Thank you for reading this. This document contains information about Stormbringer, a guide to making compatible plugs for Escape Velocity(Ambrosia Software).
Escape Velocity can be found at http://www.AmbrosiaSW.com
Escape Velocity is a trademark of amrosia software.
Stormbringer is my invention.
What does it do?
It sets up a scheme for writing plugs, using the normal Escape Velocity methods. A plug written in Stormbringer "language" can off course be used by Escape Velocity without stormbringer. It is really just a new way of marking the rescources, not something completely new.
Why should I develop my plug using Stormbringer?
First, it gives the user a way of actually seing which plugs that clash, and which doesn't. Second, it gives the user the option of using parts of a plug, instead of the whole thing. This is an option, if you want to force the user to use the WHOLE plug, you can do so. Third, it requires very little additional work if the plug is buildt from scratch, so why not. Fourth, and last, making updates is MUCH easier. You only have to upload the part that actually needs updateing, thus slicing download times for the user. And you can release mission sets later on, without updating the whole damn plug.
For an example of Stormbringer, check out the "Astex 1.6" plug(Version number important). It can be found at ftp://grayphics.com/pub/ev. It is the first ever plug to use Stormbringer, as I converted it while making the guidelines. It took me about 20 minutes to port everything except for the missions, so it isn't that much trouble.
Wow... is all that true?
Well, I can't PROMISE things will be easier, but they sure were for me. Also, I didn't mention the "unlimited missions" feature either. It requires some user activity, but it can literally make your plug house (Well, almost) unlimited missions.
Drawbacks?
Well, yes. In most of the cases with converted plugs(From standard EV to stormbringer), the outfit/ship/weapon IDs are changed. This requires the user to sell every ship/outfit from your plug he has got, before installing the stormbringer version, and then buy them again. This is a pain, but once done, the advantages will be greater than the disadvantages. And the restrictions in stormbringer are a bit harder than the standard EV ones.
Plugs can(Must not) consist of many mini-plugs(Called sets or parts)
Plug name:
XXXXX Main <=== MUST be included. Name can be changed
XXXXX Outfit YYY <=== Optional, name not to be changed
XXXXX Mission set YYY <=== Optional, name can be changed
And any others you can think of. Those can be splitted into many parts as well, like : XXXX Outfit 1, XXXX Outfit 2, etc. Multiple numbers are accepted, like 2&3, 7-12, etc, FOR OUTFIT PARTS ONLY. Mission parts MUST be single numbered. A few exceptions might be possible, if it is not possible to link mission sets together with mission bits, but ONLY AS A VERY RARE EXCEPTION.
The YYY numbers must ALWAYS be present and correspond to the ID numbers/sets described in the Missions and Weapon/Outf/Ships readmes.
Of course, ambrosia guidelines must be followed as well, like the mission one:
Desc IDs
4xxx The initial describtion
5xxx The briefing
6xxx The Quick Briefing
7xxx The Ending
8xxx Load cargo text
If all these demands are met, you can boast with having a "Stormbringer compatible plug" ;)
I am a rotten writer, please look in the Astex 1.6 for examples, as you probably don't get a thing out of my scribblings.
I must be the worst ever author of readmes. I bet I missed some things as well. If you wonder ANYTHING, mail me. If you have ideas, MAIL ME. If you want help with stormbringer MAIL ME.
