Forum posts to 'General Discussion'

Re: Android / iPhone App?

Adventure Cow — Mon, 03 Mar 2014 18:45:30 +0000

The abilities were...a difficult task, let's just say. At the moment we're doing a lot of polishing, testing, and marketing.

Here's an update in case anyone finds this thread. DestinyQuest Infinite, the digital PC/phone/tablet DQ, is currently in closed beta as of today - I'm dying to show everyone but can't just yet. In the meantime, you can hear about news, DQI events, press clippings, etc. from our mailing list:

http://destinyquestinfinite.com/

Or our Twitter:

https://twitter.com/QuestForge

Posted to: Android / iPhone App? Show Thread | Post Reply

Re: Android / iPhone App?

MrTheFalcon — Sat, 19 May 2012 20:30:31 +0100

I checked-out the DestinyQuest Infinite sample. It looks great so far!

It looks like you're tackling the "abilities monster": The abilities are a big collection of corner-cases. The biggest challenge for me is constructing a rules engine that's flexible enough to cover all those cases, then extend as new rules are added.

I'm excited to see how it turns out!

Posted to: Android / iPhone App? Show Thread | Post Reply

Re: Android / iPhone App?

Adventure Cow — Fri, 18 May 2012 17:10:44 +0100

Hey, this is the app developer. Good to hear people are checking out the beta! Yes, we're still in beta at the moment, so most of the game is not public. However, I can answer a few questions about it:

DestinyQuest Infinite will feature all the book text, and then some. There will also be some new art to go along with it!
The core engine is super customizable, so while we don't have any specific mod plans yet, they are on the table...
DQI will be out when it's ready.

In the meantime, if you're interested in being a beta tester/contributor, we do still have room for a few more! Email me (dq.chris@adventurecow.com) if you're interested. More official announcements in the future.

http://twitter.com/adventurecow
http://dqinfinite.com

Posted to: Android / iPhone App? Show Thread | Post Reply

Re: Android / iPhone App?

Da Boss — Tue, 15 May 2012 23:00:26 +0100

It's a very "basic" demo at this stage - but glad you like it!

Posted to: Android / iPhone App? Show Thread | Post Reply

Re: Android / iPhone App?

Rithe — Tue, 15 May 2012 19:20:52 +0100

Wow, good find!

It's looking nice. It'll be fun to play that in the future.

Posted to: Android / iPhone App? Show Thread | Post Reply

Re: Android / iPhone App?

MrTheFalcon — Tue, 15 May 2012 16:34:06 +0100

I just found the demo site.

http://destinyquestinfinite.com/

They have a demo adventure.

Combat is handled through a modal window. They've done a good job of handling the special abilities in combat.

Funny, faster combat makes one realize how futile fighting is against some opponents.

Posted to: Android / iPhone App? Show Thread | Post Reply

Re: Android / iPhone App?

Rithe — Mon, 14 May 2012 19:41:12 +0100

As for Adventure Cow. We haven't heard anything otherwise, so I'm betting they are still plugging away. Their system does look like Interactive Fiction, but you'd be surprised how similar Gamebooks and IF are.

Posted to: Android / iPhone App? Show Thread | Post Reply

Re: Android / iPhone App?

MrTheFalcon — Fri, 11 May 2012 16:06:08 +0100

"If you want to use any of the data in my spreadsheet, go ahead. That's what I intended it for."

Thank you sir.

Posted to: Android / iPhone App? Show Thread | Post Reply

Re: Android / iPhone App?

MrTheFalcon — Fri, 11 May 2012 15:32:58 +0100

"On my first play through, I kept worrying that I was miscalculating things."

Me too. Worse than that, I forget when and where to apply bonuses. I want a "robot" to tell me WHEN I can use my abilities.

Posted to: Android / iPhone App? Show Thread | Post Reply

Re: Android / iPhone App?

Rithe — Fri, 11 May 2012 15:18:49 +0100

Ah, you're looking at an actual combat engine, then. Yeah, mine was just going to be something to keep track of your stats and items easily. On my first play through, I kept worrying that I was miscalculating things.

Good luck with that. If you want to use any of the data in my spreadsheet, go ahead. That's what I intended it for.

Posted to: Android / iPhone App? Show Thread | Post Reply

Re: Android / iPhone App?

MrTheFalcon — Fri, 11 May 2012 04:43:17 +0100

I checked your other posts. Great work so far! I don't want to muddy the water there, so I'll respond here.

The main difference in the solution that I'm proposing is that the abilities are abstract. So if you found an item (whatever the name), you'd click 'add item' and type the name, select the slot and abilities. That way you would not have to make an entry in the database for every single item ever published.

A similar table needs to exist for opponents, and their special abilities. In this case it's probably also important to "pre-assemble" opponents, so that you can select the opponent name from a dropdown list instead of building every opponent from an abstract list of abilities and stats.

On the other hand I don't know why building your loot provides satisfaction, it just does.

---

I've found that there are a lot of conditions that pop-up, making it so that some abilities are only applicable as certain stages of combat. Some stack; some don't. Some are multi-use, some are single use, or always-on. This is the codification I was talking about earlier. Each of these corner-cases is essentially a 'business rule'. I can codify these rules into an engine so that the character just needs an indexed collection of IDs that correspond to abilities. If the character has a relevant ability at a each stage of combat, the player has the option to use that ability.

So right now, I'm working out the logic for the engine.

Posted to: Android / iPhone App? Show Thread | Post Reply

Re: Android / iPhone App?

