Lobby indicator "flag"

Spinoza · Post by **Spinoza** » Sat Aug 14, 2010 1:19 pm

Short version:
I'd like Allegiance to have a different window title when you are in the lobby.
Right now the window title is always "Allegiance", I'd like it to change to something "Allegiance lobby" when you're not in-game.

Long version:
This has to do with Alleg's funny chat system, but not just that.
AHK scripts which work their magic in the chat generate gibberish while in the lobby, since pressing TAB to switch channel has no meaning.
If the script could be made aware through the window title that the game is in the lobby, it would allow quite a few nifty things.

Specifically, I have an outline of a chat bot which I'd intend as an assistant to @HELP and possibly in the future as an assistant for actual newbies.
This works just like an IRC bot but it's client based.
Basic example:
QUOTE Noob: /hello
Bot: Hi, type "/help" for help.
Player: /help
Bot: type an acronym after a slash for an explanation
Player: /hint
Bot: Only voobs use the acronym hint to indicate a heavy interceptor. Please call it a hvy int.[/quote]
The only serious problem is that it only works well inside a game. If you engage it in the lobby it generates a lot of gibberish and unfortunately, sends it to everyone...

If I get this feature, I promise to release a very amusing script.

Notes:
This problem/feature is also relevant for no-chat scripts, basically anything which generates a @#(!load of key presses.
Also, in principle, allowing scripts to know the game state though the window title can allow interesting stuff like scripts which work only in F3 etc.
A small caveat, messing with the title will semi-break mpAL (it will work only in-game, not in lobby).

EDIT:
Look at the wiki AHK page for example's why automatic chatting generates gibberish.

Imago · Post by **Imago** » Sat Aug 14, 2010 2:22 pm

lol

spinzoa you are funny

we have the source code to the game...

i already fixed one bug for you so you need to paypal me another $1,000 USD (the blend mode transaction cleared, i needed the cash, thanks for your quick payment)

stop making AHK scripts, AHK scripts were so 2000.

Post by **FreeBeer** » Sat Aug 14, 2010 2:30 pm

AHK may not be in vogue, but I, for one, would definitely like to have some kind of 'bot to automatically respond to basic questions. Ideally the reply would be a PM response to the questioner so as to not spam the game or lobby with this kind of info. I wouldn't want to see such a thing abused though - for instance a 'bot that responds with incorrect information and/or triggers a spam war of automated responses.

Imago · Post by **Imago** » Sat Aug 14, 2010 4:26 pm

I made a TracBot for IRC in #FreeAllegiance to try to get other devs to take interest / help announce source code changes - are you considering something similar to an IRC bot, bot for Allegiance - but geared twords helping "newbs" ? If so, I for one look forward to our new "AllegFAQ" bot overlord.

Spinoza · Post by **Spinoza** » Sat Aug 14, 2010 5:16 pm

An embedded bot would be awesome, but I can't see it happening in R6, hmm?
Frankly, if we had the manpower, the right thing would be to improve MDL code so it supports proper scripts.

Anyhow, I'd like to be able to experiment with the bot concept in AHK, easy to write, easy to modify...
For example, I want to create a script for noobs which open wiki pages:
Noob types "/probe", bot opens page on how to probe.

Anyway, this feature request applies to private AHK scripts too. I got a script which spams keys in the lobby occasionaly, forcing me to grind the backspace.

AHK is a limited but convenient tool.
I got a script which extend my joystick with a 'shift' button, a script for VCs in L4D and other games and an insane script I use in Age of Chivalry to switch weapons...

Imago wrote:QUOTE (Imago @ Aug 14 2010, 07:26 PM) I made a TracBot for IRC in #FreeAllegiance to try to get other devs to take interest / help announce source code changes - are you considering something similar to an IRC bot, bot for Allegiance - but geared twords helping "newbs" ? If so, I for one look forward to our new "AllegFAQ" bot overlord.

This is exactly what I want, but let's move the bot discussion to a diff thread. This here is about a fix for a small issue which affects AHK scripts.

Arnaria · Post by **Arnaria** » Sat Aug 14, 2010 5:20 pm

So you want a "help bot" for newbs, a good idea I agree.

You want to use auto hotkey so it's all client-sided...nice idea but surely a newb isn't going to go through the process of setting that up in the first place?

Alternatively you could make this a PHP script...or a utility written in any common programming language. Although it'd be nice for it to be "in" the game, is it worth it? Will nothing else suffice? I guess I agree with the title changing though if it has its uses.

Andon · Post by **Andon** » Sat Aug 14, 2010 6:12 pm

This can be done witout an exceptional amount of effort iirc, and have it in the client. Much better to do it that way, too

Arnaria · Post by **Arnaria** » Sat Aug 14, 2010 8:35 pm

Andon wrote:QUOTE (Andon @ Aug 14 2010, 07:12 PM) This can be done witout an exceptional amount of effort iirc, and have it in the client. Much better to do it that way, too

Fair enough.