Shining in the Darkness: Shining in the Darkness Editor + Very Alpha Map Editor

Discussion about this classic Genesis/Mega Drive game.

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DarkKobold
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Shining in the Darkness Editor + Very Alpha Map Editor

Post by DarkKobold »

Updated, version 5.

This is my last version in VB. If I start this project up again, it will be redone in C#.

Editor:
http://sites.google.com/site/darkkobold ... phav05.zip" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Source:
http://sites.google.com/site/darkkobold ... Source.zip" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

To use:
Open the Rom first (*must be in .bin format*). Then, change item # or Enemy # in the box. Make changes, then hit update item, or update enemy. Finally, click 'write rom' and the file SitDnew.bin will be created in the same directory as your current ROM.

Currently, all Monster and Item edits will be saved after you press Update "Whatever." Even the unknown values.

Also, chest lists and maps can be loaded, but that is it.

Please let me know if this works for you.

Previous versions:
http://sites.google.com/site/darkkobold ... lpha02.zip" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://sites.google.com/site/darkkobold ... lpha03.zip" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://sites.google.com/site/darkkobold ... phav04.zip" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Last edited by DarkKobold on Tue May 31 2011 7:57am, edited 2 times in total.
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Re: Shining in the Darkness Editor, Alpha v04

Post by Flood]Hatred »

Looks good, I'm dling it to test it right now. Just wondering though. This is going to be a complete editor right? If it is how would a level editor work?
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Re: Shining in the Darkness Editor, Alpha v04

Post by DarkKobold »

Seeing as it's been a week, and there has been practically no interest, I'm not sure I'll really continue with it.

A level editor would be simple. a 30x30 Panel of Boxes, with fillable location types.

The biggest problem is determining where in the ROM the maps are.
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Re: Shining in the Darkness Editor, Alpha v04

Post by Chaos Wizard »

f**king sweet. When I have some spare time I'll be sure to fool around with this thing.
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Re: Shining in the Darkness Editor, Alpha v04

Post by BigNailCow »

I didn't even notice this until today.
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Re: Shining in the Darkness Editor, Alpha v04

Post by MXC »

The issue with the SitD board is that it isn't really obvious that there is a new message in it.

Every other board lights up like a Christmas Tree.

Ironic how nothing shines when there is a new post here ;)

Anyway, this is neat. I'd love to edit maps ;)
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Re: Shining in the Darkness Editor, Alpha v04

Post by Doomblade66 »

Yeah - this is cool stuff, Dark Kobold !

I had asked about the possibility of such an Editor Program for SiTD a long time ago - but to see the foundations being made here is definitely encouraging !

My biggest issues with the game - and the things I'd want to have the most control over Editing, are the Enemies - their stats - their spells - special attack effects - etc

The main thing would just be access to the enemy Attack / Defense / HP / Agility values - if you think about it - cause I find those to be the most lacking as the game goes along.

The game is plenty challenging up to the point (IMHO) where you get the ALMIGHTY Light Blade. I think the designers made it WAY too powerful with letting it cast Bolt-3 - for MASSIVE damage to the enemy party. This non-breakable effect basically makes winning almost EVERY battle from that point till the 5th Floor, final areas - a simple exercise:

Pyra (Hex Whip hit)

Milo (Blast 4)

Hiro (Use the Light Blade)


LASH ! WHOOSH ! BOOM ! - Hiro's Party stands victorious !


One key thing to "fix" this would be to make Light Blade's effect merely a Bolt-2 effect - similiar to the Sword of Light from Shining Force.


Another which would help even more would be the ability to modify the fairly low enemy HP values, particularly end-game.


I could see the following changes being fair and able to increase the challenge quite a bit:

Brimstone- HP: 350

Centaurian- HP: 295

Chimera- HP: 305

Collossus- HP: 400

Death Paw- HP: 200

Demonesk- HP: 300

Dragon Fyre- HP: 395

Gargoyle- HP: 175

Kamiliun- HP: 325

Lok Jaw- HP: 275

Ragnarock- HP: 500

Ramiun- HP: 425

Serpi- HP: 335

War Horse- HP: 285

----------------------------

And just for the heck of it, I'd like:


Tortelyde: 300

Doppler: 325

Grim Wall: 350

Shell Beast: 850

Blackbone: 800

Dark Knight: 2750

Dark Sol (Sorceror): 3000 // Demon Breath / Bolt 4 / Freeze 4 / Desoul-1

Dark Sol (Demon): 5500 // Demon Breath 2 / Bolt 4 / Freeze 4 / Blaze 4/ Desoul-1



Twould' be a worthy challenge for the Shining Knight, ehh ? :thumbsup:


Give me the tools, Dark Kobold, AND I'LL GIVE YOU THE WORLD ! (and a chance to experience a revived SiTD challenge !)

