[REQ] SH4 commander

[hyperion2206]

It seems that thread is dead or at least in a really nasty coma.

[GSpector]

I know what you mean. I too have been hoping for good news on this Application. It was a great addition to SH3 and it could be used with SH4 to do at least the same things, I would love to have it.

[baxter]

It seems like all hope for something equivalent to SH3 Commander is forever lost... what a shame.

[skwasjer]

Dno, never say never. Before I started S3D I considered coding a game launcher with all sorts of features I had in mind. I have never (to date) tried SH3Commander so honestly wouldn't know what it all does (only know the rough details). Then, I figured, due to the lack of good mod tools, and as I noticed SH4Commander might be picked up by someone else, I dropped my own idea and started on S3D.

If nobody picks this up, and S3D development settles down (meaning 1.0) I may take a stab at it. I guess I'll be too busy with S3D forever though...

[CaptainHaplo]

Skwas - as much as I really love what S3d does - I really encourage you to pick this up if time permits and its not picked back up. I still have hope at least! Btw - S3d rocks!

[skwasjer]

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.

[ReallyDedPoet]

Nice of you to consider this


RDP

[Potoroo]

I apologise to everybody who has been waiting for news on SH4 Skipper. I have been sick and unable to work on it. As such I am happy to hand it over to anyone who wants to either pick it up or develop their own.

The SH4 Skipper prototype is written in Delphi 6 and contains no proprietary code or third-party payware (Jaesen gave me a small amount of code from SH3 Commander, which is written in Delphi 5, but I never got around to including it), so I will happily pass it on as is if someone wants to pick it up. I'm also happy if anyone wants to develop their own but use its UI.

As a side note, I will maintain MultiSH4 should that prove necessary, since that is trivial.

Again, I apologise. I understand how much many people want SH4 Skipper and how frustrating it has been for them not to know what is happening.