popot.org

[Norbert]

I'm currently working on a new PoP related command-line utility (GPL3 or later).
I estimate that it will take me about 1-2 more weeks to finish it.
After I've released it, I'll get back to working on popot.org.

Things are progressing nicely. I should be able to release the first version of the new utility this weekend, probably on March 27th. The utility uses princehack.xml to parse any given PRINCE.EXE file and displays the non-default values it contains. In other words, if someone used CusPop, it will soon be much easier to figure out what has been changed. When I'm ready to release it I will create a new thread about it on the Prince Of Persia 1 board. In it I will link to the package, post some (interesting) parse results, and suggest some small fixes for princehack.xml.

[Andrew]

Interesting. Will it work with any Prince.exe version? Will it require the unpacked EXE, and if so, how are you gonna handle different unpackers?

[Norbert]

Will it work with any Prince.exe version? Will it require the unpacked EXE, and if so, how are you gonna handle different unpackers?

It works with any version. By default it autodetects the version, but it is also possible to use --exe=<TYPE> to force the utility to use a certain version. It does not automatically unpack the file (it can handle packed files), because I don't want to include UPACKEXE.EXE in my package. However, it should be easy for everyone to get and use UPackExe if they so desire.

I have just released and announced the utility; its name is diffpop.
So, I'm now going to continue my work on popot.org.

[Norbert]

Meanwhile, the PoP1 Total Pack is annoying me, because starwindz added all kinds of files to the directories in run/, which makes it very hard to determine what files are actually part of the mods (and what the real mods' default dungeon and palace graphics are; things like that).

In fact, I can't rely on what is inside the PoP1 Total Pack at all. I can't even use the LEVELS.DAT files and expect them to be the same as they were in the authors' initial packages. Basically, starwindz moved things around as he saw fit. 4D Prince for example contains the wrong KID.DAT file, has a LEVELS.DAT that doesn't match KIRILL.DAT, and because he replaced 4D_PRIN.EXE with Jalal's PRINCE.EXE it doesn't have the official cheat code ("kirill!") and uses the wrong guard file in two instances. Also, its run/ directory contains a whole bunch of garbage files that are either used by the PoP1 Total Pack itself or - more problematically - accidentally ended up in there. It's a pain.

[Norbert]

Added Moscow Tracer's mod:
http://www.popot.org/custom_levels.php?mod=0000066 (Mirages of Persia)

[Norbert]

Added diffpop to popot.org:
http://www.popot.org/other_useful_tools ... ol=diffpop

[Norbert]

Added 23 extra mods:
http://www.popot.org/custom_levels.php
(The total number of mods on popot.org is now 32.)

Also, I think I have an interesting idea. After I've added all the mods to the website, I could start working on a new feature that will allow registered users to indicate for each mod which levels they've finished; allow users to check the applicable checkboxes. These stats will be visible on the mods' pages. It's a nice way for people to 'show off' their skills and at the same time it might encourage new visitors to check out the mods (and comment/vote on them). This could also get more people interested in joining this forum, creating or improving software, and so on...

[Norbert]

Added 33 extra mods:
http://www.popot.org/custom_levels.php
(The total number of custom mods is now 65.)

If you think you have a (better) description for a certain mod, have better screenshots, or other suggestions... don't hesitate to let me know.

[Norbert]

Added PR to the "Other Useful Tools" section:
http://www.popot.org/other_useful_tools.php?tool=PR

[Norbert]

Added Hummel's mod:
http://www.popot.org/custom_levels.php?mod=0000067 (Dusk:Mod)

[Norbert]

Added a link to Jordan's old journals to the Web Links section:
http://www.popot.org/web_links.php
I've written a bit about these journals here: viewtopic.php?f=68&t=2927

[Norbert]

Added Jordan's drawings and rotoscoping frames for Prince of Persia 1:
http://www.popot.org/get_the_games.php? ... 1_drawings
http://www.popot.org/get_the_games.php? ... otoscoping
These are pretty cool. Some of these things, like the sliding floors, didn't make it into the actual game.

[Norbert]

Added a page about gpl2jascpal:
http://www.popot.org/other_useful_tools ... pl2jascpal
(Its thread is here.)

David recently ported that utility to Windows, which makes this documentation useful to more people:
http://www.popot.org/documentation.php? ... PoP1Images
(I added that document to popot.org on May 22nd. Its thread is here.)

[David]

Added Jordan's drawings and rotoscoping frames for Prince of Persia 1:
http://www.popot.org/get_the_games.php? ... 1_drawings
http://www.popot.org/get_the_games.php? ... otoscoping
These are pretty cool. Some of these things, like the sliding floors, didn't make it into the actual game.

The SNES version has something similar.
Another interesting thing is that he writes "if one loose floor falls on another loose floor, it dislodges that one too" and then it's crossed out, with the word "impossible" - but this is possible in the game.
I thing some things were taken out because they were too violent, like the "impaled by lowering gate" or the "impalement sequence". Actually, in PoP2, the doors in the caverns levels can crush the prince.
The crossed sword idea is interesting, on level 12 there is an unreachable sword with similar function.

[Norbert]

Added an old mod from 1995 (by Lich/Devil):
http://www.popot.org/custom_levels.php?mod=0000068 (Super Prince of Persia)