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Author Topic:   10 Things I have learned about D2 Modding
RexxLaww
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Posts: 1158
From: USA
Registered: Mar 2001

posted 06 March 2002 10:08     Click Here to See the Profile for RexxLaww   Click Here to Email RexxLaww        Reply w/Quote   Visit RexxLaww's Homepage!
Here is a list of 10 things that I have learned whilst modding D2 (and other games for that matter).

Feel free to add to the list.

1--> No matter how good you think you are, there is someone out there who has done it before and probably better. Humility is best served with a slice of honesty.

2--> Backup. Backup. Backup.

3--> Tutorials are written for a reason. Read. Read. Read.

4--> When developing a mod, keep the lowest common denominator in mind. Having 5000 Giant Lampreys spawn with their young will bring ANY system to its knees. Keep that player in mind who barely manages to meet the minimum system requirements for his/her gaming rig when making your mod.

5--> Be sure to read feedback from players. Accept criticism as well as praise. Set goals for your mod and stick to them. But listen to your feedback!

6--> Remember that play balance far exceeds 'uber drops' (unless your mod is specifically designed for 'uber drops'). It doesnt take one super-unique-item to unbalance a game. It can easily be done by generating a thousand different types of small end items. Play balance is the hardest thing to acheive in ANY game.

7--> When you run up against a wall, dont be afraid to go back and attack it from another angle. Look at what has been done in other mods, and approach it differently. Which leads to...

8--> Don't copy someone else's work without A) Getting Permission and B) Giving credit for it. Plagarism may be a sincere form of flattery, but it is also a bone of contention for many, many mod makers. Ask first for permission, dont ask later for forgiveness.

9--> Playtest. Do the weird and unusual. Try and break your mod before releasing it. Do a beta test. Players can make your mod break no matter how hard you try. People can find ways to abuse your mod in ways you never dreamt of. When in doubt, See #5 above.

10--> Some of the best friends you will never meet can be found on these forums. Don't be afraid to ask for help.

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Good, Bad, Ive got the gun.

Darkness Weaves

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Zhoulomcrist
Forum Admin.

Posts: 3239
From: USA
Registered: Jan 2001

posted 06 March 2002 11:39     Click Here to See the Profile for Zhoulomcrist        Reply w/Quote   
quote:
Originally posted by RexxLaww:
10--> Some of the best friends you will never meet can be found on these forums. Don't be afraid to ask for help.

I highly agree with that one. There are a few things I've come to discover myself.

1--> Have patience. Like programming, it can be frustrating. But, when the end result comes out exactly to your specifications, the feeling and joy is beyond words .

2--> Stray from boasting and/or having an egotistical outlook on your mod and its development. Such projects based on ego usually end up in poor quality, don't last long, and/or never get released.

3--> Do not Hoax a mod by doctoring screenshots and junk like that. This has already happened here at the keep before and the individual involved was banned for it.

4--> Download and give Ancestral Recall a try. The mod, in my opinion, kicks major ass and much more. But, you be the judge.

5--> Constructive criticism can be beneficial. But, do not use a destructive criticism or name-calling unless you want to get the firing squad or even a hangin' (or both)

6--> Should your mod begin to reach a high level of popularity and a high volume of interest/posts from the "audience", consider having your site hosted at the keep and gettin' your own forum.

7--> Most of us like to analyse the work of other mod makers to find out how things were done. Feel free to do this so long as the author permits and, as RexxLaww has already stated, DO NOT copy other folks' work and/or try to pass it off as your own.

8--> For testing your mods, consider using the -direct -txt format for testing your mods before you make an MPQ file out of it. It can ease the process of testing/troubleshooting a great deal.

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Violators will be shot. Survivors will be shot again.

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MPHG
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Posts: 1693
From: simwhere
Registered: Jun 2001

posted 06 March 2002 13:03     Click Here to See the Profile for MPHG   Click Here to Email MPHG        Reply w/Quote   Visit MPHG's Homepage!
-21 Dare to be different to the bizzar and time consuming.

