Official IVAN Continuation thread

Oct 2, 2013, 4:57 pm

#1

The Imperialist

Joined: Dec 2, 2007
Location: New Attnam
Interests: bananas
Posts: 2,309

Thanks to the recent interest and push by a few members, it looks like a group effort of continued IVAN development is finally in the works.

This is exciting because unlike the existing mods and variants, which are scattered around and separate, this time we're going to keep the source code all in one place.

I will be adding it to Github, which means that anybody can grab the code and contribute! This is also good because it's not too much pressure on one person - you can help in whatever way you can whenever you have time. For those with a professional interest in coding, you can also brag that you've contributed to an open-source project!

We'll also be using Trello to manage tasks, features, and bugs. We're starting with CVS as a base, and existing variants can eventually be merged in.

Oct 2, 2013, 5:01 pm

#2

The Imperialist

Joined: Dec 2, 2007
Location: New Attnam
Interests: bananas
Posts: 2,309

1. Trello

We're not using Trello anymore.

The Trello board is here: https://trello.com/b/1dhb35Ep/ivan

If you'd like to contribute, first create a Trello account and post your username here or send it to me in a PM. Then I can add you to the board so you can create, edit, and claim tasks.

There are 3 lists: "Unclaimed Tasks", "In Progress", and "Ready for Testing."

If you see something you're interested in, click on the "card", choose yourself as a member, and drag it to the "In Progress" column so that others know that you're working on it.

If you notice bugs, or have ideas for new features, feel free to add your own cards as well! Even if you can't code them, maybe somebody else will. Be sure to label your card as a bug (red) or feature (blue) so that we can see at a glance what they are.

Once your code is complete and pushed, move it to the "Ready for Testing" column so that others can compile it and check it out. After it's been tested, it will be merged into the official code.

Oct 2, 2013, 5:01 pm

#3

The Imperialist

Joined: Dec 2, 2007
Location: New Attnam
Interests: bananas
Posts: 2,309

2. GitHub

The GitHub repository is here: https://github.com/Attnam/ivan

You will need to create a GitHub account. You can pull the code anonymously, but i need to add you to the "Attnam" organization in order to be able to commit changes.

To get started, simply find the "clone URL" in the right hand sidebar. For Windows I recommend TortoiseGit. For Linux I believe the command would be

$ git clone https://github.com/Attnam/ivan.git

I'll update this post with a basic tutorial for those who are new to Git.

Oct 2, 2013, 5:18 pm

#4

archangel

Joined: Sep 8, 2010
Occupation: Petty Functionary
Location: Drinking pea soup in the world map
Interests: Mangoes
Posts: 1,216

It promises to be vibrant!
When Cap gets the source up, I'll download it and try compiling, then I'll put up the basic compillation instructions.

Batman? wrote

its been so long since i had gotten that far i didnt think it through. arrrr!!!!!!

Oct 2, 2013, 5:31 pm

#5

The Imperialist

Joined: Dec 2, 2007
Location: New Attnam
Interests: bananas
Posts: 2,309

Done, added the link in my previous post. This is the code modified by nukes to support 64-bit systems. Hopefully everything will work and compile!

Oct 2, 2013, 6:06 pm

#6

archangel

Joined: Sep 8, 2010
Occupation: Petty Functionary
Location: Drinking pea soup in the world map
Interests: Mangoes
Posts: 1,216

This will need a 64-bit compiler I imagine?

I get:

FeLib/Include/save.h:213: error: extra `;'

When I run with normal 32 bit (x86) compiler.

Batman? wrote

its been so long since i had gotten that far i didnt think it through. arrrr!!!!!!

Oct 2, 2013, 6:45 pm

#7

The Imperialist

Joined: Dec 2, 2007
Location: New Attnam
Interests: bananas
Posts: 2,309

I imagine so. From what I remember, this was the only copy of the CVS code we could find

Oct 3, 2013, 6:11 am

#8

Master mine stomper

Joined: Dec 16, 2007
Occupation: Shoveling. But metal.
Location: Blazing in the steppes
Interests: Absolutely fuck-all.
Posts: 2,050

Nice! I've got some files you guys might be interested in... They include a vast amount of stupid and plausible ideas categorized and organized, and the log of the discussion session with JKahvi and participants of the 1st IVANCon a few years back.

Once I get my PC hooked with WiFi, I'll try to remember to post them for your benefit.

Oct 3, 2013, 9:12 am

#9

The Imperialist

Joined: Dec 2, 2007
Location: New Attnam
Interests: bananas
Posts: 2,309

Our first commit... I fixed the valedmar spawn rate and default 19 skill level for unarmed combat. Woo!

