And there were Updates

So, things went a little more smoothly than I had anticipated.  Over the weekend, I managed to get the new Spec templates updated and some of the new logic updated on the Armor Builder.  Head on over to the site to check it out.

Here’s a run-down of what’s been added:

• Weapons – Yeah!  There’s a bug in there right now that’s allowing WPs to dual wield hammers.  It isn’t wishful thinking, I just need to get under the hood to allow them to spec only offhand Tomes.
• Spec Templates – Whether you play a DPS Shaman or Healing Shaman, your grids will update accordingly.  Check the spot just above the primary grid for a drop down list.  More templates will be coming, and these layouts can and will change based on user feedback.  Missing a stat?  Let me know.  Also, your weapon configuration will change appropriately.
• New layout for the Armor Builder – I’ve taken away the Legend on the right-hand side.  It was taking up a whole lot of space.  Hover over each column (header or row) for a tooltip stating what each stat is.  This will become second nature eventually.
• Armor Sets - All the armor sets found on the merchants have been updated.   This includes BOTH Sovereign sets.  Check it out!
• All classes available - It isn’t limited to just Choppas now.  Check out your toon, and see what you can come up with.
• Persistent Templates - If you copy/paste the URL, the site should pre-load all the items you had before.  Send templates to your friends

Over the weekend, I’ll be opening up new-user registration.  This will vastly increase the flow of items into the DB.  You’ll be able to download the custom AddOn and contribute yourself.  Keep your eyes peeled for an announcement.

If you see anything funky, please let me know and I’ll take a look!

[WARdrobe] An Update (State of the Site)

To say I’ve been furiously coding is…an understatement.  Next week I’ll be lifting the hood on quite a few new features, as well as opening up all the classes for configuring.  I’d have done this today, but my ISP has been a little less than reliable this week. No excuses, though.  Changes are coming.

I’m confident enough in the technology at this point to actually lift the hood.  Akin to how Mythic only talks about stuff that is highly likely to happen, I’d like to do the same.  Here’s what’s coming up, and when it’ll likely happen:

• Weapons. Not always as straight forward as Armor, but necessary when figuring out those final stats. (Next Week)
• Open to all Classes – I’m sure everyone is thrilled with the Choppa Builder.  It’s been a lot easier developing for one class, and extrapolating it out.  Expect to see these open up over the next week or so, with all being available on Friday October 1st.
• Spec Configurations – I know there’s more than one way to play a class.  Some like a DPS Shaman, while others prefer to straight heal.  One layout wouldn’t fit all in this case.  You’ll be able to flip back and forth between different play-styles, and The WARdrobe will alter its layout to accommodate.  There will even be specs for classes that have multiple weapon configurations  (eg Choppa, Slayer, etc). This should roll out next week as well. (Note: Users will eventually be able to configure their own spec layouts, adding/removing columns as they see fit.  This is a bit further down the road, though)
• Template Bookmarking – You shouldn’t have to rebuild your template every time you go to the site.  Starting next week, you’ll be able to snag a link and either send it to a friend, or bookmark it.  The WARdrobe will pick back up where you left off.
• Talismans – Even though they don’t add a whole lot as far as stats go, they still help you get a better overall picture of your plan.  There’s a bit more work to do as far as Talismans go, so this could take up to 3-4 weeks to get out the door.
• Community Center - There’s no way I can physically parse every item in the game.  I’ve done the math, and it’s just not possible.  Enter in you, the community:
  • Public AddOn – With the addon installed, every time you hover over an item, it is logged to a text log on your computer.
  • Data Uploading – If you take that file from your logs folder, you’ll be able to upload it to The WARdrobe and your items will enter into a queue for approval.  Once approved, they will make it out into the live site.
  • Stat Tracking - More for the curious, The WARdrobe will keep track of every item you see, and attach it to your profile.
  • Forum  Signatures - What better way to show how big a WAR fan you are, than by banners attached to your profile?
  • Achievements - Show off to your friends just how much you have contributed.  Achievements range from anything such as finding 100 undiscovered items, or finding 20 complete armor sets.  The finer details are still being worked out, but this should be fun and add social draw to the site
  • You can expect to see the Addon, Uploading and Tracking over the next week.  Achievements and Forum Signatures should be coming in the next month.
• More - there’s more than just these on my plate, but I’m not quite ready to lift the lid on them just yet.  You’ll see these updates happening over the next week to month, but you’ll also see updates in between.

