The Furious Angels
FA Discussion => General => Topic started by: Tbone on December 09, 2004, 06:07:57 pm
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Ok, here's your chance to shine. I'm looking for another challenge for the site. We're pretty well known for it, so it would suck not to have it. I think it is time we made it more interactive, though. The only way to do this is through flash or javascript or whatever besides html. Unfortunately, I only have knowledge in HTML, so I'm depending one one or two of you to submit the new one. It will start when you click on the red feather at our homepage. From there, you may take it where you wish. The general idea is that we are slowly showing the Potential "the Truth", but that we must be sure that their mind is free. Keep it in roleplay at all times - maybe something hacker related - you get the general idea. In the end we'll have some way to submit your email address or something of that nature so that you may be contacted. This won't be our ONLY way of recruitment, but maybe people who complete the challenge will get special recognition or something. So...who thinks they got what it takes to take on this project?
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I'm just starting to use Flash, however, I can help concept the design for the new one. I've always had a few ideas tucked away in my head, so I guess I'll just have to pull them out again! :)
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what ever happened to the thing Gilette was working on?
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I have a few ideas as well.
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yah gillete and i believe crimson was working on something, java script i believe. i have ideas but i can't make them into anything unfortunately, so im stuck here. lol well class is about to start, and im already ready to go home. ill be on tonight catch ya guys later.
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I can definitely help with the animation, thats no problem, but I would need some help with the path. If anyone can create the path, then I can animate it.
Can someone help me remember how the first path went?
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I think we definitely need a challenge.
We have an interview process to judge the character, likability, experience and generally get a feel for a person in a more conversational way.
We have no tools right now to determine the reasoning capability, patience and perseverance of potentials. I'm sure these quality will be very useful during the game.
I see the test as being a way to weed out the weaker, although maybe very amicable, potentials. I guess we also want to focus on recruiting the best and brightest players out there.
As the faction gets more recognition and exposure, we can expect that more people will want to join. This means we'll need better tools to determine which candidates are the most valuable to our faction.
So let's get the guys with ideas and the guys with technical skills in the same room and make it happen.
Just my two cents.
:)
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*Picks up Core's two cents and puts it in piggy bank* Ahahaha! Keep it up and I will have all your Canadian change... And as for the topic yeah sounds good.
(Sorry it's late)
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can i see the first one?
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It's not so much seeing, as it is hearing about it. It wasnt a flash animation, it was a series of challenges. I have to go, but can someone fill in the rest?
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Here's the link to the test Gillette was working on:
http://thefuriousangels.com/index.php?topic=1185
I don't know if it's still up though.
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That link didn't work for me. I was thinking along the lines of something like 'The Detective Story' too, with riddles that actually lead you to places in the Matrix. In these places the recruit would get clues that would help him answer the riddles. After a few steps he would get to the end and send a transmission to TBone(or whomever) and then he would pretty much be in. I'd like to know how many people this faction is planning on having or wants to have. I think Quality is better than quantity, personally. So I'd like to see this challenge be pretty difficult with an emphasis on knowledge of the matrix philosophies and Alice in Wonderland.
Something real cool but probably unfeasible, would be to have when the 2nd to last riddle is answered, it sends a message to the Crew captains and then they would meet up where the last riddle leads(make the last riddle real easy). Then the recruit would walk in and everyone would already be there waiting(there could be a time limit stipulation in the last riddle) to interview him. That would be awesome.
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hmm we were thinking recruitment along the lines of the website rather than ingame. hmm but that does sound really cool.
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I would suggest the following:
When clicking the RED FEATHER, you are taken to a SIGNUP PAGE.
You can enter a username, password and email address.
The purpose of this would allow the user to sign in again if he goes away. He could then continue the path from where he left it. Also, this means that we could make "unique" paths for each user.
The path/challenge:
I think it has to include challenges that will show us what decisions that user may make in the game, as well as how the user may be as a person. This is probably quite easy, but we don't want to make it like an IQ challenge, or a information form...
My ideas include:
Chat with the server - imagine you receive an Instant Message (in the flash/whatever) and its a Zion operative looking for help. She gives some instructions to start with (I say she... i don't know why... perhaps I'm thinking Tyndall - or maybe most male users would do anything for a female....). Follow the white rabbit thing.
Depending on the path you take from here, you could end up against Zion, which would obviously deny the user access. One you could end up opening another can of matrix code...
Sorry I'm just rambling.... I have no solid ideas, but we need a brainstorming sessions quick.