Oct 3, 2013, 4:31 pm

#10

archangel

Joined: Sep 8, 2010
Occupation: Petty Functionary
Location: Drinking pea soup in the world map
Interests: Mangoes
Posts: 1,216

Ok, I think this 64-bit gcc package might be useful for the command-line junkies amongst us: http://tdm-gcc.tdragon.net/about

Update: So far so good, but I think the changes nukes made are throwing up some problems for me. It's probably the way I'm compiling, I'm using the old ivanmgw.mak in MinGW (I moved with the times, using 4.8.2). The whole thing is probably a bit antiquated.
May I ask what compilers others are using?

Update 2: OK so I deleted the spurious semicolons from bodypart.h, char.h and char.cpp and it compiles fine in gcc 3.4.2
Strange, utterly strange and makes no sense. Oh well, at least it compiles. The executable needs SDL.dll to run. This should probably be added to the repo (?)

Right, we should collect all our ideas and things we discussed from the beginning and come up with a development plan.

Batman? wrote

its been so long since i had gotten that far i didnt think it through. arrrr!!!!!!

Oct 4, 2013, 12:41 am

#11

Mage Prophet

Joined: Dec 3, 2007
Occupation: Chaos Weaver
Location: Standing between all life and death
Posts: 2,898

Well, I went through the development sub-forum, and between the lack of participation from volunteers and slow feedback from the DEV group meant we never really got anything done, but there's plenty of ideas. Erno has the ideas compilation from players, then there's these:

http://ivan.cvs.sourceforge.net/viewvc/ivan/ivan/Doc/Work/
http://ivan.cvs.sourceforge.net/viewvc/ivan/ivan/Doc/Obsolet...

Then there's the experimental God system, capristo should have access to the thread:

http://www.attnam.com/topics/757/JOB_Ighalli_s_Experimental_...

Finally, there was this:

http://www.attnam.com/topics/783/Quest_Saving_your_child

Uchuudonge wrote

creating stable chaos
making patterns where there should be none
sewing order into the chaos
you spit in the face of random numbers, of chaos

Oct 4, 2013, 8:59 am

#12

The town crier

Joined: Sep 22, 2008
Posts: 634

ivan.cvs.sourceforge wrote

Children no longer spoil

Anyways, to really get the dev going again, we'd really need active and commited coders (or at least one). You can only get so far with just ideas and scripting. Personally I don't have the time/will to put in the effort to properly learn C for any larger additions/modifications especially if the source is as impenetrably jumbled as it sounded like.

Oct 4, 2013, 5:55 pm

#13

Atavus

Joined: Dec 11, 2008
Posts: 1,770

Eh, I'm learning Java and have done a little C (not C++) so I will see if I can help where I can and when I have time/motivation.
Note the learning part.

System would indicate in graphic if person is mounted on horse or not.
Same system also show if person mounted on boar, elephant, polar bear etc.
Or if person mounted on ass.
Ivan find mounting on ass funny.

Oct 4, 2013, 6:47 pm

#14

archangel

Joined: Sep 8, 2010
Occupation: Petty Functionary
Location: Drinking pea soup in the world map
Interests: Mangoes
Posts: 1,216

Azba, there's never been a better time to learn

JoKe, scripting is also good. Heavens knows there will be plenty of dungeons to design, and if you need the location to appear on the worldmap, then you can add this as a task on Trello and it will get done for you.

Meanwhile, I can't gain access to the develpoment forum for some reason:

Quote

Sorry

You do not have permission to view topics in this forum

Wowsers! There's a lot of ideas to collect together and put in one spot...

Batman? wrote

its been so long since i had gotten that far i didnt think it through. arrrr!!!!!!

Oct 11, 2013, 7:36 am

#15

Caped Crusader

Joined: Dec 17, 2007
Occupation: Taking Names, Formerly Kicking Ass
Location: New Jersey
Posts: 992

can I help?

Booooooooooo!

Oct 11, 2013, 11:02 am

#16

archangel

Joined: Sep 8, 2010
Occupation: Petty Functionary
Location: Drinking pea soup in the world map
Interests: Mangoes
Posts: 1,216

yep, what would you like to do and what things do you need?

Batman? wrote

its been so long since i had gotten that far i didnt think it through. arrrr!!!!!!

Oct 17, 2013, 12:10 pm

#17

Caped Crusader

Joined: Dec 17, 2007
Occupation: Taking Names, Formerly Kicking Ass
Location: New Jersey
Posts: 992

i like to play IVAN and sell insurance. I have zero graphics or programming skills. playtester maybe?

