192 replies to this topic

[focuspark]

I thought you would... But it looks like that's not happening. beta apps are available within hours. So just checking the store should show if beta updates are available. I'll also try to remember to email beta users.

[Pariah Devalis]

I know it is a bit far in advance, but do you have any idea how you are eventually going to handle the Clan omni-component system? I cannot image that would make for an easy task.

[focuspark]

Pariah Devalis, on 16 December 2013 - 09:57 PM, said:

I know it is a bit far in advance, but do you have any idea how you are eventually going to handle the Clan omni-component system? I cannot image that would make for an easy task.

Honestly, I've not given it much thought; mostly because even PGI isn't sure yet how omni-mechs will be handled. From what I've read, it sound like omni-mechs will support swapping out arms and side-torsos for different mixtures of hard points. If this is the only difference (other than clan tech) then I just need a mechanism to swap the arms and torsos hard points.

As for the clan vs IS tech, the underlying Skunkworks engine already understands varying levels of IS and Clan tech, and each chassis has value limiting the available components based on the tech levels. So that's already taken care of. Additionally, the 0.5 ton grouping the engine enforces for IS mechs is 0.25 tons for clan (they have 0.25 MGs).

I'd happily take suggestions for the mechanism for swapping arm and torso hard points.

[NRP]

I still don't see your star field background. My beta version is 1.9.0 and my release version is 1.8.3. I just updated Skunkworks yesterday.

[StillRadioactive]

The app is awesome. I have it running in the background any time I'm playing. I don't use it to help me plan my builds, rather to more effectively manage my mech lab.

I keep my mechs empty (not even an engine) to avoid the cost of duplicate parts whenever possible. This lets me save the builds that I like, so that I can more easily copy them when I want to go back to an old chassis.

[NRP]

It's going to get even better when he adds the ability to remotely store and share builds.

[focuspark]

NRP, on 18 December 2013 - 11:56 AM, said:

I still don't see your star field background. My beta version is 1.9.0 and my release version is 1.8.3. I just updated Skunkworks yesterday.

I'm pushing a new beta build now. Should fix the background image issue for WP8. Also contains a fix for crash bug found by another user. I've been having some issues getting the Skydrive linkage stable; originally I was having issues pushing files now I have a bug where files seem to disappear for the network storage randomly. Once this is resolved, I'll add the Skydrive integration button.

FYI: the save button on the loadout screen will be tied to Skydrive once it's live and will save to the network. Local saves are automatic.

StillRadioactive, on 18 December 2013 - 12:38 PM, said:

The app is awesome. I have it running in the background any time I'm playing. I don't use it to help me plan my builds, rather to more effectively manage my mech lab.

I keep my mechs empty (not even an engine) to avoid the cost of duplicate parts whenever possible. This lets me save the builds that I like, so that I can more easily copy them when I want to go back to an old chassis.

Glad you like it. Are you using the WP or Win8 version?

[focuspark]

I'm pushing version 0 of the Skydrive integration. I've only got log in + persistence working well enough to share.

Basically, you only have to log in once and then the app can sync with Skydrive for you. For the build I'm pushing to Marketplace, there actual sync'ing is disabled (mostly to protect your Skydrive account).

Please let me know if you have any issues getting logged into Skydrive. Thanks!

[NRP]

Your star field background looks cool. Other than Highlander JJ still being reported as 1T instead of 2T, everything seems to be working well. Looking forward to the SkyDrive stuff. Will we actually be able to store builds on SkyDrive?

[focuspark]

NRP, on 20 December 2013 - 10:16 AM, said:

Will we actually be able to store builds on SkyDrive?

That's the intent. The current model I have creates a folder called 'Skunkworks' on your SkyDrive share and the individual 'mech loadouts are saved there as .mech files.

This will allow the Phone or Modern app to download and use the files.

[NRP]

I just got your email. So as of right now, nothing happens other than successfully logging in (or not). I just wanted to clarify the intended functionality.

I really hope this works well because I've had nothing but trouble linking files in my SkyDrive account to external parties.

[focuspark]

NRP, on 20 December 2013 - 11:01 AM, said:

I just got your email. So as of right now, nothing happens other than successfully logging in (or not). I just wanted to clarify the intended functionality.

I really hope this works well because I've had nothing but trouble linking files in my SkyDrive account to external parties.

The SkyDrive interface is rather wonky and not well thought out at all. It's designed to be very web page friendly, with desktop and phone apps being second class citizens; so while I'll make it work it'll take time to get it "right".

That said, the only new functionality is the ability to link the app, or log, to SkyDrive. Since this doesn't work from an emulator and I only own an ATT WP7 device, I needed the beta testers with other carriers and/or WP8 devices to test the functionality. I should have the ability to backup loadouts done by Christmas, and the ability to share loadouts (with your own devices, not between people) and restore backups completed by New Years.

Once that works, the ability to share loadouts between people would be next. This would means some kind of loadout viewer for those who do not posses the Skunkworks app. Smurfy's does this fancy image generation thing, I might borrow that idea instead of host a website or writing a desktop app.

[NRP]

Okay, just DL'd the beta. With no build loaded, there is a new icon that has what looks like a folder with a cloud coming out of the top and a downward pointing arrow at the bottom. I assume this is the SkyDrive icon (the text says only "new" just like the + icon)? With a build loaded, this icon changes and the text reads "upload" (which makes sense).

Anyway, pressing either of these icons closes the app. I can still restart the app, but each time I press that icon it closes the app.

[focuspark]

NRP, on 20 December 2013 - 11:57 AM, said:

Anyway, pressing either of these icons closes the app. I can still restart the app, but each time I press that icon it closes the app.

And that was exactly what I was worried about. Now the question, is what to do about it. For now, I'll be limited to waiting for the error logs to comeback from Marketplace.

Thanks!

[Atreides76]

Thank you so much. Awesome app. Cheers !

[focuspark]

An update which includes a the (mostly) working Skydrive integration code was just pushed to the Windows Phone Marketplace. If the beta testers don't find any serious issues with it, I'll likely be able to get the Skydrive patch out by New Years (fingers crossed).

Marketplace says it should be available for tester download in roughly 2 hours.

That said, there's a current issue which I just need time to resolve:
If a user sync's to Skydrive then deletes a loadout locally, on the next sync with Skydrive the loadout will return. I need to add code to delete the loadout from Skydrive as well.

[focuspark]

I've just push what I hope is a final beta update to the Phone Marketplace which includes full support for Skydrive integration. If all goes well and the testers do not report any issues, a patch should be available for general download shortly after the new year. (fingers crossed)

[NRP]

Nevermind. Problem with WiFi on my end.

Edit:
Seems like the app still isn't saving anything to SkyDrive. I sent an email through the feedback option.

Edited by NRP, 27 December 2013 - 06:56 PM.

[focuspark]

NRP, on 27 December 2013 - 05:35 PM, said:

Nevermind. Problem with WiFi on my end.

Edit:
Seems like the app still isn't saving anything to SkyDrive. I sent an email through the feedback option.

Yup and bug found - squashed. Beta testers are awesome - thanks!

New patch for the beta has been pushed to Marketplace, as usual please give Microsoft a few hours to make the download available everywhere.

Thanks again beta testers!

[focuspark]

Latest BETA build was pushed to the Marketplace. With any luck, this is the last BETA drop and the new feature will be live in the New Year.

Thank you again to all the beta testers with special thanks to NRP who really has been very diligent in completely testing the feature and giving me near-real-time feedback on BETA patches.