Insane Difficulty: Want to Beta Test? Sign here! - Insane Difficulty

As the title implies, I'm looking for Beta Testers of trust.

This RPG-hybrid is a mixed salad of genres, combining reflexes, planification similar to TCGs, strategy, tactical moving and planning, among many others. As the gameplay is based mostly on the 30 chips folder system, where you can make *any* kind of folder you'd like, we find ourselves with virtually countless possibilities for any sort of gameplay out there.
For example, while experienced players may go for an unicoded, or dualcoded folder, some other experienced players will argue (making perfect and rational sense) that more powerful, but multicoded folders might prove better in some ocasions.
These kind of debates are endless in Battle Network, and that's why I want to offer you guys to be part of the project from step one.

The kind of things you'd be part of:

• You'd get to play the mod before anyone else!
  
• You'd get to give me feedback and influence the approach of the mod directly!
  
• You'd be able to give me ideas on how to sadistically challenge the players! (Ehem, I didn't say that)

So, if you're interested, just say the word in this thread and I'll willingly send you a PM providing details on how you can help me.

Requirements:

• Most basic knowledge of hex editing ("Go there, change this value, now you face this enemy, try it out", as simple as that) (Not anymore)
  
• Having played *any* Megaman Battle Network game before (prefered but optional, since this will be designed for both new and experienced players)
  
• Will to provide feedback and make the project better!

Any questions, post them here as well!

I guess I could give it a shot, maybe?

But.. I don't know how to hex edit..

It's so hard, I don't know where to begin.

I'm game, though you know that already. Got limited knowledge of hex editing, though could probably manage what you've described no bother (my knowledge of it only extends to looping songs and inserting them into Dissidia. )

Both will be PM'd . First beta testing will most likely be just playing through the game until the first boss, with an unreleased version I'll PM you later. No rules set, so you can be as grindy (or not) as you want.

I first need to mod the battle formations up to it, and it will be set. It will take something within 3 and 4 days, maybe less, maybe more, no promises.

Kyozo, rest assured that I *really* meant hex editing in the most basic form. *If* I need the testers to make any kind of simple hex editing (which won't be all the time, most of the time I'll just handle the patch and a save file), I'll make it as intuitive as it can get.

Last thing to mention (just to clarify, to you guys or anyone else reading), is that I won't be demanding any sort of deadlines. You all take this a healthy hobby, and we should all respect that.

Edit:

Advent, on 04 July 2014 - 11:17 PM, said:

No worries Hart, I knew what you meant in your first post. I'm just past Flashman anyway on your enhanced version. I'll probably re-do it without any grinding/ HP-Ups (I didn't really grind, but was able to afford them.)

Feel like trying it out with the default stuff.

Hart-Hunt, on 05 July 2014 - 07:48 AM, said:

If kyozo needs help, I'm more than happy to oblige.

Hart-Hunt, on 05 July 2014 - 07:48 AM, said:

Respect DEEZ NUUUUUTS!

Advent, on 05 July 2014 - 09:20 AM, said:

Oh dear christ, you have no idea how terrifying that is...

Also, just beat Flashman from scratch. Lost twice to him - he never *ahem* "Area Grabbed" me when I played first time yesterday.

Poor Mega. Will be walking funny from the corrupting influence of the Flashs' 'data stream' for a while...

P.s I hate Area Grab. Totally throws me off my game (I like MiniBomb early game and losing a column fucks me all up.)

I was actually quite serious.

Advent, on 05 July 2014 - 10:58 AM, said:

Ohhh, my bad. Saw the emoticon and thought "he's fuckin wit me... and I kinda like it...'

Appreciate the offer, in that case.

Yep, areagrab is quite powerful for both the player and the enemies. Luckily, only some of the enemies have it. I especially love BN3 for making the Navis have some chips. It makes the battles seem much more realistic .

I'll be working with the codes, and the drops and whatnot to determine how many MetalGels and AreaGrabs the player has. That's one of the keys to balancing the chips.

I'm glad you decided to use BN3 as the base. I've played this game so many times it isn't even funny. You can easily tell that the A.I. have been touched up right from the get go, which is nice. I'm sure later enemies are much harder but the beginning is still pretty easy. Please take note I have yet to get to FlashMan yet since I've just been playing this occasionally when I've had spare time.

Sadly I don't have much knowledge in hex editing. I believe I already have the programs necessary, things are written backwards, yada yada, but that's as far as my knowledge goes.

With no grinding I was able to get a HP Up, an Invis *, and the Area Grab * already. I'm starting to get sick of Guard * chips already though...

Yeah, the fluidity of the early game is definitely gonna change when I start tweaking the battle formations, because then you'll be able to gram a few more chips.

The shops are a problem, especially with those exact chips you mentioned. AreaGrab * is one of the most broken chips available for the player, same with Invis *, and both are given to the player before the very first dungeon (Invis * with THREE copies of it). It's in my scope to edit the shops and codes to make everything look cleaner in regards to the design.

I'm still waiting for my PM, fuckface.

It's taking a while, I know I need to have a very clear vision of the game in its whole before determining which enemies go where (to have the most accurate grasp of how the player will feel at certain moments of the game). That, and college stuff (and totally not the WC) have been the main reason for the delay. Sorry everyone, it will be done within the few days.

Oh, from previous posts I got the impression you already sent them out, so I thought you forgot about me.

My bad.

Yeah, I still have HxD if that is sufficient enough for the hex editing required and if all I'll have to do is find and replace I should be able to contribute. Take note, even though I took the initiative to install this program I've never actually used it... I've used simple programs like BrawlBox, PSA, editing codesets, FFTPatcher, HadesWorkshop, etc. I know that they aren't nearly as complicated as hex editing (except possibly manually editing codesets) but I'm sure I'd be able to learn quickly after messing around with all of these for years.

I've just been waiting for some sort of BN(3) fan game or difficulty mod for years so I'd really like to contribute anything I can.

Don't worry, my intention is to not have the testers use hex editors unless I specifically require it. And when it is required, I'll make it as straightforward as it can be, I promise.

I'll include you to the list of the first test, which will be simply playing until Flashman and giving me feedback on the battle formations and the flow of the game. Gotta keep working on it, now.

JCOnyx, on 10 July 2014 - 09:20 PM, said:

HxD is what I use, so yeah that's sufficient. Hex editing isn't difficult at all; the difficult part is finding what (value and specific byte of data) corresponds to what, which will be in what Hart sends out.

When will I notice the changes in the AI?

ForteGX, welcome.

Every enemy has the AI enhanced, I personally modified each of the attack variables. The early game isn't as challenging for a BN vet though, since this mod is aimed for both vets and newcomer to the series. For which it needs a proper difficulty curve.

As you progress through the game and meet versions 3 and 4 of the viruses and the Navis is when you'll see a nice addition to the difficulty. However, within the scope of the project is to customize every single battle formation in each comp, internet area, dungeons and individual battles. (which is what I've been doing these days since this release, designing the formations). After that, the shops editing and chip rebalance changes will take order, which will all synergize and make this a full mod.

If you have any suggestions, I'd be glad to hear them and take them into consideration. Including the new AI for each enemy, if you think an enemy could be faster or slower, feel free to post it and I'll read it.