The Cataclysm Diaries: ability to write a journal in-game

system · 2014-02-16T04:45:02.000Z

I don’t have any, I used it all to build this cat-bone anvil.

IsharaComix · 2014-02-16T16:02:30.000Z

So I was looking at the code last night, particularly the code involved in carving messages on items and putting text in the memorial. Here’s what I’m thinking:

What if we create items that have a property “LOG_BOOK”. When a LOG_BOOK is 'a’pplied (and hasn’t been written in), it brings up a paragraph editor (instead of the 64-character carving editor) that lets you write up to say 15 lines of text. Logbooks should be easy to craft (maybe 5 sheets of paper and charcoal OR blood OR whatever). When you write to the logbook, it creates an item_note (just like other objects written on), but it also adds multi-line snippet in your memorial log.

[code]Day 4, Year 6: IsharaComix writes…

It was a dark and stormy night - except at occasional
intervals, when it was checked by a violent gust of
wind which swept up the streets.

Day 5, Year 6: IsharaComix was eaten by a grue.[/code]

That way we get the best of both worlds… your log is stored away in your memorial, but also scattered about the world for other survivors to find. I was thinking it would be good enough if we just spammed the memorial log with everything that you carve/spraypaint, but that creates lots of half-tweet-length log entries, and doesn’t give you a chance to go back and revise the entire paragraph. Thoughts?

system · 2014-02-16T16:16:05.000Z

I wouldn’t mind if it was using notepad I just want to be able to pick up the logbook from a pile and have it open an in-game GUI where I can read the shit.

Soyweiser · 2014-02-16T16:39:40.000Z

I was more thinking about decoupling the notepads from game saves. As coupling the notes to the memorial file just makes them accessible to the current character. While I would like it to be able find old note files from other players.

Being able to leave notes on your memorial file is a different (but worthwhile) addition imho.

system · 2014-02-16T17:25:01.000Z

Yeah, re-finding books from past survivors.
I would love it if just before you died you could write something in the book.

Soyweiser · 2014-02-16T18:07:31.000Z

gtaguy:

I would love it if just before you died you could write something in the book.

Doubt that will happen :d

FunsizeNinja123 · 2014-02-16T18:19:50.000Z

Well, you could, but it would be an estimate. Like if you had a bite, but couldn’t cure it.

Uneron · 2014-02-16T18:39:20.000Z

Would be cool if the already existing ‘last words’ were smeared with blood on the last page if you had your journal with you in the moment of death.

Zireael · 2014-02-16T19:38:02.000Z

Uneron:

Would be cool if the already existing ‘last words’ were smeared with blood on the last page if you had your journal with you in the moment of death.

That’s a great idea too.

Now we only need a coder to make it all happen!

Williham · 2014-02-19T11:01:17.000Z

Zireael:

[quote=“Uneron, post:73, topic:5033”]Would be cool if the already existing ‘last words’ were smeared with blood on the last page if you had your journal with you in the moment of death.

That’s a great idea too.

Now we only need a coder to make it all happen![/quote]

I’ll be looking into this on this evening.

There’s a bunch of stuff that goes into it, but I might just be able to swing something.

Soyweiser · 2014-02-19T14:04:23.000Z

Awesome!

system · 2014-02-19T16:00:51.000Z

Yeeeeees.

Zireael · 2014-02-19T19:06:15.000Z

Williham:

[quote=“Zireael, post:74, topic:5033”][quote=“Uneron, post:73, topic:5033”]Would be cool if the already existing ‘last words’ were smeared with blood on the last page if you had your journal with you in the moment of death.

That’s a great idea too.

Now we only need a coder to make it all happen![/quote]

I’ll be looking into this on this evening.

There’s a bunch of stuff that goes into it, but I might just be able to swing something.[/quote]

I love you, wito!

Williham · 2014-02-19T19:49:48.000Z

Williham:

[quote=“Zireael, post:74, topic:5033”][quote=“Uneron, post:73, topic:5033”]Would be cool if the already existing ‘last words’ were smeared with blood on the last page if you had your journal with you in the moment of death.

That’s a great idea too.

Now we only need a coder to make it all happen![/quote]

I’ll be looking into this on this evening.

There’s a bunch of stuff that goes into it, but I might just be able to swing something.[/quote]

Unfortunately, engine limitations keeps me from effectively implementing this at this juncture.

HunterAlpha1 · 2014-02-20T02:34:45.000Z

Williham:

[quote=“Williham, post:75, topic:5033”][quote=“Zireael, post:74, topic:5033”][quote=“Uneron, post:73, topic:5033”]Would be cool if the already existing ‘last words’ were smeared with blood on the last page if you had your journal with you in the moment of death.

That’s a great idea too.

Now we only need a coder to make it all happen![/quote]

I’ll be looking into this on this evening.

There’s a bunch of stuff that goes into it, but I might just be able to swing something.[/quote]

Unfortunately, engine limitations keeps me from effectively implementing this at this juncture. :([/quote]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WWaLxFIVX1s

system · 2014-02-20T03:02:18.000Z

HunterAlpha1:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WWaLxFIVX1s

Cherry · 2014-02-20T15:44:03.000Z

I knew where that link was going MIIIIIIIIIIILES away.
Still made me laugh.

system · 2014-02-21T12:22:43.000Z

Yep, still we need this.

Williham · 2014-02-21T12:27:56.000Z

gtaguy:

Yep, still we need this.

To elaborate on the problems faced with this, the issue is an organizational one.

The game has no unified world state, just a kind of wonky “game” that is really all the way all over the place. This is something that needs to be addressed before something like journals could go in in any kind of sensible way.

I’ll look into it over the weekend, but again, not making any promises.

Zireael · 2014-02-21T17:37:39.000Z

Well, it’s as good a reason as any for starting to make sense of it.