Author Topic: Should DSL3 be backwards compatible? (Read 4520 times)

Clickbeetle · « **on:** June 23, 2009, 11:36:01 PM »

So far I have been trying to make DSL3 backwards compatible with DSL2 bots, so all your old favorites will still work. But the farther I go with it the more I am tempted just to make it all new and not worry about the old bots.

Some cool things I could do if DSL3 didn't need to be backwards compatible:

-The NPC motors would no longer be able to pass through the chassis (that really doesn't make any sense that they can), they would have symmetrical attach points, and they would have just one GMF instead of having different components for left, right, normal, etc.

-The big batteries would be heavier and there would be more of a difference between them and the little batteries in terms of power. I also have a theory that could very well solve the "spin motors don't drain as much electricity as they're told to" problem, so the big batteries would actually be necessary on bots with powerful motors.

-I've been experimenting with the "friction" setting in the gmf file, and I think that by increasing the friction of all the components and the floor in all the arenas, a new level of realism could be achieved where you have to think a lot more about balance and weight distribution. With higher friction, parts of your bot that drag on the ground (primarily WEDGES--I've heard more than one person complain about the dominance of wedges in DSL?) will significantly slow your bot down, and perhaps interfere with turning. In order to make your bot drive smoothly, you will need to either use 4WD or use casters (which I will make frictionless to facilitate sliding) to prop up the dragging parts on your bot. Imagine that! Using casters for their intended purpose! Also, you will need to keep your wedges slightly off the ground to keep them from dragging, like in real life. In theory, at least. I haven't fully tested the concept but it has promise.

-I will be able to streamline the components and weed out ones that are no longer used on the new replicas (like the old version of the Hypno tooth and the old Minion disc), hide some of those weird stock parts that have no business being stock like Firestorm's air tank and Typhoon's flag, and perhaps make a few new AI parts available for stock.

Of course, if I did any of those things, it would completely mess up a lot of DSL2 bots you tried to use in DSL3. Some might just crash. It's a high price to pay, having to start all over with few working bots, but all those benefits I mentioned might just make it worthwhile... what do you all think? I'm in favor of just throwing backwards compatibility out the window, but if there's a large backlash from the community, I won't do it.

Note that even if I do make DSL3 not backwards compatible, I will still keep most of the same parts, armor, and stats, so you won't have to TOTALLY re-learn everything. You'll just have to rebuild most of your bots.

infiniteinertia · « **Reply #1 on:** June 24, 2009, 12:32:08 AM »

No backwards compatibilty, get all the DSL nerdz to help you out.

Madiaba · « **Reply #2 on:** June 24, 2009, 12:32:24 AM »

That's a really tough question.
Let me ponder it ,.. and get back.

takatsukiyayoi · « **Reply #3 on:** June 24, 2009, 12:43:06 AM »

In the name of realism, I say NO.

Pwnator · « **Reply #4 on:** June 24, 2009, 12:56:07 AM »

Oops. Voted for the wrong choice. (Firefox doesn't want to cooperate. D: )

I agree with Yayoi. XD

By the way, will DSL 3 be released before BBEANS 6 starts?

MikeNCR · « **Reply #5 on:** June 24, 2009, 01:14:34 AM »

Quote from: Pwnator;46176

Oops. Voted for the wrong choice. (Firefox doesn't want to cooperate. D: )

I agree with Yayoi. XD

By the way, will DSL 3 be released before BBEANS 6 starts?

If so, I'll have to rebuild my DSL Lightweight Armada, but it's a small price to pay. I say bugger backwards compatibility.

HurricaneAndrew · « **Reply #6 on:** June 24, 2009, 04:11:20 AM »

If it will become more realistic... to

with backwards compatibility.

Condor33 · « **Reply #7 on:** June 24, 2009, 04:32:35 AM »

I already lost my DSL twice, I've got not problems with ditching the old bots again. Improvements all the way!

