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Help needed for a new Manalink project !!!

PostPosted: 23 Feb 2011, 16:11
by Gargaroz
So, I need volunteers for a new project regarding Manalink, the name will be Magic : Golden Years.
The purpose of this project is to create a new "version" of Manalink besides Costructed, Limited and Custom, that allows you to play a sort of "old costructed", from Alpha to Weatherlight (including Coldsnap in Ice Age Block). I'll like to extend the frame until Exodus, but I fear we haven't sufficient space, given the limit of 2000 cards.
I've no problem with the coding work, but the main reason I'm asking your help is that there are more than 100 cards in the Costructed version that needs to be copied in this new version in order to have a faithful Constructed field, and I need someone to do this boring work. Obviously, you must be well-versed in using the CardEditor.
All right, if you like the project and want to help, get in touch !

Re: Help needed for a new Manalink project !!!

PostPosted: 23 Feb 2011, 16:26
by jatill
If you have the original version of My2000, you can copy 1 card at a time in about 5 seconds each.

Re: Help needed for a new Manalink project !!!

PostPosted: 23 Feb 2011, 17:36
by Gargaroz
Yes, but the Magic.exe won't be updated, you remember that bug ? So, it's still more than 100 entries to correct.

Re: Help needed for a new Manalink project !!!

PostPosted: 23 Feb 2011, 18:05
by jatill
No, there were no bugs with My2000.exe as far as I know (the one that launches customSetEditor). The exe gets copied too.

Re: Help needed for a new Manalink project !!!

PostPosted: 23 Feb 2011, 21:46
by Yggdrasil
I confirm, I still use the original My2000 and it works fine. CSV and EXE are updated.

Re: Help needed for a new Manalink project !!!

PostPosted: 24 Feb 2011, 00:26
by Gargaroz
Ah, that's nice ! Link, please.

Re: Help needed for a new Manalink project !!!

PostPosted: 24 Feb 2011, 03:14
by Salbei
Please do not add another version. It is already confusing as hell for "new" players.
I hope we can "fix" this 2000 Card limit once and for all . There is really no need for a 4th Version (needs a complete Artwork folder) again , will cause trouble with the Bug Reports section and most likely cause a ton of Troubleshooting topics.

I am still facing issues with the custom version and just take a look at the Installation and Troubleshooting forum - its full of topics related to it. Seems like only about 30% of the people could get it to work.

You could try to "share" your custom version, would be the easiest way to get this to work and would cause less trouble.
But please do not auto-include it at future patches, it would mess up already existing versions.

Re: Help needed for a new Manalink project !!!

PostPosted: 24 Feb 2011, 04:30
by stassy
If Gargaroz can keep up with Constructed and Golden Year I don't mind, it will just be another mode if it's completely integrated into the latest update.

The only thing that would bother me is another GoldenYearCardArtNew folder for 90+ Mo but we count on Sonic to keep the card art up to do date, neh? ^_^

Re: Help needed for a new Manalink project !!!

PostPosted: 24 Feb 2011, 04:50
by Salbei
We should just try to fix the initial problem (the 2000 card limit) and all of these "new versions" would be obsolete.
Might want to take a look at this :
viewtopic.php?f=56&t=973

Offtopic:
Please take a look at this:
viewtopic.php?f=55&t=4115&p=54691#p54599

can´t provide any support because i never got it to work myself.

Re: Help needed for a new Manalink project !!!

PostPosted: 24 Feb 2011, 04:56
by stassy
The answer is in this very thread "unfortunately" :

If you have the original version of My2000, you can copy 1 card at a time in about 5 seconds each.

Re: Help needed for a new Manalink project !!!

PostPosted: 24 Feb 2011, 06:30
by Wally
I would love to see this!

I tried and tried to create this myself using the custom2000 editor. I kept running into a problem where the card I needed would get added then immediately overwritten by the next card I needed to add. And so on and so on. I still have nightmares about how long I spent on this!

Re: Help needed for a new Manalink project !!!

PostPosted: 24 Feb 2011, 07:07
by 0rion79
The idea is great, but I'm also afraid it would also be confusing. Even more, what about compatibility?
Maybe, it would be better to take a fresh version of the whole Magic TG folder and create a stand-alone game with just one version that includes this project.
Also, I never use My2000 to update my custom version because I've also experimented the same trouble that Wally has had. So, I do it manually using Microsoft Excel and SkyMagic editor, plus my2000 to update arts.

Re: Help needed for a new Manalink project !!!

PostPosted: 24 Feb 2011, 14:02
by Gargaroz
I really don't see the problem with a new version at all : currently, it's only 3 files and a .bat file (plus a new artwork folder if you want the artworks). It's no more than an edited Limited Version with filenames changed, really. Just click on the .bat and play, I couldn't make it more easier than this.
However, as soon as I finish to code the missing cards for Ice Age block, I'll release it as separate Mod to avoid problems. It's completely compatible with all the other versions too, and you'll NEED the latest Manalink patch to play the mod (the DLL is there).
Obviously this new project will NOT prevent me from working on the Costructed version. As long as I keep the current part-time job routine, there are no problems for me at all.
As for the "wait until the 2000 limit is broken", you realize you're talking about A LOT of time, right ? Since I can't help in that department (no knowledge of ASM at all), I'll keep coding cards. Just exploit me, please ! ;)

Re: Help needed for a new Manalink project !!!

PostPosted: 24 Feb 2011, 14:16
by jatill
Gargaroz wrote:As for the "wait until the 2000 limit is broken", you realize you're talking about A LOT of time, right ? Since I can't help in that department (no knowledge of ASM at all), I'll keep coding cards. Just exploit me, please ! ;)
Honestly, I don't think this will ever happen. So I wouldn't base any decisions round the eventual breaking of the 2000 limit.

Re: Help needed for a new Manalink project !!!

PostPosted: 24 Feb 2011, 14:22
by Shantak
Gargaroz wrote:Just exploit me, please ! ;)
How about this idea for an exploit: a new version with all the current (codable) cards in Standard format (Zendikar, Worldwaker, Rise of the Eldrazi, M11, Scars of Mirrodin, Mirrodin Besieged). M11 and Zen are pretty much all done, I think, as well as most of the best cards in other sets, but I'm speaking of all here :D