The Dink Network

Well well well... If you read the Development threads, you'd know this already, but if not...
I'm making a d-mod for my 'significant other' (or whatever you want to call him) as a present... we discovered Dink together, almost by accident, and I thought it would be a rather unique gift.
The point is, I'll need some beta-testers to do what beta-testers do best... rip it to shreds.

Things you should know before considering volunteering:
1. I have no experience in programming/mapping/scripting so it may be rather clumsy... you'll have to be patient.
2. It has multiple references to literature, and the plot itself centres around famous poetry, so if you're interested in that sort of thing, you'll probably enjoy it more.
3. The humour is a strange mixture of sarcastic and cheesy, so you'll have to think along those lines.
4. I only want a handful of beta-testers because obviously it'll be a personal thing... and you'll have enough ammunition to tease me for life.
5. I don't mind if you haven't created a d-mod yourself, as long as you've played a few and don't mind writing a full report of errors and bugs and general yukky bits... a 'it's not too bad' isn't really what I'm looking for.

Never fear though, if the b-t's decide that it's half-decent I'll de-personalise it and release it on the DN... and then you'll all have a new Quest/Epic to play.

Feel free to comment away,
Ice.

I may be interested in volunteering.

It's a shame I have no time to test it thanks to having a tone of uni assignments right now and only less than four weeks until exam week.

Like I said, I volunteer. Never made one, but played quite a few.

I must say, I'm rather surprised to see 'the great talmadge' showing a degree of interest... but thanks... I'll keep you all posted and then you can decide whether it's your cup of tea (figuratively speaking) and whether you have the time to look at it...

As for you, Dinkateur, I extend you an invitation to beta-test it... you'll just have to keep pestering me to get it to a state where it can be tested...k?

Excuse me for asking, but... what do you have against Tal?

Thanks, IceDomina, I feel honored *makes a bow*.

And never fear: I surely will!

Nothing at all Christiaan! I wasn't being sarcastic... I just meant I was surprised that Tal, a senior staff member whose opinion is generally respected at the DN would show any interest at all towards my possibly poor 1st attempt at a d-mod! I'm glad he has... I was just genuinely surprised.

Sorry, I think I misinterpreted your post then. To me, it looked like you didn't want Tal to test your D-Mod, but you did want Dinkateur to test it. Oh well.

I'm not saying no to anybody at this stage... the differing responses to dinkateur and Tal arose from the fact that the former actually volunteered... and the latter said he may be interested in volunteering... thus I would keep everyone updated and then he could decide whether it was his cup of tea... fair enough?

I don't mind testing D-Mods at all, no matter how shoddy I think they may be. In fact, I enjoy it. Sadly, most beta testing opportunities are either announced and never materialize, or testing takes place and the author ignores 90% of testers' notes and suggestions.

I'd like to test your DMOD, but only after this weekend, because I'm quite busy 'till then. If you don't hurry, send it here.

Well Tal, the opportunity I have announced has to come to fruition.. cause I've worked too dang hard for it not to! And as for not paying attention to tester's comments... I'm not arrogant enough to believe that my d-mod creating abilities are beyond reproach. So I assure you ahead of time, the work put in to testing PPP will be reflected in the alterations I make.
As for you Cypry, it won't be ready to test for this w/e... maybe give it a week or two more? Then if you're not too busy I'll send it to you k?

Either you're working extremely fast or it's going to be a small dmod.

The former. I'm working extremely fast. And I don't expect to have completely finished before I get one or two people to test it... just for general things like difficulty, and whether the plot progression is too obvious... that sort of thing y'know?
EDIT: I'm an insomniac remember... it's a good way to spend the early hours...

How many screens do you think it will have?

Erm... the map isn't that big... because in the different questy-bits you're warped to different places. There's currently 70 screens... but there will probably be a few more. The scripting is what's taking the time, because in the end you will be able to interact with almost every object on a screen, and many will give clues/hints to the storyline. The reason the map is so small... is because I never liked Dmods where you were constantly walking over miles of empty land. There are currently 98 files in my story folder, about 90% of them completely new (and I'm probably about 1/8 of the way through the story... although in saying that, I've scripted almost everything in the 'main land'.)

I could test it, though I do have a bad habit of putting in too much input into people's stories when I do.

You started well after me and are well ahead of me!

That's ok Striker, I'd like some input... once its a bit further along. Well, DD... I've been working pretty quickly... and I'm not implementing any new features as such... so I guess that's why its taken me less time... (don't know if this is really a factor, but I type super-duper fast too)
EDIT: To prevent misunderstandings, that was a 'brilliant Striker! I don't mind if you think things should be changed.'

Hi IceDomina (you undoubtedly know that that means something like 'Mistress of (the) Ice'),

I can tell by your various posts that you're working really hard on your dmod. Has it progressed to a testable state, yet (*drools and wipes a little saliva off fangs*)?

I do indeed know that Dinkateur... and I am aware that I should probably call myself something along the lines of 'Domina Glacies' (although I haven't bothered to check the declensions there, my genitive is probably wrong) but that just takes too long to type. Mistress of Ice indeed... take from it what you will.

It's getting there... erm... give me a couple of days and about half the d-mod's plot will be up and running, and then you can test that much if you like? I have been working hard, it's coming along ok I think... currently 85 screens and 117 scripts in the story folder.

Hi IceDomina,

It's been awfully quiet on your part for the past week or so. Are you still in business with PPP? When is it 'testable'? I'd like to do some testing before the holidays, and I see they're coming up on the horizon...

Check the development threads dinkateur... there's one from me there talking about PPP...
It's coming along ok, but I've been busy the last few days preparing for James's arrival... among other things. I'll keep you posted though if I make any breakthroughs... at the moment I'm pottering along at a steady pace.

I may want to Beta Test. After beta-testing 1.08, I got the rush and I need MORE!

I would be happy to volunteer to test your DMOD. I have been dinking for over 5 years now and have played every DMOD that I've been able to get my grubby little hands on. I'll give you plenty of feedback, both positive and, if necessary, negative. you can send it to valenciacomp@aol.com (yes, aol ) when it's ready for testing.

Thanks dragon... I'll keep you posted along with everybody else! (Oh, and am grateful for constructive criticism!)

Just to let you all know... I am indeed going to finish PPP... but James arrived a few days ago and I've been rather distracted... but for those who are interested, I shall endeavour to finish it in the near future... (but then, I start a new job on Tuesday too... dang hey?)

I think I see a delay coming up

But then, I'm in the middle of looking for a new job, and, like I said, the holidays are almost upon us.

And what can be more important than having the one you love around - distracting though that may be? Enjoy!

I haven't been around for a week or so and haven't done any work on it in that time, but I WILL FROM NOW ON. (I have to make it caps... have to convince myself)

Ok, go for it! lol