Minecarts Mk.II needs your help! Our programmer has recently dropped out of the project due to real-life commitments and we need a new one!
What is it? Minecarts Mk.II is a comprehensive mod and proposal designed to fix and improve Minecraft's glitch-based minecart gameplay. It is unique in that it's the only minecart mod developed using the key principles of game balance, easy integration with the core game, and player usability.
Started in December of 2010, the concept has been significantly refined and now has a strong, active fan base. Any contributions would be greatly appreciated. If you're a modder/programmer interested in helping make this project a reality, or if you're just curious about the project and have some questions, please don't hesitate to PM me!
- Ehnon
p.s. Ideally I'd like to make the mod compatible with SMP so programmers with SMP modding experience will have priority. However, even if you don't have these skills, I'm still interested in hearing from you since I'd much rather release a SSP-only mod than no mod at all.
Will the mod version have SMP abilities? Just curious.
Also not every modder can do SMP so if that is the case you may wish to add that to your post :wink.gif:
Will the mod version have SMP abilities? Just curious.
Also not every modder can do SMP so if that is the case you may wish to add that to your post :wink.gif:
Ideally I'd like it to be compatible with SMP. That's a good point about skill requirements, I'll add it right away. Thanks!
See, I never saw what the problem with modding SMP was. If you know how to program, all you have to do is make a few minor adjustments when you port code, like dropping anything related to graphics. Usually, comparing an existing SMP class in the same category to the one you are porting from SSP will tell you everything you need to cut or modify.
See, I never saw what the problem with modding SMP was. If you know how to program, all you have to do is make a few minor adjustments when you port code, like dropping anything related to graphics. Usually, comparing an existing SMP class in the same category to the one you are porting from SSP will tell you everything you need to cut or modify.
I hope it's as easy as you say it is. I would love to see a release of this mod that's compatible with SMP.
Your crusade for this mod confuses me. There is already a working singleplayer mod (Advanced Minecarts) that does everything you seem to want (booster, stop, catch-and-release, detection). There's already a well-developed server plugin too.
So why, exactly, are you trying to create something that already exists? I just don't get it, especially since the OP apparently can't code a thing.
Your crusade for this mod confuses me. There is already a working singleplayer mod (Advanced Minecarts) that does everything you seem to want (booster, stop, catch-and-release, detection). There's already a well-developed server plugin too.
So why, exactly, are you trying to create something that already exists? I just don't get it, especially since the OP apparently can't code a thing.
First, the ultimate intention is not to create a mod, but to have the mechanics added by Mojang to the core game. The mod is primarily a vehicle to gain a popular following. Second, I started this project because I felt that other existing minecart mods lacked attention to player usability, game balance, and careful integration into the existing game. MCMk.II attempts to meet all of these needs and provide a best-fit solution for fixing minecart gameplay in Minecraft.
Also, to clarify, I actually do have experience coding in java and java script (among other languages that I've learned over four years of compsci classes), but un-commented code and obfuscated classes and variables confuses the **** out of my brain and I'd rather not take the time to decipher it when others can code much better than I can despite it. My strengths lie in other disciplines so I focus on them instead.
Besides, a little competition is healthy. This project might encourage the people working on other minecart mods to release something even better. In the end everyone wins.
First, the ultimate intention is not to create a mod, but to have the mechanics added by Mojang to the core game. The mod is primarily a vehicle to gain a popular following.
I don't have any problem with anyone asking for improvements to the core game. That's what the Suggestion forum and Get Satisfaction are all about. But your post is primarily about mod development, and you posted it in the Modding Discussion forum.
I do understand that many improvements in the game have come from community-developed mods, so the two things are not unlinked. However, it seems to me like you're going about it all wrong. The other existing mods, well, exist. Your mod does not. Therefore those mods are already available as examples to Mojhang of what can and should be done. If there's something that you don't like about them, perhaps you should take it up with the authors.
Quote from Ehnonimus »
Second, I started this project because I felt that other existing minecart mods lacked attention to player usability, game balance, and careful integration into the existing game.
I'd like to see an intelligent discussion of the specific things that you think are lacking in Minecarts Advanced and Minecart Mania. Nothing that I saw in this thread or the other thread gave me any reason to believe that a new mod was needed or appropriate.
And, for the record, if all you have to suggest is changed graphics, recipes, and an unneeded and overly-complicated incremental booster, then you will certainly fail to convince me that your proposal has any merit.