Booooooooooo!

Oct 17, 2013, 12:19 pm

#18

Caped Crusader

Joined: Dec 17, 2007
Occupation: Taking Names, Formerly Kicking Ass
Location: New Jersey
Posts: 992

also, without sounding like a jerk, I think any new content should be carefully reviewed - I think we(1) want to keep this as close to the original theme of the game as possible. If we(1) introduce a ton of new worlds and monsters and misisons, it could make it seem like more of a variant than a progression of the main stream game.

(1) like the way I insuated myself into the process without actually offering to help in a meaningful way?

Booooooooooo!

Oct 18, 2013, 12:20 pm

#19

archangel

Joined: Sep 8, 2010
Occupation: Petty Functionary
Location: Drinking pea soup in the world map
Interests: Mangoes
Posts: 1,216

I like it!
yeah we need to stick to main line development. I think what blob posted a wee while back is pretty relevant.

Batman? wrote

its been so long since i had gotten that far i didnt think it through. arrrr!!!!!!

Nov 19, 2013, 11:31 am

#20

skunk

Joined: Nov 19, 2013
Posts: 2

I've been playing IVAN almost as long as I've been coding C. I've got spare time to iron out some bugs. My username on both Trello and Github is 'Lum4r'.

Nov 20, 2013, 4:44 pm

#21

archangel

Joined: Sep 8, 2010
Occupation: Petty Functionary
Location: Drinking pea soup in the world map
Interests: Mangoes
Posts: 1,216

Hi lum4r! Welcome, looks like you've been added to Trello

I'd say taking a look at the source is a good place to start. It is a little dizzying, but not totally abstruse.
IVAN is coded in C++ so it is a bit object oriented, which is the difference to C. But it is really easy to get the hang of and if you've played IVAN for a long time you'll quickly recognise the game mechanics from the source.

Batman? wrote

its been so long since i had gotten that far i didnt think it through. arrrr!!!!!!

Nov 20, 2013, 5:23 pm

#22

Atavus

Joined: Dec 11, 2008
Posts: 1,770

Right, now that I have a lot of free time on my hands I guess I can lend a hand (or, try to) in IVAN dev.
I'm on Windows7, so what program(s) do you suggest I use? I've only got stuff for Java development on me from uni work.
I've also got access to just about every microsoft product under the sun for free because of being an engineering student if that helps.

My Trello and Github accounts are both "Azba"

System would indicate in graphic if person is mounted on horse or not.
Same system also show if person mounted on boar, elephant, polar bear etc.
Or if person mounted on ass.
Ivan find mounting on ass funny.

Nov 20, 2013, 5:52 pm

#23

archangel

Joined: Sep 8, 2010
Occupation: Petty Functionary
Location: Drinking pea soup in the world map
Interests: Mangoes
Posts: 1,216

Eng student? Fantastic! What discipline? Are you studying at Vic, Auckland or Canterbury?
I am also running Windows 7, 64 bit.
I use programmer's notepad which suits me. You can use your favourite.
The compiler I use is MinGW 32 bit with version 3.4.2. For some reason this works well. This is stored under C:\MinGW\
Then I use the makefile that comes with the source, and the settings as per http://www.attnam.com/topics/1193/How_to_compile_CLIVAN_chal...
In fact the set-up to compile CLIVAN is the same as for IVAN CVS.

If you can get your hands on Microsoft Visual C++ (or Code::Blocks) and open IVAN as a project, you can use the search functionality for extremely rapid sourcediving, which is great if you want to copy paste some code funtions to make something really wierd and novel, like a fire-breathing bat.

Batman? wrote

its been so long since i had gotten that far i didnt think it through. arrrr!!!!!!

Nov 20, 2013, 6:22 pm

#24

Atavus

Joined: Dec 11, 2008
Posts: 1,770

I'm at Vic and doing Software Engineering at present.
Thanks for the list of things, I can go grab Microsoft Visual Studio 2013/2012/2010 right now if I wanted to but arrrgh there's so many different versions of it I'm not sure which one would be best (Express/Professional/Premium/Ultimate)

System would indicate in graphic if person is mounted on horse or not.
Same system also show if person mounted on boar, elephant, polar bear etc.
Or if person mounted on ass.
Ivan find mounting on ass funny.

Nov 20, 2013, 9:17 pm

#25

The Imperialist

Joined: Dec 2, 2007
Location: New Attnam
Interests: bananas
Posts: 2,309

great to have you lum4r! Added you both to Trello

Github's UI is a little confusing, I'm still trying to figure out how to add you. You should be able to check out and work on the code locally though

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