calling all (batch file, script, VB, VC) programmers

[Gandalf Parker]

Originally posted by DimmurWyrd:
ok, #1 is easy enough (took all of 10 minutes) but on #2 that's where I don't see any command line options. If you could tell me how to set the human and AI players in the game via the command line...

Cant be done by command line. The human player can be set by using the trick for setting up a PBEM game. (at least I tihnk so, havent tested it). Apparently if you create a game directory, and copy "all the players" god files to the directory, then start the game it will do it with all those players as human players.

The AI part I had in Version 3 because as far as I know that can only be done by adding them into the .map file as computer-run opponents in the map design. I tried to figure out some slick way to start them as humans then switch them to computer but it didnt work.

shelling dom is easy in VB although I am not sure but might be limited to a 255 byte command line...

If it gets too involved Id rather see the variables as a seperate text file. The idea was to have something that the players could easily edit. Maybe we could get Johan to add a "read from config file" option.

Otherwise you could maybe write a bat file then call it. Hmmm that might be better anyway. Take their settings and create a bat file to do it. Then they can just keep hitting the bat file until they need to change settings...

I can do all the file moving/copying easily enough if I knew the basic methodology. basically tell me roughly how it's done (how I set the AI strength outside of the game i.e through file or command line) then I'll add part 2. right now all I can do is start the game with new game defaults changed to whatever you want lol... not greatly useful really. I believe I can make it a two icon deal one will launch dom direct with your default options the other will let you change your options. launcher will start dom with your defaults then exit while dom is loading. [/QB][/quote]

[DimmurWyrd]

ah... just tested it and there is no problem at all with commandline length... unless maybe you have "thegreatlandofthebiggiantthingsinthefarreachesofth ewesternprovincesofthesoutherncontinentofthehybori anplanetwiththebigredmoonandallthosetwinklystars.m ap"
otherwise works perfectly.

[DimmurWyrd]

Should be done prettying it up and debugging in a few minutes (half hour tops I should think) so if you have somewhere you want me to send the windows Version feel free to tell me hehe.

If you want to work on adding your scripting of the map file to my shell then let me know since editing text files should be within ANYONES ability I would hope hehe. Anyway I can assemble a text file on the fly of course without difficulty so let me know (edit/re-assemble etc.)

[DimmurWyrd]

BTW, making the AI's through the map would be fine with me. Integrating a map randomizer type setup to the launcher wouldn't be much trouble really. If you want to setup (or if you already have setup) algorithms for how to setup the randoms and all that I can incorporate it.

These are the steps basically... (correct me if I'm wrong) make the .map file, copy the .2h file from newlords to the dir then call dom2 with the commandlines for making a new game and -g correct?

[DimmurWyrd]

hmmm, interesting... adding VP conditions through commandline causes the game to start at choose race but with an empty list lol.

[Gandalf Parker]

Originally posted by DimmurWyrd:
BTW, making the AI's through the map would be fine with me. Integrating a map randomizer type setup to the launcher wouldn't be much trouble really. If you want to setup (or if you already have setup) algorithms for how to setup the randoms and all that I can incorporate it.

These are the steps basically... (correct me if I'm wrong) make the .map file, copy the .2h file from newlords to the dir then call dom2 with the commandlines for making a new game and -g correct?

Yep sounds good. I wouldnt add the crazy stuff I do quite yet. Here is the basic code I use for random AI opponents...
http://www.techno-mage.com/~dominion/opponents.yab

And here is one of the crazier game generators.
http://www.techno-mage.com/~dominion/Poke_Eye.yab

I think both of them use the original .map file renamed to something like a .txt file so I can always copy it again and again. The originals have all the #neighbor and #terrain commands. I just add my stuff to the end.

[DimmurWyrd]

ok, preliminary windows GUI Version appears to be free of buggies and all that so if you want to look at it let me know where to send it. I'll send source+executable but not the VB6 runtimes so you might need those.