I hope this glimpse has helped show you what I’m going for in The WARdrobe.  I’m excited about this project, as I feel it fills that certain niche players have been craving for some time now.  I hope you’re as excited as I am.

Waaagh out and have a good weekend!

The WARdrobe

Have you ever wondered what it would look like to mix Invader, Conqueror, and Annihilator gear together?  Maybe you don’t have that one piece of Sovereign, and you want to know what your armor template would look like with it in there.  Like many, you probably have an Excel workbook which sums up all the bonuses on your armor.  I know I had one.

With technology on the web, why isn’t there a way to build an armor template online, using all the items in the game?  I wondered the same thing.  That’s why I created The WARdrobe.  Maybe you’re at work and can’t log in to run trial-and-error builds, or maybe you don’t have Excel.

That’s not a problem now.  With The WARdrobe’s Armor Builder, you can do just that.  Simply select your armor from the list and watch your template come together.  Yeah, it really is that simple.  No, it isn’t done yet.  I’ve been working hard to get the basic functionality working, and we’re in a good spot.  How about a quick Q&A:

Q – I don’t see all the armor in there.  Where did it go?

A – I’ve written an addon that will allow someone to log equipment to the website in a few easy steps.  While the process is functional, the community aspect isn’t, yet.  Expect some updates in the future that will allow you to upload items.

Q – My stats look really low. What gives?

A – The WARdrobe currently doesn’t handle the following:  Weapons, Talismans, Tactics, Potions/Liniments, Buffs.  Don’t worry, they’re in the works.

Q – It would be really cool if you XXXXXXX.  When will you do that?

A – I’m open to adding items to my development list.  Throw ideas in the comment section, and I’ll see what I can do.  I already have a to-do list a mile and half long, so it might take some time to get to them.  Some items may be technically infeasible, but that list should be pretty short.

Q – I found a bug!  Ha! Why do you suck?

A – The development staff here is a whopping… me.  Bugs happen.  Let me know about it though, and I’ll get it on the radar to be fixed.  There shouldn’t be any show stoppers right now, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t.

Q – Why does it always go back to the Choppa?

A- Because I had to pick one class and “Git ‘er done.”  It takes a little bit of time to go in and setup the various armor sets, base stats and the likes.  I’ll be opening up more and more classes as time goes by.  I hope to have them done over the next week or so, depending on time available.

Q – Why do your graphics look like crap?

A – I’m a developer, not a designer.  If you have an eye for graphic design and/or web stuff like that, let me know.

Q – Where are the ads?

A – No ads.  The only time I’d put up ads would be if I had to pay more for hosting than I do right now.  I don’t know if that will ever happen, so I won’t say “no ads, ever”

Q – How do I get to the friggin’ site already?

A – Best question yet.  The main page can be found here:  http://wardrobe.war4scrubs.com.  To hop directly to the Choppa Builder, go here: http://wardrobe.war4scrubs.com/ArmorBuilder.aspx?Class=CHP

That’s all for now.  Feel free to ask more questions down below, in the comments. I’ll do my best to answer each and every one of them.  I’ll keep posting some news over there on the default page (as well has here, for major announcements).

Enjoy the beta.  I told you last week that I’d have something today. 

Oh Hai!

It’s been a little while, I know.  Don’t worry about me, I’m fine.

I’ve been busy cracking away at a new web project for WAR.  It’s super cool and should provide something the community has been clamoring for for quite some time.  I can’t lift the lid on it just yet, but keep your eyes peeled.  It’ll be coming sooner rather than later.

