A new version?

[johanp]

Dear friends!

It's been a while since Icy Tower got a proper update, we've been toying around with the idea to release a new version and it looks like there's a possibility that it might happen. However, with the limited amount of time and money we can spend on this project, there are a few restrictions that must be taken into consideration and they are as follows:
* this is not IT2.0
* there will be no multiplayer
* there will be no 3D

In other words, a new version would be based on the the 1.3.1 code base which does not allow for any new fancy stuff, and any changes must fit into that setting. I realize that this can be seen as a problem, but I like to see it as a challenge as I am sure a lot of cool stuff can still be put into the game.

And now to the matter at hand, since you guys have played the game a bazillion times more than I have, I'm sure that there are things that you would like to see fixed or tweaked - and this is the time and place to list those things so that I have the chance to take them into consideration.

Also, I would also like to add a few new scoring modes/categories to the game. What are your thoughts on that, which would you say are the most popular?

In short:
* tweaks and fixes
* new scoring modes
* crazy stuff that you think can be done with the 1.3.1 code base

HIT ME! 

[Baswai]

Amg, Johan is drunk this can't be true!

But it is quite exciting, maybe some things to prevent cheating would be nice.

[John Beak]

Epic news!

Here's my ideas; I wouldl ike people to discuss some of them:
* tweaks and fixes
- Fix the rapid jump to fit 4HU.
- Get rid of the same starting floor glitch (PM me if you forgot the details already)
- Fix the super fast forward replay crash bug if it can be located.
- Fix all the other bugs only Vinyanov would find as well

* new scoring modes
- Less or more all the categories we have in the NS highscore list - NML, FML, UNML, JCx, CCCx, multi reward... I suggest this to be hidden until the player makes it visible in the options in order not to confuse/scare away new players.

* crazy stuff that you think can be done with the 1.3.1 code base
- A mod changer.
- Input to slowdown protection from 1.3.2 beta. It should be difficult enough for majority of cheaters to break.
- Input floor length and speed speed changers such as those in the current 3rd party tool. This way, everybody will have access to it.
- Possibly even add a game speed setting.
- And, of course, make the settings the replay was recorded with be saved in the replay header.
- With this, the highscore lists shall be reset.

I hope I didn't forget anything.

[Roket]

If Johan does all the points that JB mentioned it will be  and I think that IT will be active game again.

[D_vonk]

Epic news!

Here's my ideas; I wouldl ike people to discuss some of them:
* tweaks and fixes
- Fix the rapid jump to fit 4HU.
- Get rid of the same starting floor glitch (PM me if you forgot the details already)
- Fix the super fast forward replay crash bug if it can be located.
- Fix all the other bugs only Vinyanov would find as well

* new scoring modes
- Less or more all the categories we have in the NS highscore list - NML, FML, UNML, JCx, CCCx, RRML multi reward... I suggest this to be hidden until the player makes it visible in the options in order not to confuse/scare away new players.

* crazy stuff that you think can be done with the 1.3.1 code base
- A mod changer.
- Input to slowdown protection from 1.3.2 beta. It should be difficult enough for majority of cheaters to break.
- Input floor length and speed speed changers such as those in the current 3rd party tool. This way, everybody will have access to it.
- Possibly even add a game speed setting.
- And, of course, make the settings the replay was recorded with be saved in the replay header.
- With this, the highscore lists shall be reset.

I hope I didn't forget anything.

All of above.

[Peecy]

Of course, all what JB siad. Also: new astonashing rewards, perhaps? Or even more starting floors (to 2000 for example)?

[John Beak]

Thanks for support Here's another tl;dr post.

More ideas (remember, those are just suggestions):
- Hotseat game. The only multiplayer we can have. Shouldn't be too difficult to do. Options:
HORSE: A player who fails to beat the previous score gets a letter and the player who gets the whole word loses.
CTF: A player plays until he beats the opponent's score. When he is playing, his time is running out. When the time runs out, the player loses.
Both can be even applied to more than 2 players!

