Proposition for a New Lua Function

Circuitous · 05-09-2008, 11:42 PM

As you're all probably aware, there already exists the capacity to label areas in a map to appear on the player's HUD.

What I propose is an expansion of this feature, allowing one to "tag" areas of a map with a block of text.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Code Boxes Suck

location_redrampon = location_info:new({ text = "Main Ramp", team = Team.kRed, hintText = "The Main Ramp is the primary entrance for enemy offense. Setting a heavy hitter (such as an HWGuy, Soldier, Demoman, or Sentry Gun) at the top to intercept incoming enemies can be a big help to the rest of the Defense." })

When a player moves through a map in Spectator mode, these blocks of text would be fired as Hints upon entering an area.

This way, if players want to learn a map's layout and get a feel for what sort of tactics work well on it (in the eyes of its creator anyway), they just need to spectate through it with hints enabled to get a good gist of what's going on.

This would, I feel, make a suitable replacement for an in-game Flythrough tutorial - it's simpler on the mapper's end, requiring a little more writing as opposed to camera fudgery, and can be quickly implemented into existing maps with little effort.

For all the mappers and Lua-gurus out there, what are your opinions on the idea?

Oh, and don't mind my pub-friendly example text, I just needed an idea quick-like.

**Crazycarl** · 05-09-2008, 11:54 PM

Awesome idea, but there's no reason to limit it to locations. Just put in a function to send a hint to a particular player. The mapper can fire it on locations, on map events, on startup, or whenever.

However I don't think spectators trigger...triggers. In anycase while flying through walls you're likely to miss the location triggers.

Circuitous · 05-09-2008, 11:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Crazycarl

Awesome idea, but there's no reason to limit it to locations. Just put in a function to send a hint to a particular player. The mapper can fire it on locations, on map events, on startup, or whenever.

However I don't think spectators trigger...triggers. In anycase while flying through walls you're likely to miss the location triggers.

It still shows locations as far as I'm aware.

Also, the function you just mentioned was just added to the Beta. So congratulations, you win.

Ihmhi · 05-10-2008, 05:11 AM

I don't know about using the hint box, though. I still have it on in the beta (for testing purposes, new hints and whatnot), and I mentally block out the hint box. I think a lot of people would do the same.

Pop up box, on-screen text, both?

Circuitous · 05-11-2008, 06:58 PM

It could be a forced hint.

Dr.Satan · 05-13-2008, 07:47 PM

I love this idea...seriously anything that can be done via .lua as opposed to an update to the game is 100% win IMO. This way ALL maps can be changed even if the mapper has since passed on.

That also concerns me though, adding the ability for literally anyone with half a mind (and some .lua experience) to be able to change what the mapper intended could be bad. Granted 98% of the time, no one is going to change something w/out approval or in trying to be spiteful, but it is possible.

But even with that rare exploit available, I still say I love this idea and am glad to see it being tested.

Circuitous · 05-14-2008, 12:40 AM

New lua functionality does require an update you know.

Dr.Satan · 05-14-2008, 01:03 AM

yeah but it still means it will be tested...

greenday5494 · 05-14-2008, 03:41 AM

>.<

i suggested a lua function for AvD "mode".
sound good?

Circuitous · 05-14-2008, 03:48 AM

FFS it's already available.

sv_mapluasuffix "avd"

ff_yourmap__avd__.lua

TA-FREAKIN'-DA.

Dr.Satan · 05-14-2008, 03:45 PM

yep...the mapper has to add a new .lua and probably new triggers and what not to the maps, but it could be done easily.

Circuitous · 05-15-2008, 07:58 PM

I mean the game would have to be updated to allow the command.

Wait, what're we talking about?

Dr.Satan · 05-15-2008, 09:03 PM

lol no update...but if say 2fort wanted to have a AvD / ID type added...then you could put some triggers and shit up that would activate with the mapluasuffix so that red couldn't enter blue base and red flag didn't exist...put red cap in basement etc etc.

then instead of mapluasuffix "avd" you could just do mapluasuffix 1 and load the ff_2fort_avd.lua

stino · 07-29-2008, 01:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dr.Satan

I love this idea...seriously anything that can be done via .lua as opposed to an update to the game is 100% win IMO. This way ALL maps can be changed even if the mapper has since passed on.

That also concerns me though, adding the ability for literally anyone with half a mind (and some .lua experience) to be able to change what the mapper intended could be bad. Granted 98% of the time, no one is going to change something w/out approval or in trying to be spiteful, but it is possible.

But even with that rare exploit available, I still say I love this idea and am glad to see it being tested.

lua imbedded in bsp?