WE NEED A STORY of some kind. As mentioned by Beleev, Matrix/Alice in Wonderland are good storys to take it from... religion as well (since there is a big mirror to the matrix on that) - but I myself am against any religious use in clues/websites/searches etc (just to stay safe).
Any keywords in the story (ie "Wonderland") will almost DEFINITELY be out there on the net in some way or another, which could help (based on the TAROT page idea in the old path).
But I think that there should be "no correct answer" - like an interview, we want to see how people react and make decisions. That way, we can leave an open ended answer, give the user a ridiculous amount of answers to choice from. Each answer is assigned a "score", based on what we believe to be best for the clan/MxO. Scores are tallied after each question and the next set of questions/story is different based on that number.
-A low score doesn't mean they are denied access to the clan, it just means they took a different path to reach the end. There should always be a supporting statement with these tasks, and we can check em out.... I think that all potentials need to be interviewed - just as Neo was once he caught the white rabbit.
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I say stay away from all religions EXCEPT Gnosticism because it was so influential inside the movie.
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Maybe something like the brother sister thing in the ANimatrix where he pretends to be wanting to go back into the matrix as a test to see her loyalty?
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Ok, here's the basic idea based on the past challenges.
Potentials find our website while researching online trying to discover what the Matrix is and what the rumors about the "Furious Angels" are about. They find http://www.followtheangel.org. It seems like this place might have the answers, but they are buried deep within. The red feather looks suspicious and the user clicks it. This starts the challenge. In the past, the Potential is slowly given clues to follow a path that leads to a secure, hard-to-hack connection with the group known through hacker circles as the "Furious Angels". We're basically taking the recruitment of Neo and making it our own. Now that we have access to the Matrix, I would like to encorporate that as well.
For this new challenge, I want the interface to be pretty cool. For instance, when clicking the red feather, I would like for it to start like the Potential is scanning for information on "Tbone". There could be a screenshot of my head and different animations showing that the Potential is scanning for any known results on this "Tbone". Like the movie, the screen could suddenly go black or frizzle out or some cool effect (not the whole screen - just our challenge window - obviously). From here we get creative. We need to make it seem like the Potential is being contacted by one of us. We've been watching them blah blah blah. Like Trinity, though, we must be careful, and we must test the resourcefullness of our contact. The first challenge should be relatively simple, and we should be careful not to give away too much information in the beginning. I agree with sending Potentials to specific places within the Matrix. We give clues and say something like "look to the back wall for access". Perhaps there is a poster at the location with a word on it. We use that word as our password or however we decide to make the challenge input. The Potential enters the word into our interface and is allowed access to the next section. I also like the idea of the Potential having to login, though I'm not sure how feasible it is. As you can see, this can potentially be a HUGE project, so we need all the helpers we can get. I definitely do not have the knowledge to do this myself - the challenge I created used simple HTML. It was simple, yet effective. If we put up a new challenge, however, people will expect more from it. We have earned a reputation, and so we must deliver.
Some of you are curious about the old challenge. Since it is gone now, I will share with you some of the things I used.
Spoiler:
The first part simply had an image and told you to look beyond the image for the key. If you looked at the name of the image, you would see that it was nameofimage.html.jpg. Take out the .jpg, and you have the next part of the challenge.
The challenge has gone through different stages. One section had text hidden in the source (not viewable unless you "View Source"). It helped you to get to the next part. Another section used computer lingo to confuse you. It was something like:
## Accessing thematrixonline.com...
## Opening Node SS214
## Data bytes extracted
It was simple directions. Go to the website. Find the ScreenShot from the date 2/14. Check the properties and see how many bytes the screenshot is. Extract it, or input it into the formula "followtheangel.org/xxxxxx.html"
The final part, which is also stumped many, was the pawn page. At first you get all this way and you are taken to a page that says "You are a pawn". Many got frustrated, but some were determined. I added more text and a scrambled word to help guide you to a Google search of the phrase. This brings up a site called Morgan's Tarot. "followtheangel.org/morganstarot" and you're done. You choose the red pill and you are given a transmission with what the Furious Angels is about. You're also given an email address to email. You email it, it auto-sends the application page, you fill it out, and we contact you.
Obviously we want to do something different than we did last time, but perhaps now you get an understanding of what we have to live up to ;-)
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Wish I knew how to do this stuff... :2'(
Maybe we should set up a time (off game time) for everyone to get on T.S. and see who knows what and who can do what, and make this happen in as short a time as possible.
I currently suggest that while you are out there in MXO that you keep your eyes open for neat areas to send people, and things that we can use in the puzzle
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Thats exactly what I need to hear to get started. Thanks Tbone. I'll see if I can start some of the animations for searching and then see what ya'll think(Of course, anyone can do this, but Im just trying to get the ball rolling).
