[A.1x1 released] - Nightmare of the Sin (NotS)

[Pink Baron]

Pink Baron's here. Honestly I would wait for a surprise release on the next few weeks, but discovering how this wad was welcomed on the net, most notably with
a ICARUSLIV3S's Youtube video (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g94YX5gv7XI) and James Rolfe's now knowing what Brutal Doom is, I had to change plans.

First of all: I'm working on spare time on NotS since last November, Alucard still isn't included BUT I've almost completely overhauled everything else.
This changes include:

* Code optimization (old D4D standard, so no ZScript);
* The CVARINFO lump now acts as a functional control panel. These doesn't limit to light/particles control or sorta, almost everything gameplay relevant can be edited this way. These include, but are not limited to, Weapons (range/damage/ammouse/radius/arc/speed/cooldown/special/BonusDamageVsBosses/etc.), powerups (duration), special items (how many times backpack should double max ammo), pickups (how many ammo do give first time and subsequent ones), and cheats (yes, infinite Fire Whip is an option);
* As per time of this post, the CVARINFO lump includes over 130 working Custom Variables;
* Added both dynamic lights and particles on specific weapons - such as FireWhip, Cross and Grand Cross;
* As this wad doesn't change vanilla monsters at all, NotS's custom monster routines should work for every other enemy. This means that any imported boss will have a change to drop the Megasphere as well, if desired.
* The whip now actively follows the player, instead of standing still on the map before disappearing;
* The whip now does fixed amount of damage every attack, no matter how long or how often an enemy was in contact with it. This implies that:

1) You do damage as soon as an enemy touches the edge of the whip;
2) The enemy does NOT suffer from further standing on it (they take the damage once);
3) Even if they move away, and then touch the whip again, they won't get damaged a second time;
4) The enemy can still be damaged by other weapons, or from other player's whip;
5) If an enemy has 1000 HP, and the Whip does 100 damage, they WILL take exactly 100 damage. In short, guaranteed kill in 10 hits;
6) Bottom line, the whip will damages enemies ONLY ONCE.

* Other former ripper projectiles, such as che Ricochet Rock and the Cross, will also now work in a similar way (enemies will suffer 1 tick every X times, edited via CVar);
* The Cross now works as originally intented (CV style, boomerang effect);
* The Grand Cross has now a somewhat decent look;
* Something else I just can't remember right now.

The new version (V.1^2) is almost completed, as I "just" need to complete the particles for the Grand Cross, update comments on lumps, try to add a font, and other very minor things.
I'll try to post some screens shortly. I'm very grateful to all. And no, I'm not forgot of you.

[mikecari]

Haha, funny thing is I heard about this mod from the Icarus video.

I can't wait dude. Looks amazing so far.

[HolyHeadcrab]

So, I made a logo for this mod... that'd be okay to post here, right?

EDIT:

[Captain J]

Contribution for the mod besides posting the modified resources is fine, i guess.

[kadu522]

That logo actuly looks really good!

[Pink Baron]

Pink Baron's here, just a quick update.

I had some issues with SLADE's ACC for a couple of days, considerably slowing down my work. Thankfully it's now all solved.
Last days I spent my time trying to update the HUD, with his own custom fonts. Here's a preview (on 1024x768):

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It's not complete, since final version will also get both map kills and secrets indicator. Those, and the Powerup timers display, will be toggleable via CVar.
And yes, that tiny heart on the upper right is an ammo meter (!)

Jokes aside (?), I'm corrently working on implementing CVARINFO-editable options for the player such as: Speed (DONE), JumpZ (DONE), and Multijumping (5% as for now), plus other minor things on the waiting list.

Seriously, there's so many updates I could write on, but I would waste too much time on that. Delivering the "final" version is a bit better, don't you think?

P.S. This mod DOES NOT use ZScript, as I don't find yet any real good reason for shifting on this new standard

[Pink Baron]

Pink Baron's here,

Today I've officially done coding features into the build, and began playtesting for balancing purposes. This cycle should last a couple of days (damn Easter!), and it's the second to last step before release.
Since this wad should also be a platform that modders can build maps/mods onto, I'm busy commenting bunch of files as well.

This build will have 163 customizable CVars, all of them working.

I'm very sorry but posting screens would distrupt the flow, but you can read the following guide in the meantime - it will included in the release as well, and explains to modders some concepts I used on the mod (sneak peek, anyone?)

