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Kalimar
Last seen 4 years ago
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2017

2017-03-14 14:14:32
rating 6

2016

2016-12-23 18:26:42
rating 5.9

2015

2015-12-02 16:47:16
rating 5.9

2014

2014-09-28 09:30:46
rating 6
2014-09-23 13:52:23
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2014-03-08 23:27:43
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2013

2013-12-10 15:26:46
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2012

2012-11-21 23:01:48
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2012-10-16 10:19:33
rating 5.6
2012-09-24 15:31:57
rating 5.9
2012-08-08 14:29:11
rating 6
2012-07-27 14:16:42
rating 5.9
2012-05-22 17:11:25
rating 5.8
2012-04-20 14:20:14
rating 6
2012-03-16 15:40:18
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2011

2011-10-25 16:33:27
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2011-05-20 11:52:47
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2011-05-10 15:05:36
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2011-03-14 17:53:36
rating 5.9

2010

2010-12-13 17:02:31
rating 5.9
2010-11-07 14:19:10
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2010-09-12 23:43:04
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2010-08-10 10:22:53
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2010-08-05 10:34:47
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2010-07-08 13:22:46
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2010-06-15 17:29:49
rating 5.7
2010-05-20 17:04:05
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2010-05-16 08:19:01
rating 5.2
2010-05-12 17:13:23
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2010-04-30 14:10:06
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2010-04-22 21:26:21
rating 5.6
2010-04-14 13:55:38
rating 5.9
2010-03-23 11:29:31
rating 5.9
2010-03-18 13:27:14
rating 5.8
2010-03-10 20:42:47
rating 5.8
2010-03-04 16:56:41
rating 5.7
2010-02-26 22:22:32
rating 5.5
2010-02-16 16:15:38
rating 5.8
2012-08-08 14:29:11
80 votes, rating 6
FFB Development Update XXIII
IT'S MAGIC

End of july I thought the FFB Test version would be "feature-complete", meaning that there are still several bugs to test and fix but no more new features would be added. WRONG! As I started thinking about the database migration necessary to make old replays work on the new FFB version, I realized that I would need to lay the groundwork for cards as well before doing that. Cards will change the model and bring new things to store in the database. So if I have to do a migration anyway (which is a lot of work) it would be better to have these things in place NOW so I don't need to migrate again once I get them done.

Ok, so I started on adding card stuff to the game model. But then I got a bit carried away and ended up doing a complete deck of cards front to back. So the new FFB test version will have *drumroll* MAGIC ITEMS.

[url="http://www.balancedbytes.com/ffb/screenshot_buy_cards_20120808_small.png" alt=""]
(click to enlarge)

This is the card buying dialog. Card buying is a step that happens before buying the rest of the inducements (as before). It needs to be separate because it can be in addition to or in place of the regular inducements (as per the optional rules) and you need to see what you buy right away (to decide if you want to draw another card).

[url="http://www.balancedbytes.com/ffb/screenshot_inducements_20120808_small.png" alt=""]
(click to enlarge)

The bought cards show up in the inducements dialog like all the other inducements. You can see a detailed list of your cards, while your opponent only sees how many cards of which type you have bought.

[url="http://www.balancedbytes.com/ffb/screenshot_active_cards_20120808_small.png" alt=""]
(click to enlarge)

Here a card has been played on a player, giving him new skills (marked red). The fact that there is a card active on the player is indicated by a small card symbol on the player portrait. There is a new menu showing all active cards in play, as well as a tray icon showing how many more a player holds (not played yet).

I ended up implementing 12 of the possible 13 magic items (all except the teleporation ring). Those have been comparatively easy to integrate and are beneficial enhancements, so more useful than chaotic. This is to show that it works and have everything in place for 1.0. More cards will surely follow in later updates to the productive version, although some will probably never happen (like the 2 balls card).

There are 2 new game options for this: maxNrOfCards (default: 0) determines if and how many cards may be bought for inducement money and freeCardCash (default: 0) gives the league commissioner a way to hand out free gold specifically for card buying (so both sides may always start with cards).

Personal Note:
I will be on holidays starting with the upcoming weekend so it will be quiet on the FFB front for a while. Work continues in September with coding and testing the DB migration...
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Comments
Posted by BlizzBirne on 2012-08-08 14:38:17
stunning. amazing. wonderful.

i would've normally said "get a life" - but then again, i like it so much this way ... keep on rockin, kalimar!
Posted by Astarael on 2012-08-08 14:44:33
Trapampoline.
Posted by nazgob on 2012-08-08 14:47:16
Free card cash.

Best things I've ever heard!

