Checklist Before Releasing Mod
Checklist Before Releasing Mod
I think it might be useful to have some sort of checklist that mod creators can read before releasing their mods.
Below are some entries to show you what I mean ([D] Dungeon, [P] = Palace, [G] General).
[P] Do the background stripes look okay (no unintentional empty spots in between lines)?
[P] Have carpets/tapestries, balconies and arches (image, mirror) been added to improve the atmosphere?
[P] Have mirrors been placed anywhere?
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[D] Have background (wall) shadows been added here and there?
[D] Have skeletons been placed here and there to improve the atmosphere?
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[G] Have one or more windows been added to rooms with large empty background areas?
[G] Have all levels been playtested (are they finishable; no unintentional shortcuts)?
[G] Can gates not be unintentionally passed with tricks like this or this?
[G] Do one or more levels contain hard to obtain life potions to add an extra challenge?
[G] Difficulty: could certain rooms use an extra: guard, spike(s), chomper(s), heal potion(s) and/or loose tile(s)?
[G] Do all levels contain a proper amount of torches?
[G] Does the prince start in front of level start doors?
[G] Has debris (broken tiles) been added here and there?
[G] Have small and high (double; two row) pillars been added here and there to improve the atmosphere?
Below are some entries to show you what I mean ([D] Dungeon, [P] = Palace, [G] General).
[P] Do the background stripes look okay (no unintentional empty spots in between lines)?
[P] Have carpets/tapestries, balconies and arches (image, mirror) been added to improve the atmosphere?
[P] Have mirrors been placed anywhere?
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[D] Have background (wall) shadows been added here and there?
[D] Have skeletons been placed here and there to improve the atmosphere?
-----
[G] Have one or more windows been added to rooms with large empty background areas?
[G] Have all levels been playtested (are they finishable; no unintentional shortcuts)?
[G] Can gates not be unintentionally passed with tricks like this or this?
[G] Do one or more levels contain hard to obtain life potions to add an extra challenge?
[G] Difficulty: could certain rooms use an extra: guard, spike(s), chomper(s), heal potion(s) and/or loose tile(s)?
[G] Do all levels contain a proper amount of torches?
[G] Does the prince start in front of level start doors?
[G] Has debris (broken tiles) been added here and there?
[G] Have small and high (double; two row) pillars been added here and there to improve the atmosphere?
Last edited by David on August 15th, 2017, 10:17 am, edited 1 time in total.
Reason: stickied
Reason: stickied
Re: Checklist Before Releasing Mod
Came up with three more:
[G] Has the mod name never been used before?
[G] Can the prince never disappear (die) into nothingness (go right or down even though there's no room there)?
[G] In level 6, is the level exit door - if it's used - always fully open before entering the shadow's room (to prevent the level exit door from being 'stuck')?
[G] Has the mod name never been used before?
[G] Can the prince never disappear (die) into nothingness (go right or down even though there's no room there)?
[G] In level 6, is the level exit door - if it's used - always fully open before entering the shadow's room (to prevent the level exit door from being 'stuck')?
Re: Checklist Before Releasing Mod
Another one:
[G] If debris has (broken tiles have) been added, is it at locations above which there are (now) open spaces?
[G] If debris has (broken tiles have) been added, is it at locations above which there are (now) open spaces?
Re: Checklist Before Releasing Mod
Another one, pointed out by programmer (among others).
[G] Remember, once the player has opened an exit door, the game lets the player exit the level via any exit door that wasn't the level entrance door.
[G] Remember, once the player has opened an exit door, the game lets the player exit the level via any exit door that wasn't the level entrance door.
Re: Checklist Before Releasing Mod
I still frequently see mods where palace wall patterns do not continue on empty tiles.Norbert wrote:[P] Do the background stripes look okay (no unintentional empty spots in between lines)?
This still happens too, recently with Flying Prince.Norbert wrote:[G] Has the mod name never been used before?
So, now I'm wondering if maybe I/we should create a how-to video about modding.
It could also go into modifying images, mention SDLPoP and MININIM as alternatives, and so on.