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Some abbreviations used here:

MF = Main Fire
AF = Alt Fire
MFB = Main Fire Button
AFB = Alt Fire Button
MRF = Main ReFire
ARF = Alt ReFire
PMAGR = Powerup Manager
PStack = Powerup Stack
PClass = Player Class

//** ClassIcons

- ClassIcons are sprites only visible to designated player classes;
- They don't do nothing by themselves;
- Spawned by ClassItemGivers, they provide sprites for otherwise invisible items;


//** ClassItemGiver

- CustomInventories;
- Placeholder item, represents a pickup category (Weapon Slot 4, Weapon Slot 6, Invincibility Item, personalized sprite medikit, etc.)
- Designated to work with different PClasses, as may have different weapons and/or esclusive items;
- Every PClass may get the item. The pickup effects depends on the picker's PClass;
-- For example, PClassA may get a Knife, PClassB a RocketLauncher (RL) instead;

- Doesn't have any sprite on its own. Instead, it uses different ClassIcons representing the possible items. This means that every PClass will see the ClassItemGiver with a personalized sprite
-- In the above example, PClassA will see the item as a Knife, and PClassB will see it as a RL, instead;

- It's still a single item, so if it's picked up by a PClass the other players won't be able to get their item anymore;
-- Again, if PClassA gets the Knife, PClassB won't get the RL; and vice-versa;

- Item assignment is done with Class checks in the dedicated state (after pickup)
- You can show different sprites and still give the same item to all PClass. This is done by spawning the ClassIcons on the Spawn state and code the invisible item like everything else (like the stimpack, "Health.txt");


//** NotS Lights (NotSLights.txt)
(slightly inspired by: beautiful Doom, of Jekyll Grim Payne)

- Never directly used on actors. Instead, they are spawned via A_SpawnItemEx call;
- They are called in loops and they always lasts for only few ticks, to simulate a continuous light that swiftly reacts in case the following condition kicks in;
- If they lack sight of all Player Pawns, they dies (don't spawn useless lights), same is true via custom CVar;
- Only Pointlights can flawlessly be turned off at will. Infact, if ever there's a need for a Pulselight of a Glowlight, those are simply created by amassing multiple Pointlights;

//** NotSRandomSpawner ("Spawners.txt")

- Variant of the Random Spawner
- Can handle up to 8+8 entries at a time;
- Can use 1 out of 2 indipendent lists, depending if the spawner was either dropped by a monster or not;
- The above feature must be enabled via in-bool UserVar, it otherwise works as any other spawner (8 entries max);
- Chances goes from 1 (0.01%) to 10000 (100.00%);
- Probability calculation is additive, with lower numbered entries rolled first;
- If the probability sum is > 10000, then exceeding numbers are discarded;

-- For example, if I1 = 2000, I2 = 5000 and I3 = 7000, it's the same as 2000-5000-3000, because 2000+5000+7000 = 14000 > 10000, and 7000 - (14000-10000) = 3000

- Can be useful to achieve specific drop odds (a simple spawner chain can easily create an item with a "1 in a million" chance), or alter monster drops without touching them;

-- For example, you can create a plasmagun that replaces vanilla chaingun, make ChaingunGuys (whose normal drop are the Chainguns) spawn clips (or any other item combination) instead, AND still find your custom rifles where the chaingun were supposed to be;


//** How to create Class-based, custom Powerup Timer from Class CVars
(In DECORATE)

1) Set up your Class based CVars (P1 = 60, P2 = 100, etc.);
2) Let Player Routine recognize what Class are you using and what CVar to get (es. Class1 => P1)(one-shot);
3) Let Player Routine update a dedicated UserVar with your class CVar (es. BerserkTimer => UserVar = 60)(one-shot);
4) Let Player routine give you an inventory item equal to that UserVar (es. BerserkFakeTimer => 60 items added into inventory)(one-shot);
5) When pickup the Powerup, let that item calculate the timer based on your FakePowerup amount (60 items = add 60 units of Berserk REAL timer into inventory);
6) Let the Berserk Powerup Manager slowly remove the real timer for you;
7) When the real timer runs out, let the Manager remove the powerup from you;
8) END.


//** Powerups manager, or PMAGR ("Powerups.txt")
(Original idea: D4D, QuadManager)

- Invisible actor spawned upon powerup pickup, sets their player as target;
- Per each player, there can only be 1 active PMAGR per powerup type at any given time;
- Can mimick various powerup effects by altering target's inventory;
- Powerups works as long as player has 1 valid item in their inventory. Since PMAGR can remove those items in a customizable basis (ex. 2 units per second), precision can be achieved;
- Advanced effects, such as temporary timestop on pickup start, and/or flickering screen when timer starts run out, are also possibile;
- PMAGR are bounded to an item delivery (ex. HasBerserk), whose max inv amount is 1. Thus, even in case of a PStack, the manager will only run ONCE;


