9 replies to this topic

[Crazee]

I've really enjoyed playing through CA - the effort you've put into the mod shows. Well done on all the work so far, and good luck for all the work you have left to do. There are just a few things that bug me.

1) This is probably me just being an idiot, but I have never once managed to successfully complete the quest in Saltmarsh where you pick up Aesdale. Whenever I return from the quest, I'm always told that I am a pathetic failure, and that I need to do what I'm told next time. This annoys me for a number of reasons. Firstly, as far as I'm aware, I have done everything I was told to do, and if I didn't then it clearly wasn't obvious enough. Secondly, and perhaps more important, is the fact that the Captain of the Militia, or whatever her name is, is so bloody rude to me each time I fail! From what we see of her character beforehand, it doesn't seem appropriate, and it makes me so angry I almost don't want to continue onwards with the quest. If she said that to me in real-life, I'd tell her to bugger off and do it her bloody self next time. Luckily my character is more patient than I. "It's a shame Charname can't follow simple instructions. Thanks to his utter negligence, we don't have all the information we need." - Well sorry, you arrogant bitch, but I don't see anyone else doing anything for Saltmarsh!" - Why was I not given this option?!

2) Often, there is only one reply to a dialogue, and often, the character can't refuse a quest. While, for my character, that's all fine and dandy, it doesn't really allow much role-play. Even a simple variation in the answer would help diminish that feeling of a railroad plot (and character).

3) Maybe think about writing a walkthrough. CA is pretty complex, and it can certainly be a headache trying to figure out what you're doing. Especially if you're hesitant to post and ask for help - which I usually am.

4) Can you please update your CA website? It's the natural place for a player to look, and it is painfully behind. I'm never sure if I can trust any of the information given about the NPCs because some of them don't seem to have been updated in a while.

5) Speaking of NPCs, the characters play such a huge part in a mod. At first all the characters seemed pretty talkative, but they seemed to have petered out a little, so that now, they're almost silent. As well, some characters seem to have loads more attention paid to them than others. It would be nice if every now and again, say, Erky, or whatever his name is, interjected into some of the later quests.

6) This isn't really a real point, but just something that annoys me. I really hate dialogue like this. *Crazee glared at the computer*. It looks so untidy. As opposed to this. (glare). Which is what Bioware did. Obviously I don't expect you to go back and change all this, but I just thought I'd mention it. It was in one of Blush's dialogues that it stood out the most.

All that said, I really enjoyed the mod, and I really appreciate all the effort you guys have put into it. All the best in the future. I'm looking forward to another play through. You've certainly worked hard to make CA replayable - and it is!

I do have one quick question - as of version 48, what romances are currently in the game? And which ones are not in the game, but are being worked on.

Edited by Crazee, 03 March 2009 - 12:01 PM.

[agnar]

I've really enjoyed playing through CA - the effort you've put into the mod shows. Well done on all the work so far, and good luck for all the work you have left to do. There are just a few things that bug me.

1) This is probably me just being an idiot, but I have never once managed to successfully complete the quest in Saltmarsh where you pick up Aesdale. Whenever I return from the quest, I'm always told that I am a pathetic failure, and that I need to do what I'm told next time. This annoys me for a number of reasons. Firstly, as far as I'm aware, I have done everything I was told to do, and if I didn't then it clearly wasn't obvious enough. Secondly, and perhaps more important, is the fact that the Captain of the Militia, or whatever her name is, is so bloody rude to me each time I fail! From what we see of her character beforehand, it doesn't seem appropriate, and it makes me so angry I almost don't want to continue onwards with the quest. If she said that to me in real-life, I'd tell her to bugger off and do it her bloody self next time. Luckily my character is more patient than I. "It's a shame Charname can't follow simple instructions. Thanks to his utter negligence, we don't have all the information we need." - Well sorry, you arrogant bitch, but I don't see anyone else doing anything for Saltmarsh!" - Why was I not given this option?!


5) Speaking of NPCs, the characters play such a huge part in a mod. At first all the characters seemed pretty talkative, but they seemed to have petered out a little, so that now, they're almost silent. As well, some characters seem to have loads more attention paid to them than others. It would be nice if every now and again, say, Erky, or whatever his name is, interjected into some of the later quests.

i've never gotten that response, but i did see some of the dialogue files so i think that response only happens if you miss one or more of the crucial bits of info on the ship. Did you pick up and bring back all scrolls, books, etc. on the ship? i cant recall offhand if there's 2 or 3, but there's mutliple bits of info, a map, some other stuff so make sure you do a thorough search of each floor of the ship and all the dead.

i think the npc banters thing is in part due to some of the later adventures being newer, so they've expanded the length of the game play but haven't had time yet to add in additional banters/dialogue. The interpersonal stuff must be totally different to write up than the adventures. The adventures/quests come from modules so they have some groundwork in place they just need to figure out how to code it all into the game format. But knowing what blush should say to aesdale or the pc requires putting yourself into blush's head some.

i know i always had an easier time writing up reports/examinations of books, movies, history, whatever, than i do now writing my fiction novel. *grin*

[Sam.]