Peace out for now!

[WAR] Looking Back – The Trailer

WAR is on the verge of its two-year anniversary.  Long before the launch date, people had been buzzing about the fantastic lore, and all it had to offer the MMO world.  The first hint to the public was the cinematic trailer.  Seen below, it offered a glimpse into what was possible with the lore as a guide.  Now, trailers aren’t accurate.  But how inaccurate is the WAR trailer?  Let’s take a look-see!

• 0:15 - Slayers fighting Greenskins! - Partly True - Eh, not until about 6 months later in version 1.2.
• 0:25 - Warrior Priests do something besides spam group heal. – False - Everyone knows they just spam group heal and stand in the back.  Also, where the hell do they get a shield from?
• 0:40 - Keep walls can be blowed-the-hell up.  – False - Only in DAoC, my friends.  Only in DAoC.
• 0:55 - Giants in a Keep Siege? – Mostly False – There were giants you could get, but haven’t been in for a while.
• 1:00 – Tchar’zanek rides into battle on a siege thingy – False - Only available in a city siege!
• 1:10 - Siege equipment does something – False - Right now? Not so much.  Improvements are coming, they say.
• 1:17 - Squig Herders are Annoying – True - Holy smokes.  So annoying.
• 1:41 – Engineers holding the line – False - I played an engineer.  You don’t even really need to use your turret.  Really.
• 2:00 - Bright Wizard snaps fingers.  Someone dies – Very True – This happens all the time.  Insta-gibbing Destruction is a way of life.
• 2:06 - One Bright Wizard can hold off four Destruction – Mostly True – AoE has been toned down some, but it is still the only way to ride.
• 2:19 - A Marauder killed someone – Very False - lol Seriously.  Just lol.
• 2:35 – Elves still look somewhat homosexual. – True - I can’t tell if this is a he or a she.  Maybe it’s both?
• 2:56 – A Shadow Warrior pwns a Marauder.  – Mostly True - It would probably happen a lot faster.  And there would be complaining about having to switch stances five times during the battle.
• 3:07 - Sorceresses are hot. – Mind-Numbingly True – Besides eating babies, they like long walks on the beach, listening to Jazz and hanging out in public places wearing almost nothing.  (call me!)
• 3:16 - Sorceresses can one-shot people.  - Pretty True – It can happen, sure.  But not so much melee style.  The Sorceress is still hot and stuff.
• 3:20 - The Shadow Warrior is still alive - Insanely False - After 13 seconds, the Shadow Warrior would be dead, released and have fun back to die four more times.  Complaining the whole time.
• 3:20 - An awful horn sounds. – False - Have you heard this in game?  You might have heard its little brother, the greenskin mount summoning sound, but it sounds like something dying under a cement truck (which are not part of the lore, apparently).
• 3:36 - Sorceress blow kisses – False - Only Witch Elves do.  And when they do, people die. (Sorceress is still hot, just like a Witch Elf, though.)
• 3:41 - Bright Wizards always get resurrected – True – They will instantly be resurrected, and kill people.  This Bright Wizard has likely killed so many people, he has heartburn.
• 3:48 – A Shadow Warrior one-shots a Squig Herder - Sorta True – This may happen, but will shortly be followed up with flames and hateful speech on the forums, complete with a rundown of how Legolassss thinks Squig Herders are still overpowered and need to be more like the Shadow Warrior.  Shadow Warriors will cry about it and go listen to some Coldplay.
• 4:08 – The Lord of Change rocks. – True - This big-ass bird wasn’t really an integral part of the game until the city rework, but is still pretty sweet.
• 4:13 - Crash to Desktop – Unfortunately True – It still happens to quite a few people.  Just when crap gets interesting, you are confronted with the cute cat background on your desktop.  Now you’ve got the Quitter Debuff.

So that’s how it plays out, in reality.  Did I miss anything?  Let me know!