//** NotsMapScanner ("DoomMonsters.txt")

- Special actor (spawned at map load via ACS OPEN);
- Always has TID = 998;
- Placed on map center (0,0,0);
- Each tick, RadiusGive the MonsterRoutineToken item to monsters on map if they didn't already have one;
- Works during every tick of each map - each monster that may have shown up during a run will be scanned;
- Makes sure that every monster on the map runs the custom Monster Routine (see below);


//** Monster Routine ("Nots_Monsters.acs")

- ACS script, works per-monster basis;
- Generic, should be compatible with every monster;
- Triggered (on monster) after the pickup of a specific item;
- Once triggered, it won't stop until the death of his host. There can only be 1 running routine on a monster at any given time;
- If the host is damaged, it will flash white and/or red (depending if it's a boss or not) for a few ticks;
- If the host dies, stop the routine (won't restart) but, if it was a boss, first spawn a Megasphere if applicable;
- If the former host resurrects, then they'll get another item from the scanner, and the routine will start running again;
- Also manages the recovery time of ripper weapons - it will gradually remove from host's inventory any DamageTimer in there (rate of 1 item per tick, for each different item);


//** Libraries ("Nots_Libraries.acs")

- Definitions of various arrays;
- REQUIRED to run both Monster and Player Routines;
- Holds information and/or strings used by the above scripts;
- As data is stored in a separate space, it can be updated without altering the routines itself (albeit they still need to be compiled after that);
- In case of Player Routine, libraries also make the script able to "recognize" what kind of PlayerClass the player is, load the class-appropriated CVars, and script using those files;


//** Player Routine ("NotS_Players.acs")

- Triggered once at map enter via ACS ENTER script;
- After triggered, runs every tick - does NOT end if player dies;
- The structure of a Player Routine is the following:

1) Hardcore setup
* Things needed to be declared only ONCE such as: UserVars, start ammo and similar;
* After running this block, a counter will be added on player inventory to prevent further executions, even on further maps;

2) Softcore setup
* Things needed to be declared at least once a map such as: defining custom run speed, etc;
* Like the Hardcore setup, a token will be added to prevent the block from running every tick, saving memory in the process;
* However, UNlike the Hardcore setup, the token (with InterHubAmount = 0) will be destroyed at end of level, forcing a new soft setup on the following map;

3) Player scripts
* Compilation of many different scripts such as: MultiJump, Cooldown manager, HP-UPs, etc;
* This whole block executes and loops with 1 tick delays;
* Remember that doesn't imply that the ENTIRE SCRIPT shall be executed in a single tick. Some scripts will be touched in some ticks, other ticks won't, and so on;


//** Recovery (time for) Ripper Projectiles (see "Cross.txt" for an example)
(Original idea: D4D, BFG's lethal ZZZap damage)

- Replicates the modus operandi used in various CV games (damage dealing side)

- If an enemy gets damaged by a ripper projectile, it won't suffer by the same source the next X ticks;
- Still allows ripper projectiles to deal damage every tick if applicable;
- Uses a combination of RadiusGive, ACS, DamageToken and DamageTimer to achieve the job;
- Both DamageToken and DamageTimer works per-monster basis;

- Ripper projectiles don't do damage themselves. Instead, they RadiusGive their DamageToken to nearby enemies;
- DamageTokens are CustomInventories that carries attack scripts such as damage formulas, attacker assignment, and so on;
- DamageTimers are given by DamageTokens after each attack. DamageTokens can work only if there's no DamageTimer in there (in other words, Tokens have to wait before hitting enemies again);
- DamageTimers are slowly removed from monsters inventory via Monster Routine ACS, at a rate of 1 item of each kind per tick; when the last item of a Timer type is removed, the monster can then be hitted again from that source kind;
- Weapons that have a non-fixed Recovery Time (such as the Whip, which operates on attack basis) behave differently. See those lumps for additional details;

ALSO...I've tried running with DamNums and yes, they finally work as intented

[kadu522]

Documentation is inportant even if its just to keep things organised.

Also DamNums is a great mod, usefull both for gameplay and testing!

[Pink Baron]

EDIT: Final ALPHA version, 1^2, AKA 1x1, is released and avaiable for download on first post. Sorry for the delay but you know, in order to do something good, it takes time.

More rather useless images:

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NSFAQ (Not so Frequently Asked Questions)

Q: Please briefly describe the changes of this version.
A: In short...no new character, new visual effects, strenghtened code, updated HUD, balanced weapons, a TON possible customization via CVars and some extras. An Alpha 1.0 done (supposedly) right.

