Tutorial: how to build a zone

[peel]

Every quest I know of that requires a toggle set on death, does so in the code.  Seven others besides this one.

If there's another way to do it, it's not documented in the manual, in any case.

Peel

[elgabos]

i was answering the question about how the toggle gets set in the first place: in the case of your quest it is done in the code, but you can also set toggles using the scripts.

[peel]

Step 11: Requesting procs

This step is easy for you, harder for coders.  You'll need to figure out exactly what code support you need, and then request it in a manner such that it will actually get done.

It's important to be as specific as you can, but only when it actually matters.  For example, I need a proc on my sticker bushes that causes damage when people pass by.  It's important that I specify that I want it to happen on movement in/out of the room, rather than on a tick or something, but it's NOT important if it triggers on movement in, movement out, or both.  It's important to convey that kind of information to the coders, so they don't spend a lot of time overcoming hurdles to make things work exactly as you've specified them, when it doesn't really matter in the end.  In this particular example, it would have been a lot of work to make the bushes cause damage on someone that enters, so I wrote the proc to damage them when they exit.  I also added the code in for the quest toggle set when the paladin is killed.

With many procs, you will have to expect some testing and adjustment to take place after the zone goes in, simply because it is too difficult or impossible to test beforehand.  Especially on more complicated procs.

Try to be as flexible as possible.  Some procs may be very easy to code, and some very difficult.  A coder may suggest a minor tweaking that makes it much easier to code, so if you're amendable to that it can speed things up.

Don't request your procs too early on in the building process, it's best to leave them right at the end as I've done here.  You may change your ideas for the proc, or you might end up leaving or scrapping your zone, and you don't want to waste other peoples time if you can help it.

Peel

[peel]

Step 12: Final review

The last step!  Nearly done.

This is the part where you go over everything one more time before you submit it to the LOW.  It's a good idea to read EVERY description on every mob, object and room that you've built.  If there's any words you are unsure how to spell, look them up and make sure.  Maybe ask someone else to go over them too, especially if you're bad at spelling.

Double check that your rooms are correct - get your map out (remember step 3?) and walk through every room and make sure the exits all go where they are supposed to go.

Load up all of your mobs and 'consider' them to make sure they are the right level.  Do the same with your equipment.

Try to keep an eye out for little details; are your mobs of the right sex?  Are your indoor rooms actually set to be indoors and have a height set (and vice versa for outdoor rooms)?  Do you have the save room flag set on all your rooms?  Make sure you have 'setsev low' on when you load objects and keep an eye out for error messages.

Once you are satisfied that everything looks good, contact the LOW and request a walkthrough.  You may get a few things kicked back to you, and it's just a matter of polishing them off and you'll be all set.  Once the LOW is satisfied and doesn't have anything else for you to fix, go back to Step 1 and start a new zone.

Peel

[Bump]

Step 12: Final review

Try to keep an eye out for little details;
Peel

ie if the mob is "A gorgeous woman" tweak her charisma so she's not frumpy or dumpy when you look at her... 

[Absolut]

ps the trollhide hauberk has a bad description,  when sitting on the ground it says a hauberk hauberk is here. or a trollhide trollhide is here.  cant remember which it was.

[Octogal]

So is the buildermud down, or is it in a different location from a few years ago ?

octo

[Deirdre]

It is in a different location.  Mudmail or PM me if you are interested in returning to building.