[projectaon] Pocket PC Reader
- From: Jonathan Blake <blake.jon@xxxxxxxxx>
- To: Project Aon List <projectaon@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Fri, 28 Jan 2005 09:10:36 -0800
(Jon) Forwarding on behalf of Matt:
TITLE: Project Aon Pocket PC Reader
Gday everyone!
My name is Matthew Warton (Matt) and I would like to develop a pocket pc
version of project Aon. This would contain both the books themselves, and a
semi-automated statistics tracking program.
First of all, here is what I want the reader to do...
I am sitting on the train, bored as always, and think 'hey! I'll play a
little lone wolf!'. I pull out my pocket pc, click on the icon, and am
exactly where I left off. Upon reaching a combat, I decide that I could use
the distraction of calculating everything manually, so I open up the stats
window, and the random number table, and off I go. On another day I
couldn't be bothered with the full deal, so I just click a button and the
round of combat is calculated. Maybe a while later I am rereading
(editing?) a book, and don't want to do the combat at all, so the reader
lets me just skip on ahead.
So, what does this give us? We need a reader which displays the text nicely
including all choices, items, stats, etc. We need an action chart - split
up to accommodate for the small amount of screen space. We need a random
number table. We need a combat results table. We need a map (should be able
to be zoomed in to). We need a notes page. We need a random number
generator readily available. We need an easy way to copy items and monster
stats from the text to the action chart/combat record. We need a one button
combat round resolution. Most of all we need all of this accessible in one
or two clicks.
The program needs to remember the last position in a book, and should be
able to bookmark positions (kind of like saved games?). There should be an
ability to have more than one set of stats, so if two people share a reader
they can load their personal character. This would also allow characters to
be showed off/compared. I personally believe that the reader should allow
you to modify any of the stats/items/disciplines as you want, just as you
can in the book. This also reduces the risk of the program stopping you
from doing something legitimate.
I can work out a user interface design on the above, can anyone think of
anything I have missed? Anything on wish lists? Any artists out there who
want to have a go at designing a nice looking interface?
As for the backend, it goes without saying that the data files should be
open and not hardwired into the software. With pocket pc (unlike palm) you
can use standard files so this is quite easy. I think that the best idea
would probably be to use the xml of the books, along with jpegs or gifs for
the images.
Anyway, the procedure would be something like this...
1. Wait for and discuss suggestions
2. Examine and learn the xml dtd used
3. Design the User Interface in terms of screens and what is on each
screen
4. Build the User Interface auxiliary parts, for example the action
charts, maps, combat automation
5. Create the backend which parses the XML file and extracts relevant
section text
6. Distribute for all interested parties to use and suggest
improvements, especially to playability/user interface
7. Incorporate changes
8. Release final version
So I will proceed with item 1, and will be anxiously awaiting any
suggestions. Maybe a thread on the forum could be started in this vein to
avoid clogging peoples inboxes.
I would love to hear from you,
Matthew Warton
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