Q: Will this mod work on Ultimate Doom?
A: Not tried yet, but should be compatible as well.

Q: Are custom monsters included in this mod?
A: No. Making custom monsters requires both dedication and time, something I can't afford to. On the bright side, someone will likely want to "fill" the gap, as everything else is already in there: all they have to do is create the DraculaClone V.666.2 monster and that's all, no additional coding required.
Also note that this wad doesn't alter enemies AT ALL, meaning that all special "rules" applying them (es. Bosses may drop Megaspheres) can also be used on custom ones as well.

Q: Are custom maps included in this mod?
A: No, see above answer. As I've already said, those interested making CV-themed maps for this base are free (and encouraged!) to do so.

Q: Who is the protagonist? You call him Richter, but in game sounds like Simon...we don't know the answer!
A: Neither I do.
(Seriously...this is intentional. Modders should be free to add in whatever voice pack they like. Be Simon, be Rolfe, I gave you a canvas. You decide.)

Q: But--
A: You should remember that NotS was born as a base for further CV-themed maps and/or mods. Albeit it's perfectly safe and right to use it straight as a gameplay wad, this aspect is secondary.

Q: What about ZScript?
A: No ZScript whatshowever was used in this mod, for a few reasons: one, there isn't enough support yet (you can't look the wiki for how to use certain functions, nor see examples); two, shifting standards requires time (especially when you have just "mastered" DECORATE!); three, I don't see any real advantages to justify the shift, yet.

Q: Is NotS multiplayer compatible?
A: Nes. I coded with the optical of multiple players in mind (for example, the Whip already has 8 separate lines when it comes to dealing damage - 1 per each player - to correctly calculate recovery time on monsters in some circustances), but I didn't make any test on this side, nor I know how to do such a thing. Same when comes to Zandronum. Thus nes, the multi support is there but you have to correctly link the cables to do so.

Q: I want to make NotS multi compatible, may I count on your support?
A: If doing so you encounter in a bug, and/or if you don't know what a code piece does, I'll try my best to lend you an hand.

Q: I want to make NotS Heretic/Hexen compatible!
A: Go ahead...but I didn't play neither of those, so you are on all of your own. Be warned.

Q: You said there was +150 CVars, but when I go on the options I see only a dozen or so...
A: The vast majority of them is shelted in the CVARINFO lump, if what you want is to edit some gameplay values you HAVE to open the WAD with SLADE and manually edit it. This is intentional, as encourages players going on modding.

Q: I want to use your stuff in my wad!
A: Free to do so, just give me credits. Note, this only counts when it comes to my stuff, see credits page if you have to ask permission on other users as well before using NotS material.

Q: I think this X thing is unbalanced!
A: If so, simply edit those CVars to match your likings.

CREDITS:

- Konami, for his CV franchise - basic inspiration, sprite concept (as I've redone most of them), sounds, etc;
- ID Software, for its Doom/Doom2, also for Plasmagun sprite used as the Ricochet Rock;
- PillowBlaster, who let me (?) use his Mace sprite from RO in earlier releases;
- The crew of following mods as source of both inspiration for features included in NotS and reference material:

• Russian Overkill (by PillowBlaster, again!);
• D4D ("obsolete" DECORATE coding standard, ripper damage, CVar customization, Powerup manager);
• Graceful Doom (by Lork - monster CV pain effect);
• Beautiful Doom (by Jekyll Grim Payne - dynamic lights master switch);
• Agent ME and its Multi-Jumping ACS script;

- Skelegant, for a couple of sound effects;
- Unusually Unearthed Productions, for the incipit of this mod;
- amv2k9 and his Heretic Compatibility, sadly of a now obsolete version;
- Hornetzero, the first NotS supporter EVER;
- Pink Baron, who passed through all this.

Changelog

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01/05/2017 - Release (Nots Alpha 1^2)
(Wanna see all changes? See the CVARINFO lump to get an idea!)(Seriously, way too much to list .-.)

*** (Almost) entirely rewritten code, D4D DECORATE standard
- No ZScript lump was harmed during the making of this version.
- Optimized like crazy, see below why.
- Already set in the case of additional PlayerClasses that may come on following updates.
- In general, the code is now much less prone to freezes, lags, and exploits.

*** A real control panel - the vast majority of NotS can now be direcly edited via CVARINFO with its 166 different CVars, all of them working
- Almost all NotS gameplay-related parameters can be edited this way. This includes, but it's not limited, to:

1) Weapons damage
2) Weapons cooldoown
3) Weapons radius damage
4) Weapons range (Whip included)
5) Powerup time affecting a specific Player Class (yes, the same powerup may have different timers)
6) Player Class stats (Speed, JumpHeight, JumpCount, DamageFactor, etc.)
7) Starting ammo (different for each Player Class)
8) Maximum Ammo (with or without Backpack)(different for each Player Class)
9) Item effects affecting a specific Player Class (es. Backpack)
10) Megasphere behaviour (should Bosses be able to drop this item?)
11) Weapons special effects (too many to list)
12) Cheats(!)

