Our Next Steps: The Plan

[ImmunityBow]

Alright guys, it's time to move out of the rut and onwards with this project, and I've got a couple of ideas to try out here. Everyone who has been lurking, or who hasn't been sure of where to help out, or anything, this is your chance.

You all will lead the project, with me, if you're interested. Here's what I mean:

We'll split the work that needs to be done into several project groups. Everyone can be on as many project groups as they like, and can up lead any reasonable amount. For instance, my big project for the next while will be the pokemon.txt file. But there are other projects to cover, such as:

- Konrad specialist (we need someone to find and get into contact with Konrad on a regular basis, so that we have an actual chain of communication) / Programmer position
- Overworld sprites
- Maps
- Revamps
- Item sprites
- Review (reviewing what we've done so far and figuring out what is outdated and what is worth revamping, such as the website and movesets)
- Advertising
- Community
- Anything you can think of!

A leader for a project group assumes control over every aspect of that project, and is allowed to manage it however they want. ANYONE can be a leader. I don't care if you saw this as a guest and just signed up to be a leader, if you want to lead, you're allowed. I cannot veto anything you do, unless a clear majority is against you, and the necessary quality is up to you to decide (or, if you're like me, you can let the community decide). If multiple people want to lead the same project, they collaborate, and if one person is clearly pulling the most weight, then it'll be obvious who the actual leader is.

The other part is signing up for groups. As usual in Topaz, commitment is not mandatory (or it might be, depending on how the leader wishes), this is just a way for you to declare your interest so that we know where to direct newer people when they come and ask for things to do. You can sign up for as many groups as you like.


All you veteran members out there, please please please try to participate in this. Even as a leader your job is just to move things along, it's not as big of a commitment as you think. If you're worried about time, take a small project. If this falls to the ground, I'm going to have to just start doing things and making changes without consulting anyone, since it'd be obvious the community doesn't care.

If you have any questions feel free to ask.

[Blade Flight]

"Now THAT is what I wanna SEE!" -the RED Soldier, upon seeing this topic

Sorry, couldn't help it. I'm going to commit this time to making audio and such. And even if I get only one Pokemon cry done, hey, it's still one less cry to do, right?

Also am interested in working on pokemon.txt! And does Konrad have an MSN address?

[Tyrannigon64]

I'm in an introduction to programming course, so hopefully that will help me learn Ruby. I've tried to learn it earlier, but I kept getting distracted. I'm reeeeeally sorry about how I haven't been doing much, and about how I said I would learn Ruby over the summer, but didn't. :(

Anyways, once I complete the course, I'm going to take a crack at learning Ruby. Again. Hopefully that time I will be less distracted.

[Reliability]

Even though it isn't listed as a project, I'll still be doing the script production.

I also pretty much run revamps right now anyway, so I'll pick that one up as well.

[Eve]

I'm sure I can work on a few maps... I'll just get out advance map and edit ruby... that's all I can do. I'm pretty good though so I'll give it a shot.

[ImmunityBow]

Script Production will be listed on the topic in General Topaz. Still nice for some confirmation!

Sounds great, Eve!

[SilentSentinel]

I could perhaps handle the Revamp duties (as in canon pokemon revamps, that's what that means, right?). I can't say for sure what my available time will be like as I'm starting college next week, but I can try to get a few going each week depending on my schedule.

[ImmunityBow]

Yes to everything you said, SilentSentinel!

[Sev]

Html and an opinion. That's all I got along with some dreadful spriting techniques.
EDIT: For once I wish I didn't have to proofread all of my posts just to correct errors my keyboard made. -.-

[Silver]

SOUNDS GOOD
but seriously, all i can do is
ADVERTISE

ADVERTISE

ADVERTISE
and i shall

[ImmunityBow]

That's totally fine by me :)

You might want to try helping out a few other groups too, just to see if you can do it.

[Eve]

Are there some banners I can put in my signature on other forums? That would be nice.