@Spellchek: I'm sorry, but I'm unclear about what you're trying to prove or state with your post. The reason I posted in the Mod Discussion area was because I wanted to discuss the possibility of recruiting programmers to help work on the MCMk.II mod. Also, contrary your your belief, the mod does in factexist .
Also, claiming that a mod is "the way things should be done" simply because it exists is not a valid argument. There is always room for improvement. This goes for my project as well, but that's why it's constantly being refined and evolving for the better. The reason I didn't "take it up with the authors" is because their projects were already well established in their ways and I saw no reason why they would change things from my lone suggestions. This is especially true considering that some of my key ideas for this project would have required mod creators to throw away a lot of their gimmicky additions and features. I felt it would have been extremely presumptuous of me to suggest such drastic changes, and thus, I decided to start my own project.
Feel free to read over the original Suggestions topic to understand what my goals for the project are. Keep in mind that it is still a work in progress and I'm continually striving to perfect it.
There is always room for improvement. This goes for my project as well, but that's why it's constantly being refined and evolving for the better. The reason I didn't "take it up with the authors" is because their projects were already well established in their ways and I saw no reason why they would change things from my lone suggestions.
Sorry, but this rings hollow. My sense is that you were either unaware that the other mods already existed, or that you simply want to associate your name with the proposed changes. While those are just my guesses, they are informed by the fact that you still fail to identify the reasons why the existing mods are deficient (or "gimmicky," to use your word).
In my opinion, any mod author who takes up this project would be wasting their time and resources. Better that they devote their energies to developing new mods or reviving old mods that have been orphaned by departed authors.
There is always room for improvement. This goes for my project as well, but that's why it's constantly being refined and evolving for the better. The reason I didn't "take it up with the authors" is because their projects were already well established in their ways and I saw no reason why they would change things from my lone suggestions.
Sorry, but this rings hollow. My sense is that you were either unaware that the other mods already existed, or that you simply want to associate your name with the proposed changes. While those are just my guesses, they are informed by the fact that you still fail to identify the reasons why the existing mods are deficient (or "gimmicky," to use your word).
In my opinion, any mod author who takes up this project would be wasting their time and resources. Better that they devote their energies to developing new mods or reviving old mods that have been orphaned by departed authors.
I'm afraid your guesses are incorrect on both counts. When I started this project I was very aware of Minecart Mania's existence and Feanor's mod hadn't existed at the time. Minecarts Mania was actually one of the main reasons why I started this project since I disliked many aspects of it's implementation and there was no other alternative at the time. Even after Feanor released his mod, I felt there were several aspects of it which the MCMk.II proposal handled better and so I continued with the project. Regarding my ego, I honestly wouldn't care less if "Ehnonimus" or "Anonymous" was associated with the project. I simply wanted a better way of handling minecarts in Minecraft then was (and is currently) offered and thus initiated the project. I've always considered this project about more than just me and from the very start I've always made an effort to include the names of anyone and everyone who helps with it.
Also, I have extensively explained why I feel other mods are inadequate solutions for core-game inclusion in the original MCMk.II Suggestion topic. To paraphrase a couple of the main reasons, Feanor's mod lacks the versatility I hope to achieve per block and Minecart Mania has so many customizable features that it becomes overly complex and wasteful. Both are fine mods, but in my opinion, are not ideal for use in the core game which is the ultimate goal of this mod.
Your opinion regarding how other authors should spend their time is noted. However I'm confident that many will still see the value of the Minecarts Mk.II project as a whole even if they choose not to participate in the mod aspect in any way.
I'm with Ehnominus here. Quality and balance are very important factors, even in mods. These are things that I haven't found in any minecart mod here: They're all quick-fixes.
Minecarts Mk.II needs your help! Our programmer has recently dropped out of the project due to real-life commitments and we need a new one!
What is it? Minecarts Mk.II is a comprehensive mod and proposal designed to fix and improve Minecraft's glitch-based minecart gameplay. It is unique in that it's the only minecart mod developed using the key principles of game balance, easy integration with the core game, and player usability.
Started in December of 2010, the concept has been significantly refined and now has a strong, active fan base. Any contributions would be greatly appreciated. If you're a modder/programmer interested in helping make this project a reality, or if you're just curious about the project and have some questions, please don't hesitate to PM me!
- Ehnon
p.s. Ideally I'd like to make the mod compatible with SMP so programmers with SMP modding experience will have priority. However, even if you don't have these skills, I'm still interested in hearing from you since I'd much rather release a SSP-only mod than no mod at all.
