Faction selection in Launcher

[Paedric]

I'm currently rewriting some parts of the launcher to try to deal more effectively with all the issues we are encountering about launching the game.
I'm also thinking on a way to try to see if the mod has been correctly installed.

While doing it, I've noted that the drop list to select factions is getting really long, and it won't get any better since we're adding entries.

I see two different ways.
Either we left it this way, and may put the buttons just a bit more on the top, thus gaining some space.
Or I'm rewriting all the code, and replace the drop down list to a new window.
+ : Much cleaner, can differentiate between campaigns and special options (multiplayer, ...), can add information about the factions
- : Not as efficient as the former method, as a new window needs to be open.


So what do you think, do you have other ideas?

[apple]

I think we should have 2 lists. One for 0-turn (the standard) and one for 1-turn.
Maybe even one "extras" for the MP and Custom battles etc.

[dvk901]

I really like the idea of having the Launcher check to see if RS2 is installed right. It would avert some of the issues of giving people books and having them eat the covers (instead of READING them )

I'm not sure what to say about the drop-down. I know it's going to be (is) long, but on the other hand I don't want to have to re-learn people how to use the thing. But I would say, do what you think is best. You've done a great job with it, and I appreciate it. I've figured out how to get around some of the 'oddities' we run into, so it's not an issue. We will have a problem, obviously, if the drop-down doesn't show below the depth of the program (and some options can't be reached), so the box maybe could be a bit 'taller\deeper'?

Also, you may want to think about adding Syracuse.

[Paedric]

Ok, I'll do some tests, and see what give the best results.

I really like the idea of having the Launcher check to see if RS2 is installed right. It would avert some of the issues of giving people books and having them eat the covers (instead of READING them )

Lol. But then, when I see my mother use a computer, I understand why some people just don't get it.
More seriously, any idea about how to implement this? I'm thinking of checking whether the exe are in the parent directory along with with the rome modfolder, so this should take care of the people who install the mod in a folder inside RTW or just plain elsewhere. I'm not sure it covers all the installation issues though.

Also, you may want to think about adding Syracuse.

Sure, the code is ready, I just need to make it appears.

[dvk901]

Ok, I'll do some tests, and see what give the best results.


Lol. But then, when I see my mother use a computer, I understand why some people just don't get it.
More seriously, any idea about how to implement this? I'm thinking of checking whether the exe are in the parent directory along with with the rome modfolder, so this should take care of the people who install the mod in a folder inside RTW or just plain elsewhere. I'm not sure it covers all the installation issues though.


Sure, the code is ready, I just need to make it appears.

Heh...my mother wanted to use a laptop I gave her to go to ONE website she liked, so I set it all up so it booted up to the desktop, the icon for her website was right smack in the middle of the desktop...all she had to do was double-click it, and it would go right there. Couldn't figure it out.....

I think checking for the .exe and the Play_Rome modfolder should do it. If they are not present in the same folder, the install is wrong. No doubt.

[Hellhound1]

I WAS rewriting the launcher in VB10 a while back,(to try and include MP and not have it broken) however it would require .net 4, which im not sure if thats an issue or not.
But i can put some very basic screenies up if you're interested padric?

Also, i was redesigning it in AutoIt using a GUI extenstion, but that was a bit tiring, having to match my buttons up with the existing ones, simply because the launcher isnt the.. cleanest of code i've ever seen

[Paedric]

The multiplayer should now work for everyone, it was a matter of permission that should be resolved.

What were you trying to do exactly with the launcher? I'm interested.

the launcher isnt the.. cleanest of code i've ever seen

I've done some cleaning up (some), so the next version should be cleaner.
I'm nearly finished with the faction selection, just got to add some nice pixels to it.

[Hellhound1]

Yeah it was a bit weird the other factions would load but MP wouldnt. The other option was to add MP to its own folder e.g. play_mp

Make it either more compact or bigger. I tried both. I HAD an idea for the text for each faction selection, but if you've already made one then ill keep it quiet :p

[apple]

I like the Play_MP idea.

[Hellhound1]

So do i. Which wouldnt take much setting up i do believe.
It would also defunct my mp launcher, so all in all a good idea ;D

[Paedric]

Yeah it was a bit weird the other factions would load but MP wouldnt. The other option was to add MP to its own folder e.g. play_mp

The problem with multiplayer, and custom battles, is that they have to played in the main data, and don't work in a modfolder.
So what the launcher does is to copy the multiplayer files when you select it, and put back the normal one otherwise.

