Topics

http://atom.smasher.org/error/

For gits and shiggles. You can make your own Windows style error messages on that site.

However, supposedly you have to save the image and upload it somewhere for it to work right.

So, what interesting error messages will pop up on YOUR screens?

You all know cheat codes, most old games have the punchkey-sequence cheats (iddqd), and now, so do websites.

Try it on the main page of Facebook! Load it up, punch in the good ol' Konami Code you learned from the days of Contra, hit Enter, get +30 lives unlock a secret. Click anywhere and be amazed (note: needs flash and/or javascript enabled).

Behold, it is not only Facebook sporting the Code, the following website has a complete list of all the websites the cheat works on:

http://konamicodesites.com/

If you don't remember the Code, I'm sure someone here might tell you.

Tomorrow is the day I head up to Federal Way (20 minutes out of Seattle, Washington) to attend DeVry University.

I am going for a degree in Game Design and Simulation Programming, and since it is a compressed course (lots of work in a shorter time), I will get a 4 year degree in 2 years and 8 months.

I am not sure how long I will be without the internet, since that does not come with the apartment, so undoubtedly I'll be offline for several days or weeks at least. On top of that, I am going to be needing to get a job almost as soon as I get up there to fund all this. Stack that on the large workload I am undoubtedly going to get, do not expect me to be online at all for a while after tomorrow. I may be lucky enough to find an unsecured WiFi network in the apartment complex, but I am not counting on it.

Many have been wondering what I have been doing since I finished up SRV 2.35.

I have been doing pretty much...this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wz77qos5hf8&fmt=18

(Built by me, video by another user on the server)

For all you pyromaniacs out there that Independence Day, the 4th of July, ended just a bit too soon (like me), I made a miniature Weapons mod based on the festivities.

Get it here:
7z Archive
ZIP Archive

Extract to the Addon folder.

Note: This has not been tested for strategy gameplay, probably unbalanced there, but great for DM.

This replaces the following:

Scion Swarmers are now: BEES!
Assault version: WASP ROCKET

ISDF Plasma: Festival Mortar
Assault: Even bigger Festival Mortar!

Fountain...well...just find one and see.

http://lab.andre-michelle.com/tonematrix

Great little flash app, you click on the matrix, it creates a note. The thing then plays the notes in a loop.

Caught my attention for a good amount of time, give it a go!

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/31552029/ns/entertainment-music/?GT1=43001

What once was a great pop star, then a freakish figure in his declining years, is now dead at the age of 50.

The circumstances of his death were not immediately clear. Jackson was not breathing when Los Angeles Fire Department paramedics responded to a call at his Los Angeles home about 12:30 p.m., Capt. Steve Ruda told the Los Angeles Times. The paramedics performed CPR and took him to UCLA Medical Center, Ruda told the newspaper.

Jackson's death brought a tragic end to a long, bizarre, sometimes farcical decline from his peak in the 1980s, when he was popular music's premier all-around performer, a uniter of black and white music who shattered the race barrier on MTV, dominated the charts and dazzled even more on stage.

We all know him, and almost all of us has mocked him at least once because of his outlandish fall.

In New York's Times Square, a low groan went up in the crowd when a screen flashed that Jackson had died, and people began relaying the news to friends by cell phone.

This sounds like another sudden celebrity death, but honestly, I am not really all that shocked.

Thoughts?

For those of you who haven't read this (fairly old, but I haven't heard of it until recently), this is an excellent story. Best read past midnight with the lights out.

The Caver

Its a little long, but a very intriguing read.

What would be a fairly good, chilling read is enhanced by photos of the expedition, making it an awesome and realistic read.

Hey all, I just finished writing a nice Photoshop tutorial, and wish to share.

Download it here.

This is a good one for all the BZ2 modders out there who want to add interesting imagery to their skydomes or mod art.

This tutorial covers the basics on how to create a starfield in about a minute and a half, then how to take that image and mold it into a nice piece of art.

From the "Contact Info and Fair Use" section at the bottom, for those of you wondering if you can use it on your personal sites:

Code Select Expand


Contact Info and Fair Use:

This tutorial was made by Steve "Steeveeo" Green, using Photoshop CS3 and Microsoft Word Processor.

This tutorial and its materials may be sent to anyone or posted anywhere as long as proper credit is given,
along with some decent notice via Email.