Also not every modder can do SMP so if that is the case you may wish to add that to your post :wink.gif:
Ideally I'd like it to be compatible with SMP. That's a good point about skill requirements, I'll add it right away. Thanks!
I hope it's as easy as you say it is. I would love to see a release of this mod that's compatible with SMP.
So why, exactly, are you trying to create something that already exists? I just don't get it, especially since the OP apparently can't code a thing.
First, the ultimate intention is not to create a mod, but to have the mechanics added by Mojang to the core game. The mod is primarily a vehicle to gain a popular following. Second, I started this project because I felt that other existing minecart mods lacked attention to player usability, game balance, and careful integration into the existing game. MCMk.II attempts to meet all of these needs and provide a best-fit solution for fixing minecart gameplay in Minecraft.
Also, to clarify, I actually do have experience coding in java and java script (among other languages that I've learned over four years of compsci classes), but un-commented code and obfuscated classes and variables confuses the **** out of my brain and I'd rather not take the time to decipher it when others can code much better than I can despite it. My strengths lie in other disciplines so I focus on them instead.
Besides, a little competition is healthy. This project might encourage the people working on other minecart mods to release something even better. In the end everyone wins.
I don't have any problem with anyone asking for improvements to the core game. That's what the Suggestion forum and Get Satisfaction are all about. But your post is primarily about mod development, and you posted it in the Modding Discussion forum.
I do understand that many improvements in the game have come from community-developed mods, so the two things are not unlinked. However, it seems to me like you're going about it all wrong. The other existing mods, well, exist. Your mod does not. Therefore those mods are already available as examples to Mojhang of what can and should be done. If there's something that you don't like about them, perhaps you should take it up with the authors.
I'd like to see an intelligent discussion of the specific things that you think are lacking in Minecarts Advanced and Minecart Mania. Nothing that I saw in this thread or the other thread gave me any reason to believe that a new mod was needed or appropriate.
And, for the record, if all you have to suggest is changed graphics, recipes, and an unneeded and overly-complicated incremental booster, then you will certainly fail to convince me that your proposal has any merit.
Also, claiming that a mod is "the way things should be done" simply because it exists is not a valid argument. There is always room for improvement. This goes for my project as well, but that's why it's constantly being refined and evolving for the better. The reason I didn't "take it up with the authors" is because their projects were already well established in their ways and I saw no reason why they would change things from my lone suggestions. This is especially true considering that some of my key ideas for this project would have required mod creators to throw away a lot of their gimmicky additions and features. I felt it would have been extremely presumptuous of me to suggest such drastic changes, and thus, I decided to start my own project.
Feel free to read over the original Suggestions topic to understand what my goals for the project are. Keep in mind that it is still a work in progress and I'm continually striving to perfect it.
Sorry, but this rings hollow. My sense is that you were either unaware that the other mods already existed, or that you simply want to associate your name with the proposed changes. While those are just my guesses, they are informed by the fact that you still fail to identify the reasons why the existing mods are deficient (or "gimmicky," to use your word).
In my opinion, any mod author who takes up this project would be wasting their time and resources. Better that they devote their energies to developing new mods or reviving old mods that have been orphaned by departed authors.
I'm afraid your guesses are incorrect on both counts. When I started this project I was very aware of Minecart Mania's existence and Feanor's mod hadn't existed at the time. Minecarts Mania was actually one of the main reasons why I started this project since I disliked many aspects of it's implementation and there was no other alternative at the time. Even after Feanor released his mod, I felt there were several aspects of it which the MCMk.II proposal handled better and so I continued with the project. Regarding my ego, I honestly wouldn't care less if "Ehnonimus" or "Anonymous" was associated with the project. I simply wanted a better way of handling minecarts in Minecraft then was (and is currently) offered and thus initiated the project. I've always considered this project about more than just me and from the very start I've always made an effort to include the names of anyone and everyone who helps with it.
Also, I have extensively explained why I feel other mods are inadequate solutions for core-game inclusion in the original MCMk.II Suggestion topic. To paraphrase a couple of the main reasons, Feanor's mod lacks the versatility I hope to achieve per block and Minecart Mania has so many customizable features that it becomes overly complex and wasteful. Both are fine mods, but in my opinion, are not ideal for use in the core game which is the ultimate goal of this mod.
Your opinion regarding how other authors should spend their time is noted. However I'm confident that many will still see the value of the Minecarts Mk.II project as a whole even if they choose not to participate in the mod aspect in any way.