Kalimar, this is fantastic!
Posted by Kalimar on 2012-08-08 14:47:20
The advantage of the olympics: watching them anyway, but more often than not with only half an eye/ear. So enough attention left to hack a bit in the meantime ;-)
Posted by mattwakeman on 2012-08-08 14:50:02
Looks incredible.
Posted by Garion on 2012-08-08 14:56:55
wow when do we get to test these :D
Posted by Kalimar on 2012-08-08 14:58:34
@Garion: I plan on releasing one last version before the holidays. So this weekend, probably.
Posted by mayhemzz22 on 2012-08-08 15:26:36
What are these cards? it was sooooo long ago i played table top i dont remember them. also u say ur releasing a version this weekend, will this be will B&C and bombs?
Posted by Niebling on 2012-08-08 15:32:11
CHEER GOld MEDAL for you sir!!!
Posted by Kalimar on 2012-08-08 15:36:18
@mayhemzz22: the release @Garion asked about is to the test division, not to the public divisions.
Posted by Waterboy on 2012-08-08 15:48:35
Wow!
Nice work, thumbs up
Posted by Sammler_der_Seelen on 2012-08-08 16:07:54
Landing roll with a BoN? Bring it baby!!!:D
Posted by Dhaktokh on 2012-08-08 16:11:59
You sir, are just amazing. Goldmedal indeed!
Posted by ClayInfinity on 2012-08-08 16:21:39
Fantastic and will cards be normal inducements in Ranked / BlackBox?
Posted by Macavity on 2012-08-08 16:44:14
I think in the end I will appreciate this, but right now I just want my Ball & Chain! :)

I'll stay patient and toss some undead up the top ten lists while I wait, though. Keep up the good work!
Posted by Kalimar on 2012-08-08 16:48:12
@ClayInfinity: I don't think so, no. But that's up to Christer. The cards are an optional element of the rules and tend towards the chaotic. So they are probably best as option for league comissioners.
Posted by Dalfort on 2012-08-08 16:52:45
still cant find the 7 to rate your blogs :D

great news and awesome work, enjoy your well earned holidays
Take care Dalfort
Posted by hale on 2012-08-08 17:00:48
awesome stuff! you make people's lives great!
Posted by WhatBall on 2012-08-08 17:49:41
Thanks again Kalimar. Gold medal performance that even a Norwegian referee couldn't vote a 1.


@ Macavity: Bombs and Ball & Chain are already in the current test version and are working extremely well with extensive testing. Just a few things to sort out.
Posted by maysrill on 2012-08-08 18:17:40
Love this!

I've long been a proponent of the cards, so long as Kalimar was up to doing it. SO glad he has taken on the challenge.

I know it might be divisive, but I'd enjoy having them in Ranked and/or Box. BB gets taken too seriously at times. A little chaos gives the cherries a better shot ;)
Posted by Qaz on 2012-08-08 18:48:59
I that a new ball I see there. Lovely! As always you amazes us with your work and dedication.
Posted by Purplegoo on 2012-08-08 19:20:57
It's ace it is, Qaz.

You wait until you see the rest. ;)
Posted by ultwe on 2012-08-08 19:36:07
As per usual, rated 6, then read the blog...

Now I am sad, because there isn't an option to rate 10 :-(
Posted by Nelphine on 2012-08-08 23:22:47
I have one question: why would the 2 ball card be hard to implement? I would think that all the code would be based on entering a square with a ball, so the only thing that would change is that there would be 2 balls on the pitch (no code difference), and that if there is already a ball in a square (whether carried or not) then the other ball would bounce out of it as per usual bounces. Finally, if 2 balls are on the pitch, then there's a chance of the ball disappearing instead of scoring when brought to the end zone.

Also:

AWESOME on getting cards!
Posted by Irgy on 2012-08-09 04:18:50
At risk of repeating myself: \o/

Oh and lol at the comment asking why 2 balls might be difficult. I admit I've been a culprit of saying "it can't be that difficult" myself before, but I think that takes the cake.
Posted by Panda_ on 2012-08-10 10:56:45
This is so eyesome that I would have like to participate in either coding or modelling.
Posted by NLT on 2012-08-15 22:12:51
Kalimar! You are powerful guy!

Do you have considered the possibility of having the possibility FBB translate? Have the choice of language?
Posted by Sutherlands on 2012-08-22 23:49:19
@Kalimar: This is awesome, cards are going to be my favorite part of the game. *Heads to messages to get the league to add card money*

@nazgob
"Free card cash.

Best things I've ever heard!"
... It's in the rulebook...


Posted by daloonieshaman on 2012-09-16 10:28:36
Thank you for your hard work
but....
Cards Really?
Higher Priority than broken players?
hey your the one doing the writing

I do appreciate the effort you are putting forth