Rithe — Fri, 11 May 2012 03:27:08 +0100

I've started an online character sheet, but I wasn't planning on putting any dice rolling features. I haven't worked on it for a while. I've been stuck on real work, writing, and how to do the database. But, I want to get back to it soon. The thread for that should be on the second page (if not the first).

Posted to: Android / iPhone App? Show Thread | Post Reply

Re: Android / iPhone App?

MrTheFalcon — Thu, 10 May 2012 22:57:42 +0100

Da Boss: "I don't have any plans at the present time to produce a 'developer kit', although I see the potential and it does put me in mind of something that I'd like to create further down the line, should the books become successful. We'll have to wait and see! Fingers crossed!"

This is the approach I have taken in case any other developers on the forum would like to weigh in with affirmation or advice.

I've started codifying the special abilities. I'm building a rules engine around all the ways special abilities interact with the core game system. Once the boundaries and interactions of special abilities determined, that whole 'engine' can be put into an API.

Now for humans: You can build web-app/phone app, or whatever (interface). In combat, just refer back to the special abilities engine. The engine will reference your abilities, and tell you what options you have at each stage of combat, and what happens.

You can even reference a database of opponents, so the engine can tell you what happens to your hero based on the opponent you are fighting (like how much health you lose minus any resistance). The web/phone app calling the engine can update your character sheet, if that's what it's designed to do.

Of course you can layer interactive storytelling on top of that system as well.

Posted to: Android / iPhone App? Show Thread | Post Reply

Re: Android / iPhone App?

MrTheFalcon — Thu, 10 May 2012 22:45:56 +0100

I'm pretty sure Da Boss said that Adventure Cow is developing the iPhone/Android app for DQ.

I started working on a character tracker and combat manager for Android (for my own use at least), but I don't want to re-invent the wheel if an app is releasing in a few months.

I have some questions...

1. The app developer is Adventure Cow (http://adventurecow.com), correct? They seem to emphasize interactive fiction, not app development. Why choose them as the developers instead of a company known for phone app development? The answer may be obvious, but I want to know if there is more to it than the interactive fiction connection.

2. What is the extent of the app? Is it a 'helper' app with character management and combat tracking, or does it have all the book text included? That said, is the app specific to the new book, or is it generic-enough to to be used for all DQ books?

3. This one is somewhat technical, but while I'm asking... Will the special abilities data be stored in an accessible format (like XML) so that new or custom abilities can be added?

4. When can we expect the app to release, and how much will it cost?

5. Are there any opportunities for a qualified individual to be a play-tester or contributor? Follow-up: Is there a way to speak to the Adventure Cow development team (like through a message board like this one)?

Posted to: Android / iPhone App? Show Thread | Post Reply

Re: Android / iPhone App?

MrTheFalcon — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 21:13:46 +0000

I did D&D through RPGA for years. -Even published a few adventures through RPGA (published with a little p).

We had templates that helped with format and structure. We even had some basic patterns for encounters. A lot can be systematized, leaving a framework for creative writing. We also had great editors. The combination allowed us to produce high-quality (high-consistency) D&D adventures with semi-pro writers.

Posted to: Android / iPhone App? Show Thread | Post Reply

Re: Android / iPhone App?

Da Boss — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 20:52:00 +0000

I like the idea of the 'combat tracker' app, but I'm guessing that it will infringe copyright-wise with what is being produced for the Legion of Shadow app. I'd need to check on that.

I don't have any plans at the present time to produce a 'developer kit', although I see the potential and it does put me in mind of something that I'd like to create further down the line, should the books become successful. We'll have to wait and see! Fingers crossed!

Posted to: Android / iPhone App? Show Thread | Post Reply

Re: Android / iPhone App?

MrTheFalcon — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 14:02:17 +0000

Thanks for the link.

I wonder at what point Destiny Quest ceases to be a gamebook, and becomes a game?

Very cool in any case.

Posted to: Android / iPhone App? Show Thread | Post Reply

Re: Android / iPhone App?

Darksorrow — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 13:31:23 +0000

A DQcombat app would be cool! There is a full app of the first book supposed to be coming out soon that has full interactive combat. Think there was a news story about it.

Ah here.

Not a solution for paper players but I'll probably check it out. I like the idea of having random loot like in crpgs.

Posted to: Android / iPhone App? Show Thread | Post Reply

Android / iPhone App?

MrTheFalcon — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 21:18:46 +0000

I'm using a dice app to run my combats. It makes things go a little faster. But I know for example, that I will almost always use charm to re-roll a lost speed check dice or damage dice where I rolled a 1.

It would be nice to have a phone app where I could key-in the opponent, then roll attacks, and touch the dice for a context menu of options based on my character.

Is a "combat tracker" on the way? If not, is there any issue with a fan-made tracker for the time being?

While I'm testing the limits of copyright law, are there any plans for a fan "developer kit" for creating new adventures. A kit like this might have guidelines for creating balanced combats: A point-buy monster builder and tiers of special abilities. It might also include some interactive fiction tips and tricks, like how to present meaningful choices without choice bloat. Think of it like a writer's SDK.

I come from the Neverwinter Nights and D&D 3.5 school of gaming, so when I get excited about a game, I want ways to extend and enrich my experience and the experience of others. It's also a great way to keep the community engaged while we wait for the next official offering.

Anyway, just sayin'.

Posted to: Android / iPhone App? Show Thread | Post Reply