Paying a Programmer

[inawkwardscience]

I am interested in a ruleset that isn't supported on the FGWiki (yet), though there are a couple that are very similar, all with various levels of functionality.

If I wanted a simple (0e D&D clone) ruleset, complete with fully functioning character sheet, initiative tracker, ect.. What would I do?

I would be willing to hire a freelance programmer to complete such a task. What sort of skill sets would this person need to posses? Would I look here or are there other general coder-type forums I should post an inquiry to?

[Moon Wizard]

You could probably want to look at one of the generic rulesets first to see how much that they can provide before layering what you need. The biggest unique objects in every ruleset are character sheets and the combat tracker.

I'm busy working on the D&D rulesets, so I personally don't have time. However, you can use any of the D&D rulesets code as long as your ruleset remains free to the community.

Cheers,
JPG

[inawkwardscience]

I would love to make it free if I can ever get it off the ground. Sadly, I don't know the first thing about modifying the rule-sets. If I did, I do think the task would be pretty simple. The "clone" in question is pretty cool to the source.

Are there any tutorials or guides on how to do such?

[damned]

you are either in for an expensive ride or you will be paying your programmer peanuts... most of the developers here are really doing it for love not money. the amount of money most rulesets earn them equates to a very miserly pay rate.

why dont you explore some of the existing rulesets before going down that road.

the castles&crusades ruleset for example is pretty good and costs only $10. there is a current post on a 1E or 2E ruleset too.

[damned]

oh yeah - thers OSRIC too:
https://www.fantasygrounds.com/forums/showthread.php?t=11419
2E
https://www.fantasygrounds.com/forums/showthread.php?t=15564
C&C
https://www.fantasygrounds.com/store/product.xcp?id=DGA045

[inawkwardscience]

And Labyrinth Lord as well, which is the closest rule-set template to matchwhat I am after. Plenty of good sets available for nearly any type of game I'd want.

I suppose it does sound a bit desperate and foolish when so many good rule-sets are represented. The one I am after is one that is put out by a company that is close to a few friends of mine and they have their hearts set on it., otherwise I wouldn't go to all the trouble.

More than peanuts, less than a Cadillac, plus a copy of the rules in hardback ;)

Thanks for the links and the advice. I suppose I will poke around a bit more and see what I can find.

[Tactical Lime]

If by 0e D&D you mean red and blue box series, aka BECMI, then I would suggest the LL ruleset with the Beckham Extension (https://oberoten.dyndns.org/fgwiki/index.php/Beckham_Extension).

Rather than trying to create a new ruleset, use the Beckham extension as a base and further extend it to create a true BECMI clone.

Buy yourself the D&D Rules Cyclopedia and have a blast. :)

However if you are truly set on creating a new ruleset, I suggest you download Lua for Windows (https://code.google.com/p/luaforwindows/) (FG2 uses Lua 5.1), and get to learnin'. It's really easy and thought it is based on esoteric langs like SOL and DEL, it incorporates some of the tried and true syntax and structure of teaching languages such as Pascal, Modula and Delphi as well as things from C and others. It would be very worthwhile to learn it as it is used in a miriad of gaming platforms.

Additionally, familiarity with XML will be needed. This is also MUCH simpler than people suspect at first glance. More info can be found here: XML Spec (https://www.w3.org/TR/rec-xml)

Lemme know which path you choose, I'd love to help as I still really enjoy BECMI rules.

[inawkwardscience]

That is probably my best option and actually sounds like a bit of fun.

It is nearly identical to BECMI, with races as classes, but with more classes (Elves have their own class as they originally did plus another specific to their race, for instance).

The rule-set is actually making a pretty big splash at the moment:

https://www.autarch.co/

Some reviews:
https://vaultsofnagoh.blogspot.com/2012/02/acks-eats-5es-lunch-belches-heartily.html
https://forum.rpg.net/showthread.php?612973-Adventurer-Conqueror-King-how-is-it

Thank you for the advice and the links, I will dig in as soon as I have a bit of free time. If you are serious about lending a hand, Let me know and i will see about getting you a PDF of the rule-set from Drive thru.

Are official rule-sets able to be edited and modified? (The Castles & Crusades set for example)

[Tactical Lime]

If you are serious about lending a hand, Let me know and i will see about getting you a PDF of the rule-set from Drive thru.

Yhaa I'd like to lend a hand. I'm still not sure about using FG2, as it seems to be a niche product as far as systems go. I have hard copies of all the BECMI rules, I'm not at all interested in using LL.


Are official rule-sets able to be edited and modified? (The Castles & Crusades set for example)

Not quite sure, I have not looked at the licensing of any rulesets. However, editing and modification of rulesets can be done via extensions. This is likely the prefered method for things such as house rules and small modifications. Consult with some of the craftsmen of existing rulesets and extentions for more advice.

[Moon Wizard]

The best method for extending and modifying commercial rulesets, such as C&C, is via extensions.

Cheers,
JPG

[inawkwardscience]

Looks like I have my work cut out for me.
Thanks again for the advice/links.

[Urieal]

I'm thinking of jumping on the ACKS bandwagon as well, which would put me in your camp...and I'm an experienced programmer :)

I will be purchasing the PDF next week, then digesting it for my own tastes. If I like it, I'll probably start working on an ACKS ruleset for FG2.

[inawkwardscience]

That's great news! My progress is incredibly slow. Let me know if you decide to move forward with anything and if there is something mundane I can do.

I'm also pretty descent with photoshop, if needed.

[Urieal]

I will. Actually, there are a number of limitations inherent in the way FG2 is handling rulesets and extensions. I could just code everything into the ruleset, but that doesn't really allow users to customize the interface much at all.

I hope to actually rewrite the core ruleset so that it disassociates UI components from the code behind (code, packages, objects, and elements reside in the ruleset...components reside in an extension). I have yet to really get into the meat of it...but it should work. There is one caveat...if you create a campaign using this method, you must include the extension that holds the UI components. Otherwise, it will throw LUA errors. Once again, all this is currently theoretical and we'll see if it actually works out.

Supposedly the next version will alleviate the need for this, but I have yet to find a developer's roadmap which will point me to a day when they expect to release the new version. Until then...

Like I said, I don't have the ACKS PDF file yet, I've spent my weekly RP money on the old 1983 Greyhawk Campaign set, so it'll have to wait until next week :)

[inawkwardscience]

When you purchase the PDF, you get $10 off the hardback purchase.

You are in luck. When you purchase the hardback you get the PDF for free. I just ordered the hardback for a friend (she hates PDFs). If you are comfortable with PMing me your email address, I will enter the code in Drive-Thru RPG and send the PDF to you with the "gift" option.

That way you can save your cash for more Greyhawk books or if you like ACKS, you can join the kickstart for the companion.
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/142014231/players-companion-for-adventurer-conqueror-king
If you don't like ACKs, then neither of us lose anything.

As far as the rest of your post. I think I understood most of it. Interesting process either way and I have much to learn :)

[Urieal]

Check your PM

[inawkwardscience]

Boom!
Look for an email from drive-thru.