- Sill has CVar-like, "standard" features like HUD, light and particle control.
- Each Player Class gets its own sets of CVars.
- As everything is packed in a lump, you can now do mass editing within seconds. Very handy when it comes to testing and/or balancing.
- Those CVars can be either edited via Options menu or CVARINFO lump.
- As an added bonus, modders can now define custom rules on their maps and/or wads, as well.

*** New damage formula for weapons
- All weapons now deals fixed damage. No dice roll, no RNG, no random, no nothing.
- New ripper projectile system, used by all weapons barring Daggers. Any enemy hitted by those projectiles will now grant an immunity aganist that source for a short time.
- This effectively stops from overkilling monsters in mere seconds (unless it was coded to do so), also modders can now manipulate weapon DPS much more easily.
- Simply put, weapons now correctly deal damage as intented.

*** Updated fullscreen HUD, now 30% larger than previous one
- Can also hold additional information, like monster and/or secret count.
- Can hold all six keys within it.
- Uses a new, custom font.
- The original HUD is still avaiable on the normal size.
- Hud resolution is now set to 1024x768.

*** Added both particles and dynamic lights on some actors and/or weapons
- Lights do disappear if no PlayerPawn can see them, to save CPU.
- Both lights and particles can be disabled at will in the Options menu.

*** Added NotS Spawners, like regular RandomSpawner but gives modders more control during ItemDrop
- Also deletes some previously drop oddities.
- See "NotS_ModConcepts.txt" for more details.

*** All custom monster routines can now be applied to any enemy
- Existing monster replacers from previous versions are now deleted.
- All bosses, whether vanilla or not, are now able to drop the Megasphere when killed

*** Added a custom soundlist when quitting the game
- For some reason, some of them will play more often than others.

*** Updated SubWeapons (general):

WHIP
- The Whip now actively follows the player and its wiew, like in some CV games. Visual is much clearer than before.
- While wielded, you can now adjust the aim (somewhat) in case of a miss.
- Now enemies takes full damage from it, but only once each attack. Also drastically reduced regular DPS.
--> It takes 6 hits (no more, no less) to kill an Hell Knight.
--> Increased damage VS Bosses.
- Added both lights and particles on the Fire Whip.
- Optimized Fire Whip execution during attack.

DAGGER
- Can be fired even without enough ammo. If so, it fires only one projectile instead of three.

RICOCHET ROCK
- Ammo use increased to 2.
- Added dynamic lights.
- Deals bonus damage VS air (actors with both FLOAT and NOGRAVITY flags).

AXE
- Ammo use increased to 3.
- Damage drammatically increased (85).
- Bonus damage VS air.
- Still a pain in "you know where" to use.

HOLY WATER
- Ammo use increased to 3.
- Flames shifted from green to blue.
- Added dynamic lights.
- Damage increased (40).
- Does ZERO damage VS bosses.

CROSS
- Ammo use increased to 5.
- Will now correctly rebound back as intented. Same goes in case of wall crash.
- Added both lights and particles.
- Does donus damage VS bosses.
- The HUD can now help the player on stay on the right distance from monster, in order to get the perfect shot. Can be disabled via CVar.

GRAND CROSS
- More coreographic than before. Lights, particles, quakes (!), you name it.
- Code is still somewhat messy, but there's not much room from improvement here.
- Increased damage VS bosses.

*** Artifacts, powerups (major edits):

MEGASPHERE
- Can be dropped by bossed on death, ONLY ON cleared zones (no monsters in sight, + no monsters nearby).
- However, if multiple bosses die at the same tick, they will drop only one of them.
- In some of those circumstances, they also give additional effects. It will be rare though, so don't worry.

BERSERK
- Richter's powerup now lasts 60 seconds.

INVULNERABILITY
- Only counts seconds in which the powerup was really used. In other words, timer won't tick down while the user is under protection by something else (read, various "brief invincibility moments"). Can be disabled in the Options menu.

CLOCK
- In-game actor has now both lights and custom alpha.
- Added custom pickup flash.
- Added pickup sound, courtesy of Skelegant.
- Powerup time increased to 15 seconds (Richter)

*** Added some extras, can be disabled in the Options menu.
- Meant for hardcore purists; don't worry about it otherwise.