- thanks to Dark Sol's dying plea for inspiring the immediate above text :)
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Re: Shining in the Darkness Editor, Alpha v04

Post by Lord Oddeye sama »

Yeah, the "new message" icon isn't easy on the eye. It just blends with the greyed out version on this screen.

On-topic: I like the idea of a balance hack for this game, and why not a modified labyrinth layout... Yeah, an editor would be great. :)
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Re: Shining in the Darkness Editor, Alpha v04

Post by DarkKobold »

Has anyone tried the current editor yet?

Is it working for anyone else?
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Re: Shining in the Darkness Editor, Alpha v04

Post by Crystalgate »

Sorry, but I did not get it to work. Is there a difference between BIN and bin?

Anyway, what I would be the most interested in is rebalancing. In particular, I would like to make offensive spells better and probably compensate by making healing spells somewhat more expensive. Currently it's to much of an obvious choice to save your MP for healing spells. I would also like to look into some other spells that didn't seem particular useful.

One feature I do think the editor really needs is a "create patch" option. It's easier to distribute patches than the ROM itself.
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Re: Shining in the Darkness Editor, Alpha v04

Post by BigNailCow »

Easier and considerably more legal.
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Re: Shining in the Darkness Editor, Alpha v04

Post by DarkKobold »

So, I've figured out how maps are loaded, and stored in the ROM. Problem is, I can't code worth a crap in Visual Basic (or Visual C++). So, I may just write all this info up in a document, and hope someone else implements the actual editor.

If BNC has any grand advice on how to implement a map editor, I'm all ears.

Also, I've found 3 things in the game are coded different than normal for enemies. Experience gains set higher than 4000 is set to 30,000 (gee I wonder why). Also, 1022 HP is 1200 HP, and 1023 HP is 2500 HP. They did this for reducing the # of bits to represent a monster.

I've built in a load function (finally). I'll release something new in a week or so.
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Re: Shining in the Darkness Editor, Alpha v04

Post by BigNailCow »

I've only played SitD briefly, so I don't know exactly what all's in the maps, but could you just make some sort of command line utility that parses a text file containing the map layout?
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Re: Shining in the Darkness Editor, Alpha v04

Post by Doomblade66 »

Hey Dark Kobold - - - has any further progress been made on the editor ? Basically, the main functions I'd enjoy would be an enemy stats editor. That's really the major thing that would up the difficulty a bit - - - and really only the Level 4 and Level 5 monsters need it (because of the overpowered - WAY overpowered Light Sword Bolt-3 + Pyra Hex Whip hit + Milo Blast-4 = wipes out almost all enemy formations on the first turn Combo).

Making the Dark Knight and Darksol tougher in terms of HP/Hitting power/defensive strength, etc. would be great. Spell powers seem fine - but I'd like to modify Darksol's spell abilities, if possible - to give him Bolt-4 or Freeze-4 (or both !) instead of the "not that scary at the time you face him and given his stats" Bolt-3 he uses.


Anyways - update on progress ?
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Re: Shining in the Darkness Editor, Alpha v04

Post by DarkKobold »

I should probably at least release version .02, with the less silly load script.

Also, I believe there are programs out there that allow you to make IPS patches from
ROMs. That may be more reliable than me in the coming months.

The PhD work load just massively increased, so I doubt I'll make much or any progress on this till November.
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Re: Shining in the Darkness Editor, Alpha v04

Post by Doomblade66 »

Wow. PhD. Impressive, most impressive. No wonder you understand all this Hex / Code / stuff ! :thumbsup:
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Re: Shining in the Darkness Editor, Alpha v04

Post by Amelie »

I think.... I just got an erection.

*gets magnifying glass*

Yep! :p


Awesome stuff, man! I'm looking forward to the progress of this!
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Re: Shining in the Darkness Editor, Alpha v04

Post by Doomblade66 »

Hmm....I didn't know Sarah could get those..... :D
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Re: Shining in the Darkness Editor, Alpha v04

Post by DarkKobold »

Updated, now has some rudimentary Enemy modifications. Please test.
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Re: Shining in the Darkness Editor, Alpha v04

Post by Doomblade66 »

Great ! Thank D-Kobold. I'll test it and let you know how it works out. :thumbsup:
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