-22 Make a few mods each with their own charms so you can learn and figure things out and learn new way to do old things

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Da3MoN
Knight

Posts: 73
From: That place, where noone can hurt you but everyone tries.
Registered: Mar 2002

posted 13 March 2002 11:44     Click Here to See the Profile for Da3MoN   Click Here to Email Da3MoN        Reply w/Quote   
23 - try to achieve something that hasn't been done before. Whether it succeeds or not is irrelevant, it's the idea that counts.

24 - personal failings may possibly be picked up by more capable people. this isn't always a bad thing.. keep in mind what the desired result is.

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- Da3MoN'z EyE iZ UpOn YOu...

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iowan
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Posts: 766
From: Netherlands
Registered: Jan 2001

posted 13 March 2002 15:53     Click Here to See the Profile for iowan   Click Here to Email iowan        Reply w/Quote   Visit iowan's Homepage!
25 : install and uninstall mods with iowans mod lancher

26 : create bin files with iowans mod launcher

27 : test your mods using -direct -txt with iowans mod launcher

sorry , must be my ego but the launcher can be found on the main site , under tools of the trade .

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Brother Laz
Honorary Warlord

Posts: 1134
From: the place where angels watch...
Registered: Dec 2001

posted 14 March 2002 02:56     Click Here to See the Profile for Brother Laz   Click Here to Email Brother Laz        Reply w/Quote   
There are two very nice posts by Bao Feng Xue, called 'Murphy's Laws of Modding'. One is on the general discussion forum right now, the other was posted some time ago in expansion mod making.

I liked them.

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Let this tome serve as a warning. This is a forbidden place. Horazon, master of the disciplines that twist the very fabric of the game code, promises death to those who pass beyond the txt files. You have been admonished.
-piece of advice about hex editing on the D1 disk

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RexxLaww
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Posts: 1158
From: USA
Registered: Mar 2001

posted 15 March 2002 09:10     Click Here to See the Profile for RexxLaww   Click Here to Email RexxLaww        Reply w/Quote   Visit RexxLaww's Homepage!
quote:
Originally posted by iowan:
25 : install and uninstall mods with iowans mod lancher

26 : create bin files with iowans mod launcher

27 : test your mods using -direct -txt with iowans mod launcher

sorry , must be my ego but the launcher can be found on the main site , under tools of the trade .


Nice shameless plug.

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The frost. Sometimes it makes the blade stick.

Darkness Weaves

The UTC Project

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iowan
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From: Netherlands
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posted 16 March 2002 12:04     Click Here to See the Profile for iowan   Click Here to Email iowan        Reply w/Quote   Visit iowan's Homepage!
just a tad bit

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RexxLaww
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Posts: 1158
From: USA
Registered: Mar 2001

posted 16 March 2002 12:38     Click Here to See the Profile for RexxLaww   Click Here to Email RexxLaww        Reply w/Quote   Visit RexxLaww's Homepage!
Shameless is OK. Its a form of humility if you ask me.

------------------
The frost. Sometimes it makes the blade stick.

Darkness Weaves

The UTC Project

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Deathscythe
Moderator

Posts: 1185
From: The Darkest Part of Hell (Shadow Land)
Registered: Oct 2001

posted 17 March 2002 01:01     Click Here to See the Profile for Deathscythe   Click Here to Email Deathscythe        Reply w/Quote   Visit Deathscythe's Homepage!
30. modding keeps you play diablo a little while.
31. modding is time consuming and electric comsuming so you consume money also.
32. your wife will nag you all the time when you are in the computer.
33. makes your feeling happy when someone play your mod and talk good things about it.

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quote:
Beware... for your nightmare is here.....death...

Deathscythe

Get my MOD "The Ancient® MoD" @ my website...