JoeBlo · « **Reply #8 on:** June 24, 2009, 05:11:43 AM »

I would have to say that DSL is really a set up that furthers RA2 and i would say its not furthering it as much by staying fully compatible with 2.1 I say yes to moving it ahead at the loss of backwards compatibility. push the boundaries of what this game can do :-D

Naryar · « **Reply #9 on:** June 24, 2009, 05:18:16 AM »

Yes it should be backwards compatible.

I don't want to rebuild entirely the 200+ bots of the upcoming NAR AI pack because of non-compatibility.

EDIT: My post here is probably in vain... the no will most likely win.

Doomkiller · « **Reply #10 on:** June 24, 2009, 05:35:10 AM »

I went with no but i dont like the idea about the npcs not being able to go through the chassis but yeah, all for realistic

JoeBlo · « **Reply #11 on:** June 24, 2009, 05:44:30 AM »

Quote from: Naryar;46201

Yes it should be backwards compatible.

I don't want to rebuild entirely the 200+ bots of the upcoming NAR AI pack because of non-compatibility.

EDIT: My post here is probably in vain... the no will most likely win.

happy 4000th post

I never thought about that... that's a real shame

is DSL 3 a fair bit off ? or is it likely to come close to the NAR AI pack release?

Naryar · « **Reply #12 on:** June 24, 2009, 05:50:36 AM »

There will be an Alpha 2 in the following 7 days... then a Beta at the very end of August (when 'ill be back from holidays away from the Internets) with plenty of new bots by me and all the teams that i recieved... but you guys will have to send other teams if you want the thing to be finally released.

But i'm off-topic right now. If you guys have more questions, there is a thread for it (sorry if i sound blunt).

Pwnator · « **Reply #13 on:** June 24, 2009, 05:53:31 AM »

You can always ask for volunteers if you want some of the bots there rebuilt to DSL 3 versions. Just tell them what you want to be done.

Oh yeah, are the wedges still as effective in DSL 3 when friction comes into play?

RedSawn · « **Reply #14 on:** June 24, 2009, 07:16:36 AM »

Quote from: Pwnator;46205

You can always ask for volunteers if you want some of the bots there rebuilt to DSL 3 versions. Just tell them what you want to be done.

Oh yeah, are the wedges still as effective in DSL 3 when friction comes into play?

From the sounds of it,you're going to have to tweak the wedges so they're real close to the ground, but not touching it. It might just put more strategy into DSL, less effective wedges.

DuckRA2 · « **Reply #15 on:** June 24, 2009, 07:26:23 AM »

hmm just an idea, but I wonder if there will be a time where competition threads would look like this

CBF Crazy Bot Festival (DSL 2.1)

Super Realism Arena Tourney In Dsl 3!

...

idk just something that would be interesting
am I the only one that still uses DSL 2.0?

For once I feel sorry for Naryar
No Backwards though

JoeBlo · « **Reply #16 on:** June 24, 2009, 07:37:50 AM »

that's a good point maybe the time has come for tournaments to now specify Stock, DSL 2 or DSL 3 (and maybe S32's Catagore) maybe even freedom should be opened up in DSL 2 and keep realism for DSL 3

Pwnator · « **Reply #17 on:** June 24, 2009, 07:44:50 AM »

Quote from: JoeBlo;46216

that's a good point maybe the time has come for tournaments to now specify Stock, DSL 2 or DSL 3 (and maybe S32's Catagore) maybe even freedom should be opened up in DSL 2 and keep realism for DSL 3

Diversity = WIN. XD

H@zm47 · « **Reply #18 on:** June 24, 2009, 07:51:18 AM »

Realism all the way :D.
If I want to use my DSL 2 bots, I'll just keep my copy of DSL 2 and create a new game with DSL 3.

Reier · « **Reply #19 on:** June 24, 2009, 09:23:36 AM »

I really don't know. I would like my old bots to work, but...meh, IDK.

Poll

Should DSL3 be backwards compatible or not?

Author Topic: Should DSL3 be backwards compatible? (Read 4520 times)