Place: Not sure how to get this to work exactly but I did a little searching yesterday like Broin was talking about and found what could be some sort of clue.
It was in Edgewater, which is an easy place to hint at; ie: Go to the east edge of the water, ...
Which would mean the east Edgewater HL. If you turn around and look up you'll see a big sign, right there, that says 'PARK'. I thought that could be tied into AIW somehow. Also, some other ideas include the use of a Church or the Hel Club's npc's(suits). So many ideas! Anyway, like Broin said, keep your eyes open for some places we could use.
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We just need to make sure that the MxO world references that are used to complete the challenge are accessible to anybody. For instance we should only use hardlines that are in the initial hardline list given to new players. We probably should use anything in restricted areas.
We just want to make sure that great potentials that just happen to be low level right now are not disadvantaged in completing the challenge. When the game goes live we'll all be low level at first :-)
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We just need to make sure that the MxO world references that are used to complete the challenge are accessible to anybody. For instance we should only use hardlines that are in the initial hardline list given to new players. We probably should use anything in restricted areas.
We just want to make sure that great potentials that just happen to be low level right now are not disadvantaged in completing the challenge. When the game goes live we'll all be low level at first :-)
I sort of disagree. I remember going through restricted areas at lvl 10, running for my life to try to get to an access node or what have you. What if we made Potentials do the same. Reach a hard to get to place to retrieve a password. That's up for discussion, though.
So what we need is an animator, a coder, a creative team, and an exploration team. Hmm...
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Well thats a good point. However, I'm still unclear as to the number of recruits we'd like to get. If we want to be the biggest faction than, yes, we would want it to be accessible to all levels, but also think about this... After a month or two in full release there will be alot of 20s and up, so thats still alot of recruits.
If we want the best and most devoted then I think travel to the restricted areas shouldn't be a problem. If someone wants into FA they will just need to keep playing(which they should do anyway) until they gain access to these areas. Then they will have shown that they are devoted, they are going to be active in the game, and have some basic knowledge of the game.
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We just need to make sure that the MxO world references that are used to complete the challenge are accessible to anybody. For instance we should only use hardlines that are in the initial hardline list given to new players. We probably should use anything in restricted areas.
We just want to make sure that great potentials that just happen to be low level right now are not disadvantaged in completing the challenge. When the game goes live we'll all be low level at first :-)
I sort of disagree. I remember going through restricted areas at lvl 10, running for my life to try to get to an access node or what have you. What if we made Potentials do the same. Reach a hard to get to place to retrieve a password. That's up for discussion, though.
So what we need is an animator, a coder, a creative team, and an exploration team. Hmm...
I see what you're saying T. Yeah I guess we could ask potentials to seek somewhat inaccessible things as an additional test.
Good idea. This would help us determine if they can find their way in the MxO world. It would also help to weed out the less "adventurous" potentials. :)
Also Beleev, may people mentioned that they privilege quality over quantity. I tend to agree with this.
What's better ?
A) A faction with a high number of members with a majority of mediocre players.
B) A faction with a small number of members with a majority of good players.
My take on it is the following. If we lower our standards and accept people in the clan just to increase the head count, the clan as a whole will be lower quality. This will make it less attractive for the best players, in and out of the clan.
What do you guys think ?
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Well that's a good point. However, I'm still unclear as to the number of recruits we'd like to get. If we want to be the biggest faction than, yes, we would want it to be accessible to all levels, but also think about this... After a month or two in full release there will be alot of 20s and up, so that's still alot of recruits.
If we want the best and most devoted then I think travel to the restricted areas shouldn't be a problem. If someone wants into FA they will just need to keep playing(which they should do anyway) until they gain access to these areas. Then they will have shown that they are devoted, they are going to be active in the game, and have some basic knowledge of the game.
Well, you can get access to an area at any time. If you die trying to get to our operative in a restricted area, it just shows that you're dedicated enough to want to be a member of FA.
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i think we should have both, we start with our main picture, somehow they extract a set of coords and a destination (downtown, int, slums). then must go into the matrix and find a sign that went along with the clue or something like that, they go to the website and must do something else. something like that?
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Yes! The coords idea is good hehe... I do like the idea of having to run my ass off when I was lvl10. I have a working flash map as well, so if each user gets a different set of coords (or a random set from a predefiend range we assign), we can incorporate this, which is nearly ready ;) -- T I'l show you this later.