[Tyrannigon64]

metagrosslord made some a while back. (http://www.pokemontopaz.net/forums/showthread.php?948-Topaz-art-stuff&p=18362#post18362)

[ImmunityBow]

Here's more:
http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k1/BlackShadowmon3/a.png
http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k1/BlackShadowmon3/Topaz%20Advertising/0c0a25edbc.png
http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k1/BlackShadowmon3/Topaz%20Advertising/efkmdh.png
http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k1/BlackShadowmon3/Topaz%20Advertising/ehkdac.png
http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k1/BlackShadowmon3/Topaz%20Advertising/f37qk5.png
http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k1/BlackShadowmon3/Topaz%20Advertising/pkmntopazrpgtag2.png
http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k1/BlackShadowmon3/Topaz%20Advertising/topaz1tv0.gif
http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k1/BlackShadowmon3/Topaz%20Advertising/topazaffiliatecopyad3.png
http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k1/BlackShadowmon3/Topaz%20Advertising/topazuserbar-4b8909aox.png

[Silver]

those are freakin' epic
but are there any that link into the actual site?

[Cyndadile]

I believe that link tags vary by forum, so you'll have to use something different for each forum.

Our forums use something like this:


http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k1/BlackShadowmon3/Topaz%20Advertising/f37qk5.png (http://www.pokemontopaz.net/forums/index.php)

For this:

http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k1/BlackShadowmon3/Topaz%20Advertising/f37qk5.png (http://www.pokemontopaz.net/forums/index.php)

[Konrad]

Sorry I haven't been around; been busy. I'll be in charge of putting the game together. Once pokemon.txt is finished, sent it to me.

[ImmunityBow]

<3

Yes, definitely!

[Silver]

I believe that link tags vary by forum, so you'll have to use something different for each forum.

Our forums use something like this:


http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k1/BlackShadowmon3/Topaz%20Advertising/f37qk5.png (http://www.pokemontopaz.net/forums/index.php)

For this:

http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k1/BlackShadowmon3/Topaz%20Advertising/f37qk5.png (http://www.pokemontopaz.net/forums/index.php)

thanks

[MK94]

i can advertize the sprites on pokestadium

[Blade Flight]

i can advertize the sprites on pokestadium

Please, just mention the site. Showing sprites is sure to lead to theft.

[STT]

Well I'm back from both figurative death and computer death, computer death meaning I'll need to get my plugins back but I can easily do a sort of game corner theme now. XD

[ImmunityBow]

Ooh, sounds good. I congratulate you on your figurative and computer resurrection.

[Noog]

Let's see...

I can help with the sprites, both item and overworld, and I suppose I could do some reviewing and editing as well. Basically, anything involving either artwork or words not in a programming language.

[ImmunityBow]

Okay, looking forward to seeing your stuff, Noog!

[Black Temple Gaurdian]

It's been a while since I've done maps... I'll think I'll start agian.

[PokePoindexter]

I mentioned this before as well, but I have time to do review/revamps.

[Cranky Guy]

I have been trying to make a few concept arts, but I didn't see that in the list. I could do advertising and and Item sprites.(If I knew where they were)

[ImmunityBow]

- Anything you can think of!
I'll would add concept art to the list except that concept art is a very individual project since there's no actual goal we're aiming towards. If you want to start a project to get each Pokemon concept art then I'll add it but until then you can just do concept art as you like.

Advertising is for obvious reasons mostly off-site. The project group is:

Advertising
Leader - silver
Participants:
Reliability (Facebook rep)

So contact silver to see if he has any plans and Reliability if you want to help maintain the Topaz Facebook page in some way.

Item sprites are here (http://www.pokemontopaz.net/forums/showthread.php?529-Item-Sprites/page7) if you'd like to help out.

[Cranky Guy]

I might try mapping. Even if I do miserably fail, at least tried.

[ImmunityBow]

Okay, go for it!

[The Haymaker]

I can review what has been done and offer tips on updating it, if that's ok with you.

[ImmunityBow]

Sure.

[Silver]

any one have any ideas for where we could advertise???

[ImmunityBow]

Are you involved in any other internet communities?

[Silver]

some,
none of which tolerate salespeople surveys, like chatot in PMD.
so... I'm guessing pokecommunity out of the question anyway,

[ImmunityBow]

Do they allow links in signatures?

[Grax]

I'd like to try and help out with the programming. I've been lurking around long enough.
Who should I get in touch with ? Where should I start ?

[Triumph]

@Grax - Konrad (that's his username) is the main programmer. Talk to him :P

[Silver]

@ib-
no sigs

[ImmunityBow]

@Galladester: Maybe you could organize the people on the site who are part of other communities and give them the tools to advertise (userbars, signatures etc.), keeping log of where we're advertising and such.

