Some questions on using FAF

[buf]

Hi!

First of all, congratulations for your work. I just started looking for a MUD system to create a game for a small community, and of the several MUDs present on sourceforge, FAF seems the most complete and functional.
I installed it on my server yesterday, but I have some doubts and I think this is the best place to ask about it.

Here it goes:
1- how do I translate FAF? It doesn't seem to have language files for easy translations, so I guess I'll have to edit all the files and translate it, right?

2- Is it possible to add/edit races and units? If so, where do I do that?
Because I was thinking about creating an alternative past/present/future, with my own races and units...

3- Is it possible to add some kind of technology list, so each empire had to learn a given technology so they could buy better units and build advanced structures?

4- Some bugs on the Promisance guide confused me, like:

Heal - Closes an open time gate to other time periods.

Either that isn't "heal" or the meaning isn't that

5- How do I enable miniBB?

6- Does the feature that allows you to get news from the forum work with all forums, like SMF, or is it just for IPB?

Well, that should do it for now. I subscribed this topic, so I'll be checking it for any replies, and I thank you for your attention.

PS: it's nice to see someone's still using IPB 1.3, even if IPS doesn't like it

[The Beatles]

1. Unfortunately, there isn't a language file at this time. Mostly because Promisance didn't have one either. :/ So manual translation is the way to go.
2. Yes, in config.php. You must modify the era and race matrix ($config[er]). The simplest is to look at the current entries and add to them. Intelligent autocompletion is in place, so you can be lazy. If you need more help with this step, please post verbal descriptions of races you wish to add and we can show you how to. You can add units under $config[troop].
3. Not without code changes. This was an intentional decision on our part, as we feel that it would overcomplicate the game and make it harder on new players versus players who have played for some time. A weaker factor is 'Experience'. Essentially, the ratio of success in your offenses and defenses affects your attacking/defending strength.
4. Sorry, the guide is incomplete and misleading. However, if you have specific questions, we can answer them so you can enter them in your translated guide.
5. It is automatic for clans. To set up a game-wide discussion forum, you need to use external software (phpBB, Invision, etc.) If you use Invision 1.3, then you can integrate the Forum News into the game's Main Page (as on our main page).
6. See (5). It would probably be quite easy to write a SMF news integrator. If you are really committed to using FAF on your site, I could probably write one in not much time.

Cheers,
~Beatles

[buf]

I just payed close attention to the config.php file, and there seems to be settings for most of the things I want to do.
Meanwhile I checked other promisance distributions and found out that what was confusing me were your choice of races and units (mice? squirrels?), as well as eras with the same units.
I'll continue testing the game and tweaking it and any doubt I have will be posted here

As for the game guide, that isn't "heal" right? I'll test it soon enough, so I'll find out.

And for the forum news integration, I'll see what I can do with SMF. I guess a simple include of SMF's SSI file will be enough to show the news

Well, thanks for your attention and answers. I'll be around with more questions soon

[The Beatles]

Just a minor note: In the template, you'd use {include_php} instead of include. See the docs for Smarty, our template engine.

[Drahken]

If you want to clear up some of your confusion, you should look at a "pure" form of promisance. FAF has been heavily customized for the redwall storyline. In the original version of promisance, there was past/present/future, past had wizards and dragons, present had tanks and jets, future has spaceships and lasers. In order to attack a different time, you had to cast a spell to open a gate (in FAF, this is the "prepare hawks" spell), heal would then close such a gate (same as the "recall hawks" spell). Most (all?) of the spells and units and such remain largely the same, but the names have been drastically changed. The guide on the other hand, still mostly refers to the original spells, units, etc.
I don't know what/if any changes were made behind the scenes in FAF, so you may still want to use the FAF code for your game, but looking at the code for a more "pure" promisance game should clear up much of your confusion with the guide.