Do you have questions, comments, or general flames? Email me at steeveeo777@hotmail.com with the
subject Feedback (due to explicit email filters sending everything that's not on my Safe List to the Junk
Folder; I despise spam). So if you ever want to get a response or help, remember to use the proper subject!


Enjoy!

[SRV_FINAL (2.35.PB4A) GAME]

SRV_FINAL (2.35.PB4A) GAME

Server Name: SRV_Final + AIP Fix
Server Description: Playing SRV_Final. BZU Scheduled Game. Requires DIY Quickpatch: AIP Fix. See www.bz2md.com for patch details.
Server Password: N/A
Game Type: Strategy, MPI, and possibly some Deathmatch.
Max Players: 8
Scheduled Time: Saturday, April 18th: 11:00 PM (23:00) GMT

Requires:

- Battlezone 2 patched to 1.3pb4a - http://www.bzuniverse.com/forum/index.php/topic,8192.0.html
- Red Devil's Pathing Fix - http://www.bzuniverse.com/forum/index.php/topic,8999.0.html
- SRV_Final - http://www.bz2md.com/smf/index.php?topic=2333.0
- DIY Quickpatch: AIP Fix - http://www.bz2md.com/smf/index.php?topic=2381.0



Sorry about the late time over there in the GMT, I am in Pacific time (-8 Hours), which makes it 2 PM my time, which is just about prime time for me on a Saturday. This server will be open to a max of 8 players as long as possible (if we go MPI, I may have to restrict to 4 or 5). I am keeping the password off of the server for now to see just to what extent people listen, but if people don't listen to the requirements and constantly get Bad Assets, I may institute a password.

Note: Not only did I make this in hopes for some gamers, but I went all out in this post to see if I could make a neat little template for game announcements.

EDIT: Same game, same time, just rescheduled from the 11th to the 18th. Router troubled kept me from hosting the weekend of the 11th, hoping to go back home to a semi-working router.



Damn router troubles, neither of the two I tried want to work in these past two weeks...I am calling it...

Ever wondered how big money can get?

Everyone in the world with a television, radio, computer, or some form of telepathy should know about the US and its 0.8 trillion dollar bailout.

Now, you hear that a lot, 800 billion, 0.8 trillion. It's talk about quite a bit, but what does that all amount to? Just how big a volume are we talking?

I give you: A perspective on just how big it is.

(Note, this is a thread to discuss the shear volume of money that the US is actually using in this Bailout plan, I will not be held responsible for any political flame wars or any US bashing. So please keep those to a minimum, shall we?)

(Disclaimer 2: Nielk1 wants credit for linking me to it in the first place. Well, here you go, enjoy.)

While attempting to make a realistic cloud system for the SRV campaign, I ran into a major issue that kept it from working entirely.

PB4a only caches enough particles for ONE of each effect, explosion, render, or otherwise. That is, when the effect is played again, the spawned particles cause the old ones to disappear, as if overriding the old particles.

Its kind of a hard thing to explain, but let me try this: My effect uses 5 particles per emit, at 0.2 second delays for 1 second, waiting 5 second before the next emit. I can see each particle of the last emit clip out one particle at a time while the next one goes.

What I am asking is thus: an ODF maxParticles command for things like Draw_emit, Draw_twirl, Draw_twirl_trail, and/or the particle declarations of explosions, along with whatever else needs it.

This would be extremely useful for explosions that use after-effects like SRV's char smoke, which, after multiple vehicles have blown up, cause the effect to clip closer and closer to the origin, looking awful.

Not only could this be used to increase the time before particles get clipped (and adversely increase framerate drop), but it could be used to limit more intense explosions and effects from lagging down older comps (reducing the aforementioned FPS drop).

Thanks in advance, this would help a figurative ton with making more dynamic effects in mods.

I got bored in class today, so I started pondering. While playing World in Conflict, they have specifics on who's helping with what branch of the military (ie, Air Force helps out by bombing with their planes, Army does the ground-pounding, etc), but then I noticed, the ISDF, although following a similar chain of command, are never defined like that.

My question is thus: What branch of the military ARE the playable ISDF?

The hovertanks just scew the difference between Armored divisions and Airborne divisions to an unrecognizable blur.
The ISDF can actually command the bomber, rather than just call in some assistance from whatever is available.
Being dropped in from space on Carriers and Dropships would probably put them in the Navy or Marines category.

