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Author Topic: binary patches (no free inventory space)  (Read 1972 times)

Offline ErnestAlien

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binary patches (no free inventory space)
« on: March 08, 2008, 12:00:56 pm »

Dear creators of UFOai,


first of all, thank You! >:-}
UFOai is truly a great and also VERY addictive game.

I got UFOai 2.2 from a DVD included in a magazine.
The unfortunate part is that it feels like a timed (i.e.
commercial) demo version: when it becomes interesting, the
"no free inventory space" bug kicks in reliably... X-[

Since I only have a slow Internet connection, my question
is, if you could think about publishing binary patches?
They could bring the users from one version to the next (2.2
to 2.2.1 for example), without the necessity for downloading
the whole 1/2 GB thing again.

The tools for creating binary patches can be found there:

http://www.daemonology.net/bsdiff/

Windows versions:
http://sites.inka.de/tesla/others.html


With a little batch file the users would only have to
download the patch-archive (probably < 5 MB), unzip it into
the program's folder and run the batch there to bring their
version to new heights...

What do you think about that?



A bit of "rant" about game balance:

1: When a new month starts and you get the payment, it is
too much money. It is so much, that you can already plaster
the planet with bases after the first month. I think that
half or even 1/3 of that amount would be sufficient and
render the game more attractive.

2: The airplanes for interception are too cheap. You can
easily fill your base with the newest planes almost
instantly. Maybe the planes should become more expensive and
also the difference in price between old wreck and new super
fighter should be bigger.

3: There should be more troop transporters. It could start
of with one lame plane (helicopter?) offering only space for
4 soldiers and no space for extra fuel. Then the next could
offer 6 seats and maybe one space for fuel. And finally
there would be the current one (or one with 10 seats on top
of it?). Also they should be expensive and there should be a
big difference in price.

4: As far as I understand it UFO interception is semi-
automatic. That is, you start the planes and the rest is a
text message - right? My guess is that you plan to change
this in the future...
However, what's up with the missile defense? Can they be
fired - does it happen automatically? I never got a message
or any feedback indicating that they were actually doing
something (yes, I equipped them)...

5: What about the aliens attacking bases? The help offered
is full of hints about where to place your building so that
you get off cheap when being attacked. I never got attacked.
Is this only significant for Multiplayer mode?


Again, thank You!
                     Ernest Alien >8O]


Offline kracken

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Re: binary patches (no free inventory space)
« Reply #1 on: March 08, 2008, 12:53:06 pm »
1. and 2. will be changed in next release (2.2.1).

3. Different troop transporters are planned, but not for next release.

4. Missile defense can be fired in 2.2. Wait the UFO to be close enough from your base (base range is ~ 1/3 of radar range). Then click on UFO as if you wanted to intercept the UFO. In the right part of the interception popup, you have the list of the bases that can fire. Select the base that is close enough, and base will fire automatically. Note that the base will fire only if UFO is within base missile range.

5. Aliens cannot attack PHALANX bases in 2.2. This is currently work in progress.