3) Maybe think about writing a walkthrough. CA is pretty complex, and it can certainly be a headache trying to figure out what you're doing. Especially if you're hesitant to post and ask for help - which I usually am.

I considered writing one a while back, but between this, notes in the journal, and the questions other people already do ask on the forums, I figured very few people would ever need it....

4) Can you please update your CA website? It's the natural place for a player to look, and it is painfully behind. I'm never sure if I can trust any of the information given about the NPCs because some of them don't seem to have been updated in a while.

The website is as updated as the v0.48 readme except for the portraits (which I believe leahnkain is strongly considering completely doing away with) and some of the NPCs. The reason for the latter is that in hidden forums, there is usually several versions of each NPC's creature file, stats, biography, portrait, etc. as each was updated. As I am not one of the writers and I don't personally play with EVERY one of the NPCs, it is kind of hard for me to tell which really is the most current. I will be absolutely thrilled to update the homepage if someone will help me clear up the metaphorical fog.

[leahnkain]

Let?s see, where to begin?currently I have been busy making maps and redoing many maps. It takes a lot of time away from writing. My focus for writing has always been the NPC?s players use. Erky has been put on the backburner in favor of other NPC?s which players enjoy. When making a TC, you have to remember we are writing for over 20 NPC?s, it takes time because we also have to work on the storyline as well. We do have a lot of banters waiting to be coded. Sam. Is correct when he mentioned my desire to change some NPC pictures. Almost every NPC has an original picture and I still am looking at changing a few pictures in favor for better art. I am really picky about the quality of the art.

[Crazee]

I've really enjoyed playing through CA - the effort you've put into the mod shows. Well done on all the work so far, and good luck for all the work you have left to do. There are just a few things that bug me.

1) This is probably me just being an idiot, but I have never once managed to successfully complete the quest in Saltmarsh where you pick up Aesdale. Whenever I return from the quest, I'm always told that I am a pathetic failure, and that I need to do what I'm told next time. This annoys me for a number of reasons. Firstly, as far as I'm aware, I have done everything I was told to do, and if I didn't then it clearly wasn't obvious enough. Secondly, and perhaps more important, is the fact that the Captain of the Militia, or whatever her name is, is so bloody rude to me each time I fail! From what we see of her character beforehand, it doesn't seem appropriate, and it makes me so angry I almost don't want to continue onwards with the quest. If she said that to me in real-life, I'd tell her to bugger off and do it her bloody self next time. Luckily my character is more patient than I. "It's a shame Charname can't follow simple instructions. Thanks to his utter negligence, we don't have all the information we need." - Well sorry, you arrogant bitch, but I don't see anyone else doing anything for Saltmarsh!" - Why was I not given this option?!


5) Speaking of NPCs, the characters play such a huge part in a mod. At first all the characters seemed pretty talkative, but they seemed to have petered out a little, so that now, they're almost silent. As well, some characters seem to have loads more attention paid to them than others. It would be nice if every now and again, say, Erky, or whatever his name is, interjected into some of the later quests.

i've never gotten that response, but i did see some of the dialogue files so i think that response only happens if you miss one or more of the crucial bits of info on the ship. Did you pick up and bring back all scrolls, books, etc. on the ship? i cant recall offhand if there's 2 or 3, but there's mutliple bits of info, a map, some other stuff so make sure you do a thorough search of each floor of the ship and all the dead.

I've always made sure I've gone through the area as thoroughly as possible. I guess I shall have to retry and see what I'm missing.

i think the npc banters thing is in part due to some of the later adventures being newer, so they've expanded the length of the game play but haven't had time yet to add in additional banters/dialogue. The interpersonal stuff must be totally different to write up than the adventures. The adventures/quests come from modules so they have some groundwork in place they just need to figure out how to code it all into the game format. But knowing what blush should say to aesdale or the pc requires putting yourself into blush's head some.

i know i always had an easier time writing up reports/examinations of books, movies, history, whatever, than i do now writing my fiction novel. *grin*

Oh, I understand how much work it is. Especially as modders are simultaneously working on expanding the mod, too. I just thought I'd give them a friendly prod, in case they forget. I'm sure there would be an overwhelming response if they asked for help writing for currently exsisting NPCs (to help ease the burden of work) - though I understand they want quality. I also understand that it's hard to code these banters - but people could learn. Banters and interjections are one of the easiest things to code, from what I've heard. (Yes, yes, I know that's rich, coming from a non-modder...)