Then again, maybe I should invest my time into improving the in-development Settings window of SDLPoP.
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- Calif
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Re: Checklist Before Releasing Mod
Is not somekind late for this, there are not so much releases this days, except maybe Dos version.
Re: Checklist Before Releasing Mod
That's true, but quality over quantity.salvadorc17 wrote:there are not so much releases this days
Better to have a couple of good mods than lots of mediocre ones.
Well, except for 2015 and maybe 2011, there were never many SNES releases.salvadorc17 wrote:except maybe Dos version.
Occasionally I'm thinking about creating one myself, but SNES has so many levels.
Plus I'd probably want to edit at least some crucial sprites (like exp0/83.bmp, exp0/82_j.bmp or exp0/82.bmp).
I also have another idea for a DOS mod. Maybe one day.
Re: Checklist Before Releasing Mod
Maybe this topic should be stickied?
Re: Checklist Before Releasing Mod
That might be useful, seeing most mods are released/announced here.David wrote:Maybe this topic should be stickied?
Bunch more:
[G] In addition to changing levels, you could consider changing graphics and/or audio. It's extra work, but you could, for example, display the name of your mod on the title screen. Either learn to use PR to modify the resources inside DAT files. Or, easier: copy your levels (LEVELS.DAT) to one of the remakes (SDLPoP or MININIM) that have a "data" directory with resources you can simply modify.
[G] You could consider modifying the properties of the PRINCE.EXE you include (e.g. starting minutes, hitpoints, etc). For DOS, either use apoplexy (F2 on main screen) or, for more options, use CusPop. With SDLPoP, edit SDLPoP.ini.
[G] It might be useful to look through the special events.
Re: Checklist Before Releasing Mod
Done.Norbert wrote:That might be useful, seeing most mods are released/announced here.David wrote:Maybe this topic should be stickied?
Re: Checklist Before Releasing Mod
And even the level entrance door under certain circumstances:Norbert wrote: ↑January 26th, 2013, 11:45 pm Another one, pointed out by programmer (among others).
[G] Remember, once the player has opened an exit door, the game lets the player exit the level via any exit door that wasn't the level entrance door.
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- atrueprincefanfrom18
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Re: Checklist Before Releasing Mod
Just wanted to confirm...
Is it allowed if we use some other mod's graphics or DAT files in our mods with or without permission of the original DAT file creator? For example, would it be fair downloading DAT files from PoPOT or from any other source and modifying it and/or using it as it is?
Thanks!
Is it allowed if we use some other mod's graphics or DAT files in our mods with or without permission of the original DAT file creator? For example, would it be fair downloading DAT files from PoPOT or from any other source and modifying it and/or using it as it is?
Thanks!
Re: Checklist Before Releasing Mod
Personally, I have no objection.atrueprincefanfrom18 wrote: ↑March 15th, 2020, 4:40 pmIs it allowed if we use some other mod's graphics or DAT files [...]
If possible, you could ask the DAT creator for permission, maybe.
On PoPOT, I can add three people per mod.
Their roles can be "Author", "Co-Author", "Musician", "Artist", "Coder" or "Other".
Some examples are:
- Prince of Persia says "By: Jordan Mechner (Author), Lance Groody (Coder), Avril Harrison (Artist)"
- Red Prince says "By: prince777 (Author), Aram Sev. (Artist)"
- Prince of Persia: Remix III says "By: AuraDragon (Co-Author), Eagle-Head Priest (Co-Author)"
- atrueprincefanfrom18
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Re: Checklist Before Releasing Mod
Yes, but take for example: KingOfPersia (Author of Repetition Of Time). I don't know who he is, how to contact him. It's impossible to get permission from him. So, that's why I was confirming. Also, it may be useful for some other people as well...
So, if I submit a MOD, would I have to tell you which DAT files are edited, and from where they were taken and which ones I edited myself?
Re: Checklist Before Releasing Mod
I doubt anyone will mind if you reuse DATs.
I wouldn't worry about it.
I wouldn't worry about it.