Official FA Ability Tree?

[Anonymous]

I'm sure most of us would have liked to have something like this at one point or another(i know i have), especially when I've been unable to get onto the server.  Well, Globin reminded me in a thread he started about an interactive ability tree(http://thematrixonlineboards.warnerbros.com/newboards/thread.jspa?threadID=2000031945), however I wanted to talk to ya'll about creating an official FA ability tree in flash or html for when the NDA is extinguished, or if you think something like this would even be necessary.   I was thinking that we could create an Ability tree in all zion mainframe style(like the site) for the public(or just beta users while the NDA is effect), advertising FA all over it.  I can create this, but I want to see what ya'll think.

A few questions that come to mind are:

1a. Do you like this idea?
1.  (Right now) Would it be breaking the NDA?
2.  Would you use it?
3.  Would newer players use it?
4.  Will the fanzine include an ability tree in print?
5.  If so, will this be an unnecessary project?
6.  Should we provide the tree to the community? During Beta? Post NDA?
7.  Do you think this will be useless once servers are up 24/7 and people can login anytime and check out the ability tree?
8.  Should it be done in flash or HTML? Why?
9.  Should we just use the screenshots and image maps(html)/invisible buttons(flash) or should we customize it, FA style?

Another Q:

1.  Should we include Ketamininja's Coord location system?

This will be created sooner or later, so I think it would be a good idea to beat everyone to it and promote the faction at the same time.  Also I've seen hardline apps on the forums(although ket's is better), so I think that we might  want to include that as well.   I would be glad to take on this project, however, I would love it if someone would take the screenshots for me(200+) .   If no one here wants to, I may have Globin do it for me, so I would have to include him in the credits, but I would like this to be an all FA thing.  Anyway let me know what you think of this idea.

[Anonymous]

I like the idea & have been thinking about the same thing for a while...just never started.

Maybe if this gets the big "Let's do it!" I can help you out.  Would we need to get Monolith/WB to endorse it if we use their images, like Ability icons, etc.?

EDIT:  I just have this major MxO-Junkie thing goin' on, so any & all MxO I can get my hands on is like feeding my addiction!  

[Anonymous]

Dunno if we'd HAVE to have an endorsement from WB/Monolith to post images,  but permission/endorsement from them  would be a plus.

[Anonymous]

I can see a great potential in it ... the biggest being that a person would be able to 'tweak' their ability layout so that they could get the most out of their toon, and it could provide newer people (unexperienced players) a way to see what some people are doing skill-wise.

I'm with Beleev about the 'HAVE to get an endorsement' .... but it's better to ask permission than to ask for forgiveness.

[Anonymous]

1a. Yes
1. Aren't our beta boards be breaking it?
2. Yes
3. Not applicable...
4. Doubt it
6. Possibly Post NDA, but not the source to it, only the ability to use it on our website
7. No, because I don't want to log into MxO every single time I have to check something quickly
8. Neither. DHTML, PHP, and XML
9. XML to add data, PHP and DHTML to style it

[Anonymous]

We talked about something like this a while ago but the NDA killed it.

I say let's start working on it now and keep in under wraps until NDA is lifted.

I say Flash because it's so much more interactive.  Most recent browsers have the flash plugin out-of-the-box so that shouldn't be a problem.

[Anonymous]

I think Flash would be more interactive for sure, even more visually pleasing.

[Anonymous]

I certainly like the sound of it, would be one to whack the achknowledgement scale through the roof..

[Eroz]

Before you go thought and start make this I already have a Excel tree made as well as a Word List of the abilities

[Anonymous]

It reminds me of that one skill builder on that SWG site, where it tallied everything for you including bonuses and maxes

[Ketamininja]

I am currently working on a flash coordinate system, although this is on the backburner just now for another module that should be ready tomorrow...

This sounds good, should be quite simple - but it probably wouldn't make much difference to beta/NDA as it wouldn't be ready until quite close to launch anyway...

[Tbone]

Who can work in Flash? I have other projects as well that need to be looked at.

[Ketamininja]

at your service, mon capitan

I'm more the coding side than animation side.. need database interation, no problem, need some sexy moving animation, well I can't draw that well on the computer...

A combination of both would be like:
Movie intor sequence, then an interface being "built" by parts swinging into place off screen. (All animation side). Then, the menus being drawn onto the interface, and the BB being displayed centre (All coding side).

I can do the first part sorta, but just not drawing.. i hate the drawing part because I suck lol

[Tbone]

Check out my thread "Follow the Angel: The Path Continues" for the project I was looking to complete.

[Anonymous]

I can swing some Flash for ya...