Difference between revisions of "Guide for new custom object designers"

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=== The wiki is your friend! ===
 
=== The wiki is your friend! ===
  
As a new COD you need to understand the basics of the scripting language. Study the [[API Reference]], and the [[Case studies]] to better understand how the scripts works.
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As a new COD you need to understand the basics of the [[Introduction_to_objects|scripting language]]. Study the [[API Reference]], and the [[Case studies]] to better understand how the scripts works.
  
 
=== Test everything! ===
 
=== Test everything! ===

Revision as of 04:15, 29 June 2012

This is a few points of advice for all who want to design their own custom objects.


The process to follow:

From small things, big things one day come!

Not the other way around. New COD's want to design a fancy boss first of all, but fails due to the lack of knowledge. Babies need to learn how to eat, crawl, then talk, and once they've got that right they learn to walk.

Should you skip the boss all together? Hell no!

The wiki is your friend!

As a new COD you need to understand the basics of the scripting language. Study the API Reference, and the Case studies to better understand how the scripts works.

Test everything!

There is no better way to learn from the start, so test the scripts, and do this with the API Reference opened in your browser so you can get first hand info on what all decorators do.

  • alter variables,
  • change it's speed
  • how many bullets it fires

Stick paint the actions

Design on paper the way the boss acts, the way it attacks, it's death sequence and so on. Heck even the guys behind Mortal Kombat uses this method.

Face the bleeding edge!

Make sure to download the latest bleeding edge of open surge. Why? Because it features new stuff that isn't available in the stable version.

Assemble your toolkit

Get the softwares you need to create your objects. Paint programs, mindmap software, text editors etc, just make sure that you use legit bought software, or freeware if you don't have the cash needed.

Designing the files

As your knowledge grows so does the idea of the boss you want to design. Now it's time to create the art / sounds you need for the boss.

Putting your dream into action

You've studied the scripting language, made your sketches, assembled the tools and created the needed files. Now it's your time to create the scripts it needs to work properly.

Testing it out

Now comes a long period that you need to follow through, and it is the part to test the object you've made. Fact is that this is the period that divides the amateurs from the pro's. Windows has over 3000 test builds before it was even released. Now I'm not saying you have to be that extreme, but test at least 100 times the boss so you can get the worst bugs sorted out before you release a beta version.

Release some betas

Now it's time to release a beta of your object here on the forum. Provide a test level where the object is available. Post the known bugs you've found, and ask for assistance to test the object even more. Then you release a new beta every 7-14 days until you got the object working the way you want it to act.

Release some candidates

As the last beta is released it's time to release a few release candidates. This object is almost 100% completed. It needs just some fine adjustments.

Time to go viral!

Once the object is finished it's time to spread the word on this and other forums. Find a permanent place for the download to reside, and bask in the awe and glory your creation has given you. Go out, get a soft drink and enjoy the sun.