1e Worldhack

[manikus]

This has been something I've been thinking about for a long time.

The goal of this project is to make a version of Dungeon Craft that is 1e (First Edition) AD&D (Advanced Dungeons & Dragons) consistent and compatible.
This will include art for the races and classes in 1e that are not currently in DC. It will also mean adding races and classes to DC. Assuring that all tables represent 1e is another goal.

This will be an ongoing project that may end up with editing of source code in furthering the 1e cause.

I will be starting a Google Group for this project. If you're interested in participating, respond here or PM me and I can send you an invitation to the Group.

[Uatu]

Why not make this the standard version, and then have a 2e worldhack instead?

[manikus]

Well, because we would have to rewrite the magic code. I've already added the half-orc (started with the easiest part) and I may be able to add a barbarian and assassin that are pretty workable, but the rest will not be their true selves to a lesser or greater degree.

On a related note - I spent a couple of hours trying to figure out why thief skills and backstab were not working. Wow! There is so much code. Not only can I not figure out why the thief skill only work on 1-5, I can't even find where backstab is implemented. (Hmm, just had a little epipheny - 1-5 is the range for backstab multipliers, maybe those numbers somehow got plugged in in the wrong spot...)

[Uatu]

Why would the magic code have to be rewritten? I think magic was basically the same in 1e and 2e.

[manikus]

I t would have to be rewritten to allow illusionists and to allow rangers access to mage spells. It is hardcoded in that only magic users may use magic user spells. If you give another class the ability to use them, either it won't work, or you have to take the ability away from magic users.

Besides, I already feel like I control the destiny of DC far too much. Switching over tto 1e as the default would be beyond what I'm comfortable doing with CocoaSpud's program, especially considering recent events.

[Uatu]

Oh - did something happen recently?

If CocoaSpud wanted the program to be 2e, then that would be fine to pursue... but if he wanted the program to be more in tune with FRUA, then 1e would seem better to me (I dunno, maybe he has an opinion on this).

If it is the former, then ya - a 1e worldhack sounds good to me.

[manikus]

Well, it wasn't so much of an issue with it being 1e or 2e, as it is an issue of it being FRUA compatible. Like if we change experience required to get to the next level for a character, that doesn't effect an imported game from FRUA, but if we change the magic system, I think that it does. Basically, we can manipulate databases and add stuff without altering how DC interacts with FRUA. So that is pretty much what we have now, minus the ranger spells working correctly.
So, I would think that going away from that should be the hack.

And, I can't name names at this point or say anything is definite, but one of the developers may be able to get enough done for a new release and keep doing enough for regular updates. Nothing is for sure at this point, but they seemed to think that they will have enough free time to do some coding.

[Uatu]

Well - I guess having the rangers cast magic-user and druid spells was how FRUA worked, too, at least.

I guess that one could have importing from FRUA to DC still work with added monks, illusionists, half-orcs, etc. - might get more complicated, though, I am not sure. But if adding these guys is a bit off from the original DC vision, well - I guess a hack will do nicely, then. (If it doesn't contradict too much, being part of the original DC would be good, too! Might attract more interested players!)

But about more releases/updates - great! Always looking forward to that

[manikus]

I think adding the 1e stuff to DC that we can do would be great. I just don't want to have to change what's already there.

If we have extra stuff, FRUA will still import fine. But, if we change the way DC handles magic, I don't think FRUA will import so well any more. Of course, if we could figure out a way to add illusionists on top of what we already have...

Let's for now, call 1e a worldhack. But, if we can figure out how to implement it without ruining the import of FRUA, then it becomes the default DC.

[Uatu]

Yeah!

I think that making rangers work (i.e. their magic) would be a good first step in this direction...