What are your opinions? Please no "they are a special space branch," or, "they are the entire military," kinds of stuff, I want serious thought in here.

Have you heard the Doctor Who theme song before?

Have you heard it on the Tesla Coil?

No?

Well, here you go.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-GJSH5Aw3yk

Source.

The familiar theme was performed by the band/mad scientist cabal ArcAttack at Chattacon 34 in Chattanooga, Tennessee earlier this year, utilizing a unique set up of their own creation.

Now, I don't know exactly how it all works, but the team explains on their website:

ArcAttack employs a unique DJ set up of their own creation (an HVDJ set up) to generate an 'electrifying' audio visual performance. The HVDJ pumps music through a PA System while two specially designed DRSSTC's (Dual-Resonant Solid State Tesla Coils) act as separate synchronized instruments.

These high tech machines produce an electrical arc similar to a continuous lightning bolt which put out a crisply distorted square wave sound reminiscent of the early days of synthesizers. The music consists of original highly dance-able electronic compositions that sometimes incorporates themes or dub of popular songs.

In short:

Music + Science + Tesla = The single most horrifyingly awesome musical instrument ever!

For all those who waited HERE IS SRV_FINAL 2.35 for Battlezone II 1.3 Public Beta 4a.

Archived:
SRV 2.35pb4.7z (Filefront)
SRV 2.35pb4.zip (Filefront)
Installer EXE:
Mirror 1 (Filedropper)
Mirror 2 (Savefile)

What's New?

- Better explosions
- More strategy
- Better Effects
- New AIPs
- Strategic WMDs
- And more!

Check it out and enjoy!

From the Readme, as customary:

Code Select Expand


//-----Mod version SRV_Final 2.35.PB4a-----//

//------------------------------//
// STEEVEEO'S RECYCLER VARIANT  //
//------------------------------//
(View with WordWrap ON)


//-----------------------------//

   INDEX:

   1-a.   Introduction
   1-b.   About
   2.   Recommended System Specs
   3.   To play
   4.   Credits

//-----------------------------//


//-----------------------------//
//        SECTION 1-A          //
//       INTRODUCTION          //
//-----------------------------//


Hello and welcome to SRV_Final (version 2.35.PB4a). The goal of this mod

is to incorporate many new features, options, and gameplay value while

working around the asset checks (when not in use), and being incredibly

easy to run. This means no CFG tweaking, MM5 loading, or any other hassle

that some mods bring up. This is for Battlezone II, Version 1.3PB4a.


//--------------------------//
//        SECTION 1-B       //
//           ABOUT          //
//--------------------------//

This mod will feature some strategic options not found in many mods (if

any
at all). One major feature you will notice is the Field Recycler under the

Adv. Factory menu in your factory (the Scions have a Secondary Matriarch).

This will enable you to build an entire secondary base in the field. A

"Home Away from Home," if you will. Building that second base not only

gives you a second chance if your primary base is destroyed, but also

unlocks quite a few new weapons and features.
Another major fact about our mod is that EVERY resource in this mod is

usable in any other BZ2 mod, so long as credit is given where credit is

due (see EULA for more info).

//--------------------------//
//        SECTION 2         //
//    RECOMMENDED SYSTEM    //
//--------------------------//

Post-2002 hardware (due to high particle counts of some effects).

- 1.5Ghz CPU
- 512 MB of RAM
- Directx 8.0 or higher Graphics card with at least 64 MB of GRAM.
- 40 megabytes of free harddrive space.

//--------------------------//
//         SECTION 3        //
//          TO PLAY         //
//--------------------------//

To play this mod, follow these steps:
   1. Open BZ2 to the mode you want to play in.
   2a. For IA, just select the proper variant for you and the comp

(Steeveeo's Recy Variant) and choose your skill level. (If you dont select

the proper variant for the Comp, the custom explosion wont be there, other

than that, it doesnt really effect the AI)
   2b. For MPI and ST, choose the mod from the Recycler Variant list in

Extra Options, then hit Vehicle List CFG and select [SRV MODE] from the

popup menu, this will change both the player and ai controlled starting

unit lists, then proceed as normal.
   3. Enjoy!

