spent on this NPC.  This is update week, and I wanted to work on getting my own quests completed for V654.  This NPC started as an idea, which became a scribbled "reminder" note, which in turn became a note plus some ideas on functionality, which in turn grew into an outline of the script, which became a basic "proof of concept" script... and one thing leads to another.

Never On A Sunday

This morning began with a cup of coffee and a crisis.  After reading a thread in the Sentinel regarding a problem with movie files, I notified the ClientGM who promptly sacrificed his Sunday morning (and on a long weekend, too) to swiftly address and correct the problem.  Many thanks to him!

Throughout the day I kept busy: I resolved the problem with our swimming NPC who shall henceforth remain on the shore.  Later, while researching one script, I came across a small, seldom used script (it was last updated in V224).  Reading the script gave me an idea, so – and I had expressed concern about this – I became distracted by this new idea and started developing some functionality to this script.  I don't want to say much more about this, other than this script relates to a feature that has been requested repeatedly by players.  I'm willing to polish up some ideas and give it a try.

I also spent some time today fixing several areas and closing fix-it-quick bug cases.  I took a short break from scripting to run a short story in game before returning to work on coding.

It's no wonder why I'm tired.  I thought that Sunday was a day of rest!

Remember To Eat And Sleep. And Occasionally Stand And Stretch.

Today was a solid day spent scripting.  I resolved one of the problems surrounding an antisocial NPC (closing out that bug case), and had some thoughts on resolving the other problem regarding the NPC's wanderlust.  From there I started two new scripts, and touched-up several other scripts.  I think I logged around a total of ten hours of scripting.

My back is sore from sitting in one position all day.

Another Quest Ready For V654.

My list of scripts to touch has been growing, as has my list of quests to complete.  This evening was spent completing the refined enhancements to one of the quest scripts.  I have some silly ideas how to use this script for a larger quest.  It should be fun, and if anything, it will be another activity to undertake.

My goal for this weekend is to push out a couple of new quests and finish a lingering script to assist helpers.  I hope that I can focus on these projects: my creativity is a double-edged sword insofar as I frequently come up with new, fun ideas but then easily become distracted trying to develop them.

Upon reflection, there are numerous quests that have been on the back burner for far too long.  Hm.  I'm glad that we have a long weekend; that's one more day of development!

Releasing Version 2.0 Before Version 1.0

It spent time on Wednesday adding some functionality to one of the quest scripts with which I had been tinkering.  I took time in planning this new function, wrote the script, compiled it, tested it and was pleased to see that it worked as designed.

Just as I was about to commit the new changes made to this script, I had a realization: there was a simpler, more elegant way for this script to function.

Argh.  Cue the amusing "Star Trek face palm" image.  Sometimes I find it disheartening to realize that three hours of my life's work is gone, and that I could have spent that time on more pressing subjects – like playing Half Life 2!  On the other hand, I'm excited about the improvements made to Function Version 2.0.

Oh No.

Just when I had finally managed to curtail my time spent playing Portal, the announcement that I have been dreading has been made: Half Life 2 is coming to the Mac today.

I secretly hope that it costs $70 so I will be enraged and swear to never purchase this game.

[Update]: The price is not $70, but instead is $7.00.  One-tenth the price for which I had hoped.  I am trying to maintain my resolve and stay away from that game, but I find it hard to say "no" to an awesome game for a mere $7.00.

Rise And Fall And Rise

There were a couple of alarming reports of player's home furnishings vanishing.  This bubbled to the surface as a priority, and I spent several hours researching the scripts trying to understand what was happening and how it happened.  I am grateful that the ServerGM happened to be online; it was he who discovered the sources of the problems (it was revealed that there were two different problems), and the matter was quickly resolved.

In other debugging news, I managed to replicate and resolve one of the reoccurring NPC bugs.  I'm pleased to finally put a patch on this problem and place it at peace.  And I can close a couple of cases!