As for the logins, this is simple - the hovercraft signup I uses a similar method, you create new hvcft... instead just create new users (table) instead, no need to worry about that side. Not only this, but just create new "missions" (table) too, and have a lot of different, but similar, challenges. The user (table) is assigned a mission "id" (from the missions table, and contains coords, keywords, questions and answers for example), and therefore gets a sort of unique path. THE POINT IS its pretty much useless posting the answers on the internet ;)
The searching for TBONE suggestion after the red feather click - EASY you could almost have a animated GIF running through it... but flash, whatever.... folks so far this should be easy enough.
CAN EVERYONE take a SCREENSHOT of themselves in the LOADING AREA please!.
I say in the loading area, becase the image of your rotating character is always the same distance away, isn't it? That way, if you submit that to Tbone (me, or whoever wants to do it), we will have a choice of the same size pictures to "scan" through on the animation, so it should look quite nice (rather than different sized heads and angles etc). PrintScrn button probably in Loading Area? Never tried a SS in there before.
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CAN EVERYONE take a SCREENSHOT of themselves in the LOADING AREA please!.
I say in the loading area, becase the image of your rotating character is always the same distance away, isn't it? That way, if you submit that to Tbone (me, or whoever wants to do it), we will have a choice of the same size pictures to "scan" through on the animation, so it should look quite nice (rather than different sized heads and angles etc). PrintScrn button probably in Loading Area? Never tried a SS in there before.
I actually have several pictures of myself in the loading dock from different angles, different clothing, etc. So if you want them just ask.
Regular in-game screenshots do work in the loading area.
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Sweet, in game SS's are best then. Side profile (left and right) and a front please :)
## Init Intercept Program-01
## Transmission Redirected: BETA
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I know this will sound really newbie, but can someone please explain the process of taking a screen shot to seeing it in a viewing program? I would really apreciate it.
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Default In-game Screen shot key is F12
In order to view all of your Screenshots you'll have to go to:
C:\Program Files\Monolith Productions\The Matrix Online
Then find the files that say, screenshot_1. screenshot_2, etc. and preview them.
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Ok thanks for that.
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Ok so do you want those screenies with our FA outfit? or with any clothes?
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Running on the tangent of the idea of having various mug shots of the various members, I reckon we should have a console thing as our medium, and then have a scanning program half way through, and the only way to proceed further would be to enter a members name. After this each member could make his own contribution to the challenge, maybe writing his own message to those who seek him. Also, we could make it harder for potentials to get into the captians files, and tbone's could be almost impossible to crack, so that they will have to know more than the leader of the clan to get in. This would show that they have a working knowledge of the members at least.
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I like that idea Ajax.
I have started preliminary animations that start as an In-depth search program initializing a search for tbone. Eventually the searchers network gets breached and the program is shutdown.
Running from Ajax' idea: On restart (this could be done in php or html) the recruit will have a blank search field. Entering Tbone for another search will bring up an error. So we'll add either the lists of Crew Captains(Harder) or we can include all members(easier) as the correct variable for the First step. When a correct name is entered....The recruit has just completed step 1.
Then on to step 2... New page that could include new 'generic' flash anim. 'Generic' so it will work with all members...like this:
Searching member database...
Member verified...
Sending ecrypted packet to member...
And then the recruit will receive a reply from the Member with instructions for step 3 or even animation of a conversation between the two.(ie: Red queen to white pawn)
Like this idea?
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Sounds good. Btw, Keta, where do you want us to post our pictures, I have them in both FA uniform and normal, from left, right and centre.
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How about maybe even a fuzzy or static grayed out comlink/video of the boss with a message. I have more ideas and will post them later... Got to run now
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Hmmmn, send the pics to me for now.
Can you send them to ketamininja@followtheangel.org please.
I'm not sure how much I can get in that email, so if there is a problem I will repost.
Beleev, sounds good man!
Step 1:
If Tbone is searched "Access Denied" message, maybe system freeze-out ;)
All other members should be included in the search I think!
Step 2:
It searches, how about a profile being displayed.
An option. CONTACT. maybe an INFO button.
If he presses contact, with the users registered account, he should now be unable to search for another contact. THIS is his path.
Step 3:
I imagine a little RPing here.
Member: "Why have you contacted me?"
User: OPTIONS: "I seek the truth", "I have heard much about the Angels, I want to know more", "I wish to join the Angels!", "I have some knowledge I want to share.", "Who are you?", "I'm sorry, I'm on the wrong channel, goodbye."
The discussion would continue as required. The user can always come back to the conversation, he will always have a "Bye" response available. The member will eventually ask for information, and allow the user to type in something.