That's why it worked when it was not in the program files (the launcher could swap the files), and not when in the program files (the launcher did not have the permission to swap the files).

That's how it looks like right now (it's a wip, hey, don't pay attention to overlapping and all).
I can add/remove things; which text were you talking about?


Edit :Oh, if someone has a nice background picture...

[Hellhound1]

Isnt that how all factions work..? MP was simply overwriting menu structure and unit edus, regardless of what the last faction was, because it doesnt rely on campaign data?
So theoretically it should've worked even without perms, because it should work like any other faction?

I thought it was down to the copying procedure not being called correctly. Thats all my launcher changed, and that works perfectly.

Also by text i mean faction descriptions, info etc.


Edit: Oh and would it be possible to remove the delete map.rwm button removed and have it deleted each time or on a faction change.

Edit 2: I was bored and made this in VB, what think?

[Paedric]

Isnt that how all factions work..? MP was simply overwriting menu structure and unit edus, regardless of what the last faction was, because it doesnt rely on campaign data?
So theoretically it should've worked even without perms, because it should work like any other faction?

No, the factions are modfolder mods of the main mod, there's no file copying, or anything involved.
The multiplayer is the basic campaign (you know, custom/historical battles), but with the files change when it is launched.

I thought it was down to the copying procedure not being called correctly. Thats all my launcher changed, and that works perfectly.

It was the copying procedure not being allowed to be executed. What did you do in your launcher?

Also by text i mean faction descriptions, info etc.

I think the starting map and the symbol are enough in the launcher since you'll now what you'll play, the symbol is not even that useful. You can then read the description when you are in the game.
Feel free to argue.

Edit: Oh and would it be possible to remove the delete map.rwm button removed and have it deleted each time or on a faction change.

TBH, it is there for development, and rather redundant since the files are already removed when there is a new svn commit.
But it'll stay here for the time being, as if I just remove it it'll create a gap, and I'd rather take care first of other things.

[Hellhound1]

No, the factions are modfolder mods of the main mod, there's no file copying, or anything involved.
The multiplayer is the basic campaign (you know, custom/historical battles), but with the files change when it is launched.

Its been ages since i actually looked at the code, i will go refresh my memory.

It was the copying procedure not being allowed to be executed. What did you do in your launcher?

I moved the script copying procedure from an option, to what happens when you click play, and that works, which made me think it was the procedure not being called correctly.

I think the starting map and the symbol are enough in the launcher since you'll now what you'll play, the symbol is not even that useful. You can then read the description when you are in the game.
Feel free to argue.

It takes me, on my crappy slow pc, 30+ seconds on some days to boot RS2, and if im reading the faction, i might suddenly think i dont like the sound of this, and then have to change faction.. just a thought :p

TBH, it is there for development, and rather redundant since the files are already removed when there is a new svn commit.
But it'll stay here for the time being, as if I just remove it it'll create a gap, and I'd rather take care first of other things.

fair enough, its something to do though, it seems fairly pointless having it on the final release :p

[Paedric]

It takes me, on my crappy slow pc, 30+ seconds on some days to boot RS2, and if im reading the faction, i might suddenly think i dont like the sound of this, and then have to change faction.. just a thought :p

I'll do some tests tomorrow to see how it goes.
The problem of launch time for rs is probably because it has a lot of small files. Hard drives generally aren't really good at random read.

[tone]

Please do keep the delete map button....I use it constantly while updating files

[Paedric]

Please do keep the delete map button....I use it constantly while updating files

Sure.

I really don't know about the text, on the current background it's hard to read, and I can't make it any bigger without resizing the window, something I'd rather not do.
And I'm not sure the text is that useful.

What could be interesting though is a small description of the faction strength (maybe the one used on the tooltip when choosing a faction). I could make it bigger, and more easy to read.
Also, what of the background, is it ok, or would it be better to have something lighter?

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

[dvk901]

Wow, that's pretty classy.

[Mulattothrasher]

Me likes!

[Paedric]

I've uploaded the launcher with it, please report all bugs and comment.

I haven't add any text yet, I'll try later next week (or if you want to give it a try Hellhound1).


Also, there's now a basic installation checker, I'll see if I can do something more advanced.