Visit me @ this site...
for Diablo 2 www.deathscythe@isgreat.net

for Battle Realms™ site
www.lotusgarden.isgreat.net

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Apocalypse Demon
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Posts: 4023
From: Mississauga, Ontario
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posted 23 March 2002 00:21     Click Here to See the Profile for Apocalypse Demon   Click Here to Email Apocalypse Demon        Reply w/Quote   
"3--> Do not Hoax a mod by doctoring screenshots and junk like that. This has already happened here at the keep before and the individual involved was banned for it."

Just to note, Dragus was the one that did the hoax. However, he is ALSO known in other forums for account stealing and scamming which someone found out from reading other forums(especially the h@ck sites). So, if I hadn't had pointed out the obvious faked mod(actually, I knew it was faked but my friend proved it for me), he could have VERY possibly had put a virus trojan in that 'faked' mod since he IS an account stealer.

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Brother Laz
Honorary Warlord

Posts: 1134
From: the place where angels watch...
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posted 25 March 2002 02:33     Click Here to See the Profile for Brother Laz   Click Here to Email Brother Laz        Reply w/Quote   
Friend?

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The D2Client.dll is the world that has been pulled over your eyes to blind you from the truth.

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Apocalypse Demon
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posted 25 March 2002 18:25     Click Here to See the Profile for Apocalypse Demon   Click Here to Email Apocalypse Demon        Reply w/Quote   
I wasn't necessarily referring to you BrotherLaz....

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Brother Laz
Honorary Warlord

Posts: 1134
From: the place where angels watch...
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posted 26 March 2002 01:53     Click Here to See the Profile for Brother Laz   Click Here to Email Brother Laz        Reply w/Quote   
Phew!!!!!

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The D2Client.dll is the world that has been pulled over your eyes to blind you from the truth.

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Deathscythe
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Posts: 1185
From: The Darkest Part of Hell (Shadow Land)
Registered: Oct 2001

posted 27 March 2002 10:44     Click Here to See the Profile for Deathscythe   Click Here to Email Deathscythe        Reply w/Quote   Visit Deathscythe's Homepage!
i really like downloading mods make by other people. if some trojan virus are with them im finish i have no anti virus on my computer.. i have no cdrom to install one..

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Deathscythe

quote:

"The Ancient® MoD"

www.planetdiablo.com/ancients


for Battle Realms™ site

www.lotusgarden.isgreat.net

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RexxLaww
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Posts: 1158
From: USA
Registered: Mar 2001

posted 27 March 2002 16:48     Click Here to See the Profile for RexxLaww   Click Here to Email RexxLaww        Reply w/Quote   Visit RexxLaww's Homepage!
BTW, Congrats on getting hosted DeathScythe.

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The frost. Sometimes it makes the blade stick.

Darkness Weaves

The UTC Project

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Brother Laz
Honorary Warlord

Posts: 1134
From: the place where angels watch...
Registered: Dec 2001

posted 28 March 2002 02:19     Click Here to See the Profile for Brother Laz   Click Here to Email Brother Laz        Reply w/Quote   
quote:
Originally posted by Deathscythe:
if some trojan virus are with them im finish i have no anti virus on my computer.. i have no cdrom to install one..

Then how did you install LoD?

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The D2Client.dll is the world that has been pulled over your eyes to blind you from the truth.

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Jolly_Reaper
Honorary Warlord

Posts: 384
From: The Netherlands
Registered: Feb 2002

posted 28 March 2002 05:38     Click Here to See the Profile for Jolly_Reaper   Click Here to Email Jolly_Reaper        Reply w/Quote   

Well, my Brother Laz, that is indeed a very good question .
Well, Deathscythe, we're waiting

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The Lamborghini Countach LP400S: One car to rule them all!

