[REQ] SH4 commander

[Potoroo]

Originally Posted by JScones

Anyway, we'll see where his views are with randomisation. Having already stated that I won't be working on an SH4Cmdr, I don't want to undermine Potoroo's plans. Indeed, he may want to take a totally different approach altogether. But he knows where I am if he wants assistance, otherwise I'll just butt out...

I don't object to randomisation per se. It's simply not at the top of my priorities. People will need to remember I'm starting from scratch so there are more important things to sort out first. Randomisation is just one of many things that could be put in later as Skipper evolves. I'm telling the world now that Skipper v1.0 will be far more limited that SH3 Cmdr 2.7. What matters most to me right now is getting the structure right, with a particular emphasis on handling multiple game installations and backups. I think automatic rollbacks is the way to go although it could be implemented in more than one way.

Since function will dictate form certain things will necessarily follow. SH4 is so similar to SH3 in the way it works there will be certain ways of doing things that I'll lift in spirit if not in code straight out of SH3 Cmdr. For example, I toyed with the idea of using XML to store the external data but decided it would be more complicated from the user's viewpoint without adding real benefit. SH4's .cfg and .upc files are essentially just .ini files, so mimicking SH3 Cmdr's approach makes more sense.

Certain other things I will be able to do differently. I've mentioned I want Skipper to be smarter up front, which includes both removing its dependency on My Documents\...main.cfg and handling multiple game installations better. It will be laid out slightly differently too.

The one thing about Sh3 Cmdr I am not keen on replicating is the graphics intensive stuff like the Night Club. I'd prefer to keep Skipper much smaller if possible.

As far as I'm concerned Jaesen is more than welcome to butt in anytime he likes. I'll take as much onboard as I can use. I've got a raw prototype but now is the time to make major architectural changes if they prove necessary.