Jump to content
The Dark Mod Forums

Wish to help with programming and/or level design


UberMann

Recommended Posts

Hello everyone, new to the forums, but not new to the game. I've found much enjoyment in this game, now I'd like to be able to give something back and contribute.

 

I can offer to help with programming and level design.

My experiences lie mostly with C# and JavaScript programming (C# being my primary programming language). I have yet to work with C++ more extensively, but am very eager to learn and think helping out for the game would be a good motivator.

On the other hand, if you can only accept experienced C++ programmers (understandably), then I would at least like to try my hand at creating an FM or two. I have years of experience working with the Source Engine and doing level design for the Source mod "PVKII", so knowing that there are some familiar concepts with the Dark Mod's Engine and Source, I am confident I can create something worthwhile.

 

However I would need some assistance with getting familiar with the project for coding or level design. I'd love to help out whichever way I can and hope you can grant me some insight into how I might help.

  • Like 3
Link to comment
Share on other sites

You should make an FM even if you're interested in coding too IMO, since it'll help you understand how some of the systems work.

 

You don't need permission to make an FM. Just make one, and ask questions in the Editor's Guild if you need to. You can get started by following Fidcal's tutorial.

 

http://wiki.thedarkmod.com/index.php?title=A_-_Z_Beginner_Full_Guide_Start_Here!

 

As for coding, the coders can respond to that. I can only tell you personally, while I was playing, ideas sometimes came to me for features or gimmicks, so I'd play with the sourcecode locally to try them, learn how the code works, and teach myself C++ too. (Download the sourcecode from the download's link off the main page.) So you can learn a lot just experimenting by yourself aside from taking on official projects. I imagine there's a place for that too, but that's for the coders to talk about.

What do you see when you turn out the light? I can't tell you but I know that it's mine.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Welcome, UberMann!

 

As one of the coders, I agree with demagogue: start by learning how to build a FM. If you ever move into coding, you'll need to be able to do this anyway. That was my path into the game.

 

Players always appreciate a new mission, and the Editor's Guild is the place to start.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Alright, a FM it is!

If I recall correctly, it is possible to write scripts that can be triggered in FMs, right? If so, are they written in C++ or another language? In other games it's usually Python, Lua or something similar for scripts in maps.

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Nope, here is our reference page for the scripts in the doom engine.

 

And as far as your new FM is concerned, don't get too ambitious on the first one. Start small, then do something bigger with the next one, when you know your way around DR and the engine.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Scripts are basically in C++, syntax-wise anyway, and without headers.

 

But usually they're for pretty simple stuff, so it's not like you need to design a bunch of objects running in parallel. Usually one or two custom functions, and referencing some stock functions, will do the trick. So it feels more like scripting than proper c++, I mean.

 

It's sometimes useful to understand the AI and game objects like C++ objects, though, calling threads of other objects as things go that you can manage. And those calls are how you get your scripts running in the world. Maybe not formally correct, but it's a useful way of thinking imo.

 

I'm a believer that playing around for your own projects is a good way to learn coding anyway.

 

Edit. Worth mentioning also that you can still do some pretty sophisticated stuff, including structural or gameplay stuff, just with scripts. Our location system is just a script. As long as you can get the data you need and trigger the outcome you want, scripts can do it.

What do you see when you turn out the light? I can't tell you but I know that it's mine.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Welcome! Read the A-Z tutorial from the wiki. Be sure to ask help on the forums! We have a bunch of veteran mappers at standby, waiting (and itching) to give advice to budding mappers.

Clipper

-The mapper's best friend.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

  • Recent Status Updates

    • Ansome

      Finally got my PC back from the shop after my SSD got corrupted a week ago and damaged my motherboard. Scary stuff, but thank goodness it happened right after two months of FM development instead of wiping all my work before I could release it. New SSD, repaired Motherboard and BIOS, and we're ready to start working on my second FM with some added version control in the cloud just to be safe!
      · 1 reply
    • Petike the Taffer  »  DeTeEff

      I've updated the articles for your FMs and your author category at the wiki. Your newer nickname (DeTeEff) now comes first, and the one in parentheses is your older nickname (Fieldmedic). Just to avoid confusing people who played your FMs years ago and remember your older nickname. I've added a wiki article for your latest FM, Who Watches the Watcher?, as part of my current updating efforts. Unless I overlooked something, you have five different FMs so far.
      · 0 replies
    • Petike the Taffer

      I've finally managed to log in to The Dark Mod Wiki. I'm back in the saddle and before the holidays start in full, I'll be adding a few new FM articles and doing other updates. Written in Stone is already done.
      · 4 replies
    • nbohr1more

      TDM 15th Anniversary Contest is now active! Please declare your participation: https://forums.thedarkmod.com/index.php?/topic/22413-the-dark-mod-15th-anniversary-contest-entry-thread/
       
      · 0 replies
    • JackFarmer

      @TheUnbeholden
      You cannot receive PMs. Could you please be so kind and check your mailbox if it is full (or maybe you switched off the function)?
      · 1 reply
×
×
  • Create New...