Authoring

I've been reading posts on authoring databases, and someone was
talking about how adding flavor text would be a lot of typing. How
exactly is it that one goes about making DBs in the first place? Cut
and pasting from cardlists? Also, what's involved in becoming an
author? I ask because I wouldn't mind making a Battletech database.
Maybe Shadowrun too.


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At 03:37 AM 10/28/2002 +0000, you wrote:
>I've been reading posts on authoring databases, and someone was
>talking about how adding flavor text would be a lot of typing. How
>exactly is it that one goes about making DBs in the first place? Cut
>and pasting from cardlists? Also, what's involved in becoming an
>author? I ask because I wouldn't mind making a Battletech database.
>Maybe Shadowrun too.

Generally the sequence goes like this.

1) Find a list of cards for the game, either lying around on the internet
or directly from the game writers if they're feeling especially happy that day.

2) Spend some time cleaning up the data so that it's consistent and useful.

3) Write a program to turn Crazy Data Format into the XML that's used by
Card Vault. Thus, to add new cards you just add them to the data, then run
the program again.

Quite often the data includes a bare minimum of details, so incidentals
like flavour text are often excluded. Cutting and pasting from card lists
would be possible, but tremendously tedious if the game had more than a few
dozen cards.


--
Colen McAlister, demandred@skrill.org
http://www.incompetence-central.co.uk | http://www.skrill.org/
"It's time to toss the dice"


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On Sun, 27 Oct 2002, Colen 'Skrillboy' McAlister wrote:
> At 03:37 AM 10/28/2002 +0000, you wrote:
> >I've been reading posts on authoring databases, and someone was
> >talking about how adding flavor text would be a lot of typing. How
> >exactly is it that one goes about making DBs in the first place? Cut
> >and pasting from cardlists? Also, what's involved in becoming an
> >author? I ask because I wouldn't mind making a Battletech database.
> >Maybe Shadowrun too.
>
> Generally the sequence goes like this.
>
> 1) Find a list of cards for the game, either lying around on the internet
> or directly from the game writers if they're feeling especially happy that day.

Or if you have a complete collection and a lot of time on your hands, you
can always do it manually.

...Paul

** Have a question that reality just can't answer? **
** Visit Project Galactic Guide http://www.galactic-guide.com/ **



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[rob]

Card Vault data files use XML, which is a text file format that is very
similar to HTML. You'll find complete documentation in the Authoring Kit,
which is available as a free download, both on our website and directly
from within Card Vault. The Authoring Kit outlines everything you need for
creating data files and/or editing existing data files. The Kit also
describes what is involved in becoming an official author.

If you choose to write data files for Battletech and/or Shadowrun, you're
welcome to post questions here. There have already been quite a few great
questions about validation rules from various authors. :-)

Hope this helps,
Rob


At 03:37 AM 10/28/2002 +0000, you wrote:
>I've been reading posts on authoring databases, and someone was
>talking about how adding flavor text would be a lot of typing. How
>exactly is it that one goes about making DBs in the first place? Cut
>and pasting from cardlists? Also, what's involved in becoming an
>author? I ask because I wouldn't mind making a Battletech database.
>Maybe Shadowrun too.


---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Rob Bowes (rob@wolflair.com) (559) 658-6995
Lone Wolf Development www.wolflair.com


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Just thought I'd let you know I downloaded the authoring kit today.
I'll play around with it and see about making Battletech files.
Anyone know a resource for the old hex-based Battletech Miniatures
game that includes pics of the minis? A link would be much
appreciated.


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