- Direct replay uploading. The player would save his ITC username/password/nickname and could select to directly upload the replay when saving it. This will also make upload time clear for tournament purposes.

Regarding the "Fix the rapid jump to fit 4HU." issue, it shouldn't be too difficult judging by how fast LIJI managed to change this in the DS port. I could even count the values for you. We just need to make sure it won't make the game on last speed too much easier.

Regarding adding the "training modes" - FC, ISC and SD issue, I think it would only be fair to have them accessible in the game. Nobody could feel cheated because they "didn't know about it" then. It makes a place for all kinds of players - both those who want to play the game in the "classic" way - without any modifiers - and those who need some special factor to enjoy the game (like Jacob with ISC).

Regarding the "make the settings the replay was recorded with be saved in the replay header", let me show how I imagine this to be applied to ITC.
ITC will basically serve as a replays database. All the header data will be stored for each replay. Then, while viewing the highscore lists, the user could set any filter. For example, only NS NML CCC5. And he will only get the results matching his choice. Of course, this would put large strain on the server. I suggest saving the results in XML and only generating them, for example, once in 24 hours for each chart (either automatically, or only when a chart is requested).

[Stipe]

Aren't you optimistic?

And I really wonder if all the people who requested IT 3D imagined how it would really look like. It's not same as Hugo the Trool or something.

Also, I would also like to add a few new scoring modes/categories to the game. What are your thoughts on that, which would you say are the most popular?

I was gonna say that! All right!
Try putting as more as possible from NS highscore list. I'm not sure if you can manage to add them all (like UNML), but still... Hoping for as more as possible!

Well, I can't think of anything else. Mostly because it's not IT 2.0.

[Xiagan]

This thread comes unexpected but of course not unwanted.

I second what JB said. If it's too much we can work on a priority list if you like.

[Miketinovic]

I quite like almost all JB's ideas.

And the new scoring models would be perfect!

[thematrixeatsyou]

I have been looking forward to the extra scoring modes.
Oh, and don't forget RRML.

Speaking of slowdown protection:
If the game is whoring up CPU time, you could throttle some of the effects like reducing the number of stars on the screen, or only scrolling every second frame or something like that. Go figure.

[syo]

I've posted this without reading any other ideas.

I don't have an infinite memory so if something comes back to my mind I'll try to post again.

MUST-DO ADD-ONS

0. Prevent Slow down and seperate ITFC or ISC replays from others.

OPTION MENU ADD-ONS

1. Profile menu - There might be more than one Icy Tower player on one PC. One can be weaker, the other one stronger. Why not make seperate profiles (mod, character, highscores, other game settings) for every player?
1.1. Current profile - shows the profile that is set at the moment
1.2. Change/Load profile - choosing between the existing profiles
1.3. New profile - creates a new profile

Notes:
- If it's possible, create an online highscore list and - of course - a myFLD Sign-in option in the game (but only if ITC remains as a stable site.)
- The profiles could be edited in the game folder: c:\games\icytower 1.4(?)\data\profiles

2. Quick restart option/button - enables either a button responsible for a quick restart (playing another game without flying through menus if something goes wrong) or make the break between the two games a little bit shorter (just like setting a quick respawn in FPP games)

3. Highscores section - instead of making the moving highscores in the main menu longer, why not do this: place only the TOP3 of each category in the main menu while in the options menu place a section in which TOP10 or more of is visible.

4. Easy mod switcher - there was a program like that some time ago - why not add it into the game? This would really help the inexperienced ones.



OTHER ADD-ONS

5. See your place - shows the place you get in the list (in brackets, just like in ITME or HH) when beating a record.

6. Extend the categories - there are some categories that can be automatised and recognized by the game system such as NML, UNML, RRML, JC2, CCC, TF which don't have their highscores in the game.

