A Question of NPC's

[Tyion]

Somethings been on my mind that I will be very interested in seeing addressed in (More) It concerns NPC's. We've seen characters like Yeesha and of course the DRC Members. But in our Ages will we have the ability to create NPC's like Yeesha? What I mean by that is, Could we create a character and program it with Voice/Animation and have it suddenly appeare in (Holo) or Solide form? or is that beyond us?

[GPNMilano]

PyPRP animation currently doesn't allow for character rigging and bone animation. (i could be wrong, but I think I heard one of the Devs say this) I could be wrong about that though. However if I am, wrong that is in my assumption about the bone rigging, then yes. Creation of NPCs is possible.

[Lontahv]

No bones right now.

I think that the rest of the devs are enjoying their summer and putting off the span revision needed (and the blender interface stuff) for bones.

You won't be able to have NPCs like Zandi, Yeesha, or the Quabs--those are hardwired into the engine. You can have things like the Urwin though.


No custom avvies either, those are hardwired as well.

[Tyion]

Hmm well I guess were stuck to the basic DRC methed. (For now anyways) Thanks for clearing that up for me guys.

[Jojon]

No bones right now.

I think that the rest of the devs are enjoying their summer and putting off the span revision needed (and the blender interface stuff) for bones.

You won't be able to have NPCs like Zandi, Yeesha, or the Quabs--those are hardwired into the engine. You can have things like the Urwin though. :)


No custom avvies either, those are hardwired as well.

Umm, in what way does Zandi (as seen simply sitting and speaking when you approach) differ from the Urwin? Any NPCs added by us, would no doubt be dumb automatons, or somebody would have her/his job cut out, interacting with players. :P

What is hardwired, would appear to be the player control, which would have to affect armature animation control - I've seen videos of Zandi walking around, so I'd have to guess he's a "proper" figure, rather than just moulded into that lawnchair. :P
Now, what one hangs onto said armature configuration, would generally seem arbitrary - at least to me, so I see not why it should be impossible to create custom avatars at whim, although whether we have access rights to control them is another matter -- then agin; you are the one with the skills to glean info from stuff - not I :). Speaking of "least", or rather ex-least - with the bahro out of MOUL, there'd seem to be at least one skeleton other than the usual human one, that can be user-controlled... :7

[Lontahv]

Cyan implemented the Bahro into the game engine. They have their own anims etc. Yeah, Zandi's a regular old custom avatar like Rand's avatar.

Well, the reason I bring up Zandi is because as soon as I hear someone say "armature" I think of the Plasma class 'plArmature' which only the avatars use and every instance of it must be hardwired into the engine.

So nominally we'll never get 'plasma armatures' but when we get bone anims that will form our armature in a obscure way.

I have great hope for NPCs.

[GPNMilano]

You won't be able to have NPCs like Zandi, Yeesha, or the Quabs--those are hardwired into the engine. You can have things like the Urwin though.

Technically, Lontahv, we can't have the traditional Urwin stuff either. The Urwin, Monkey, fish in Dereno, etc were all bone animations. Someone could jury-rig a model animal to look like those, but IMO it'd probably be very choppy looking.

[Jojon]

Cyan implemented the Bahro into the game engine. They have their own anims etc.

I figured, based on your previous information. :7

Yeah, Zandi's a regular old custom avatar like Rand's avatar. Well, the reason I bring up Zandi is because as soon as I hear someone say "armature" I think of the Plasma class 'plArmature' which only the avatars use and every instance of it must be hardwired into the engine.

Upon hearing the word, I think of things like a water faucet or a light fitting. :P
Every instance, right into the engine... Sounds so awfully.. "monolithic"... Saves them the effort of coming up with some sort of general purpose control/animation/behaviour integration class, I suppose..(?) :P

I have great hope for NPCs. :)

You are a young NPC of great expectations, mr. non-plArmature. :P


@Milano: I believe Grogyan has already done just that; he mentioned having a bird flapping its wings -- no doubt with the wing segments as separate objects, just like you seemingly suggest.

[Lontahv]

I got the future and present kinda confused.

Sorry for the confusion.

[Frisky Badger]

Not sure if this helps or not, but either RAWA or Chogon (I think Chogon) mentioned releasing "something" so that fans could create their own emotes. Would that be any help?