05-09-2008, 11:54 PM	#2
Crazycarl D&A Member Wiki Team Fortress Forever Staff Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts Rated Helpful 31 Times	Awesome idea, but there's no reason to limit it to locations. Just put in a function to send a hint to a particular player. The mapper can fire it on locations, on map events, on startup, or whenever. However I don't think spectators trigger...triggers. In anycase while flying through walls you're likely to miss the location triggers. __________________ Support FF:

05-10-2008, 05:11 AM	#4
Ihmhi [AE] 0112 Ihmhi SJB Wiki Team Fortress Forever Staff Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Newark, NJ, United States Class/Position: A little bit o' everythin' Gametype: Also a little bit o' everythin' Affiliations: [AE] Asseater, SJB Straight Jacket Brigade Posts Rated Helpful 3 Times	I don't know about using the hint box, though. I still have it on in the beta (for testing purposes, new hints and whatnot), and I mentally block out the hint box. I think a lot of people would do the same. Pop up box, on-screen text, both? __________________ Support FF: Anime: The Thread: Reloaded The one and only anime thread on these here forums. Select the pistol, and then, select your horse.

05-11-2008, 06:58 PM	#5
Circuitous Useless Retired FF Staff Join Date: Jun 2005 Class/Position: D Soldier, O Scout Gametype: AvD Posts Rated Helpful 9 Times	It could be a forced hint. __________________ Look at all those dead links.

05-13-2008, 07:47 PM	#6
Dr.Satan Wiki Team Fortress Forever Staff Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Greeley, CO Class/Position: Med / Solly Gametype: PAYLOAD Affiliations: DET- Posts Rated Helpful 19 Times	I love this idea...seriously anything that can be done via .lua as opposed to an update to the game is 100% win IMO. This way ALL maps can be changed even if the mapper has since passed on. That also concerns me though, adding the ability for literally anyone with half a mind (and some .lua experience) to be able to change what the mapper intended could be bad. Granted 98% of the time, no one is going to change something w/out approval or in trying to be spiteful, but it is possible. But even with that rare exploit available, I still say I love this idea and am glad to see it being tested. __________________ FF Community Map Pack(s): 1 / 2 (Released) conc_school \| hellion_classic \| ksour_PAYLOAD \| mulch_faf (Beta) alchimy_b1 (Lua) base_payload_2015 (Models) props_trainyard Support FF:

05-14-2008, 12:40 AM	#7
Circuitous Useless Retired FF Staff Join Date: Jun 2005 Class/Position: D Soldier, O Scout Gametype: AvD Posts Rated Helpful 9 Times	New lua functionality does require an update you know. __________________ Look at all those dead links.

05-14-2008, 01:03 AM	#8
Dr.Satan Wiki Team Fortress Forever Staff Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Greeley, CO Class/Position: Med / Solly Gametype: PAYLOAD Affiliations: DET- Posts Rated Helpful 19 Times	yeah but it still means it will be tested... __________________ FF Community Map Pack(s): 1 / 2 (Released) conc_school \| hellion_classic \| ksour_PAYLOAD \| mulch_faf (Beta) alchimy_b1 (Lua) base_payload_2015 (Models) props_trainyard Support FF:

05-14-2008, 03:41 AM	#9
greenday5494 Holy shit, thats kerrigan! D&A Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Class/Position: D, whatever the team needs, usually engy Gametype: AvD Affiliations: None Posts Rated Helpful 1 Times	>.< i suggested a lua function for AvD "mode". sound good? __________________ http://static.adrive.com/images/ads/...rbo_468x60.gif DAN MAPES!

05-14-2008, 03:48 AM	#10
Circuitous Useless Retired FF Staff Join Date: Jun 2005 Class/Position: D Soldier, O Scout Gametype: AvD Posts Rated Helpful 9 Times	FFS it's already available. sv_mapluasuffix "avd" ff_yourmap__avd__.lua TA-FREAKIN'-DA. __________________ Look at all those dead links.

05-14-2008, 03:45 PM	#11
Dr.Satan Wiki Team Fortress Forever Staff Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Greeley, CO Class/Position: Med / Solly Gametype: PAYLOAD Affiliations: DET- Posts Rated Helpful 19 Times	yep...the mapper has to add a new .lua and probably new triggers and what not to the maps, but it could be done easily. __________________ FF Community Map Pack(s): 1 / 2 (Released) conc_school \| hellion_classic \| ksour_PAYLOAD \| mulch_faf (Beta) alchimy_b1 (Lua) base_payload_2015 (Models) props_trainyard Support FF:

05-15-2008, 07:58 PM	#12
Circuitous Useless Retired FF Staff Join Date: Jun 2005 Class/Position: D Soldier, O Scout Gametype: AvD Posts Rated Helpful 9 Times	I mean the game would have to be updated to allow the command. Wait, what're we talking about? __________________ Look at all those dead links.

05-15-2008, 09:03 PM	#13
Dr.Satan Wiki Team Fortress Forever Staff Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Greeley, CO Class/Position: Med / Solly Gametype: PAYLOAD Affiliations: DET- Posts Rated Helpful 19 Times	lol no update...but if say 2fort wanted to have a AvD / ID type added...then you could put some triggers and shit up that would activate with the mapluasuffix so that red couldn't enter blue base and red flag didn't exist...put red cap in basement etc etc. then instead of mapluasuffix "avd" you could just do mapluasuffix 1 and load the ff_2fort_avd.lua __________________ FF Community Map Pack(s): 1 / 2 (Released) conc_school \| hellion_classic \| ksour_PAYLOAD \| mulch_faf (Beta) alchimy_b1 (Lua) base_payload_2015 (Models) props_trainyard Support FF:

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