//--------------------------//
//         SECTION 4        //
//          CREDITS         //
//--------------------------//

   MAIN MOD DEVELOPEMENT LEADER
      CONCEPT DESIGN
          LEAD CODE MONKEY:
       
        Steeveeo


         MAIN MODEL DESIGN
      ODF DEBUGGER
         LEAD BETA TESTER:

        Warfreak

MODELLING TEAM:

Nielk1
VSMIT

         SPECIAL THANKS TO:

        Bigbadbogie, for his Unmanned drone
        and Scion Artillery Models, and for
creating the voice for the LRM Launcher.

        -X- for his Flak88 Artillery model.

        GreenHeart for DXTing all the textures.
and providing a new model for the AMS.

General Black Dragon, for crafting a
serverside shell modification to add the
mod vehicles to the starting lineup
without causing BA errors.

Red Wine over on the Winamp forums who
helped me develop the NSIS scripting of
our installer.



      BETA TESTERS:

Nielk1
        VSMIT
SeanTheGreat
TheJamsh
GreenHeart
Hemming


//-------------MAJOR NOTE------------//

PLEASE read all available READMEs before playing, it will save you a lot

of headaches.

//-----------------------------------//

Click.

I recorded a video!

This video shows off the new model for the ISDF artillery cannon, along with it's new sounds and effects.

Not much else to say, other than this is approved for SRV_Final.

Enjoy!

Today, Warfreak, Hotshot, and I all finished up what very well may be the longest game in BZ2 history.

Game time: 5 hours, 17 minutes, and 55 seconds.

Below is the score log if anyone cares.

As Warfreak can attest (Hotshot doesnt have an account here), this was one intense match in MPI. For once the AI actually were hammering us in multiple areas with multiple tactics, constant bombing, and overall peskyness. And we were not even close to "toying" with the enemy for 5 and a quarter hours, in fact, I wouldnt be suprised if the AI were toying with US!

The entire game was a beta test of SRV on GreenHeart's Firestorm map. Hotshot was the first commander. We started out way too slow to ensure a quick game, as somehow the MPI DLL has ramped up the scrap cheat at least 2 fold (may or may not be a good thing), so they got the bomber out early and kept us down (And I cant seem to kill bomber bombs anymore), first by killing our minefields, and then coming for our stuff. Later, Hotshot had to leave temporarily, so I took command.

Working through bombing run after bombing run, I somehow got our base towers back up in time to push back and reclaim the forward pool. Slowly but surely, we regainsed our footing. Soon after, Hotshot made it back, but didnt seem to want command back, so I kept going. Warfreak and Hotshot teamed up and cleared out the North East ruins with their 2 statues (after a few sabres, and a bunch of quirky military role play that the two are lucky I didnt record ), and defended it until my Primary Constructor walked his way over and began building towers. I dont know quite how, but they defended against wave after wave of assault vehicles and the occasional sabre.

As soon as we got a strong hold on that area, I brought in a convoy consisting of a Field Recycler, two service trucks and a Railgun Attilla. Luckily, the only problems encountered enroute were a couple hangups on towers (damn pathing) and one assault tank. After deploying the field recy, I busied myself with building up the base and defenses simultaneously, as Warfreak and Hotshot heroically fought off APCs, Assault Tanks, Rocket Tanks, Sabres, and the occasional bomber, while I got up the towers.

After that, I started building seige groups, consisting of one Railgun Attilla and two Service Trucks, and giving them to Warfreak and Hotshot.

But I made a grave mistake right after. I decided that it was near the end of the game, so I wanted to help out the seige. I hopped in my own Seige caravan and ran toward the enemy base. About halfway there, a lone bomber decided to hit my power, and about 5 assault tanks started pummeling the base. Working my way back, I came upon a heavily damaged base, and made haste to try to fix everything through several attack waves.

After reregaining our base footing. the two requested that I make them Sabres fitted with Sky Eye Laser Beacons so that they could perform precision strikes inside the enemy defenses. This, combined with a few successful Hammer Missile Strikes, Attila Runs, and a couple bomber hits, ended the game, with the three of us the victors.


So, in order to make this not just a "WooHoo We won a Game!" Thread, I ask you: What is the longest game YOU have every played, and do you have a story about it?