Member: I need to get the access pass for the system. If you can help me do this, I can get a location on you. They change the pass all the time, but there are those who have it. I've heard the Merv's had their goon's grafitti the alleyway around Kendemoth with it (rough coords shown). Clever way to stay outta contact, if you know what I mean. If you can get that for me, we might have some luck.
User: ENTER PASS:_______________
The story in Lewis Carroll’s book "Through the Looking Glass" is structured as a game of chess and each move represents important events in the book: White Pawn (Alice) plays and wins in eleven moves.
Do you think we can come up with eleven challenges for the user?
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Ket I think you definatly havea great idea, I personnally love the idea of searching for members to continue.
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I really like the idea of a chess game being shown too..... Each correct answer moves the chess pieces into the next series... The final move is were the king is put into checkmate.... the user then has to click the king to finish the challenge. (But we don't tell them that, they just see a big chess board where the black king is in checkmate.
We follow a AliceinWonderland motif, we have them complete a series of challenges, some easy/some harder, we then make then make the final choice on if they win or not.
(New idea... after the final click and the user "wins" the king cracks into two and on one side is a blue pill and the other is a red pill.)
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I like it. 11 challenges shouldn't be TOO hard. I like the idea of using the graffiti. I have tons of screens of billboards and Signs on buildings that we can use, however, I dont always have the map up(actually most of the time there not, but I'll list the signs and what they say for the ones I have so for anyone who is clever enough to come up with a challenge.
1. Zinco Batteries - Self Recharging Batteries, Slogan: You are the Power (thats funny, I know this is in Historic District)
2. Slumberil - From the makers of Tranquiline, Slogan: The little blue pill that keeps you where you want to be...ASLEEP (Restricted Zone)
3. Make a difference. FIT IN!
4. WATCH TV, Metro????? Cable Network (Not sure about the first word)
5. Promote Safety, Support your local security (There is a badge with MSS on it, too) (Lamar)
6. Look like a star? Live the Dream; M*E*T*R*O Modeling Agency; Call Now 1-800-MET-MODL (-1124 1 -769)
7.Report Gun Owners; Gun control is your responsiblity, MSS Metro Security Services (-1128 1 -769)
8. Pay your Taxes (-1128 1 -769)
9.The Sentinel; We're watching; Your home source for news!
10. Khen & Haggert 100fm; Tune In, Talk Radio; 7 - 11pm!
11. Jakubaitus; Standard Products (Building)
12. Music Alliance at the Globe (Spinning Globe) In Center Park i think.
13. Code X-change (-967 13 401)
14. Unlimited Possibilites (Pic of phone and mouth) (-967 13 401)
Lets not limit ourselves to just signs, but here are a few for people to think about.
Morpheus Poster- Return the One
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Alright I finished the animation for THE PATH's intro(well, if you like it). Theres no sound yet, but tell me what ya'll think. I'll explain it as well.
File size = 340kb (for those with 56ks)
http://www.arandaworld.com/images2/Images1/FAthepath.html
It kind of goes fast so heres an explanation: The user is in a search program. He enters his search parameters (tbone). The search engine/worm is started. He goes through 4 pages before he gets to the FA site, but when he trys to search it, warnings come up that he is being traced/hacked/whatever. So he trys to hack back. Starting with a resistance upgrade for protection, then a kill trace program, and finally an attack(code freeze), but then he receives an unknown hack and his system is shut down. He then reloads the program and finally the box comes up with yes or no.
After he hits 'yes' he will then go to the next page where he can search again(an html input box) and then continue on the path... There can be more animations throughout the path, but some coding escapes me, especially with variables. So this might be more of Ket's area of expertise, anyway let me know what you think about this and will continue on from here.
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Wow. Great job man.
I really like the look of it. There's a lot going on. Reminds me of the monitors in the movie. I like the story in it.
For the sound, I suggest sticking to reality. Instead of putting music or stuff like that, I suggest we put sounds that a user would typically hear when using a computer. For instance, keyboard strokes and modem sounds, mouse clicks, a few beeps here and there, maybe some kind of alarm when things go bad, something like that.
Here are a few minor things I've noticed. Nothing major, just a few possible improvements or typos.
The first thing I noticed is that "tbone" was typed but the text was on the right in the input field and moved from right to left as it was typed. If it's easy, I would suggest doing the opposite i.e. putting the text on the left of the input field and as it is typed, letters would be added on the right of the previous letter typed. Basically imitate what you see in every editor/word processor. It's just more natural and it's closer to reality.