DREAM ADD-ONS

7. Icy Quest - this one could be added as a new option to select in the main menu (under "Start Game"). Rules? Just like in normal Icy Quest or in Quest mode in either HTB or Bounce! (pick one) - tasks to complete. Make a list of 50 or 60 tasks for a start. There wouldn't be a problem with patching the file responsible for Icy Quest if some new tasks would be created?, would there? Of course, there would be problems with identifying whether the task was made or not and that is why it's a dream add-on. If dreaming about an online game was forbideen right from the start of the topic I had to think of something else.

And saying "Finally" or "Why so soon?" is not the issue here. Maybe some other time.

EDIT: Betatesting included?

[John Beak]

Good to see somebody actually suggesting stuff instead saying "oh, John made the tl;dr post for me, so let's just second what he said" (though I value your support - the point should be to create a best game, not to get as much personal credit as possible).

2. Quick restart option/button - enables either a button responsible for a quick restart (playing another game without flying through menus if something goes wrong) or make the break between the two games a little bit shorter (just like setting a quick respawn in FPP games)

Great idea! In fact, the waiting is the most annoying thing in the game, when you have to witness how much you just failed.

EDIT: Betatesting included?

When I talked to Johanp earlier, he said there should be a beta phase to make sure everythign was done properly.

[Icyguy]

I second EXACTLY what JB has said in this thread.

But one thing I have to actually have to say is a Hot-Seat would be the most awesome thing ever done in Icy Tower!

[Davo]

Here's my ideas; I would like people to discuss some of them:
* tweaks and fixes
- Fix the rapid jump to fit 4HU.
- Fix the super fast forward replay crash bug if it can be located.

* new scoring modes
- Less or more all the categories we have in the NS highscore list - NML, FML, UNML, JCx, CCCx, multi reward... I suggest this to be hidden until the player makes it visible in the options in order not to confuse/scare away new players.

* crazy stuff that you think can be done with the 1.3.1 code base
- A mod changer.
- Input to slowdown protection from 1.3.2 beta. It should be difficult enough for majority of cheaters to break.
- Input floor length and speed speed changers such as those in the current 3rd party tool. This way, everybody will have access to it.
- Possibly even add a game speed setting.
- And, of course, make the settings the replay was recorded with be saved in the replay header.

It's kind of hard to post something original when John has posted much of it.
I have edited John's above quote with what I think is needed.

Also, A request for more combo rewards (eg. Marvelous, Tremendous, Fabulous, Remarkable, Terrific, Incredible etc.)
This is obvious because so many people are passing the 200 combo barrier.  Maybe rewards up to 800 or 1000.
And possible new floor styles.

(I'm sure there was a discussion about new combo rewards before.  I'll search for it and edit if I find anything.)

Great to see IT hasn't been forgotten by its creator.


Edit:

I found it.  Here is the thread and below are the suggested new combo rewards.

"You can see the scores *almost* double for each new reward from Super! on. It can never be accurate since sqrt(2)=~1.4142" - John Beak


280-399 Impossible!
560-799 Insane!

Brilliant - 800 or over!
TOO MUCH! 1000-2000
Mmmmm MONSTER! 2000 and up

UNBELIEVABLE!
MEGAPOWER!
STUNNING!
NAUSEATING!

"SYO's List"
4-6 - Good
7-14 - Sweet
15-24 - Great
25-34 - Super
35-49 - Wow!
50-74 - Amazing!
75-99 - Extreme!
100-139 - Fantastic!
140-199 - Splendid!
200-269 - No way!
270-349 - Impossible!
350-439 - Stunning!
440-539 - Outstanding! (kinda reminds me of Mortal Kombat  )
540-649 - Unreal! (the sound would be "Pinch me, it's a dream, isn't it??")
650-769 - Insane!
770-889 - Crazy! (the sound would be "Someone hit me, this can't be real!)
890-999 - Explosive! (the sound: "Watch out, it's gonna explode!")
1000 and above - Galactic! (the sound: "You're outta this planet!")