Code Select Expand


Awesome Opossum                                             
   Score                                                    3298
   Deaths                                                   164
   Kills                                                    600
Slimy Snakes                                                 
   Score                                                    -1063
   Deaths                                                   664
   Kills                                                    109
                                                             
Steeveeo (Awesome Opossum)                                   
   Score                                                    2071
   Deaths                                                   14
   Kills                                                    365
HotShot (Awesome Opossum)                                   
   Score                                                    341
   Deaths                                                   9
   Kills                                                    34
Warfreak (Awesome Opossum)                                   
   Score                                                    15
   Deaths                                                   0
   Kills                                                    3

Total Game Time: 5:17:55                                     
                                                             
Team 1 (Awesome Opossum - Steeveeo)                         
   Craft Built                                              326
   Craft Lost                                               136
   Craft Recycled                                           1
Craft Destroyed of team 1 (Steeveeo)                        12
Craft Destroyed of team 6 (Slimy Snakes)                    342
Craft Lost to team 1 (Steeveeo)                             12
Craft Lost to team 3 (Awesome Opossum)                      1
Craft Lost to team 6 (Slimy Snakes)                         66
Craft lost (sniped) by team 3 (Awesome Opossum)             1
   Buildings Constructed                                    125
   Buildings Lost                                           28
   Buildings Recycled                                       16
Buildings Destroyed of team 1 (Steeveeo)                    6
Buildings Destroyed of team 6 (Slimy Snakes)                4
Buildings Lost to team 1 (Steeveeo)                         6
Buildings Lost to team 6 (Slimy Snakes)                     21
   Scrap Collected                                          5661
   Scrap Harvested (Recycler)                               2459
   Scrap Harvested (Extractor)                              4204
   Scrap Harvested (Upgraded)                               11856
   Scrap Recycled                                           335
   Scrap Spent                                              25374
                                                           
                                                                                                                     
Team 6 (Slimy Snakes - Slimy Snakes)                         
   Craft Built                                              563
   Craft Lost                                               549
Craft Destroyed of team 1 (Steeveeo)                        66
Craft Destroyed of team 2 (HotShot)                         54
Craft Destroyed of team 3 (Awesome Opossum)                 21
Craft Destroyed of team 4 (Awesome Opossum)                 10
Craft Destroyed of team 6 (Slimy Snakes)                    22
Craft Lost to team 1 (Steeveeo)                             342
Craft Lost to team 2 (HotShot)                              94
Craft Lost to team 3 (Awesome Opossum)                      34
Craft Lost to team 4 (Awesome Opossum)                      44
Craft Lost to team 6 (Slimy Snakes)                         22
   Buildings Constructed                                    47
   Buildings Lost                                           29
   Buildings Recycled                                       0
Buildings Destroyed of team 1 (Steeveeo)                    21
Buildings Destroyed of team 6 (Slimy Snakes)                10
Buildings Lost to team 1 (Steeveeo)                         4
Buildings Lost to team 2 (HotShot)                          11
Buildings Lost to team 3 (Awesome Opossum)                  2
Buildings Lost to team 4 (Awesome Opossum)                  2
Buildings Lost to team 6 (Slimy Snakes)                     10
   Scrap Collected                                          1217
   Scrap Harvested (Recycler)                               1975
   Scrap Harvested (Extractor)                              807
   Scrap Harvested (Upgraded)                               9807
   Scrap Recycled                                           0
   Scrap Spent                                              32344
                                                           


I just went through this neat little eyesight test that quizzes your ability to distinguish hues from one another.

http://www.xrite.com/custom_page.aspx?PageID=77

The quiz involves simply arranging the tiles in each line to form as perfect of a gradient as possible.

With 0 being "Perfect Eyesight" and 35 being about the average for most adults, how well do you score? And where are you shaky in your vision?

I got an 8, having the most trouble in the Red-Oranges and Green-blues.

If you viewers have read my recent bug reports, you'll notice that I was working on a new weapon for my bomber.

And well, here it is!

Clicky for Youtube.

The Fuel Air Bomb, also known as a Thermobaric weapon, works in a few stages.

First, the commander calls in the strike, and the bomber departs for the target.
Second, the bomber drops a small pod packed with extremely volatile fuel.
Then, the pod bursts, spraying fuel vapor into the arispace of the target.
Finally, a small explosive ignites the fuel vapor, creating a massive shockwave, comparable to a small tactical nuke!.
And after all that, all that's left is a big puff of smoke and a lot of kickup dust!

Enjoy!