@Grax: How familiar are you with Ruby and/or Poccil's Essentials?

[Grax]

@ImmunityBow:
0% familiarity with Ruby, but since I know Java, C and C++ fairly well, I'm pretty sure I can pick it up very quickly.
That's why I wanted to know what type of help you guys need on the programming front (perhaps a sample code of the more complex stuff to see where I stand), but Konrad isn't responding to PMs.

[NyteFyre]

Yeah, getting a hold of konrad is kind of like trying to eat things through your nose. Hard and painful, but sometimes possible. I think.

[ImmunityBow]

Well, if you can get familiar I can tell you things that Konrad isn't working on yet. Coding of the abilities and items is fairly important and not started yet.

Abilities: http://www.pokemontopaz.net/forums/showthread.php?367-Topaz-Abilities
Items: http://www.pokemontopaz.net/forums/showthread.php?366-Topaz-Items-TMs
Where to get Poccil's Essentials: http://pokemonessentials.wikia.com/wiki/Downloads

That wiki is also helpful for getting familiar with the kit.

[NikNaks]

So how's progress now? It's been several months since a "State of Topaz".

[Cyndadile]

Several? It has only been two, which isn't very bad.
General overview: progress is pretty good. It spiked recently with your map. We're hoping for increased activity with the arrival of summer.

[NikNaks]

Oh, sorry. I didn't realise the most recent one was in the main forum!

I read that you're looking for people to help with the scripting. It's not something I've ever attempted, but I have dabbled in programming, so if you have some small, specific changes, I would love the chance to play with RGSS and see what's what.

[ImmunityBow]

Well, if you like playing around with scripts, you can try to look at some of the items or abilities. You don't have to commit to making all of them, just helping us try to figure out how to make a few or so. You'll need a copy of Pokemon Essentials though.

Next State of Topaz coming out soon, though. Hopefully tomorrow. It's time to announce the new mod and to spotlight some of the stuff that we can get done.

[Cyndadile]

If you want to try it out, you can get Essentials here (http://pokemonessentials.wikia.com/wiki/Downloads).
You'll also need RPG Maker XP (http://download.cnet.com/RPG-Maker-XP/3000-7536_4-10437117.html), which has a free 30 day trial but costs $30 to buy. Of course, you can probably find it elsewhere on the vast interwebs...

[NikNaks]

I, uh, I have played with Essentials before, just not the coding side! Is there a list of new abilities that need coding?

[Cyndadile]

All of our abilities:

Abilities: http://www.pokemontopaz.net/forums/showthread.php?367-Topaz-Abilities
I don't think that any of them have been coded yet, but some of them may already be present in Essentials if they're similar to 4th gen abilities.

I know IB said that we had some of the moves coded, but I'm not sure where a list of those would be.

[zeroality]

I know IB said that we had some of the moves coded, but I'm not sure where a list of those would be.

http://www.pokemontopaz.net/forums/showthread.php?253-Badara-s-Move-Codes

It's in Topaz Central atm so it'd have to be moved for regular users to see it.

[Cyndadile]

We can name the moves here at least.
Badara completed these moves:
Orion's Sword
Delta Wave
Calm Wind
Cascade
Cinders
Doom Scythe
Edit - apparently, these are bascially done too (easy changes from Delta Wave):
Alpha Shock
Beta Flame
Gamma Spore

[zeroality]

Since Delta Wave is done, Alpha and Gamma (or w/e) are cosmetic changes so consider those done as well.

[ImmunityBow]

We've also got all the ones listed here:
http://www.pokemontopaz.net/forums/showthread.php?1141-Moves-Programming-(Moves.txt)&p=24137#post24137

It's nice that Badara did a lot of difficult ones.

As for the SoT, sorry, I came home later than I thought I would (some mess where I missed a bus by 2 minutes and ended up waiting 1.5 hours for a train) and then my brother was home to wish me happy birthday (which was today)! So I ended up spending time with him instead.

[Tyrannigon64]

So, the school year is almost done for me (my last exam is on Friday). I want to try to learn Ruby over the summer, but last time I tried learning it, I had troubles with finding a good IDE. Anyone here have any recommendations?

[Cyndadile]

You could try Arcadia (http://arcadia.rubyforge.org/) or Rubinius (http://rubini.us/). Aren't there several listed on the Ruby website?