Ok, I will pick this up, with a couple of ifs/buts.
I will create a core UI and plugin system, and will take on the leg work to make it all work. The reason I choose for a plugin system is to reduce the need for all kinds of launchers and small tools that one has to run prior to the game. The plugin system has the benefit that once the core is in place (somewhere down the line), it is easily extended both my me, and maybe other developers that normally would create their own application. Wether I can make it accessible to other developers depends on how robust I can make the plugin model (the only factor here is time).
The ifs/buts are:
- Potoroo must declare this project to him is dead (iow: he stopped working on it). If he is still working on it, then I won't. We don't need tools that do the same.
- I need a requests/ideas manager: someone must take on the job to gather ideas, requests and prioritize them all in a big list for me, and can keep the discussion on features going. A seperate thread for this would be a good idea. I don't want to manage all this, browsing dozens if not hundreds of posts to pick out all the features people want in. If anyone wants to take this on... great. It would even be better if this list could include originating post or thread (so I can track back the original request/discussion), and optionally extra links to previously done research (by others) or existing mods.
- I can use help with research in how specific things can be made to work. This means taking a feature of the list (see previous point) and figuring out how this can be done best, what the specifics are etc. I mean, for instance crew management, ok, but what should this look like, what options etc. You can use SH3Commander as a startoff point, but don't use it as a guide. Keeping a fresh mind may result in new ideas never thought of before. Anyone interested can step in.
- Need a good name, the work names suggested some time ago in this thread don't really get me warm. Keep the upcoming add-on in mind, and don't suggest anything related to theater or 'side'. It's only a matter of time before we sail the Atlantic.
- If we have a good name, we need a logo. Artists, step in...
- I set final priority on what goes in, and when.
- S3D has a higher priority.
If I don't get some help with the previous points, I probably won't be doing any work on this soon. I have already enough work cut out for me with S3D, but on the other hand I'd love to see a decent (customizable) game launcher as well.