I also like the map in the lower right corner. It really looks as if you're trying to locate someone. How about adding some X,Y, Z or latitude/longitude coordinates, under the map, that would change as the map moves ?
It might be a good idea to insert a picture of Tbone's character in one of the pages being searched. Like a side headshot. That would remind people of the scene in the movie where Neo is doing something similar and falls on a page where Morpheus escaped police at Heathrow airport. Remember that ? It would add some mystery around the persona :)
One last thing. At the very end, there's a sentence that goes "Unknown Retalitory Hack". There's a typo in "Retalitory". The word is actually "RetaliAtory" as in "retaliate".
Keep up the good work man. I think you're really going in the right direction :)
I can't wait to see what the next steps will be like.
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very very nice that is awsome.
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super sweeet.
I think that is perfect!!! Leave it as that, the user should understand that if he types TBONE, it will fail. And it should, if he types that again.
We need a system login/registration at some point, I think in the RP with the character you find. Set that YES button up to take you to the beginning of the search. Make sure the code is set up so that "tbone" and all variants will loop the denied access movie.
ELSE
loadAndGet php file (blah)
blah is whatever the php spews out.
Anyway, if you can send me a link to the fla I'll insert the code on the ... well I think it would be set up on the "Access Denied" message that flashed up. If message = "tbone" then this mc, otherwise "Allow" mc and run another set of mc's :)
woo
speak about this later on bed for me now!
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Holy crap. Beleev, you got the job bro. Hehehe. I like it. It was JUST what I was thinking! I'm pumped!
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WOW amazing you are a God in animation m8 :)
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Wow. Just wow. That's practically better than I could have pictured it...
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Idea for pre-intro: When you go to followtheangel.org, all that's there is a monochrome (or maybe Zion Control Construct) motif screen with just a login. Maybe some decoration. Valid logins log you into this, the forum, etc. Failed logins start the intro.
Also, I suggest the user has to complete multiple challenges. I'm getting from you that there will be eleven. I say make it ~23, and make them complete 5 to 9, randomly chosen from the 23. Why? Reduction on solution page effectiveness.
Oh. This intro...
It's almost too good to be true.
I almost can't Beleev it.
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That is bloody sweet man. In the words of Cypher: 'jesus what a mind job!'
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Somebody get that man some info! I love the way that mini-map looks over lucero. So cool... It's just like when Neo is searching for Morpheus. So cool....
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That rocks... You rock... Nice job my friend
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Right folks, still to receive any pictures.
Please send them to ketamininja@followtheangel.org
Beleev:
I don't know what version Flash you are using (MX 02 or 04)?
Below is basic Actionscript that would call a PHP file. You would put this on the frame of the layer of the MC.
lvIn = new LoadVars();
lvIn.load("test.txt"); //should really be the path to the PHP file, but this will work for testing.
lvIn.onLoad = function (success) {
if(success){
//CODE IN HERE TO DO WHAT YOU WANT WITH WHATEVER THE
//PHP FOUND. EG:
recordsFound = lvIn.recTotal;
//USE IT FOR SOMETHING, HERE IT OUTPUTS TO A DYNAMIC TEXT BOX:
recBox = recordsFound;
}
}
The PHP output (or in this case the text.txt) would contian just this:
recTotal=-20&anotherVar=This is a message&x1=53
This contains 3 variables, already set by the PHP, so you can read anything in, and then display it on screen ;) HTH with any further prompts in the tweening etc. I haven't tested that code btw, just typing it here... but it SHOULD work. Oh, you will also need to use the sendAndLoad command so that the user can input username and pass into the database.
EVERYONE ELSE
Ok this is a little crazy, but hopefully not too much work.
I want to help on the storyline for when you find who you are looking for.
I would like an RPing story happening, where different responses will give a different answer.
This means I need to build a crazy answer tree for everyone, see this pic to get what I mean: http://pbc.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/rp.jpg
If everyone can come up with a quick story for each "node"... ie start at the greeting, and imagine 2 possible answers.. continue each answer with another question with two possible answers again....
31 questions I think .... don't do it for the last lot of nodes, only answers go there. I'm thinking RPing remember... not specific to the journey, but it would help if you imagine Neo trying to get into the FA.
If lots of us do this, then it means that we can have a very diverse path ;).
I would then hook a different challange onto each node, or something like that.
This seems like a lot of work :(
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Work you say.... Awesome I say.... Man this is where the fun truly starts... I'll be working on mine and will have it to you as quick as I can probably Mon. Tues. Wed. at the latest. Again I just want to make sure I need to take screen shots of myself in the loading dock at various angles right?
