Virigoth’s Spiral

Below you’ll find list of ideas that fell out of my mind saved for when they could be made into reality.

• Spell Checker (on command.  Perhaps real time in client text input window with highlight/underline?)
• Birthstone image:  Image based on character’s save file at each level.  Unique to each character, could reveal an image or a message that slowly becomes less and less blurred as character gains levels.  Could be used for a quest or something as well.
• Spireal Recorder : record a log of everything during the session so that it can be shared as a replay.  Equivalent to a text log except its not text but graphics + text.
• Custom images for character face pic, and description background image.
• Email based description checker sent out to registered admin emails for approval without being online.
• Right-click = info , Left-click  = use
• Mouse driven level editor in the client, “paint” the floor and have the server do the walls automatically as per the algorithm.
• Draw with a mouse on the minimap, shown to other players in group.
• Brief (5s?) invincibility etc. when Avatar appears in his last location, or always start in safe location.
• Ability to spend merit to summon your Immortal as an Avatar.  Commands to emote/speak as the Immortal and actual ability to spend more merit for minor miracles.
• Spatial SFX : Random dungeon sounds to add mood, actual monster sounds when heard but not seen.
• Multiple fonts via xml
• Buying items costs merit, selling items generates merit if in the red.  Otherwise it just places an item for others to buy.
• Allow users to create their own UI sprites.
• Messages from other Immortals sent via dreams to an Avatar of an immortal currently in Spireal.

Code:

• For wall algo tile scanning can be done using bitmask.  Scan the 8 neighbours once, construct bitmask, compare bitmask with possibilities to decide outcome.  Advantage is a single scan (8 tests) and then easily readable decisions with defines etc.
• Light can be done using alpha channel of the tiles, three ideas:
  • Use 4 bits for height and 4 bits for orientation of normal, calculate light intensity pixel by pixel
  • Use alpha alone and just render out a spherical 2d light plane of varying intensity with the alpha of the tiles masking how how much light and where on the tile bleeds through.  Might not end up realistic but is easy.
  • Use combo of alpha value and data for each dungeon tile specifying its directional normal.  Fast and easy but not very realistic.  Still looks nice though, old 2d game.. Legacy of Kain did that very  beautifully,and it allows for very nice mixing of various color shades.