Being unsure if this belongs in Scripting Discussion, or in Script requests, as it as it is both, I have filed it here for the present. If a mod believes it belongs in Scripting Discussion, then please, by all means, move it to the appropriate board.
History
II have spent some time trying to make a few very odd (for ZC) weapons, such as replicating the holy water from Castlevania. In the end, i realised that a header that handles all of the requisite functions would be mandatory, as would a few functions to ru in the main, active while(true) loop.
I've given some thought, and made some progress with custom weapons, and in the end, I realised that the best way to manage this is via a complete header. What I am seeing is help, ranging from basic hep to full collaborators on a project that I call stdWeapons.zh.
In simplest terms, this should be for LWeapons, but I think it could also be expanded to cover EWeapons in future models.
Premise
stdWeapons.zh is a header designed rto augment the in-built LW functions, adding an array of features, such a movement types, to any normal weapon via scripts that power the weapon/item. it relies on some FFC scripts that I will bundle into it, and stdArguments.zh to allow for the many parameters that this kind of header will require. The goal is to add weapons of any kind, such as weapons that travel in an arc, or penetrating BRang-type weapons to ZC.
My Goals for stdWeapons.zh:
Notes in (parenthesis) denote my level of progress and success on a given segment of this project.
1. Detect edge of screen; detect Link Direction, and set 'screenEdge' variable in a while active loop based on this every frame. (No real progress, and may slow game down.)
2. Custom weapon movement, including arc, circle, and spline. (Lots of work to do here; many problems)
3. Custom weapon range:
3(a). Weapon expires at a specified range. (Theory, although I have done some work on it and seen some examples that do something similar.)
3(b). Weapon returns at a specified range. (No work on this, as yet.)
4. Special, custom, new LW_Type set, defined in header. (I believe this should be possible, to set up some basic parameters, such as arcing weapons with the type LW_ARC.)
5. Weapon LType changes based on durations in frames. (No progress yet.)
6. Custom weapon penetration. (Some work done.)
7. Weapon can trigger secrets specific to that weapon. (Done, via FFC scripts.)
8. Enemy-based weapon vulnerabilities and defences. (Theory only.)
9. Multi-tile weapons: Weapons longer than one-tile, or of larger sizs. (Mostly done; needs debugging.)
10. Selective item pick-up; weapon can 'retrieve' items, such as rupees, hearts, keys, etc., and should be based on both the weapon, and items that it can grab (in sets).. (Partially done.)
11. Animated weapons. (Ideas thus far have not worked.)
12. Secondary item or weapon required in inventory to use a custom weapon. (Partially done)
13. Secondary weapon or item loaded into Slot A or Slot B to use custom weapon. (Minor work done.)
14. Additional effect for weapon if an item exists in inventory. (Pretty easy, based on my existing scripts.)
15. Additional effect tor a weapon if an item is loaded in Slot A or Slot B. (Not done yet, but should be possible with my existing libraries.)
16. Ammo Loads: Manual and Automatic (Mostly done: I have auto-loading and manual loading ammo in a demo game, each specific to a single weapon)
17. Make ammo only on active subscreen, to save passive subscreen space. (Some work done; should be easy.)
18. Weapon Damage Multiplier and Divider.
18(a). Requires a specific inventory item to be true.
18(b). Requires another item loaded on Slot-A or Slot-B.
19. Fractional (decimal / float) damage.
20. Integrate with stdArguments.zh for options. (Easy)
21. Make a set of weapons using the header. (Easy, when the header is done.)
22. Make a manual for using everything. (Easy.)
23. Make demos to show how to use it all (Easy.)
Do I have any takers that would be willing and interested in helping me make this a reality? I will admit that my C knowledge is limited, so I need some talented help, but I think that in the end, this will be a very useful extension for ZC.
Please let me know if you are willing and able to contribute in any way. Many thanks!
Edited by ZoriaRPG, 18 December 2013 - 08:23 AM.