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ThePlaYer
Lord

Posts: 104
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posted 01 April 2002 07:13     Click Here to See the Profile for ThePlaYer        Reply w/Quote   
LOL

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All Your Base Are Belong to Us

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Sir_General
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Registered: Aug 2001

posted 08 April 2002 17:26     Click Here to See the Profile for Sir_General   Click Here to Email Sir_General        Reply w/Quote   Visit Sir_General's Homepage!
quote:

Just to note, Dragus was the one that did the hoax. However, he is ALSO known in other forums for account stealing and scamming which someone found out from reading other forums(especially the h@ck sites). So, if I hadn't had pointed out the obvious faked mod(actually, I knew it was faked but my friend proved it for me), he could have VERY possibly had put a virus trojan in that 'faked' mod since he IS an account stealer.

I hadn't even considered this until now. This makes me wonder if we perhaps need some kind of code of ethics, especially when code editing DLLs. Some very nasty stuff could be done when modifying DLLs, and I mean some very nasty things.

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Sir_General

That's Sir_General with an _. Leave it out and I'll beat you with a rubber chicken.

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Zhoulomcrist
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Posts: 3239
From: USA
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posted 11 April 2002 08:10     Click Here to See the Profile for Zhoulomcrist        Reply w/Quote   
Yeah, I know Dragus did that crap. That's why I locked his topic in the Mod Releases forum after yall discovered that his mod was actually a Photoshop fest and a hoax. We're not aimed to allow that to happen again. This being said, the staff is more on guard now than before to cirvumvent future occurrances.

Yeah, I think a code of ethics will fill the bill nicely (3-word rhyme "Will Fill Bill Ok, enough of that). Indeed, devestating hazards can be conjured up by modding the DLL files to rig up alot of destructive and irritating viruses, trojan horses, etc....

Such trojans, viruses, account theft, should it occurr WILL NOT be tolerated and will be punished to the fullest extent of the law. This is not to point fingers, but is rather a pre-warning to those that would consider thieving accounts or rigging up (mod) viruses.

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Phrozen Keep heavy security, special forces, and secret service

Cryptforge D2X project coordinator

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SiLenTx
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Registered: Aug 2001

posted 12 April 2002 01:14     Click Here to See the Profile for SiLenTx   Click Here to Email SiLenTx        Reply w/Quote   Visit SiLenTx's Homepage!
Then how did you install LoD?

Did you know that LoD can be installed by only hard copy from another hard disk??? Let me add this to the things I have learned about modding... make it no. 34

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quote:
Diablo II: Lord of Destruction - The Ancients® Mod
Live in Drama but, you'll die in a Comedy---SiLenTx®
"Ancients: The Fury Within" Coming Soon! Feel The Wrath!!!

[This message has been edited by SiLenTx (edited 12 April 2002).]

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Deathscythe
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From: The Darkest Part of Hell (Shadow Land)
Registered: Oct 2001

posted 12 April 2002 01:19     Click Here to See the Profile for Deathscythe   Click Here to Email Deathscythe        Reply w/Quote   Visit Deathscythe's Homepage!
thankz rexxlaww about the installation i install it by hard disk to hard disk...

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Deathscythe

quote:
Nobody is Perfect. Practice Makes Perfect..Well if nobody is perfect?..Why practice??..
The Ancients™ Mod Watch out for Ancients:The Fury Within®
D2XCHANGE Diablo Info and Items Central
PlanetDiablo Finest Diablo Site
D2Frequency Soon!


for Battle Realms™ site

www.lotusgarden.isgreat.net

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RexxLaww
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Posts: 1158
From: USA
Registered: Mar 2001

posted 12 April 2002 06:53     Click Here to See the Profile for RexxLaww   Click Here to Email RexxLaww        Reply w/Quote   Visit RexxLaww's Homepage!
quote:
Originally posted by Deathscythe:
thankz rexxlaww about the installation i install it by hard disk to hard disk...

Uh.... Wasnt me. You meant Silentx

------------------
The frost. Sometimes it makes the blade stick.

Darkness Weaves

The UTC Project

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Angel
Squire

Posts: 36
From: Heaven
Registered: Apr 2002

posted 13 April 2002 03:16     Click Here to See the Profile for Angel   Click Here to Email Angel        Reply w/Quote   
Wow! I sure learned a lot today!

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