3) Maybe think about writing a walkthrough. CA is pretty complex, and it can certainly be a headache trying to figure out what you're doing. Especially if you're hesitant to post and ask for help - which I usually am.

I considered writing one a while back, but between this, notes in the journal, and the questions other people already do ask on the forums, I figured very few people would ever need it....

Ah, didn't see that. Maybe if the link was more prominent you could avoid confusion.

4) Can you please update your CA website? It's the natural place for a player to look, and it is painfully behind. I'm never sure if I can trust any of the information given about the NPCs because some of them don't seem to have been updated in a while.

The website is as updated as the v0.48 readme except for the portraits (which I believe leahnkain is strongly considering completely doing away with) and some of the NPCs. The reason for the latter is that in hidden forums, there is usually several versions of each NPC's creature file, stats, biography, portrait, etc. as each was updated. As I am not one of the writers and I don't personally play with EVERY one of the NPCs, it is kind of hard for me to tell which really is the most current. I will be absolutely thrilled to update the homepage if someone will help me clear up the metaphorical fog.

It is? Sorry about that! It was mainly the romances (which hold the biggest appeal to me) that confused me. I swear I've heard talk about romancing Chaarna, but the website says it isn't released yet. That's probably just me. Again, sorry about that.

Let's see, where to begin?currently I have been busy making maps and redoing many maps. It takes a lot of time away from writing. My focus for writing has always been the NPC's players use. Erky has been put on the backburner in favor of other NPC's which players enjoy. When making a TC, you have to remember we are writing for over 20 NPC's, it takes time because we also have to work on the storyline as well. We do have a lot of banters waiting to be coded. Sam. Is correct when he mentioned my desire to change some NPC pictures. Almost every NPC has an original picture and I still am looking at changing a few pictures in favor for better art. I am really picky about the quality of the art.

Ah, I didn't realise you were switching between area-making and writing and coding. I thought that certain people were doing certain things for the mod! I can understand how time-consuming that must be.

As for the whole NPCs-people-like thing, I totally understand that, too. Could someone recommend to me, then, who are the NPCs with the most content? I have the awful tendency to gather a party and stick with it for the rest of the game, but I'd rather switch some characters out and in if some are going to fade into silence.

And I think I speak on behalf of the players when I say that we all appreciate that you look for top-quality art. Chaarna, Blush, Aesdale and some of the others are part of my party for aesthetic appeal alone!

[Lysan Lurraxol]

NPCs with most content include Althon, Aesdale, Rihn, Vildamyr, Chaarna and Rilithar. Fala'stra and Markessa do have quite a lot, but I'm not sure how much is in game. Like you said, alot of the starting characters kind of peter out, and that's something we're hoping to rectify. Expect to see a lot more NPC content in future releases (hopefully)

Glad you're enjoying CA so far

[leahnkain]

Lysan, we should also add Rivian and Rilithar have complete romances and a alot of banters as well.

[leahnkain]

My gola and Sir BillyBob's goal was to create a TC free of the Bhaal storyline. Hopefully one day modders will be modding CA. CA started as a two person team. Slowly we added members who we felt could compliment the team or add something more to what we are doing. I honestly recommend to anyone who is making a mod to keep the team small or nothing will get done. CA has had set backs by losing a key member but despite this we are still going strong and CA has more original content then any other mod. Quality and consistency are very important to me. I honeslty don't know if Chaarna's love talks flirts and light flirts are included. Her romance is something which I planned to have a lot of ups and downs. Writing romances sadly is my weak point. Writing NPC's like Vildamyr or Althon come naturally to me. (we are always looking for people who are interested in contributing to writing love talks...) Some major changes to expect is Westgate and Selguant.

Spoiler

Also the return of Blush.

[Sir BillyBob]

Back when we first started this mod we had more banters than the NPC could ever get out before the game was over. Now that it has expanded multiple times, the banters are lagging behind. I will probably pull jcompton's banter tool out of the next version and make it optional as another player had suggested. With a longer game time, the banters have a greater timeframe to be spread across. However we also have many banters in the game that are designed to kick in after Suderham. Since the game was ending at that point, you never got to see them. Now if you wander through Selgaunt, some of them should kick in. Therefore you will see some new banters - finally.

[Leomar]

I will probably pull jcompton's banter tool out of the next version and make it optional as another player had suggested.

Yes, I was the player.
By the way, thanks for the new CA update.



[EDIT]

Ohhh, I've read in the other thread, that you will upload a corrected version in the next days. Good to know.
You have posted a fix in the bug thread and mentioned another one. Will both be fixed in the new upload, too?

Greetings Leomar

Edited by Leomar, 06 March 2009 - 09:34 PM.