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Loading dock, yes...
That way, everyone will have the camera the same distance away, so the shots will all be similar.
Thanks man ;)
EDIT
BTW, the best way to label it all is like this:
Top question is "1".
Second questions are "1.1" and "1.2".
Third questions are "1.1.1", "1.1.2", "1.2.1", "1.2.2".
Get it? Its easy if you just write one whole branch at a time. :S
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So did we decide if we would be using the FA outfit or our normal fighting clothes for the pictures ?
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Yea, I'm a little in the dark about the screenshots too. The thing that I'm not sure about is if we are going to have an animation for each an everybody in the faction with their own screenshot. I think I read that we could make it so they could use any crew member as a variable, and then it would go to their ss. This seems a little much to me. If I'm wrong on my assumption of the process then let me know, but I think we could use one 'generic' ss, maybe 2 (1 male, 1 female) otherwise you will have a massive swf file or just one for every member in the faction and that is too much.
Also, I'll try that actionscripting you gave me as soon as I finish polishing the animation for the first step.
As for everybody else, If you can come up with even one step (branches are even better) post it up here. Ket had a good idea going on in his(earlier in this thread) with a good roleplaying theme. So try to think along those lines. Anyway be on the lookout for the refurbed anim coming up this week.
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I thought the idea was that we would have multiple screenshots of *random* characters (who are supposed to be us perhaps). You would see this during the "search". When the user is found, it can stop on the same screenshot (doesn't really matter). A quick example is this: http://pbc.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/faces.gif
I think NON-FA clothing would be best, so that we get a real mixture of pictures (colours, styles). Also, not everyone has the FA dress code yet (including me).
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Well, when the NDA lifted - I think there ought to be some sort of Tbone sillouette picture flash by on the search screen for the thing, in a newspaper headline - like from the movie when Neo was searching for Morpheus. On the screen you see the newspaper roll by, and there's a sillouette of Morphy. I think it's awesome so far,
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Quick example of the faces search... just made it quick.
Hurry to get your face included!
http://pbc.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/faces.gif
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Nice, very nice... Don't leave me out though I'm gettin' to you
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Good job Ket.
Wow is this challenge gonna be great or what ? :)
We're gonna have to fight off potentials to prevent them from swarming the place.
:D
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ANOTHER MESSAGE TO YOU ALL
Please send me your pics! FRONT AND LEFT ONLY
PLEASE IN NORMAL CLOTHES! Not FA standard white! We need things looking different!
I plan on sending this on to Beleev to be included in the flash. Alright with you Beleev? This is the sorta thing we were looking for? Another little addition to your already perfect flash intro!
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How do you get these shots you need? I will have mine for you tonight or tomorrow!
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Good job Ket.... althought i think the pictures scroll by a litttle too quickly. My question is do we have a thread going on for the questions or is each person write their own, and what type of questions are we asking..... (Examples would be nice too.)
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So all the members of FA are on image record eh? :P
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That sounds good. I guess we can have it scan mugshots right after 'tbone' is typed then it can go on as usual.
Guess i should get mine to you as well! Also, do you have tbone's cuz thats where I'd like to stop it. Oooooh, I just thought of a good idea. Have t's face spin 360 degrees while searching...dunno where id put it, but i like the idea. Of course, we'd have to get all the ss's from tbone. And it may be harder than it seems to get the ss's in the right spot/angle, but...just a thought.
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I think it would be better if they were shots in action - instead of mug shots. I dont think our characters would sit around long enough for something like that to happen.
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I would think more like shots that would be taken from high and far away places.... like someone was taking the shots without us knowing.
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That's what I was thinking Eroz - because all the pictures of Morpehus that Neo's computer brought up were blurry and it was hard to tell that it was even him. I think the pictures should be black and white, from a distance.
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Hmmmn, ok ok... I see what you are saying.
The only problem with "random" screenshots as you are suggesting is that each picture would be of a different size.
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They can be resized & cropped, but that should be done before importing to Flash to save file size...
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Hmm. Not a different size persay - they can all still fit in the same square. The only difference would be the distance that you see the character and whatever it is that they are doing.
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Just let us know what needs to be done. I sent in some of my loading dock images, but if we want action shots I am all for that.
We do need to be sure that we have action shots as different as possible...
Maybe someone waiting at a bus stop, buying groceries, talking on the phone, having a drink at a club, waiting in the elevator, etc.. stuff you would expect to see in the real world.
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In retrospect, I think this would be better implemented in the 2nd search(for another crew member). So we'd keep the first one as is and then...
