IMPACT! MINIATURES

brownrob · Web Monkey #1 Joined: 19 Nov 2005 Posts: 880

Well yeah, Im not all that good with coding, Im OK but not great... but I dont have much of an outlet to play ElfBall, bar the odd VASSAL game, and while that is great, it could be better!

I was thinking about the possibility of a fundraiser (Id participate by painting and selling some minis, Id like to think I could get £150 for a team of 16 minis!

) but how much dosh would you be talking to raise enough funds to get a programmer to write a clean program that we could play ElfBall on, something like JavaBB, infact I may have sourcecode for the L or B5 version that Falesh was working on for fumble!

I could also do very basic stuff wrt getting a site up and running for the teams etc

Am I wasting my time or would it be a good plan, having a site to play the game means that some people can try before they buy, and Im sure it would raise the profile of the game?

Dark Lord · Joined: 23 May 2006 Posts: 2682

Seeing as how I live 180 miles away from 3-4 other Elfball players, and currently run a league of 4 other coaches, I would LOVE to have an online program.

I need help VASSAL at least. I haven't fiddled with it in awhile but I couldn't figure it out...and I know from experience if it's a computer program that is tough for me to figure out, there are a couple guys I know that will never get it.
_________________
"I don't know the key to success, but the key to failure is trying to please everybody."
Bill Cosby

bouncergriim · Joined: 29 Sep 2007 Posts: 298 Location: Fort Worth, TEXAS

I love to play it, but I don't have a lot of people around me. I am still buying minis and the game when I do get a chance for the good old board itself. But, if we could get an even stronger online presence that could help build the real world support also.

What I really wish, is I could win the lotto to be independently weathly and fund the professional box for EB to get it on more stores shelves.

SillySod · Joined: 29 Apr 2008 Posts: 118

Getting a client written by a proffesional is expensive. The fact that FUMBBL hasnt had a donation drive to pay for a LRB5 client to be completed should be some indication of how much it will cost.

Besides, your client is pretty good and I think it would be much nicer to see more people actually using that than it would be to see a new client. Or maybe everyone is using it secretly and they just dont like me

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Elfball is for girls...... and pigs apparently, I know which one I am :D

Dark Lord · Joined: 23 May 2006 Posts: 2682

My problem with the VASSAL client is that it doesn't seem very intuitive. PBEMBB I picked up in a matter of minutes after watching a sample turn emailed to me.

VASSAL Elfball gives me fits whenever I try to do just about anything.

But in its defense I haven't played the most recent version.
_________________
"I don't know the key to success, but the key to failure is trying to please everybody."
Bill Cosby

brownrob · Web Monkey #1 Joined: 19 Nov 2005 Posts: 880

Im off Weds - Sunday (Thurs evening and Saturday are out however!)

so I can have a blast at the VASSAL mod with you, and maybe Silly can knock me silly........ again!

The main benefit of a standalone program would be the data collection aspect of it, you could quickly see how people play and what are effective strategies are, its also a good way to teach someone the premise of the game, its a little tougher with VASSAL as you need to have a really good grasp of the rules otherwise the thing takes aaaages.
The standard of opponents will also gradually get better. I know playing FF online really did help me become a slightly better player!

I understand that programmers do not come cheap but Im hopeful that if we raised a token amount (say £500, I dont know how far this would stretch, but it may be enough to get the attention of a FF playing programmer who wants to earn a little cash!)

SillySod · Joined: 29 Apr 2008 Posts: 118

brownrob · Web Monkey #1 Joined: 19 Nov 2005 Posts: 880

will you give me another walkthrough?

Oh sorry thats walkover!!!

SillySod · Joined: 29 Apr 2008 Posts: 118

I'd be delighted to give you another whip.. I mean game.
_________________
Elfball is for girls...... and pigs apparently, I know which one I am :D

Cephalopod · Posted: Mon Feb 09, 2009 6:59 pm Post subject:

Heya,

I am a professional software developer, but I generally work on embedded systems (read: cellphones, radar arrays, missile guidance, etc). However, I was planning an Elfball client at home the other night. It was serendipity that I noticed this thread when I had been turning over the idea in my head so recently.

So, that being the case let me ask a couple of questions:

1) Would Impact! be bothered by an online client? I would hate to undercut a business that I, personally, would like to see succeed.

2) Are there any artists willing to put together player artwork:
a) 2D sprites (preferred)
b) 3D models for OpenGL rendering (Also good, but would have heftier system requirements than the 2d Sprites)

All that aside, I'd love to start, though I have personal obligations that mean I will not be able to put a ton of time into the client on a daily basis. However, I've recently finished a couple of personal obligations that have prevented me from starting this project for the past year so I'll have more time free to pursue this one.

bouncergriim · Joined: 29 Sep 2007 Posts: 298 Location: Fort Worth, TEXAS

Have you looked at the vassal elfball client at all? There might be some good 2d sprites there for you. I still haven't figured out the vassal thing. But I would be interested in a java, more intutive game. Though I would still like to see the die rolls and such to make sure that people who learn through java will know the rules well enough to play the RL version.

Cephalopod · Posted: Mon Feb 09, 2009 8:23 pm Post subject:

I saw a couple of screenshots, but I'm at work just now and don't want to waste company time on personal pursuits (and no, forum posts don't count. ;))

I will go through those sprites, though. Are they animated? If not I know an artist locally that can put an animation together. I guess I'd just need the permission of the original artist to use their work.

Cephalopod · Posted: Mon Feb 09, 2009 9:05 pm Post subject:

For feature requests/suggestions I have created a Goggle Moderator thread.

brownrob · Web Monkey #1 Joined: 19 Nov 2005 Posts: 880

The original artist was pat, who is on this forum, he is very good.

I would love to see an elfball client to match JavaBB in ease of use. I think its a good way to learn, and from the guys who play a lot of JvaBB and move over to FF, I think the transition isnt too painful. It can also work the other way round I think, the rules in JavaElfBall would be solid, meaning there can be no rules lawyering, so when you play, you can encounter situations in the client that can be open to interpretation on the board, but in the client, its already been sorted, so you know for next time you play on the board, Im sure I could have made that more concise!

Personally I think what would draw me to a client is the strategy and ease of play. I know given the choice Ill play on the board. Id prefer the 2D sprites as I know I have my own nicely painted minis and however nice 3d stuff is, its not a mini I put hours into painting!

I know Falesh on fumbbl has been making a JavaBB and he will most likely let you have the source (he should, as he gave it to me!) so that you can poke around

As a sweetener from me, if you manage to make something, then I will buy and paint you an ElfBall team, for reference, I did the Divine Wind in the store! But I can do better than that! I know there are one or two more guys who would be rather grateful

But in all likeliehood you are much better than me, making my offer worthless!

You do realise you have brightened up my week already considerably, considering if you read the forums, lat week was not a good week for me

Dark Lord · Joined: 23 May 2006 Posts: 2682

I would really be interested in this too. I've been interested in the Vassal version but find it a little hard to learn and impossible (for me) to teach.

So an intuitive GUI is what I would want most.

_________________
"I don't know the key to success, but the key to failure is trying to please everybody."
Bill Cosby