User enters 'name' into search.
User gets an article that includes an 'action' pic (a pic from the side or just a good pic of the face(like he didn't know it was taken))
User cracks DMV database and scrolls through Images(These would need to be Mugshots/DL shots) for a 'Biometric' match
Finds it and continues on to The Path.
This way the 2nd search would be different and involve user input. It would make the user feel like hes really hunting for the person and It would be a cool 'new' animation. And after that would come the questions.
As far as the path itself is concerned, I have a few questions. How are we going to have 2 answers for each question? Seems like most questions would either have a right or wrong answer. The only way I can see 2 paths is if for example, we use ket's idea and say:
I need to get the access pass for the system. If you can help me do this, I can get a location on you. They change the pass all the time, but there are those who have it. I've heard the Merv's had their goon's grafitti the alleyway around Kendemoth with it.
Now, if there is more than one word in graffiti we would have more than one variable, where in most other cases (that I can think of) there would be just one answer. I guess I'm thinking too much about it, buy maybe in some cases we could just have a right/wrong answer, instead of a branch because it seems like that could really restrict the questions.
Also, we need to discuss the database system. Are we going to have it where the user can start where he left off? How is this going to work? I was thinking that we might not need it if we set the name variable to define the path. You'd have like a group of 5 names that all lead down the same path(the same questions). However, this could be abused by people. People could tell others what to type and then share the answers and all hunt for it. So maybe thats not the best idea. If we made a database system, at what point would the user input his info? Right after the 2nd search? And how would I implement it? I think that maybe after the 2nd search, if we were to use a db, it would go to a php page that would be coded by one of our PHP Grandmaster's. Ket, do you think this would be a good idea? This way everyone could send the questions to you and you can have the user be set with a random path(of his own) and be able to just continue the path from where he left off? Or we could just keep adding questions and the php would pull like 11 or 20 or whatever number of random questions pulled from the db. I don't know coding too much so I'm not sure what would be best. I'm just throwing out ideas but we need to figure out exactly how this will be implemented so we know what we need to do on our end.
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Also, what size should the suprise mugshots be? Anybody know if there are ATMs in the game - lol, that would be a funny mugshot ;)
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Maybe I'm understanding this wrong, but is this supposed to generate randomly? If so then what happens when the potential starts the challenge, then has to go look for the answer? They come back & the puzzle randomizes again & he never gets that question again...
I'm probably not understanding it right.
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That raises a good point. It all depends on whether we are going to ask the potential to look for things in MxO, in which case there would have to be only one set of questions, as it would be immpossible to get every question right as you would have to get off the website to get nto MxO, and then log back in, only to have a different question.
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right, ok let me explain how the DB and php will help the flash "interface" come together.
That way we can all discuss where and when things should happen.
There are two paths being worked on.
Roleplaying Path (RP) - The dialog with the crew member.
Angel's Path (AP) - The puzzle, the questions, the "passwords" if you will.
User searhes for a crew member. All animation Beleev talked about comes up.
User makes contact with.
Crew member asks for name AT SOME POINT, and then a password so they can get back to the channel - Entered name/pass is passed to php, which creates new member in the DB. This member has RP:0 and AP:0 in the DB.
Crew member interacts a bit. Random questions "How did you find me" with two possible CORRECT answers. - Answer gains predefined RP points. There is a better answer from the two, but both are correct. Points added to DB. Note that I would like each answer to have a different response and next question from the crew member. That way, no one can figure out the path ;)
Crew member asks puzzle question. The user must find the "password". The roleplaing aspect is involved (ie a secure channel decrypt pass to continue the conversation) - This of course gains AP points. Added to the DB. The puzzle is created from a "pool" of level x (x = AP). Within the pool are different ranged question/answers, the range (eg "0-5") will draw a question based on RP.
or something like that :S
There is always an option to "hang up" on the crew member.
If so, the user has to log back in. Now it could either remember you from a COOKIE, and a different into could start on the flash (fairly easy Beleev!), or we have a different start screen:
Make a box with two buttons: LOGIN and SEARCH. Search goes to the flash search you are creating, LOGIN goes to a different box with login/pass details.
Without knowing exactly how you are making your movies, I would suggest if the PHP returns true for the user/pass, you just do a go to frame blah. On enterFrame will lookup where he is on both paths. Remember I define the RP by "1.2.1.4.2" method, so I know where everyone is based on user name.
Does that help everyone?!??!
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sure it does....i get it? guys...guys?
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Wow, that sounds bloody cool. Now all we need is to merge Keta with Beleev and we will have the ultimate challenge making machine.